ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18278, 20 December 1922, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" A NrGET OUT."

The J. C. Williamson musical comedy company, headed by Miss Maud Fane, will commence a season at Auckland on Wednesday next at His Majesty's Theatre, with the famous musical play, " A Night Out." The play has been adapted by George Grossmith and Arthur Miller from a French piece, which was the source of an English farce without music, known some years ago under the same title. The music is by Wilby Eedstone. The farcical characters and situations are a domineering wife, a rebellious husband, complications at an hotel supper, misunderstandings, frenzied rushes in and out of rooms, and a visit to tlie home nest morning by the chief of police. Some of the jokes provided by the comedian. W. S. Percy, as Pinglet. a sculptor with a strange studio, are said to be very amusing, and he speaks a pun as if it were a sparkling epigram. Miss Fane, as Marcelle. received a splendid welcome from Melbourne theatre-goers, when " A Night Out " was being played there a short time ago. The box plans for the first six nights of " A Night Out " will be opened at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., tomorrow morning.

TIVOLI THEATRE. A double bill is being presented at the Tivoli Theatre this week. One picture is "For the Defence," a dramatic story of a mystery which surrounded the death of an Indian hypnotist. Suspicion falls on an innocent girl, while another girl, equally as innocent, declares that she is the guilty person. The mystery is finally solved by the confession of the real murderer?. The picture is adapted' from Elmer Rice's well-known drama, " The Wtiness for the Defence," and the many dramatic situations give opportunities for Ethel Clayton, the chief actress, to give a finished interpretation. The second picture on the programme is "The Land of Hope." It contains some delightful comedy touches, Alice Brady gives a fine portrayal of Man-a, the immigrant girl. On Friday a holiday programme will be presented, one picture being "Our Leading Citizen," with Thomas Meighan in the principal role. The story is described as one of unusual appeal, with much good humour, and in which gre&t interest centres round the political candidature of the chief character for a small country town. Another picture will be "A Kiss in Time. 1 '" NATIONAL THEATRE. The current programme at the National Theatre will be presented for the last time to-day. The two pictures are "At the Mercy of Men" and "The Married Flapper.' A special attraction is announced for to-morrow, when the first screening of "Omar Khayyam" will take place. One of the leading picture critics in America, after viewing the film, said : " 'Omar Khayyam' is without doubt the most magnificent and artistic picture that has ever been made by any producer anywhere." The scenes are laid in Persia in the days of Omar, tentmaker. philosopher, and poet. The picture is described as the acme of perfection in the photographic art, and for it is claimed the enchantment of the East, with its gorgeous colour, exotic surroundings, and exaggerated ceremonies. The producers do not claim, however, that the picture is" wholly a spectacle, for a love story runs right through it, while it possesses a strong dramatic theme. The cast has been well chosen. Katherine Kev takes the part of the heroine, as the daughter of the sheik, and she is supported by Frederick Warde, Edwin Stevens, Paul Weigal, and Raymond Navarro, The picture will be screened for seven days only. GRAND THEATRE. Many scenes of a spectacular nature are included in "Steelheart," the principal picture on this week's programme at the Grand Theatre. A thrill is given by a remarkable explosion, which lifts off the top of a mountain. To give the necessary force to tear the rocks apart and spread the explosion, an air chamber had to bo built inside the mountain, and in this chamber two of the principal characters are trapped. A fight with a savage bear and a dive into a river from a high cliff are realistically portrayed. On Friday "A Tale of Two Worlds" will be screened.

strand theatre. A film version of Rex Beach's novel. "The Net," heads an attractive programme at the Strand Theatre this week. The film, "Fair Lady,"' tells a story of a Sicilian countess' oath of vengeance, and how it was carried into effect. Mystery is an important element in the story, which maintains the interest throughout. Betty Blythe is the principal actress. On Friday a new programme _ will include "Skin Deep," a First National dramatic film. Milton Sills and Florence Vidor have the chief parts. Also, on tie programme will be a Larry Semon comedy, "The Show."

SISTINE CHOIR, Mr. Leo Du Chateau, advance director for the Sistine Choir Soloists, derived from Wellington yesterday to make the necessary arrangements for a return seatcon early in the New Year.