ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10522, 25 February 1920, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

‘)‘THE HI LENT AVITNEHS.’”

At tho Grand Opera House las-D night a large audience greatly enjoyed cue production by Miss Muriel Starr's talented company of tho tense and thrilling drama “The Silent Witness.” The plofc is particularly well worked out, tho interest of tho audience as to who or what is the silent witness being maintained almost to the very end, and the climax is powerful indeed. As tho heroine mother. Alias Muriel Starr acts throughout with great restraint and power, especially excelling herself in tho emotional scenes in which the life of her son is at stake. Mr J. B. Atholwood presents a particularly fine piece of characterisation iu tho part of Rigsby, tho shrewd, sharp-tongued college janitor; while Air- Frank Harvey makes a strong and convincing Crown Prosecutor, determined that all the facts of tile case shall bo brought out, and the lad accused of murder, whom ho discovers to bo his own unknown son, shall have every chance for his life. As the boy. “Bud” -Morgan, Air Frank Alleuby scored a great success. Very admirable work is also done by Alissj Marion Marcus Clarke, Aliss Ethel Alorrison, Aliss Daphne Bairn, and Air Arthur Styan. “Tho Silent AVitness” will be repeated this evening, and to-morrow night tho equally powerful drama, “Common Clay,” is to*bo presented for the first time in AVellington.

“COAIAION CLAY” TO-AIORROAV EVENING.

A remarkable tribute to the popularity and quality of tho successful propaganda play “Common Clay,” to be presented by the popular Alnriel Starr Company at the Grand Opera House 'to-morrow night, is that during its presentation in Auckland recently the theatre was packed at every performance, despite the somewhat severe criticisms by the local press. This production, which has proved one of Aliss Starr’s biggest successes in the Dominion, is said to be tar and away removed from the ordinary typo of play, because it is said to strike so closely to reality. That this successful drama, pulsating with youth and life, with all tho precipitate passions and the transiency of youth, has an enduring hold upon theatregoers, was made manifest in Sydney and Melbourne, where tor six weeks in each city it was played by Miss Alnriel Starr and Company, to crowded houses. The character of '‘Ellen- Neal” has been described by contemporaries as being one of this popular actresses greatest characterisations. One critic said: “That she made tho part live before tho ©yes of the audience, and that she gave it for most of them a new meaning, is most unquestionable. For a measure of intensity, and for great’ elocutionary skill and womanly grace, we were prepared, but even Aliss Starr’s rendering of this character, fine though it was, scarcely promised the variations of light and shade, and exceptional powars ' oyer contrasted emotions, that were exhibited |in (this performance.” Next Tuesday and AVednesday the final production will take place in the great spy play ‘‘Three Faces East.” The plans for the season are now on view at The Bristol.

HIS MAJESTY’S. Tho excellence of the new programme by Fullers’ Vaudeville Company was responsible for a crowded audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. Paul Stanhope’s. Musical Revue Stars shine brightly in a hilarious musical force, “SeeSaw.’’ They are well supported by Astras, Sylvester, Jennings, and Gerald, and Lieutenant Harper. The company will appear again this evening, KING’S THEATRE. At the King’s to-day at 2.15 a full orchestral matinee will he given. The attraction will be ‘‘Choosing a Wife,” a remarkably attractive English drama by the producers of “Tho Letter Ole” and “Milestones." The picture shows what happens when, by a strange mistake, a woman thinks for three years that she is engaged to a man who believes himself engaged to another. There are many tensely dramatic moments throughout the story. In addition to the splendid supporting programme Mr Sydney Allwnght, a pleasing baritone, i.s hoard in several numbers. EVERY BODY’S ~THE ATRE. Norma Talrnadgo gives a wonderful characterisation of a young Russian girl in her latest photo-drama “The New Mooii,” which is being shown at Everybody’s Theatre. The story deals with life in Russia, and shows Norma at her test. The supporting programme includes a highly-entertaining nature study, the latest Patho Gazette, and a sparkling comedy. EMPRESS THEATRE. “A Mandarin's Gold,” a thrilling story in which Oriental ruthlessncss and Western sentiment clash over the fate of a pretty Chinese girl, is being screened at the Empress Theatre this week. Tho production is from the World Film studios, and features boauful Kitty Gordon. Pearl White’s exciting adventures in the Patho serial, “The Lightning Raider,” are continued in a further episode. MISS DAISY KENNEDY. No artist of recent years who lias vipited ' the Dominion has scored such an emphatic success all through as Miss Daisy Kennedy, who is appearing under tho direction of J. and N. Tait. This talented violinist will give two farewell concerts in the Town Hall Concert Chamber before departing for Australia. Her appearance here will be on Saturday, February 28th and Tuesday, March 2nd. Miss Kennedy's concerts have been the greatest musical sensation for years past, and last week in Christchurch, when two concerts were given in connection with tho N.S.W. State Orchestra, the Press there said: "It was a performance that would live in the memory of the audience for years.” Much interest always attaches to instruments that violinists of standing use, in Miss Daisy Kennedy’s case a Nicolo Amati, which tho Australian artist, in her student days, secured in Vienna —while others, ambitious of obtaining this instrument were leisurely estimating its txualitios, Miss Kennedy promptly mode up per mind and became the fortunate owner. Miss Kennedy's two appearances here should attract crowded houses, and intending patrons are advised that the box plans open this morning at the Bristol.