ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19027, 26 May 1925, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. " Nights of Joy," Mr. Jim Gerald's latest revue, is tho chief attraction at the Opera House this week. The production is entirely different from any other of Mr, Gerald's revues. It has been most cleverly conceived and it provides a delightful and at tho samo time novel entertainment. "Nights of Joy" consists of nino scenes, each of which is a complete littlo entertainment in itself. Mr. Gerald's irresistiblo humour is, of course, the main factor in*tho success of the production. In Mr. Reg. Hawthorne, however, tho company has another very able comedian and versatile artist. Ho and Mr. Gerald score a great success with tho popular "Gallagher and Shcan." Song, dance and clover dialogue are features of "Nights of Joy." Tho wholo play is admirably produced and somo of tho settings are most elaborate and effective. Tho whole company does excellent work. The second scene, " An Eastern Episode," is well worthy of special mention. Miss Mona Thomas and tho ballet appear in gorgeous Eastern costumes in a particularly fine sotting. An effective dance number is introduced by Miss Polly McLaren, while Miss Thomas sings " Kismet." Mr. Hawthorne makes a most effective sheik. The third scene, "In the Office," in which Mr. Gerald and Mr. Ernest Crawford appear, is very funny. Tho piece deals with their efforts to make a maximum of money with a minimum of effort. Really laughable, too, is tho fifth scene in which Mr. Gerald masquerades as a Russian nobleman, Count Ivanitch. His doings in this rolo are as funny as they are unorthodox. An item by Mr. Haw tho rye and Miss McLaren, " Say It While Dancing," is one of tho gems of the production. Thero are numerous attractive items in which the ballet appears. Undoubtedly the best is the "Swan Ballet," in which Miss McLaren does some clever solo dancing. Excellent work is done in the various scenes by the Misses Thomas and Jennings and Messrs. Howard. Hall and Lancc Vane. Among the appealing vocal items in "Nights of Joy" are "Three for Jack" (Mr. Crawford), and "11 Naviganto " (Miss Sophie Vivian and Messrs. Hall and Crawford). A brilliant Eastern finale brings the entertainment to a close. Each of the vaudeville, artists in the first part of the programme presents fresh items. The Alton Sisters, who open the bill-of-fare, include singing, dancing and daring trapeze work in their act. The versatile comedian, Ernest Pitcher, provides a highly-entertaining turn. His patter is most amusing. Sir. f'itcher also finds time to do some .pleasing concertina playing Carlton Max, ventriloquist, gives further proof of his unusual ability. • "SO THIS IS LONDON." "So this is London," a popular London and New York success, will be staged at His Majesty's Theatre lor a season commencing next Saturday evening, under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. The distinguished comedian, Mr, Thurston Hall, Villi make his first appearance in Auckland in this production. He will be supported by a strong company. "So This is London" is said to be a very humorous play of the English and Americans as they see each other. The author, Arthur Goodrich,' has founded it on the happy inspiration of two burlesques — one a caricature of the pompous and insular English, as seen by the Americans who have read little and travelled less; the other a caricature of the blatant and self-satisfied American, c.s visualised by the xAitravelled Englishman. The pushful American, impatient with the slowness and easy-going ways of the English, and the English, suspicious of everything American, are brought together in a manner which keeps the audience continually amused. This bright comedy is stated to be liberally supplied with many witty sayings and smart bits of satire, and there is" scarcely a happening or a line that is not connected with subsequent developments. Playgoers will sec this laughable comedy presented on the same lavish scale as in Melbourne and Sydney, where it achieved a remarkable -success, running for over six months between the two cities. The production will serve to introduce to Auckland playgoers for the first time, Misses Gladys Webster, Helenor Bevan and Madge North and Messrs. Reginald Carrington and Leslie Barrie, with whom will be associated an exceptionally interesting cast, including C'arleton Stuart, Herbert Leigh, Kenneth Brampton, Felix Bland and Miss Joan Crossley. "So This is London " will be staged for the first six nights of tho season. The second production will he another London and New York comedy success, "The Broken Wing." The feox plans will open at Messrs. Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., next Thursday morning. STRAND THEATRE. An amusing screen version of the successful stage.,play, " Listen Lester," heads tho current programme at the Strand Theatre. It tells of the efforts of an old gentleman to recover the letters which he has written to a designing young woman. Before the close of the story there are half a dozen people in search of the letters, which change hands with lightning rapidity. The second feature is a locallymade picture entitled: " With the Swordfish at- Russell." It gives a remarkably clear idea of the nature of this thrilling sport which attracts tourists from all parts of the world. The views showing the dense shoals of kahawai and other small fish and the ease with which they may be caught form striking features of the film. There are also good views of the big fish "broaching"- when hooked, and of the catch being hauled aboard the launch. Musical items are provided during tho interval by Miss Maggie Foster who has won great popularity *with tho public of Auckland. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. " The City That Never Sleeps," a Paramount production, now showing at Everybody's Theatre, is an adaptation of the popular story, " Mother 0 Day, ' by Le Roy Scott. The film version was directed by James Cruze, tho noted producer of "'The Covered Waggon," and " The Enemy Sex." The plot centres round a mother who, believing that her (laughter has been brought up in a strict manner, suddenly discovers that she frequents sonic of the most notorious cabarets and cafes in town. Tho mother plans desperately to save her daughter, and a dramatic climax results. The supporting programme includes a number of inteiesting films. CAPITOL THEATRE.

"Love and Sacrifice," a D. W. Griffith production, will bo the chief attraction at the Capitol Theatre this evening. Intense dramatic heights are reached l>j the picture which, though intended primarily for America, can be appreciated by all. 'Comparatively early in the story comes the famous midnight ride of iaul Revere with his startling cry of " lo arms! To arms!" It is followed by the battles of Concord and Bunker Hill, which keep the interest at a high level for some time longer. The attack on I'orl Sacrifice provides the opportunity for more highlyexciting scenes, which carry the tale to a fitting conclusion GRAND THEATRE. " The Temple of Venus " is the principal picture at the Grand' Theatre this week. It is a Fox pitfduetion, directed by Henrv Otto, and was made chiefly on Santa Cruz Island, one of the beauty spots or the Pacific. Phyllis Haver and Mary Philbin have the chief feminine roles, with David Butler as the male leafl. The cast also includes 1000 bathing girls in unusual costumes. The film. compares the life of a beautiful girl, born and reared on the island, with that of a New York society debutante, and an appealing love story adds interest to the theme. A vaudeville programme will be provided this evening and a number of popular artists will contribute items.

NATIONAL. AND LYIUC. The current programme at tlie National find Lyric Theatres, headed by two First National attractions; " Three Wise Fools," and " As Man Desires," will be shown for tho last time to-morrow. On Thursday the chief attraction will be an exceptional Gokhvyn production entitled, " Name tho Man!" adapted from Sir Hall Caino's famous novel, " Tho Master of Mali." Tho story is an unusually interesting one and has been transferred to the screen with outstanding success. Between Victor Stowell, son of tho Deemster or senior Judge of the Islo of Man,, and Fenella Stanley, beautiful daughter of the island's Governor, has existed a love of long standing. After a trilling quarrel they part in anger. Fenella relents and sends a letter of apology. Tho messenger makes a mistake, and Victor sets out to forget his troubles in a night's revelry at a country dance. Ho goes with his old chum of law school days, Alick Gell. who, unknown to Victor, has fallen in love with a dark-eyed, vivacious country girl, Bessie Collister. At Bessie's borne, her step-father, Dan Collister and her meek crippled mother quarrel over her going out, and s';.e is warned that if she is not home at 11 o'clock the doors will be locked against her. Alick, at tho dance, introduces Bessie to Victor, who is struck by her beauty. As they enjoy themselves, alio suddenly remembers the time limit and hurries home. A storm makes her two minutes late, and her father locks tho door and tells her to go back to her aristocratic friends. She sits in the yard in tears, and Victor passes. He offers to take her home, expecting to turn her over to his housekeeper, but. finds she has gone. out. Bessie has nothing to do but remain, and a scene follows in which Victor's passions mount high, forgetful of Fenella. The next day, in remorse, he asks Bessie to marry him. In tho days that fqllow, ho learns that Fenella loves him and realises that his real love is for her. He confesses this to Alick who is overjoyed, for it leaves him free to ask Bessie to be his wife. Bessie, who has been sent away to school byVictor, ' makes a discovery • which sends her homo for the sympathy and understanding that only a mother can give. They try to keep their secret from everyone, but the step-father learns, and returns from the city with a policeman who arrests Bessio for tho. murder of her child. Tho old Deemster dies and the Governor appoints Victor to tho post. Ilis first case is that of Bessie. Tho trial is a spectacular, hard-fought bit of mockery, 'llie Judge, with downcast eyes, suffers through it and battles with his conscience, and then sentences Bessio to hang! lie does not think that anyone suspects, but as he leaves the Courtroom, Fenella slaps his face. A climax fully adequate' to so dramatic a story concludes the picture. TIVOLI THEATRE. A Selznick production, " The Sign of the Rose," heads a strong double-feature programme at the Tivoli Theatre this week. It is a film version of the successful play of tho same name, and George Be ban, who has played the leading role on the stage for 14 years, has tho same part in the film. Tho story is full of pathos, human interest and delightful humour, and is interpreted by a strong cast. Among the players are llclene Sullivan, Gene "Cameron, Charles Elder and Jeanne Carpentier. The second feature is a Universal Western drama, " Flying Hoofs," with Jack Hoxie in the leading role. JASPER'S CONCERT. A concert arranged by the Rev. Jasper ("'aider will be held in the Town Hall on Thursday evening. Items will be given by Messrs. J. P. de Montalk, Jim Gerald and Reg- Hawthorne, and by pupils of Miss Daphne Knight, including a solo dance by Miss Dorothy Steele. Music will bo provided by the Dixieland Orchestra.