ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. At His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night next the C. J. Williamson, Limited, management will present their specially organised Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company in the first representation of the delightfully tuneful and very amusing comic opera, "Ruddigore," which is said to be one of the finest works of the famous collaborators. When it was recently revived in London it proved even more, popular than either "The Gondoliers" or "The Mikado," and in Sydney it attracted record audiences. Its initial New Zealand performance in Wellington recently created a furore of enthusiasm, and it also attracted full houses in Christchurch and Dunedin. Only three evening performances and a matinee on Wednesday, December 30, will be staged, and it will be followed by "The Mikado" on Wednesday and Thursday, November 30 and December 1. On the Friday and Saturday nights and on Saturday afternoon "Patience" will be staged, and on Monday, December 5, "The Yeoman of the Guard" will ba performed. On Tuesday, December 6, "lolanthe" will be revived, and on Wednesday afternoon and evening, December 7, "The Gondoliers" will be staged. On Thursday, December 8, "H.M.S. Pinafore" will be presented, and on Friday, December 9, "Princess Ida." The season will close on Saturday, December 10, with two performances of "The Pirates of Penzance." The company includes Miss Strella Wilson, Mr. James Hay, Mr. John Ralston, Mr. Bernard Manning, Miss Winifred Williamson, Miss Patti Russell, and Miss Effie Armstrong. The box plan arrangements are advertised. NATIONAL THEATRE. An unusually interesting story of the private life of stage people, and abounding in human interest and forceful character studies, " Upstream," the William Fox picture presented this week at the National Theatre, centres round a typical London theatrical boarding house. The producer, John Ford, has told the story in a simple manner, including many unexpected developments of the action in the manner of an 0. Henry short story. After a period of failure, Brasingham, a mediocre actor, is selected to play Hamlet on account of his honoured name. He appears in $ Shakespearean revival season and, contrary to all expectations, achieves success. This momentary turn in his fortunes makes him intolerably conceited and convinces him that he is a genius. No better selection for the leading role could have been made than Earle Foxe, while various types of actors are played by Emile Cliautard, Raymond Hitchcock and Lydia Yeamans TituS. Others in a wellselected cast are Sammy Cohen and Ted McNamara, who together provided much of the comedy of " What Price Glory ?" The romantic roles are filled by Nancy Nash and Grant Withers. The second attraction is " A Sister of Six," in wbich appears Betty Balfour, the popular English star. TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. Raymond Griffith, well known as the "high-hat comedian," has achieved a place all his own in the comedy field by his unique method and faultless dressing, and "Wedding Bills," the Paramount feature now screening at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres, provides him with a. most congenial role. He is seen as i young bachelor who has come through the numerous matrimonial difficulties his

friends lay before him for settlement, to distrust marriage and devote hiself to a gay bachelor existence. When his best friend, played by Hallam Cooley, who has been seen in many recent light comedy successes, announces his intention of being married, Griffith attempts most strenuously to dissuade him, and his efforts to keep single both his friend and later, himself, lead on to a succession of ludicrous adventures generously interspersed with thrills. The seventh of the popular "Collegians" series, "The Relay," and another of the lives of the music masters, dealing with Haydn and Mozart, the two composers, complete the programme at the Tivoli. 'Fast and Furious," Reginald Denny's latest comedy success, will be also included on the programme at Everybody's Theatre. STRAND THEATRE. Presenting all the magnificence and grandeur of the rugged Urewera Country, "The Te Kooti Trail," now showing for a limited season at the Strand Theatre, I presents striking episodes from the most I daring and picturesque period in New Zealand's history. The producer, Mr. i Rudali Hayward, has brought a new sub- | ject and. a new setting to the screen. The picture has additional significance as | New Zealand's most ambitious undertak- | ing in the motion picture industry. The 1 story of the raid on the Whakatane \ ali ley is a great opportunity for the producer. The subject is one that should prove novel to overseas audiences, while the episode is unfamiliar to many New Zealanders and cannot fail to interest them. The story deals with the adventures of Eric Man tell, who leaves England for the colonies in 1864 as the result of a false accusation. In New Zealand Eric joins tho "Corps of Guides," in which he serves during Te Kooti's rebellion. Tina Hunt, Billie Andreassen (" Miss Auckland"), and tho Rev. Jasper Calder are among the cast. A special Maori prologue will precede the screening. There will be a strong supporting programme, including one of Paul Terry's delightful "Aesop's Fables." GRAND THEATRE. Many stirring incidents, such as a terrific storm and wreck at sea, and a fight for life high up in the rigging of an old saiiing-ship make the MetroGoldwyn picture, "Captain Salvation," which heads the current programme at the Grand Theatre this week, a really great picture. The story opens in a little fishing village near Boston, and the time is about 1840. Quarrels born of parochialism lead to a sustained climax —a fight on the high seas for the honour of a woman. Nothing could bo more tragic than the sight of men and women

being carried away to work in the salt mines of a lonely island. The application of the lash and the branding iron is depicted with vivid realism. The characters are in the hands of an unusually strong cast, including Pauline Starke, Ernest Torrence, Marceline Day and Lars Hanson. The second feature on the programme will bo "On Ze Boulevard," a farcical comedy of a high order, featuring Lew Cody and Reneo Adoree. It is the story of a French waiter who wins a prize in a lottery, but finds that his newly-found wealth causes him more trouble than he has ever experienced before. MUNICIPAL CHOIR. Choral, violin, vocal and organ music will be included in tho programme for the municipal concert in tho Town Hall this evening. The municipal choir will sing a varied selection of choral works, and solos will be played by Miss Ina Bosworth. violinist, and Mr. Maughan Barnett, city organist. Mr. Bii'rell O'Malley will be the vocalist, and Mr. Leo Wliittaker will accompany. MERCANTILE "MARINE CONCERT. A largo and varied programme has been arranged for the second grand concert of the Mercantile Marino Officers' Club, which will be given in the Town I Hall concert chamber this evening. Prominent Auckland artists will give their assistance. Songs will be contributed by the Lyric Four and tho Alohaland Quartette, in addition to many popular individual singers. Mr. Alan McEhvain will appear in humorous items and monologues will be given by Miss M. Thompson. Instrumental music will be represented by two violin solos to be played by Miss M. McMurtrie. Two songs in Maori will be sung by Mrs. F. Robertshaw and tho final item will be a scene entitled, "Court Honsa Humour," and staged by Mr. Rex Yates and his party. Mr. Cyril Towsey will play the accompaniments.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The friendship of two men tried out through the storms of a woman's treachery is the main and unusually powerful theme of the release, "Flesh and tlio Devil," which saw its initial screening at tho Majestic Theatre last evening. This film has a refreshing plot, because even if the story is a screen 0110, tho audience is left with the firm impression that there is much good left in tho world. When children, Leo von Harden and Ulrich von Eltz swear to be friends until death. Little did they know then that a very beautiful woman was to throw a murky shadow over their careers. So powerful was the inlluenco that it sent von Harden out into the wastes of Africa for three years and all but terminated in one of tho friends killing the other. Enthralling though the story is, "Flesh and the Devil" by no means depends for its success 011 this. Quite a feature is the superb acting of a very fino caste. The handsome John Gilbert is cast as von Harden, and Lars Hanson, the young Swedish actor who made such an impression in "Captain Salvation" and other releases, plays tho part of the life-long friend. The seductive and beautiful Greta Garbo is the woman who almost wrecks the lives of the two young men. The story has a European setting in a district that is the home of aristocracy. One gains some unique glimpses of old Teutonic castles and tho exquisite beauty of their large domains. As usual, the supporting programme is first-class. The Majestic News portrays a variety of interesting and topical subjects, including views of Miss Helen Wills winning the international tennis trophy from Mrs. Godfree, and some thrilling aeroplane stunts. The Mermaid comedy, "Lickety Split," is as numorous as the title suggests. Among the most interesting items in the Pathe Revue is a glimpse of the English watering town, Brighton. The subject of the New Zealand scenic this week is a trip on a large Hawke's Bay station. An attractive feature of tho programme is the appearance for the first time of Kamo, described as the wizard of the banjo and mandolin. The effects he secures with these instruments—including a creditable impersonation of the tune of the pipesare truly remarkable. The Majestic Orchestra plays a fine score of supplementary music. An interlude is provided by tho cornetists, Mr. Rex Wills and Mr. L. Jury, who play the delightful duet, "Ida and Dot," with orchestral accompaniment.

REGENT THEATRE. Auckland has seen many pictures, dealing with both the tragic and tho comic in life, but for sheer brilliance and depth of artistry there has been nothing to approach "Faust," which opened at the Regent Theatre last ovening. "Faust" is undoubtedly in a class by itself. Although it is often unwise to draw comparisons, it can be safely said that the usual class of screen entertainment is dwarfed beside this latest U.F.A. production. It could well" be taken as an indication of the wonderful advance of the motion picture it combines all that is latest arid all that is best in the industry. Viewed from all angles, it is well-nigh perfect. The direction, the photography, the acting—all are of the best and the whola has been pieced together and presented so that nothing is lost to the mind. Tho meticulous care taken in the detail of the story is little short of marvellous. The camera plays a part which it has never done before. The story of "Faust" dealing in part with the supernatural, calls for just such a treatment as it has been accorded. Fx-eak photography and clever lighting effects serve to wrap Mephisto and all his dealings in an awesome atmosphere far removed from material things. Tho prologue and the epilogue are both instances of this. The opening of the Gates of Darkness, the passage of the three horsemen—Famine, War and Pestilence —across the skies, and the conversation between the Power of Good and the Power of Evil are all represented m an uncanny way which, while typifying tho impresses as something very real. 1 aust, the German doctor of tho Middle Ages, is a well-known figure in story and legend. A few changes have been made in the story as it is generally known, but the main thing is there—the stark tragedy of his life. Above all others in the cast stands Emil Jannings as Mephisto. Jatinings startled the motion picture world with his appearanco in "Variety." lio has j gone further in "Faust." He is the | essence of incarnate evil, gloating over his'j devilish deeds and shrinking from all that is good. At times fearsome, anon ludicrous, his expressive face always holds the interest. For the part of the beautiful, innocent Marguerite, Miss Camilla Horn, a newcomer to tho screen, has been chosen. The choice has been a most fortunate one, Miss Horn making the most of a part which calls for emotional acting. Faust himself is typified by Goesta Ekman, a young Swedish actor of great ability. It is to the credit of tho actors and the company that such a themo as "Faust" could have been approached and dealt with in a way which makes the story live and its characters throb with vitality. "Faust" is a long picture and occupies the major portion of the session. A good supporting programme includes a Regent. Magazine, a Pathe Review and a cartoon. Tho comedian, Fred Curran, made his first appearance last evening, providing refreshing humour which made instant appeal. The musical programme has not been neglected, the Regent Orchestra, under Maurice Guttridge, and Eddie Horton on the Wurlitzer organ being responsible for a particularly attractive score.

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. Under the baton of Mr. Colin Muston tho Bohemian Orchestra will give a concert in the Town Hall next Thursday. An excellent programme has been drawn up, and the orchestra of 70 performers will bo heard in Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony," Wagner's "Tannhauser" overture, Liszt's "Liebestraume" and "Rhapsodio No. 2," 'Rimsky-Ivorsakov's morccaux, "Die Hunimol," and scenes from "The Gondoliers." Two line items will be rendered by the violin choir of the orchestra, Handel's famous "Largo" and Corelli's "Sarrabande and Allegro." Vocal items will be contributed by Mr. Ernest Sneli, who will sing Alfred Hill's "Tangi," and Master David Lunny, who will sing tho old Londonderry air, "Danny Boy." Booking arrangements are advertised.

THE MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will play at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. The fine programme to be given includes tho bright marches, "Freedom," "The Third Battalion" and "Arabian"; hymn, "Dresden"; overture, "Don Giovanni"; selections, "Britannia" and "Madame Pompadour"; a musical impression. "Treasuro Island," and other tuneful, numbers.

In the evening the band will appear in the Town Hall and present an interesting musical recital of band and solo items.