ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

WILLIAM HEUGHAN RECITALS AN ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME. Tito third of tho series of recitals which Mr. William Heughun is giving at the Town Hall vns delivered on Saturday evening, and its standard was no whit below that of tho two that preceded. All Mr. Houghan's work is popular in the best sense that it is readily intelligible io everyone, but Saturday's programme ho himself specially designated as popu- | lui- His faultless and richly expressive rendering of classical operatic airs such as Gounod - "She Alone Gharmoth My Sadness," and Rossini's "La Calunnia, of stirring Scottish ballads J >e Standard on tho Braos o\ Mar, ami "Kirkconncll Leo," of quaint folk songs like "Because I Were Shy " and others ajrain like Moussorgsky'a "Song of tho Flea " "Tho Yeomen of England (Geimanj, and Burns' "CU'een Grow tho Bushes Oh," was at. onco a. raro plcasuie and a real education. As usual the singer was most generous in Ilia responses to the inevitable demands for more. Mr. Jleughati has in unusual degree the true artist's gift of enthusiasm for Ins work, and his evident delight in tho interprotat ion of ballads, classics and folk songs of established worth never fails to kinctlo similar enthusiasm in his hearers. llis choicely expressed preliminary announcements and tho full use ho makes of his histrionic gifts place those who have no technical knowledge of music under a bp s? English 'cellist, Miss Maud Bell, contributed freely to tho pleasure of tho evening with a number of exquisitely executed solos that wero warmly welcomed. Miss Gladys Sayor again no onlv provided accompaniments in ulca tasio for Mr. Houghnn, but rendered ae vera I choico piano solos. _ Tho final recital of Mr. Ileug ian S present season will be given in tho Jown Hall this evening. STRAND THEATRE.. "Tho Doctor's Secret," the "talkio" version of tho well-known stage p ay, "Half ail Hour," by Sir James Barrio, is tho leading attraction at tho Strand Theatre. Tho principal roles arc played by Ruth Chatterton, 11. B. Warner, Robert Edeson and John Loder, wlio are seen to advantage in an unusual tvpo of production. Tho story deals with tlio career of Richard Garston, a wealthy man of unscrupulous nature, who taunts us wifo with having married him for his money. Tiring of such treatment, Lillian Garston decides to elopo w"'Ui llugn Raton, but unexpected complications develop when he is accidentally killed. By an ingenious method Lillian overcomes her husband's suspicions and the film ends happily. The supporting programme includes two all-talking comedies, a film entitled "The British Fleet at Sea. the Fox Movietono News, and lho Squire Octette," an enjoyable instrumental number. REGENT THEATRE. An entire musical comedy is included in "Close Harmony," the all-talking picture which is now showing at the Regent Theatre. The leading ioles arc played by Naucy Carroll and Buddy Rogers, and other members of tho largo cast «uc Harry Green, Jack Oakic and "Skcets Gallagher. Tho theme deals with the careers of Marjoric Merwin, the leading dancer and singer at the Babylon Theatre, and A 1 West, a promising young musician whose performance is a fcatuic nf tho programme at the same theatre. Tho supporting programme includes items by Boirow's Harmonica Band, songs by Ruth Etting, a number by Smith and Dale, the. Jewish comedians, and various ether features of interest. Selections on the Wurlitzer arc played by Mr. Arthur G. Frost, the well-known musician. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Tlio Cohens and Kcllys," a Universal comcdy-drania, is the principal lilm now .showing at tho Majestic Theatre. Ihe film, which has been .adapted from the Aaron Hoffman story "Two Blocks Away," was directed bv Harry Pollard, and is interpreted by a large cast of wellknown players. Charlie Murray, George Sidney and Vera Gordon play the leading roles, while tlio supporting cast, includes Kate Price, Jason Robards, Olive Hasbrouck, Nat Carr, Bobby Gordon and Mickey Bennett. The story concerns two 'families living in the East Side of New York, and the amusing adventures which befall thein when one family inherits a fortune. Tho supporting programme includes an Oriental stage presentation, "Tho Lotus Flower," arranged by Miss Cecil Hall, a comedy, _ tho Majestic Magazino and Eve's Review. PLAZA TnEATRE. Several of tho foremost screen players aro seen at their best in "Tho Terror, tlio all-talking picture which is now showing at the Plaza Theatre. The leading roles are played by May McAvov, Louise Fa/.euda, *A. B. Francis and Holmes Herbert, who are supported by a stroin' cast. Adapted from the book by Edgar Wallace, the film retains all tho thrilling qualities of tlio original, and is intensely interesting throughout. Ihe talking and sound effects are remarkably clear and add considerably to the leaiism which is a leading feature of the film. The supporting programme of shorter talking films includes items by Isa Krcrner, tho celebrated Russian dramatic soprano, the Four' Aristocrats and Roger Kaliri, who leads an excellent band in a series of popular numbers. ALLAN WILKIE SEASON. Goldsmith's brilliant comedy, "She Stoops to Conquer," or "The Mistakes ok a Night," will be the initial production of Mr. Allan Wilkie's season of English costume comedies which will commence next Saturday at His Majesty's Theatre. It is sonic eleven or twelve years since (bis masterpiece among English farces has been seen on the Dominion stage and its foi thcoming production will be eagerly awaited by playgoers in Auckland. Experience has proved that at the hands of the talented combination of artists under Mi. Wilkie's leadership it should be given a presentation worthy of its merits. Booking arrangements arc advertised. ORGAN RECITAL. An enjovable programme was presented bv tho city organist, Mr. Maughan Burnett."before an audience of about. 200 in the Town Hall last evening. Hems included the-first movement ol'llandels "Cuckoo and the Nightingale Bach's "Prelude and Fugue in D, Chopin's "E Flat Nocturne," and selections by Widor and Coleridge Taylor. ODD FELT /JWS' SOCIA L. Tho Loyal Good Intent Lodge, No. 4369, of 'Manchester Unity Oddfellows, will bold its 79th anniversary social in the Manchester Unity Hall on Thursday evening. Further particulars aro advertised. ARTILLERY BAND. A special concert in aid of the earthquake fund was given by the Auckland Artillery Band in tho Majestic Theatre last evening. There was a large attendance, and ".£25 10s was collected, from which there has to be deducted an amount to cover expenses. The remainder will be devoted to the fund. The varied programme presented by tlio band, undci the conduetorship of Warrant,-Ofhcor J. Wynne Smith, included tho march "Simplicity," the overture "Tancredi," the fantasia "In a Monastery Garden" and the tone poem "Tho Unfinished Symphony. Two musical monologues were contributed by Miss Edna Langmuir, while Master G F. Thompson played "The Lost Chord as a cornet solo. The assisting vocalists were: Miss Milliccnt O'Grady, Miss Beryl ; Smith and Mr. Len Barnes.