ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11648, 12 October 1923, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

STIFFY AND MO'S FAREWELL.

Tbe bright programme at His Majesty’s Theatre this week i 0 one of unusual merit, and a large audience was again present last evening. These are the last few nights of “Stiffy" and "Mo/* who have scored such a success during their sojourn in "Wellington, and tomorrow evening will he the final appearance of these popular comedians. The box plan is at the Bristol, and patrons should not fail to book, as every seat will he engaged at these last few nights. The programme also includes Les Martin, “jazz specialist/* who proved himself a master of the silver cornet, the violin, the xylophone, and handbells, and whose finjl effort on a series of tuneful bottles earned him a well-deserved recall. Dora Lindsay, Scotch comedienne, now appearing for her last week ,at His Majesty's, made a very dainty Early Victorian in her crinoline song, hut the song itself was right up-to-date. Her "A’m Daft/’ sung by special request, evoked hearty laughter and applause; and her jazz burlesque waß also extremely funny. Anna Burke sang a number of catchy Irish songs. M* Charles O'Mara's powerful baritone was heard to great advantage in "My Love and the Desert and You"; and he was a "fine broth of a boy," and told 6ome very amusing stories as Mr Pat O'Hara In "Take Me to Your Harem." The overture, very finely played 1 y His Majesty's Orchestra, was "Love Birds" (Romberg); and the entr'acte, the Fox Trot “King Tut" (Van Telzer). This most enjoyable programme will be repeated to-night, at the special farewell matinee to-morrow, and again in the evening. A SINGER'S SUCCESS ETHEL OSBORN RETURNS. Miss Ethel Osborn is not new to Wellington, and any comment upon her voice to the audience which greeted her in, the Town Hall last evening would appear to be superfluous. She was given an etxtremely warm reception, one which took full advantage of the encores which she was willing to dispense with a liberal hand. Miss Osborn's voice is a mature and well-developed soprano, best in the head and <npper middle registers, in which she has some notes of a remarkable purity. Her training has left her a faultless attack in the most difficult section of the voice, which has also, despite the excellent enunciation of which she is capable, failed to eradicate a tendency to slur over lower register passages. But teluViys Miss 1 Osborn is in quest of tone, and tone she gets; not the deafening assault upon the ear of the usual platform singer, but something better. Inst evening she gave evidence of fatigue as her programme progressed; but its demands were fairly severe, and the audience clamorous for more. . There was everything upon this programme ; the vocal pyrotechnics of "II dole© suono/' the Maa Scene from "Lucia, di Lammermoor," and the embroidered caMenxas upon Bishop’s “Lo, Here the Gentle Lark," to the quiet thrill of Vaughan Williams's "To One Who Passed." Miss Osborn sang the Donizetti "Mad Scene" in a manner which rather took the edge off it, it sounded so easy. It is characteristic of Donizetti, this number, with its endless repetitions and constant interruptions of the flow of the melody; not very convincing ae dramatic art, but trying to the singer. And the florid number was very well sung, though at a deliberate pace. "Lo, Here the Gentle Lark," was even better, and though the soloist wae not at home in it, Williams's “To One Who Passed" was the best of the other songs. “The Herdsman's Song” (Berg) and "Tiptoe" (O&rew) were other songs in which Miss Osborn gave of her best, the best ballad of the evening being “Butterfly Wings" (Dorothy Forster). Miss Osborn also gave “The Nightingale's Trill" (Ganz), “Little Grey Dove' r (Saar), "Within a Mil© of Edinburgh Town" (sung with an authentic Scotch accent), "Love was a Little Boy," "The Koohaburra" (Peterson), "The Little Coon's Prayer" (Barbara Hope), and, finally, “The Pipes of Pan." with its cadenza ad lib ana final note A in alt.

The Beethoven of the spring sonata, as played by Mr and Madame de Mauny, Was rather attenuated. Madame ae Mauny gave the piano part in fullbodied fashion, but the work was rather one-sided, her partner's tone being thin. The latter part of the allegro was their best effort, though the tiny scherzo wae neatly done. Madame de Manny also played 6ome quasi-popular variations on a theme by Gabrilovitch, and the Sibelius "Romance in D Flat." Mr Leon de Mauny- conscientiously gave the Cole-ridge-Taylor “Ballade in C. Minor," which improves on acquaintance, but is overlong. John Island's attractive little “Berceuse" was a well-played encore. The concert also marked the welcome return of Signor A. P. Truda to the platform as a soloist. Hie delicate ana invalued Terschak “Fantaisie" and the da Gorcoza “Romanza," which he played as an encore, were given with unrivalled tone and fine artistry. Despite the prevailing dampness a large audience assembled and waxed increasingly enthusiastic as the evening progressed. Another ’concert is announced for Tuesday evening next. REMARKABLE FILM BIG GAME HUNTING IN AFRICA There should be crowded) houses at the Empress to-day and during the coming week, when a remarkable film will be shown These pictures are shown under the tit<© “Big Game Hunting in Africa with Gun and Camera." They are the result of a scientific expedition sent out by the Muse im of Natural History of Oakland, California, in charge of Mr H. A. Snow and his son Sidney. It is difficult, almost impossible, to give in cold print an adequate idea of the absorbing interest, beauty and intense thrill of adventure these amazing pictures supply. The shiest, as well as the fieroest, animals in the world are brought into close view of the public. The species range from formidable lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, and hippos, to grotesque giraffes and the daintiest little gazelles imaginable. The expedition travelled some 60,000 miles, going into the heart of Bechuanaland and Zulpland, and! further north. Rhinos were shot by gun and camera at short range, falling to the ground within a few feet of the camera. Lions snapped in the jungle lairs. A “flivver," used by the expedition, did surprising work across deserts and fords, ana in amongst the scrub. It was used in chasing herds of giraffes, antelopes, camels, gnus, and other gregarious animals, and in pursuit of ingle wart-hoffs and cheetahs, which, by the way, hold some of the world's records for pace. Another feature is “Poverty of Riches." The development of the two families is traced side b eyide, and the real poys of the less financially successful family is poignantly contrasted with the hollow satisfactions that follow upon the business success of their friends. Lea trice Joy and Louise Lovely are the two young wives; Richard Dix and John Bowers, their husbands. So excellent an actress as Irene Rich plays for the first time the miror role of an old lady. Other well-known players in the cast are De Witt Jennings, Dave Winter, Roy Laidlaw, John Cosear, Frankie Lee, Dorothy Hughes, and a kindergarten of delightful children. The Empress Symphonic Orchestra, under the conductoTship of Mr M. Dixon, will be heard in a capital programme of music. The box plan for the season is now at the Bristol until 5 p.m. then at the theatre. 'Phone 3442.

“ADAM’S RIB " BIG ATTRACTION AT KING’S. The Garden of Eden furnishes the scene for man's first controversy, but in Cecil B. de Mille's stupendous production, “Adam's Rib," which opens at the King's Theatre to-day. whatever trouble Eve may have carnea is more than atoned for by Mathilda Ramsay, anothei product of “Adam's Rib," in a new Cecil B. de Mille production of that name. This opens at the King's Theatre this evening, and features Milton Sills, Elliott Dexter, Theodore Kosloff, A.?na Q. Nilsson, Paulino Garon, and Julia Faye. The story deals with the domestic trouble of Michael Ramsey, a wealthy Chicago broker. The exiled King of Morania, a 6mall European State, is the designing suitor for the hand of Mrs Ramsay. * Her husband is aware of his intentions and disposes of him by having his country recall him to the throne*. This is not accomplished, however, without first reimbursing financially this little kingdom, which, in that respect, was in dire straits. This picture is claimed to be the greatest novelty picture ever screened, and is a triumphant spectacular drama of modem lire. A specially arranged musical 6core has been prepared by Mr L. D. Austin, and will he rendered by the King's Select Orchestra. To trust to chance to obtain a seat may result in disappointment, and the safest plan is to book your seat and make sure of enjoying this exceptional treat in com**PRODIGAL DAUGHTERS” GLORIA SWANSON’S SUCCESS. What more popular star is there than Gloria Swanson, talented, beautiful, breathing the spirit of tihe modern fprl, loveable, wayward and irresistibly charming, a star that 'has a following of fans that are innumerable? And in “Prodigal Daughters/' at the Princess, she brings to the screen that girl. She has a role of great dramatic power, offering her opportunities that no previous picture ’has brought to her. Theodore Roberts presents an inimitable characterisation of tne perhaps too old fashioned father. The leading man is Ralph Graves who makes his debut in Paramount pictures, in this production. Every one will remember him for his work in D. W. Griffith's "Dream Street." i Others of the cast are Vera Reynolds, 1 Louise Dresser, Charles Clary, Robert Agnew, Maude Wayne, and Eric M&yne. No small credit for the excellence of the pioduction as the finished picture is due to the greai work of the photographer, Alfred Giiks and the staff. There is a strongjsupporting film. QUEEN’S THEATRE "THE GLIMPSES OP THE MOON." The Paramount ipicturisation of Edith Wharton's famous novel, “The Glimpses of the iMoon," will he shown at the Queen's Theatre commencing to-day. The etosy tells of the married life of a young couple, Susan Branch (Dfebe Daniels); one of society's poor relations, and Dick Lansing, her husband, played by David Powell, a struggling writer. Dick and Susan become involved in the domestic affairs of Mr and Mrs Vanderlyn. The latter, played by Ruby Renter, has been helpful, financially, to Susan, and in return for her kindness she demands the aid of Susan in a scheme that almost results in her separation from her husband. The affair, however, is satisfactorily cleared up, and Susan and Dick are united. Dick has sold a novel, and he is established as an author. Nite Naldi has the role of the frivolous Mrs Gillow, and her work is a close second to that of Miss Daniels. Others in the cast are Charles Gerrard and Maurice Co6tello. It is described as a magnificent picture with fashion shows, yachting, Florida beach episodes, Venetian carnivals, Swiss holidays, lavish gowns, priceless jewels and costly settings. The supporting films include the third .part of the tenpart chapter play, "The Social Buccaneer," starring Jack MulhaU, which is proving one of the most popular attractions seen at the Queen's for a considerable time. A clever Century comedy, and the latest Gazettes, together with the usual excellent incidental music by the Queen's Grand Orchestra, complete the programme. The box plan is at the Bristol. • , THE BAZAAR MARIST BROTHERS’ OLD BOYS. The Marist Brothers' Old Boys’ Association's bazaar still continues to attract its quota of the seekers of the city. Again last night a variety programme of dancing, singing, tug-of-war oontests, and sideshows occupied the evening. The stalls, of which there ere four, with their glittering array of pretty articles for sale, presented a gorgeous spectacle and an immediate attraction to the visitor. The second appearance of the Marist Brothers’ Schools Choir last night was the signal for deep silence, which at the completion of each number broke forth into volnminous applause. The dancing items by the pupils of Miss Mary Marris were creditably performed arid wellmerited the appreciation shown them.

The most interesting pnll of the tug-of-war contest was that between Wellington and Marist. The teams were tery evenly matched, so much so that the result was in doubt till the last minute, when Marist secured and maintained the lead. To-night 'Varsity will try conclusions with Petone, and a very interesting pnll Ms expected. As usual the Queer contest attracted much attention, the stall-holders striving to obtain a lead for their respective queens.

Hhis evening tho dancing items will be staged by the .pupils of the Ccmnop School of Dancing, so that many excellent items will he provided.