ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10962, 26 July 1921, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"CHU CHIN CHOW” FAMOUS PRODUCTION TO-NIGHT-The famous spectacular production, "Chu Chin Chow/' which holds the world's record for* the longest run, will be 'presented at the Grand Opera House for the first time to-night at 7.45, in all its sumptuousness and glory. In "Chu Chin Cnow" Oscar Asciie has transmitted to the stage a real Arabian Night's story, visualising its colour and splendour, its romance and comedy in a succession. of magnificent scenes. Besides, being a spectacle, drama and romance, it has a big factor for success in the music which ‘interlaces it. "Any Time’s Kissing Time" hnd "The Ro-bbers' Cho-rus" are two of the most popular numbers, while every Digger who saw the big show in London can whistle "The Cobbler's Song." The dancing is Eastern of the Eastern, and the dressing tho hist word in joyousness. It will he staged by J. C. 'Williamson, Ltd., on the same elaborate scale as prevailed in Australian and Auckland. When it was verified by the production itself that the full show was sent to New Zealand, the Auckland season had to be extended a week to enable the dubious ones, who stood an opportunitv of witnessing "Chu 'Chin Chow." Under no circumstances can the Wellington season be extended, owing to the bookings ahead. The plans for the full season are now open at the Bristol, and day sales for to-night's performance will be sold at Ned Perry’s, tobacconist, Manners street, to-day*. THE KING'S. "HEART O' THE HILLS." In "Heart o' the Hills," the King's has secured a remarkably fine film, with Mary Pickford in the title role. It is a new line the popular Mary pursues, but she fills the position to the full. She takes the part of Mavis a mountain girl, who resolves to avenge the murder <yf. her father. She waits amid the hills of Kentucky for the day on which she may exact full retribution. She is charged with murder, and faces the judge and jury. Called upon to deliver a verdict, the foreman of the jurtv springs to His feet and avows that he, himself, has killed Sanders. Every member of the jury follows his example, each calling the other a liar, and the judge releases her. There is a supporting programme, which, includes th* latest "Topical Gazette." The King's orchestra, under Mr L. D. Austin, Tenders selections from "Chu Chin Chow," and Mr Lionel Fairfax is heard in Kipling's ''Route Marchin'

EVERYBODY'S. "THE VICE' OP FOOLS." At Everybody's "The Vice of Fools" is being screened. It is an interesting picture, and the story concerns. in particular, a young couple, wUo, likt, hundreds of others, allow their infatuation to get the better of commoiinsenw. Maidon Roger's love affair with Cameron West is broken ujp by her mother, whose disapproval is so ev.ident that Cameron gets discouraged. He develops an Infatuation for Diana a flirtatious society debutante. Marion watches the progress of the affair regretfully, and then decides to foflget it by accepting the attention of Wingate, an adept in the love game. Diana also is encouraging # Wingate, and is discovered flirting with him by Cameron, who de-cides-that the quickest way to cure her is to marry her. This he does, and the events which follow are dramatic in the extreme. However, much of what appeared hopeless works out well. The supporting pictures include "The Nuisance," ,a humorous film featuring Jimmy Audrey. THE EMPRESS. , "'THE WHITE DOVE." "The White Dove," the principal picture now being shown at the Empress Theatre, is described. as an appealing l story. It is the tale of a man whose ideal of a white dove is shattered by rather tragic discoveries. He is intent on preventing his ward from marrying a man whom he regards as a rascal, and he goes the length of getting the man arrested when the young couple are trying: to elope. Bit by bib it is revealed to the idealist that his father, his mother, his wife, all were guilty. He breaks down, and from then on regards affairs in a more human light. The supporting pictures are "All in a Day" (comedy), and "The Silent Avenger" (.serial). / QUEEN'S k6mancb and melodrama. "Tho Bait," which is being shown at the Queen's Theatre this week, is a photoplay of the lights and shadows of • Paris and New York, all -woven around a love story of considerable appeal and strength. It is a big rofuantio melodrama. It features in the leading role Hope Hampton, thfe vivacious beauty who sprang suddenly to fame in the film world, and is one of the most promising of all the young stars. Viola Dana is said •to have the best vehicle of her career in "Please Get Married 1" the Metro feature which is included on the programme. It is a farcical riot of humonr, in which two innocent <and perfectly well-intentioned young people believe they are married, and start' upon their honeymoon, onlv then to find that their marriage ceremony was performed by a burglar instead of a parson. SCOTTISH FAIR. GATHERING OF THE CLANS.

The Scottish Fair and Clan Gathering, opened at the Town Hall on Saturday as a means of promoting the objects of the Wellington Caledonian Society in raising funds for paying off the balance on the society's new hall, was continued last evening. The fair was n,g«.in • well patronised and the various clans stalls dad brisk business, while the other departments and side-show® also | gave amusements to numbers of visitors, i A varied programme of dancing and musical items was followed with interest. The society's Pipe Band gave selections, which added the real Scottish atmosphere to the proceedings, and dances were performed as follows;—Display—"Gillie Callum," six Highland lassies; acrobatic dance —"The Spider," Miss Sinclair Breen; display—" Ching Chong Chinaman," five young ladies; Russian dance. Miss Zelma- Carroll; a wee Highland Fling, Miss Gladys Smyth; rainbow dance, four lassies; gavotte—'ln Days.of Old,'* Miss Jean McLay; Sheauntrui'bhas, Miss A. Grant; Russian trepak, Mr J. Knowsley; displav Highland Reel, eight lassies. The acrobatic dance, gavotte and Russian trepak were produced by the courtesy of Miss Dorothy Saunders. Competitions held in the course of the evening resulted as follow :—Cake, A. Daines; slb box tea, A. Fowler; cushion, R. Harris; cake. No. 2, C. C. Gordon; pi.u cushion, L. Hannah; dolly cushion, W. Johnston; iced cake, N. Campbell; pumpkin, Mrs Bailie; box chocolates, Mr A. MacPhereon ; fancy, cushion, Chas. Cooper; silk under Mrs H. Fisher. Tho fair will be continued nightly. GAUL'S "HOLY CITY." PERFORMANCE AT ISLAND BAY. A second performance of this great wttrk will he given at St. Hilda's Hall. Island Bay, to-morrow night by the combined Brooklyn and Island Bav Anglican choirs, under Mr C. E. Proctor. Mrs W. E. Cl-arke, Mrs . W. Coventry, Mr F. W. Lewis, and Mr F. Laycock are to be tho soloists for the occasion, and a chorus of forty voices with orchestra will be he&rd. Mr J. Aiken will be at the piano.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. ENTERPRISING REVUE. The change of programme at His Majesty's Theatre last aught provided a pot pourri of vaudeville and revue items that was heartily appreciated iby the large audience. ’ Lovers of the vaude yilte have .been calling for oomedy lately in Wellington, and the management is ;to be commended for providing this want so promptly. In the first portion the programme, patrons were introduced to Randolph King, who is making his first appearance in New Zealand.; This talented artist recalled Biondi in his palmiest days in his lightning change items in "Alone in. a Wig Shop.. Don i Wallace's fine rich tenor voice was heard to advantage in his character number, "The Old Sundowner." Carlton and Roslyn introduced successfully a new English oomedy creation. Louis London. was, at home in his character songs, "After* the Ball," "October Ale," and "The Peace Conference." Maggie Foster, the. juvenile violinist, is always a favourite with Wellington audiences, and she achieved new. successes last night, particularly in her expressive rendering of "Salver Threads Among - the Gold." Bnaxxn and his pail. Nobbier, kept the audience'in a constant simmer of merriment in their inimitable items, particularly "whistle the Tune." . Walter Johnson's revue, "The Burglars," as staged last night, was the most enjoyable he has produced so far this season. The title roles were undertaken by Kennedy Allen and Dan Weldon, whose opportunities to provide a good laugh were more numerous than in the previous productions. Kennedy Allen is delightfully droll, and his facial expressions are cleverly done. Last night's attendance seemed to vote Anita as the leading lady vocalist. The opening chorus, "Hawaiian Nights/* in which she took the solo part, was especially effective. Later on she sang "Pakare Kaxe" and to an insistent demand for an encore responded with a Maori baka. Daphne Leigh was also extremely pleasing in "Lou&na Lou" and "Pyjama Girls.'* A very novel and entertaining specialty was "The Girl on the Magazine," in which Yorke Gray sang and four lady members of the company were beautifully dressed to represent the front covers of well-known, magazines. Daisy Yates contributed the songs "Company at our House" end (with Yorke Gray) "You kind of Look at Me." and "’Some quiet Afternoon." Ivy McKay and Waiter Johnson were most successful in "Everybody's. Jazzing Now." The chorus girls were well dressed, and assisted largely in the success of the piece. SKATING THE CALEDONIAN- RINK. The skating boom in Wellington continues, and daily and nightly there are eood crowds at the Colosseum Rink, in Vivian street. The learners' sessions are well attended. Lovely music is contributed by the rink orchestra.