ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18567, 27 November 1923, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GERTRUDE ELLIOTT SEASON. Laughter and tears are freely inter- ! mingled in "Smilin' Through." It. is a quaintly human story told in an old-world j garden, a romance within a romance, in the telling of which the author has drawn his characters from life and given us real types. The same theme read in the printed pages of a book would hold the reader enthralled until the end. In the hands of Miss Gertrude Elliott and her gifted company at His Majesty's Theatre, playgoers find that interest intensified by the manner in which life is breathed into the people of the playwright's creation. The depth of feeling displayed in the character drawing is equalled by the acumen revealed 'in the depiction of the foibles and idiosyncrasies of the principal characters. Allan 'Langdon Martin, who wrote the play, has a sureness of touch which is almost faultless. Hi 3 drama is true and his comedy delightful. In the one scene wherein he might have lapsed into melodrama he refrains from so doing, turning the situation instead on a tragic note which makes its appeal chiefly through the simplicity of the device and the consummate art of Miss Elliott, who is the central figure in the incident. The romantic atmosphere is skilfully maintained throughout, and its contrasting phases of to-day and fifty years ago are very cleverly managed.

An old man, carrying hate in his heart, will not consent to the marriage of his ward, a sweet Irish maid, with the mai» of 'her heart. He is ultimately compelled by circumstance to tail her why. He commences his narration and the scene changes back to the days of his youth the day of days in his life when he is about to be married to his cherished Moonyeen. In the midsi of the wedding festivities one Jeremiah Wayne enters. He is, a disappointed suitor of Moonyeen's. He swears the marriage shall not take place and by hi 3 act prevents it. This is the tragedy that has soured the existence of old John Carteret, and the son of the man who robbed him of his happiness is the man who would wed his niece, Kathleen. Th* past thus explained, the play resumes its course, and it does not terminate until the embittered old man has swept the cobwebs of hate out of his thoughts and given the two young people the happiness they have craved. His obstinacy gives way at the last before the eloquent grief of Kathleen and the stalwart fight on her behalf waged by his life-long friend, Dr. Owen Hardin?. Much of .the comedy of the piece lies in the hands of Carteret and Harding, giving rare delight to the aud: ence as they wrangle and make it up only to quarrel again and yet again. Miss Gertrude Elliott once more shows talent that has no blemish in the dual role of Kathleen and Moonyeen. Ha» charm is exercised like a subtle spell, whether she is depicting the light-hearted young Irish girl trying with all her wiles to induce her lover to declare himself or the same girl torn by conflicting emotion* in the face of sorrow and suspense, in the scene of the old-time wedding, garbed in her nuptial dress with crinoline and all the old-fashioned adornments, she is womanly and tender, Moonyeen's death heing presented not as a sordid and hai • rowing thing, but as a thing beautiful and sanctified by love and hope and faith in a future life. Few actresses could hope to interpret the dual role which dominates "Smilin' Through" with such delicacy of tracing, such sincerity, or such picturesque realism as does this highly gifted lady Mr. William Mollison as John Carteret, the old man and the young, also plays with sound and effective judgment, confirming first opinions that he is a remarkably fine character actor. Ho is especially good as the aged misanthrope. An excellent foil is Mr. Mayne Lynton as th* doctor, whose characterisation has many fine points. Mr. J. B. Rowe is another member of the cast who presents a dual impersonation with aitistio skill. Con vincing portrayals are given by the re maining members of the company. "Smilin* Through," which' met with an enthusiasticreception last evening, will be staged until Friday.

OPERA HOUSE. A varied programme of song and dance and story delighted a large audience at the Opera House last evening, when several established favourites and one or two new ones made their appearance. Tho vaudeville section of.-the programme included several items which were plainly very much in accord with popular .taste. A very good ' reception was tendered Keith Desmond, who made his first appearance as a popular singer of popular songs. He is also an elocutionist of no mean attainments, and had to respond to several encores before the audience would allow him to leave the stage. Billy Elliott, who is giving a special farewell week, scored a triumph with his coon songs and patter. His voice has won for him high place in the favour of Auckland audiences, while the robust humour of some of his anpc

dotes and stories is also in keeping with the popular taste for vaudeville wit. Brennan and Newton were seen in/a highly diverting sketch, each contributing a couple of solo items which won hearty applause. Con Mor«ni's Miniature Musical Comedy scored a distinct hit in another of their comedies, entitled "Scraps." Th« revue opened with a classic dance by a I quintette of agile maidens who tripped j lightly through some eurythmic measures. A duet between a troupe of summer girls and boys, followed by an amusing male trio, "On Strike," was an outstanding feature of the programme, while another item, in which a drunken man performed some funny antics with a bucket- and a ladder, fairly brought down the house. An Oriental song by a sextette of Egyptian maidens, an amusing farce and several other vocal items completed a' highly diverting programme.

MISS STELLA POWER. The ' series of concerts to be given in the Town Hall by Miss Stella Power, known as "The Little Melba," will commence on Thursday evening, when the famous soprano will make her first appearance before an . Auckland audience. For the older generation of concertgoers, the memory '" of Dame Nellie Melba's singing of " Voi Che Sapete," " Dove Sono," and " Ah! Lo So, remains en undiluted joy. It seemed that the Mozart music required a voice of exactly the Melba perfect evenness of tone, absolute ease of style, and a certain serenity of expression , that can only be described as Mozartian. In the possession of these qualities Dame Melba was unique. That they should be found again within a generation in yet another young Australian is surely remarkable. Yet this is the tribute now paid to Miss Stella Power by the press and public of England and Europe, and recently endorsed by the critical opinion of "her native land. Associated with Miss Power will be an Australian pianist, Mr. William James, whose playing has earned him a considerable renutation in England during the last ten years, and also Mr. Harold Beck, the ' well-known young violoncellist The box plans for the four Auckland Iconcerts are now open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. Day sale tickets will be available to-morrow at Coleman's, H.M. Arcade.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The current programme at the Princess Theatre is headed by ' "The Young Raiah," a lavish Paramount production, with Rodolph Valentino and " Wanda Havvley in the principal roles. There are a number of brilliant scenes and the dramatic value of the picture is sound. Also on the bill is "The Face Between," with Bert Lytcll and Sylvia Breamer in the chief parts.

ELOCUTION SCHOLARSHIPS. The entries for the scholarship competitions offered by Mr. J. P. Montague have closed-, and the response has exceeded expectations. The competitions will take place in the Town Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings. Being the first of their kind in Auckland they should arouse much interest. The judges are Messrs* R. A. Sjager and L. P. Laary*

STRAND THEATRE. i "The Sheik's Wife," now the chief attraction at the Strand Theatre, is a picture of unusual interest. The desert atmosphere has been well reproduced and the dramatic story is! told in a series of scenes calculated to hold the interest of the spectator. In a fine cast, Emmy Lynn plays the leading role. In an interlude vocal gems from the favourite opera, Mantana," are sung by Miss Jesae Bartlett and Messrs. Arthur .Ripley and btan„ Prjtcbard. PIANOFORTE RECITAL. The pupils of Miss Evelyn Wyman will give a pianoforte recital in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening. Vocal items will be rendered by Mrs. Cyril lowsey, and Mr. Barry Coney.