ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10956, 19 July 1921, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE GILBERT AND.-SULLIVAN. “lOLANTHE" LAST NIGHT, Once more the popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas was evidenced by the packed house that greeted the first performance or “lolantlie" at the Opera House last night. To those who had never either read or seen “lolanthe" the evening must have been one of joyful sui’prise- The unexpectedness of Gilbert's libretto; the whimsical humour of the shepherd and shepherdess, with their pipes and their ribands in contact with a modern Lord Chancellor in rusty Bombazine, and the resolution of the facies that, touching young Strephon, “into Parliament he 6hall go," followed by a wonderful' tableau of Palace Yard, Westminster —all these elements ’in the opera combine to make it affectionately remembered. Strephon, well played by John Ralston, restrained his voice with judgment in the duet with Phyllis (Alisa Patti Russell), “None, Shall Part Us," in which Miss Russell successfully shared. Miss Russell looked the.part of the Watteau shepherdess, and pleased everyone in her tuneful solo, “For Riches and Rank." A finely-played role was that of the Chancellor, by Charles*-Wal.enn, n legal luminary of wrinkled and learned aspect, though suffering from a heavy cold. His demure sense of fun in the enforced ‘distribution of pretty wards-, clever delivery of the “Nightmare Song/* and fantastic dance in the trio of the second act, led to repeated encores. James Hay, as Karl Tololler and Frederick Hobbs, as Earl Mount-Ararat, assumed the correct patrician air as two swells of the 'seventies. Mr Hay 6ang “Blue iUood" tunefully, and Mr Hobbs gave a virile rendering of “When Britain Really Ruled the Waves." Albert was perfectly in place as Private Willis, whose wooden-headed reflections find voice in melodious . song. ’ The friendship quartette wen4r well, during which the noble lords might reasonably have shown more surprise at the. intrusion of the sentry on guard. Molly Tyrell, as the exponent of the Fairy Queen, .gave a very promising interpretation, and was at her best in “O, Chancellor "Unwary/* and the '‘Speech of Doom." Thelma Carter, as lolanthe, brought out plenty of pathos in the scene with the faithless Chancel- : lor, realising the strain of tender sentiment in the allusion to the suffering of woman in the scene of human life, which makes the character important. Leila, ,Celia and Fleta were safe in the hands of Beyrl Walkley, Jessie Caffyn and Grace Crotty. The choral work was first-class, but the orchestra was somewhat heavy, being often . well above the voices, “lolanthe" be repeated this even,lng.

f “CHU CHIN CHOW." ORIENTAL, EXTRAVAGANZA.

"A musical extravaganza df the Orient" aptly describes “Chu Chin The world's wonder show will be staged at the Grand Opera House on next Tuesday night, the 2Cth inst., under the direction of J. C. WiUiamson, Ltd. It is absolutely beyond anything previously seen in the way of stagecraft. It i 6 a version of the old story, “The Forty Thieves," unrolled before the eyes as imagination paints it, and realised in a gorgeous vista of pastern spectacle. There are fifteen scenes, each one o| dazzling splendour and allurement, suggestive of mystery and wealth. Girls of faecinatnig form, musfc of haunting refrain, and stagingthat astounds one with its grandeur, are magical enchantments in this great dramatic pageant. The “Chu Chin Chow" as produced in* New Zealand is a replica of the London and Australian produce tions. VThe box plans for the first six nights and two matinees will be open at the Bristol to-morrow (Wednesday) morning. As showing the demand for seats. Mr W. F. Russell, the touring manager of the company, has ibeen. advised by telegram that within a few hours after the box plan opened at Hastings yesterday every seat in circle and stalls had been booked for the two nights on which the production will he staged. THE KING’S. "PEACEFUL VALLEY." . The "star” attraction, at the Kind’s Theatre this week is Smith Russell’s famous stage success, "Peaceful Valley,” j which has ibeen charmingly picturised,! with. Charles Ray, the popular cinema, star, playing the leading role in his 1 favourite part of a ’’hick.” '‘Peaceful Valley” was for years one of the most popular footlight attractions in America, Smith Russell, playing the leading role, registered his greatest success in it. As a vehicle for Charles Ray it is especially suitable, and in it the young star hrujj done some of the greatest work of his j screen career. Ann May, the charming, little motion picture actress, who has ( been Charles Ray’s leading woman in, many other pictures, has the chief femi-1 nine role in "Peaceful Valley.” Included l in tho programme is a most mirthful: cdmedy, “A Trayful of Trouble.” A pleasureable addition to the pictures is the singing by the Lyric Quartettp, and the King’s Grand Orchestra renders an attractive programme. There will be a repetition nightly till Friday. ■ EVERYBODY’S. "MY HUSBAND’S OTHER WIFE” "‘My Husband's Other Wife” now being screened at Everybody's Theatre, presents beautiful Sylvia Breanjer, Australia’s ‘successful star” in the “my” of the title Big and virile is Warren Chandler Ai iis 1016 of Husband.' A delicately beautiful, and talented actress in May McAvoy is the "ocher wife*” while the cast of princpials is completed by Robert Gordon, as the young man who devoutly hopes that ‘‘my husband” really has another wife. The picture, with a new angle on divorce has a tensity that is most absorbing, and a fine climax that fades into a beautiful and noble finals, impressive to a degree. There are excellent supporting films. THE EMPRESS "THE HOUSE OF INTRIGUE.” The chief attraction of the aurrent programme at the Empress Theatre is "The House of Intrigue,” in which an unusually interesting story is w-oven round the circumstances of an. actress out of work, and ready to commit suicide, so keen is her desperation at her non-success. To her, while cogitating over her situation in the park, comes an old man with - a 'tempting offer for a night’s impersonation of a well-lnnown heiress. This thlT girl accepts promptly, and eventuallv finds out that she is expected to oommit a forgery. As the star Peggy May, a celebrated Einglish actress, who makes her American debut in this picture, is pretty and satisfying in the role of the young actress, while a competent oast of well-known actors is seen in support- Among the auxiliary pictures is another episode of the popular serial, “The Silent Avenger.” THE DANISH CARUSO. ARRIVAL AT SYDNEY. Palmetto, described as ‘ “the Danish Caruso,” has arrived in Sydney from Irdda and the East, where he appeared before the King of Siam at Norasingh House, Sumatra. This artist*was bom in Copenhagen, and left the Royal School of Music with a scholarship Which gain-, fed him further tuition under Professor Dovellere at the Paris Conservatoire. After singling the regular operatic repertoire at Copenhagen, he left Denmark in 1908 for the United States, which he hm toured four times, and he has also appeared in South. America, South Africac, and other col ntrie®. During various concert appearances in England he was accorded , tho patronage of Queen Alexandra.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE,

A MOST ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME, A << bumper" house assembled at His Majesty's Theatre last night for the first presentation by Messrs Ben and Joan Fuller's New Musical Comedy Company of breezy, bright, and tuneful comedy, “Robinson Crusoe Junior." Right from the start the success of the comedy was' niever for a moment in doubt. The principals are well chosen, the chorus and ballet are strong, the soenery of the Ijest, and the spArkling dialogue, the songs, and the musid, most admirably rendered bv an augmented orchestra under the baton of Mr Frank Crowther, leave nothine to be desiredThe opening scefee in The Crab and Lobster Inn, that on the deck of the “Good Ship Salley," and the coral island in the South' Seas are specially good. Miss Daphne Leigh, as Polly Perkins, makes a very dainty fisher maid, and she quickly sang and danced her way to the hearts of the audience; while Miss Daisy Yates, tall, beautiful, and graceful, is very as Doris, the niece of the 'landlord and landlady— or> we ought rather to say. the landlady Mid the landlord—of The Crab and Lobster Inn. She excels both as a singer and a dancer, and was especially well ‘heard in 'Maggie Maggie." in the duets with Mr Yorke Gray, “You Know What I Mean," and “Just My Style." and in the very amusing quartette “The Army A, B. C* with Miss t>© Lara and Messrs Gray and Crawford. Miss de Lara by-theby is tke very much better half # of the lannlord of' the Crab and Lobster Inn (Mr Dan Weldon). As the hen-peeked husband lie is very good indeed and his dame also deserves a special, meed of praise.' Mr Jack McKelliget, as Will Atkins, a sailor, sings some very good songs, the best of 'his items being. per ; haps "The Wedding of Molly Malone, though this was run very closely by "Life of the Sea.” His duet, "Hiawatha’s Melody of Love,’ with \ Miss Anita Green, the fascinating fairy of the coral island, was very greatly enjoyed; as also was that young lady’s fine solo, “The Garden of the Gods.’ The role of Robinson Crusoe Junior is in the. very able hands of Mr Yorke Gray; while Messrs Ernest Crawford (as the captain of Crusoe’s yacht), Walter ‘ Johnston (as a confidence trick mar)., and Kennedy Allen (as his confederate), fill their jrespective parts well and are responsible for a good deal of the fun and go of the niece. Miss Ins McKenzie contributed a verv pretty solo dance, and _ The Country AAance and the Dane® of the Sea Shells" also deserve special mentlThe first part of the programme is a most attractive vaudeville entertainment in which such favourites as Magme Foster, the popular violunste, Baron, the clever ventriloquist. Dorp Walla<£. the singing vagabond, Carlton and Roslyn, London, and Nat Hanly greatly delighted the large and appreciative audience. This most enjoyable programme will be repeated throughout the week. ERNEST DRAKE RECITAL. Wat.T- on THURSDAY. Considerable interest has been caused in musical circles by the return to New Zealand of Ms Ernest Drake, the popular tenor, who is giving a -recital m the Town Hall on Thursdav evening next, when a musical treat of the highest order is anticipated. At a concert given ia tie ■ Roval Albert Hail, London, his singing of "Your Tinv Hand is Frozen; created a furore. The' immense audience cheered him to the echo, to which, he had to respond with: a treble encore. Mr Drake possesses a natural vocal gift and artistic temperament which has already placed him in the forefront of our leading English lyric tenons He will be ably supported by Miss Clarice Wood a most talented pianist. Miss Dorothv Baker, solo violinist, and Miss Molly Dixon, soprano. The box plan is now open at the Bristol. ..