ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11411, 6 January 1923, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE SILVER FOX” LAST TWO NIGHTS. A large audience heartily enjoyed the delightful play of Cesmo Hamilton’s which Lawrence Grossmith and his talented company are interpreting at the Opera House. The play is one of those delightful drawingroom' comedies that feally rquire the intimacy of a little theatre for the right, atmosphere and accord between actors and audience, and it says much for the fine acting of the whole company at the Opera Hou§e that they manage to convey the finest and most delicate points across such a large auditorium as the Wellington Opera House. This is whore M r Grossmith shines. His points are all so delicately touched that it requires consummate skill to show that they are points at all. As the delightful, easy-going husband, too lazy to make love to his wile, and too absorbed to mind what anyone else docs, he, is inimitable. Miss Diana Wilson looks the part of tile "well-dressed and ■perfect w'ife to the life, and is a dignified and stately figure throughout, while ! her scenes with her lover, who refuses to recognise himself as such are given with consummate skill and subtlety. Doric© Kendal, as the second wife, is sufficiently flapperish, and makes juist the right contrast to the dignity and grace of the first-comer, and her attempts to act the haughty and dressy head of the house are delightful. A s Belgrave, Paul Plunkett is refreshing after the heaviness ef the poet Stanley, quite melodramatically played by Mr Ashton Jarry. The scenery in the play forms an important part in the story, and the rising of the curtain on the last act, to find jazz curtains and energetic-looking furniture in place of the easy lounges, and curtains and hangings of a wonderful maroon satin of the first two acts, at once puts the audienoe au rapport with w'hat has happened in the interval, and what is to be expected now. Everyone should certainly see "The 'Silver Fox," which will only be played to-night and on Monday night. ROSINA BUCKMAN "GOOD-BYE" CONGEE,T TO-NIGHT. In the Town Hall to-night Miss Eosina Buckman and Mr Maurice D’Oisly will make their final appearance in Wellington prior to their departure for Ehrope The Buckman-D’Oisly concerts have provided a musical treat that will live lone in the memory of all those that have attended them. The programmes have been arranged to set forth, thb talents of the popular singers and their supporting artists to the great-’ est advantage, with the result that a feast of music has been forthcoming that has not been previously heard here before. Apart from the fact that Miss Buckman is New Zealand’s own worldfamous singer, the standard set by the rfeitformers would not be excelled in London. Grand opera has been sung as it has never been sung before in Wellington, and a large audience will doubtless seize the opportunity of bidding farewell and wishing the famous New Zealander, and her delightful associate artists, further triumphs in - the Old World. In order to meet the popular demand, a request programme will be given to-night, and amongst Miss Buckman’s numbers set down are "One Fine Day.’’ from "Madame Butterfly,” Percy Kahn’s “Ave Maria," with organ end ’cello, "Home, Sweet Home/’ Tosti’s "Good-bye," “Mnsetta’s Song,*’ from "La Boheme,” "Waiata Poi.” "Waiata Maori,” "The Lass with the Delicate Air’’ (Aim), "Butterfly Wings,” "Sing, Joyous Bird” (M. Phillips), "Easter Hymn” (Granville Bantock), with organ, "The Tryst” (Sibelius), "Tire Cuckoo” (Lehmann), "Cornin’ thro' the Rye,” etc. The duets will include those from "Madame Butterfly"ll Trovatore,” "La Boheme,” and k 'C’avalleria Elusticana." Mr D’Oisly will sing "Eleanore,” Aria from "La Tosca,” “The Blind Ploughman" (with organ), "Sombrero.” "Casey the Fiddler” (Haydn Wood), "Dolorosa” (M. Phillips), "The Hour,” Percy Kahn (with organ and ’cello), "Petronille,” "Adieu du. Matin.” Miss Adelina Leon will play ’cello solos, Mr Percy Kahn will be at the plane, and Mr Bernard Page at the organ. The box plan is at the Bristol, and the day sales at Ned Perry’s. v STRAND THEATRE "WHEIN THE CLOUDS ROLL BY.” The wonderful screen comedian, Douglas Fairbanks, is again the principal attraction on the new bill at the Strand Theatre, which is headed, by "When the Clouds 801 l By.’ It is one of those pictures that has a very human touch about it, even in the vein of (humour which permeates it throughout. It is one of the best releases by the great star. Clouds threaten the happiness of Daniel Boone Brown and his sweetheart, and before they roll by the hero goes through hair raising adventures, including a real flood. The realism of the picture showing the flood playing havoc with the peonle and their homes and animals makes one hold one’s breath. Katherine McDonald and Freckles (Weslev Barry) figure in the second picture, "Stranger than Fiction," and the reappearance of these two popular stars is always very welcome. No one wonders now how it is that young Barry touches the soft spot in the hearts of those who see him on the screen, and gives them the desire to make his personal acquaintance. As the little street urchin of New York he is unapproachable, and Miss McDonald, as the' New York society belle, fulfils her role charmingly. Tired of high life she decides to take a hand in bringing the Black Hand gang to book. It would be telling too much and would take ofl the edge of the enjoyment of the picture to say what transpires as a result of her decision, but it leads to some very exciting situations, dramatic apd 'humorous, for the scene changes from the millionaire palaces of Fifth. Avenue to the locality of the Ghetto. The pictures are accompanied by appropriate music, and the urogrnmme is supported by a Mermaid comedy and a Gazette, the last of which gives the latest news from Home. The double feature programme will be showing all next week until Thursday evening, and the opportunity of spending a really enjoyable evening is one that is too good to miss. / QUEEN’S THEATRE "THE TIGER’S OOAT.” "The Tiger’s Coat,” a new Selznick Pictures production, which is now- showing at the Queen’s Theatre, tells a vitally interesting story of a young Mexican girl who assumes the identity of her doceased friend a pure blooded white girl. How 6he goes to the States and makes her home with the life-long friend of the girl's father, how he falls desperately in love with her. hut renounces her when he learns that she has deceived him and why. and how they are ultimately brought together again, forma one of the most highly entertaining screen stories of the day. Three featured players head the cast: Myrtle Stedman, Lawson Butt and Tina Modotti. Each has a role particularly well suited to their individual personality. The direction is by Eoy S Clements. The supporting feature is "The Scar.” an intense drama of a battle of wits between the minds of good and evil, with' love as the reward. It is the story of the remarkable power wielded by the woman in oiganising and disorganising the lives of many others. The picture is enacted by a wonderful cast headed Kitty Gordon and Irving Cummings. The remaining items on the programme include the latest ’opical budget. Sclzniok news and comedy, the whole supported by the Queen’s orchestra, under the direction of Mr A. H. Jerome. The box plan is at the theatre.

HIS MAJESTY’S A SPLBNDID PROGRAMME). One of the most popular items on a very fine bill at His Majesty's Theatre is provided by the Walter George Sunshine Players in the revue, “Don't Be Vulgar, Charlie/' Mr and Mrs Kennedy Allen's burlesque drama is among the most amusing items of the entertainment. The Bracken Duo have a now and interesting turn, which concludes with the maniplation of blazing clubs, while Golda and Dolores perform daring feats on the tight wire and flying trapeze respectively. In addition to these artists, Russell and Frost are to be seen in some particularly clever dancing. The programme will be repeated this afternoon and to-night, and there will be the usual change of bill on Monday. BIG WILLIAMSON REVUE USE WHITE IN “BRAN PIE.” What is stated to be the most expensive engagement made by the J. C. Williamson firm is that of the famous English revue artist, Miss Lee White, who will make her first appearance in New Zealand at the Grand Opera House next Saturday night, in the latest London revue success, “Bran Pie," described as a merry musical show with 20 dips. This gifted artist is said to share with Miss Ada Reeve, Madame Sarah Bernhardt, Miss Vesta Tilly, and Miss Elsie Janis the distinction of being among the five most high-salaried lady artists appearing on the stage. Miss Lee White comes to the Dominion direct from the principal theatres in Sydney and Melbourne, where she has been appearing with phenomenal success in “Bran Pie," the quaintlynamed musical triumph in which she has selected to make her New Zealand debut on Saturday evening next, when she will be seen in her original role, in which she has already delighted thousands of theatre-goers m. London and Australia. Writing of her first appearance in Sydney, a leading critic said : —“There wero scenes of enthusiasm last evening the like of which has seldom been known since the inception of this popular place of amusement. They were prompted by Miss Lee White and Mr Clay Smith, two 'stars' of the revue firmament, who came to Sydney with a great reputation, and who certainly justified every word of eulogy which has been spoken and written of them. An absolute storm of applause from an audience which filled every corner of the building heralded their appearance, but that reception was nothing to the furore which adequately expressed the joy and pleasure their delightful performance had given. For refinement, artistry, cleverness, and charm, they must rank among the vanguard of pre-sent-day entertainers." Supporting Miss Lee White will be the distinguished light comedian, Mr Clay Smith, who has been associated with her in all her successes in London during the past six years, and a specially organised Williamson company of English and Australian artists, including Mr Ernest Sefton (a noted London comedian), Lucine Beck (a famous English impersonator), Lance Lister (last here with “Hie Boy" Company), Rupert Julien, Muriel Cathcart, Clarice Hardwick©, Zoe Wenke, and many other wellknown artists. The dancers with the company are Miss Maie Baird and Archie Thompson, together with a specially picked chorus and ballet from the firm's principal opera companies. The whole production will be under the personal supervision of Mr Robert Greig, who originally produced “Bran Pie" when first presented in Australia. The box plans for the first six nights will open at the Bristol next Thursday at 9 a.m. WESTMINSTER GLEE SINCERB TOWN HALE SATURDAY NEXT. It is an essential. to success in any artist appealing to any public that he must bo in tune with those who see or hear him He or thev are unahle to explain this attribute to success. It is as inexplicable 'as the sending ~ of wireless messages, mother love, the thing that makes a man a gentleman. Here are Mr Edward Branscombe's Westminster Glee Singers, who commence their New Zealand tour fresh from their trip direct from London on Saturday night at the Town Hall, Wellington—Master Albert Cooper, Master Henry Collier, Master Leon Harper, Master Leslie Snow, Master Ronald Thompson and Messrs John Andrews, Alfred Cunninghame, Ellis Visard, Donald Reid and Mr Edward Branscombe himself. All these are gifted vocalists trained l in the best English schools under the best masters. All these possess in a marked degree that subtle something, that unexplainable personal appeal, without which vocal excellence is rere pleasant sound. These artists, and the boys particularly, creep unconsciously to one’s heart, and one finds oneself at the stage door after the performance trying to get a glimpse of their fiesh young faces. It is the vocal, spiritual and personal appeal of the Westminster Glee Singers that makes their tour on ? of the most notable events In (New Zealand’s musical history. For the progrnmn es to he presented, and which, will be changed each evening, special compilations have been made which will include part songs by ancient and modern masters, vocal dances, Christmas parols, glees, madrigals, plantation melodies, cradle songs, anthems, whilst the solos, duets and quartettes will be found to contain some of the most fascinating gems of English music. The box plans will be opened at the Bristol on Wednesday _ next, and it is safe to assume there will be a large demand for seats BOYS’ BRASS BAND PONSONBY LABS’ TOUR., The boys and girls of. Wellington have the choice of a rare treat in the hearing of the performances of the Ponsonby Boys’ Braes Band. Tbe Rotary Club, which has always taken such an interest in the children of the Dominion, strongly recommends these lads, especially to the juvenile population of our city. .That is their message to the children; but to the adults this unique band should appeal no less than to the children. It should be sufficient to say in regard to their merits that they were received cordially in all the large towns of the South Island, and that as they have progressed on their tour this cordiality has increased to enthusiasm. Now the Wellington public has a chance to hear their musical items. AT THE PRINCESS “WHEN A WOMAN LOVES.” When a woman lovee she is ready to make any sacrifice. That is the moral of “Her Silent Sacrifice,’’ the gripping heart-interest photo-drama in which Alice Brady, the Selznick star, appears at the Princess Theatre. Her loved one an American artist, has great talents, but needs the support of 6ome influential person to further his career. Tbe arrival of Prince Boiseard, an old roue, gives her the opportunity, and the unsophisticated little country girl promises to give herself to him in return for his aid to the young artist. The Prince fulfils his part of the bargain, and in the meantime plies the girl with every luxury and attraction of smart Parisian society life. After the artist receives the. Grand Prize, the girl carries out her part of the agreement by publicly acknowledging the Prince as her lover; but the Fate which watches over true lovers eaves her from the greatest sacrifice. Hundreds of thousands of people have read the story of "The Elusive Pimpernel,” by Baroness Orczy, the second feature showing at the Empress, and it is safe to say that practically everybody has heard of the adventurous characters of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” who forms it hero. In the picture version, the title role is wonderfully enacted by Cecil Humphreys, who is the ideal type for this difficult part. It is interesting to note # that Mr Humphreys is just now- achieving further fame with Oscar Asche in the latter’s colossal spectacle “Cairo,” and the fact of Mr Humphreys being chosen stan»— K; m aa a distinctive aetav

Clarence Manning, a married man, residing at 30, Bolton street, Petone, met with an unfortunate accident yesterday. In attempting to climb *on the table in order to put out the light lie-slipped and in falling broke his right arm. He was admitted to the hospital •at 12 . o’clock, and at about 2 o’clock this morning was reported to he progressing favourably. The Right. Reverend Bishop Steward, of Melanesia, leaves England on February 15th by the Ruahine and is due to arrive in Auckland on March 23rd. He is bringing with him six additional members of the mission ataff and expects to leave for the Islands on April 6th.