ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19962, 2 June 1928, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MADAME POMPADOUR. At His Majesty's Theatre to-night the J. C. Williamson, Limited, management will present the Royal Comic Opera Company in the first New Zealand production of the very successful musical comedy, "Madame Pompadour." which enjoyed record seasons in Sydney and Melbourne. "Madame Pompadour" was adapte'd by Frederick Lonsdale and Harry Graham, the lyrics being _by Harry Graham and Leo Pali. "The lovely charm and sweet dignity of that lovely musical comedy actress, Beppie fio Vries," wrote a critic, "is never more apparent than in tho second act of 'Madame Pompadour,' and her singing, acting and fascinating personality is a joy to watch and to hear." Mr. Frank Webster, who plays the principal tenor role, scored a brilliant success in England in "La Boheme" and other light grand operas. Arthur Stigant has in his time played a series of important comedy characters. He has frolicked as Pantomime Dame, and he has had the widest variety of roles in comic opera and musical comedy. But he has, in the opinion of Australian critics, scored the greatest success of his career as Joseph Calicot, the poet hi "Madame Pompadour," a part that calls for the utmost in experience from an actor and comedian. That very delightful comedienne, Miss Vera Spaull, it is said, presents a delicious impersonation of Mariette, and others in the cast are Hedley Hall, Adele Crane, Mason Wood, Herbert Browne and P. Cory. An outstanding feature of the production is the excellent work of tho chorus, and other features are tho gorgeous costumes and the magnificent. scenic effects. There will be a special holiday matinee on Monday afternoon, beginning at 2 o'clock. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The extraordinary efficiency and widespread organisation of modern gangs of criminals in America is strikingly revealed in " Dressed To Kill," tho chief attraction on the excellent programme presented at the Majestic Theatre for tho first time last evening. The st&ry revolves around (tie activities of "Mile Away" Barry and his associate?, who form a criminal organisation maintained on tho lines of a big business. Into this circle comes a girl, the fiancee, of si bank teller, suspected of stealing a parcel of bonds. In order to save, her lover and recover, the stolen property, she poses as a fugitive from the law, ami successfully attracts tho attention of Barry, who sees in her beauty a valuable asset to his gsitig. Under his patronage, she is assigned to aid in robbing a fur store, but her nerve fails her at the, crucial moment and she warns the proprietors in time to foil the attempted coup. A dramatic climax is reached when Barry is faced "with the duty of enacting tho penally of treachery to tho gang. Finding that during his association with tho girl ho has come to love her, he takes the death penalty on himself, engaging iu a terrific revolver duel with members of the gang. The picture closes on the keynote that crime cannot pay and the criminal can never win. In the role of Barry, si su.ve, sophisticated underworld leader, " dressed to kill," Edmund Lowe gives an outstanding characterisation, while Mary Astor, as tho girl, and Ben Bard, as Barry's lieutenant, sire excellently cast. Tho comprehensive supporting picture programme includes a New Zealand scenic lilni depicting beauty spots on tho Wanganui River, " Sporting South Africa," which shows the chief football grounds and sporting centres to he visited by the All Blacks on their present tour, a comedy and the popular Majestic Magazine. Two enjoyable numbers, " Morning, Noon and Night," and "My Blue Heaven," were given by tho Majestic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh, in conjunction with Reno, an accomplished xylophone player, Tho combination was forced by the hearty applause to render an encore. STRAND THEATRE. A brilliant spectacle, "The Merry Widow," the Metro-Goldwvn screen version of the world-famous light opera, is the current attraction at the Strand Theatre. All the romance, intrigue and splendour which made the stage production famous have been captured by the picture, which has one of the most notable casts ever assembled. As the heroine, Sally O'Hara, Mac Murray will be remembered for the splendid acting she exhibits in tho various moods she has to portray. From an uneducated American girl she blossoms forth into a very alluring widow, moving in the best of Parisian society. It is a part which calls in many instances for spirited acting, and Miss Murray undoubtedly lives her part. Opposite "her is John" Gilbert as the hero prince. Of an aristocratic stamp, Gilbert always is at his best in such a role. He. is the perfect happy-go-lucky son of royalty, becoming serious only when he finds himself in love with "the merry widow." A wonderful characterisation is given by Roy D'Arcy, as the Crown Prince. Supercilious, conceited, coldly cruel, he is at the same time amusing and terrifying in his actions. A specially attractive prologue precedes the screening of "Tho Merry Widow," in which Miss Ina Bosworth is the solo violinist :>nd a hsillet under the direction of Mdl'p. Valeska appears. The experiences of Miss Dale Austen in Hollywood are. fullv shown in "Mi ss New Zealand in Movieland." a film record of her recent trip, while Miss Austen silso makes a personal appearance at the evening sessions only. ** MOTHER MACHREE." When the executives of Fox Films decided to produce a screen version of " Mother Machree," Rida Johnson Young's heart-gripping story of motherlove, which she. wrote round her own words of the famous ballad, no reasonable expense was spared in the efforts to supply the necessary Irish backgrounds. The camera crew went to Dublin, photographed many scenes in this fine city, and then embarked for si tour of the rural districts of Ireland. Scenes for the film were taken in Galway, and in other parts on the West Coast of Ireland, and many unusual and beautiful photographic effects were obtained in the picturesque villages. Abbeys and ancient castles, quaint rustic nooks, rivers, the sea and waterfalls of entrancing beauty were recorded for the screen by the photographers, while (lie Irish peasants themselves, although ignor ; ant of motion-picture procedure, helped (he company to accomplish great things. Storms were, a great handicap, but, dodgiiig round mountains out of the paths of the storms, the, photographers were able to obtain magnificent scenic effects. These exterior scenes are full of delightful beauty, and are admirably blended with tho studio sequences, which were photographed in Hollywood. Belle Bennett, Victor McLsiglen, Phillippe de Laeey, Ted MoNamara, Neil Hamilton and Constance Howard are in the leading roles. PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. Primitive peasant life along tin.' banks of the river Danube form the settirf; for "The u hip Woman," a story of si strange romance, now showing sit the. Princess and Tivoli Theatres. The part of Olna, a' Hungarian peasant girl who will not accept any of her village suitors, is played by Estelle Taylor, who is noted for tier vigorous acting. The role of the worthless nobleman who captures tho affections of the apparently heartless Olna is filled by Antonio - Moreno. Inequality of social caste sets a barrier between the village maiden and her royal lover and the trials • heir affection suiters before tho couple vindicate themselves in the eyes of the world make an exceptional story. "Private Affairs," in which Gladys Hulette and Robert Agnew provide comedy of small town life, makes a good supporting feature. It is a carefree film of wholesome merriment and unexpected complicaations provide a plot in which the interest. never wanes; the handsome, welldressed young man who keeps the hearts of the village girls aflutter is disclosed in all his mean superficiality. The pauper who exists on occasional charity is unexpectedly revealed to be a. wealthy man whom mischance has prevented from claiming his large fortune. A number of similar disclosures make a film Of unusual comedy value.

REGENT THEATRE

Music, screen and stage entertainment are leatured to advantage m the programme which opened at the Regent Theatre last evening. It is a good allround programme —wholly satisfying, as it serves all tastes. An ambitious stage novelty, "Dance-o-mar.ia," giving snatches of dances down the ages, is the brightest and most captivating portion of all. Then, again, the music, with Leslie \ . Harvey at the Wurlitze.r organ and the orchestra under" Arthur G. Frost giving oli its best, was well up to the li gh standard associated with the theatre. "Daycc o mania" is a delightful series of folk, fancy and modern dancing, it opens with si representation oi Adam and Eve, the hitter enticing the first man to join her in certain rudimentary steps. The animals of the earth are then represented as dancing into the Ark. Follow several other representations, terminating with an exhibition of the modern da rue given by Mr. Colin Shorter and Miss Yvonne Arlen. One setting, that of a tiny tot performing to the tune of "La Marsellaise,' would assuredly warm the heart of any audience, just as it did hist evening. On the whole, it is a very interesting, very entertaining production. Possessing a cast containing four comedy artists of renown, "Tillie's Punctured Romance," tho chief picture, could nut Isnl to be supremely humorous. All the knows Chester Conklin, W. C. Fields. Mack Swain and Louise Fazenda, and all the world has, or will, laugh their antics in this comedy-drama. Tillies adverftures will be followed by continual laughter. First as the girl of all work on her stepfather's farm and later in the circus, she passes from one ludicrous incident to another. !he scene flashes across to the battlefields of r ranee, where the circus is playing for the benefit of the troops. Captured by the Germans, Tillie, the circus-owner and the ringmaster spend all their spare time dodging Tillie's stepfather, who had returned to the Fatherland to become a colonel, ineir hazards are lessened, yet at the same time materially increased in another direction, when the circus lions break loose routing the German troops and ge.iera creating havoc in the front hue. Ihe supports include a good comedy, a scenic film and a gazette. Mr. Harvey was particularly entertaining at the oigan, pl.i> intr "Humoresque" in a perfect, convincing way. In dealing with the orchestra s splendid playing, mention must he msj of a delightful burlesque on L« Mates "Andantino," given as seven diffeicnt icpresentations. ' EMBASSY THEATRE. E vor-welcome revue, presented m fresh variations, provides another enjoyable entertainment at the Embassy Theatre. The. new programme offered last evening is an excellent melange embracing musical, dramatic and comedy elements designed to meet varying tastes and preferences. The company of "Diplomats," now in its second week at tho new home of revue, is formed on popular lines, with emphasis un high comedy and a. distinct ability in the direction of farcical drama, the programme being well studded with the short, snappy sketch best suited to modern vaudeville taste. One of 'these essays in the brighter strain,, entitled "A Dark White Horse," a regular "revue within revue," soars to musical heights, and furnishes a plastic vehicle for the, original fooling of Bert Gilbert, who, the. sporting adventurer to the lsist buckle of his gaiter, mixes a little bookmaking and matrimonial incompatibility with his customary vocation of a veterinary surgeon of doubtful credentials. He is a master in (he art of wilting in the presence of si domineering woman, voice and facial expression combining to produce a laughable effect. Tfye company is particularly strong in comedians, Mr. Ed. Warrington, who, when otherwise engaged, is producer, ranking probably a.s the best. His sole appearance is in the clever military sketch, " A Dud Dream," presented by him at a Royal Command performance before the Prince of Wales at the Aldwych Theatre, London, in 1919. This perfect piece of fooling brought down tho house at the close of the first part of the programme. A 1 Mack is the other comedian, his quiet reserved style producing the best effect in his dialogue with Cecil Scott. The latter showed si good voice in several solos, the vocal side of the programme being strengthened bv the inclusion of Colleen Hope and Linda Dale. Two versatile artistes, Mildred and Connie, repeated their triumph of last week and received an ovation. Sam Stern, Clyde Fields -and Yvette Deano added their contributions to si bright musical programme. " A FLORENTINE TRAGEDY." The presentation of " A Florentine Tragedy " at the Lewis Eady concert chamber on Wednesday and Thursday of next week is creating much interest. Miss Ethel Rae, who takes the role of Maria, Mr. Theodore Trezise, who plays Simone, and Mr. Arthur Fryer-Raisher. who plays Guido, are all familiar to Auckland audiences. Coralio Stanlev-McKellar, however, has not performed before in Auckland. She will be seen in the role of Bianca, the wife of Simone, a part she played with outstanding success in Sydney. Among (lie wonderful and unusual Florentine antiques which have been secured with great difficulty from various sources is a 13th century spinning chair and wheel, while some of the gilt and brass seen in the production will be a delight to those who appreciate ancient workmanship. Much time and trouble has been spent in making a gorgeous and spectacular atmosphere in which to present this piece of modern dramatic art. ORGAN RECITAL. The programme selected for the organ recital in tho Town Hall on Monday, the King's Birthday, will include a number of works suitable to the occasion. The city organist will play Elgar's march, " Land of Hope and Glory,." Hailing's " Marehe Royale," " Song of Triumph," by West, Bach's fugue on the tune associated with the hymli " 0, God, Our Help in Ages Past," and a melody from " Henry VIII." arranged for organ and bells. M UNICIPA L CONCERT. An attractive and varied programme of instrumental music will He given at the I municipal concert in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. Miss Theo. Halpin, pianist, Miss Edna Peace, vocalist, the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, and Mr. Leo, Whittaker, accompanist, will contribute items. CHARITY CONCERT. A concert, will be held in the New- | market MunicipalTlall next Monday under the auspices of the People's Health Society, half the proceeds to go to the Auckland Hospital wireless fund. The holders of two lucky programmes will rereceive special prizes. Booking arrsmgments are advertised. MILFORD PICTURES. A First. National film. "Brigadier Gerard," in which Rod Lsi Rocque takes the principal part, will be presented at the Green Mill, Milford, tnis evening. There" will be the usual supports, and a dance to follow (he pictures. BEN E FIT PER FOR AIANCE. A Japanese operetta, "Princess Chrysanthemum," will be produced by Mrs. E. Webb in the Town Hall concert chamber next Saturday in aid of tho City Mission funds. Dances, have been nrrsinged by Miss Y. Orbell. Booking arrangements sire advert ised. ZOOLOGICAL PARK. The Municipal Band will, play at the Zoological Park to-morrow from 2.45 p.m. The programme includes tho bright marches, " The Advance Guard " and the " Sergeants of the Guard," the hymn, "Supplication," an overture, "Crown Diamonds," a selection from Sullivan's operas, tho waltz-intermezzo, " Beethoven Echoes," Tschaikowsky's great overture solennelle 1812," and other tuneful numbers.;