ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11435, 3 February 1923, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

“A NIGHT OUT’’ FINAL PRODUCTION TO-NIGHT. "A Night Out*’ continues to fill the Opera House nightly, and last night another crowded audience witnessed tho antic-s of W. S. Percy and liis supporters, w’ho provided fun fast and furious for their pleasure. Tho chief weight of tho fun-faking rests with the straying Pinglet, but the other members of tho cast ably support the chief fun-maker, and foremost among them is Miee Maud Fane, whose playing of’ jUarcelle make# (ho part one of the chief characters ot tho piece, instead of being a mere support to the leading man One of the features of “A Night Out - *' is the excellent dancing, especially tho charming Pierrot ballet in the last act. To-night will he the last performance of "A Night Out/* "PH, LADY, LADY" FIRST PRESENTATION MONDAY A large audience is likely to greet tbe initial representation on Monday night next of “Oh! Lady, Lady/* the stupendous New York musical comedy production, which ie regarded as one of the best plays in the large repertoire of the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., New English Musical Comedy Company. Quit© a large sum of money was expended on the mounting of “Oh! Lady, Lady," which was described in Sydney ae the most; gorgeously mounted production the J* C. Williamson, Ltd., management has staged in the Commonwealth. The book and lyrics are by Guy Bolton and P. C. Woodliouse, and the music, which is much above the average, by Jerome Kern. It is remarkably fine in the big finale to the first act, and in the accompaniment of tho charming number, ‘Mammy/' which is sung to the accompaniment of about 40 ukuleles, deftly handled by Maud Fane and the members of the chorus and ballet. “Oh! Lady, Lady" is particularly—-Strong in its comedy scenes and. noted for its clever and witty dialogue. The 'curtain rises on the eve of Miss Farrington's wedding to Willoughby Finch, but Ma. Farrington, frankly suspicious of "a dark past/* makes Finch $o nervous about the appearance of an old flame that h© practises needless deception, is tripped up, . and the wedding is off. Meantime his valet, Hudgins, an exburglar, and "Fainting Fanny/'’ a pickpocket not yet ex, catch the love infection and make a cosy nest in Finch’s bachelor apartments, believing him on honeymoon, Fanny bringing with her ft necklace purloined from the Finch wedding present tables. And many humorous complications follow. The originality of Miss Fane’s characterisation of the part of Fainting Fanny is quite a feature of the production of “Oh! Lady, Lady.’’ It allows the charming comedienne to get right away from convention, • and it ie said that she is more fascinating in this piece than any other in her repertoire. Mr W. Fercy, as the ex-burglar, create® screams of laughter the whole time he is on the stage, and he is ably assisted in the comedy scene® by Field Fisher, Millie Engler, and Ceoil KellewaV. Both Miss Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritcharde have important parts to portray, and in addition their cfynce specialities are features of the opefa. Miss Floie Allen receives better opportunity in "Oh! Lady, Lady’’ than in other plays 6he has appeared in. and Mr Jack Hooker, Miss Gwen Wither, and Mr Kennedy are in their element in a big specialty act. Only a limited number of performances can be staged of "Oh! Lady, Lady/’ and on Saturday next "Mary” will 'be presented for the first time here. PRINCESS THEATRE "THE AFFAIRS OF ANATOL" "Tho Affairs of Anatol” headed the programme at the Princees Theatre last evening. It has a remarkable ca.st, headed by Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson, Elliott Dexter, Bebe Daniels, and Agnes Ayres, in which is certainly a superb picture. Twelve stellar players and a supporting cast of unrivalled quality— that's the record set by Cecil B. De Mille’s latest Paramount masterpiece "The Affairs of Anatol.’’ The roster reads like a who’s who of the screen. The phrase "all-star cast" is,a much-abused one, but it adequately describee a cast that includes Wallace Reid, the famous star; Gloria Swanson, Elliott Dexter, Bebe Daniels, Monte Blue, Wanda Hawley, Theodore Roberts, Agnes Ayres, Theodor© Kosloff, Polly Moran, Raymond Hatton and Juli Faye. Nothing like this cast in the way of aggregate talent has ever been assembled before. The drawing power of any of the names on tho roll has been sufficient to awaken the interest of the discriminating public. Here, for the first time, they are appearing in a single production under the direction of a master producer—Cecil B. De Mille. The same quality that is featured in the cast of principals and in the authorship has been carried through every phrase of production work. The supporting cast includes such capable actors as Guy Oliver, Charles Ogle, Clarence Geldart, Maude Wayne, Ruth Miller, William Boyd, Lucien Littlefield and others. The beautiful settings are the work of Paul Iribe, famous French artist, designer and decorator. The supports are of a pleasing character, and contain some thrills, which are always accepable to picture-goers. STRAND THEATRE DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. Tho current programme, which commenced at the Strand Theatre last evening, is a good one. "Skin Deep" lead© the programme, and last night a full house witnessed this remarkable picture This play was made by the great producer mainly as an appeal to the American public to look after the returned soldier, ©specially that section whose war record was good, but whose ante-war history was bad. Bud Doyle was a hero ot the front, but when ho got back he found that his forbidding face was still remembered by the police and that in no time, through the treachery of his wicked but fascinating wife, he was "railroaded to prison again." In an escape from the prison he crashes from an aeroplane through some tree-tops and his lace has to be dealt with by a surgeon. Bud finds that with his new face ho has really a new chance, and in a sensational series of adventures he ©xoos«s thp old gang, breaks with his deceitful wife, and becomes in reality a new man Though the play is crammed with thrills it is a dignified and splendid story. ‘‘The Forbidden Thing" is the second feature on the programme, and ie a .picture in which the spiritual is arrayed against the physical in. a battle for love Tha physical wiles of a woman fighting for the soul of a man—and on the . other hand the sweet refining influence of another woman for the same possession. "The Forbidden Thing" is a 6tory that ripples with amusement at times, and at other times bubbles with human emotions. Also, In it tragedy, fltalks rampant—and then comes love and happiness and contentment. The lithe, sensuous, dark-eyed Portuguese maiden weaves her spell about the stalwart descend mt of the Pilgrim Fathers—causes wreck and ruin to follow in her wake. The supports include "The Poor Boy/’ a Mermaid comedy, and the latest Paths Gazette. The serial, "Nan of the Nbrih/*' has been transferred from the Empress to the Strand. This week episode 14, ‘’The Volcano/* will be showing.

HIS MAJESTY’S MUSICAL COMEDY AND VAUDS VILLE. “The Scarab,” a story of ancient and modern Egypt, is still proving a big attraction at Hie Majesty’s Theatre. There i«s a clever plot, with heap© ot Rood, rich humour. The production is excellently staged, and the ensembles and ballet scenes arc of a high order. Walter George and his Sunshine Flayers have established a reputation of comedy revuos, which have a brightness and go with a swing. Several new turns are provided in tho vaudeville portion of the programme, Harry North, the concertina "ewaggie/' being in great demand, with his melodious rendering of well-known air 6. There is also an original tarn provided by a clever dancing duo. while the Hilo Trio are much in evidence wih their picturesque novelty act. The programme, which wih be> repeated this evening, offers a big inducement to lovers of brightness with a little humour and clavier patter. ‘TROUBLE” JACKIE COOiGAN AT THE EMPRESS theatre. A crowded audience at the Elmpres* Theatre last evening welcomed Jackie Coogan in "Trouble/’ his latest production, one of the finest examplee of his work yet presented. Jackie Coogan has dune more than >emulate big past ventures in filmdom and emerges in- every sense a ©tar. In all his productions 'he i/ a. consummate artist, whose versatility in one so young stamps him as a lad with a wonderful future and a prodigy of more than usual interest. In the role of tlie little orphan, adopted by a not overkind father, ample scope is given for him to display his ability in extricating huiself from, eerapes, a pecular feature of Jackie Coogan, who is never at a loss whatever comes along. The scenes in. the orphanage were particularly good, with many patches ot bright humour. "Qucenie." the talented dog of the miniature comedian, gives every support to her little master, ana is most amusing at times. Jackie is taken in by a lazy, good-for-nothing plumber, who gives him rather a bad time, although he is most sympathetically received by the bullied wife. Jackie eventually manages to earn a frve-doUar note, which 'he generously presents to his adopted uujjjher. The ' note is snatched from her by the plumber, and ns the result of a fracas with a policeman who overhears him bullying bia wife, lands the, bully before a magistrate, where Jackie plays a most important part. Eventually he receives his deserts for his unkind treatment ot the little boy and hi a wife. The latter is restored to his parents, and Jackie is last 6een thoroughly enjoying himself on a farm, accompanied by his dog, while the plumber pays for his ill-treat-ment of his family behind prison bars. The production is a particularly good one, no expense having been spared to .make a most convincing representation, careful detail having been paid to all the scenes. Jackie Coogan lias made himself the envy of all small boye, many of whom did not fail to give him..an exceedingly hearty welcome when he smiled from the screen last evening. In addition, a well-assorted programme is offered, including an exceptionally interesting New Zealand topic, dealing with kauri foreets in the north of Auckland, and the great timber industry, which plays such an important part in the life of that part of tho Dominion. A Mack Sennett comodv entitled "Bright. Eyes," starring Ben Turpin, also offers many opportunities for a laugh. A most enjoyable musical programme was directed by Mr L. D. Austin, with an orchestra specially. augmented for thi« De Luxe attraction. '"Trouble" will be screened again to-day and this evening.

QUEEN’S THEATRE "A CERTAIN RICH MAN.” Powerful, masterful acting by a cast of seventeen superb artists ie a feature of "A Certain Rich Man," Selznick’e great photo-drama, of tlie novel- by William Allen White, which is now showing at the Queen’s Theatre. Not only do the players of the world-famous novel appear on the screen as though they had stepped from the pages, but a new era of motion picture acting fie introduced. There are seventeen players in the principal roles, players ranging from childhood to venerable old age, and the story deals with three periods in the lives of its principals. A period of twenty years in all, and a scope of every known type of acting in this period and in the large list of characters are embraced. Comedy and tragedy, pathos and humour, tense drama, and quaint characterisation, are exquisitely blended. . With the wonderful acting, of a kind and quality never seen before on the shadow 6tage, this newest Selznick release takes on all tho appeal of the old speaking stage masterpieces with the wider scope and power of the silver sheet. The supporting production is "The Key of the World/’ a B. and C. release. Though absorbingly interesting it lacks all scenes of violent passion, nor does it introduce sex problems or mysteries. It is no idle boast to Say that "The Key of tire World" will not only gain success by the sheer delight of its settings, but it is doubtful whether the settings have ever been surpassed. The remaining items on the programme include the latest Topical Budget, Selznick News and Comedy, with the additional support of the Queen’s Orchestra, under the direction of Mr A. H. Jerome. The box plan is at tbe theatre. ORGAN RECITALS . COMMENCE TO-MORROW. Mr Bernard F. Fage {city organist) will commence his weekly organ recitals for the ensuing year to-morrow (Sunday) evening, in the Town Hall, and tho following . items will be played:—Concerto, in D Minor (No. 10) (Handel), Debussy's Andante (from String Quartette), Good Friday Music (from Act III.) "Parsifal" by Wagner, Faulkee* Meditation, and Toccata by Dubois.