ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11162, 18 March 1922, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

MARIE TEMPEST FAREWELLS. “TEA FOR THREE.” The J. "C. Williamson directors announce a farewell season of comedy ol Miss Marie Tempest and Mr Graham Browne and the famous World To in Company, commencing at tho Opera House on Saturday next, “Tea for Throe,’’ by Roi Cooper McGrue, ia a new angle on the eternal triangle. This angle is platonic friendship. The American author admits a certain indebtedness to Charles Slaboda’s romance, but does not say more on the subject, and the main point about it is that ho has conoeived three fine parts in which .playgoers should he intensely interested. A contemporary reveals further that tho ■lover states the case for the platonic friendship of a third party, the husband naturally taking- the diametrically opposite view.\ The wife bolds a watching brief. She ia fond of her husband, and absolutely faithful, but elie is touc-hed by the devotion of tho lover, and sure enough of herself to see a good deal of him. Tho husband., a hardworking, ambitious, oity man, is absorbed i* hi* business, and thinks his wifo should be satisfied with, the odd moments of his spare time he cares to give her. On her side she has the fewest possible of domestio cares and responsibilities, and is inclined to find distraction by playing with fire a little reoklessly. The lover, apparently a worthless, superficial waster, is at hearf a sentimentalist, and almost a fanatic where his pet theory is concerned. He will go to any length to prove his case, to ssoure his own sure place in his friend’s household, and to do it he sets his life as the stake. This is the situation mhidh has mado “Tea for Three” oatoh on with playgoers; and whilst in tho main it ie fine comedy, suoh an issue must obviously lead to scenes of intense interest, and audiences will not find it lacking in the necessary touches of exoitement. Miss Tempest will appear as “The Wife,” and Mr Graham Browne as “The Friend.” “Tea for Three” will be played for the first three nights, and will be followed for the next three by “Mr Pim Passes By.” During thin notable season will also be presentee “Penelope," "Outcast.” “The Great Adventure,’ and “The Marriage of Kitty.” The box plans for the first six nigfita will be opened at the Bristol on Thursday next.

, EVERYBODY'S. “WAY DOWN EAST” AND “SCRAP IRON.” In response to tho popular demand of picture patrons, -the management of Everybody’S Theatre announce that they intend to repeat the magnificent picture, “Way Down East,” for the ensuing week. The theatre was crowded! at all sessions yesterday. "Way Dowp. Bast," which is one of the best productions ever turned out by D. W. Griffith, is said to he more than a (picture. It is a play that comes with a warning and a lesson. It w based principally on the theme of on o woman for one man and one man for one woman. Some of the most compelling scenes are to be seen in the great storm, the ice-break, the resoue from a terrible death in the swollen ice-bound river, and the'lavish ballroom scenes. The whole production is a masterpiece in. theme and setting, and should be wit-., nesssd by all persons who appreciate natural soenary, natural acting, and exciting situation?, to say nothing of the pioturisation of the quaint and endearing customs of the old English people. Also on the programme Charles Ray is to be seen in “Scrap Iron,” a picture in which the famous screen star is seen in the - role of a pugilist. While retaining a great deal of the humour which has made him so popular, in “Scrap Iron” he Tia* ,a_ role which exacts heavy derriandM nipon him for emotional acting. He meets them wTththb’bighest brand of efficiency. In the role of John Eteel he is the only support of a widowed and invalided mother. Efforts to advance himself oost him his job. A promise to his mother to stop taking part in amateur boxinoj matches oosta him the respect of his fellow-workers, and refusal to nit a drunken roan costs him his girl, H&wover, hie fists bring back to him, everything he has ksSt in one of the most dramatic ring contests ever stagedHe then finds that he does hot -want his girl or hie friends hack, having learned fcheir worthlessness, and is satisfied with the money, for it holds out a promise of health for his mother. A more inter---sting or pleasing picture could not Sbe secured. The programme will be repeated continuously until Friday ftext.

STRAND THEATRE. "THE KID" AND “NOT GUILTY." 'The Kid,” probably one of the finest piotures which has ever been released by the "world's comedian,” Charles Chaplin, was yesterday transferred, ,to the Strand Theatre, the first screening drawing a crowded house at each session. The feature has been the subject of endless litigation, as it was involved in the trouble with the comedian and his wife, andi lie eventually paid a fabulous sum to clear it from entangling engagements. It is claimed! as the summit of his achievement, and probably this is because it shows the comedian, in a totally different light—in the serious side of tac picture -business. Apart from the fact that one sees the old “Charlie” .as mirthful as ever, there are tinges of sadness woven into the pioture in a truly delightful, manner. This pioture was screened specially at Buckingham Palace for the King. - Jacky .Coogan, tne boy in the pioture, is considered a valuable “find" for pieturedom, and altogether “The Kid*' is said to have taken its place among the notable picture works of all time. The other feature oo the programme is equally deserving oi high praise. The plot of the story for "Not Guilty” has been very ably selected from the widely-read novel, ‘"Parrot and C 0,,” written by the clever Harold McGrath. In this piotvrvo six reels of magnificent acting and idramatio force are introduced by a cast already made famous by their ability. The heroine is Sylvia Breamer, about whom no more need be said. The production is con spicuous for its surprising climax which follows the unravelling of an absorbing and dxamatio story of California and In. dia. Other supporting items include the fifth episode of the serial picture. “The Lure of tho Circus,” and tli© latest "Gazette,” dealing with the news of the world. The programme will be repeated continuously until next Friday. HIS MAJESTY’S. VAUDEVILLE RESUMES TO-DAY. The dramatic season at His Majesty's Theatre having been brought to a close with the final performance of "Her Unborn Child.” last evening, the management announce a resumption of vaudeville at to-day’s matinee and this evening. The programme will introduce Mies Effie Fellows, described ns the Australian boy impersonator. Miss Follows is reported to possess unusual talent, and a smart personality. Miss Flora CromeT, tbe English comedienne, will reappear for a brief season, with some of her latest song successes. A reappearance will also be made by Huloy and Bent, the Ehglish comedians. Beaver, “the talkative juggler,” will he seen for the first time in a novel and amusing "turn.” Lloyd and Raymond,, simultaneous and comedy dancers, Russell and Frost, and Carr and Manley will he included. in the bill.

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT. “A MAN’S HOME." The grave danger of a man giving his wife an abundance of worldly goods, yet denying her the love she craved, and of domineering and treating her more as an employee would be treated, is forcibly dealt with in “A Man’s Home,” one of tlie principal attractions at the Paramount and Artcraft Theatres, which commenced yesterday. The story centres round Frederick Osborn, a self-made man, who, among other things, is president of the very steamship company by which he was once employed as a stevedore., He is too intent upon the enlargement of his fortune to seek social relaxation, or in this pursuit to encourage his wife. Whilst she does not annoy him he lavishes money upon her and allows her to make friends where she pleases. The wife, however, is content with tho superficial polish. of the Broadway crowd and falls in with Jaok Wilson and his sister Cordelia, who fleece her handsomely while concealing their operations. However, it is not until some exciting incidents are traversed that the husband comes to the sudden realisation of his neglect, and with tho fury of an outraged husband, drives the interlopers from Ills home in order that he might win again the love of his wife. The other star pioture, “Who Am If" tells realistically of Ruth Burns, a beautiful young girl attending a fashionable finishing school, who receives word of the death of her father, who had been unknown to her save through his liberal monthly remittances. Bhe attends the funeral service, and learns, to her amazement, that he had been a professional gambler. Excitement, love, and pathos follow, when she induces a friend to take her to a gambling house she has inherited. The supporting pictures include a comedy, "Dropped Into Scandal," and a Chester outing picture entitled "Chosen Waters." In addition, the orchestra renders special music. The programme wll be repeated at both theatres all next week.

WARWICK DRAMATIC COMPANY. "MAN WHO STOLE THEI CASTLE." Mr A. Stanley Warwick will present a most delightful comedy, "The Man who Stole the -Castle,” on Friday and Saturday next, in the Town Hall Concert Chamber at~B o’elook. This will he preceded by Sutro’s clever playlet, “The Marriage Will not Take Place," and there will be an interlude provided by Mr Harold Gqaier, Miss Blanoh Gpdier and Miss Sheila Neilscn, Messrs Alan Fuller, Vernon Oswin, Dion Bush, Percy Cubitt, A. S. Warwiok, end Misses .Florence Churchill, Rosalind Atkinson, Ruby Walsh, and Peggy Macdonald arc in the cast. Tli o plan is now at the Bristol Piano Co. ORGAN REOITAL. TOWN TTA.T.T. TO-MORROW. The programme for Mr Bernard F. Page's organ recital consists of three items by request, which are:—Handel’s Largo in G (1685-1759), Cantilena (Salome), and the Third Movement from Symphony, No. 6 in B minor {"Pathetic"), by Tchaikovsky (18JO-1893). The remainder of the programme is: Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and Cesar Franck's Pastorale (O-p. 19), (18221890)

"THE SIGN ON THE DOOR/' GRAND OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. The Losuion "Daily Mail/* the notable Northcbtfe paper, Josoribed Channing Police t as tho "happiest roan in London/' because ho was the author of tho most successful play otf the year, "The Sign on tho Door.' This drama, whioli is an interesting study of psychology between a man and a woman, will be staged at the Grand Opera House, commencing to-night, for a season of six nights only, ■when J. C. "Williamson, Ltd., present their specially augmented and strengthened “Scandal" Company in this notable London success. “The Sign on tho Door" was described by the London “Times" as * 4 a real thriller, a most ingenious and clever piece of work." It has been the reigning sensation of London, and has been running in Now York for many months. Again in Australia the play has completely captivated the Trees and public. The “Daily Telegraph," Sydney, says : —“lts situations a/re intensely dramatic, and the interest is sustained from the moment the heroine makes her entrance to the final curtain. Miss Hanaford is a Slayer of high emotional attainments. [er enunciation is so clear and distinct that whether in a whirlwind of passion or in the soft depths of a pathetic passage every word reaches tho ear and the heart." J. 0. Williamson's specially organised dramatic company for the production of “The Sign on the Door" includes the members of the popular “Scandal" Company. Miss Maude Hanaford and W. J. Kelly will be seen in the leading roles, with Mr Sydney Stirling as the villain. Others who appear in prominent parts are Misses Doris Duane, Phyllis Coghlan, Messrs Kenneth Brampton, Harold Moran, Charles Whjeler Beg. A. Long, an* 3 Herbert Leigh. The ploy Trill be staged on the same lavish scale as H was presented in Sydney and Melbourne. The box plans aie at the Bristol, and day sales at Ned Perry's. Both reserved seats and day sale tickets are obtainable this afternoon at the theatre office,.