ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19470, 28 October 1926, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE SIGN OX THE DOOR. A composite play, one which has flashes of scintillating humour, passages of dramatic value and which gives scope for clever acting both by Miss Muriel Starr and by several members of her company, such is " The Sign on the Door," the fifth production by the company in Auckland. It was accorded a good reception at His Majesty's Theatre last night, and Miss Starr, following on her comedy success in " The Goldfish," was undoubtedly at her best in portraying a difficult dramatic role. 'Hie play is a melodrama, but it. is by no means representative of the old type of melodrama. It is not, harrowing; on the contrary, it is cleverly written, and skilful acting atones for the fact that a murder i« committed on the stage. The author, Channing Pollock, has written some successful revue " books," and in the opening stages of the play one is reminded of some of the repartee from a good revuo. It is infectiously humorous, and last evening it lost nothing in its rendering by the. company. The story is that of a woman who is afraid to confess an episode of her single days to her husband. The villain of the piece, who was responsible for the episode, then falls in love with her stepdaughter, after becoming entangled with yet another married woman, arid the wife attempts to save tho girl from the man she hates. He is killed by her own husband while she is hidden in the samo apartment, and in order to save husband and daughter, she confesses to the crime. However, a district attorney with an excellent memory and an incredible ability for absorbing detail in a cross-exam-ination, smoothes matters over, and the ending is a happy one. Miss Starr plays the part of the wife, Mrs. Lafe Regan, It is a difficult role, hut she handles it admirably, and in the finale of the second act, where she makes a pretence of murdering the wastrel, Frank Devercux, she gives the audience an insight into her undoubted capabilities as an emotional actress. Overcolouring of her part would have been fatal, but she showed an admirable restraint. It was the finest dramatic performance she has given to Auckland during the present season. Kenneth Brampton has the part of Frank Dcvereux, and he played tho character to the life. In the prologue to the play, a scene in a private room in a restairant. he was exceptionally good. Mr. Harvey Adams was cast in a role not quite so important, but lie was very convincing. He got the best out of some humorous side passages, which lent light and shade to his performance. Mr. Augustus Neville, as the district attorney, had the task of making the explanation, unavoidable in melodrama, but although this was rather hurriedly constructed, it could not mar his work. The part of the proprietor of the hotel in which the murderis committed is a small one, but it was excellently handled by Mr. Charles Lawrence.. Miss Bebe Scott. Miss Clarise Kingslov, Mr. Raymond Lawrence, Mr. Fred Coape and Mr. Folix Brand filled the Other roles satisfactorily, while Miss Bertha Ballenger and Mr. Kyrle Sylvaney had minor parts. The plav will be repeated this evening, and to-morrow evening the final production of the Auckland season, " Within the Law," will commence a season two nights. CHEFALO AND THE MIDGETS. Capacity business continues to be the rule at the Opera House, where Chefalo and Irvine's Midgets supply a programme as novel as it is good. It is a very long time since a showman of the calibre of Chefalo has been seen in Auckland. Remarkably clean is the manner in which all his illusions are presented. The drapings used as stage dressings during the acts, too, are wonderful creations. Every one is a hand-worked tapestry, the whole being the result of collections in various countries. Irving's Midgets are living up to their reputation os talented entertainers. All the arts of the theatre are combined in the time these clever little people face the footlights and there is not one dull moment. Matinees will be held daily until Saturday next. Messrs. John Fuller and Sons will resume active management of the Opera House on Monday. November 8, when Eric Edgley and Clem Dawe'.s Midnight Frolics, fresh from a triumphal Sydney season, will make their first appearance in New Zealand. EVERY BODY \8 THEATRE. Steve Donoghue, the world-famous jockey, will make his first appearance in a motion picture in "Riding for a King," which will be shown at Everybody's Theatre for the week commencing to-day. The film is a swiftly-mov-ing drama of the racetrack, and the story reaches a highly-exciting climax. An appealing romance is interwoven into the story. Portions of the picture were photographed during the running of the Lincoln Handicap, one of the classicevents of the racing year in England. A strong supporting cast is header] |,y Carlvle Blackwell. Pola Negri j|>e leading role in "The Crown of Lie, " .a Paramount production, which is the second attraction. The story tells of a girl from a cheap New York boarding house whose remarkable resemblance to the queen of a mythical kingdom leads to a series of strange adventures. The girl is persuaded to impersonate the queen ostensibly in order to free the people from the oppression of a tyrant, but really in order to enable a dishonestcount. to make a fortune. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A film version of LI. de Vere Stacpoole's famous novel "The Blue Lagoon " is to be shown at the Majestic Theatre for the first time to-morrow and should prove a popular attraction. The book has been most widely read and discussed. The picture was produced by African Film Productions, and the cast includes Dick Cruickshank. Mollie Adair and Arthur Pussey. A critic writes of the picture as follows: —"This is a very good film version of Vere Stacpoole's wellknown novel. The producer has managed to get the naive charm and naturalness which characterised it, and has set it in surroundings which admirably convey the intended atmosphere. The story is so well-known that a screen version of it is sure to prove a big attraction, nor will people who read the book bfe disappointed at the way it has been interpreted. There are several very clever touches, and the characterisation of the main roles is excellent." Miss Bettina Edwards will appear in a picturesque prologue to "The Blue Lagoon," and an excellent. supporting programme will be screened, including a comedy, "Arabia's Last Alarm," a New Zealand scenic, "King Cattle." and topical pictures. The overture will consist of selections from "lolanthe." GRAND THEATRE. "The Son of the Sheik." a sequel to " The Sheik," the stirring tale by E. M. Hull, and the last picture produced by the late Rudolph Valentino before his death, will be the principal attraction on the new programme commencing at the Grand Theatre to-mor-row. In this film Valentino has a role of the same type as that, in which lie first won fame. Agnes Ayres. who played opposite Valentino in the former picture, again has a prominent role. The principal feminine part is. played by Vilma Banky, a rxipular Hungarian beauty. The thrilling tale of Ahmed, son of the devil-may-care Englishman who is " The Sheik," and his love and hate of Yasmin, the exotic dancing girl of the desert whose father is a renegade Frenchman, takes the audience across the desert with powerful sweeps of action and romance. The story unfolds the hero's belief that he has been betrayed by the girl for whom he would give all. Others in the strong cast arc George Fawcett, Montague Love and Bull Montana. The picture was directed by George. Fitzmaurice and is released by United Artists Corporation. GRAND CARNIVAL. A grand carnival will be celebrated at the Y.M.C.A., Wellesley Street, this afternoon and evening. Produce, cake and sweet stalls will be open ' from 2.30 in the afternoon until 7 o'clock. In the evening there will be a basketball contest, a mock court and a wireless concert. A queen carnival crowning ceremony will also- take, place*

PRINCESS AND TIYOLI. What is described as one of the most thrilling battles ever staged on the screen, and comparable to the historic fight in " The Spoilers," is one of the incidents in " My Old Dutch," the, spectacular English romance which will head to-day's new programme at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. Pat O'Malley, hero of " Fool's Highway " and other strenuous roles, battles "with Edgar Kennedy, redoubtable battler in " The Leather Pushers." It is an old time English fight, with bare knuckles. The battle, while one of the big thrills of the pfcjUue. is only an incident in the picturesqn# itory, a romance of London coster life fa vhich the love of a couple is told over a p#riod rf • lifetime. May McAvoy plays her first role since her return from Europe in "Ben Hur " in the new picture. Pat- O'Malley, Cullen Landis and Jean Hersholt are other principals in an all star cast. Edgar Kennedy, Agnes Steele. former British music- hall star, .lane Winton, of the Follies, and other well-known players are also seen. The huge coster festival, with its sensational race, and other striking bits depicting life in London over a period of 40 years are shown in connection with the stirring story. Lawrence Trimble, who directed the picture, also wrote the scenario, based on the old stage play and the famous old English song. The second featured film will be " The Girl Who Wouldn't Work," a Paramount release, with Marguerite de la Motte and Lionel Barrymore in the principal roles. The supporting cast includes Henry R. Walthall. Lilyan Tashman, Forrest Stanley and Winter Hall. STRAND THEATRE. A talented trio of screen players, Eleanor Boardman, Charles Ray and Sally O'Neil, fill the leading roles in the new Metro-Goldwyn picture, "The Auction Block," which heads the new programme at the Strand Theatre to-mor-row. It is an adaptation of the famous novel of the same name by Rex Beach. It is said to have been transferred to the screen with all its original charm intact. Use has been made of the vast resources of the films for the greater realisation of the story's dramatic and humorous possibilities. Charles Ray and Eleanor Boardman play in the leading roles, the former as the likeable, but indolent son of a millionaire, and the latter as a heautifn! country girl with whom he falls in love. Mr. Ray's delicious drollery is said to be an excellent foil to the deeper theme of the picture. Miss Boardman arts with convincing sincerity the part of the girlish winner of a beauty contest, who is carried away by the charms of the city youth. Her talented interpretation of an exacting part is described as an exceptionally fine effort. The supporting programme will be of the usual high standard. A short return season of the London Pierrots has been arranged, and a bright entertainment of song, dance and patter will be given. The remainder of the pictorial programme consists of the Strand Magazine and a cartoon. " THE GOLDEN LEGEND." The Auckland Choral Society will present "The Golden Legend" in the Town Hall this evening. A number of leading soloists will appear. The box plan is at the E. and F. Piano Agency, Ltd. COMMUNITY PICTURES. Thomas Meighan will be seen in "Old Home Week," at the Community Pictures in the Mount Eden Congregational Hall this evening. There will he a special programme on Saturday afternoon. "THE ARCADIANS." The Auckland Amateur Operatic Societv will present "The Arcad.ans" at Hi> Mniesty's Theatre for a season of eight nights, commencing on Monday evening next. Reserves may he made at Messrs. Lewis Ft. Eadv and Son, Ltd.