ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. MISS GERTRUDE ELLIOTT. ' " Woman to Woman" will be staged for the " last , time to-night at His Majesty's • Theatre by Miss Gertrude Elliott and her company On Monday evening the brilliant actress will be seen in an entirely new environment, when she will present the delightful romance, " Smilin' Through." Recently staged in Sydney, it proved an immediate success. One reviewer sjiid of it :— " Smile with sadness and gladness, and wipe away a tear for little Moonyeen. Familiarity with the story of ' Smilin' Through' came with Norma Talmadge's delightful film version, and the beauty of the . story was further enhanced when Miss Elliott presented the spoken version. Few stage stories have had the wholesome simplicity of this story of a ■ bitter wrong and a bitter hatred, _ carried through long years, till at last it threatened to bring a burden of sorrow to one who should have had nought but love. It is a play one is better for seeing, ana one comes away smiling through one s tears at the sweet vision of Little Moonyeen in her old world garden.' Miss Elliott is said to revel in a part that scintillates with tears and laughter, and is fragrant with sentiment and romance. (William Mollison, Mayne Lynton, and the principal members of the company, appear in " Smilin' Through," The box plan to-day ,is at Lewis R. Eody and Son, Ltd., till noon, and afterwards at Coleman's, where day rale tickets are also obtainable. MISS STELLA POWER. The voice of the "Little Melba, as Miss Stella Power is known, has hitherto only been known to New Zealanders through the medium of her many gramophone records. lOn Thursday next at the Town Hall music-lovers will have the opportunity of hearing the famous soprano herself for the first time in Auckland. Mr. E. J. Gravestock announces that four concerts will be given here, the three last on December 1, 3 and 4. It is said that few singers have achieved in so short a time such a measure of success as Miss Power. ' Leaving Australia in August, 1919, she first went to America under engagement to one of the large gramophone companies. She then went to London, where, sponsored by Dame Nellie Melba, she made her debut before a large audience .at the Royal Albert Hall. The success of "the Little Melba" was one of the sensations of the year in the London music world. At this time Dame Clara Butt was to have made a tour with His Majesty's Coldstream Guards' Band, but the famous contralto was unable to fill the engagement, and Miss Stella Power was given her first step up the ladder of fame and fortune by the "International Celebrities" management. Supporting her in Auckland will be another successful Australian, Mr. William James, whose compositions have earned him - a world-wide reputation. As a pianist Mr. James is regarded as a soloist of the first rank. There will also be a violoncellist well known to local'audiencesj Mr. Harold Beck, who has been specially engaged "for the New Zealand tour. The box plans for the season will be opened at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., on Monday morning.

PRINCESS THEATRE . A special attraction - is >' now 'being; screened at the Princess Theatre. This is '• the -Paramount super-film, " The Young Rajah," featuring Rodolph • Valentino, supported by Wanda Hawley and a strong cast. The story concerns Amos Judd, a young Indian who is heir to a throne. • He is brought up in America by Joshua: and Sarah Judd, and is - unaware that his throne has been usurped, and that he has been smuggled away and brought to the New England town where his foster parents five. Thus in ignorance as to his ancestry, he is reared as a typical New England youth, and falls in love with a beautiful ■ American girl. < At last events happen in India of such a nature that the great occult forces draw him back to take his place as rajah. Meantime 'his : strange gift of seeing into the future and' making accurate predictions of what sis about to happen puzzles his friends, and particularly . the father of Molly Cabot, . tae girl he loves.. Amos proves the truth of his predictions, bnt he fails to foresee the ; fate which is to befall him at the hands of a jealous rival of • hi» - college days. Valentino dominates the various 'i scenes. First seen/as the brawny American college ? athlete, he is shown later ,as the fiance of Newport's loveliest heiress, then as a gorgeous prince of India. The production is lavish in the extreme. Also on : the new bill is the Metro picture drama "The' Face Between," starring Bert lytell, It is a powerful story of a son who sacrifices: his freedom to save his father's ; reputation/ ' ' . <w'>-

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Another attractive ; programme was screened at the , Queen's Theatre yesterday and will remain on the bill for one week. The chief picture is; V. Bits of - Life," a - - Marshall Neilan production embodying four, short stories, each played by a. differ-\ ent cast. • The plots are varied' and of 'much interest. : Included among- \ the; artists appearing: - are Edythe ' Chaoman, Anna Wong, Dorothy / Mackail, Wesley Barry, Noah Beery, Lon Chaney and Rockcliffe Fellowes. The . Paramount feature, " Something to Think About" is the second attraction. It is both t artisiijj and appealing;.i/The - cast I, is • headed V by Gloria Swansoh with whom are Elliott Dexter and Theodore Roberts. .. : A Chaplin! Comedy, " The Landlady's Pet " iis also being shown. - .

WESTMINSTER GLEE. SINGERS. ; « The - Westminster Glee ; Singers ' will conclude; a very successful season in- Auck- : land ' to-day. | £ Their I entertainments •, have proved extremely enjoyable, and the final programmes;; this afternoon ;and evening will be especially attractive, as they -" will include , the 1 ' most - popular : numbers of the whole repertoire, ; and- in . addition a : great many' items for which '. special requests have been made. The matinee .performance will be; given in the Town iail and the evening performance in the Town Hall concert . chamber. _ -v.; V:--

*; • MISS WYMAN'S STUDENTS. •: A programme fof oaf-standing attractiveness has been arranged: forf tne pianoforte ■ recital . to be - given by the students of Miss Evelyn Wyman in . the Town Hall concert chamber on Tuesday evening. Among the contributors will be some of , the foremost artiste in tho realms of New Zealand music. The pianoforte soloists will include Misses Clarice Wood, Lillian Quinn, Elva Pollard, Dorothea Taylor," Edna Robinson, Ella Postles, and Nancy Wilkinson, and Mr. Ivon Lambert. Pianoforte duos will be played by Miss Wilkinson and Mr. Lambert, and Misses Norma Calder and Quecnie ■ Poore. The vocal soloists for the evening will be-Mrs. Cyril Towsey and Mr. Barry Coney. MRS. DREAVER'S RECITAL. > A series of song scenes, character sketches and monologues will be included tin the programme to be given at the Town Hall concert chamber on Wednesday evening by the pupils of Mrs. A. .J. Dreaver. The variety of the items should prove highly attractive. MUNICIPAL CHOIR. The concert to' be given by the Municipal Choir, in the Totfn Hall this . evening, will comprise choral, instrumental and vocal items. * Among the choral numbers are: "Summer Song" '(Schumann) and "The Bells of Saint Michael's Tower." Selections from the works of Bach and other masters will ba played by the city organist, ? Mr. Maughan Barnett, while - vocal numbers will bo contributed, by Mr. W. Gemmell. LABOUR PARTY'S CONCERT. * A concert under, the auspices of the New Zealand Labour ' Party will be held in the - Strand " Theatre to-morrow evening. An excellent vocal programme is provided, and in • addition? an exhibition of hypnotism will .be - given.

. .. STRAND THEATRE. ; . A theme in modern motion picture pro* duction which hag , numerous' admirers is that v an which a • story of the- Arabian desert and tribal life is involved. For the many to whom this type of film appeals, "The Sheik's Wife' which is the principal feature on the new ' programme at the Strand Theatre, should ; prove a great attraction." The - leading; roles, including Marcel Vibert as the Shiek Hadjid ■ Ben Eedun, - and Emmy Lynn as Estelle, his English wife, are played by Continental artists. • There are no studio sets in the production, and the : entire film was taken on the Moroccan desert in order that natural settings might be secured. There is consequently,, no' hint of artificiality in the picture,, ahd..-tho desert t scenes form an admirable : background to a yivid presentation of tribal life. The story depicta Estelle as the young bride of Hadjid, who although greatly attached to her husband, is unable, to reconcile herself to the .. Moslem customs. The climax comes when the elders of the tribe prevail ; upon ; their chief to. seek a second wife in order that he may have an heir of Arabian blood to succeed to the chieftainship. Estell® attempts to escape to the encampment of a detachment of European soldiers, but she is frustrated by Hadjid, who leads his tribe against the soldiers. The desert warfare which then ensues, is replete with thrilling incidents and spectacular features. The encounter results in the defeat of the tribesmen, and with his power broken and his tribe scattered, fiadjid rejects the Moslem customs and becomes reconciled to his wife. Another excellent feature of the programme is a Larry Semon comedy, "The' Barnyard." In addition there is an interesting Fox educational film, "Alligator Hunting and Farming." A scenic film, dealing with the Niagara Falls, and a gazette complete the programme. An enjoyable interlude of operatic vocal items is introduced by Miss Jessie Bartlett and Messrs. Arthur Ripley and Stan Pritchard.