ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The recent state of chaos and conspiracy in China makes an enthralling and exciting background to " The Further ' Adventures ox the Flag Lieutenant," the all-British production which opened its Auckland season at the Majestic Theatre last evening. Every theatre-goer who saw " The Flag Lieutenant" will remember that the story was a bright and breezy one of a young officer in the Navy, and the sequel deals with an even more exciting series of adventures. The scene is China, where foreign Powers are seeking to undermine Britain's prestige. From the flagship of the squadron, sent out to guard English interests in the East, there is stolen a most important set of papers which mean much to the safety of British' residents in the event of a rising in Shanghai. The flag lieutenant is set the task of recovering these documents, and his subsequent adventures make a story at once thrilling and intriguing. The sinister background of the Chinese seaport lends itself admirably to the plot and the atmosphere of cunning and intrigue is splendidly conveyed. A stirring climax is provided when a horde of fanatic Chinese storm the quarters of the English residents in an effort to drive out the foreigners, and a terrific battle results. As the debonair and dashing flag lieutenant, Henry Edwards, gives another fine performance, which surpasses his initial characterisation in the preceding production. As a beautiful spy who seeks to obtain the important papers, Isabel Jeans, who is one of the most accomplished actresses on the screen, adds to her many, past successes, her delineation of the clever adventuress being admirable. Among the other leading British artists who appear are Fewlass Llewellyn, as the admiral, and Lilian Oldficld, as his daughter, while a note of clever humour is introduced by Albert and Seth Egbert, who are seen as two sailors. While an interesting film, " Songs of Scotland," is shown on the screen the Majestic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh, plays ai series of Scottish airs, the performance last evening being greeted with applause at the close. In addition they played "Scenes Neapolitan" (Massenet), as an interlude. The comprehensive supporting programme includes a Charley Chase comedy, the Majestic Magazine, showing a varied series of news items from all over the world, and a local production, "Auckland on Wheels," dealing with the tramway system and the various branches of its activities. STRAND THEATRE. The demand of the German producers for high-class productions with popular appeal has resulted in Fritz Lang and the remarkable cast of " The Spy," which is meeting with outstanding success during an extended season at the Strand Theatre, making a film of thrilling action and superb artistry. It is a/ massive and complicated story dealing with the Secret Service and the workings of an international espionage system. It treats with exceptional skill a subject which, although not new, retains enough interest to make possible a film with the individuality which is the mark of U.F.A. productions. The director, Fritz Lang, made of " Metropolis" a unique and wonderful picture, but " The Spy" is less bizarre and unreal. It deals with the present and post-war conditions, under which there thrives an unseen power and arch-criminal, who, his youth spent in prison, has vowed to make authority suffer and civilisation shake as his revenge. With a fortune built on counterfeiting, and the head of the bank bearing his name, Haghi, the master-mind, is enmeshing the world in a net of anarchy and crime. The picture depicts the battle of wits between the Secret Service and ibe anarchy, and the former's eventual triumph. The acting throughout is of a particularly fine quality. Rudolph KleinRogge, as Haghi, shows exceptional ta'lent, but acting honours are undoubtedly divided between Gerda Maurus, Willy Fritsch and Lupu Pick. There is an interesting Strand Magazine, an entertaining comedy, and . the Strand Symphony Orchestral, with a pleasing performance., contributes largely toward a splendid evening's entertainment. NATIONAL THEATRE. Drama and romance have been skilfully blended in " After the Storm," a character study, carefully planned and artistically executed, which is the main attraction of the programme being presented at the National Theatre. The action is set against the background of a large square-rigged tramp steamer and the port of Singapore. Hobart Bosworth appears as a sea captain, embittered by a youthful escapade, and a merciless hater of women. Eugenia Gilbert has a dual role of both mother and daughter. The former was the sweetheart of the captain in his younger days, and the latter has a romance with the captain's son, a role assumed by Charles Delanev. George Kuwa portrays a Japanese cook on board the schooner, and brightens the production with many humorous touches. Linda Lorado has the role of a Malay dancer. A second attraction is " A Woman Against the World," the story of a girl reporter on a great metropolitan newspaper, who is not given any big assignments. She proves herself after a number of exciting adventures. Harrison Ford has the leading male role, and the supporting cast includes Georgia Hale, Certrude Olmstead, Lee Moran, Harvey Clark and Sally Rand. The programme includes a comedy and a gazette. An excellent programme of incidental music is provided by Mr. F. Barllet's orchestra. REGENT THEATRE. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy production, " Brotherly Love," featuring Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, is the principal attraction of a splendid programme shewing at the Regent Theatre. The story is a broad satire on " reform " prisons. Dane and Arthur clash on the football field for the love of the prison governor's pretty daughter, played by Jean Arthur. Dane starts out as a prison guard, trying to make life uncomfortable for Arthur, who gets put in gaol so that he can better woo the governor's daughter. Complications involve Dane in the toils of the law and he, too, becomes a convict. The supporting cast includes Richard Carlvlc, Edward Connelly, and Marcia Hariss. Rod La Rocque and Lupe Velez appear in the leading roles of " Stand and Deliver," a further attraction, a story of adventure in a mythical European monarchy. After the war a British airman yearns for something to relieve the monotony of life. His chance comes when ho hears of a bandit who holds the kingdom of Olania in terror. There lie meets not only the bandit but a girl who quickly persuades him of the futility of his woman-hating principles. Although a story of adventure a strain of genuinely amusing comedy has been introduced, to make the picture excellent entertainment. An enjoyable programme of music is provided by Mr. Maurice Guttridge's Operatic Orchestra. PLAZA AND TIVOLI. Splendid entertainment is provided by the double-feature programme being presented at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. Richard Barfhelmess and Betty Compson appear in the leading roles of " Scarlet Seas." which relates the adventures of Steve Donkin, a rough and unbelieving sailor. Part of the action of the story ta'kes place in a cabaret in Apia, and part in a boat drifting in the mid-Pacific with the sailor and a, girl ho has kidnapped. It then moves to a ship, whose mutinous craw has imprisoned its officers. The. film teems with action, and while intensely dramatic, is liberally interspersed with comedy. The prominent supporting cast includes Loretta Young, Jack Curtis and James Bradbury. A further attraction is " Naughty Baby," a story of Now York life, featuring Alice White and Jack Mulhall. Others in the cast are Thelma Todd, Doris Dawson, James Ford and Benny Rubin. MR. ARTHUR HIRST. The eminent musician, Mr. Arthur Hirst, F.R.S.A., will give a concertlecture in the Town Hall concert chamber on Tuesday evening. Booking arrangement* are advertised.

OT. JAMES' THEATEE. " The 130 th performance of the George Wallace Revue Company at St. James'. Theatre last evening attracted another large audience, comprised very largely of his regular admirers. The laughter and enthusiasm could not have been greater if it had been the opening night. In a sketch called "The Indian" Mr. Wallace exploited to the utmost limits of burlesque the humorous aspects of timidity. For ten minutes he kept the audience in a tumult of laughter while ho shivered and cringed before the onslaught of a wild Red Indian, held captive on a leash. The more the Indian, strained and tugged at (he rope in his frenzied desire to tomahawk poor George the more the house rocked. It was an excellent sample of comic suspense. In the revue "Moon Beams" he sought his effects by different tactics. There he was the self-confident louseabout in a Mexican mining camp. The Wallace method was here demonstrated at its best. With the awkwardness of a peevish boy he flirted and quarrelled by turns with Miss Marie Nyman, the mine manager's daughter. Together they sang "Just for To-night," with comic variations of the less orthodox order. Miss Maida Jones was excellent in this part of the programme, leading the Six Rascals—always a delightful bevy—in "Me and the Man in the Moon." A novelty dance, with effects by Mr. Wallace's efficient" dance band, brought rounds of applause for Miss Olive Partridge and Miss Thclma Buxton, Mr. Miff Myers' trombone solo also demanding an encore. Mr. Marshall Crosby again employed his fino voice to good effect, while the Two Dudleys contributed some amusing songs and patter. The programme will be repeated this afternoon and this evening and again next week. SUBURBAN THEATRES. Excellent double-feature programmes will be screened at various suburban theatres this afternoon and this evening. Two absorbing pictures, "The Constant Nymph," and "The Phantom City," will bo presented at the Prince Edward Theatre. "Romance of the Underworld" and "Avalanche," together with a new serial, "Tarzan the Mighty," comprise the programme at the Capitol Theatre.. Marjorie Beebe and Belle Bennett play the leading roles respectively in "The Farmer's Daughter," and "The Sporting Age," which will be shown at the Empire Theatre. Two exciting pictures, "Home* James" and "Sparkling Youth," and a new serial, "Tarzan the Mighty," will be presented at the Edendale Theatre. The programme at the Grey Lynn Cinema comprises Betty Balfour in "Champagne" and David Rollins in "Pep and Prep." The dramatic production, "Crash," "Phyllis of the Follies" and "Collegians" comprise the attractions at the Victoria Theatre. "Red Wine," featuring Conrad Nagel, and "Collegians," will be screened at the Foresters' Hall, Birkenhead, this evening only. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. Exciting and unexpected incidents abound in "Take Me Home," with the fascinating and vivacious Bebe Daniels playing the leading role, which will be screened at the Moulin Rouge Theatre, Remuera, this evening. The supporting programme includes a gazette, a cartoon and a comcdv. Dancing will be held at the conclusion of the programme. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. A programme of entertaining pictures will be screened at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. The chief feature will be "Red Hot Speed," in which Reginald Denny has the principal role. Ingall's Hawaiian orchestra will appear on the stage. SIR HARRY LAUDER. The possessor of the most extraordinary collection of walking sticks in the world, Sir Harry Lauder is ever on the lookout for rare and unique specimens, not for street or stage use, but to add to his wonderful collection, which is almost, to him, an obsession. During his tour in the Far East, particularly in India, he was the recipient of many most valuable ivory and ebony sticks mounted in gold and platinum and studded with jewels from the Indian potentates of whom he was the guest. So extensive has this collection grown that a large room in his house in Scotland is solely devoted to it and is under the supervision, of a trusted man servant-; who was instructed to despatch to New Zealand a few required in his character sketches on the present tour. The coming to Auckland of Sir Harry and his new company is creating unusual interest and a cordial welcome from a large audience at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday evening is assured. Mr. E. J. Carroll has done everything possible to ensure a supporting company of infinite variety and it includes the following:—"Tiki" Car-jf-penter. the surprise packet, direct from a London season; Miss Beryl .Wentworth, who features catchy chorus songs; Rupert Hazel and Elsie Day, expert acrobats and violinists; the Fredo Brothers and Don Julian, cartoonist and lightning sketch artist. There is a fine orchestra under the conductorship of Hadyn Beck. Box plan arrangements are advertised. MUNICIPAL CHOIR. The municipal choir will give its first concert of the season in the Town Hall on Saturday evening next. The programme will include fine choral numbers by Mendelssohn and Brahms, an arrangement of .lohn Tcel and a choral dance, " Pan" bv Boughton. Miss Ina Bosworth will play violin solos by Max Bruch and Tor Aulin, and the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, will conduct the choir and'' play organ solos. MUSIC AT THE ZOO. A charming and novel musical programme will be given by the Municipal Band at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. " Zampa" overture, Sullivan selections, bright marches, an original suite for military band by Gordon Jacob, instrumental solos and other tuneful items will be included in the programme. ORGAN RECITAL. Elgar's latest publication, the charming Minuet from " Beau Brummel," and Bridgo's " Sonata in D Minor" will be played by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, at a recital in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. Other numbers of the programme will include works by Bach and Hollins, Wagner's " Star of Eve" and Sullivan's march from Henry VIII. LUNA PARK. The Luna Park amusement area will be open this evening and every evening next week. The whole Of the net. proceeds for the week will be devoted to the Community Sunshine Association to provide a solarium for children. FAREWELL CONCERT. A concert will be tendered to Mr. Birrell O'Malley, the well-known Auckland tenor, who is leaving shortly for Italy, in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. The programme, which has been arranged by the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society, is a long and varied one. Several prominent artists will appear, while Mr. O'Malley will give songs by request. Booking arrangements are advertised. "BIRD IN HAND." "Bird in Hind," the popular plav by John Drinkwater, will be presented by the Little Theatre Society for the last time in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening.