ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18281, 23 December 1922, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NELLIE BRAMLEY FAREWELL. This evening and Tuesday will see the last of the Nellie Bramley Dramatic Company in New Zealand, for after a record run of six months, they leave at the end of next week on an Australian tour. For the farewell two nights, the management have selected the two most popular plays of the repertoire, " Within the Law,'' and " Bought and Raid For.' It was in ' Within the Law," that Miss Bianiley and her talented company made their initial bow to an Auckland audienre in July last, and Miss Bramley's portnival of Mary Turner, the girl who was sent to prison for three years for something she did not do, is still vivid m tne memory of those who witnessed the performance. Mr. Russell states that the remarkable thing about the revival is the fact that the bulk of the booking which has taken place for to-night's presentation is done by patrons who saw the flay before. This is certainly a great conipli.'nent to the artists for their interpretation of the various characters. The box plan for " Within the Law'* and Bought and Paid For,'' will be at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., till noon to-day, and at Coleman's this afternoon and Boxing Day.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The Paramount production, " Fool's Paradise," is proving a popular attraction at the Princess Theatre this week. The story tells of a voung oil prospector, Arthur Phelps, who is endeavouring to make a living on what are really worthless oil lands. Phelps continues to lovo the girl of his dreams, and spurns the advances of Pell, a cabaret dancer. As a result of a silly action he is deprived of his sight, and advantage of his blindness is taken by Pell. Some of the most gorgeous scenes aro those representing events in the palace of a Siamese prince. All the mysterious Eastern rites connected with the sacriI ficial offerings are portrayed in a faithful manner. Undoubtedly one of the features : of the production is the fight between the hero and a number of maddened crocodiles. ! His rival falls into the crocodile pit and i Phelps jumps in after him at the risk ol i his own life. There aro many exciting j incidents during the course of the story, I and the interest of the spectators is closely I maintained throughout. The acting is 1 consistently well done. Dorothy Dalton i take? the part of the heroine and acts first |as the Mexican cabaret dancer, and ■ secondly as the lover of Phelps. In this | latter role she receives in her own breast ! a knife meant to kill the man she loves. ! Others in the cast are :—Mildred Harris, ' Conrad Nagel, Theodore Kosloff, John '< Davidson, and Julia Faye. The picture is I screened four times daily. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Internal troubles in the home form the I basis for *he plot of " A Man's Home.'" I which is now being screened 1 at Everybody's Theatre. In this instance, the husband thinks more of his business than he does of his wife, and his attitude to trouble which nearly wrecks the home. An excellent cast has been assembled to portray the principal characters, and it includes Harry Morey, Kathlyn Williams, Faire Binney, and Matt Moore. " Don't Shoot " is another picture on the programme. The story tells of a " crook " who is forced into a marriage, and the bridegroom ia ~irsuaded by the bride to try honest methods of making a living. Herbert Rawlinson is the principal actor, and he is peculiarly well suited for the role which he takes. He has played so many ; " crook " parts in pictures that it has become almost second nature to him. During the filming of one scene, Rawlinson had a narrow escape from suffocation as he was accidentally imprisoned in a huge bank safe. A good supporting programme has been arranged, while special attention is being paid to the musical : selections.

"A NIGHT OUT." The J. C. Williamson musical comedy, ,; A Night Out," will be presented to Auckland audiences for the first time on Wednesday evening at His Majesty's Theatre. This play has met with great su-cess in Australian centres, and crimes have given it high praise. The piece is based on a French farce, which concerns a pretty lady and a man not her husband. These- two have supper together at a fashionable hotel. and complications follow this event. "A Night Out ' is said to bo strong in all departments. The dialogue is described as bright and containing plenty of topical jokes, while the singing and dancing is of a high standard. Joseph Pinglet, the sculptor, who is locked in his room by his tyrannical wife, but who escapes to swp with the gay .Mareelle, is impersonated by W. S. Percy. The character is said to be on© which gives full scop© to the comedian's energetic methods of fun-mo-king. Maud Fane's acting in the part of Mareelle is described as charming, and she made the role a very popular one, when playing to Australian houses. Others in the cast are Made© Elliott, Millie Engler, Floie Allen, i Addie Scott, Cyril Ritchard, Cecil Kelle- ' way. Field Fisher, and Harry Wootton. The box plans are at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. There will be maTinees next Saturday and New Year's night. THE BABES IN THE WOOD. All the jingle of merry music, all the charm and allurement of colour and movement, are promised in the pantomime, " The Babes in the Wood," which will be staged at Fuller's Opera House, on the afternoon of Boxing Day, and twice daily thereafter until further notice. Described, and not inaptly, as " a real fairy pantomime," the production of this old, but every new nursery story, will please the children of to-day just as much as it evoked hearty laughter and gav applause of little ones of an earlier period. Some of the wonderful turns which are forecasted, include the " Cave of the Red Witches," an awe-inspiring cavern well calculated to yield the weirdest of thrills. Then, as a happy contrast, comes " The Sunshine Village," with all its jocularity and hearty mirth. The " Crystal Gates of Fairyland " —what could be more alluringly expressive than this of a scene, which it is said, will renew the youth of those no longer sprightly. Passing on to the " Dragon's Palace," where there would seem to be suggestions of yet further thrills, the pantomime supplies yet j another scene of joyful happiness in th< j " Autumn Dell." The foregoing are bir a few of the many scenes with whicr " The Babes in the Wood " is packed Characters well-beloved of children—and perhaps, too, by children who long ag( left the nursery—play their vivid part in the swiftly following scenes. Th part of the dame will be taken by Mr G. H. Ward, and Miss Mabelle Morgai will carry the role Of Robin Hood There will be cheap rates for children.

SISTINE CHOIU SOLOISTS.

Auckland concert-goers -will welcome* the announcement that the Sistine Choir Soloists are to give a return season m Auckland, commencing on Tuesday, January 2. These singers have had a very STRAND THEATRE. successful tour of the South, and recep'ions and demonstrations have been the An operation in plastic surgery, a order of the, day. The remarakhle success science which made great headway during which has attended the tour bears out the war, is depicted an Skin Deep, the the claim that the soloists are the finest principal attraction at the Strand .theatre combination of solo and choral singers this w*ek. The picture contains some ever heard in this country. Every mem- ' tense dramatic moments, and the advenber of the party has fully come up to tnres of the principal characters cornexpectations. There has not been heard pletely hold the interest of the spectaone dissentient note in all the praise so tors. Milton Sills and Florence Vidor lavishly bestowed upon them by press and bave the principal parts. A varied propublic, and it is safe to assume that their gramme of supporting pictures nas been return season at Auckland, prior to their arranged, departure for Italy, will be at least- as successful as that recorded during the original season. The box plans for the full season open on Wednesday morning at Lewis R. Lady and Son. Ltd. The towr is under the direction of Mr. Thomas Quinlan. in conjunction with Messrs. F. J. and Dan Carroll.

NATIONAL THEATRE.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Throe good pictures are included in the current programme at the Queen's Theatre. One production is "De Luxe Annie," with Norma Talmadge in the i principal role. The story tells of a girl I who receives such a blow on the head that her mind becomes disordered, and sue is not responsible for her actions. How she is used by a band of criminals as a " crook," forms the basis for an entertaining picture. Also on the programme is "Bandita Beware." The story tells of s. young man who robs a safe, with the idea that his act will make hiri a popular hero. Shortly afterwards he himself is robbed, and he then turns his efforts to discover the man who attacked him. Hoot Gibson gives one of his characteristic displays. The third picturo on the programme is a Larry Semon comedy, "The Rent Collector." This programme should make a decided appeal to holiday patrons. HIPPODROME THEATRE. " Moonshine Valley," a William Fox production, is the leading picture on the current programme at the Hippodroino Theatre. The story tells of a man who fights for what he 'believes to be a right, cause against the forces of injustice and • wrong. William Farnum is the principal i actor, and he gives a fine interpretation. ' of his part. The mountain scenery is one i of the features of the picture. Also on . the programme is a good comedy, " A , Pair of Acas," and other pictures. > s 3 BROADWAY THEATRE. i " The River's End*" will be screened at the Broadway Theatre for the laat time

The Persian spectacle, " Omar Khtiyyam," is drawing large houses to the National Theatre. This picture is without doubt one of the most ambitious and most remarkable production screened here for a long time. An adaptation of Fitzgerald's translation, the picture bases its claim for extraordinary merit on the great beauty and splendour of the scenes, and on the excellence of its story. Many great pictures of later days have been purely and simply spectacles. " Omar Khayyam " is a spectacle just as much ■ as any other super-production, but in addition, it has an intensely interesting story, the philosophy of which strikes a deeper note than most themes of a motion picture plot. The ancient Persian's outlook on life, so finely expressed in Fitzgerald's work, is still maintained in the picture version. Interest is compelled by a story of love and tragedy, humour and excitement, while the whole production is full of action. On the spectacular side, the film should be seen to realise the beauties it contains. Correct to a detail regarding its Orientalism, it claims close attention because of its gorgeous settings, beautiful landscapes, and charming artistry. One of the features of the film is a pictorial conception of the firmament. There are fine sights of shooting stars, a representative of the golden gates of Paradise, and the throne of Saturn. The attractive festival scenes. Eastern dances, the shop of the potter, the moonlit gardens of historic Persia— these are but some of the sights which follow one upon the other. The picture, which is screened in eight parts, is interpreted by an all-star cast. Katherine Key. as the daughter of the Sheik and the heroine, is a true Oriental beauty. Other principals are Frederick Warde. Edwin Stevens, Paul Weigel, Raymond Navarro, and B. Post. Seven thousand people appear in the pictnre. The management announce that the season is limited to one week only. Arrangements have been made for special orchestral selections during the screenings.

" The River's End"' will be screened at the Broadway Theatre for the laat time this evening. On Christmas Day only " Fabiola " will be the principal attraction. Features of the picture are scenes of grandeur in Imperial Rome in the fourth century. Also on the programme will be " Beautiful Britain," a collection of scenes of the beauty spots of Old England.

NEW LYRIC THEATRE.

" Milestones " is the principal picture on the current programme at the New Lyric Theatre. The story deals with three periods, 1860, 1910, and the present time, and tells of romances of members of the ahead, Sibley, and Preece families. Th;> theme of the story is an interesting one and the picture should make a wide appeal. Lewis Stone has the principal pari. There is a gcod supporting programme.

GRAND THEATRE. A Gdldwyn production. " A Tale of Two Worlds." is the principal attraction at the Grand Theatre this week. Many exciting events occur during the course of the story, and the solution to the mystery surrounding the plot is not reached till the final scenes. A good programme of supporting pictures includes a Buster Keaton comedy, " Convict 13." CHRISTMAS ORGAN RECITALS, Christmas ortran recitals will be given at the Town Hall this evening and on onday evening hv the city organist, Mr. Mauph'an Barncit. Appropriate programmes have been arranged for both recitals. Miss Mina Caldow will be the vocalist

BAND CONCERTS. The Auckland Artillery Band will give a programme of sacred music in the Albert Park to-morrow evening. A programme of Christmas music -will be plavod by the Salvation Army Band at the Albert Park on the evening of Moriday. Christmas Day. Vocal items will also be given.

" A NIGHT OF MAGIC" The New Zeaknd Society of Magicians. in con junction with a number of popular conceit performers, will present then; original entertainment. " A N*!g"< °' Magic." at the Town Hall concert mambo- this evening. The entertainment has been designed to make a distinct Christmas f-ppeal. In addition to a comprehensive collection of magic in nil its phases—Oriental, modern, and comedythere will be a lengthy series of musical sketches, character studies and Eastern dances. The musical side of the entertainment will be supplemented by a, complete orchestra. The box plan is at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd.