ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18943, 14 February 1925, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MURIEL STARR SEASON. Elaborate preparations during the last two davs have been made at His Majesty's Theatre, for the production this evening by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., ot " East of Suez." described as one ot the most spectacular productions ever presented in the Dominion. It is stated by J C. Williamson. Ltd.. that no drama ever staged in New Zealand has been characterised by the same wealth of detail, the elaborateness of its staging and mounting, and the beauty or the scenery and lighting, which are Features of Last of Suez." This play, it is said, will be presented on exactly the same scale as m Melbourne and Sydney. Auckland playgoers have 'already had a taste of the art of Muriel Starr, 'and the popular young English actor, Frank Harvey, but "> this production, it is claimed, they have both reached the pinnacle of their success. '• East of Suez " is said to be one of the most expensive productions ever sent to Auckland. The six. scenes have been painted by Australia's foremost scenic artists, John Coleman and George Upward. The costumes worn by Miss Muriel Starr, all beinu of unique design, are the creations of Simmon's, London. Muriel Starr, as Daisy, the half-caste Chinese girl, has a difficult part, to play, frank Harvev. as George Coinvay, is said to make ' the part bristle with poignant drama. The two principals will be supported hv one of the firm's strongest companies. 'Next Friday night Robert Hiclien's drama, 44 The Garden of Allah, will be presented. For the last night of the season. Wednesdav, February 2-5, Bought, and Paid For " will be revived. Ihe plan for this evening will be at Lewis K. Eady and Son, Ltd.. until noon, and afterwards, at the theatre confoctioneiy. SEYMOUR HICKS COMPANY. " There is only one thing to do that is to see 'Scrooge' and 'Sleeping Partners.' You will be delighted with them. These were the words with which a Sydney writer introduced a glowing critique of "the brilliant first night of Mr. Seymour Hicks and Miss Ellaline Terriss, the celebrated London stars, who will make their Auckland debut at the Opera House on Wednesday next, under the direction of the Hugh "J. Ward Pty.. Ltd. By repute every playgoer knows the name of Seymour Hicks. Mr. Hicks and Miss Terriss are supported by their London company, and bring a remarkable repertoire of plays, including " Scrooge " and " Sleeping Partners," " Broadway Jones. ' and " The Man in Dress Clothes." For his Auckland premiere Mr. Hicks has arranged to appear in a double bill, which will consist of " Scrooge " and " Sleeping Partners," and it is said that the infinite variety of Mr. Hicks' art will be fully shown in the dual bill. The great actor will appear first as Ebenezer Scrooge, in his adaptation for the stage of Charles Dicken's masterpiece, " A Christmas Carol." in which he is stated to give a most vivid impersonation of the grasping, sordid money-grabber, who was reformed bv a dream. This one-act drama will be followed by a delightful three-act comedy entitled " Sleeping Partners,'' in which the scene is a bacnelor's flat —the characters, a Parisian philanderer, a charming wife, an errant husband, and a discreet man-servant. "In this clever play," says a Sydney critic, "one must admire the grace and discretion with which Miss Ellaline Terriss plays the wife, and the humour with which Air. Hicks interprets the bachelor, whose blunder brings the tactics of over a year to nothing." The play is known in the French as Faisons un Rove." and is by Sadie Guitryfethe famous French actor, who, with his wife, Jerome Priiitemps, created a sensation in London two years ago. The box plan is now open for the first, five nights of the' season at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. ETHEL OSBORN FAREWELL TOUR. The forthcoming return visit of Miss Ethel Osborn, the Australian soprano, is arousing great, interest in musical circles, owing to her sudden rise to fame in her own country, and more especially to Dame Nellie Melba's enthusiastic praise of the young singer and her prediction of a world career. Talented Australian artists will support the young prima donna, who will be heard in many new numbers. The concerts in Auckland will he given at the Town Hall on March 5, 5 and 6. The box plan is at Lewis R. Eadv and Son, Ltd. EV ER YBO D Y'S THE AT RE. " Wanderer of Vhe Wasteland," a film version of the well-known story by Zane Grey, photographed entirely in natural colours by the famous Technicolor process, heads the current programme at Everybody's Theatre. Irvin Willat, who directed the picture, speaks of the, future of coloured photography as follows: " Coloured motion pictures are going to occupy the same place in the film world that coloured printing is taking in the publishing field. The time is rapidly coming, when there will be a public demand for coloured films. They will be classified in the minds of picture patrons as the art product of the industry, and the resulting competition will bring about -their widespread use. Many prejudices have retarded the development of coloured pictures, There has been the impression that they were tiring to the eyes, that they detracted from the interest in the story, that the colours were not true to life, and that there were expensive technical difficulties in the actual handling of the, film in exchanges and theatres." Another reviewer of this picture says:— " Throughout it is a work of art, and makes the critic wonder how it is that no other pictures, since this, one, have been similarly produced. No doubt the very big expense attached to such an undertaking is the drawback. If this is the case it is a pity for ' Wanderer of tho Wasteland' is something to wonder at and be pleased with at the same time" The picture contains plenty of action, not unmixed with thrills. One of the more exciting incidents is a very genuine rough- J and-tiimble between the hero and tho villain. The story tells of a man who believes that ho has murdered his brother arid goes out into the desert- alone, ifn order to obtain the right atmosphere tho picture was filmed at the actual places mentioned in the novel. TIVOLI THEATRE, " The, Alan Life Passed By," a Metro production, is the principal attracion on iho current programme at the Tivoli Theatre.. It is the story of a man whose bitterness m heart against life is changed by a woman to love, and the woman is the daughter of his enemy. But this happens only after the girl's younger sister barely escapes the penalty of her father's wrong against the man whose invention he stole. The man whom life passed by is shown inceasingly buffeted by a cruel fate until he loses his grip on life and is prepared to go to any lengths in search of revenge. There are many comic scenes to lighten the intensity of the story, and a number of thrilling episodes add to the interest. Particularly exciting is: the raid on the "Spotted Dog," where an iron magnate's younger daughter has taken her guests, after her father's secretary put an end to the daring frolic at her home. The raid sends the distracted girl fleeing into the arms of her father's enemy, and the scenes that follow are full of excitement. The climax occurs when the repentant man goes to " Iron Man" Moore's home to ask for justice, and is shot down. But the tangle is happily straightened out in the end. The second attracion is a Universal picture, "The Sawdust Trail." In this amusing comedy Hoot Gibson poses as the weakling son of a wealthy man, but his weakness is occasioned by an indisposition to work in one of his father's machine shops rather than constitutional. That is why he joins a Wild West show, as a member of which lie still parades himself as one of Nature's unfortunates; but. on meeting with " Calamity" Jane, one of the principal members of the show aiid a strong woman iri every sense of the word, the child of weakness"resolves to win her or die. Securing Jane in an untamed automobile he races her either over or through everything in the circus, and declines to stop until the lady capitulates to her reckless loyer^

STRAND THEATRE. An attractive feature of tlio new programme presented ut the. Strand Iheutre for the first time yesterday was the overture " Buy Bias,'' played by a .specially augmented orchestra at the evening session. The performance proved deservedly popular, and the orchestra, lUKiet j the conductorship of Mr. Arthur brost. was warmly applauded on the, success ot its efforts." Another musical, treat was provided during the interlude by a picco o solo, " L'Oiseau du Bois," by Mr. Dunne, with full orchestral accompaniment he enjoyment of the performance was fuithei j increased by lighting and 1 effects of remarkable beauty. the final | result could only be described as goigeous and lovers of 'music and beauty should , find this part of the programme partial- . larly enjoyable. At the head ot the pic- , tuve programme was " Broadway Attei •, Dark." a fihu noteworthy for its strong ; cast, including such popular favourites as , Anna Q. Xilsson. Norma Shearer ( arme ; Mvers, Adolphe Menjou. and Willan 1. , Louis. The lure and attractiveness 0 Broadway, with its myriad lights and glittering and flashing electric signs, v^' il fully port raved. The life of its u cabin pleasure-seekers, with their constant round of gaiety, was depicted vividly, as was also the' life of lower social strata. Ihe . storv tells of a man who, wearying ot the artificiality of the life of luxury and case he has always led, seeks fresh enjoyment , in another sphere. Meeting a gui employed as a domestic at the boarding- . house whero he lodges, he decides, as «» jest, to try the experiment ot launching iier'out in' the social circles ho has just . left. Her remarkable beauty leads to a , number of complications before a happy conclusion is finally reached. Ihe supporting programme includes an amusing comedy, a topical picture, and a Pathe review in colours. PRINCESS THEATRE. A William Fox production, Daughters of tho Night," dealing with the adventures of a girl employed as a night telephone operator, is the chief attraction at the Princess Theatre. Iwo brothcis, who arc turned out of doors by then father, also plav prominent parts in tho development of the story. One becomes a telephone linesman, while the other joins a gang of safe-breakers, there arc many thrilling incidents in the picture, including a revolver duel between tho police and tho robbers who attempt to open the safe of the local bank. The death of one of the brothers in a fire, and a heroic rescue of the girl employed as an operator, add further excitement. A love story is entwined with the other elements of the tale, and heightens the interest and adds variety. The second attraction on the programme is entitled, " Life's _ t wist, and tells the story of a girl s disappointment, on finding that her husband had married her for money and not for love. The husband begins to _ appreciate the true character of his wife arid falls in love with her. But wearying of her indifference he at last seeks relief elsewhere and meets a girl employed in a sweetshop, whose features are an almost exact replica of those of his wife. There are many interesting complications before the climax is finally reached. The programme also includes an amusing eoiAcal.v, entitled "The Hunt." QUEEN'S THEATRE. A Booth Tarkington story, "Tho Flirt," heads the current programme at the Queen's Theatre. It tells the story of a middle-class family in poor circumstances, the father being a respected and hardworking business man. Of the_ two daughters, Laura is gentle and kindly, but Cora is selfish and lazy and a born flirt. Dick Lindlcv is the latest young man Cora has managed to attract, but Laura secretly loves Dick. Seeing his infatuation for her sister, Laura confides her inmost thoughts to her diary. Her younger brother, Hedrick, the family imp, "knows of this diary, and is determined to find it. Securing it at last he sends it to Dick, who believes that Laura has sent it herself. Further complications are, introduced when Cora forges her father s iiamo to a guarantee of a company. The promoter of the company disappears, and the father, refusing to speak for the sake of his daughter and being unable to fulfil his supposed guarantee, is threatened ' with imprisonment. " The Lady of tho Dugout" and a Baby Peggy comedy aro also shown. HIPPODROME THEATRE. The management of the Hippodrome Theatre has made arrangements for an interesting entertainment in the form of amateur trials to commence at the, theatre on Monday evening. The result should prove highly enjpyable from the point of. view of the audience. Both amateurs and professionals aro eligible to compete in the trials. BAND PERFORMANCES. The Municipal Band will continue its musical recitals at tho Zoological Park 10-morrcw afternoon. The programme to be rendered offers new features. The overture to Wallaces "Maritana will bo given for the first time by the band, as will also a fine selection from Weber's "Preciosa." .Ed. German's "Nell Gwyn" dances and a selection from "Carmen" are included, along with other tuneful numbers.' bright marches, and hymn tunes. The Port Auckland Band will give a musical programme at Ellerslie Racecourse to-morrow afternoon at 3 o clock A collection will ho taken up for the contest fund. CAREY-IfCTCHENS RE< ITALS. Auckland music-lovers will have it) opportunity of hearing a first-class concert combination in the. concert chamber on Wednesday and Thursday, February 18 and 19. when Mr. Frank Hutchens, pianist for the Sydney Coiiservatoriir.il, will bo associated with Mr, (.'live ('are.v. ' who has recently come, from London to take charge, of tho vocal section at the Adelaide Conservatorium. OPEN-AIR CONCERT. All open-air concert has been arranged for to-morrow evening by the League Glee Club. Jtems to the programme will be contributed by the Lyric Quartette and Miss Lois Evans. The concert, will commence at 7.45 p.m.