ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18742, 23 June 1924, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"PEG 0' MY HEART." Miss Nellie BramJeyV 'Teg" took:. by fetormthe crowded house: at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening. : She was the "Peg '©' my Heart" of the play and of'everyone -who watched her conquering march through it. No actress has ■ achieved in Auckland; previously a ; success , -'■- more" complete. The whole .house was \< with her in the : irruption ' into the home of the bloodless'Chichestcrs, whose very name she made a mock. It rocked to her laughter, applauded her spirit, hushed ,to her tears, and , would cheerfully have car-; ried her luggage, dress-basket, newspaper parcels and all. Even • fair-play 'was forgotten; there was blind partisanship for the bigger dog Michael against the petted i Pom., not on Michael's account, but lie-1 cause he was Peg's.. It is not : easy toi appraise Miss Bramley's work in the play. That is because she made it impossible to stand outside. it to make a critical assess- ( ment. One simply forgot the actress • and fell for this Irish girl with "a divil ; insoide of her," and a warm hearS, and impulses kindly or impudent or delightfully defiant. And that 13 Nellie Brainley's achievement, for it was her actirag that made Peg the living.and breathing and breathless thing she was. ' That i(s, moreover, what put the Chjchesters so far beyond the pale—that they ' 'were; more than unmoved by her charm, that they were hostile to it and wanted to strangle it. The play is familiar enough, but it is impossible to pass this aspect of it. For » the Chichester family was such a one as never was on sea or land. They represented a stage convention of the English that has accepted currency in America. Mrs. Chichester was a dead thing, lacking even wit or dignity to support her many negations. Alaric out-Johnnied all the Johnnies. Ethel was a sardonic stick 'to whom the audience accorded no real redemption at the end. It was surely not essential to Peg's triumph that, these foils —for they were 'no more—should have been so colourless. But the playwright must share with Sylvia McNair, John : Galway and Ethel Bashford a presentation that .was lifeless and artificial. For the rest, Jerry, Brent, the solicitor, Jarvis and Bennett, they were but so. many satellites taking what light they : showed from sunny Peg. It was Peg, Peg, Peg, all the way through. She was the all in all of the play. When, she was off the stage the house went with her, to the dance or the "setting on" of' Michael. They were all her lovers for the nonce, and shared her impatience with Jerry's hesitations. She swept to the hearts of her audience in the beginning, while Jerry's arms were not opened until the end. Altogether it is an innocent, happy play, filled with laughter and ready sympathy. The thunder and lightning are only contrast in the merry nours of a summery day. The success of "Peg o' My Heart" is assured for the few remaining nights, and playgoers wil] do well who bask in its sunshine. : .

.. OPERA HOUSE. What is claimed by the management to be the best programme shown at the Opera House for some time will be presented this afternoon at the matinee. Tho star attraction is still the celebrated English comedian, Bert Coote, this being hiss last week in Auckland. Mr. Cooto will present another comedy sketch, entitled "P. Pipp, detective," in which he portrays the character; of an amateur detective, who is thought to be somewhat half- 1 witted until he accidentally stumbles on a clue that leads to far-reaching consequences. Associated with Mr. Coote in his sketch will be Miss Peggy Fishwick, Mr. Oswald Waller j and Mr. John Walker. Another attraction will be the first appearance of Miss Lillian and Girls, three clever Americans, who were,' specially engaged, in London by Sir Benjamin Fuller, and whose tour in New Zealand to date ; has" been -very successful. - The three girls, it is stated, give an artistic entertainment. 1 on the cornet" and T; saxophone, playing these instruments 'in a : style; very rarely heard. The Gay Gilberts are another new act, being experts in the art of patter. The balance of the vaudeville section will be provided by Rice and Elmer, "This men who walk on air," and Charles L. Sherman, the clever entertainer at the piano. The second half of the programme is occupied by Jim Gerald and his clever company, in what is claimed to be one of the popular comedian's-imbst brilliant. musical comedies, entitled ; ".Tho Merry Masquerader."; This playlet provides many amusing situations and that, pleasant humour presented by Jim Gerald in his own inimitable way. • ', . i 1

~ _ EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. 'An excellent production from the Paramount . studios, " The - Humming Bird," a Parisian love story, ■>, featuring " Gloria Swanson, is the premier picture at Everybody's Theatre. The story tells how Toii netteV |an * Apache dancer, 'who is known' to the fraternity as ':•''" The •; Humming] Bird." -while dancing in an underworld , cafe one' day, meets an" American news- ; paper man, who is in search of a story.; The two fall in love—an unusual combination, Apache and journalist— all goes well until; the war comes and' the roan leaves to' fight. During his absence, Toinette is accused of a crime and i sent to prison—the prison at St. Lazarre —for the deed of which she is innocent.During a Zeppelin raid she escapes, only ; to learn that her lover has been wounded, i Determined to do her best for Prance, : the " Humming Bird " goes back to the underworld and prevails upon the Apaches to join the Army. ; They become the famous " Wolves,*' and Toinette earns the name j|f "The Sweetheart of France," • and is decorated for her work. Ultimately, the American returns, and the two find happiness together. There are a number of good ' supporting films. . '".' ' : -■■-■ ■■•■■ ■:• ~ ■'' ■■'•'•''.'.. V:....' ■* ,' TIVOLI THEATRE. " ' The '.. Metro production, '.'Your Friend : and Mine," is the principal feature in the current programme at the % Tivoli Theatre. The story relates how Hugh Stanton .becomes so; absorbed in business affairs that he "fails to see that Victor Reymier's interest in his ;' wife is not wholesome. .He leaves town for a while, leaving her to the attentions of the dissolute artist, but through .the interference of two friends the affair ; is '< broken up. There are ; many scenes in which the suspense has been worked up to a high pitch, and the production has been lavishly staged. Enid Bennett has the leading . role. ■'. There is a ; good support-. 1 ing programme. ] s. T j^. _ , LYRIC THEATRE. Zane Grey's latest success, which is at present being received with, enthusiasm.by his many readers, : " The Call of > the Canyon," 13 to be seen in film form at the Lyric Theatre this week;' This story was produced for the screen under the personal supervision of Mi'. Grey, and .. it is probably the best screen interpretation of any of his stories to date. " The Call of the Canyon " is not only an outdoor drama, but there is an element of refined society in it which makes it one. of the most valuable of real -'entertainment . pictures. ' The east is all-star, with Richard Dix and Lois Wilson in the lead. The other players include Noah Beery and Ricardo Cortez. Apart from an enthralling plot and fine acting, this Paramount production is well, worth seeing for the wonderful ; scenery alone. From beautiful. New York- gardens it varies to the rugged mountains of the Arizonas; the luscious trout stream's of the canyons, and'the' wooded -beauty of the hillsides. A realistic -<*>- -■•" ';t of a great sandstorm on the Pampas. ■"''•"'.[ ; DRAMATIC RECITAL. A dramatic and costume recital by the "pupils of Mrs.. Arthur Griffiths will be presented in the Tonw Hall concert chamber to-morrow".-. evening.. A .-programme; "which promises to be both bright' and; interesting will bo provided ; by•; -60 per-- '■■:* formed, of uiyusual ability. Mr A Len • Wilson will provided a dance specialty, and the pupils of Miss Cecil Hall will appear in the " M <»n.sßallet" and "Dance "of -/-,Spring. ~-■. .Orchestral selections will be r given by Airs; C. ; Prime, Miss Dorothy I Baker and Miss Hemus. Several new light-. " .Jr.g effects will enhance the entertainment.