ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19418, 28 August 1926, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. "The Yeomen of the Guard" will be 1 staged by tho J. C. Williamson, Ltd., \ Gilbert and Sullivan Opera - Company at ] His Majesty's Theatre this afternoon, this 1 evening and on Monday night. In no J opera of the series is the partnership of ( Gilbert and Sullivan more happy or more < complete. Tho music in this opera is of ' a higher class than in any of the other works of the famous collaborators. It ; gives us something that none of the others possess. The character of Jack Point is ; ono of the finest ever created for a : comedian, and Charles Walenn will once , again delight playgoers with his brilliant : interpretation of "the man who died for the love of a maiden." The brilliant music allotted to the role of Elsie Maynard gives Miss Strella Wilson every opportunity for the display of her soprano voice. It was in this role that Miss Wilson first created a furore in Australia. James Hay will repeat his finished representation of the part of Colonel Fairfax, and others in the cast arc Syd'/ey Granville, Leo Darnton, Lance iMrfax, Bernard Manning, Mabel Gibson and Patti Russell. A feature of the production will be the orchestra and chorus under the direction of Gustav Slapoffski. "Tho Pirates of Penzance" will be staged on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon and evening. STRAND THEATRE. No greater tribute to the British Navy could be paid than to perpetuate tho memory ot one of the most daring naval episodes of tho war by producing a permanent record of the event on the screen. The film, "Zeebrugge," shown for the first time at the Strand Theatre yesterday, has a dual purpose. It serves not only to illustrate the magnificent courage and resourcefulness of tho bjnd of 2000 who participated in this great epic, but, also, by tho accuracy and fidelity of tho record, it impresses tho spectator with the utter chaos and futility of war. Preceding the film, pictures are shown of the King and Queen attending, the first screening of "Zeebrugge" at a London theatre. Then, as a preliminary to tho war scones, peaceful Bruges, with its quaint, medieval buildings, canals and bridges and its old-world market place, is shown. Most remarkable of all arc actual motion pictures photographed on an entmy subinarino which attacks and sinks a British merchantman and later a schooner. The captain of the helpless vessel is seen appealing to tho German commander in vain; he is then left with his crew in a small boat to the mercy of tho ocean. The U-boats seriously threatened all British food ships and some means had to, be found to block the outlet at Zeebrugge. From the time when 2000 men were enlisted and put through intensive training for the purposo of embarking on a "hazardous enterprise," the story of tho famous storming is too well known to need repetition. Every possible detail in connection with tho extensive preparations for the attack is shown. The old Vindictive was engaged to carry large numbers of sailors and marines to the Mole, where a spirited attack was being made to divert tho attention of the German shore batteries from the approach of the three blockships—the main object of the attack. Two Liverpool ferry boats also assisted the Vindictive in her attempt to land troops on the Mole. An exciting episodo is provided when the submarine C 3, in charge of Lieutenant Sandford, drives herself between the piles of a viaduct connected with the Mole and is then blown up in order to cut off the assault of the enemy reinforcements. Realism is the of every action. Many heroic deeds performed in the face of certain death are recorded in a way that cannot, fail to grip the onlooker. The film deserves wide publicity for' its pictorial perfection, for its educational value and for its . British origin. An appropriate prologue by Madame'Valeska and the Strand Follies, in which gil'ls, representing the countries of .the Empire, sang and danced • was accorded an-ovation. The settings'were effectively arranged and a supplemented orchestra played old English sea .songs. Mr.' G. Martinongo sang a number'of ballads. Included- on the programme 'was an Our Gang comedy and a Pafhe Gazette. Among those present last avening were Mr. J. Alexander, president of the Auck-, land branch' of the Navy League, and other officials of the league. There will be another special night under the auspices of the Navy League on Mondav. Tickets have been issued to over 2000 juvenilo members of the league, by which they will be'admitted to the day sessions free of charge. The league has also,made, arrangements for the management to ex♦end an invitation to all the men of His Majesty's ships in port. Next Wednesday all the men of the Auckland division of the Royal Naval Reserve will visit the theatre. GRAND THEATRE. Heading the new programme which commenced at the Grand Theatre yester ■ day is a Paramount film version of Zane Grey's well-known story, "Desert Gold," with Shirley Mason and Neil Hamilton in the leading roles. ' "George B. 'Seitz, the director," says a critic, "has built 'Desert Gold' into a play of vivid action, with all the usual hard riding, big fighting elements of the Wwtorn story, plus two big mechanical 'punches' that are vital to the story. One of these is a very realistic sand-storm. The other comes in the desert—a hill down whicn huge boulders continually roll. These imperil the refugees during many scenes, and finally an enormous boulder is dislodged, bringing in its wake a veritable Niagara of rock and gravel which completely entombs the entire outfit of the villains and leaves the hero and heroine free to be happy' ever after. It is responsible for a tromendous moment." The second attraction will be "The Kid," featuring Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan. ( MAJESTIC THEATRE. The programme now showing at the Majestic Tlieatre is an attractive one of vaudeville and pictures. The London Pierrots are appearing at the afternoon and evening sessions, with a complete change from last week. Mirth and music are provided by this clever company of entertainers. Jimmy Taylor and" Teddy Carlton are exceedingly versatile comedians who can be depended upon to delight audiences. Dorothea Summers and W. J. Aspden are the principal vocalists. In addition, "The Wine of Youth," a Metro-Soldwyn picture, featuring Eleanor Boardman and Ben Lyons, is being screened. It is a story of the attitude of the youth of to-day toward marriage. Jackie Coogan's latest success, "Old Clothes," is being shown at the day sessions. This picture is equally as entertaining as "The Kid." Good supporting picturesare also shown. RIALTO THEATRE. "The Best People," now showing at the Rialto Theatre, tells of a woalthv business" man who, iir*4iis eagerness for success, neglects his children. He realises his mistake when his daughter falls in love with the family chauffeur and his son with a chorus "girl. The children's mother is more concerned about the probable disgrace to herself than * for the welfare of her children. The latter have come to mock and scorn the authority of their parents, and feel they are quite able to care for themselves. After a series. of complications the parents- realise that their children have made a better choice than at first appeared. "Along Came Ruth," a Metro-Gold wyh production, featuring Viola Dana, is also on the programme. OR AFT OX LIBRARY CONCERT. The concluding concert of the Grafton Library winter course will be given next Tuesday evening. The programme will comprise vocal and instrumental items, the latter including selections on the violin; , saxophone and Hawaiian steel guitar.

"HAVOC." The tense drama o£ the days of tho war is well brought out in "Havoc," a Fox special production which will open its Auckland season at tho National and Lyric Theatres next Thursday, Oyer three hundred war veterans, including former members of some of the most famous of British regiments, took part m the picture. The film was produced under the direction of experts, so that every detail should be true to life.' Colonel Everett Ford, 91st Division, United States Artillery, acted as technical director on the picture and Major Harold Harcourt, of Princess Pat's own Canadian regiment, supervised tho building of trenches and the equipment Of tho British troops. Two ex-German army officers saw that the Teuton troops were properly outfitted. Among the regiments represented by veterans, every man of whom had won at least one medal of honour, some of them six, were the Princess Pats, 77th Seaforth Highlanders, Royal Canadian Dragoons, Scots Guards, Argylc Sutherlanas, 47 th Canadian Infantry, Fourth Canadian Mounted Rifles, 78th Canadian Grenadiers, 3rd Toronto Infantry, 102 nd Canadian Infantry and six London regiments, in addition to ex-Royal Navy men who later served in the trenches, aviation corps and trench service troops. Five commissioned officers were among the veterans. Edmund Goulding, who adapated "Havoc" for the screen, is a veteran of the British Intelligence Service and received a baptism of fire such as 110 other man now interested in motion pictures. Rowland Y. Lee, the director, served first a , private with the American forces abroad and won the commission of lieutenant while at the front. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "A Son of His Father," featuring Bessie Love, Warner Baxter and Raymond Hatton, is tho principal attraction on tho new programme at the Queen's Theatre. Tho film is an adaptation of j Harold Bell Wright's novel of tho same ' name, and is a story of cattle-smuggling on the Southern Arizona border. Great: care was exercised by Victor Fleming, the director, in reproducing as far as possible the actual scenes in which t-tie story was .'aid. In one instance an entire* company of 200 people were transported to a place in Arizona, close to the Mexican border. Also showing is "The Happy Ending," with Fay Compton and Jack Buchanan in the principal roles. BACIvHAUS RETURN SEASON. Owing to"''the great success which attended the recent recital of Backhaus, Mr, E. J. Gravcstock has arranged for two further concerts in tho Town Hall concert chamber on September 11 and 13. For the first concert works by tho great masters have been selected. Backhaus will play the Overture from 29th Cantata (Bach-Saint Saens), Rondo in G Major and Sonata in C Minor (Beethoven), and the Ballad in G Minor and several wellknown compositions by Chopin. Other pieces will include selections from Debussy, Liszt and Sehubert-Tansig, PANTOMIME SEASON. A spectacular pantomime presented by tho Auckland Caledonian Society will commence a season of four nights in the Town Hall concert chamber on Wednesday next. It is said that no effort is being spared to make .the pantomime attractive in every way. One hundred children will help to unfold the story of "The Wishing Well," Tho entertainment is expected to carry the audience along in a wealth of merriment mid charm. An excellent cast has been obtained, . and special attention is being devoted to the dressing. The box plans for the season will, open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., on 'Monday ,morning. For the benefit of tho children, matinees will be held on Thursday and Saturday.