ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" LOVE LIES." The members of J. C. Williamson's new English musical comedy company, which will present "Lore Lios" at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday, and "So This is Lovo' later, will arrivo from Sydney by f.ho Marama to-morrow morning. "Lovo liies" unlolds a very interesting story, with a delightful lovo romance interwoven into it, and during its progress many tuneful musical numbers aro sung }jy tho principal ladjes and gentlemen, all of whom have good singing voices. With Clem I)a'wo as the principal, comedian the humour must bo ono of tho outstanding features of "Lovo Lies" and "So This is Lovo." This popular artist has in tho past always had to create his own comedy scenes, but in tho new English comedy ho will have materia! which •was written for the famous London como clian, Stanley Lupino, 111 which to display his genius and it is said that he keeps his audiences in roars of laughter tlu: wholo lime ho is on tho stage. The iour new English - members of tho company, Miss Betty Elev, Miss Rita McLean, Mr. Bobby Jones and Mr. Maurice Cole, all achieved outstanding triumphs iu Sydney and Melbourne, and doubtless they will bo welcomed when they make their lirst appearance hero od Saturday night. .\ feature of the productions is the clever "tap dancing'' executed by a number of young Australian girls. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tho feminine counterpart to " Sorrell r.nd Son" is presented in " Sarah and ix>n," (he Paramount production which is continuing a successful season at tho Majestic Theatre. Miss Ruth Chatterton, who takes tho principal part, reaches great dramatic and emotional heights in her acting. Tho story tolls of a mother's long struggle to secure tho lovo of her

eon who, when a child, was taken from , Jior by his father. Heading tho entertaining supporting programme is " Hot Dogs," an amusing comedy of canine life. On Thursday " Tho Green Goddess," a Warner Brothers-Vitaphono production, will commence a season. Tho picture, which has for its setting tho kingdom of Rukh, a principality in Northern India,' close to tho frontier of Tibet, is full of mystery and dangerous adventure. George Arlis.'i, who takes the principal part, gives a subtle and suave characterisation of an Indian ruler. He plays the role of an Indian princo who masks under a polished 'English exterior a fierce hatred for foreigners and sees the opportunity of wreaking vengeance on three English aviators wrecked in his territory. The picture is based on William Archer's melodrama, "Tho Green Goddess," and as a play was one of tho most successful produced on tho legitimate stage. ' REGENT THEATRE. All the elements of romance are included iu " Tho Vagabond King," tho Paramount production which is at" present showing at the Regent Theatre. The picture centres around tLio, exploits of Francois Villon, -the disreputable roguo ■who was at tho same time ono of France's great poets. Set in Paris iu the 15th century, tho film is full of incident and adventure. Villon, who is played by Dennis King, a favourite of tho Broadway stage, is almost tho king of the rabble of Paris. The city at the time tho picture opens is besieged by tho Burgundians, und is iu desperate straits. King Louis XI., as a last resort, determines to-enlist, the support of the Paris mob and, having Villon in his power for ;i breach of the law punishable by death, be offers to Villon the throne of France for six day 3 with tho prospect of death on the seventh. Villon's success in defeating. tho city's enemies gains for himself, not only ins life, but the hand of a princess. Tho settings of tho picture convey an accurate and most interesting > idea of life in the years of turmoil in which the picturo is set. Included in" tho supporting • programme is a special film of the first Rugby test match between Great Britain and New Zealand. CIVIC THEATRE. Remarkably th.rilling scenes of tho perils that surround expeditions to the Antarctic are seen in " Tho Lost Zeppelin," the Tiffany production that will be shown at the Civic Theatre to-day. The film, which was inspired by tho recent exploring trips-of Wilkins and Byrd, and also by the tragic flight of tho " Italia " over the North Pole, tells of an attempt made by a giant dirigible to conquer the .air by a flight over tho South Pole. On board are two men who havo found that they aro rivals for tho love of tho ono woman. 'Hie discovery, mado the evening before tbo expedition is due to commence, almost ruins tho plans made, but the two men realise that, above all, the expedition must not bo jeopardised. Both set out and as the airship slowly fights its way down to tho icy wastes their mental conflict begins. When tragedy overtakes tho airship they are forced to make a clear-cut decision who is to return to civilisation , and the woman they both love. In the supporting programme a fine selection of musical items is given by Mr. Ted Henkel's orchestra and by Mr. Fred Scholl on the grand organ. Entertaining short talking pictures are also screened. •

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. fitivish settings, an excellent musical Score and plenty of humour explain tho great popularity of " No, No, Nanette, which is continuing an extended season at St. James' Theatre. Tho story could bo called the comedy fablo of an unsophisticated millionaire who was obsessed with the idea, of managing a musical comedy company. 7 he special musical scenes, from the play he produces, includo dazzling " trips" to Holland, Japan, New York and Mars, and aro staged in a spectacular manner. All the most popular fcong numbers from the original stage pro* 1 duction aro included and are augmented by many now songs, such 03 " Pretending," " Tho Japanese Ballet," " Dance of the Wooden Shoes" and " Dancing on Mars." Cornice Claire find Alexander Gray play the leading roles very effectively, while Louise Fazenda and Lncion Littlefield provide much of the humour of the picture. LONDON THEATRE. Dramatic scenes and witty dialogue Jibound in "Th* Doctor's Secret," tho Paramount picture with an all-English cast, which is showing at the London 'Theatre. Tho picture is based ori Sir James Barrio's play, "Half an Hour," claimed to be one of his strongest works. Ruth Chatterton, who takes the leading part, portrays a woman who is doomed to n life of unhappiness with her husband She rnakcN one ill-fated attempt to get away by fleeing to the Continent, but a tragic circumstance prevents flight. She is forced, to return to her home, but unfortunately ono of her husband's friends Jims, by mischance, found out her plan. 'J'ho story then centres around her battle of wits with this mao to prevent him from exposing everything. FT B Warner and John Loder pla> important parts. In j eluded in the all •English supporting programme is 1 comedy. "Nap," in which Ernie Loting.. seen some time ago on tho Auckland stage, is the chief comedian. PLAZA THEATRE. Splendid entertainment is provided in "The Three Godfathers." which heads the current programme at the Plaza Theatre. Tho principals are Raymond Jlutton, Charles Bickford and Fred Koh ler. The supporting feature is "Temple Tower," in which there is a strong British cast. Excellent supports are shown TIVOIJ THEATRE. "Sweetie" and "Templo Tower" will fco screened at tho Tivoli Theatre this evening. , 1

STRAND THEATRE. Tho story of a yonng jockey's rise to famo is toid in " Littlo Johnny Jones," tho chief attraction of tho current programme at tho Strand Theatre. 11l a bright manner, full of incident, tho picturo traces Johnny Jones' successes on the racing field until finally a visitor from tho city, who has largo interests in racohorses, is impressed by his work. Jones is taken to tho city and makes a great success of his life until ho becomes entangled with an actress, who uses him for her own ends. Tho way in _ wlr.ch Johnny finally makes good provides a thrilling climax to tho picture. An amusing comedy entitled " Stain " is prominent, among tho supporting items, which include news reels and musical numbers. RIALTO THEATRE. Tho vicissitudes of a princo of a European kingdom and tho romance of a beautiful prima donna combine to form tho themo of "Married in Hollywood, which is being presented at tho Rialto Theatre. Norma Terria is cast to advantage as the accomplished singer who infatuates tho prince. llow a revolution breaks out and the two lovers are separated and aro eventually "married in Hollywood" makes an interesting story. The picturesque background and stage presentations add to the merit of the production. Tho shorter films include a gazette showing the arrival of Miss Amy Johnson at Sydney. TUDOR THEATRE. A powerful drama is unfolded in "Blackmail," the principal attraction on the entertaining programme at tho Tudor Theatre. The picture, which is a British production, is of outstanding merit. The subordinate films of singing, dancing and talking items aro of a varied and interesting nature.

BRITANNIA THEATRE. Warner Baxter and Ilcdda Hopper appear in "Such Men Aro Dangerous.' which is being presented at the Britannia Theatre. MAORI COLLEGES' CONCERT. The popularity of Maori music was exemplified by tho audience that filled the Town Hall* on Saturday evening, when the pnpils of St. Stephen's and Queen Victoria Schools gave a programme of traditional songs, ceremonies, hakas and dances: The boys and girls, under the direction of Mr. Colin. Muston, aimed to present tho items as freo as possible from English influence or modification, although in most cases an orchestral accompaniment was considered necessary. In thoso items in which tho voices were harmonised the true value of Maori singing was best recognised and it is noteworthy that these items were the most popular. Tho whole programme showed evidence of very careful training. The exhibitions of " tumbling " and pyramid-formation given by tho boys wero excellent, while tho girls' marching in difficult formations was carried out without a fault. The programme was opened by the National Anthem sung in Maori by the combined choir and by the playing of Hill's " Waiata Poi" by the orchestra, led by Mrs. Shopley. Tho traditional " Powbiri," or welcome to the audienca, was then given. The first poi dance performed by the girls was tho beautiful " Waka" poi, representing symbolically the voyage from Hawaiki to New Zealand. The difficult long poi, " Raero Ra e Taku," the combined poi, " Tikina Mai," and the narrative poi, depicting f.ho well-known love story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, wero all gracefully carried out by tho girls. An interesting item by the boys was a Samoan Siva, which, although termed a communal game, was similar in many of its movements to Swedish drill exercises. Several Maori games, including the stick : throwing game, accompanied by choruses and hakas were given by tho boys. An interesting ceremony shown in full was tho visiting ceremony, comprising welcomes, the paying of respect to the dead and mutual courtesies. Tho traditional songs, "Pokare Karo," sung by Kito Kahofea, and the male chorus, "To Arawa Tirohia Fta," " Hine e Eiine," " Moe Mai e Hino," "To Wairua o to Tan," and " Haere," Haero rae Hine" and " To Atarau" wore given in addition to Alfred Hill's wellknown compositions ."Home. little Maori," " Song of Locust" and " Waiata Maori."

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. The second orchestral concert 01" the Auckland Musicians' Union was held beforo a large audience in the Civic Theatre last evening. The enjoyable programme was arranged bv Mr. Ted Hcnkel, who acted as conductor. Mr. Fred Scholl was organist and Mr. Max Saunders loader. Some of the excellent orchestral renderings were "Second Hungarian Rhapsody," "Pagliacci Grand Fantasie," "La Paloma" and "Tannhauser." Appealing old church choir hymns were played by Mr. Scholl. Entertaining vocal numbers were rendered by Miss Beryl Smith and Master Desmond Cnsev. Splendid solo selections were, given by Signor Torzillo, harpist, and Master Harold Taberner, violinist The orchestra also played plantation melodies and novelty compositions. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. Oscar ■ Wilde's well-known comedy, "Tho Importance of Being Earnest," will bo presented by the Little Theatre Society in the Town Hall concert chamber for a .season of four nights, com mencing on Wednesday evening. Tho production is under the capable direction of Mr. Kenneth Brampton and should provo most enjoyable. Booking arrangements arc advertised. BAND CONCERT. An enjoyable concert, in aid of the waterside workers' hospital comforts fund was provided by tho Auckland Waterside Silver Band and assisting artists in the National Theatre last evening, Items wero given by Mrs. Robertshaw, Miss C. Palmer and Messrs. J. McMjnn, N. Walker, L. Bickerton, W. McMichaol, T. Cooper, 0. Rees and C. Massu. Mr. W Purcell acted us accompanist. ORGAN RECITAL. Another recital was given by Mr Maughan Barnett, city organist, in tho Town Ilall last evening. Tho selections included compositions of Bach, Men delssohn, Calkin and Rheinbcrgcr. The popular number, "Si J'Etais Roi," was also rendered. PICTUREDROME THEATRE. " Tho Sky Hawk," an epic of tho British air services, will be screened at tho I'icturedrome Theatre, Milford, this evening. ORPHEUS THEATRE. Tense situations occur in " On Trial," tho all-talking picture which will be screened this evening and to-morrow evening at tho Orpheus Theatre, Otahuhu On Wednesday and Thursday, " Tho Sing ing Fool" will bo shown.