ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

j MISS KNIGHT'S DANCE GALA. : Well conceived and novel.\ ■in general character, Miss Daphne Knight's dance reqtal at tho Town. Hall last evening must bo ranked as an artistic achievement of a high order. New ground was broken in more than one direction. In the first place, the use of the steps of the organ loft for the spectacular effects and ensembles, and in some instances for solo dancing, was out of the common. Ingenuity and tastefulness , had been displayed in the camouflaging of this portion of the large, hall. The organ was blotted out of view by a painted scene representing the shrine of Venus, while by the artistic covering of the woodwork of the steps and grouping of green shrubs on either side of the platform, quite a classical background for the ballets was obtained. The lighting was managed from the, side galleries - and showed up the performers and their costumes with a. minimum of glare. Miss Knight dispensed with the recurring individual dance in favour of collective dances, such solos as were performed being embellished by the presence on the platform of several other dancers postured appropriately to form a setting. In the costuming the colour scheme was delightful and many of the stage pictures were in consequence a feast "for the vision. The large company had been admirably trained and all carried out the work entrusted to them with ability. The delightful children introduced, their quaint ways, their entire enjoyment in the dance, were well worth going to .see,, the tiny mites especially endearing themselves to the audience. , The programme opened with a prettilyconceived fantasy, "The Moon Maiden," being an adventure of Pieirrot with the girl of the title-role. : The story, written in verse, was; charmingly recited and enacted by Miss Mona Wallbank as the Moon Maiden. Miss Marie Gaudin as Pierrot, and little Miss Varia Andrews as Cupid. ' Miss Madoline' Knight interpolated a contralto solo which captivated her hearers: Solo dances were given by Misses Dorothy Richardson, ;i Elva Turner. Betty Keenan, Dorothy Steele, Florence Nightingale, Maureen McMahon, Zoe Moore, Hhzel Melvin, and Mariorie Burrell, and by Mr. Pat Beach. The variety of , dances . was remarkable and the costumes were in each case appropriate. The old-fashioned minuet was I particularly we'll liked. There followed a divertissement in'which Miss Edith Graham danced a "Papillon" dance, Miss Pele Groves an eastern, dance (bringing down the house with a wonderfully good piece of work, notable for its sinuous grace), and Miss Dorothy Steele and Mr. Reg. Wells a duo, "La '■' Peri." The second part opened with a display of eurhythmic dancing by a number of Miss Knight's advanced students, Miss Doris York being the soloist.' ■ This number was exceptionally interesting, combining the Grecian classic ' poses with i the modern - athletic ones, and being rendered the more picturesque by the dancers being posed tier above tier, on the steps. "When Winter Comes," a prettily arranged ballet, concluded the performance. This comprised dances by little children and older girls garbed variously as Ibirds. butter,fl''es, frogs, water nymnhs, flowers, and leaves, -with solo numbers by Misses Dorothy Richardson, El va Turner, Messrs. Reg. Wells and Pat Beach, and other dainty and capable dancers., An excellent orchestra, under Mrs. Percy Wilcox played enticing music for the recital, which was genuinely appreciated. The novel and entertaining programme will be repeated this evening. *

. ; PRINCESS THEATRE. ~ -. The ■ cWef attraction at the Princess Theatre to-morrow and for the ensuing ■week will be the Associated Exhibitors picture, "Is Divorce a Failure?" One of the most striking situations is that in which a woman is thrown up on a desert island with two men, one she has decided to divorce, and the other she has agreed to marry. This makes not only for drama, but for comedy, and the director is said to have utilised both -with sound judgment. There is said to be a comedy element all through, and also some suspense. In one dramatic episide the shipwrecked husband is seen swimming in the sea and encountering sharks, with which he engages in combat. Other sensational situations are a tornado and an eruption of a volcano. There- is said to be much of adventure in .the story, and the action is carried along steadily and without a break. Leah Baird is cast as the woman concerned, and Richand Tucker and Walter McGrail as the two.men.. Tom; Santschr appears in the role of a heavy villain, and Alec. ■ B. Francis completes the cast. ' .7

GRAND THEATRE. • . - The new programme to be screened at the Grand Theatre to-morrow and for -the following week. will be headed by " The Sentimental; Bloke." This,is a clever and interesting adaptation for the: screen of ■■Dennis' well-known Australian■':■ work ■'; of the same name. '■;-; Arthur ' Tauchert " plays the title-role, giving a remarkable impersonation of the larrikin ■:'. type,:Tand presenting the character with all its 'quaint touches of humour. This tale is a skilful'y blended one, pathos drama and comedy alternating and making .the picture ' ; wholly I diverting- and !; entertaining. The supporting cast is a strong one, and the atmosphere is excellently maintained.. Another; feature • of. the new y programme will be, •;'■" The : Romance rof Arabella;" starring Connie ,'Taimadge., The popular stair will ~ be seen' in a -very amusing; characterisation as a bright girl 'Who meets with all kinds jof adventures while in search of ' tho romance she craves. The situations. show her- at her; best -and; the supporting ,artists _;, are admirably suited to their parts. ■ A charlc3 Chaplin comedy will also, be shown. ' ; ,;: r •/

QUEEN'S THEATRE. .

: . The \ new , programme to commence ; a week's season at the Queen's Theatre tomorrow : will include:':■■"■ Bob Hampton of Placer,", a ; Marshall 1 Neilan 1 production, featuring James* Kirkwood. Wesley ■ Barry, and Marjorie Daw. . The, story iis said to be thrilling and full of human interest. The outstanding phase of the picture is the last stand; of General Custer. on the Little Big Horn River, when that gallant American officer and; his small command were wiped out by ;the ; hostile Indians under Sitting Bull. A second attraction will be, " The Soul of Youth," a Paramount production; starring Lewis Sargent and Lila Lee. This tells the story of a struggle with I adverse fate and a rise to fame and fortune. . -;.';

/ EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A new Rupert Hughes comedy, " From tho Ground Up," with Tom Moore in the chief ro'e, is to be screened at Everybody's Theatre for the week commencing to-morrow. This is a Goldwyn production which is said. to present the most diverting kind of story in breezy fashion. Tho story is said to "flout convention from the beginning, adhering to that dangerous but enticing sport until the final curtain, when it marries Philena Mortimer, of good social standing, to Terence Giluley, once a labourer in the employ of an excavating company. It, is declared to be a most entertaining piece of fiction assisted greatly by .the crackling humour of the sub-titles "and. the jolly personality of Tom Moore. '," -V

- ■ BROADWAY THEATRE. ', A new programme will be screened at the Broadway Theatre, Newmarket, 'this evening and for (he remainder of- the week. . Heading the attractions will be "Arabia," a William Fox picture starring the favourite, Tom Mix. This is said 1»> be a rollicking story with a touch of'burlesque. The star is said to reveal a new personality and fresh versatility as the overseer of a ranch-who falls in love -with the daughter of a. visiting professor. Claire Adams ;is cast in, the role of heroine. r Another feature ,of I the new .programme will be. " The Cowboy and the Lady,' a Paramount picture starring Mary Miles Minter and Tom Moore. The story ■is dramatics dealing with tho trials of a young wife, badly mated. .....

. , LYRIC THEATRE. Tho final screening of the current pro gramma at the Lyric Theatre ™L bi liven this evening. ;. "The Christian, with' Richard Dix and a strong cast, i the leading attraction. ' Commencing to morrow .evening th« 'new bill ™% h< h»aded by "The, Shriek of Araby," writ ton and produced by Mack Bennett. Tin: latest effort; in ;= hilarious comedy is >-i burlesque of "The Sheik.*' 'Ben Turpw with his crossed and roving optics, play the leading) character, and is supportec by Eathryn, McGuire in. the chier. femi nine role.* Others in the cast • are/ Georg* Cooper, Dick Sutherland, Ray : Grey, anc Louis Fronde. Hv It is said that betweer them they work the humorous -situations very effectively. ,; For "; the purpose of his burlesque • Sennett' has:: taken. -a desert background, with a ibeautiful .-girl. who is always being saved by Ben, the desert . hero, nvith . white turban.: and flowing Oriental trousers. ; ; The comedy is broad, but -without a trace of vulgarity. Laugh is said to follow laugh as Ben takes the place of a Sheik,, who wants a day's fishing. It is stated that the staging of the picture is \ both beautiful and elaborate, , sometimes even sumptuous. Also on the new programmo will bo "A Tale" of Two Worlds," a Goldwyn production, , of Gouverneur " Morris' story, directed by Frank ' Lloyd. . It tells tho adventures of little Sui Sen, stolen from white parents during the Boxer rebellion and brought up as a Chinese girl. Leatorice Joy plays the leading part, .and the cast includes Wallace Beery. •. STRAND THEATRE. The last screenings of "Thorns and Orange Blossoms" at the Strand .Theatre will be given to-day and • this evening. The new programme to commence a week's run to-morrow will be headed by "The Voice from the Minaret," starring the favourite actress, Norma Talma This First National production is said ;to be the .most thrilling film-play in which the star has ever appeared. Robert Hichens, who has gained international fame as a writer of stories of the Orient, is the author of the book on which the picture is based. Swiftly moving, the plot traverses ; a vast expanse, with London, Bombay and Damascus the' locales. Norma Talmadge is cast in the part of Lady Adrienne CarlyJe, who suffers i.irnominy at the hands of her husband, flees from him, ; and finds love in the desert. She becomes the victim of a treacherous plot, and is the centre of .other misfortunes of a highly thrilling nature. Eucrene O'Brien plays opposite to the star.' Thero are gorgeous Oriental scene's and magnificent interiors.- There ' will be a stron" supporting bill. . °

MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL. Widor's Symphony ; No. 5, Handel's Cuckoo and Nightingale Concerto, and Bendel's popular Wild Rose, will :be the principal numbers of the programme for the Municipal Organ Recital in the Town Hall oil Saturday evening. ; Mr. 'A. Ripley will be the vocalist. , •,-,•., "OH PERCIVAL." .A _ comic musical revue' entitled, i "Oh Percival*' was presented at the Ellerslie Parish Hall for the first time last evening, before a crowded and < appreciative J audience. The revue, which ,is ■ under ,the auspices of the Girls'. Friendly Society,- is full of bright songs, choruses, and dances, and should draw large ...- audiences again this evening and to-morrow evening, when it will be presented for the last time. ■ > •..;■ :•'-'(. l-.Ay; •■...'; "• • ■"■" ' V- •.":.'• ■:•■.;■.'.r..AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY. The third v concert , of the , Auckland Choral Society will be given in;the Town Hall on October 25. The ; programme includes : Mendelssohn's *' Hymn of Praise" and Haydn's " Farewell" symphony. ~' Y.M.C.A. CONCERT. The Merrymakers' Costume Concert Party will give an entertainment entitled " The Night of Nights," in the Y.M.C.A. concert hall this' evening. » ';• : : :^M :