ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18395, 10 May 1923, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMELIE POLINI IN " THE LIE." '

A play by one of the most able and prolific British dramatists, Henry Arthur Jones, interpreted by a cast headed by one of the most brilliant of the British actresses who have visited New Zealand, in the person of Miss Emelio Polini, should have no difficulty in appeasing the demands of even the most critical playgoers. In . sending Miss Polini to ! the Dominion for another tour, the J. C. | Williamson Company has provided her with a very strong repertory, the first! selection from which, Jones' "The Lie," was presented before a large and enthusiastic audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. It was a case of a rarelygifted artist, in a remarkable piece. It; is a problem play, but the author has struck out upon a new line of thought i and given his audiences an entirely novel ; set of sensations. Instead of the old argument of the married woman, tho hus- j band, and the tertium quid, he has presented his drama per medium of two girls, sisters, one of whom is utterly pood and womanly, the other utterly selfish and bad. The man in the case is victimised by the shallow-natured girl, believes the lie she tells about her sister, and marries her, almost but not quite breaking the heart of the girl he should have believed in and who loves him. That is the theme, made all the stronger and ; more poignant by the fact that the lie upon which the crisis in the lives of the characters turns is rendered doubly base by reason of the fact that she who utters it is guilty of the shame she fastens upon her sister, and by the further fact that that sister had sacrificed her own interests to shield the real sinner. With a master of dramatic construction and character-drawing like Henry Arthur Jones, such a plot was bound to be handled well. The impression gained from witnessing the play last evening was that it had been handled exceptionally well. Effective " curtains " concluded the first two acts, and enthusiastic calls for Miss Polini at the close of the next two spoke eloquently of the power of both dramatist and actress as the piece progressed. Emelie Polini has the uncommon gift of repression. She never tears a passion to tatters, even in her strongest emotional scenes. In ' "Tlie| Lie" she portrays by gradations of a very subtle kind the evolution in character, temperament and disposition, which takes place in Elinor Shale as her story is worked out. From the' gentle girl with her placid, if sometimes fretful, acceptance of things as they are, and her longing for something better, she passes to the woman wronged and mystified as to who has wronged her. Then comes the awakening; the truth is suddenly told to her. The girl is stupified. It seems to her incredible that her sister could have done this thing to her. And then sho is forced to believe it. With an artist less gifted the following, scenes would not. ring true. With Miss Polini they do. She presents the natural emotions of the shocked and terribly angered girl with consummate skill. Her repeated cry of "Judos" at the finale of the great third act is a thing to remember. Again, in the final act she rises to heights not attained by many in the denunciation scene and the subsequent forgiveness of the erring sister. : All through tho piece this delightful and natural actress has her audience sharing her very emotions. She takes them, as it were, into the atmosphere of the drama and makes them live tho story with her. Few artists can do this. As tho foil to Miss Polini in the chief "role, Miss Nancye Stewart must be credited with a. very clever portrayal. She \depictsf the younger sister 111 a thoroughly, convincing fashion, bringing out all the cold and callous selfishness of the girl with decided ability. Mr. G. Kay Souper, experienced actor that he is. brings a sureness of touch and a keen senso of humour into his impersonation of the old English squire': who had become impoverished, and who manages to , mix V his "proper pride" with an effectual and business-like art of extracting help from those better off than himself. The study is rich in the finer points of acting. Mr. Raymond Lawrence plays earnestly and impressively as Noll Dibdin, tho man who in the end brings balm to the injured heart of the" girl, Elinor. Mr. Richard Hatteras has culture and styhj and is at home as the lover who marries the wrong girl. Mr. Herbert Leigh, another mature actor, makes a distinct success of the part of ail impudent butler with a liking for old port. Little Veronica Lawrence plays a child part exceptionally well, and other capable persons in the cast are Misses Robbie McMillan, Letty Paxton, and Katie Towers. "The Lie" will be repeated this evening? and for a limited season. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. Tho first concert of tho Royal Auckland Choir for tho 1923 season will bo held in the Town Hall this evening. The soloists will be Misses D. Baker, F. Nezdar, and Mr. E. Dennis. An exceptionally fine programme will include part songs and solos. Miss Baker will also give several violin solos, including " Bounce " (Bach-Kreisler). Mr. Dennis will sing, among other items. " Blow, Blow, Thou Wintrv Wind M (Roger Quilt-er). _Miss Nezdar's : items will include "Dream Songs" (Montague Phillips). The programme will conclude with the part song, i "Village Wedding " (D. De'Rille). PRINCESS THEATRE. "Our Leading Citizen," featuring Thomas Meighan, and "A Heart, to LeV with Justine Johnston and Harrison Jord in the leading parts, will bo screened at I the Princess Theatre again to-day and this ! evening. Heading tho new programme to ! commence a week's run to-morrow is ! "The Man Unconquerable," another 1 ara--1 mount special film, with Jack Holt and I Svlvia Breamer in the principal roles. : This picture relates a graphic story of the : South Seas. Powerful situations abound iin the plot, which has to do with the S machinations of a gang of desperadoes at i an island pearl fishery and their undoing Sat the hands of the hero. ,It has been 1 aptly described as a story of the spendI thrift and the sparkle of blue lagoons, of i glistening beaches on which are cast the. spawn of a dozen nations, who fight ana scheme, rob and kill. The atmosphere is 1 one of waving palms and dusky maidens, ; and there 'is one girl of surpassing beauty. I Among there comes the man unconqueri ab'e, ruthless, dominating and powerful, ; until he the siren smile. 'Hi second ' feature of the new programme will be also | a Paramount film, "Just Hound the ' Comer." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The interesting and diverting picture, j "Dangerous Curve Ahead, ' will bo prei sented again at Everybody's Theatre to- ) day arid this evening. In this tale of ' married life Helene Chadwick is the star, ! and is well supported in the cast. There 1 are other excellent films. Tl'e highlvj stressful British coloured film. ''The { Glorious Adventure," has been secured by the management for a week's run comj mencing to morrow. True in history, seti ting arid costume to the romantic days of I Charles 11., this is tho first drama given { to the screen in natural colours, and the ! varied and wonderful lines are astonishi ingly attractive. It is art adventure in > colour photography which is really glorious, and altogether it is a triumph of a I new art. For his theme the producer has j chosen one of the most colourful periods |in British history. The costumes and . court settings are a radiant prismatic I show. And the action culminates in the ; great fire of London, with flames scarlet j and hungry enough to scare the hardened j picture-goer. Lady Diana Manners, who ; plays the lead, is one of the most decorative women who has ever bought recognii lion on the screen. Also on the new bill will be "The Man From Lost River," starring House Peter*.

I.i, . t v QUEEN'S THEATRE. The last screenings of the present programme at the Queen's Theatre will be ;,g| given to-day and this evening. To-mor-row there will be a new triplo-bill. Ono : ' of the attractions will bo "The Kid," in which Charles Chaplin and the six-year-old actor, Jacky Coogan, are associated. This is a remarkable blend of . humour and ; . pathos, in -which Jacky is tho central figure. He gives a wonderfully appealing portrayal of the lad who makes the tramp adopt him whether he wants to or not. A second feature of the bill will be "Tho City of Silent Men," a. strong drama, with Thomas Meighan in the- chief role. This is replete with emotional situations and heart interest. The third attraction will be "A Case of Identity," based on a Sherlock Holmes story, and played by a strong cast. , BROADWAY THEATRE. An entire change of programme will bo presented at tho Broadway Theatre today and for the remainder of the week. The chief picture will be "The Crimson ' Challenge,'* in which Dorothy -Dalton has ono of the best of her roles.* The drama is a Western one, full of virility and dramatic action. A second feature will be "Youth Must Have Love," with Shirley Mason in tho most unusual role of her i screen career. . Tho tale is ono of mystery, romance, intrigue and adventure. ' * MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL. Tho municipal organ recital will bo given m the Town Hall on Saturday evening, when , the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett. will 'play works bv I a J" DEvrv end movements from P ° Peer Gynt Suite. Mrs. Johnston ; Topliss and Mr. Douglas W. Russell will - be the vocalists. , "CAVALLERIA RUSTIC AN A" Mascagni's opera, " Cavalleria Rusticana, will be presented by the Auckland Choral Society _at the Town Hall next Thursday evening. The booking will open at Lewis R. Eadv and Son. Ltd., on Monday for subscribers, and on luesday for non-subscribers. -