ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

BRILLIANT COMIC OPERA 1 “MAID OF THF MOUNTAINS” TOMORROW NIGHT. At a quarter to 8 at the Grand Opera House to-morrow night will be presented the famous comic opera, “The Maid of the Mountains.” Regarding- the "Maid of the Mountains/' the eagerly awaited J. C. Williamson comic opera production. the critic of the “Sydney Sun” writes:—“Fresh from, phenomenal tri umplis in Melbourne, 'The Maid of the Mountains' conies in all its splendour. «T. C. Williamson's latest comic opera is worthy of a *dace alnong the classics For months Sydney playgoers have been talking about ‘The Maid of the Mountains/ Its reputation preceded it, and judging by the remarkable reception accorded it at its opening the time" to the season will be all too short. Round after round of applause vibrated through the building as the beautiful story unfolded in song, drama, and clever repartee. From the- rising of the curtain on the first act until the finale, ‘The Maid of the Mountains’ grips the attention. It fs a virile story embellished with music that is classical and appropriate, set off with scenes that are wonderful in. their grandeur and expressiveness, ,a«d relieved and enliveavd by wit and 'humour for which it is only necessary to mention the names of Arthur Stigant, Leslie Holland, and Phil Smith, in order to stamp it with the hall-mark of smartness. Tho opera is interpreted by a company composed of a galaxy of talent, which has* rarely been seen in this city. The story is the one story that will never grow old, and no matter how oft repeated is always new—a love story powerfully told. Much dramatic acting is required of the prinicpals. and it was admirably provided. One could hardly a more effective scene than that which closed the second act in which Teresa (MAC'S Gladys Moncrieff). seeing the result of her mad minute of jealousy in the capture of her chief, cries out for BaUlasarro in an. agonised voice swoons. It was a superb piece of acting, in which the dramatic powers of Miss Moncrieff were well displayed. As tho curtain dropped the applause broke out in a furore, and for the next few 4 moments the curtain raiser was kept busy, so intent was the audience upon demonstrating its appreciation." The nlay will be interpreted by the popular Royal Comic Opera Company, which also includes Messrs Anew McMaste.r. Robert Chisholm, Fred Coape. Edmond Shearras, John Forde. and Misses Mione Stewart, Nellie Payne, Flossie Lusk, and Vida Edwards. The box plans, for the first six nights and next .Wednesday and matinees, are opened at the Bristol P,iano Co HIS MAJESTY’S

"SAWING THROUGH A WOMAN. * An act that is so complete in its illusion that it is almost uncanny, Mr P. T. Selbit’e "Sawing Through a Woman/* bewildered another large audience at Bis Majesty’s Theatre, when the current programme was repeated by Fullers* Vaudeville Company. A young lady is enclosed in a long box resting on trestles on the stage. Two numbers of the audience then saw the box right through, and, to the amazement of all, the young lady is then disclosed quite unharmed, lying firmly tied down within the box Volunteers from the auditorium stand around the box while the feat is performed. and there is no possibility of there being a false bottom or false sides to the box. The remainder of the programme in eludes enjoyable contributions by Miss Etta Field, the young New Zealand operatic soprano vocalist, Victor the Great and Company, Mr Tommy Hughes, Bpresford and Rennie, thp Goldies, and the Harem Scarem Girls. The programme will be repeated this evening, and the customarv matinee is announced for to-morrow. The illusion, "Sawing Tlirough ft Woman/* will be presented for positively the last time to-morrow evening.

THE KING’S THEATRE

"HAIL THE WOMAN." It id said, that a magnificent tribute is paid to womanhood in Thomas Ince’s great motion -picture, ‘Hail the Woman,” to head the new bill at the King's Thear tre to-night. The story does not eet out to preach any special sermon or to teach a lesson in morality; it claims to be nothing more than a plain human drama of life. And it is in this particular kind of picture that Thomas H. lnce usually gives his finest work. Florence Vidor takes the leading part, that of Judith Berosford, who upsets to some purpose her bigoted father's philosophy that "men and their sons come first/* She goes out to battle for her ideals, facing life in a great city's turmoil. Lloyd Hughes takes the part of the weak, vacillating David Beresford, eon of the intolerant New England puritan, who is entirely dominated by his iron-willed father. The production involves the appearance of no fewer than ten stars, each a pronounced favourite in a particular style and act. Miss Gwen Spanswick, a gifted Australian eopnano, will appear nightly during tho coming l week, and as well as the main picture the usual supports will be shown. The King’s Orchestra, under Mr Li D. Auction, has arranged a special musical score. QUEEN’S THEATRE | "UNDER NORTHERN LIGHTS/* Commencing at the Queen’s Theatre to-day, Jacques Jaccard’s famous Canadian Northwoods story, "Under Northern Lights,” will be screened. The story ia a dramatic one, and is laid in the great out-doors-rfch© vast spaces of Northern Canada. The story treats of a member of the Royal North-West Mounted Police, whose duty compels him to imprison the brother of the girl he loves. A story of the eternal struggle between love and duty, and between the forces of lawlessness and order. The most thrilling fire scene in an age, in which a whole block of a real metropolitan street is shown burning, is a feature of the Universal comedy drama, "Playing with Fire/* which will be shown on the same programme. Gladys'Walton has another of her delightful flapper roles —With more modern ,T>ep and snap than the usua* heroine of such pictures. Dallas Fitzgerald. directed the picture. The supporting subjects include the latest International News. Century Comedy, and winners of the West. With the addition of the Queen’s under the direction of Mr A. H Jerome. The box plan Is at the theatre.

ROLLER SKATING

T KB COLOSSEUM RINIC. Excellent attendances were recorded al all sessions of the Colosseum Rink, Vivian street, yesterday and last evening. The learners’ session from 5.30 p.m. till 7 p.m. offers special advantages to novices Vho desire to overcome the initial difficulties of skating. The band contributes cnjovable selections every evening and on Saturday afternoon. To-morrow evening an expert skater will give an exhibition of fancy, graceful, and trick skating.