ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18171, 17 August 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ITALIAN OPERA; COMPANY. The Royal Italian Opsra Cbncerb Company will open its Auckland season in the Town Hall on Wednesday, August 23. Among the party is Signer Antonio Notariello, the famous operatic, tenor, . He had a unique record of distinguished service in the war, serving with the Italian army against the Austri&ns for over two .'■ years. Ha gained several high honours for distinguished conduct and! bravery on the battlefield, and rose to the position of major in command of his local regiroent. During the great retreat he was severely wounded, and only by it miracle were his eyesight and voice saved after critical operations. On several occasions, at critical momenta, _he cheered the depressed troops by singing to them pieces from the famous operas of his native land. He will sing, in Auckland from the great operas of Bizet and Verdi on the opening night of the tour. Ho is supported > by Miss Pauline Dawson, soprano, and Moore MacMahon, solo violinist, and Carlton Fay, solo pianist. AUCKLAND EISTEDDFOD. The second night of the Auckland Eisteddfod was held in the Town Hall last evening when the half-hour entertainment competitions were continued. An effective drawing-room entertainment was provided by Mrs. Dreaver's girls' party, the rendering of the duet, "My Charlie," by Misses Aileen and Nola Tuck, and "The Irish Schoolmaster" by Mrs. Dreaver being particularly fine. "The Gondoliers" (Mr. Ahlers) provided an interesting half-hour of Hawaiian music, both vocal and instrumental numbers being well done. The New Lynn Musical Society provided a fine harvest scene in "Songs of the Country," Mr. Rowe being deservedly encored for his rendering of "When I Was Young." The pupils of Miss Sajiford showed to advantage in a popular recital of song and dance, a feature being a display by Roy White, two years old, claimed to be the youngest dancer in the Dominion. Miss Vera Burmester's pupils — Miss Peggy Middleton, dance (Dawn), Miss Dossie•: j Barnes (Sweet Hawaahm Moonlight), ! and Miss Phyllis Dilworth (skirt dance.)— added to the programme, and had a fine ' reception. Altogether the entertainment was one deserving of a much larger attendance. STRAND THEATRE. The final screenings at« the Strand Theatre will be given; to-day of the varied programme headed by "My Boy," % which little. Jackie Coogan plays with such engaging naturalness the role of.the waif who wins; all hearts. The principal attraction on the new bill to be presented to-morrow and for the ensuing week will be "Squibs'," the romance of a London flower-girl, featuring Betty Bali'our. It is said that there is a touch of genius in this film) and more than; a touch of originality > and that it >is delightfully. human and ; always convincing. ■ ' It-: is described as one of those productions which justify the hope that the British film producer is coming into his own in the industry. Squabs, meets her romance in the person of policeman Charles Lee. The fact that her father is a street corner bookmaker, and most of his friends criminals, leads to difficulties. The picture shows' incidents in the < love-making'-'.of Squibs and her policeman, and incidentally'of her sister and Billy Dawsony a man of the-underworld, and shows the logical conclusion. There is said to be a strong romantic appeal and also a very human interest in the characters,; nor is pathos forgotten in the nridst !cf the V ' general atmosphere ,'oji cheery humour. Betty Balfour is said to be in nor 'element as the 'Cockney flower-girl of tl:is titlerole, while Fred Gwires is cast as the policeman. ( 1 •;;;■■•;■ '."■.;;>': '—-::-:;V'- V;"'"/.^/ ■iCHEATKEL ; "Reckless Youth," the chief attraction at the Princess Theatre;; will be screened • for the last time to-day. The principal , film on the new programriie to beVPN>sented to-morrow and;. .&P the following V week will be, "Charminjj pf the Northwest," a Sebmick feature,, starring Eugene O'Brien. In the first part of the story Channing is living the life of a young ' man about town in London. Later he emigrates to Canada anci there enters the ranks of the Northwest Mounted PoK'ce. There he meets, not only life at $ts hardest, but romance. There are two girls in the ijtory, ona a member of the internationally famonai Gaiety chorus, played by Nita Naldi,, and the other a product of the North woods, played by Norma Shearer.- Chanhing chooser,* tho latter after the former/ had jilted him. His choice, however, necessitates a great deal of strenuous battling with Jim •' Franey, who is also in, love with the • girl of Also, oii the programme- will be another round. of. r .the popular sporting picture, "The Leather Pushers," and strong supporting films. :''■*•• ?..''_ QUEEN'S THJBATRE.; .r< A Fox production, "The Devil Within," iis to. be the leading item on the new programme at the Queen's Theatre tomorrow and for the following week. In > this the leading roie is plaved hy Dustin | ' Farnumy a favourite with .picture-goers. " He will be. seen as*a ship-master-"who absolutely disregards human life or feeling. '■ He ruthlessly confiscates from a savage tribe a sacred idol, and from that time benrsa ouree buried at him byr; a native witch. After trying to settle down to. a normal life he experiences one mis- . fortune after another. His ultimate happiness is won by the payment of a heavy penalty in grief and remorse. The moral of the story is eelf-evicfeni.. The leading lady is Virginia Valli; .■-..." v\> .'