ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19394, 31 July 1926, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WILLIAMSON VAUDEVILLE. The captivating vaudeville programme which is drawing crowded houses to His Majesty's Theatre will now be presented in Auckland until Saturday night next and the box plans for the remainder of the season will open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., on Monday morning. Ihere will be a matinee to-day and also on \\ ednesday and Saturday following. At the outset of their enterprise the directors bi international vaudeville set a very high standard which has been fully maintained and even improved upon, so that the present talented company is the best the management has sent to New Zealand to date. STRAND THEATRE. The joys and sorrows of chorus girls on the Broadway stage are convincingly illustrated in " A Broadway Butterfly," a Warner Brothers' release, which is the principal offering on the new programme shown at the Strand Theatre for the first time yesterday. Determined to dance her way to fame on Broadway, shy little country-bred Irene Astaire seeks work as a chorus girl. Sk« is unmercifully teased by the regular show girls, until Cookie Dale befriends her. The producer is delighted with Irene and immediately engages her to take the place of Cookie, whom he dismisses to satisfy the three wealthy clubmen who are financing his musical show. Irene is very grateful to Cookie, whose apartment she is sharing, and the two become fast friends. Both Donald Steele and Crane Wilder, two of the financiers, have succumbed to Irene's dainty charm, but she has favoured Don, whom she really loves. Wilder is beside himself with jealousy and plots with Thelma Perry, another chorus girl, who resents Irene's conquest, to get her for himself. Many complications follow before Irene ultimately finds happiness. Dorothy Devore, Cullen Landis, Louise Fazenda, Willard Louis, John Roche and Lilyan Tashman are included in the cast. The second attraction is "The Circle," a Metro-Goldwn adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's famous stage plav, directed by Frank Borzage. It is a tale of the matrimonial difficulties of a father and his son. Eleanor Boardman heads the cast, and is supported by such proven favourites as Malcolm MacGregor, Alec B. Francis, Eugenie Besserer, George Fawcett, Eulalie Jensen, Creighton Hale and Otto Hoffman. An attracticve selection of supporting pictures is shown, and musical items are given by the " The Bohemians," who prove themselves accomplished musicians and vocalists. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Music of outstanding excellence is provided in the programme presented at the Majestic Theatre for the first time last evening. The picture entertainment itself is well up to its usual high standard, but the reputation of the theatre for brilliant accompaniments and special acts is enhanced. Seldom has a more simply attractive scene been produced in an Auckland theatre than that provided last evening by Miss Christina Ormiston and Mr. Engel, and the largo audience clamoured for an encore of the exquisite blending of the liquid notes of the lyric soprano with the mellow tones of the cello. The stage was made to represent an attic in a slum quarter, and Mr. Engel, in the role of a poor musician, played Listz's " Liebestraum" with a wonderful depth of feeling. Then Miss Ormiston entered, and the effect was magnificent as, accompanied on the cello, she sang Gounod's inimitable "Serenade." This was not the only musical treat; the Majestic orchestra played as an overture a spirited selection from "The Barber of Seville," and a medley of old plantation airs was also a warm favourite. "The Devil's Circus," a picture in which Norma Shearer and Charles Mack take the leading roles, is a splendidly-produced film of life with a Continental circus. It has for its plot the old platitude that Providence is always on the right of righteousness and, simply handled, it makes the theme for a really fine picture. Many magnificent spectacles are provided, a carefully-trained ballet of 100 girls providing a very fine scene. For those who want thrills nothing could be more exciting than a trapeze act staged right up in the dome of the huge circus building, for the audience literally holds its breath as the little circus girl comes tumbing down into an arena of lions beneath. The supporting programme is well chosen, by far the best item in it being a New Zealand Government picture, demonstrating to New Zealanders the untold beauty of the mountain country in the South Island. There are also- two topical pictures and an amusing "Go-Getter" comedy. HI ALTO THEATRE. Lewis Stone and Alice Terry, who appeared in "The Prisoner of Zenda" and "Scaramouche," are also featured in "Confessions of a Queen," now showing at the Rialto Theatre. The picture is based on a historical novel by Alphonso Daudet, "Kings in Exile." Lewis Stone is once again given an opportunity to display his ability in the portrayal of regal roles. As King Christian 11. of Illyria he is a monarch, whose tiny kingdom is best by revolution and the evil machinations of a secret band of plotters. Through these troubles he comes safely, if not altogether triumphantly, and a firmer love and understanding follows his apparently hopeless marriage. The climax is an excellent one and decidedly unusual. Also showing is a Banner production, "Wreckage," with May Allison in the principal role. GRAND THEATRE. A young man known to the Latin Quarter of Paris as an impoverished young artist, but who is in reality a wealthy young count living under the assumed name of Rene Duval, is the hero of " The Count o£ Luxembourg," which is the principal offering on the current programme at the Grand Theatre. He is confronted with a proposition to marry for a million francs an unknown and untitled stranger. With some hesitation he accepts the offer, with unexpected results. A thrilling motor-racing picture, " The Cyclone Rider," is also screened. PORT AUCKLAND BAND. The Port Auckknd Band will give a programme at the St. Heliers Bay Picture Theatre to-morrow evening, commencing at 8 o'clock. As the programme has been specially selected, a good attendance is anticipated. JORDAN-COOK RECITAL. Mr. Arthur Jordan will give his farewell concert at the Town Hall on Monday evening. In response to numerous requests the tenor will sing excerpts from Handelian works and lighter items, including "Take 2. Pair of Sparkling Eyes," and "Drink to Me Only." It has been said of Mr. Jordan that he has given to vocal musicians of New Zealand a standard to work upon. His English is perfect and his diction faultless. CONSERVATQRIUM OF MUSIC. The New Zealand Amusement and Construction Company, Ltd., proprietors of the Auckland Conservatorium of Music arid Dramatic Art, announce the presentation in Auckland shortly of * several theatrical productions, as well as a £SO exhibition for pianists, violinists and singers ander the direction of the conservatorium. A song recital, drama, an orchestral concert, vaudeville and revue, grand opera and a popular concert are included in. the programme, which will extend over one week. A syllabus, detailed particulars of the teaching stall of the conservatorium, terms, etc., is now available at the company s offices and studios, Warwick Chambers, 168, Queen Street.

BACKHAUS. Backhaus, the famous pianist, arrives by the Aorangi on Monday. Already his visit is arousing remarkable interest in musical circles. The visitor has arranged some fine programmes for bis Auckland season in the Town Hall. The first, on Tuesday next, includes the famous Beethoven Sonata "Apassionata," so called by grace of a music publisher (Beethoven never used the title). To a friend who asked him what this sonata meant, Beethoven answered: "Read 'The Tempest,' by Shakespeare." Doubtless many a student has searched that play for a clue—and been baffled. Four numbers from Schumann's "Fantasy-pieces" (eight short piano pieces grouped us Opus 12) will also be heard at the first recital —" Des Abends," ' Aufschwung," "Warum" and "Traumas Wirren." These were written in 1837. and are an attempt to arouse by music certain, rather general states of feeling. Also down for performance is Brahms Variations on a Paganini theme. These variations are noted for their technical difficulty: but Backhaus is no less renowned for his technical proficiency. None of the tremendous difficulties" which crop up right through the work seem to cause him the slightest uneasiness. The Scherzo from Mendelssohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream," and a group of Chopin numbers complete the programme. The Scherzo is arranged by Ernest Hutcheson, the Australian pianist, who has made such a fine reputation in America as a teacher. The Chopin numbers *re the well-known A fiat Ballade, the Polonaise in A fiat, two studies in A minor, and the Romance from the E minor Concerto. The box plan is with Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. MUNICIPAL CONCERTS. A well-selected programme is to bo given in the Town Hall this evening by the Municipal Band. Vocal assistance will be given by Miss Thelma Duffin and Mr. Walter Brough. Every item will be drawn from the works, operatic or otherwise, of Arthur Seymour Sullivan. The outstanding number is the overture, "In Memoriam," a work written by Sullivan under great mental stress, and considered generally as his finest instrumental composition. In lighter vein are the selections, "lolanthe" and "Patience," and a charming potpourri of "Reminiscences" of various oporas. Miss DutTin will sing "Poor Wandering One" and "Let Me Dream Again"; and Mr. Brough " The Lost Cord" and "A Life that Lives for You." Booking is at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., up to 11 a.m. THE MUNICIPAL BAND. A fine musical programme will be rendered by the Municipal Band at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 3 o'clock. In the programme will be included the following items:— Marches, "Imperial Britain" and "The Cavalry of the Clouds"; hymn, "Lead Kindly Light"; overture, "The Caliph of Bagdad"; glee, "The Chough and Crow"; selections, "I Lombardi" and "Preciosa"; narrative poem, "The Novcr-Never Land ; and march, "Arabia." Mr. Fred Bowes will play as a cornet solo, "A Garden in Brittany," and Mr. H. C. McLennan will give a piccolo solo, "Pantomimique." ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Maughan Barnett, city organist, who recently returned from a to England, will give a recital in the Town Hall to-morrow evening at 8.30. His'. programme will include works by Bach, Vierne, and Handel, and now pieces by Marcel Dupre.