ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10641, 14 July 1920, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"MOTHER HUBBARD.” Probably the largest wishbono over seen is that which will make its first appearance in Messrs J. and N, Toil's pantomime on Wednesday next, July 21st. at tho Grand. Opera House, Wellington, so largo Is it that it might have been borrowed from the groat Auk, and when one sees tho marvellous transformations that arc affected by merely holding this bone and expressing a simple wish, tho importance) of this accessory to the tale is not overemphasised. For instance, when tho young Hubbards express a desire to become pirates, Mother Hubbard’s cottage fades away and in its placo ap pear tho ’tween decks of a pit at© ship with fleeting forms of fierce pirates passing to and fro in the gloom carrying lanterns. When the pirate ship is wrecked and her crew cast ashore on a desolate Island, the wishing bone is again invoked, and the whole company restored to civilisation. Barry Lupino is Dnmo Hubbard, and Jack Cannot the Dame’s husband, and the two are extremely coniical in a scene in tho Hubbard laundry in which Mr Hubbard deals very effectively with customers, complaining and otherwise. A railway station opisoclo, ■ in which Mr and . Mrs Hubbard attempt to outwit the ticket porter, provoke roars of laughter. •‘Captain Merrywoathor,” Dorotny Leigh, makes an ideal principal boy. Miss Daisy Yates is a dainty and graceful principal girl, and shows brilliant skill in a specialty danoo with Kelso Henderson. Box plans open at Bristol Piano Company on Monday next. HIS MAJESTY’S. A largo audience assembled at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when the current programme was repeated by Fullers’ Vaudeville Company. Among tho most popular “turns” are those by Ward and Sherman, Edwards and Parkes, the Matanas,- and Jennings and Gerald. THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. After, another most successful season of sixty-five weeks in Australia, making”tho seventeenth—and comprising over two thousand five hundred performances—the English Pierrots, under the direction of Will and Rob Thomas, are again announced to tour the Dominion, commencing their season at the Town Hall on Saturday next, when they will again present their unique, musical, and humorous entertainments,, and the company will submit a series of new and novel items, never previously given in this city. Originality and novelty are the keynotes of the Pierrots’ success. Musical gems, raonologu'es, character sketches, burlesque dramas, potted plays, dances, and impersonations are amongst the items in the promised biU-of-fare. The box plans are now open at the Bristol. ■ THE EMPRESS. ''His Birthright,” featuring Sessue Hayakawa in the leading role, can be classed as a dramatic story of East and West, which, if they do meet - , in spite of tne poet, must inevitably part, is the story of the latest vehicle for Sessue Hayakawa, “His Birthright.” It 'is a colourful drama of revenge, despair, hatred, and love—a fitting quirt for this emotional actor of tho Orient. Ho is ably supported by his dainty little wife, Tsuru Aoki, and by .Marian Sais, an extremely talented ac.tress;; r Tho supporting pictures are very interesting, and include a pretty coloured scenic, the fourth episode of’ the thrilling serial, “Liberty,” and the usual weekly “Gazette.” THE KING’S. ' Juno Elvidge, Montague Love, Carlyle Blackwell, Evelyn Greeley, and the clever comedian, Johnny Hines, is tho all-star cast in “Three Green Eyes,” now being screened at the King’s. The story is original and humorous, and is greatly appreciated by the King’s audiences. Miss Eileen Driscoll gives a fine rendering of her well-selected songs, and an exceptionally 'good programme of music is played bj[ the King’s Grand Orchestra. There will he a full orchestral matinee to-day. “THE MAN THEY COULD NOT HANG.” Again, last night, Everybody’s Theatre proved top small to accommodate tho enormous crowd that tried to gain admission to see the record-breaking film of “The Man They Could Not Hang.” Many hundreds were turned away disappointed at not being able to even obtain standing room. The last two- nights are announced, and patrons who have not yet been able to obtain admission are' advised to be at tho theatre before the advertised time of screening. This is the only opportunity of seeing this remarkable film before it leaves Wellington. Frederick Haldane delivers his thrilling and descriptive oration at each of the five sessions throughout tho day. PIANOFORTE RECITAL. ■

The pianoforte recital given by Miss Constance Leatham in the Concert Chamber last night had been the subject of keen anticipation by music lovers, and consequently there was a largo attendance. Miss Leatham is a New Zealander, the daughter of Dr Leatham, of New ‘Plymouth, and New Zealanders have every reason to he proud of her, and will doubtless have more reason still, for she has remarkable talent, and should go far in her profession. Sho gave a programme of great variety, such as only the most talented could attempt, and displayed remarkable stamina and virtuosity in the execution thereof. As a feat of memory alone it was something to marvel at, while she displays a masterly technique which showed that sho had been a deep and serious student of her art. Tim was evidenced by the manner in which she presented the difficult “Toocato and Fugue in D Minor,” bv Baoli-Tausig, a Jong and serious study wherein the player showed masterly skill, and a firmness of touch equal to any male, player. “The Appassionato” of Beethoven likewise gave the performer the opportunity, to show her _ skill and intelligence, which sho did to the full for a young performer, and it was altogether a remarkable performance. A Rhapsodie and Scherzo, Op. 4, by Brahms followed, both played with force and virility. Two Chopin studies were played and the Valse in G Flat, and hero tlie performer showed her versatility, also in' the same composer’s Nocturne, Op. 48, while for hei final number she showed wisdom in choosmg the well-known Polonaise (Op. 53), with its dignified periods, to winch sho gave full effect. Two studies by Debussy figured on the programme, “Clair do Lune,” in which the player gave full value to the clear ringing note of the descriptive passages, and tho pastoral-like “Paseepied.” “The Pilgrim’s Chorus.” from Tannhauser, a difficult numbt*r, arranged by Liszt from Wagner’s opera, and the “Spinning Song,” from the “Flying Dutchman.” wore also included and exemplified two different types of playing, both finely presented. Altogether tho artist thoroughly deserved tho warm appreciation shown her by the audience, and a further performance by her will bo looked for with keen anticipation.