ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10853, 19 March 1921, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE QUEEN OF SONG.” * MADAME STKATHEARX TO-NIGHT Madame Jessie Strathearn, A.R.A.M(London), will give the first of her concerts in the Town. Hall concert chamber to-night. His Worship the Mayor will occupy the chair. The programme of this entertainment appears in our advertising columns, and certainly presents sufficient variety lo please all tastes. The three concerts which are being given are arranged to appeal to the people, and it is hoped that everybody will take advantage of the moderate prices to 'hear Madame Strathearn. This lady has sacrificed six mouths* professional engagements to undertake this tour for the purpose of raising *£30,000 for the East End London poor, the proceeds to go to the West Ham Central Mission, London.

Madame Strathearn .iras a great favourite with the troops in Prance, and at her recent concerts in Auckland she received a great reception. When Wellington hears this lady she will be just as gladly received here as in the northern city. HIS MAJESTY'S. PULLERS’ VAUDEVILLE. The well-sustained popularity of this weeka programme by Pu-Mers’ Vaudeville Company was exemplified by another Large audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. Among the chief items are those by Emerald and Dupre, Mr Leonard Nelson, Vears and Carhassi, Mr James »scholfiel<l, and Alberto. customary matinee is announced for to-day, and there will be a repetition this evening. “THE WOMAN WINS/’ AT THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Heading this week’s change of programme at the Empress Theatre is a “Broad tv e6t” British production entitled “The Woman Wins/ The picture is the outcome of a close observation of the realities of life and is a combination of a pretty love story interwoven with villainy. The line of demarcation is skilfully drawn by the author of the story, and the scenes are so full of human interest that the audience is kept enthralled while the threads of the drama arc being unravelled. The brief details of the story are ae follow: —Justin Marsh (S. Creagrh Henry), has the misfortune to lose his wife and her baby by death a*nd in order to secure the control of a fortune that has been, left by a relative to the child of his wife he substitutes another baby, and brings her up as his own daughter. Brenda (hi<s supposed daughter) grows up to be a beautiful woman, and Marsh’s difficulty is to prevent her from marrying as the fortuile then f>assos out of his control. Brenda (Vioet Hopson) becomes engaged to Hugh Fraser, the nephew of Admiral Sir Oathcart Fraser, and on hearing of the attachment Marsh becomes alarmed. His former butler shares his secret and in order to enrich himself envokes the aid of two “crooks” (Raymond Vascour and John Farley). Vascour is the owner of a spurious Banknote plant, and Farley is a clever forger. Together, with tho assistance of Marsh, a trap is laid foT young Fraser, into which he innocently falls, and as a result is sentenced to a term of imprisonment for forgery. Farley, who is kindly treated by Admiral Fraser when fleeing from the police, makes a confession clearing Hugh Fraser’s character. The admiral locks it in his safe and dies before he is able to bring about hie nephew’s release from prison. Brenda learns of the confession, where it is hidden, and the combination which will enable her to open the safe. Then, follows a struggle between a woman’s lord and wits and three ounning rascals, and the delightful natural situations depicted are decidedly interesting. Violet Hopson, who portrays the part of Brenda, does so in an accomplished manner, and there is said to be no greater star engaged in the production of British cinema stories than this typ'ical English beauty. The supporting pictures of the programme are aleo of merit, and include .the Gaumont Graphic and the sixth episode of the serial story, “The Invisible Hand.” The programme will be screened throughout the week at al] sessions. EVERYBODY’S. “THE A.B.C. OF LOVE." The story of love and its romance has been told from time immemorial. It is hoary with age, but ever young as generation succeeds generation. It is entwined with the greatest of possibilities. It makes a- man courageous and fearless, and gives him the "strength and spirit to surmount the many difficult problems that confront him during life’s battle, but when it takes possession of a woman it becomes part of her being, if not her very existence. Love is the acme of oil that is beautiful in nature and its romance will be always evergreen and appealing to the human mind. At Everybody’s Theatre a delightful love story is being unfolded on the screen in this week’s change of programme. It is a Path© production of the highest standard. and is entitled “The A.B.C. of Love.” The etorv is a simple one which makes it fhe more acceptable. It tells of the love of a beautiful young wife for her husband. Harry Bryant (H. E. Herbert), a successful playwright, when travelling -along a country lane in a motor-car happens upon a young girl whose beauty attract hi© attention. The girl gives her name as Kate (Mao Murray), and explain© that all her rola- : tions have died and that she was going fnto the world to seek her fortune. Bryant takes compassion on her and secures ! her a position in a country inn. Kate ! does not remain long in her situation, where sh& is subjected to much unpleasantness and being acquainted with Bryant’s address makes her way to his house for protection. Becoming enamoured with her beauty and innocent ways, Bryant marrfes her. Kate can neitfier read or write., but her Irueband introduces her into Now York society; he. however, tires of her simplicity and adoration of him. Diana Nelson”( Dorothy Green), a designing woman, lures Bryant away from tho affections of his wife. He imagines that the woman is deeply in love with him. and that he has found his affinity. Kate learns of her hu«band’f; visits to Diana Nelson’s home 7ind becomes madly jealous of her. Touching incidents follow, a divorce suit is pending, when Bryant hears that his wife is making mysterious visits to certain apartments. Tn hie turn he becomes jealous of her. and when he discovers that his wife is being taught secretly By a professor of learning to Tead and, write, tho pair are happily reconciled. Tho enacting of tho story is; so orettilv accomplished that it cannot help but please, and is bound to draw largo audiences through the week of screening. Descriptive and other pictures combine to make up an excellent nrograimne. ISLAND BAY PICTURES. “UNDER NORTHERN LIGHTS.” The Universal Picture Theatre at Island Bay was again filled la<st evening, when the delightful picture. "Riders of the Purnle Sage.” was screened for the second time. The picture, which is taken from the popular story written bv Zanc Grey, is one that lends itself admirably to moving pictures. The programme will be changed again this evening. when a gripping picture of the Ouiadinn North-west entitled “Under Northern Lights.” will be screened. The photography of the picture is said to be ouite wnu'-'ual in tbe matter Of scenic effects, having the delightful natural background of the Canadian North-west in wbmh fr> woavo an absorbing plot. \ delightful comedy entitled “Salome Lions. will also be presented *

“THE PARVENUE" QUEEN’S THEATRE. In these days, when we are confronted with post-war difficuiiiee. the word profiteer has a rather ui-taMeniJ ~ou.u<L and the Queen’s Theatre. ( aba !&sc evening was heavily patron:set! when tha excellent picture ontibed "Th* P.menue ' was pre.-eiited i**r the r:rsr tunc. The picture deals with a coarse, inartistic. and an unp/i-hed man who accumulated excessive by reprehensible means, and then set our in tho world to outdo hi- cultured brother, fiom whom he had been separated in inlancy. Jr depict* vividly the difference in some men’s la-tes and. their mode of living. As “The Parvenue/’ .*nci. incidentally, the profiteer, iiaivy Malden is respon-ible for —.-me fine acting. His roaming- to spend money extravagantly lead him to Monte Oa r h*. where lie -ucoecds in spe-nding h:s money. and also making himself objectionable; but it i- not until he euafinds himself confronted by bankruptcy and hi> employees turn against him and rciec.-e the water? of h:«s tremendous dam. that he realise? that monev a?- of secondary consideration. The final scene was niosi exciting, and showed enormous ruin ocV-cted by tho rushing waters. He escapes, however, anJ is forgiven by his brother. Another excellent picture, featuring the world-famed Charlie Chaplin in *‘Tke Driver/’ made pleasing balance to rb© programme, and elicited much hearty laughter. The programme will be repeated to-day, this evening, a®d al* next week. KING’S THEATRE. MI&3 CARRIE LANCELEY AND MELODY MAIDS. There was a full house at the King’s Theatre last evening, when a complete change of programme presented, embracing an exceptionally fine selection of pictures and choice items by Mi«? Carrie Lanceley. the operatic soprano vocalist, and her Melodv Maids. A delightful rendition of the vocal quartette, “Sweet and Low,’’ by Miss Lanceley and company served to introduce their entertainment. The rare vocal gifta of Miss Lanceley were admirably displayed in “Roses of “Jewel Song’’ (from Gounod’s “ifaustiT. “Jr Was a Song You Sang to Ale” Lobr). “Love’s Garden of Koaes.” After each number there was demonstrative applause, and encore s were inserted upon. *ih.’ instrumental contributions were also I timibaghlv artistic, tho best performances being the trio “Salut D Amour 1 ' (Alias Watts, at the piauo, Mias Middle* cou. ’cello, and Mists Steve-is, _ viotin). Miss Stevens's violin solo “Meditation” (Massenet;, and “Minuet,” "cello erdo. by Mi«:s Middleton. A piquant monologue otK-ring, “Jammy Face,” by Miss Watts, was particularly pleasing. The chief attraction of the photo-piays wa© the J. Parker Read, junior “feature’’ dram* “^ex/ 1 The theme is undoubtably a true-to-life portrayal of a strata of society not peculiar only to America, where the scenes are laid The principles are Adrienne .Renault (a brilliant young theatrical dancer?, who is the favourite of the idle rich, married and single; Philip Overman, a wealthy New Yorker, who neglects his wife to pay attention to Adrienne; DfeV# ® young Pittsburgh millionaire; and Daisy Henderson, at. first a demure young stage novitiate, who soon becomes completely sophisticated under the tutorship of the worldly Adrienne. When Overman, neglects his wife she seeks cut Adrienne and appeals to her to discourage Overman’s attentions. Adrienne scoffs at Mrs Overman, who then obtains a divorce. Adrienn*. fall** in love witf* Wallace, and they get married. After a while she discovers that her husband is intriguing with Daisy. There is a powerfully dramatic seen© between Adrienne and Daisy, in Che latter scornfully declines to give upk her lover, thus cruelly wounding the broken-heart-ed Adrienne in the identical way the latter had treated Mrs Overman. The plav is staged on a wonderfully sumptuous* scale, the dresses are superbly stylish and not the least attractive are tne brilliant displays and dances .at a millionaires’ cabaret. Alias Louise Glaum is surprisingly charming as Adrienne, and her efforts are admirably aided by tb* supporting cast. Auxiliary filme include “Motor Racing, Muriwai Beach, Auckland”; “Topical Budget”; “A Bunch of Flivvers” (Halem comedy)! and “Foolish Fish from Sawback.” The incidental music by the King's Grand Orchestra was all that could be desired. True lovers of music will do well to hear Miss Carrie Lanceley and her Maids in their new programme, which, witl* the oictures. will be repeated nightly till Thursday, and at matinees to-day and on Wednesday next. SUNDAY’S LJMELIGHT LECTURE WEST HAM CENTRAL MISSION. As announced in our advertising columns, Sister Kathleen, of the West Ham Central Mission, London, is giving a limelight lecture in the- large Town Hall at a quarter paet eight on Sunday night. The great work that this famous Mission has been doing for many years pa*t In the slums of the East End of London is not sufficiently known at thi« end Of the world, and it is hoped that a good many people will take advantage of this opportunity of hearing the story of tbe self-sacrificing devotion of the Mission workers. The hour for the lecture has been fixed at 3.15 6© as to enable church-goers tc attend. Admission is free.