ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18250, 17 November 1922, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

BOHEMIAN ORCJHESTRAOne of the most entertaining programmes of the season was presented by tho popular Bohemian Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Colin Mnston, before a crowded audience, at the Town Hall last evening. All tho instrumental departments were Well .served, with the result that in numerous instances authoritative renderings were (secured. Considerable interest was centred in the performance of the first, fourth, and fifth movements of Lalo's "Sytnphonie Espagnolo," for violin and orchestra, with Mis* Ava Symons as soloist. Thia justly famons work will bo remembered as uho piece do resistance of a recital which MSscha Elman gave here in 1914, though on that occasion concert-goers had to be content with a pianoforte accompaniment in placo of the richer harmonic effect which was produced bv the full orchestra last evening. Playing entirely from memory, tho clever ydung violinist entered fully into the spirit of the music, playing not only with sureness of technique in the many intricate passages, but exhibiting charm and expression in the more delicate momenta of (ho composition. Tho andante, in particular, gave frequent opportunities for a beautiful tone quality, while tho final " Hondo" showed tho refined rhythmic sense of the artist. The orchestral support was in keeping with the many demands of tho symphony, and it waß evident that much" painstaking rehearsal had been bestowed upon it. On the conclusion of tho work Miss Symons was the rccipieut of many bojautiful floral offerinjjp. Grieg's picturesque " Peer Gynt" suite was rather uneven as regards the finer points of interpretation. In tho " Morning Mood," tho responsive phrases for flute and oboe showed a certain deficiency of intonation, while tho string dericPHlacked precision. Tho funereal harmonies of " Tho Death of Ase," were played with expression, while in the ensuing " Anura's Dance," the pizaicato string ideas, as well as the answering phrases by first and second violins, were daintily given The closing number of the suite, " In the Hall of the Mountain King." evidently required moro rehearsal in order that the full flavour of tho music might be brought out. A special arrangement of Handel's well-known "•Largo'-— presented to the society by Mr. W. R. Dennes, London—found special favour with the audience. In order to attain, the desired results, the usual orchestral forces were augmented by a numerous contingent of vouthful violinists, who, in the broad, sweeping themes, gave a particularly good account of themselves. In response to an emohatio recall, the latter portion was repeated. Other popular successes were Mancinelli's "Triumphal March" ("Cleopatra"), Schubert's finely overture, " Rosamunde." a group of Norwecian' Dances bv Grietr, and a pot-pourri of airs from Sullivan's " Pirates of Penzance." Miss Edith Whitelaw's influence as orchestral leader was of paramount importance in many of the selections Mr Edward Churchhouse was responsible for agreeable interpretations of the baritone songs. "Thou Art Risen. My Beloved," (Coleridge-Taylor), and "The Wind on the Heath," and yas heartilv recalled. Mr ; „ Cyril Towsey's pianoforte accompaniments were always in the best of taste.

FANCY DRESS FESTIVAL. „ At the Scots -Hall this evening Miss < k ' nita Webster will hold her frrst fancy jL ess festival. Her advanced popils will „L sent a variety of novelties, including f.pLos and Tassels." ''Feeble Old Jaw," "HavW)" ''Kiss Me, Dolla," "Minuet," "Part ivaV* "Wonderland," and eahibi* tions a" f tho i az,z **& tan g°- festival '•11 tet: minate with .& streamer ensemble, in ™hie\■'"» 'both spectators andgueste-ase-°S *Y vtake part. Tickets are obtainablest L 3 fiTEady and Son, Ltd. Ifl BENNISON. •• The Greav Lover," as played by Mr. Louis Bewuaoa W* the J. 0. Williamson Company, at t Majesty, Theatre „ proving even »™% successful than •'Johnny Get Ye »» Gun, and at each performance there ar< \ nemonatrations of enthusiasm at the e "a °f each act. As "Jean Paurel," Mr. Bennupn jpves Pj ore of the finest crk ' iracter stud,es J that wfl have had for mi V and the most remarkable thing about his work, and, in fact, during th. e . »bole play, is Hie frequency with whic * w audience finds its laughter mingling, wlth lts tears - The eve-changing situations»« ■responsibie for the absence of d\' 11 foments, which aic entirely foreign U° uho P right up to th'e final curtain. The brilliance of Louis Benv' 15011 dc^ s rot, however, altogether nverela '* oy ! , tn . e supporting' east- Marjorie Bennet* , .Mane Eaton, DorotlSy Seacombe, Nellie * . *• tyne, Loo Vernon, each va .imp V*?**™ roles, present excellent studies. The mc y dental music, vocal and instrumental, * s a feature of the production, and the settings and costuming is of the »isU»' hiph standard set by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. " The Great Trover" will be pre- j } sented to-night and fo-morrow night will , Bee the close of the reason. STRAND THEATBE. A remarkable adaptation to the screen of the celebrated stage play, "The Two Orphans," is said to have been accomplished by D. W. Griffith in "Orphans of the Storm," which is to b6 the chief , attraction at the Strand Theatre to-daj ' and for the ensuing week. The story tells , of Henriette Girard (Lillian Gish) and . her foster-sister, Louise (Dorothy Gish), i who are orphaned by the plague, which ' also causes Louise to lose her sight. They [ go to Paris to find a physician who may cure her blindness. En route the beauty i of Henriette attracts the heartless Mar-* ' quia da Presle, who has her abducted. ; Alone in Paris, at nightfall the two - girls are set upon by a gang of ruffians. ' Henriette is carried off and Louise is left to wander by the riverside. She is taken ' to Ins home by Pierre Frochard, a crippled knife-grinder, whose mother, an old hag, i ; -treats the girl and makes her bee in the street*. From that point the adventures p£ the tu-o girls in their separate and very different environments make a thrilling story. There will be good supporting films. ' r GRAND THEATRE. One of the leading pictures on th© new programme to be screened at the Grand Theatre to-day and for the following week is " The Song of the Soul," starring Vivian Martin. It is said that in this film some of the most remarkable scenery in that of the Everglades of Florida, is- shown. The tale unreeled is that cf a beautiful blind girl and her romance with a true, but terribly disfigured young recluse, and the great test vthat comes to both of them. The picture is the first of a series produced by Messmore Kendall and Robert W. Chambers, and was released by Goldwyn. Also on the new bill will be " The Elusive Pimpernel," based upon Baroness Orczy's ''The Scarlet Pimpernel." It tells of the adventures of Sir Percy Biakeney, a courageous: British aristocrat, who rescues members of the French nobility from the dutches of the revolutionaries. The picture is fullof dramatic situations and surprises The second chapter of " Robinson Crusoe" will also be shown at afternoon session*'for children who # have the chance of competing for prizes in connection witli it. HIPPODROME THEATRE. A screen-Version of the popular play « Tf T Were King," which made a great access produced in Auckland some •rears ago,..will be presented at the Hippodrome Theatre to-day and for the enEg week- 5 the chief picture on the William Farnum plays the lead 5 The costumes worn by him in on Sen! £tsK3to th. popular Fox star. , One in particular « made of .word, made of the flneai Teietfo ptesj.

NATIONAL THEATRE. The new programme at. the National iJheatre to-day and for the ensuing week •will be headed by the Hodkinson-Selznick prbdaction, " The Face of the World." Thia ia described as a human interest drama of life in a little country village, and! in the gay Bohemian qnarter of New York. It depicts the love of a country Sirl for a yourijg student, a wife's infielity, and a lrusbuid's revenge. Barbara Bedford and Edward Hearne play the leading roles. Some of the outstanding features of tfie film are the wrecking of a high-powered racing, car, the burning of a tnree-stjorey building and a rescue from the flames, and many other dramatio situations'. The. fire scene almost cost Edward Hearne hia life during the filming process. It is said? that the contrasts of wealth' and poverty, splendour ' and squalour, make this film remarkable. There will be other excellent pictures on i the i.ew programme. TIVOM THEATRE. On* of tho chief pictures to be screened aj tho Tivoli Theatjre on the new programme commencing * "weok's season this evening is " Sheltered Daughter*," a 'Pa»ramount special foature, starring Justine Johnstone. It tells the story of a, young girl who grew up ignorant of all evil in tho world, unwarned, and unprepared for life's pitfalls. Another Panwnount feature on the new bill will be "The Beauty Shop," starring Raymond Hitchcock as Dr. Arbutua Budd, a beauty specialist in New York. Beset by importunate creditors, tho doctor goes to Bolognia and there poses as a longlost baron. He finds that in thus masquerading he has involved himself in worse troubk* than those from which he i had fled America. A "very comical turn ] is given to affairs by the doctor's experiences with a fierce duellist. who wants his life. There will be excellent supporting films. "FOOLISH WIVES." "Foolish Wives," tho Universal-Jewel super-picture to be shown at tho National Thcatro for a short season commencing on Friday next, is announced as the first real million-dollar film. Its actual cost up to the time of the first screening is said to have been £220,747. Thia stupendous sum was expended in the construction of gigantic and costly sets, and in the hiring of thousands of extra" actors and actresses to make up the crowd scenes. Erich von Strohcim, the director and principal actor in the picture, prided himself upon reproducing at Universal City, California, the exact, scenes and activities to be found at Monte Carlo, the locals of the story. Having constructed the replicas of the Casino, the Hotel de Paris and the Cafe de Paris, Monte Carlo's principal buildings, the director had to instal a street tramway system along the plaza formed by these building*. More than 320,000 ft. of film had to bo used In making the picture. It would have taken almost three days and nights to have screened this length at the rate of speed . to which picture-goers are accustomed; therefore the film had to be trimmed considerably. There are said to be astounding scenes showing the operations of the adventurers and ad>venturesses who prey upon visitors at tho great Continental gambling resort, and others revealing the interiors of mansions with bixarre parties in progress.