ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18173, 19 August 1922, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

■«>■-—.—— ITATJAN OPERA COMPANY. A musical attraction of considerable interest will be the opening of the Auckland season of the Royal Italian Opera Concert Company at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. Appearing with the party is Signor Antonio Notariello, the brilliant operatic tenor, who created a most favourable impression on his first visit to Auckland last year. Those who heard him' on that occasion (will no doubt look forward to enjoying his singing again, and they will, in addition, have the opportunity of hearing three other distinguished musicians who come from the , musical centres of Europe. Mr. MooreMacmahon, formerly soloist with the Orchestra du Conservatoire of Geneva, is i described as the moat distinguished pupil of Szegeti, the great violinist. To obtain the highest perfection of tone, he plays upon an instrument of rare antiquity, and i intends to introduce illustrations of i masters of different centuries, giving prominence to the works of the modern 1 school. The company also includes Mr. Carlton Fay, solo pianist, and Miss Pauline Dawson, soprano. Concerts will be given on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and the following Tuesday and Thursday. The box plan is now open. STRAND THEATBE. The standard of excellence reached in the film, "Squibs," is higher than that of previous British productions of recent times. Forming the principal attraction on the current programme at the Strand Theatre it should create great interest, not only among those who welcome a change from tfce American motion-pic-ture, but also from people who still have their, warm recollections of, and affection for, London. The story is set in the slums of the great Metropolis, and in the green country lanes. As the action progresses opportunities are made to take 'the spectator also to scenes of the great city such as Piccadilly Circus, the Tower of London, .Trafalgar Square, etc., enabling him to recall localities with which he used to be familiar. "Squibs" is part •drama and part comedy. The former is powerful and the latter sparkling. The girl of the title-role is a flower girl and her "young man" a constable. Squibs is a goad house-wife and, in contrast to : her lazy sister, is a little puritanical. She is also a veritable spitfire; with a fine show of temper as occasion demands, i well able to take care of herself and > afraid of no man—nor woman either. '■ Her romance is not unaccompanied by ; obstacles, but in the end all are over- ' come, and she finds happiness in the arms : of her faithful "copper," after ho has J administered a thrashing to a bully on < her behalf. Betty Balfour is really admirable in the role of Squibs and she is i well seconded by Fred Groves as the « policeman. Bemarkabiy good imper- < sonationa of the coster type are given 1 by the two actors who play the parts of ' Squibs' father aid the bully.. Aided by 1} good photography, and excellence of pro- f duotion generally, the picture makes a c strong appeal, and another point worthy l of commendation is the skill with which } the climax is made to end the film. On the supporting bill is a topical gazette distinguished by some scenes depicting a visit by King George and Queen Mary to Belgium, the trip including some of the more famous battle-fields and their ' cemeteries. A film warning the public of the danger of rats introducing disease, and showing various ways of destroying the rodents, is also being shown at each session, at the request of the Health Department. There is a comic picture and a scenic series. Madame Bella Russell sings very artistically at the evening sessions, "Behold, Titanla," from "Mignon," and "A Bowl of Roses." PRINCESS THEATRE. [ The chief attraction on the new programme screened yesterday for the first time at the Princess Theatre, is "Channing, of the North-West," featuring Eugene O'Brien. It is a Selznick film, directed by Ralph Ince. The story relates to a young Englishman of the aristocratic -class, who goes to Canada and there enrols in the famous North-West Mounteds. On his beat there is a dancehall kept by " Spoxt *•' McObol, who is a smuggler of liquor. . There Channing meets Jess Driscoll, a girl «f the woods, and the pair fall in love with each other. Complications ensue when Jim Franey, a rough type of man, interferes with the romance, desiring the girl for'himself. Channing tries his best to reform Jim,, who is much given to drinking, but without avail, especially as Jim's jealousy is aroused. Ultimately, as the result of a quarrel in the saloon,, he shoots McCool, and makes for the border. Channing; in his official capacity, pursues him, and Jim is helped to escape by Jess. For her sake, Channing allows her to do this, and in the end the two find happiness together. Eugene O'Brien is admirable in the role of Channing. Ho is first seen as an English gentleman of leisure, whose chief occupation seems to be decorating Piccadilly and Mayfair, Of course, he is an admirer of the girls at the Gaiety. In fact, falls in love with one of them. Unfortunately, he loses # all his money, and the Gaiety lady straightway jiltshim. It is then he leaves for Canada, where he soon finds himself in the midst of more excitement that he has had since the war. " Channing of the North-West" is a picture that moves every moment, and affords O'Brien the best part he has had in many a long day. Among excellent uipnorting films, there is! another round • of the popular " Leather I turners." The Princess -Orchestra provides first-class music. QUEEN'S THEATRE; One of the most popular of screen stars, Dustin Farnum, is featured in " The Devil Within," which is the leading picture on the new programme at the Queen's Theatre. This is an excellent Fox production, written by George Allen, England. It tells of a sea-captain of a ruthless and cruel disposition, who steals a saered idol from a tribe of savages, and thereafter lives under the curse they impose upon him. The sailor finds it impossible to settle down to a normal life, and it is only after much' grief and remorse that he" attains to happiness. Farnum has ample scope for the display of heroic strength, and for his deep emotional powers in this role. Virginia Valli is the leading lady. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. . A complete change of'programme will be screened at Everybody's Theatre'-'to-day.' Of the three principal pictures, two ate dramas and the third an amusing comedy. Miss du Font, a dainty actress, will he seen in the leading role of "'.Shattered Dreams." This is a piquant story of a society girl caught in the mad whiil of life.in the Latin Quarter and underworld of Paris, who, after many adventures, finally finds love. "The Lovers of Letty," in which Miss Pauline Frederick is featured in the leading role, is a picture designed to prove that a palace without love is an empty paradise. This is one of Miss Frederick's latest pictures and is stated to be even better than her previous productions. "Peggy Behave." is a" comedy of great merit in which "Baby Peggy," said'■ to be the child wonder of the screen, plays the leading role. BROADWAY THEATRE. A double programme wjll be presented at the Broadway Theatre, Newmarket, to-day. • "The Roof Tree," a stirring story of the great outdoors, features William Russell in the leading role. Throughout the story runs a tender love theme, telling how a girl believed in a man against all odds. Miss Barbara Bed- ' ford takes the leading role in ; a love! story of the mountains entitled, "Cinderella of the Hills!" There is a good, ;; supporting programme. On Mondays .i "Love's Masquerade," featuring Conway: i Tearle, will be screened. 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... SONG EECmE. Mr. Frank Wilson witt praserrli. i anmber of students in a song recital at the Town Hall concert chamber naxfj Saturday evening. Contributions to the programme will be given by: Misses EtheV Fletcher, Myra Monk, Norah McManas, Fay Nezdar, Eva Robertson, Betty Shanatan, Messrs- Edward ChnTchonse, Arfchuir Jackson, Douglas W. Russell, William Sharkey, Hugh Woods, and John Wright. "THE FOUR HORSEMEN/': The great Metro picture, "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," which is meeting with conspicuous success at its Auckland screenings, is to be shown for an additional few nighta at the National Theatre only. The picture is a screen adaptation of the remarkable play of the same name by the celebrated Spanish author, Ibanez. The last night of the season will bo next Thursday,