ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11583, 28 July 1923, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

A FAMOUS ’CELLIST

GEiRARD V CONCERT TO-NIGHT. Patrons of the Gerardy concert at the Town Hall to-night may brave the elements with the assurance that the Town Kail will be warm and comfortable, as the steam heating apparatus is now in good working order. To-night's concert will be the fourth of the series, and t owing to the success of these concerts, Mr ±1 J. Gravestock has arranged for two concerts to take place next week, m l'Yidav evening and a matinee on Saturday afternoon. The famous Belgian "cellist has created an extraordinary impression amongst music-lovers, and his hearers are enraptured with his glorious playing. "Gerardy brings happiness," wjote a Sydney critic recently. "It was remarked on Saturday night that the audience of M. Jean Gerardy at the Town Hall was one of the happiest. Smiling .faces testified to the pleasing effects of the musio. It was a joy to be present at a such a concert/' A fine programme is set down for performance to-night, including the brilliant Lalo Concerto, one of the most , sparkling works ever written for the '"cello j ‘T/Agreable," an old lYench dance by Morin Marais, the air from the scene of the Champs Elysees, from Gluck's opera "Orphee," arranged by M. Gerardy ; Chanson Louis XIII. et Pavane (Couperin Kreisler-Ger&rdy); Chanson Triste (Tschaikowsky), Tarantello (Popper), Le Cygno (Saint-Saens), Aria (Baoh), etc. The box plan will be at the Bristol until 12.30, afterwards at the Bluebird confectionery; day sales at N. Perry's until 1, afterwards at the Bluebird. M. Gerardy will give concerts at Masterton on Monday, Palmerston North on Tuesday, Wanganui Wednesday and Thursday. Her Excellency, Lady Jellicoe, and suite will attend to-night's conoecrt. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE A BRIGHT? RROGRAMME. The bright programme at His Majesty's Theatre was a|ain witnessed by a large audience last evening. The chief attraction is that of Stiffy and Mo, who appear in a clever comedy revue as , plumbers, ft role which provides for plenty of laughs. IHdnty ballet choruses and song numbers make the revtie one of . their brightest to date- Among6t the vaudeville attractions are Mello and Nello. hand balancers and acrobats; Owen and Hamilton, vocalists and patter ists; Winnie ■Edg'arton, in song numbers; and’ the jubilee Trio, The programme will be repeated again this afternoon, when a special matinee performance will be given, and this evening. • • QUEEN’sThEATRE . "THE PRISONER." The star attraction shown for the first time ok the Empress Theatre yesterday evening is "The Prisoner," adapted from George- Barr McCutcheon's famous novel, which originally bore tho title "Castle Carneycrow." The scene of this splendid gtory is' laid in the brilliant society life of Vienna, where two Americans come across some old friends there who cie moving in this wonderful circle. One of them discovers an old love, who in the meantime ’has become engaged to an Italian prince of immense wealth. t The meeting of these frto rivals provides a scene of intense dramatic interest, especially when the American recognises in the prince an adventurer whose love intrigues in South America caused him to be indicted for murder, from whioh he onb* escaped by reason of his riches. Thesa> two powerful dominating men are seen battling for the love of a beautiful girl resulting in thrilling 'scenes of intense passion and deep hatred. On the eve of her wedding to the Prince a dramatic ooup is effected, and she is kidnapped, and whirled through the wild and rm*»ed chuntry round - Vienna to Carneycrow Castle. A daring attempt at rescue is made in the tortuous winding passageways, which lead ffoin'dungeon to dungeon, holding secrets as old as this wonderful old castle itself. The lovers find themselves entrapped x in these dungeons by the treacherous swing of a secret door of masPnry, but a thrilling escape is effected at last after many wonderful adventured which, holds everybody in a continual state of rapture and suspense. An-excellent east of players, inoluding such well-known artists as Herbert Rawlineon, Eileen Percy, June Elvidrre, Bertram Grassby. and Lillian Ltangdon are included in this elaborate and lavish setting of an intensely interesting and wholesome story. 1 The second star production. "Kindled Outrage," Starring Edward (Hoot) Gibson, the famous Western horseman, in a picture without a single wild horse or other appurtenanoe of the horseman's calling. Beatrice Burnham iplays opposite the star.' Among the supports is the latest International News, together with the weekly musical feast provided ; py the popular Queen's Grand Orchestra* ~inder the direction of Mr A. H. Jerorde. “LUV’> AND LAUGHTER AT OPER A HOUSE TO-NIGHT. " ’Tis love that makes the World go round; ’tis laughter makes the world grow fat," sings the poet. . Love and laughter; these are the web .and woof, the warp and weft, of "Luv”—the mad. dost, merriest mixture of must* fend mummery, pranks and prettiness, ever concocted by local ’Varsity students tn high holiday bent. The theme Is ambitious— nothing else than the course of more or less true love throughout the ages. Beyond the ages! for what is begun in Paleolithic times finishes in the timelessness of the Styx. Hen of the Stone Age, "with politics oonvulsingly like our cry a (but rather heartier), battle for the heavy hand of beauteous Queen Sheecastunna. The dramatic loves of Tutankhamen and Nbvertite (not to mention a dancing, girl) culminate in a note of pure tragedy. Amid rapiers, roysterjng, arid ruffles, (he matrimonial difficulties of great Elisabeth are tangled for all time*. Finally, the threads cro drawn together in a glorious ensemble on the “Jaazboat on the Styx.'" There is dancing galore (it is a special feature); the chorus effects are novel and varied; popular comedy abounds and a deal of surprisingly good acting, the whole being set in a riot of oolour and. produced £y the masterly hand, of Mr Theodore Trezlse. The talent and beauty of the ’Varsity are mobilised for the production, and (let it be murmured softly) all the women’s parts are not taken by,women! Chief among fhe men is Hr A. J. Mazengarb, a splendid oomedian. To-night is the opening night, and the performance will be repeated on Monday and Tuesday evenings at tho Opera House. The box plan is at the Bristol.

THE THESPIANS "PRESERVING MR PANMURE.’’ On Wednesday and Thursday next, in the Concert Chamber. Mr Ctilford Bell' will present the high-class comedy in four acts, "Preserving Mr Panmure." written by the foremost playwright of today, Sir A. W. Pinero. The play, which had a long London season/ is a brilliant example of the modern comedy, presenting some strongly humorous types, diverting situations, and very smart dialogue. Contrasted to the comedy side arc powerful flashes of drama, making the whole a most interesting evening’s entertainment. The Thespians, under Mr Culford Bell, are Well cast and rehearsed, and successful performances are assured. The’ fund- to benefit is tho Terrace school playground improvement fundi Turner’s Orchestra have charge of the music. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol,

EMPRESS THEATRE "OLIVER TWIST”—IMMORTAL CLASSIC. Charles Dickens’s immortal 6tory is one of the greatest novels in English literature. Jackie Ooogan is regarded as the child wonder of the motion picture world, while the screen production, which was shown at the Empress Theatre for the first time last night, marks an important advancement in the cinematic art. It is a faithful reproduction in every detail and everything—the scenery, characters, and manners —are all that the author himself could have wished for. All the famous characters. Bill Sikes, Oliver, Nancy, Fagin, the Artful Dodger, and a host of others, are all brought to life in a vivid and realistio manner. Dickens has introduced into “Oliver Twist* an unprecedented range of characters, but the producer seems to have been equal to the task and has selected a cast who play their parts with unusual fidelity. The story, which has been read by almost everyone, tells how a yonng orphan is brought up amongst a school "of thieves and Fagin teaches him to pick pockets under the pretence that it is a “game.” During a pickpocketing ievpeditA*n Oliver is wrongly accused of the crime and on being acquitted is adopted bv the viotim of the. robbery. He is kidnapped, however, by Bill Sikes and the Artful Dodger, who take him with them in order that he may be o? assistance during a burglary. On entering the house Oliver arouses the occupants and'is wounded in the shoulder by Bill Sikes, who, with the Artful Dodger, makes good his escape. After Oliver has been restored to his original benefactor, he is again threatened by the gang, but is Warned of their plans by Nancy. Bill Sikes discovers that he has been 'betrayed and in an intensely dramatic scene 'beats Nancy to death with a club. The police arrive on the scene, and at last the infamous criminals get -their deserts. None of the grand pathos and! rich humour is lost in the screen version of this wonderful old story. Hie outstanding characterisation, apart from the acting of Jackie Coogah, are said to be those of how Chaney as Fagin, Gladys Brockwsll as Nancy, George Siegman as Bill Sikes, Lionel Belmonte as Mr Brownlow, Edouard Treloar as the Artful Dodger, Joan Sawyer as Charlotte, Lewis Sergeant as Noah Clappole, Nelson McDowell as Mr Sowerberry, and Aggie Haring as Mrs Cornoy. The picture should appeal to everyone, and especially bo the cnildreli. In addition to the usual supports there is a novel and original prologue arranged by Miss Lucy Sullivan, and the principal artists include Billie Murphy, Irene Wilson and Una Smith. The Empress Symphonic Orchestra, of ten solo musicians, under the baton of Mr M. Dixon, plays a wide range of selections, which includes “Muitana” (Wallace), overture; “In the Silence” (Rachmaninov); “Presto,” from Symphony in. F major (Beethoven), “Dance Rusee” (Rubinstein; “Finale,” from "Farewell Symphony” (Haydn); "Intemetto” (Grist): “Scherzo” (Mendelssohn); “Carnival Overture” (Dvorak)). “Oliver Twist'* is screened at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3.5 and 5.80; while the De LnXa session commences at 1.45. • .. _ STRAND THEATRE GREAT DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. Screening for the first time in New Zealand, “His Back Against the Wall,” at the Strand this week is a release which should not be missed by theatregoers. The story as embodied! in a new Goldwyn film, is a delightful variation of the western strong man melodrama. Instead of a hero Who can split a table with a, single blow, we find a little tailor’s man driven from his own "set” in the East acclaimed as a hero by his Western companions. Inadvertently he has Witnessed the killing of two desperadoes in the desert, and although too terrified to move, he is discovered by the sheriff and handed to the community for his bravery. In this situation and with his back against the wall, the little hero has to live up to his reputation. To complicate matters he falls in love with the most sought-after girl In the community, and learns that his love is returned. Yet he is a man of conscience and wants to tell the girl of his true position. She, of course, does not believe him. Eventually he is forced to perform one heroic aot, and, this forever makes it impossible for him to deny his heroic qualities. Raymond Hatton plays the lead. As a second attraction "Squibs 'Wins the Calcutta Sweep,” stare Betty Balfour in her greatest comical play yet attempted. The winner of .£60,000 in the Calcutta sweep, the onetime London flower-girl has her own country home. She fulls over mats, trips on her dresses, and in foot performs all the actions, which will bring team to your eyes with unrestrainable laughter. The release will appeal to all who have a spark of sympathy in their hearts. The other supports, "Somemade Movies” and "Training Eve,” as well as the latest Gaaette. ate well worthy to be placed alongside such a programme as the ,/rfaove.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE "DU. JACK," A SUPER COMEDY. A varied and highly entertaining programme commenced yesterday evening at Everybody's before a large attendance, ■who appreciated fully the excellent entertainment provided. In the screening of Harold Lloyd’s super comedy. Paths production, the favourite comedian is considered to have surpassed himself in demoting the ohamoter of Dr Jack, a young medical I ractitioner whose only fault is his over-generosity. A physician of a small town, he is loved by everyone for his bright disposition; and for his special "sunshine" system of curing tie, whether real or imaginary. The originality of his ministrations secure him a call from the rich father of one of his patients, who is being experimented on by Dr Settlsbury. Dr Jack prescribes his own cure for the girl, and they fall in love with a marvellous result, but which causes the expulsion Of Dr Jack. With the {girl's enthusiastic aid he plans an escaped lunatic scare at night, and creates rolls of laughter in his fearless make-up of a crazy man, making the dignified scientist the chief butt of the joke. Clean and wholesome, and full of rich humour, this film should not be missed by any who desire to participate in a splendid evening’s entertainment. There is a special supporting programme which includes a Pathe Review showing Kirkwood, the famous golfer, exoouting some of his wonderful trick shots. There is also a very humorous cartoon, "Mice in Council." Other supports are "ITettinsj the Leopard," with Major Allen, the famous trapper, at his dangerous pastime. also a Rathe Pictorial and Gaumont time, also a Pathe Pictorial and Gaumont of incidental musio, played by Everybody’s well-known orchestra form an additional attraction. ORGAN RECITAL BERNARD PAG® TO-MORROW. Mr Bernard F. Page will play the following items at his recital to be given in the ToWn Hall to-morrow (Sunday) evening: —Toocata and Fugue in D Minor, by Bach; Mozart’s Andante and Variations; Cantilena's Salome Psychological Poem, by Rebikoft; Prelude (Op. Id), No. 3 (Scriabins); Third Movement from "Scheherazade” (Suite Svmphcmique for Orchestra), Op. 35, by Btmsky-Korsakoff.