ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19976, 19 June 1928, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

BENNO MOISEIWITSCH, A young Russian pianist ■who is said to hold his audiences by sheer art and personality, Benno Moiseiwitsch will give the first of a brief series of concerts at the Town Hall this evening. Moiseiwitsch is described as a singularly undemonstrative player who has animation, flawless technique, warmth, a sure power of expression, refinement, dignity, passion, delicacy and strength, and a manipulation that is so perfect as to be a revelation. His light-hearted playing, expressing maze-like intricacies with ease, yet capable of developing crescendos to a colossal fortissimo that assures listeners of the maturity of his powers, charmed large Australian audiences. His opening programme will include compositions by Schubert, Beethoven, Debussy, Stravinsky, Moszkowsky, Scriabin, Chopin, Palmgren, Wagner and Liszt. In Beethoven's Sonata Appassionata, Stravinsky's Etude in F Sharp, Chopin's Valse in G Flat, Debussy's "La Cathedrale Erigloutic," and Palmgren's " Refrain de Bereeau," he should be heard to advantage. Other numbers on the programme are Moszkowsky's "La .longlcuse." Chopin's A Flat Major Ballade and F Sharp Alajor Nocturne, Scriabin's Nocturne for the left hand, and Schubert's " Impromptu in A Flat." Booking arrangements are advertised. ALFRED O'SHEA. Alfred O'Shea, Hie well-known tenor, will appear at the Town Hall, where he is to give a brief series of concerts under the direction of Mr. Henry Hay ward, for the first time next Tuesday. A Sydney critic wrote that a crowded Town Hall at o'Shea's third coucert showed that Sydney music-lovers knew of no offseason for iront-rank artists. Jho delicacy of his tone was best revealed in the group of French songs, especially in "Crepuscule," his pianissimo notes in this group being exquisite, when he was equally delightful in operatic numbers.. The severe test put upon a young tenor in essaying numbers that have such traditional interpretation behind them as those of Caruso and McCormack, established for O'Shea a definite place in the world of song, as his rendering of the two "Ricoletto" numbers alone revealed. He was gifted with that national temperament which alone can properly interpret such gems as "Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded?" and "The Snowy Breasted Pearl." O'Shea's programme on Tuesday will include some of the richest gems of his repertoire. Booking arrangements arc advertised. STRAND THEATRE. The deeply-moving qualities of the world-famous song, "Mother Machree, with all its spirit of mother love, have been admirably captured in the Fox Films production of the same name which is now enjoying a successful extended season at the Strand Theatre. The story of the picture concerns the life of a widowed mother who leaves her beloved Ireland to take her young son to America in order that he may make the most of his life. It is there that for her son's sake she makes the beautiful sacrifice tha.t is the essence of the story. As Mother Machree, Belle Bennett gives a performance that is one of the finest of her career. Victor McLaglan is superb as the Giant of Kilkenny and Neil Hamilton has been admirably chosen for the role of the grown-up son. A feature of the programme is the appropriate music provided by the Strand orchestra under the baton of Miss Eve Bentley. In addition to the principal film there is a strong supporting programme. REGENT THEATRE. Early California in the days of the goldrush forms the background of "The Gay Defender," which with "Love and Learn" comprises the current programme at the Regent Theatre. In "The Gay Defender," Richard Dix is seen as Joaquin Mnrrieta, one of the most pictureque and dominant figures in American history. Deprived of his wealth by the unscrupulous goldseekers attracted by the Californian rush and dispossessed of his ranch, he becomes a bandit at once feared and respected. Included in the capable supporting cast are Thelma Todd and Fred Kohler. "Love and Learn" is a farce woven round the efforts of a yonng girl to be arrested in an attempt to prevent her parents seeking a divorce. To prevent a separation, she decides that the only way to bring them together is to call them suddenly to her aid. The leading role is filled by Esther Ralston, while Lane Chandler, Hedda Hopper and Claude King are included in the supporting cast. The usual short pictures are screened, and new numbers are given by the Regent Orchestra and by Mr. Arthur G. Frost at the organ. RIALTO AND EPSOM REGENT. Two of the most popular and capable comedians on the screen, W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin, appear together for the first time in "Two Flaming Youths," the Paramount production which heads the attractive new programme now showing at the Rial to and Epsom Regent Theatres. In "Two Flaming Youths," Fields is cast as the happy-go-lucky owner of a small circus, Conklin being his hated rival, the sheriff of a little town. Both contend for the love of a supposedlywealthy widow, played by Cissie Fitzgerald. In their intense rivalry for the lady's hand both "youths" have ample opportunity for genuine comedy, while many hnmorous complications are introduced. An entirely different type of comedy, "Tea For Three," in which Lew Cody and Aiken Pringle appear, forms the second attraction on the programme. This picture describes the complications developed in the relationship of an insanely jealous husband and his alluring young wife, by the intentional intriguing of the husband's "best friend." PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. A distinct novelty in the wav of entertainment was offered at the Prince Edward Theatre yesterday when Argus, described as a wonder boy possessed of mysterious powers, gave a remarkable demonstration of clairvoyance and telepathy. Intense interest was manifested fey the large audiences in his feats. His powers were shown by the quick and unhesitating manner in which he gave his answers to the many and varied questions put to him. As it is a legal offence to tell fortunes or foretell the future, Argus doc 3 not deal with future events, but speaks on subjects which would be of benefit to any member of the audience, such, as sickness, missing friends, lost or stolen property, law cases, crime, change of occupation, or inventions. Argus will give two demonstrations daily at the theatre during the coming week. A full programme of pictures is screened at each session, a feature of great topical interest being a news film showing the arrival of Captain Kings ford Smith and his companions at Brisbane and Sydney at the conclusion of their wonderful transpacific flight.