ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18276, 18 December 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" THE LAND OF PROMISE."

The> very successful return season which the Nellie Bramlcy Dramatic Company has been playing at His Maesty's Theatre is being brought to a close, and the enthusiasm of the large audience which witnessed the presentation of " Tlie Land of Promise " on Saturday evening showed plainly not only that tho talented leading lady and her well-balanced company have given the theatre-going public the wholesome and thrilling plays which they most desire, but that the intelligent and sympathetic rendering bf those pieces has definitely established the popularity of the combination.

" The Land of Promise," from the pen of Somerset Maugham, is one of the most notable plays in the company's comprehensive repertoire, and, contrasting as it does a phase of the secluded life of cultured England with the somewhat crude morals and ethics of prairie Canada, it gave Miss Bramlcy the opportunity to display her undoubted versatility. It. is already recognised that she has the happy instinct for the little touches which go t>o make up a character, and as Norah Marsh, the gentlewoman thrown upon tlie world without means and finally as the wife of a primitive) and apparently brutal settler on his lonely section she showed an extraordinary understanding of what such a character should be. The part of Frank Tayl'or, tho rugged settler to whom Norah M arsh allows herself to he wed in a fit of pique, was well played by Mr. Guy Hastings, and many of the scenes in which the two were tho central figures had much that was dramatic and tense. Mr. George Hewlett as the languid young man sent out to Canada to find the success which had eluded him in England, where bridge, was his principal accomplishment, was at all times amusing. Mr. Arthur Conn ell was entrusted with the part of Edward Marsh, Norah's farmer brother, and with Miss Ethel Bash ford as his uncultured but hard- Working wife, supplied an admirable background to the main theme. The remaining parts, notably those of James and Dorothy Wickham. played by Mr. Victor Fitzherbert and Miss Nellie Calvin, were all well placed, and the staging was in Jcerping with the thorough methods of Mr T. E. Foster.

" A NIGHT OUT." An interesting event, this holiday season will bo the visit of tho J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company, which will stage "A Night Out" at His Majesty's Theatre, commencing on Boxing Night. Miss Maud Fane and another pantomime favourite, Mr. W. S. Percy, who are the principals in the production, will be sure of a cordial reception. Writing of "A Night Out," an Australian critic says: "In several of the scenes Mr. Percy and Miss Fane had the stage to themselves, and discussed various phases of matrimony wi|h such good humour and abundantsatire that unrestrained laughter punctuated their observations and occasionally dislocated the story badly. Percy's sally that ho was 'so henpecked that when ho was in the bath ho resembled a Gruyero cheese,' or words to that, effect, will set up a 'new description for Sydney benedicts j; who are not too aggressive in their own ! 1 homes. A capital topical song "It'll he all the same." a fragmentary poeir. in philo- j : sophic vein, which told the audience that j : in 100 years we'd all be dead, and the ;' world would still go on, was given with | quaint appeal. Surely, since lie has been , in Australia. Mr. Percy has not been so j happily placed as in 'A Night Out.' The | music is bright and catchy, and one may I expect to hear two or three of tho more j tuneful numbers whistled about the city | bv the week-end. The dances, too, are | dainty conceptions and, for the most part, | worthy of the traditions of the house." A j larire cast includes Misses Cecil Bradley, I Madce Elliott, and Millie Engler. Messrs. | Field Fisher. Cecil Kellewav, and Roland I linkup. The box plans for the first six i nights of the season will open at Lewis E. Eady and Son. Ltd.. on Thursday morn- ' ing. "A Night Out" will be followed by two other new musical plays, "Oh, Ladjj I.adv," and "Mary"

OPERA HOUSE. Tho Walter George Sunshine Flavors will make their final appearance during the next four evenings at the Opera House in " Sunny Japan." In addition will be seen a vaudeville programme, in which the contributors win include the Brackens, jugglers; the Kiddie Kaddie Trio. Hawaiian musicians and dancers; Carlton and" Rosslyn, English entertainers; and Mar7.on and Florence, equilibrists. In order that extensive arrangements may be placed in hand for the staging of Fullers' Christmas pantomime, the theatre will bo closed on Friday and Saturday. The pantomime, " The Babes in the Wood," will open on Boxing Day. STUDENTS' RECITALS. The advanced students of Mr. Walter lin pet t gave an enjoyable musical recital in the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday evening. The long list of selections revealed in many of the performers an individuality and command of technique with pleasing resnlt. Miss Violet Lambert sounded the dramatic note in "Oh, My Fernando," from Donizetti's " LaFavorita," displaying a fine quality of tone. Miss Ann Fletcher's light sograno was heard with charming effect in Phillip;;' "Butterfly Wings," while Miss jLillis Walker (contralto) gave an impressive rendering of Oliver's "Yonder." Misses Mary Gow in "My Ships' (Barratt), Doris Bagnall in "Homing" (Del Riego), and Kate England in "Amber and Amethyst" (Carse) all acquitted themselves well. Other soloists were Miss Florence Nightingale in the old Italian air, "Yado lien Spesso," and Miss Helena Mackie In "Caro Alio Ben." Extract? from the melodious opera, " Martha," included the air, "Can It Be?" sung by Miss Pearl Rae. and an artistic voicing o' "M'Appori Tutt 'Amor," by Mr. E. Buxton, lyric tenor. Mr. M. Ballanco displayed a fine resonant bass voice in "The Erl King." Mr. Kenneth linpett sang "N-body Knows ile Trouble I've Seen" (White) and " Hope. the Hornl.lower" (Ireland). '' Where'er You Wlk" (Handel), sung by Mr. E. Portiere. "Border B:illad" (Cowen), I y Mr. P.E. Martin, and Easthope Martin's "Langlev Fair," by Air. Nelson Marsdon, were all well received. Pleasing duets were sung by Miss Lambert and Air. K. linpett, and a madrigal by ATisses D. llislop and Nightingale. Messrs. Buxton and Ballanco. Pianoforte numbers were successfully given by Misses Ella Hutchins and Tu.i Scally. Air. Walter Impett played the accompaniments. A successful elocutionary and dramatic concert "was given by pupils of Mr. J. F. Montague and others in the. Grafton Hall on Saturday evening before a largo audience. Mr. Montague, with Misses McVeagh and Wallbank, Air. D. Flood and Alaster McCalluni, appeared in an excellent little comedy entitled " Dinner for Three." Aliss AfcYeagh also gave a dramatic sketch, "\Vu Chang," and Air. Flrod a musical .sketch, "A Family Lullabv," while Aliss Wallbank appeared in the humorous piece, "One Month's Notice." A scene from Dickens, entitled " Mr. Squeers." was realistically given bv Mr. A*. Daiton. while Aliss Nonie Wright recited the "Seven Ages'' with much for e. and Aliss A. Perry give, by request. "The Watcrmill." Other items were given bv Misses W. Summerliayes. ,T. Bishon. P. Alobberlev. P. Bodgers. R. Quirke. Over, M. Griffiths. M. McCullough, E. Graham, and J. Koine, and Afessrs P. Hi-key, C. Dawson. P. Beach, and Butland. while further humour was supplied by Mi ses N. Wrgiit and W. Crosher. The concert gave evidence of much careful tuition.

BAND CONCERTS. Four concerts were given vesterdav bv various city brnds. The "Auckland \\aterside Workers' Band played in Albert Park in the afternoon and on the Contra! Wharf in the evening:. A concert \w.s si veil in Albert Park by the band of the Third (Auckland) Mounted RiiKs, and another at the. Ellerslie Racecourse by the Firat Battalion Orchestral

NATIONAL THEATRE. A story of Russian society life in the days of the Tsar is told in "At the Mercy of Men, the principal picture 011 the new programmo at the National Theatre. The chief character is Vera Souroff, whu eventually marries a man whom she at first hated. Dramatic events follow in quick succession, and the climax is an unexpected one. Alice Brady, tlie wellknown emotional actress, plays the principal part. Also on the programme is a Universal production. " The Married Flapper." Marie Prevost appears as Mrs. Pamela Billings, who annoys her husband considerably by flirting with every man she comes across. The flapper wife, however, riser, to the occasion when demanded and proves her real worth. TIVOLI THEATRE. Two pictures of an entertaining nature aro screened at the Tivoli Theatre this week. The story of " For tho Defence," tells of a web of circumstantial evideneo which tangled itself about an innocent girl, and another girl, equally innocent, who publicly testified her awn guilt. The story is an unusual one, and increases in interest, until the final scenes, when the whole mystery regarding rhe murdor of an Indian hypnotist is solved. Ethel Clayton is the principal actress. Also on the programme is " The Land of Hope." with Alice Brady in the leading role. The picture tells the adventures of a Polish girl, Mary a, who goes to America to seek her fortune in the new land of opportunity. STRAND THEATRE. Tho element of mystery is responsible for mucih of the attract iv-o li.-iii ure of " Ladv Fciir," the principal picture at the Strand Theatre. The story open." in tho island of Sicily, but the scene of action changes to America, where many thrilling events occur. Adventure, intriguo, vengeance, and a woman's halo which turns to love, go to form an interesting plot. Betty Blythe is the principal actress. GRAND THEATRE. The Yitagraph production," Sweetheart," is proving a popular attraction at the Grand Theatre. Mo<t of tho action is laid In a rough Western mining camp, whero some desperate encounters occur in a search for the " Lost Valley of Gold." The plot is a good one, and interest is lent by the spectacular feats of horsemanship and perilous daring. CAROL CONCERT. A carol concert was given before a large audience in tho Town Hall on Saturday night. The Municipal Choir rendered several pieces, Mr. Barry Coney gave " The Yeomen of England " and " Tobblin," and the city organist. Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, gave several fine items. Mr. Leo Whittaker was the accompanist, and Mr. Edgar Randal the choir organI