ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19910, 31 March 1928, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAURICE MOSCOVITCH. A great amount of interest is being taken by playgoers in tlic reappearance of Maurice Moscovitch. who is to produce for the first time, in New Zealand, at His Majesty's Theatre, on Saturday night next, Edgar Wallace's thrilling and mystifying drama, "The Ringer," which has proved remarkably successful in almost every part of the world. The J. C. Williamson, Ltd. management has surrounded Mr. Moscovitch with a particularly powerful combination of dramatic and comedy artists, all of whom- were specially Selected for the parts they portray in "The Ringer" ami "The Terror," which is also to be staged during the approaching season. It is said that Mr. Moscovitch has set a new standard in dramatic: art in "The Ringer," and that he gives a wonderful characterisation of Maurice Mcister. Throughout the plav the plot centres round the operations of Meister, and over all hangs the shadow of "The Ringer," ever on the watch, ready to strike, and to exact his full toll. That "The Ringer" will hold the ii terest of New Zealand audiences is pretty certain, for it has created just as much a sensation in Australia as it has done in the great cities of the world. The management has evidently been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Patric Curwen for the important role of Dr. Lomond. a character he created in England and in which he scored an outstanding triumph in Australia. Mr. Nat. Madison will appear as Samuel Hackitt, and Miss Mary MaeGregor and Miss Bertha Riccardo will repeat their Australian successes in the roles respectively of Cora Ann Milton and Mary Lenley. Others who will appear in important roles are George Blurit. Ashton Jarrv, Reginald New son. Carleton Stuart. Donaghey. Herbert Leinh, Richard Webster, Jack Dunne, and Miss 7\iore Kincr. The box plans will be opened on Tuesday morning.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. All the delicate magic of 'Sir James Barrie's famous stage play lias been captured in "Quality Street." the main attraction 011 the remarkably fine all-round programme, presented at the Majestic Theatre last evening. The whimsical touch that wove a delicate comedy around a ten-year-old romance in a beautiful English village at the time of the Napoleonic wars lias been preserved in this outstanding picturisation of an outstanding play. The story has been treated in a manner fitting to the quaint atmosphere of intrigue, scandal and gossip among the unconsciously amusing old maids of Quality Street. As Phoebe Throssel, who waits for ten years for her lover's return from the Napoleonic Wars, only to find that she has grown too old to attract him on his return, Marion Davies contributes a performance characterised by remarkable restraint and feeling. Opposite her is Conrad Nagel, as Dr. Valentine Brown, the subject of all the discussion among the old maids of the village. Helen Jerome Eddy is excellent as Susan Throssel. while Flora Finch, Margaret Seddon and Kate Price give clever characterisation as the scandal-mongers. The photography throughout is of a very high standard, while the settings, interior and exterior, are in perfect accord with the spirit of the plav. In addition to contributing enjoyable incidental music, including many well-known English airs in sympathy with the picture, the Maiestic Orchestra, under Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh. played "Hajre Kati" as an overture with great success, being compelled to give an encore. The Majestic Male Quartette earned applause with an interlude. "A Corner of the Officers' Mess," while an amusimr comedy, "Call of the Cuckoo," in which Max Davidson is featured, thoroughly deserved its promising title. The Majestic Magazine this week includes, among the many interesting items, the sinking of the United States submarine S4. exciting speed-boat, racing and the Rugby football match between England and the Waratalis. A New Zealand scenic film completes Die excellent entertainment.

REGENT THEATRE. An element of complete novelty is contained in the new programme at the Regent Theatre, tor in addition to lighthearted pictures of unusual merit, the heats of the Regent ladies' diving contest are, being conducted in the swimming tank specially built into the stage. Last evening the competition attracted great interest and a packed house showed its appreciation in no uncertain manner. Stagid in a colourful setting, the contests were highly spectacular and the arrangements for this novel entertainment, admittedly an experiment, worked perfectly. The events, held under the aegis of the Auckland Swimming Centre, have attracted some fine exponents of diving and their quality was immediately evident. Six ladies competed in the first' heat last evening, doing first a trial dive, then a standing header and finally a running dive. The judges, officials of the swimming centre, placed Miss E. Tilsley first. Miss L. Gibson second, and Miss K. Legge third. These three will compete in the semi-finals toward the end of next week. Clara Bow is her old self in "Get Your Man," a Paramount production, which contains a rich vein of humour as well as a touch of very charming romance. An the American girl who gets her own way

—and her man, in the face of the <ra• ditional inevitability of French betrothal custom, she gives a sparkling performance and is ably supported by Charles Rogers, who plays opposite her. There is an excellent farce, "Scared Pink," and the programme is given a further light touch with a clever "Lukwell" cartoon by Max Fleischer. The news gazette includes interesting pictures of TTinkler's welcome in Sydney. As usual the musical items are a feature of the programme. Last evening Mr. Leslie V. ITarvev was warmly applauded for his rendering on the Wnrlit/.cr organ of "The Rosary," and "The Waters of Minnotonka," and responded with an encore. The Regent orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Maurice (luttridgc, was an entertainment, in itself, the entr'acte, Rossini's "Italians in Algiers," being particularly fine.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. Tom Mix, the popular actor, appears in the role of an aviator in "Silver Valley," tho Fox Films production now showing :i( the Hippodrome Theatre. In his latest picture Mix is seen as a cowboy with a mechanical bent, who constructs an aeroplane in his spare time. Although the machine is wrecked on its first flight and the cowboy is discredited among his friends, he persists in his attempts and is linally successful by making a daring flight in his new machine, in foiling the attempts of a band of highwaymen to steal a shipment of gold. In addition to hand-to-hand fighting and clever exhibitions of horsemanship, the picture abounds in many stirring situations, many of the scenes being laid in the crater of an active volcano. The eruption of this volcano forms (lie unusual climax, the occupants of a hut on the side of the mountain being endangered by streams of molten lava. In addition, a pleasing romance runs through the action of this production. The leading ladv is Dorothy Dwan, while the capable cast also includes Tom Kennedy,' Philo McCullouriii and Harry Dunkinson. A long programme of supporting pictures will also be screened. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will play at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. A line programme includes the selections "Mikado"' and "The Rose of Persia," bright marches, "Dream Picture," " The Phantom Brigade," cornet solo, " Emmet'ji Lullaby," by Mr. Fred Bowes, piccolo solo, "The Wren." by Mr. McLennan, and other tuneful items.

In the Town Hall to-morrow evening the band will give a musical recital, including "Light Cavalry" overture, "Lombard i" selection. Four Dances, from "The Rebel Maid," "Birds in the Forest," a duet for two cornets, bv Messrs. Bowes and Morgan, blight marches, and other interesting numbers.

STRAND THEATRE. With the first presentation in Australia and New Zealand, Charlie Chaplin's latest comedy, "'JQlio Circus," opened for a season at the. Strand Theatre yesterday. The two initial screenings of the picture were greeted by large audiences —Chaplin has certainly built up an enviable reputation. Much has been claimed for "The Circus," and picture goers far from the hub of the industry have learned to regard it. as Chaplin's triumphant return to motion pictures. For two and a-half years he did not make a picture, and patrons hnv> been waiting eagerly for his return t" the screen. Whatever Chaplin may h.T.e been doing during his long absence, he has not lost the art of "being funny." Patrons who may have been doubtful a-, to whether they would still see the same Chaplin and the same Chaplin anf-.ci were assured as soon as he entered thstorv. Memories of "The Kid and "Shoulder Arms" were at onco revived. Gestures and movements. which have, never been reproduced by any other screen comedian, came, back to charm the fancy. Those who see the picture will be. deliehted with the tramp who is, of course, Charlie himself. 'Hie Chaplin trousers, bowler hat and cane are all there. He is not changed a whit. The fiat-fooled walk and run was again a source of whole-hearted amusement. The picture has a plot—the tramp, chased by a policeman, enters the ring in a circus and his methods of eluding his pursuer throw the crowd into a fever of delight. He joins the circus, and by his humour in upsetting the magician's act and "doubling" for the tight-rope walker he becomes the star turn. With this material at hand, the irrepressible Chaplin has indeed added to his fame as a comedy star. He is the central figure in many vastly humorous sequences. Several of his actions are evidently impromptu, and these were particularly pleasing. Every available opportunity for comedy lie lias turned to advantage. There could be nothing better than his method of cajoling a baby vo give him a, bite of his food, and in his "make-be-lieve" heroic manner of defending a girl from her cruel father. Ti ; -: adventures with a policeman and a p:< k-pocket in the "mirror maze" at the circus are full of subtle humour. It was these well-turned flashes of really brilliant comedy which delighted yesterday's audiences at the Strand Theatre, and which will capture the fancy of the thousands who will see "The Circus" during its progress through New Zealand and Australia. A good supporting programme, accompanied the picture, a film depicting some of Britain's beauty spots being of great interest. The Strand orchestra was heard to advantage, while a "Tinv Tots" circus, arranged by Mademoiselle Valeska, had a charm all its own.,

MUNICIPAL CONCERT. Two movements from Mendelssohn's Scofch Symphony, Brahms' /'Academic Festival" overture, two "special arrangements bv Percy Grainger, and a fine selection of Welsh melodies are included in the programme to he given liv the Municipal Band in the Town Hall next Wednesday. Flute solos by Mr. Hal C. McLennan, and vocal items by Miss Maida Davison and Mr. Macpherson will also bin given. " CHANG." "Chang." the much-heralded Paramount picture, will be screened at the Regent Theatre for a special season commencing or. April 13. The production is described as one of the finest motion pictures of its kind ever screened. It is said to exploit a new angle of screen production.