ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11293, 19 August 1922, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

NELLIE BRAMLEY COMPANY "BOUGHT AND PAID FOR" TONIGHT. NO MATINEE PERFORMANCE. The final performance of the American confection, '‘Sunday,” which took place last evening in the Grand Opera. House, proved no less attractive than its. predecessors. Miss Brantley's versatility is really remarkable; no trace of her previous characterisation is carried over into this newer part, and 6he is, withal, natural and unaffected to a degree. The size of tho house testified to the success of her season, and her cleverness in showing the blossoming of a young mind under more congenial conditions was marked. "Sunday" is a “well-made" play, and lost nothing through Miss Bramley’s interpretation of the name part. In support, Charles Lawrence, George Hewlett, Victor Fitzherbert, and Arthur Cornell made as rugged a group of kind-hearted miners as one could wish for; while Guy Hastings was pleasing as Colonel Brintnorpe, and Nellie Galvin proved a life-like aunt. TO-NIGHT'S ATTRACTION. A POWERFUL PLAY. From the very extensive repertoire of plays in his possession, Mr W. F. Russell has selected "Bought and Paid For" as the final production to he presented by Miss Nellie Bramley and her talented company. This piece will be staged at the Grand Opera House for four nights, commencing to-night. This choice is further evidence that the company's season is indeed to be one of "the best plays at popular prices," for "Bought and Paid For" was one of the most sensational successes ever seen in America. As presented by Miss Bramley and her company it was responsible for most extraordinary demonstrations of enthusiasm in Auckland a few weeks ago. In this city the play will he portrayed by the same oast of high-class dramatic artists chat characterised the Auckland production. Robert Stafford, millionaire, business man, meets Virginia Blaine, a telephone girl, and after a surprisingly brief "courtship" (if it may be called such) marries her. Once married Virginia discovers that her husband is addicted to drink, which changes him. from a thoughtful man into a domineering bully, continually asserting his rights. During a most impressive scene she protests against this attitude, only to be crushed by his retort, that he "bought and paid" for her. Having too much self-iespect to remain in his house after such an insult she leaves him, going to work at five dollars a week. Her brother-in-law, hy a desperate ruse, brings about a reunion, and incidentally improves his own position, financially. This tremendously solf-satin-ned brother-in-law is responsible, with his wife, for most of the doiightul humour introduced into the stogy. The role of Virginia is claimed to be one of Miss Bramley’s greatest achievements, and those playgoers who have seen her as Sunday and May Turner, are eagerly waiting for to-night. 'QUEEN'S THEATRE "MAN TO MAN." The current programme at the Queen’s Theatre should more than satisfy picture patrons. The main feature is entitled, "Man to Man," in which is starred, Harry Carey, the outdoor man. The story centres about Steve Packard (Harry CaTey), who when he wanders into a Tahiti "dive" in time to see a native woman shot, has descended to the lowest of thejow. To Steve is entrusted the care of Cabela. the native woman’s daughter, and he is obliged to promise that he will never disclose that the child is not his. Back to the Arizona Range went Steve Packard, equipped with a dueky daughter and the determination that he would wipe out the stigma of "jailbird," which he had acquired after serving a term of imprisonment, which really should have been his father’s due. Trouble arises over a lease, and "Hellfire” Packard instructs his men. to stampede Steve’s cattle off the land. Hearing of the apnrooching stamnede, however, Steve and his girl friend, Terry Temple, ride out to meet the cattle, and Terry starts a hush-fire to head off the stampeding steers. She Is trapped between the stampede and tho fire, and how she is saved* hy Steve’s heroism is remarkably well shown In the picture. The supports are also very good, and Include a further chanter of "Winners of the West,” a Century comedy, and the latest budget of topicalities. A specially selected musical programme will he rendered nightly hy the Qpeen’s orohestra, under Mr A. H. Jerome. PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT "FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE.” What has been described as an epochmaking film. "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” a production involving stupendous settings and a multitude of performers, is drawing crowded attendances at the Paramount and Artcraft Theatres. In compliance with innumerable requests ihe management has decided upon on extended season of the picture. The plot is laid mainly in France, but opens in the Argentine. There is the gaiety of the Parisian tango palace, the fevered rush of the mobilisation scenes at the outbreak of the war, the cluttered retreat of the refugees, the seemingly endless masses of German troops pouring towards Paris, the bombardment and destruction of a village and a chateau on the Marne, the terrific horror and 1 fascination of an infantry, attack from the trenches into No Man’s Land. And through it all is the uncanny vision, of Pt. John, picturing the Four Horsemen— Conquest, War; Famine, and Death. The highest honours are carried off by Rudolph Valentino, a young Italian, Alice Terry Is seen as Marguerite, the love-sick wife. For the remainder of the season special school holiday matinees will be riven daily at Paramount, commencing at 2.15 p.m. The orchestra provides special music. WELL! N6TON CHORAL UNION SUNDAY CONCERT AT TOWN HALL. The committee of the Royal Choral Union have asked us to express their regret that it is impossible to give a repeat performance of "The Creation." The Hastings Choral Society, who are taking part in the work, have to return to Hastings on Monday morning. In response to many requests, however, it has been arranged to give a miscellaneous concert on Sunday evening at the Town Hall, by the combined choirs, aeeisted bv the following artists:—Miss Cara Holdgate, soprano; Mr Sydney Butler, tenor; Mr Howard Foster, baritone; aad Mr F. C. Wilkinson. A most attractive’ programme has been arranged, including grand opera numbera ana ballade hy the assisting artists, and some of the most popular choruses hy the combined choirs. The doors will te opened at half-pa6t seven, and the performance commences at 8.30. A collection will be taken up at the doors to defray the heavy expenses incurred.

“THE BOY”

BRLILIANT MUSICAL COMEDY. On Monday morning next at 9 o’clock the box plans for the J. C. Williamson production of the new musical comedy a "The Boy/* will Too opened at tne Bristol for the first six nights and first Saturday and Wednesday matinees. Of “The Boy" the famous ifnglieh. musical comedy, which the J. C. Williamson directors announce for first presentation here on Thursday next at the Grand Opera House, the Sydney “Daily Telegraph writes: —“The 6’tory is not unfamiliar to theatregoers, although it will foe more readily recalled as that of Sir .Arthur Pinero's amusing farce, 'The Magistrate, of which 'The Boy* is a musical adaptation. The outstanding character of the cast—and indeed the central figure ot the whole plot—is that of Horatio Meebles, the Bromley^lreet Police Magistrate, in the presentation of which Mr Arthur Stigant achieved somewhat of & triumph.** Meebles is persuaded by hi# irrepressible stepson, Hughie, to spend an evening at the Cosmos Hotel, a sort of “night club” frequented by beautiful women of the ultra-modern order, and. “sporty ‘boyees/* as Hughie calls them. Hughie is a youth of budding manhood, aged 19. To himself and. the outside world generally he is known to be only 14—-a little bit of deception brought about by his mother, who wished to conceal the true facts of her own advancing age from her second husband, Meebles, at the time of their marriage. By an unfortunate • circumstance concerned wrtui the preservation of the family secret of Hughie*s age, Hughie's mother and her sister aleo visit the Cosmos. A police raid follows, and the two ladies are arrested in company with an old friend ot Mrs Meebles, Colonel Bagot, and the sister's fiance. Meebles and Hughie manage to escape in the general confusion. The consternation tnat follows is only equalled by Meebles himself being placed in the invidious position of having to sentence his own wife and sister-in-law to a term of imprisonment, ihe play will be interpreted ‘by the Royal Comic Opera Company. THE STRAND DOUBLE. FEATURE BILL. A particularly strong programme was introduced at the Strand Theatre yesterday, with two “feature" films as a special attraction. The first, “Passereby,“ is from the play of C. f Haddon Chambers, with Herbert Rawlinson in the central role. According to the plot Peter Waverton and Margaret Summers, governess in the home of the former*s sister. Lady Hurley, fall in love with each other. It is Lady Hurley'# desire that her wand, Beatrice Dainton, and her brother shall be married to each other. Peter, however, prefers Margaret 6& that Lady Hurley determines to interfere. -She forces tne governess to leave her house during a heavy fog. Peter endeavours to find Margaret, but in vain. She goes to drown herself, but a kindly cabman intervenes. Several years after- , wards Margaret and Peter meet again, and a happy. ending ensues. The second “feature** is “Polly of the Follies,* a delightfully entertaining production, with Constance Talmadge as the heroine. Polly is a household drudge in the home of her old unde, Silas Meacham, who has an abhorrence for motion pictures. During the old man's absence Polly “stars" in one of the forbidden forms of amusement, and is surprised in the act by her uncle. Old Meacham upbraid# Polly, who .is shielded by Bob, a young society man who has eloped with Alysia, a young lady who belongs to his “set. Bob induces Polly to run away to New York, where she joins Ziegfreld's... Follies. ...Her first appearance is a fiasco, owing to her nervousness, but Alysia takes her place and achieves a great success. Polly, however, find# solace in accepting Bob*s offer to marry her, and Alysia is content to seek further fame on the stage. The production is lavishly staged and stylishly oostumed. There are excellent supporting subjects. "PEACOCK ALLEY” MAE MURRAY AT KING'S THEATRE Mae Murray, the beautiful dancer, who forsook the stage for the screen, is featured In a splendid love drama called "Peacock Alley” at the King’s Theatre, which will be the principal attraction for to-day and the coining week. In "Peacock. Aliev’’ the charming actress appears in a role u> which, she is admirably adapted, and in which she has oxcollent opportunities to turn her dancing gifts to advantage. As Cleo, cafe dancer and idol of the pleasure-loving youth of gay Paris, Miss Murray draws a fine picture of a vivacious, sparkling and impetuous little French woman, admired by all and yet yearning for the man whom Distinv holds in promise for her. At last he turns up in the person of Elmer Hannon, a young American, who .has come to Paris to negotiate with tho French Government on behalf of the contracting firm he represents. Through Cleo’s influence he secures the contract, and the wedded 1 pair return to Harmontown in perfeot happiness. The indignant townsfolk spurn the proud little French peacock, as a common dancer, and Dimer, convinced! of her unquestionable reputation, renounces his interest In the firm and takes her to New York. Cleo indulges her fancy for fine plumage, and in order to meet the bills Harmon forges the name of his uncle, the president of the firm. While he is in prison, Cleo, Still true to her husband, breaks her promise that, she would not return to her old professional life in order that she may find money to engage the services of an expensive lawyer, appears on Broadway, and! goes to the attorney’s apartment to consult him. Harmon is released from gaol, follows, and wrongly interprets a test he sees the lawyer make of the girl’s faith. He denounces her in a fit of passion, and declares she will never gee him again, but after five years a happy re-union is effected. The film is attractively got up, and the settings are beautiful and picturesque. The supporting programme inoludes an excellent scenic study, a comedy containing some original features, and a Gaumont Graphic depicting important, everyday events at Home.. Special music is provided by the King’s Grand Orohestra. HIB MAJESTY’S AN ATTRACTIVE BILL. A well-filled auditorium at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening testified to the attractiveness of the current programme By Fullers’ Vaudeville Company. Conspicuously successful are the "turns" by Signor and Slgnorlna Molinari (Italian operatic Linden and Bcrridgo (musical, comedy entertainers), Ling and Long (eccentric comedy duo), Mr Hyman Lenzer (violinist), and Mr Yorke Gray (revue "star’’). The customary matinee 3s billed for bo-day, and there will be a repetition this evening. A complete change ia announced for. Monday. SPORTS' CLUB BALL AT TOWN HALL. On Monday next the Dominion Sports’ Club will hold their annual ball at the Town Hall. Music will be provided by the Cabaret orchestra. Late cars will rim to Lyall Bay and Island Bay, end tho Bell inotor-’bus will run to Kelburn and Thorndon. Tickets are obtainable from M. L. Marris. jeweller. No. 9, Willis street, the Midland Hotfil, and at Green’s, chemist. Vivian street.

HAYDN'S “CREATION”

AT TOWN HALL TO-NIGHT. The eagerly anticipated performance of Haydns "The Creation,’ by the combined Wellington and Hastings .Choral Societies, takas place in tho Town Hall to-night in the presence of Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Viscountess Jellicoe. This great oratorio retains its place amongst the immortals because of its lofty subjeot, and the simple grandeur of the musical setting. Such arias as "With Verdure Glad/' "In Native W'orth,” and "Rolling in Foaming Billows,” when sung by artists of tlie calibre of Miss Cara Holdgate, Mr Sydney Butler, ant Mr Howard Foster, should provide a rare musical treat, whilst to hear the choir and orchestra of 450 members uplifting the strains of "Tho Heavens are Telling” should also be well worth while. Owing to tho heavy booking patrons are specially requested to attend early so that the commencement of the concert may not be rlolnyo'l owing to people. crushing into their seats. Tho doors will open at 7.15, and the performance conclude at about 10.15. A Hastings telegram states that the Hastings Societv produced Handel’s "Creation” ait the Mqnicipal Theatre before a large audience, who received the oratorio enthusiastically. The soloist was excellent, but tho feature of the performance was tho fine chorus work. The Hastings Choral Society, which is to co-operate with the Wellington Society in,the presentation of "The Creation” to-night, will be accorded 1 a civic reception this morning. ORGAN RECITAL ' BY MR BERNARD F. PAGE, Mr Bernard F. Page (city OTganist) will rive another of his OTgan recitals at the Town Hall to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon, commencing at 3 o’clock. The programme is as under Sonatina in A Minor (KargBlert), this item is by request; intermezzo from Suite for Orchestra (Op. 43), by Tchaikovsky; Bach’s Fantasia and Fugue (A Minor); Summer Sketches (“Dawn,” "The Bee," "Cuckoo," "Twilight,” "Evening”), by Lemare; and Cesar Franok's Toccata in F.