ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18211, 3 October 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

Crowded audiences welcomed th* reappearance of Mr. Walter George and his Sunshine Players at the Opera House yesterday afternoon and evening, and a. cordial reception was given those members of the company who were remembered through earlier successes. The company staged a bright- new revue, "Oh, Nell!" which 'again demonstrated that Mr. Walter George possesses the happy knack of blending a compact and original collection of musical pieces with an amusing plot, well suite;! to the popular taste. The first appearance in Auckland of Mr. George Storey since hiis enforced absence from behind the footlight as the result of a sierious accident, was the signal for an outburst of applause, and the laughter that followed his every movement on the stage showed that he had lost none of his quaint individualism. A capacity to discover the ridiculous in 'he ordinary, a humorous make-up, and an apparently nervous manner made him an irresistible personality. He created a. great deal of amusement in a song "Deeds." Miss Dorothy May made a dainty figure in the principal feminine role, singing sweetly in a song, "iSvalon," and a duet with Mr. Robert Raymond. The latter created a favourable impression as juvenlie lead, and was heard to distinct advantage in a dramatic solo "All By Myself." Miss Dulcie Milner played a soubrette part with distinction and was particularly likeable in "Slow and Easy," with chorus. Miss Vera Sewell and Mr. Yorke Grey were highly successful in their duet, "Someone Like You." Other parts were capably filled by Messrs. Walter George. Percy Mitchell, and Frank Perryn. A smart chorus was one of the most pleasing features of the revue, a charming "Powder Puff Ballet" and a novel song scena being two of their successes. Heading the vaudeville section of the programme in the evening was the popular English comedian, Mr. Harry Thurston, whose characterisations met with keen appreciation. He presented some of his best-known, burlesques and songs, and concluded with his ludicrous imitation of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather's "Ole Bill." Also on the programme were the Moli- ' naris, Fuller's Eleven. Wonders, and Jeany le Roi.

ALLAN WILKIE SEASON.

Mr. Allan Wilkie and his Shiiiespeat'ean Company, which includes Miss* Hilda* Dorrington, will open a 16-nights' season at His Majest3r'o Theatre this evening with "The Merchant of Venice." Mr. Wilkie has now an extensive repertoire and will present" a new play esch evening during the 3eason, including several which he has not previously staged in the Dominion. To-morrow at til© matinee and again in the evening "A Midsummer Might's Dream" will be presented, and on Thursday "King John." On Friday the delightful comedy, "The Merry Wives of Windsor," will be presented, and on Saturday at the matinee "The Merchant of Venice" will be repeated, with "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as the attraction for the evening performance. i>;*ats may be booked at Lewis R. Eady ar.d Son, Ltd., and the day sale and early door tickets are procurable at Coleman'in the Theatre Arcade.

MADAME »'ALVAREZ.

The forthcoming visit to Auckland of the world-famed contralto, Madame D'Alvarez, is exciting a good deal of interest. The opening concert will be given . in the Town Hall uexl Tuesday evening. In Australia and elsewhere Madame D'Alvarez has met with phenomenal success on her tour, and a few remarks of a Melbourne musical critic should be of interest to Auckland music-lovers. Says the writer:—" Expectancy Tan high for the debut in this city of Madame D'Alvarez. The long anticipated event, was consummated at the Town Hall in the displav of a voice of gorgeous charm, dominated" by a personality that completely enthralled the thronged audience. The new anger not only revealed a putfe contralto voice with a thrilling top register, and an equalised quality of- richness taroughout, but she also proved the mistress of a great technique. Behind all this was a temperament of ardent or pathetic significance that took fire at every inspiration of love, sorrow, defiance, or tragedy that the text |of the moment suggested No wonder that the people responded at once to the sway of such a humanly emotional appeal with acclamation." Only six conceits will be given in New Zealand, three in Auckland and three in Wellington. The second and third Auckland concert will bs fiven on Wednesday and Friday, October 1 and 13. The box plans will open at Lewis R. Eady ajid Son, Ltd., on Friday morning.

STRAND THEATRE. Wonderiful scenes of native life and customs in tronical Papua are contained in " Pearls and Savages," Captain Frank Hurley's picture, which is now being screened at the Strand Theatre. Added charm is lent to this fine picture by some very beautiful views of the scenery of the wilds. A portion of this picture is devoted to the pearl diving operations in the ' Torres Straits. The colouring here ia natural, so that both an a?tistio and educational result ia obtained. Descriptions of the picture are given at the afternoon and evening sessions by Captain Frank Peareon and his accounts are informative as well aa entertaining. The chief supporting picture is " Island Wives," which tells the story of the life of a white in the South Sea Islands.

PRINCESS THEATREA picture with an unusual and imaginative theme ia "A Trip to Mars,'' ■which in now being screened it the Princess Theatre. The story tells o? an old astronomer, who arranges a fc'/ip to Mai's. He seeks the aid of his son, the inventor of a wonderful airship, and the picture shows how, by means of this aerial craft, tha party reach their planet destination. There the members experience strange adventures with the inhabitants of Mars. The second feature of the bill is " The Other Woman *' The story is one of dnal personality, in which the hero knows nothing of the actions of his other self. The principal part is taken by Jerome Patrick, an exNew Zealand actor.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. A vivid story of a political fight in a western toira of America is told in "Red Courage," tb« chief picture on this week's programme at the Queen's Theatre. It is adapted from Peter B. Eyne's book, "The Sheriff of Cinnebar," and it' gives ample scope for the characteristic acting of Hoot Gibson, who takes the part of a man fighting against tremendous odds.

LYRIO THEATRE. A First National production, "One Clear Call," is the chief picture on the programme at the Lyric Theatre this week. A noteworthy scene is that where a hundred white-capped riders of the Ku Klux Klan gallop along the streets of a small town. A stronar cast interprets the picture, including Henry B. Walthall, Milton Sills, and Claire Windsor.