ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19140, 5 October 1925, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"CAPPY RI0K8" ON THE STAGE

NEW PLAY AT HIS MAJESTY'S,

Considering that "Cappy Ricks" has been a "best seller" in its time and was the means of bringing fame to Peter B. Kyne as an author of extremely readable novels, it was not to be wondered that the dramatisation of his most famous story should have drawn a capacity house to His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening. And it would be safe to fray that the anticipations of the audience were every one exceeded, for the stage play is a very adroit adaptation and the company well chosen and perfectly equal to the task. The performance of Mr. Ward Lyons in the title rob was marked by a warmth and vigour that brought the curiously simple yet complex character of Cappy Ricks to life m a variety of colours, completely confirming the judgment of the producer m limiting his selection of the principal and subordinate members of the caste to the confines 01 Australia. "Cappy Ricks" undoubtedly owes its great, popularity to tne vivid character sketch of the old shipping magnate, with his curious biend of weakness a.nd strength and his violent revulsions and attachments, and there is naturally great scope for dramatic treatment in his furious struggle with the strong headed seaman, Matt t easley, who assumes command of the company s ships without orders, and when threatened with instant dismissal, voluntarily enters business on his own account and beats the "old man" at his own game. While adhering to the main lines of the novel, the dramatisation has been "strengthened" for stage purposes, with, it must be admitted, pronounced success, and the inter-play of forces as between Matt Peasley and Cappy Ricks daughter has been so developed that there is appeal for every heart. It thera is anything at variance in the play i„ is the intrusion of unmistakable farce at times into what is pure comedy. Ihere is really enough comedy and to spare in both situations and dialogue without encouraging guffaws by over-playing the role Of "the nincompoop, Cecil Iks hair!. Indeed, the dialogue is bright, brisk and refreshing, jnd what Americanisms occur are thankfully of the clever, picturesque kind that are the only redeeming features of the American "language."*'"^ The character of old Cappy Ricks is an arresting one in the hands of Mr. Ward Lyons, and without the other players to support him, his would be a sketch of considerable weight and impelling features. It is as though the character had actually stepped out of the book and acted and spoken as the millions of his admirers would have expected him to do. With a deft hand there is placed before the spectators a lovable old: man, untiringly energetic, businesslike to the core, with the fighting spirit well ingrained in what is below the surface a genuinely kind and generous soul. Mr. Lyons passed from one typical phase and mood to another with delightful naturalness, entering into the spirit of the j>lay with an infections enthusiasm. Only when he permitted an artificial inflexion to creep into his lines was there a weakening in an otherwise excellent illusion. The company is fortunate in possessing so charming a feminine lead as Miss Mary Macgregor, who makes the role of Florence Ricks a gracious and appealing one. While not being called upon for any deeply emotional work, she displayed a creditable reserve in all her work that enhanced a very engaging personality, and was a prime favourite with the audience ail the evening. The role of Matt Peasley could scarcely be in better hands than those of Mr. Herbert Stallard, who combined youth and manliness in very attractive proportions. Mr. Walter Dyer had a great deal of distinctly awkward work to do as John Skinner, the unfortunate manager, who is the butt of Cappy's endless tirades. He managed it with perfect results. The over-drawn role of Cecil Berhard was cleverly enacted by Mr. Donald Nicol, who was responsible for uproarious merriment on account of his assumed falsetto voice and mannerisms, Two other players should not be forgotten, namely,, Misses Mary Macrae and Loris Bingham, Cappy's secretary and sister respectively. They both fitted excellently into the picture. The play is announced to have a limited season of seven nights, concluding next Saturday evening.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. Adapted from a story by the celebrated novelist Vicente Biasco Ibanez, and produced on a remarkably lavish scale, " Enemies of Women," tlie principal attraction at the National and Lyric Theatres this week, has much to recommend it. The whole company was taken to Europe to make the picture, and the author himself supervised the filming :of many of the scenes. • He also expressed himself as highly pleased with the final result. _ For the first time in. seven years permission was granted to take pictures of the famous casino of Monte Carlo, and the atmosphere of realism is made much stronger than .would otherwise have been possible. The story is said to be a typical example of the work of Ibanez. It tells of the regeneration of two human souls through the stress and strain caused by the Great War. This theme provides ample opportunity for dramatic acting* and the actors are said to avail themselves of it to the fulL

HIPPODROME THEATRE. A Tom Mix picture, " The Law and the Outlaw," heads the current programme at the Hippodrome Theatre. In addition an attractive series of vaudeville trials has been arranged for this evening. " The Law and the Outlaw '* tells a thrilling story of a man suspected of a crime of which h© is guiltless. He is compelled to flee for his life, and meets with many exciting adventures and endures many hardships while being hunted day and night by a posse headed by | the sheriff. He obtains work on a ranch, where he falls in love with the daughter of his employer. But he is recognised and arrested by the sheriff. He makes his isscaoe, and then the man hunt begins in real earnest. Numerous thrills are provided when the pursuers are following hard on the heels of their victim, and it seems almost impossible for him to escape. By an ingenious trick he eludes the pursuit, and eventually is enabled to return to his home and happiness, TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. A William de Mille production entitled " Men and Women, and featuring Richard Dix, heads the present programme at the Tivoli aad Everybody's Theatres. The picture is based on a famous play by David Belasco, and the film version is declared in many important respects to surpass the original. The supporting cast includes Flora Finch, Claire Adams, Neil Hamilton and Robert Edeson The direction i.s said to be of an unusually high order, and the acting has also received high praise from critics. The story is noteworthy for its dramatic intensity of purpose, and it has been produced with a careful regard for realism in settings and all details. The drama is relieved by excellent comedy work, for the greater part of which Flora Finch is responsible, DIXIELAND CABARET. A speoi&l programme has been arranged for the final week at Dixieland prior to the transfer of the staff and equipment to the new cabaret at Point Chevalier. Beginning with this evening a series of special evenings will be given, these including several long nights. The final evening will be on Monday next when there will be dancing from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. The new cabaret at Point Chevalier is to be opened on October 24 with a special function. It is proposed to provide additional dancing space while the decorations and appointments will be on %.l*viah scale. s ■ j

| T , u 1 1 r *n' - MUNICIPAL CHOm (X>KCKflg|; The growing interest being taksa Si the new series of Municipal Concerts- ,*?aa demonstrated on Saturday evening, «*feoa the Municipal Choir attracted one of the largest attendances oi the season to the Town Halt The Mayor, Mr. G. Raiido-i, and members of the City Council Wert* present.. ! :■*: The budget of the unaccompanied part liongs by the choir, under Mr, Maughan 'Flarnett, was carefully chosen, and trav ursed various periods of composition. Opening with ralestrina's 16th Century Madrigal: "When Flow'l7 Meadows " one realised the beauties of fcasmonie const? uction of this &gs, the of the parts being presented by tha siegers with just intonation. JSlgar's _ more dramatic " Yea, Cast Me from Heights of the Mountains," was a difficult- number,, which here and there lacked the necessary Sre in delivery. Some thinness of tone in the soprano department was also noted. In Balfour Gardiners arrangement of the old tune " The Hunt is Dp " the choir fully entered into the spirit of the music, which was sung with such precise rhythm, and variety of expression that it was not surprising that a repetiiion was demanded. Donald's part-song, Breathe So Softly, ye Breezes," in which the tonal inflections were well managed, was >% marked success, and ths same remark applies to the soothing harmonies of Sullivan's " 0 Hush Thee, my Babie." ! Altogether the concerted singing marked ian advance on previous exposition, a praiseworthy feature being better enunciation and adherence to pitch. Much interest naturally centred in the first appearance here of the Danish pianist, Mr. Haagen Holsnbergh, - musician of considerable attainments. \om the outset he enlisted the warmest nterest of the audience, and was the recipient of hearty recalls after each contribution. His playing is full of warmth and his readings uniformly clear and well balanced. The suppleness of his fingers was shown in such numbers as ths Prelude *' and " Air" from Griegs' " Holberg Suite"— the music of which suggests a certain medieval style—and Sjoegien's " Erotiken " in which ths more modern mood was finely expressed. A well controlled touch and fluent technique were conspicuous features of Mr. Holenbergh's interpretation of Tansig's fantasia on Hungarian Gipsv themes. Tht? SEwe constructed somewhat on the lines of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies was full of colour and vitality. The organ solos by the city organist, Mr. ( Maughan Barnett, were well received. They were of varied appeal and showed the player's versatility. Opening with Viernes' majestic " Carillons" the recitalisi impressed all as he handled the massive manual chords, : against a basso ostinato on the pedals. Intermittent flashes of the same bass theme were also heard on the keyboard, while later the pei-sis tent subject assumed a formidable development as the lull power of lha instrument was drawn upon. Some depths of expression were plumbed in Cesar Frank's "Pastorale," the whole being conspicuous for refined touch and subtle dvnamic shading. Following this was Handel's tripping " Minuet," the verp essence of daintiness. In more ■ heroic mould was Liszt's colossal Fugue on the Chorale from Meyerbeer's opera Lo Propete," which developed on lines which called for the utmost technical accuracy, while Schubert's delightful " Am M«r (Bv the Sea) gave scope for Mr. Harriett's skill in appropriate registration.

MUNICIPAL BAND. A pWing entertainment was provided by the Municipal Band in the Town Hall last evening. The selections included "Crown Diamonds" (Anberj, "Minaetto (Boccherino). "0 Sole Mio' (Di Capua), "Reverie du Soir." and "March jAiktaire. Mr. Hal McLennan rendered a piccolo solo, "Souvenir do Liege," and Mr. Rowland Jackson contributed phone solo, "Tarantello de Concert.

OPERA HOUfiE. " Xu Klux Klan" will be the new revue to be presented at the Opera House for the first time this evening. It is ssud to give George "Ward and his popular ftnayshots Revue Company ample scone a«d should easily reach the high level tha* has already been attained by previous productions. Henri French, the ' Parisian Drunk on the Wheel." she Seibons m a novelty pot pourri act, sind Leslie EJhm, "the girl at the piano," will provide attractions In the vaudeville section of the programme