ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11292, 18 August 1922, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

41 SUNDAY ■* NELLIE! BEASLEY COMPANY. The final presentation of the charming American play "Sunday” by the Nellie Bramley Dramatic Company will take place at the Grand Opera House this evening. "BOUGHT AND PAID FOR,” NO MATINEbTtO-MORiDO'W. "Bought and Paid For” will be the I next attraction offered by Miss Nellie Brain ley Repertory Company under the direction of Mr W. F. Russell. Tonight wild witness the last performance of "Sunday/' the comedy-drama at the Grand Opera House. For a season of four nights, commencing to-morrow night, "Bought and Paid For” will be presented by the young Australian actress and her talented company. This play is absolutely different to "Sunday,” which appeals on account of it 9 simplicity. It would not be exaggerating to say that "Bought and Paid For” was the most discussed play of its year. It is one that grips the audience from the outset, and contains some remarkably powerful situations, which call for very delicate and artistic interpretation. Reports of the Auckland performance indicate that not even the most exacting critio could find anything to take excep-, tion to; in fact the play had a most' enthusiastic reception The story concerns a girl, Virginia Blaine, telephone operator at a New York hotel. She meets Robert Stafford, a millionaire business man, who. after loving her for a very short time, asks her to marry him. She does so, only to find out that her husband has a secret craze for drink. When intoxicated' he is a blustering bully, who takes a delight in forcing unwelcome attentions upon, her, sneering at her protests, and telling her she is bought and paid for. The climax comes when he comes home, the worse for drink, and breaks into her bedroom. Next morning she leaves his house and for three months they do not see each other. Both suffer intensely, but neither is prepared to give in, until finally, by a desperate ruse, Virginia’s brother-in-law brings about a reconcilation. As the Txrught and paid for wife, who refuses to sell her self-respect, Miss Brainley, it is claimed, gives a most impressive and convincing portrayal of a very difficult part. The box plans for the four nights of "Bought and Paid For” are now open at the Bristol. There will he no matinee to-morrow. ® “THE BOY ” "THE MAGISTRATE” TO MUSIC. The box plans for the return season of the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company for the first six nights will be opened at the Bristol Piano Company on Monday morning next. Writes the critic of the "Sydney Morning Herald” of "The Boy,” the new musical comedy to be produced here by the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company, on Thursday next, at 8 o'clock, at the Grand Opera House:—ln the musical version it is Horatio Meebles who is the magistrate, troubled and tempted by his stepson, Hughic, a young rake of nineteen, whilst dressed by his mother in an Eton rig-out as a boy of fourteen. Mrs Meebles has thus "shortened her offspring's life” to conceal the age at which she remarried, and she nearly weeps over the innocent women who fondle the lad. This mainspring of the story owes much to the youthful appearance of Lance Lister as Hughie. The actor proved always "in the picture,” both in his irresistible' mastery over old Meebles, whom he enrolled as "a sporty boy” like himself, and in his engaging; flirtations with Joy, the music-mistress, and Katie, a visiting flapper. Joy was in the vivacious hands of Nell Payne. •Mione Stewart suggested with humour the chagrin of the neglected flapper. The star part falls to Arthur Stigant as Meebles. The comedian did not force the pace, but allowed the fun to develop gradually with the character, so that the audience was not tired of him when the fun raged furiously in the last act There was a quite remarkable quintette, "Young Folks and Old Folks,” to humorous music, suggesting "Sullivan Off the Key,” in which the all-round acting was full of spirit and the dancing exit by the three men {Stigant, Lister and Holland) a comic effort long to be remembered. In the second act there is a sumptuous scene of dazzling charm at the Cosmos Hotel, a cabaret. Here the old fellcyv ie taught the meaning of the glad eye by the fascinating Vida Edwards, witnesses some fine ballet dancing by Jessj© Sherwood and her athletic partner, MoPherson, and eventually escapes with the boy from a police raid, as in the original, while his wife and her sister and Colonel Bagot are locked up. Mr Stigant's great opportunity is in the magistrate's room, where Meebles, mud-stained and disguised in plaster and rags, is called on to face his prim little clerk and other officials. Anew McMaater assisted a screaming situation as Colonel Bagot. A very fine performance is given of "Diana” by Miss Sniela Gale, Vocally and histrionically, while Rosie Le Varde (Mrs Meebles) is excellent. Matinees will be given on Wednesday and Saturday. THE KING’S'THEATRE "PEACOCK ALLEY.” ' the role of Gleo, a Parisian dancer, in "Peacock Alley,” beautiful Mae Murray is stated to give one of the finest portrayals of her whole career. The picture, which will bo screened at“ the King 9 Theatre to-night, was produced under the cirection of Robert Y. Leonard, and is by Edmund Gaulding, based on a story by Ouida Bergere. "Peacock Alley” is described as a most fascinating romance of a Parisian dancer, who marries a small town American youth. When the husband takes his bride to the homo of his people, the exdancer’s unorthodox ways and extravagant habits provide matter for considerable scandal and unpleasant ness, which result in the young couple going to New York to seek fortune. This phase of the story is said to be particularly fine, for it is to the stage that Cleo goes for feurjcfc-s* and wealth. A striking feature of the production i« the astounding array of beautiful clothes worn by the star Supporting the main picture are the latest Gazette, "Loose Ohnnve” (comedy), nnd "Balling a Junk” (Chester Outing). A complete change will be made in the musical numbers to he nrovfided the King’s orchestra, under Mr L D. Austin. ** MAN TO MAN ” STIRRING FIRM AT THE QUEEN’3 The famous A gnu re ranch at Ciliabossas. Cal., and five hundred of the Agoure family's finest caitie were u«ed by Harry ( nrev in the making of his latest Universnl-Jowel picture, a Western pheto-drnma called "Man to Man.” The picture was adapted from the popular novml of It, n r name by Jrckson Orevory. It will be shown at the Queen's Theatre. Loginning tn-day. Ronrnin? ?he brmd Agoure lands vpre several thousand steers, many of which were herded before the enrueru in one of the most exciting stan rede ever pictured for the ‘fcrcc-n. "Man to Map” recounts the struggles o f a young nmn who fights his war from the dc<rradntirm of n South Sen derelict bock to lability in his home erototry—the lands of the West. Supr-orting item** ft-p thn latest International v «»vs end f’enturr eomodr. v-jtb •> thee chanter of the nhotnvnlov "Winners n* the WW.” The 1 nrrenruvmept* ore ; n t’m ''t ’s of Mr A. tt. Jerome. th« lea I **- nf the poem Ter Queen’s orchestra. The box plan is at the theatre.

HIS MAJESTY’B SUCCESSFUL AMATEUR TRIALS. Standing room only was available at His Majesty's Theatre last evening on tne occasion of hhe second amateur trials and competition organised by Messrs Fuller. Mr George Dean, who has directed mrny similar competition*, was again matter of ceremonies. No fewer tnan fourteen amateur "turns' were staged. These included a mandolin so*o, an *escapoiOgist s' uiapuo, waning sxetches with crayons, a rngnianu nance, ciub-swinging, clog dancing, numerous aud serious vocalisations. The audience had ample cause lor merriment at the displays ot »ouie oi the »£»•»» peutora, who provoked roars of laughter oy tne absurdity of their efforts. Five iadiets appeared, but as they failed to reach anything lixe an acceptable standard none received a prize, and some were as promptly "cduiueu out as t... male aspirants. The judging was governed by the amount ot applause bestowed. ’ino first prize of oU Ss went to Flight find Liignt ior a c*uu, a.\e a... electric light swinging display by an •Indian club manipulator,” assisted by a diminutive eomtu.an. -u: *«.ci» - worth received the second prize of £s for his song and dance, "My Coalblack Mamin}.*' The third .prize of Is was uwaidoJ to "Tinv Riom* .*-• leridrming terriers, who enacted playlet entitled '•Faithful Unio Death.” Not any of the was oi u -.:e„ i of merit, though as an amateur display the first prize winner’s nsrtormance was quite croultnb.e. The first part of tile programme was contributed by the Mohnaris, Mr Hyman Lender, and other members of ’Fullers* Vaudeville Company. The usual programme will be repeated t>night. THE BTRAHD DOUBLE "FEATURE” BILL. At the Strati l Theatre to-c’av will be introduced the feature fi.m. “Bassets-by,” a I‘athe special prod’ ction from the pen of ixadclon Chambers. It is tne story of a man who v. Rued io mairy a Kiri ueimv his own social standing, hut through the wishes o f an interfering sister the loveis were parted. The heroine is lo&l fur six years, and it is onlv by the merest chance that the hero finds her when he opens hi*, house to the pas»ei>-by. The endm- of the story is appealing and impropriate, while turoughout it surnishe* an entertainment that is plea.-iug, and which presents a human sale that is irresistible. The second "feature” of the new programme mli be ” Folly of in* Follies,” with Constance Taluiadge in the leading role. The plot has its dramatic moments, and the value of story narrative is ably retained as Polly Meacham leaves her country home to .seek the elusive renown of the stage 4. It is Bobby Jones, the idol oi her henit. who is eng. jtd ta another girl, who applies the knowledge of how to get at Flu Ziegfeld, the famous creator cf beauty choruses, and Polly follows the trail in to the managerial lairs of tae famous one. Her debut on the stage, and its totally unexpected sequence provide a conclusion that stands out as a surprise in pictures of this theme. Kenneth Harlan is an'excellent foil for Mi»s Talniadge and George Fawcett has a strong character nart. As on added attraction for the children, a special Charlie Chaplin comedy, "The Busted Johnny,” is being screened as well as the usual selection of supports.