ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10924, 11 June 1921, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

‘ HUMPTY-DUMPTY” PANTOMIME AT OPERA HOUSE. A SPARKLING PERFORMANCE. Bright, breezy, and hustling, going with tho greatest vim and verve from start to finish, the Williamson pantomime* “Humpty Dumpty,” which achieved such. a signal success on its first presentation to a Wellington audience on Wednesday, again drew and delighted a bumper house at the Grand Opera House last night. The striking tableaux, the splendid scenery, the elaborate dAs acs, the gorgeous colour efteets. the catchy songs and music, the ballets, the march!?®, and the amazing ac-robatic feats, make u)> a lout ensemble brilliant, fascinating, and most entertaining. Tbe Wedgwood rotunda, tlie desert gates, and Poppyland were particularly pleasing scenic effects. Miss Beatrice Allen makes a most popular principal hoy; and her sweot sonrnno, with its youthful freshness, is heard to great advantage, especially in the items “Swanee” and "Springtime.” Beautiful and charming, Miss Marie Fanchonetti is a most engaging heroine. She both plays and acts well, and her songs were greatly appreciated: tho best numbers being perhaps, ‘Rose of Love” ahd “The Blue Lagoon.” With a wonderful make-up Albert Le Fre, as the skittish old “Dame,” is responsible for a largo share of the fun and go of the pantomime. His comic songs and excellent funny business are greatly enjoyed by hotly old and voung. As the bucolic villain, “Pipeliin,” Hector St. Clair proves a great mirth-provoker; as also does Mr Fdward. Brett as King Ptolemy, of Hu.mptiland. Especially hilarious is the scene in which he sells the queen a sewmg-nTachine. Los Sterling is ‘great” as the Prime Minister; Miss Vera Savage, six feet of grace and dignity, gives a most capable interpretation of the role of the Sorceress. Of the children, little Nellie Barnes is a. great favourite, lier singing of “I Want a Daddy” evoking loud applause. Dancing constitutes a generous portion of the programme. Clever, alert and ornamental work is given by Miss Melville and Alec. McPherson in the solo dances of “A Young Man’s Fancy,” “The Butterfly,’’ and “The Phea-» sant.” Novel and striking scenery of feet and tuneful singing by Miss Mary Harris make the 'first-mentioned perhaps the most enjoyable feature of the programme. Ray McLean is a decided “refresher” in lus eccentric dances, and Miss Sullivan is associated with Mr McPherson in the quaint chicken ballet, appropriate staging effect ana dressing contributes their portion to dancing of a very artistic order. Notable work throughout is performed by 4k'iginal ballets, sandwiched between effective numbers by the principals, and tlie Lecardo brothers show acrobatic skill of - a sensational and hair-raising type. . There is to he a matinee this afternoon, in addition to the usual evening performance.

"THE PREY.” AT EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Alice Joyce, the bSeautdful and charming photo-play actress, is featured at Everybody’s Theatre this week as Helen Reardon, the heroine of the sensational drama of society, finance, and politics, ‘‘The Prey.” Slie is seen first as a young girl in love, engaged, life all sweetness and joy; then as a startled, shocked young woman, believing her lover untrue to her; as a loving daughter grieving over her beloved father’s tragic death: and as an anxious sister, desperately fearful of .prison for her erring brothei. It is a play with great crashing moments of drama, a story of unsuspected twistings and turnings which create suspense ; a picture that adds more laurels to the crown and prestige to the fame of the beautiful star, .Alice Joyce.

To save her brother from prison —to keep untarnished the honourable fMme of her weak father—she had cast aside tho man she loved, and who loved her; and she had married the financier into whose net her father and brother had fallen. Then she found that she had thrown away all that made life worth living, and she was tied to a man whose only use for her, was the furthering of his nefarious schemes—. who had neither respect nor love f&r her—and who didn’t scruple, to make his wife the jest and byword of his accomplices. It is an age old truth that the heart of a woman may heat as sadly beneath silks and sating as beneath more humble garb; and the wealth and luxury with which Helen was surrounded gave no hint of the heart-aclie with whioh each day bringing more humiliation, greeted her. In ‘‘Tlie Prey” you see a beautiful woman, charming and fascinating, run the gamut of all the emotions, from horror and acorn, through grief, anxiety, misery, and loathing, to amazed and awed happiness. You see love and honour pitted against trickery and corruption; a girl awakening to the network of deceit that is being built around her and the man she loves, hut to whom she, being married, is inaccessible; realising the value of the love she has lost and finally with her lover fighting tho crooked ring her husband control® and sacrificing her good name in the sacred cause of law and honour —a saorifice that fortunately was prevented by the intervention of a timely providence. The supporting films —‘‘Mir Fatima,” a most mirth-inspiring comedy; a very fine Post-Nature scenic; and an interesting “Pathe Gazette”—round off a very excellent programme, which, greatly enjoyed by large houses yesterday, will bo repeated continuously to-day and throughout the next week.

THE EMPRESS “THE LAMB AND THE LION.” , The dainty musical-comedy star, Bil!io Rhodes, is stoned in the principal role in “The Lamb and the Lion,” nowbeing screened at the ever-popular Empress Theatre. This absorbing comedydrama tells in picturesque fashion a mo3t interesting story. “The Lamb” is “Boots,” a girl waif, quick-witted and beautiful, born a lady, but reared in a den of thieves. Taught to he a househreaker. she was transported into a home of luxury and refinement, and there becamo the victim of many exciting experiences. “The Lion,” tho mas-ker-thief, loved her like a father. "Boots” is _ captured and becomes tangled up in the scheme for revenge of a. society queen; and the sensational banner in which “The Lion” found her is told in/ a photo-play full of suspense, thrills, humour, and adventure. In. reality “Boots” went house-breaking for monetary reward, but instead she entered society and . stole—a husband. Hie irony of the thing was that the man whose life a female plotter intended that she should unconsciously wreck, was the one she was fated to marry. Cupid was also abroad that night, and effected entrances to two more? hearts. ■ “The Lamb and the Lion” shows Billie Rhodes as a boy burglar in seven league boots; how real

burglars operate in a midnight raid on a fashionable residence; Billie Rhodes as a “flapper” feeding her educated pig from a baby’s bottle; a sensational climax .to a fashionable wedding; a girl burglar in boy’s clothes captured by a society queen; a gang of crooks held up by a gun girl: how a vampire was vanquished; and the burglar debutante. The photo-drama, wihch was greatly enjoyed by large houses yesterday, will be repeated to-day, and throughout the coming week. The programme also includes an ■ interesting “Gaumont Graphic,” some very excellent “Kinograils,” and a further episode in the stirring serial, “The Silent Avenger.” HIS MAJESTY'S. AN ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME. -- . Fullers’ Vaudeville Company appeared before another numerous audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when every item of an attractive programme was enthusiastlly received. Among the chief contributors to the current bill are Mr Philip Newbury (operatic tenor), Raglus (ball juggler and comedian), the Cookes (equilibrists and acrobats), Mr “C” and Miss Maud Courtenay, Miss Nellie Kolle, and Clivalli and his performing dogs. There will be the usual matinee to-daj and repetition this evening. AN HISTORICAL PICTURE. 50,000 MILES WITH THE PRINCE. At the Town Hall, Wellington, on Saturday next, 18th inst., will he screened for the first time in the Dominion tlje official motion picture record of the recent Empire tour of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The films were taken by Captain William Barker, who was appointed official photographer of the tour by His Majesty the King, and depict in a concise yet comprehensive manner every event ot importance connected with the tour. ‘The Digger Prince” is • prominent in every scene, and throughout maintains the graceful manner which his future subjects have come to know so well. From England the spectator is taken in company ■ with tlie Prince to Barbados, Panama, San Diego, Fiji, Now Zealand, and Australia, and in every country the principal functions are recorded in a manner that no written word could possibly do. The London ‘‘Evening Standard,” in referring to the pictures when recently presented in the world’s metropolis, said: “The most interesting and intimate record of a Royal tour ever presented to tho public. ... It 'is also a peculiarly live historical document. The thought occurs when watching a, film of this character that we to-day are compiling for fenerations yet to come a new kind of istory. ... A film of national importance. Thousands will be delighted to see the picture of the ceremony “Crossing the Line,” when the Prince was lathered by the minions of King Neptune and- flung to the mercy of his bears. This film is not only a remarkable kinematographic achievement, but it is also a, unique historical record.” Fifty per cent, of the earnings from Ule picture goes to the Navy Sports Fund, 5 per cent, to the Prince of Wales’s Boy Scouts’ Appeal Fund, and 5 . per cent, to the Dominion Boy Scouts Fund. Local Boy Scouts are now engaged selling tickets, which entitles buyers * preference in reserving seats. The- box plans open at the Bristol on Thursday morning next. QUEER'S THEATRE AN ALL-STAR PROGRAMME. The programme selected for this week’s change at the (queen’s Theatre, Cuba street, contains two films of more than ordinary merit. The “All-British” production ‘‘l ho Castle of Dreams” heads the list of pictures, while-“ The “Spender,” produced by the Metro Company, runs it very closely. A feature of the “Queen’s” is the clear and distinct way that the details of a picture are projected on tlie screen. The boauful photograph, for which the English and American companies are noted, are enhanced by the way they are presented to patrons, a factor which adds to the popularity of this house of entertainment. “Tlie Castle of Dreams” is a human study and brings into prominence the wonderful bond that exists between husband and wife through the instrumentality_ of a child. Mairiago between the middle-aged and youit-h is not always a successful union. Those who have borne the brunt and burden of a busy life—it is said'that this is especially the case with men—are apt to misinterpret high-spiritedness in a youthful wife and consequently a rupture takes place. In ‘The Castle of Dreams” husband and wife are separated: the woman longs for gaiety and pleasure, neglects her home and child, bulb when the parting takes place it is the child that holds her heart-strings. Her love is ever' present, and through the child a reconciliation is eventually effected. It is a pretty story, and one that appeals. “Tlie Spender” is in the nature of a comedy, but underlying it there is presented a picture study of an everyday life enactment showing that there is a chord in the hardest of hearts which if touched will bring ont all that is noble and good, and successfully turn a deep-seated-lust for wealth into generous philanthropy. The supporting pictures are topical and add.to the lustre of an excellent programme, which will be presented for the next fixe days.

THREE MODERN PLAYS. MR STANLEY WARWIOK

Mr A. Stanley Warwiok is catering for both literary and dramatic tastes in hie offering at the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Thursday and Friday, June 23rd and 24th, of Yeates’s delightful one-act play, “The Land of Heart’s Desire,” and the tense little drama, “The Bishop’s Candlesticks,” also a short playlet arranged from a poem _by Marston will be- performed by Misses Julie Maris, Jean McLay, and Peggy Macdonald. Entirely new scenery has been made for’ this production, and full lighting effects and costumes will be .used. An orchestra under Mr Braund will render the incidental music. The usual concession to schools and_ colleges is announced, and, owing to inquiries having already been made, it will be necessary to secure seats at the Bristol ■ Piano Company, the plan opening next week.

SKATING. COLOSSEUM RINK. The exhilarating pleasure that is to be obtained by a whirl on wheels over a floor that is as perfect as it is possible to make it has developed into almost a erase. The 'Colosseum Rink in Vivian street is the Mecca of hundreds of citizens, and at each session the floor contains its full complement of skaters, whale the galleries are filled with spectators. So popular has the sport become that at the evening session the applications for admission would bo sufficient to fill a hall twice the size of the present building. The success lies to a marked degree in the management 'and in this respect Mr A. L. Power, who has had a wide experience in the Conduct of skating ranks, excels. Nothing of the slightest nature that may cause annoyance to patrons is permitted, fast skating is not allowed, and those who dwire to indulge in fancy skating are oai ; permitted to- do so m the centre of the floor. A learners’ session is in progress, and dinting the week a large number of la-

dies have been taught the fascinating art. The proprietors have spared no expense in catering for the pufolic, the staff consist of skilled artists, and. under such excellent management and conditions the undertaking is bound to succeed.

THE KING’S. SCREENING OF “THE SCOFFER.” “The Scoffer,” which is now being screened at “The King’s,” is the title of a mixed, but strong picture story, which begins in a metropolis and ends in the almost unpeopled West of America. The role of hero is filled by Allan Dwan. To begin with, the two principals in the drama are Wayne, a worthy, God-respecting doctor, and his former college friend Richards, a doctor of evil practice. The mistress of Richards is cured of a nerve disease by Wayne, and eventually Wayne and the woman marry. Neither knows the other is an old acquaintance of Richards. Tiring of the religious Wayne, the womanin the course of time decamps with Richards. Richards lays a trap for Wayne, who is sentenced to a long term of imprisonment on a charge of performing a certain operation. Wayne’s faith fails to stand the test of great adversity; he becomes a scoffer, a hater of everything. Released from prison, he seeks the solitude of the West. He hits a. rough town and signalises bis entry by thrashing a man he sees illtreating a. dog. He mends the dog’s broken leg, but when asked to attend to the arm of the man he has thrashed he declines “to stoop so low as to help a man.” Neither will he attempt the cure of a hoy who has been crippled by aa-inebriated parent. He is filled with hate; he sneers and scoffs at everything. “God has done this to the boy; let Him undo it.” The persuasiveness of a lovable girl fails to induce him to cure the boy. Then she challenges him to undo what God has done. He accepts the challenge and while the operation on the boy is in progress an electrical storm rages. The light by which he is working goes out, the boy’s life is in the balance, and the surgeon is helpless. He realises he is beaten—that without the help of God he is powerless—and. the scoffer cries to Heaven for help, for light to work by. At that moment the lightning causes a fire not far away, and by the light of a burning building the operation is successfully finished. But the point of tlie story is the defeat of the Bcoffer. OPERATIC MUSIC. CESARONI AND STUDENTS’ RE-* ‘ OITAL. A treat is said to be in store *for lovers of operatic music, when, on next Tuesday night, in the Concert’ Chamber of the Town Hall, Signor Lucien Oesaroni and student* will give a recital. Amongst the attractive items on the programme will he the Grand Finale from Donizetti’s “La Favorite” (for piano and quintette); also the duet from the same opera for mezzo-soprano. and baritone. Signor Cesaroni’s numbers will include the famous “Piff Faff,” from Meyerbeer’s “Les Huguenots,” an item with a range of two and a half octaves; also the prologue to “Othello,’ for the first time in Wellington. The box plan is open at the Bristol, and popular prices are being charged.