ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE MERCHANT OF VENICE." MR. ALLAN WJLKIE AS SHYLOCK. Although admittedly " The Merchant of Venice " is not one of the very greatest of Shakespeare's plays it is to be doubted whether any other surpasses it-in permanent' popularity on the stage. Mr. Allan ' Wilkie chose it for the second change of his current season at His Majesty's ' Theatre, and his production of it last 1 evening was eagerly enjoyed by a large ! audience. The popularity of "The Mer--1 chant of Venice " is not hard to under- | stand. It has a most powerful tragic interest, the characters, are strongly arked and discriminated, it abounds in cheerful comedy and a rare sweetness, ' beauty and grace pervades it aIL All this was abundantly evident in last evon- ; ing's presentation, and in addition the ; rich and brilliant robing made it a feast of colour to the eye. The chief honours of the evening were [ with Mr. Wilkie for his powerful and convincing portrayal of Shylock, who is | the real " hero " of the play. Passions and pathos were there and a lonely dig- ' nity even at the moment for the Jew's completest overthrow. Even in his fiercest and most vindictive moments the despised old money-lender was too real and human a personality to be repulsive and the tragedy of his downfall was a living poignant thing. Most who saw ' Miss Hunter-Watts' impressive and captivating study of Portia would be surprised to learn that she has confessed to ' something approaching disapproval of Portia, whose perfections, she says, move her not. Whatever Miss Hunter-Watts' ' private convictions may be she drew a ' Portia of whom it might well be said " the poor rude world hath not her fellow." The trial scene, which must always be the heart of any presentation of " The Merchant of Venice," was staged with skilful effect, and here both Portia and Shylock accomplished their 1 finest work. It was made amply evident that the ' company includes a wide variety of talent in addition to the principals. One of the charms of the company is that almost every member has excellent ennunciation so that not a word is lost. Miss Lorna Forbes, who has before now tilled the part of Portia with distinction, made a delightful Jessica in all those romantic scenes with Lorenzo. As Nerissa, Miss Dulcie Cherry was also always a pleasure to listen to, and she was the singer who rendered so pleasingly the incidental songs. Much of the'comedy of the play depends on Launcelot Gobbo and here Mr. Arthur Heane excelled with his ludicrous byplay, until soon the audience greeted his every appearance with a shout of laughter in anticipation. Mr. John Cairns filled satisfactorily the subdued and somewhat colourless part of Antonio, and Mr. Dennis Barry was successful as Bassanio. Special commendation is due to Mr. Milton Sands, Prince of Morocco, and Mr. Herbert Sheldrick, Prince of Aragon, for their dramatic and finished acting of their parts in the casket scenes. The results of scholarly and exhausted study of the play were evident throughout, and not a little original and ingenious byplay was introduced with happy effect. Good use was made of music on a number of appropriate occasions, and from laughter to tears and back again to laughter the theme moved as a smooth and inevitable whole. This evening " The Winter's Tale " will be presented for the first time, and " The Merchant of Venice " will be played again later in the season. LYRIC THEATRE. Lewis Stone's latest production, "The Prince of Head Waiters," First National's adaptation of the weil-known story by Garrett Ford, is the leading feature on the current programme at the Lyric Theatre. Stone portrays Pierre, a Parisian art student, who marries the daughter of an aristocratic New England family, rgainst the wishes of the girl's father. Pierre never learns before the death of his wife that she has given birth to a son. Many years later Pierre becomes the head waiter of an exclu- j sive New York hotel and meets his son for the first time at a New Year's celebration ball at the hotel. The picture is j exceptionally appealing and the interest of the spectator is maintained throughout, while the photography and scenic effects j are of a very high standard. Priscilla Bonner is seen as Pierre's wife, Robert : Agnew appears as the son, and other ! important roles are played by E. J. Ratcliffe, Lilvan Tashman and Ann Rork. Perhaps the most attractive scenes are at the ball at the RiU Hotel, where the society of Long Island is gathered to usher in the New Year. Ninety overhead electrical spotlights and 60 batteries of arc lights were used to illuminate these scenes. It is calculated that if the over- j head spotlights were ranged in the open they would lighten the landscape for a distance of ten miles. The chief supporting film is "Bred in Old Kentucky," a pleasing story of the turf, with Viola Dana, Roy Laidlaw and Josephine Crowell. A clever Felix cartoon and the latest English gazette Complete the programme. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The noted athletic actor, Lefty Flynn, who recently appeared with success m "Glenister of the Mounted" and "Sir i Lumberjack," scores a further triumph in | "The College Boob," the principal attraction on the current programme at Everybody's Theatre. The story tells of Aloysius Appleby, a country youth, who enters a large city college. His decision to take no part in athletics and his innocence of college life makes him the source of much amusement to the other students. The picture abounds in numerous comic situations. An important football match against another college provides several of the most exciting episodes, as Appleby is called upon to fill a vacancy in the representative team. How he assists his college to win the game is illustrated in a number of interesting scenes. The foremost supporting roles are enacted by Jean Arthur, James Anderson, Cecil Ogden and Raymond Turner. Viola Dana's latest production, "Bred in Old Kentucky," ail adaptation of a story of the race track by C D. Lancaster and Louis Weadock, is the second feature. A strong company of noted players, including Roy Laidlaw and Josephine Crowell, appears in support of Miss Dana A splendid Western drama, "The Riding Rascal," with Art \cord and Olive Hasbrouck in the leart"inE roles, is also screened. -A clever wirewalking act by McGregor, the "Japanese Scotsman," is staged at the evening sessions in addition to the pictorial features. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. A special, matinee programme will be screened at the Prince Edward Theatre, Karangabape Road, this afternoon. In addition to '"lhe laxi Dancer, a second picture, "Footloose Widows, described as a screaming comedy from start to finish, will be shown. Cartoons, a news gazette, and travel picture complete a varied programme. The usual evening sessions will be held. MUNICIPAL CHOIR. The Municipal Choir will' render a selected programme of choral music in the Town Hall this evening. Violin solos will be contributed by Miss Mai'garet Stoddart and vocal solos will be rendered by Mrs. Emmeline Mcßeath. Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, city organist, will play < organ selections. Messrs. Edgar Randal and Leo Whittaker will act as aocom- - panists. '

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Before an enthusiastic first-night audience a programme of outstanding merit » was presented at the Majestic Theatre last evening. It might well be called another "comedy week," for the bulk of the pictures contains all those elements which provoke laughter arid help to drive away dull care. Surpassing the appeal of the j pictures, however, were delightful music and song, which were all the more approt ciated because local talent was respon--1 sible. Few theatre orchestras have at- . tained the widespread popularity of the Majestic Orchestra under Mr. Whiteford- ' Waugh. Their incidental music is always f up to the mark, and the overtures are s models of interpretation. This was evit denced last evening during the playing of Verdi's stirring "Force of Destiny." 5 The working-out of the theme, which ■ gradually developed into a powerful . climax, was most effective. Sinding's , "Rustle of Spring," always an acceptable selection, was also excellently rendered. r There were many other melodious offeri ings which demonstrated the versatility } of the orchestra. Then there was Miss J Christina Ormiston, a singer who has been eagerly sought on the concert platform. The ineffably beautiful "Dream i Song" from "The Bohemian Girl" pre- ; sented no difficult ies to Mi us Ormiston, whose sweetly-modulated soprano voice was heard to perfect advantage. Two ! other songs by Miss Ormiston, with [ violin obligato by Mr. V. Aspey, drew . warm applause. "Is Zat So?" the film ' version of the, successful stage play, ! abounds in humorous situations. It is ■ nothing if not modern. To compensate > for the catchy tunes and pert dialogue ■ which make the play a memorable one, action and suspense and more than a suspicion of a plot have been substituted. I Eddie (Chick) Cowan lives again in i George O'Brien, whoso splendid physique is a great aid to' a story that has much ' to do with the fistic art. Chick was a boxer with a heart of gold, few brains and a mania for eating bananas. His companion was Hap Hurley (Edmund Lowe), who derived all the excitement . necessary out of life in "managing 1 Chick. When the pair of them enter i New York's social set the fun commences and continues until the final scene. There is more humour on the programme in 1 "The Silent Wow," a comedy dealing with the adventures of a reckless married ' couple in a "borrowed" motor-car. The Pathe news films have been aptly termed the "journalism .of the screen." In the 1 Majestic News were many items of tomcat 1 interest, including the great steeplechase i at Auteuil, Paris, the filden-Lacoste ■ tennis match and recent incidents m the world of aviation. Mention must also be made of a fine New Zealand scenic of 1 views of the old goldmining towns on , the West Coast, and of a British pathe- » colour film of Jersey. STRAND THEATRE. The chosen representatives ol five provinces for the Miss New Zealand, 1927, Screen Contest are appearing in a pageant of beauty at the Strand Theatre , this week. As the final voting will , commence on Monday, the public-is given every opportunity of judging both tie beautv and the histrionic ability of the candidates. Each is first introduced to the audience by herself. A narrow platform projects into the auditorium and the contestants parade along it, clad in the most, enchanting of frocks. This is followed by screen tests, in which each girl shows how she would express her emotions when confronted by some unusual situation. Most picturesque of all is the 'final scene, when a charming tableau is presented in which they appear in the costumes of various sports and fanciful ideas. The supporting programme is worthy of the chief attraction. It is headed by "Heaven on Earth," in which the popular Conrad Nagel fills the role of a young man who finds happiness in the life of a gipsy. Nagel appears in the role of a young Frenchman of wealth and family, who at last revolts against the planning of his life by a doting aunt. He is given a subtle and difficult part and treats it most effectively, llis spirit is fired by the sight of a group of gipsies, among them the beautiful Marcella, whom he loves. He disappears from the conventional circles in which he has moved hitherto and, really happy for the first time, leads a carefree, vagabond life with Marcella. The great opportunities for picturesque settings provided by these episodes have not been neglected, and the scenery of rural Franco is made most convincing. A comedy, a cartoon and the latest gazettes are also screened. NATIONAL THEATRE. A diversity of entertainment is provided in the two principal pictures at present showing at the National Theatre. "The Wreck" is a story of a young girl who, unwittingly going through a "bogus" marriage ceremony with a thief, finds herself sentenced to imprisonment for complicity in a theft An accident to the train'in which the pair are proceeding to prison results in both regaining their freedom. Mistaken for another traveller the girl gains entrance to a wealthy home. Here she finds happiness although not before her supposed husband, who has risen like a spectre from the past to trouble her, is killed in a motor-car accident. The fable of "the worm that turned" forms the basis of a very humorous story in "Love Makes 'Em Wild," the second feature. Willie Angle is an office., clerk who forms the butt for most of the jokes perpetrated by his fellow-workers. He puts up with the humiliation for some time, but, incensed by the conduct of a typiste, Mary O'Shane, with whom ho is in love, he decides to leave. It is then that the manager realises the value of his work. Willie goes back a determined man and has his revenge on his tormentors one by one. The picture is a Fox production, featuring Ben Bard and J. Farrell MacDonald. BENEFIT CARNIVAL. A benefit scenic carnival, " Sunny Italy," in aid of the Play and Recreation Association's Community Club will be held in the Drill Hall, Rutland Street, for seven nights, commencing on October 22. There will be a variety of sideshows and stalls. A feature of the entertainment will be a photographic baby show. The winner will be selected by patrons to the carnival who will vote for their selection. SUNDAY CONCERT. An attractive programme of musical and elocutionary numbers will be rendered in the Majestic and Strand Theatres to-morrow evening. Items will be contributed by Misses Elsie Bentley, Birrell Smith, Marjory Greening and IXrady, Messrs. Alan McElwain, Dan Flood, D. McMinn, J. Simpson, Duncan Black and W. J. Meredith, the Orpheus Quartet, the Campbell Boys and Master David Lunney. Orchestral selections will also be rendered at both theatres. COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT. A complimentary concert under the auspices of Auckland's leading musical societies will be tendered in the Town Hall next Thursday to Mrs. E. Sutherland, who has been in ill-health for a considerable time. Voca! items will be rendered by the Royal Auckland Choir under the baton of Dr. W. E. Thomas, the Lyric Four, Mesdames Sutherland and Towsey, Miss Mina Caldow, and Messrs. Barry Coney, Ernest Snell and Birrell O'Malley. Intrurnental numbers will be contributed by Miss L. Judson, Mrs. C. Prime and Mr. Eric Waters. Mr. Alan McElwain will be heard in humorous recitations. Booking arrangements are advertised. THE MUNICIPAL BAND. An excellent programme will be rendered by the Municipal Band in the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. Included is the grand march from "Tannliauser" ■ the quicksteps "The Bullfighters" and "The Return"; the overture, "Poet and Peasant": selection, "The Bohemian Girl," and Hubert Bath's "Scottish Rhapsody," "The Wedding of Shon Maclean." Lighter numbers are the characteristic sketch, "The Mill in the Black Forest"; intermezzo, "Starlight"; Dvorak's "Humorcske," and popular i hymn tunes.

REGENT THEATRE. Drawing its material from many sources, the management of the Regent Theatre has packed a world of entertainment into the customary two hours' offering. The programme, which opened last evening is distinctly good and as varied as could be desired. It is impossible to conceive of anyone failing to respond to at least one section, whether it be music, picture entertainment, or vaudeville. A large audience found much which appealed, and which was deserving of applause. For the chief picture a First National special, " The Prince of Head Waiters 99 has been chosen, Ifc provides ,the serious contribution among the lighter entertainment which, if anything, predominates. The story is based on the theme of the " erring son " and the " trusting sweetheart." * It is an old, old story, but it never wearies in the telling. A few additions and the story has become something to charm and delight. One always finds it pleasing to know that the son eventually returns to his people, and it is so in this case. However, a strain of pathos is lent in this instance by the fact that the son is befriended by his father, whom he does not know. The father does not disclose his identity, and the final scene is not one of reunion, but one of parting. Youth and beauty occupied the stage for a brief space when the finalists in the "Miss New Zealand" contest made their appearance The girls appeared to advantage in " a parade of sports girls " and a final collective group. Film tests were also screened, giving an idea of the acting capabilities of the candidates. The stage again came into play with the vaudeville item given by Mar go Ram mage. On a miniature stage her " dummy " dolls are made to live the character in the songs » which she sings. The girl's pleasing voice and a happy smilo gained her much applause. Music figured largely on the programme. Eddie Horton has always something refreshing to offer, and his selections found ready favour. The Operatic Orchestra, under Maurice Gut fridge, was heard in several selections, ranging from the masterpieces of music to the modern iazz airs. Two short picture features and a comedy completed the programme. ALEXANDER WATSON. Another very fine programme was given by Mr. Alexander Watson before an appreciative audience in the Town Hall concert chamber last evening. The season, which closes this evening, 1 has proved very popular and has attracted good attendances throughout. A wealth of humour and sentiment from Dickens.was presented in last evening's programme. Two selections from "A Christmas Carol," "Marley's Ghost" and "The Reformation of Scrooge," were given in a most convincing manner. The story of "Winkle's Misadventure at Bath," from "Pickwick Papers," was enjoyed to the full. In addition to the Dickens selections, Tennyson's "Charge of the Heavy Brigade" was an outstanding item. Several selections from Rudyard Kipling were well received. These included "Mullholland's Contract," "Be Fit," "The Married Man" and "Boots.' An excellent programme concluded with "The Motor-car Boy" and "An Irish Cricket Match," the latter, proved most diverting. The programme for this evening is very comprehensive. There will again be several pieces from Kipling, "Hamlet and the Gravediggers," from Shakespeare's "Hamlet," "Defence of Luck now" (Tennyson) and "At the Concert' (J. L. Gordon). Two humorous pieces from Dickens will be "Mr. Winkle on the Ice" and "Mr. Pickwick in the Water." A selection from Barrie's "The Little Minister" will also he included, together with "Punch, Brothers, Punch," from Mark Twain's works. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. A concert will be given in the lowri Hall on Monday evening by the Royal Auckland Choir, assisted by gold medallists in the recent competitions. The proceeds will be given to the Boy Scouts' Association. Included m the programme is a notable selection of part songs, in several of which solo items will be rendered. The solo items will include songs by Mr. David Campbell, Mr. J. McDougall, Mr. 11. S. Reynolds, Miss Dorthy Richardson, Miss Edna Peace and Miss Sybil Phillips. Mss Tess Carte-Lloyd and "Miss Eva Wriglov will give character and dramatic recitals, and David Lunney, the boy soprano, will sing a character song, "Tatters." PARNELL LIBRARY COURSE. An attractive programme has been arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Towsey for the concluding concert of the Parnel! Library course next Tuesday. Vocal items will be given by Mrs. Percy Thode, Mrs. Cyril Towsey, Miss Itia Thomson and Mr. Ernest Sneil;, instrumental numbers by Miss Lalla Heinus, 'cello, and Miss Essie Dodd and Mr. Eric Maxwell, piano: while humour will be provided by Mr. Dan Flood. A one-act comedy entitled. "The Signs of the Times," produced by Mrs. Zoe Bartley Baxter, will complete the entertainment.