ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10848, 14 March 1921, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S. ATTRACTIVE VAUDEVILLE. The weekly change of programme to be presented by Ben and John Fuller at llis Majesty’s Theatre to-night will he signalised by the first appearance in New Zealand of the famous Vardel Brothers, of international reputation. Having just concluded a most successful tour of the Bast, this big act has been engaged to appear throughout the Fuller circuit. 3 Commenting upon the acrobatic feat rer- , formed by the Vardel Brothers, the "Syd- . ney Morning Herald” said: —“The most exciting of the new items was the wonderful gymnactiC' performance by ihe Vardel Brothers, including what they , term ‘The Slide for Life.' In this hazardous trick one of the brothers climbed ! a single pole ladder to the roof of the 3 stage, beyond the view of the audience, , and at a given word from his partner, j who was then pendant at arms’ length from a trapeze, he dived breast forc- , most on to a slippery chute arranged at ’ a precipitous angle, and as he shot up- ; wards and outwards off the end, l'e ■ turned a somersault and was then caught while head downwards by his • feet locked into the waiting feet of his suspended brother. It was a really thrilling trick, strongly spiced with danger. ’ Harrington Reynolds is to make his reappearance in an entirely i new act. From Ms inexhaustible repertoire, Leonard Nelson is to give now congs and stories, topical and otherwise. , Emerald and Dupre, whose soldier skits have been so much appreciated by Fuller audiences, are to appear in an entirely new sketch along the same line as their offering of last week. Some really firstclass dancing and comedv of the first order are promised by Evans and Deen. Alberto, ‘ The Gay Deceiver,” will again deceive his audience, and relieve the strain with his homorous witticisms. Vears and Carbassi, James Schofield, Sumas and Adelaide Taylor complete a bill which should draw crowded houses throughout the week. SHAKESPEAREAN SEASON TO-NIGHT "A MIDSUMMER ’NIGHT’S DREAM." Mr A. Stanley Warwick will produce "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" for a short season of three nights in the Town Hall concert Camber, commencing this evening at 7.45. It is a big undertaking to provide a full orchestra for a function of this character in the concert chamber, but having regard to the requirements of Mendelssohn’s beautiful music Mr Warwick has spared no expense in engaging as good an orchestra as possible, this being under the direction of Mr Woodward. An excellent response has been made by educational establishments and a large number of seats has been booked, It is, therefore, wisest for oil those who are desirous of seeing this production to secure their seats at the Bristol Piano Co. A good level cast will interpret the play, and it is hoped that the lack of ■ scenery will not be keenly felt, but Mr , Warwick feels tbat Tather than offer i something totally inadequate it is better \ to be without altogether, and trust the ' magic of the wordß and the beauty of - the music to carry the performances to ■ a successful issue. It is hoped that all | intending to be present will note the con- j i dition under which tickets are sold, as ' to conserve time the play will he prac- 1 ticallv continuous, and no admission c will be given after the commencement 1 of overture until the end of the first 1 act. i ] A MUSICAL TREAT. 1 MADAME JESSIE* STRATHEARN’S t RECITALS. < After the enthusiastic reception given * to Madame Jessie Strathearn, A.R.A.M., 1 at her recent Auckland recitals, Welling- 1 tonians can look forward to this lady’s visit to the Town Hall here with anticipation of something really good. Madame Stratheam’s versatility is remarkable, j and her programmes are ‘'popular” in the best sense of the word, ranging from operatic airs from ‘‘Faust,’’ "Carmen,” and "The Pirates of Penzance/’ to na- I tional ballads and songs which are also 1 interspersed With recitations. ‘ Although Madame Strathearn’s magni- 5 ficent voice will undoubtedly draw big t audiences to the Town Hall, Hie fact t that she is making this tour on behalf 6 of the very poor of the East End of J London will make a strong appeal to the ’■ public. She has cancelled six months* 8 professional engagements in order to e raise ,£30,000 for the famous West Ham a Central Mission, Barking road, London. 1 Every Londoner knows of the splen- a did work that is done in the worst of I London slums by this absolutely nneoe- i tarian mission. By the poor of West j Ham it is regarded as their own insti- v tution, and its workers are known per- E Penally to practically everyone In the e district. -

The old building in which this great work has been carried on for many years is entirely obsolete, besides which, the various activities ol the mission Work have completely outgrown their present accommodation.' It is essential that a new building be provided without delay, and it is to this purpose that the proceeds of Madame Stratheam’s tour will be devoted. The recitals will be given In the large Town Hall next Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings, the I9th, 21st, and 22nd instants. Popular prices are announced in our advertising columns. DAvii~CUP FILM. ARTCRAFT AND PARAMOUNT. The motion picture of the tennis matches for the Davis Cup played in Auckland is a most comprehensive representation of this international match, and for this Big Chief Production are to be highly complimented on the work they have turned out. Every move of the players can be studied almost os well as if one were viewing the actual games. This film starts with the teams Landing. Then come® the practice games, in which each player is seen in a close up view serving and receiving. Just before the actual play commences the GovernorGeneral (Lord Jellicoe) arrives. The contestants are featured, and then the actual game, finishing with a view of both teams. "THE BRANDED WOMAN.” AT EMPRESS THEATRE ‘‘The Branded Woman” starring Norma Talmadge at the Empress Theatre, concerns an innocent girl who, in spite of a vengeful mother, came triumphant through the valley of doubt, and achieved her highest victory. The outstanding features of the picture are the personality and fin© acting of Norma Talmadge. Her impersonation of the guileless young girl, fresh from refined training and clean environment, is sweet and refreshing. In the difficult role of a pure-minded wife she is forced to bear alone a secret sorrow, not daring to take her husband into her confidence —this is very fine. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “SWEET AND TWENTY.” "Sweet and Twenty” is the Btory of a young naval officer, who returning on leave finds that during his absence, bis brother has attempted to alienate bis sweetheart’s affections. His suspicions are confirmed later bv her actions. A court-martial leads to his dismissal from the service. He returns home after having been to the colonies where he has made good, and finds that his beloved has remained true to him ,and their reunion makes a very touching story. There is a Chaplin comedy, entitled "The Squarehead,” also a Ford Travelogue scenic, and the latest Topioal Bttd-Q-jOt-

EVERY BODY’S. "HUMORESQUE." It iseaid that a picture with a greater appeal than "Humoresque” has never bean made. It & a pot pound of all the sweetness and greatness of motherlove, blended with some of the humours and some of the pathos of everyday Mfe. The story, the fine directing, and the very good acting, all contribute to make "Humoresque” the beautiful production that it is. "Humoresque,” besides be ing a most artLstdc picture, Is) al6o one which everyone as sure to enjoy, whether he cares >» rap for artistic effects or not- It holds and moves one to laughter and tears just because it is human and real. When it la finished all agree it is an excellent production. It is woven from that of which human lives are made. At the CToning sessions a full orchestra plays suitable music. The supporting programme includes a Rolir, comedy, "All Dressed Up,” featuring Snub Pollard, also tile Futhe Gazette shows some Interesting views of the world’s greatest happenings. KING’S THEATRE. MISS LANCELEY AND THE MELODY MAIDS. Immediately it became known tbat Miss Carrie Lanceley and her Melody Maids had been engaged for the King’s Theatre there was a rush to hook seats. The King’s is noted for its big attractions, but never before in the history of this popular house hoe the demand tot seats been so great, evidencing the fact that Miss Came Lanceley and her Maids had, to use an Americanism, "made good.” Miss Lanceley is a soprano. of exceptional range and quality, and her ability is evidenced in the laudatory comments of critics. The Melody Maids are: Miss Cecils Stevens, known as "the girl who makes the violin eobj" Mbw Doris Middleton, solo 'cellist t and Miss Irene Watts, pianisto and entertainer, Miss Lonoeley and her Melody Maids will occupy the stage for about forty-five minutes, and they appear shortly after eight o’clock. On Wednesday afternoon the party will appear' in conjunction with the King’s grand orchestra. During each evening this week an attractive picture programme, headed by the Marshall Neilan masterpiece, "Don't Ever Marry," -will be screened. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol until 6 pm., after that hoar at ihe King's Or by tolitihening 22-21 ISLAND BAY THEATRE, _ "VIRGIN Off STAMBOUL." Island Bay has now an added attraction in the form, of an excellent picture theatre, and if comfort, music, choice of films, and good production oouni for anything the theatre has oome to gtay. The Universal Picture Theatre la situated in Humber street. Island Bay, and wae packed to the doom on Saturday evening, when it was officially opened by Councillor J. O. Shorland, who referred to the suitability of such a theatre for Island Bay and the conveatenc# offered for residents to see the latest pictures in their own district. The management have spared no effort to make the theatre a rendezvous for picture-lovers and every comfort is offered to patrons. The theatre has been decorated., new lighting systems installed, and comfortable tip-up neats have been provided throughout the building. But above all the management announce that the programme will ba changed three times each week, and only the most superior films will he selected. The star picture on the first programme, “The Virgin of Stamboul, is admittedly one of the finest pictures ever produced, and for those who were unfortunate enough not to see the picture when screened at the Grand Opera House a few weeks ago the opportunity is presented again at the Universal Theatre to-night. The picture was rapturously applauded on, Saturday. The picture is of unusual type and breathes the atmosphere of Eastern life, showing the mosque* of Constantinople and the Arabian desert as a background for an exceedingly mysterious story. In the leading role Priscilla Dean is seen to advantage as a little beggar girl of the strets, and later on as "The Virgin of Stamboul.” i

In addition, a delightful Universal comedy, entitled "Bear Skinned Beauties,” and the first sensational episode of the great serial entitled "The Vanishing Dagger*’ contributed to an exceptionally fine programme. The first change of programme will be presented to-morrow night when another specially selected and attractive programme will be submitted an exceptionally good film in "Spinner o' Dreams," showing for the first time in Australasia, and featuring Basil Gill, one of the most promising of British actors, supported by Odette Gaimboult, a clever actress with a charming personality.