ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10966, 30 July 1921, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

"CHU CHIN CHOW.” CONTINUE!) .SUCCESS AT GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The gorgeous Eastern revue, “Ohu Chiu Ohow,” was produced for the third time at the Grand Opera House last night. Again there was a big* house, and one that was enthusiastic and appreciative to a degree. The production is remarkable for its lavish dressing and exquisite scenes, and one can easily understand how it encountered an unprecedented and record run in London. Built up from the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, “Chu Chin Chow" is in many respects a wonderful production. Among the notable scenes are the slave market, ICa,sam Baba's Palace, the harem. All are Oriental, and all are gorgeous and beautiful.. Then there is the robbers' cave, a remarkable piece of stagecraft. Tho muaic is good throughout and the vocal numbers particularly have a catch and a charm that add to the delight of the show. “Chu Chin Chow”' will be produced to-night and following night*. * v * HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. POPULAR VAUDEVILLE.. .. The auditorium at His Majesty’s Theatre was again well filled last evening, when the current programme was repeated by Fullers' Vaudeville Company. '(The outstanding attraction is the spectacular musical revue, “The Burglars," by Fullers' New Revue Company, produced by Mr Walter Johnson. There is an abundance of bright vocal numbers, artistically arranged ballets, and breezy humour. The settings include a number of picturesque scenes of Honolulu. The vaudeville section of the bill . embraces items by Mr Louis London, Air Randolph King (English protean actor), Miss Maggie -Foster (violinist©), Carlton and Roslyn (English comedy duo), Baron (ventriloquist), and the Singing Vagabond. The usual matinee is billed for to-day, and the programme will be submitted for the last time this evening. With the new programme on Monday evening will be presented Miss Laura Guerite, the famous London revue “star;" who has beeii brought out under special 'engagem'enfc to Messrs Fuller. Another, attraction will be the remarkable trick cycling display by the Girton College Cycling Girls, who are clever comediennes as well as adepts on wheels. THE KING’S, “WHAT WOMEN LOVEL" “What Women Love" was graphically explained at the King's Theatre last night, when .the big Annette Kellerman production was screened for the first time in Wellington. As the daughter of a moral crusader, the star shocks her father's friends, and forces his resignation from the presidency of the PurityLeague They sail for Honolulu -dm the , palatial yacht of one of Annabel's arden suitors, who, although at one time a non-follower of manly sports on the ground that it “spoiled his clothes/' has taken secret lessons in physical exercise, and the manly art of self-defence that he might eventually win the object of his devotion. How the beautiful girl wins a desperate -under-water struggle with the villain of the piece, saves the man she loves from death at the hands of a mutinous crew, and teaches her future husband the gospel of ‘physical preparedness, forms a brilliant dramatic theme for the story. At the same time the comedy that delightfully sparkles throughout the whole production, forms a' relief that is artistically developed.

“What Women live” reveals Annette as a talented comedienne, and a remarkably clever and versatile athlete. Particularly delightful were the unusual submarine scenes and the remarkably fine photography. The theme of the story is woven carefully, and displays all the varied talents of Annette Keilerman in a most natural manner, not forcing them on the screen merely to show just what she can do. The story is fresh and bubbling with delightful .situations, serving to show the young lady as a charming comedienne, a role in which she presents a new self to -the picture world. The supporting items were of an unusual order of excellence, and -includes an instructive “Topical Budget," an educational ''Gaumont Gra Phic ” a Chester outing picture, entitled “The Screen* League Booters," and a humorous picture, entitled “A Fresh Some dainty pupils of Miss Kathleen O’Brien, ranging* from tinj tots of four years, dressed artistically in. latest fashionable sea-side attire, frolicked their way, delightfully through the prologue to the “star” picture. There will be a matinee this afternoon and lepetition to-night. The excellent programme will he repeated all next week. THE EMPRESS. “HEART (T THE HILLS." In all the time that Mary Pickford has illumined the moving-picture stage with her delightful presence, she has never produced a picture —not even her “Daddy Longlegs" nor “The Hoodlum"—,, that equals her latest, “Heart o' the Hills," now showing at the Empress Theatre. As Mavis Dawn, the mountain girl, the brave, beautiful, and altogether charming heroine of this typical story of the Kentucky hills, of deadly feuds, and of rugged mountain men, she excels herself. When, as Mavis at the age of fourteen, she promises her father, stain in One of the mountain feuds, that she will avenge him : later, when cheated out • of her heritage by land-grabbers, whom she keeps at bay fists and guns; when she heads the nightraiders on an errand of retribution; and when in the dock she is charged with murder —so absurd an accusation that from the foreman down, every mam on the jury claims that he fired the fatal shot—in all these phases we have a new, a different, but am ever-delightful Mary Pickford. Full of nerve and charm, in.the character of, the little mountain spitfire, she is no less fascinating when, later on ; in the- play, she has became civilieed through the medium of a highclft'Se ladies' college. It is the old Mary Pickford in a new light. That is all. and sufficient. She has but increased her power to charm. The supporting films, which round off a meet attractive programme, include “Shot Tnto Space." a. further episode of the stirring serial “The Silent Avenger'*; a fire Australian scenic. “On. and Around Warburton"; and a more tha.n usually interesting “Gaumon-t .Graphic.” The programme will be screened continuously to-day and throughout the corning week!' SCOTTISH FAIR. CONCLUSION AT TOWN HALL. The -Scottish Fair and clan gathering, which has proved decidedly popular at the Town Hall this week, was continued yesterday afternoon and concluded in the evening. The contents of the various stalls were readily disposed of, and the prices towards the finish of the fair oroved tempting to even the most economical purchasers. Crowds assembled in the evening and thoroughly enjoyed the musical items presented. The controlling officials are to be congratulated on the success of the fair, and also the performers in musical entertainments given nightly throughout the week. Last night's performances wore provided by tliq pupils of Mrs Maynard, and proved very apt pupils indeed. It is believed that the takings of the fair have proved quite satisfactory. SKATING. ' THU COLOSSRUM RTNR. Votaries of roller skating attended in large numbers at yesterday's sessions at the Oolopceuvn Ska tin a: Rink, Vivian street. Tn the evening the orchestra contributed dance music, which added to the enjoyment of skaters and snectators. There will bo .a snecial juvenile session this morning. ■ The orchestra will he in attendance both this afternoon and evening.

CONCERT CHAMBER TO-NIGHT. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' CHOIR. To-m-iht, in the Concert Chamber, an excelloi t .programme of slices, part songs, etc., will ]>o rendered by the Commercial Travellers'* Choir. Tim combination of voices, under the baton -of Mr 11.. Temple 'White, is a decided acquisition to Wellington’s musical circles, its previous concerts 'having been enthusiastically received. Assisting the choir is Miss Mabel le .B-quilant (contralto). whose items are "Life and Death'’ (Coleridge Taylor) and "Amber and Amethyst" Other soloists arc Messrs Charles. A. Williams Tenor) and Peter Connell (bass). In addition the Melody Four (Messrs Lewis. Blandf-ord, AUwrig'ht. and Haycock) will be heard in new items. Mr Matt Dixon will be at the piano. The plan is at the Bristol. "SHORE ACRES." AT' THE QTJEFN’S THEATRE. The rocky coast of New England is the scene of the Metro release, "Shore Acres," starring Alice Lake, "which is one of two big features at the Queen’s Theatre this week. "Shore Acres" is the name of the coast estate owned by the Berry family for generations, and in the hands of 'Martin Berry and Nathaniel, his brother, who is the keener olf .'the adjoining lighthouse. Josiah Blake, a banker, covets the Berry estate as well as Helen, the daughter of old Martin (Alice Lake). To further his designs ho offers to lend Martin money to invest in oil shares by which he says a fortune is to be made, and requires as security the estate of "Shore Acres." Martin is willing to make the speculation. . but Nat refuses to listen, and Martin is forced to make the venture unknown to his brother. Sam Warren, who. along with Martinis young son is employed in Blake’s office, and is also in love with Helen, discovers the banker’s evil designs. Blake then announces that the speculation has fallen through, and that he must'‘foreclose, but offers to temporise if he becomes "one of the family." Helen refuses to listen to, the proposal, and escapes with „ Sam, on board the "Liddy Ann." Once at sea they are married; but Nat, who has, aided them to escape, forgets to tend the lighthouse lamp, and the "Liddy Ann" runs on the shoals. A terrific night of storm and shipwreck is then depicted, and the lovers escaping from the ship isafely /gain the shore. Then Blake arrives to arrest Sam on the charge of theft, and to foreclose on the farm, but young Berry confesses that he has hidden some money in a prank, and Nat redeems his brother’s bond, leaving "Shore Acres" to pass to tihe :next» generation i<*f Bfecrys. In support is charming Ethel Clayton in "Young Mrs Winthrop," and the -latest topical budget. The programme is an excellent one,' and all sessions should be crowded.

EVERYBODY’S. / "NLA DONNAS AND MEN." , "No civilisation is permanent which is founded on tb® debasing of its womanhood," is the lesson enforced by tho powerful, spectacular film-drama now being screened at the ever-popular Everybody’s Theatre. There are hundreds of actors and. magnificent scenes of. ancient Rome and modern Babylon, in the thrilling play, which portrays- both the Rome «of the Ceasars and the modern New York, the same iry their desire for unlawful amusement; the same in their disregard of womanhood. We see the Emperor entertaining himself and an equally blood-thirsty populace by throwing Christian martyr-maidens to thelions; and, as a companion picture, the father of to-day about to satisfy his hate by sacrificing a young girl in* a distasteful marriage. We see the Roman Prince defying his lustful father, the Emperor, and the son of to-day reviling his revengeful, millionaire father. The great. contrasts, and yet the underlying similarity between the Ancient Rome and the Modern Babylon are most effectively brought out; the situations, both ancient and modern, are intensely dramatic; the story within a story, involving tlie reincarnation of the Roman chtiiacters in all the whirl and bustle of life in New York City, is very cleverly introduced and very convincingly enacted; and the unfolding of the double plot was followed throughout with the keenest interest by large Louses yesterday. The supports include a moat laughable, yet instructive Mermaid comedy, "A Freeh Start"; a very excellent "Path© Gazette," and some interesting and picturesque "Tit-Bits-" of Travel." This admirable programme will be repeated, continuously to-day and during the coming week. v AN ENJOYABLE CONCERT. MR CLAUDE HAYDON IN HIS OWN WORKS. A very enjoyable concert was given at the Town. Hall concert* chamber last evening by Mr Claude Haydon and several local vocalists and instrumentalists. Interest was lent to the performance by the fact that ,t-he programme was entirely confined to the compositions of Mr Haydon himself. Mr Haydon, who is unfortunately afflicted by the result of an accident to his lower limbs, is an Australian, and comes to New Zealand not without some reputation. He. 19 an excellent pianist, and has composed, in addition to vocal and instrumental works, «an opera, which was produced in Melbourne. His pianoforte items last night were a series of six variations on an old French melody, "Five Album Leaves," "Legend," "Songof Sleep," and ‘'‘"Waterfall." He received several recalls. A string quartette (Messrs Eric Meier. A. Gillie®. Cecil Smallbone, and Miss Frances Henry) played a "Danse Rtustique" and Quartette in D Minor, and Messrs Meier, SmaUßone, and. Havdon appeared, in a phantasie-trio for violin, 'cello, and piano. 'Other instrumental works played were a violin and piano sonata in A minor (Messrs Meier and Haydon), and three 'cello soli ("Greeting/ "MeCody," and "Pleasure") by Mr SmallboneX One* of the most delightful of thd vocal offerings was a sqng, "Dolorosa"—the word© of which had been written by Mr J±. Plimmer—-by Mies Eileen Clifford, with violin arid ’cello obligato. Other vocal items, all the composition® of Mr Haydon, were given by Miss Mabelle Etsquilant and Mr Hamilton Hodges. SUNDAY NIGHT’S ORGAN RECITAL. A SPLENDID PROGRAMME. Notwithstanding that «the floor of the Town Hall will be occupied by the St. Mary of the Angels’ Bazaar, arrangements have been made to open the gallery for the patrons of the organ recital to be given to-morrow evening by Mr Bernard F. Page (City Organist). The programme include® two item® by request which arc Corelli’s Preludio (from 9th sonata for violin) and Scherzo (Op. 70) by Hoffman. The remainder of the programme is as under:—Mendelssohn’s Sonata No. 6, Humoreske Op. 101 (No. 7> by Dvorak ' (IS4I-1904). and RimskyKorsakoff’s Third Movement from "Scheherazade" (suite eymphonique for orchestra) Op. 33.