ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11249, 29 June 1922, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

BRILLIANT COMIC OPERA “THE MATH OF THE MOUNTAINS.” OPERA HOUSE ON SATURDAY. Most eagerly awaited, the big J- C. Williamson comic opera production, "The A Laid of tlie Mountains, comes on Saturday night next with a great reputation (writes the critic of the Melbourne‘‘Argus") The Maid is romantic comedy-opera;, w!i th a 'dash, of grand opera. The music is very enticing amt seductive; results, a singularly interesting and melodious entertainment, lho romantic atmosphere is persuasive. Vvo have mountain fastnesses and the haunts of brigands, gay mirth o.nd young love, all to appropriate music that is very easy to listen to On a general and particular view there is no escaping the conclusion that "The Maid of the Mounis exceptionally good, and brilliant comic opera. Tho play gives Miss Gladys Moncrieff her biggest chance yet Miss* Moncrie-ff sings with thrilling bnh lianey, and in her singing thero is much svmpathy and colour, whilst her acting of the difficult part of Teresa is a remarkably fine effort. Mir Anew AlcMastor, as the brigand chief, acts well and intelligently. Air Phil Smith is Air Phil Smith—no more, no less; and neither more nor less than that does the public demand of him. Of other principals meriting cordial praise, prominence of mention is duo to Air Robert Chisholm (Beppo) and Air Fi*ed Coape (Carl). Aiiss Alione Stewart gives a vorv good account of herself ns the volatile Vittoria, Tho nearest approach to the realm of pure comedy is made by Air Arthur Stigant (who is fine) and Mr Leslie Holland. A large number of secondary ports are capably handled by clevor people, the chorus is adequately musical, and more than ordinarily good to look at. The play is magnificently staged. "The AJaicl of the Mountain®” will be played foj*- thirteen nights, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday. The box plans for the first si.' nights and next Wednesday and Saturday week's matinees are row open at the Bristol. The opera will be interpreted 'by the famous J. C. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company. It is an Oscar Asohe production. The curtain. ri3es at a quarter to eight.

HIS MAJESTY’S

“SAWING THROUGH A WOMAN." A stage illusion that is as mystifying as it is original, .Mr P. T. Selbit’s act, 'Sawing Through a Woman," is the outhanding attraction of the current programme by Fullers* Vaudeville Company at His Alajesty’g Theatre. A description of the illusion can scarcely do justice to it, for those who have witnessed it declare that it seems as though the impossible is attained by the performers. A young lady is placed in a long box, tied securely in it, and then the box i 9 sawn right through across the centre with a two-lianded saw. Members of the audience stand close to the box while the trick is being performed, and none is more surprised than they are when the young lady is found lying at full length quite unharmed. Prior to the sawing performance three large sheets of glass and two ihin steel plates are pushed into the box, and apparently through the lady’s body and out on the other side. Volunteers from the audience stood on the stage around the box, which is (aid on trestles, and it was possible for them to see that there was no false back to the box Thepe men held the ends of the rapes which bound the lady, and which were passed through holes in the box. Among others who contribute most enjoyable items in the remainder of the programme are Miss Etta Field, Victor ■ the Great and Company, the Goldies, Miss Gladys Victor and Jack Birchley. The programme will be presented again this evening

“BROKEN BLOSSOMS”

AT EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. One of the finest pictures yet shown at Everybody’s Theatre is D. W. Griffith's striking masterpiece, "Broken Blossoms,” Burke’s story. "The Chink and the Child,” in "Limehouse Nights,” furnishes the plot for the production. The story concerns a beautiful little girl who to the mind of Cheng Huan, a Chinese poet, embodies all that is poetic and good. 'The girl is under the power of "Battling” Burrows, a prize-fighter of brutal instincts, who keeps a gambling den. Huan buys the girl from Burrows, Who, however, regrets the deal, and the Chinese poet’s dream is tragically shattered Ali&s Lillian Gish gives an enchanting impersonation of the girl. The production is lavishly staged and artistically enacted. A fine auxiliary series of films supports the big picture. The programme will be presented at all sessions throughout this week.

QUEEN’S THEATRE

"PLAYING WITH FIRE.” Quite a new 6ort of flapper will be introduced to local screen audiences by "Playing with Fire.” • the Universal special attraction which brings Gladys Walton to the Queen’s Theatre to-mor-row. She rules over men with the same delicate touch which draws jazz and harmony out of her melodv shop piano, but she looks into higher things with a very insistent wonderment. It as said that Gladys Walton will offer something worth watching in this characterisation. She has long l been« interpreting such roles and she does them well. The supporting picture will be Jacques Jaccard’s famous Canadian North woods story, "Under Northern Lights,” in -which Virginia Faire is featured. The story is a dramatic one, is set in the great outdoors and treats of a member of tho Royal North-West Alounied Police whoso him to imprison the brother of the trirl ho loves. A story of tho eternal struggle between love and duty, and between tho forces of lawlessness and order. The supporting items include the latest International News, Century comedy and "Winners of the West”—the whole supported by the popular Queen’s orchestra, under the direction of Mr A FT. Jerome. The box Man is at the theatre.

ROLLER SKATING

THE COLOSSEUM RINK. The Colosseum Rink, Vivian street, wa© crowded last evening, when a two-step competition on ekates wae'held during an intermission in the evening session. Fourteen couple*? competed. The .first prizes, a eilved serviette ring and bronze dressing tavle requisite, -went to Mrs Duncan, and Mr Austin. Mrs P. H. Cross and Mr E. 11. McDonald were second. and Airs Tocker and Air bim third. The judges weredVlessre Arthur Power, G. R. Weir, and R. Whittington. The rink will be open for fourr sessions to-day and to-night. On Saturday evening an exhibition of fancy, graceful, and trick skating will be given by an expert performer.