ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11649, 13 October 1923, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

' HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE GREAT VAUDEVILLE PROGRAMME, A large and appreciative audience was again delighted by the great vaudeville programme shown at the over-popular His Majesty's Theatre last night. Leo Martin, “Jazz Special ist,” played in fine style not only on the silver cornet but also on the violin, the xylophone, the handbells, and on the musical bottles. The way in which ho told a funny story, partly by word of mouth and partly by a. few bars on the violin, caused great amusement, lk.ra Lindsay contributed a number ft Scotch comic songs and burlesque dances; Anna Burke sang a fine selection of Irish songs; and Charles O Alara, “The, Baritone Comedian,” evoked loud applause and laughter by his clover songs and patter. “Stiffy and Mo” excelled themselves in a ( screamingly funny musical comedy revue, “The Jockeys,” the two principals appearing as stable boys—very “innooent” stable boys, of course, and very iruch shocked when a wicked adventuress (Queenie Paul) and her equally wicked accomplice (Mike Connors) tried to induce them to dope the favourite. The ballet dresses are gorf;eous, the dances dainty and attracive, and the musical numbers included such popular songs as.: “ ’Tis Derby Day,” chorus; “Why Don’t You Smile,” Dot Davis and the girls; “Miss O’Shea,” Stiffy and Mo and Gladys Shaw: “Pal o’ Mine,” Mike Connors and Queenie Paul; “Leave Me ■With a Smile,” Peter Brooks, Dot Davis and the girls; “Long Time Since I’ve Been Home,” Queenie Paul and the girls; and “Mee, Mee,” Keith Connolly. At this afternoon’s matinee and this evening “Stiffy” and “Mo” and theii talented company will make their final appearance in Wellington, for some months to come at all events. Tonight is also the last night of Dora Lindsay, known as “The female Harry Lauder’ ’; Anna Burke, the Irish singer; Mr Charles O’Mara, and Leo Martin. A complete change of programme is announced for Monday evening. EMPRESS THEATRE “BIG GAME HUNTING WITH GUN AND CAMERA.’ Compressing two years of travel and adventure into two hours of thrills, Mr H. A.. Snow’s great film triumph, “Hunting Big Game in Afrioa with Gun and Camera,” now screening at the J&mprece Theatre, has an immense appeal for old and young alike, for the scientist, for the educationist, for the man in the street —in fact, for folk of all ages of both sexes, and of all degrees in life. Last night a bumper I house assembled to witness the ecroenj ing for the first time in Wellington i of this most attractive picture, included in the audience being members of Parliament, of the City Council, the Zoological Society, and the Education Board, the Director of Education (Mr J. Caughley), tod the principals of various schools and colleges. The film is a vivid lesson in geography and in the manners and customs of the Afrioan natives, as well as in natural history; and from start to finish it furnishes a thrilling, absorbing entertainment, showing, as it doeß, pictures I taken at the point of death by tbe ! most intrepid gun-camera men in the ! world. Firs* Mr Snort’s party trsk- ' ked by mule-cart and bullock-wagon | 1000 miles from Cape Town to Beobua- { naland. and thence to Zululand. But | their , bullocks being nearly all killed I by the tsetse fly, they determined to j get a means of conveyance that Would be insect-proof, and therefore ordered from the nearest centre of civilisation two or three “flivvers.” as. Americans call the übiquitous Ford. These proved most useful in running down and rounding up oven the swiftest antelopes, also giraffes and ostriches, of which some wonderful pictures are | shown. On one -occasion a wart-hog, i evidently annoyed at the persistence ! with which' he was followed, turped and charged the motor, damaging its radiator somewhat, but, of course, being speedily put out of action. A hyena was also misguided enough to try conclusion* with the machine. Some comio relief was afforded, too, hy the obstinacy with which a baby “rbino” kept charging at the camera-man and all who oame across his line of vision. But a charge by his mother, with two tons of flesh behind her 27-inch horn, was no laughing matter. Indeed, only a splendid shot by Mr Snow averted the headlong menace that die pro- , Sented. Still more threatening and j nerve-wracking must have - been a charge by a herd of elephants —bug® fellows most _ of them, weighing some five tons apiece, | and with gleaming ivory tusks nearly ' seven feet in length. Happily, a sud- ! den inexplicable panic turned the herd from ita thundering charge upon the , apparently doomed party of guncamera men and the native hunters < accompanying them; and the elephants : crashed through the nearby hush, leafing in their wake a scene of desolation ' such as would he caused by the passing ; of a cyclone. Marvellous views of bird ! life, as well as of animal life, were ' shown; the latter including some fine I pictures of lions and their cubs, mon- ; keys, baboons, gnus, wildebeestes, ' hartebeeetes, etc. The supporting films were a most. ‘ interesting topical British Budget of news; and a screamingly funny come- ' dy, “Ocean Swells.” A very fine selec- ’ tion of instrumental items was sub. 1 mitted by the Empress Symphonic 1 Orchestra, under the able directorship of Mr M. Dixon. This most excellent programme will he repeated to-day and throughout the coming week. GRAND BAZAAR MARIST OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION. ! Again last evening a crowded house j greeted the Marist Brothers Old Boys’ | bazaar, the principal attraction being < the dancing displays given by the ; pupils of tbe Connop school of dancing. , The dances were all daintily performed, j and it would be unfair to single out ] any individual dancer for special men- . tion; they were all good, and refloct , singular credit on the excellent tuition ' given by the school. The tug-of-war competition was advanced a further stage when Petono secured a win over ’Varsity by six inches. The final will take place tonight, when Betone will meet Marist in the final, whioh should result in a very interesting pull. , The Queen contest still continues to j attract interest, and to-night the posi- t tion in the competition should be conclusive. The position of the candidates J is at present:— Miss Morley (Wellington South). « 22,560. j Miss Brennan (St. Mary’s), 21,400. I Miss MoParland (St. Joseph’s). 18,200. a Mies Berry (Thorndon), 13,480. t To-night will be the final opportunity v for patrons to .visit this most deserving a of bazaars. * . t

“ IF WINTER COMES ” AND “THE OAT AND THE CANARY.” J. C. Williamson’s new English company, headed by Garry Marsh, Ailsa Grahame, Jane Saville, together with Isobel Wilford, also well-known favourites in George Blunt, J. B. Atholwood, Sydney Stirling, Georgia Har--1 vey, Lorna Holms, Reg. Wykeham, I Arthur Cornell, H. H. Wallace, Tylian ’ Nightingale, and others will appear in Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings and Napier, commencuig the overland tour in Wanganui on October 17th and playing two nights in each : town. The company present on the i first night in each town “If Winter ! Comes,” a stage version of A. S. M. I Hutchinson’s well-known novel, and the second production, “The Cat and the Canary,” is described as a comedydrama of laughter, thrills and surprises. Both plays scored big successes in Sydney and Melbourne, and at present the company are in Auckland enjoying a wonderfully successful time with both pieces. Miss Isobel Wilford is said to have scored a distinct personal triumph in each production. Tbe Wellington* season commences on Monday, November 19fch, at the Grand Opera House. MIBB STELLA POWER VISIT OF FAMOUS SOPRANO. Mr E. J. Graveetoek announces that Miss Stella Power, the celebrated soprano, universally known os “The Little Melba,” will give a. series of concert® in the Wellington Town Hall, commencing on Tuesday week, October J23r(J. This will be the firse appearance here of a young singer whoso rise to fame wae certainly meteoric—she became* an international celebrity in one day. Miss Power’s singing first attracted the attention of Dome Nellie Melba at the Albert St. Consorvatorium, Melbourne. The diva was astounded at the phenomenal resemblance to her own voice, and promptly arranged to take the young singer to London. So enthusiastic was Dame Melba over the voice and artistry of her protege that she decided that Miss Power could dispense with the usual uphill preliminaries which confront young artiste. “Stella Power,” declared Diame Nellie, “will take the English public I by storm. We must calf her ‘The Little Melba,’ and see that the Albert Hall us packed for her firse appearance. ’’ And so, before a highly critical audience of nearly 10,000 people the young Australian appeared as “The Little Mel'ba,” The title was flattering and probably many ir. the audience were not a little sceptical as to the wisdom of the management in so heralding a very young, comparatively inexperienced and entirely unknown singer from the Antipodes. For more than a generation no voice bad been beard ’ in London, which could be compared in any way ta the Melba voice. Certainly the critics bad grounds for misgivings. Moreover Miss Power’s programme contained several of Melba’s most famous numbers, beginning with Mozart’s great aria 1 Vod Che Sapete,” which a generation of Londoners had been in the habit of regarding as the peculiar property of Meliba. It was a daring experiment, but the success of “The Little Melba’* is now a matter of musical history. The vast audience could scarcely believe that it was not listening to Melba herself. The young Australian received a tumultuous reception. The following morning she wo® a European celebrity. Supporting the famous soprano will be Mr William James, the popular Australian pianist, who is widely known as tbe composer of several fine songs, including “The BunGod,” "The flutes of Xrcady,” and several others. The box-plans for the Wellington season will be opened at the Bristol Piano Co. on Thursday rooming.

QUEEN’B “THE GLIMPSES OF THE MOON.”

Edith Wharton’s famous novel, “The Glimpses of the Moon,” in its picturised Version, has now taken up its .abode alp the Queen’s Theatre, and, judging by the manner in which it was received last night, it should meet with equal success there.

The story tells of the courtship and married life of a young American society couple, who. were at first, for pecuniary reasons, decidedly diffident regarding taking the initial plunge into the matrimonial sea. Eventually they decided upon an experiment. They resolved to try a year qf it. This was enough to convince them that they were on the right path to happiness, and though nearly parted on one occasion, they came together again, more I certain than ever of themselves and their married future. Bebe Daniels, in | the role of Susan Branch, the prosaio young wife, who is one of society’s | poor relations, gives a most convincing I portrayal, of a ’ girl who was at first afraid to give up the good things of, this world for happiness and lifelong devotion. The role of hie jealous cousin, Mrs Gillon, was undertaken by Nita Naldi, who was very realistic throughout. The scenes were particularly good, excellent representations being given of fashionable homes on the Continent as .well as in the United States, where the story opens. After many tribulations, Dick Lansing (David Powell) establishes himself as an author, and the finances of the Lansing menage are placed on a satisfactory footing. . There are good supporting features in the programme, which will be presented again this evening. The Queen’s Grand Orchestra supplies excellent incidental music. HECTOR RECITAL BEETHOVEN. CONCERTO LISTED. An interesting recital is that which will be given by Mrs Janet Ross Hector, a well-known Wellington pianist, at her concert in the Art Gallery, Whitmore street, on Monday evening. The programme inoludes the Twentyfirst Prelude and Fugue of Bach, Schubert’s Third Impromptu, two Chopin Etudes and the first Nocturne in Opus 48, and a Liszt Valse Impromptu. Special interest attaches to the performance of the majestic “C Minor Concerto” of Beethoven, for which Mr C. W. Kerry will be at the sooond piano, and to the Shulbrede Tunes of Sir Hubert Parry. CONCERT AT HOSPITAL PATIENTS ENTERTAINED. Last evening Miss Ethel Osborn, Madame de Mauny and Leon de Mauny entertained the patients of Victoria Ward at the Wellington Hospital with vocal musical items, which were thoroughly enjoyed. Among the numbers given were: “Mollie Bawn,” “The Pine Tree,” “Tip Toe,” “Wainta Poi,” “Nightingale Trill,” and “The Kookaburra.” Each item received a full measure of appreciation, and at the conclusion of the concert a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the vocalists by Dr. Ewen and carried by acclamation by the pa- 1 trouts. I

“FIRST THE WOMAN” ‘ADAM’S RIB” AT KING’SLove at first sight is easy; it is love after 19 years that matters. So discovers Marion Ramsay in “Adam’s Rib,” and so her daughter Matilda Cutliibertson, known at breakfas* as “Tillie.” For it is a serious business ; to forget the l&th anniversary of your ; marriage when your wife is still young and beautiful with a. starved .wife’s love of romance. That is what happened to Michael Ramsay and he had to buy the entire wheat crop of Moravia before he straightened matters out. For the mysterious Jarouir who v.as paying attention to Marion Ramsay was no other than the exiled King of Moravia, exiled because he paid' too much attention to romance and too little to politics. Ramsay engineered I a big deal; nothing less than the pur- | chase for gold of the entire wheat crop of the country on condition that JaroI mir returns to the throne. ■ But mati ters come to a head between Ramsay and his wife and Marion leaves him to go to the King. Following fast is Tillie, newly fluttering into romance herself with Nathan Humilolt, scientist and scholar. Tillie’s onq thought is to save her mother; but the delegation including her father and the Moravian ambassador arrives to offer the King the opportunity to return to the throne. He refuses, then yields to the emotionalism of an aide. Then Ramsay sees a brooch of his wife’s upon the floor and a, powerful scene commences. Tillie brands herself to save her mother who is undiscovered, end is given the shelter of Nathan’s name, married by a blinking registrar, wakened at dead of night. But though he loves her he does not trust her and he leaves for the wilds. Ramsay thus finds himself with a wrecked home, his household goods and five million bushels of useless Moravian wheat. How the tangle is straightened out is told in admirable fashion in a fine film. There is a bevy of stars in this pieoe, beauteous Anna Q. Nilsson, cute little Pauline Garon Milton Sills, Theodore Kosloff, and Elliott Dexter. In suppert is an excellent topical in which, among other things, you will see how thoroughly they train rowers in America, and th 3 very fas* game of motorcycle polo. Under Mr L. D. Austin’s capable direction a large and excellent orchestra lenders much bright incidental music by such composers as Flotow, Tsobaikowsky, Debussy, Dvorak, Mozart, Daxnroech, Mascagni, Strauss, and Massenet. This excellent bill wiU be repeated all this week.

PRINCESS THEATRE “PRODIGAL DAUGHTERS.” That popular octrees, Gloria Swanson again gives proof of her vereatility in her latest film, “Prodigal Daughters,” now showing at tbe Princess Theatre. As “Swiftie” Forbes, a modern flapper, Mis® Swanson give® an ideal interpretation of the gay, frivolous, light-hearted girl who jazzes her way through life, enjoying it to the utmost. “Swiftie” Forbes is the eldest daujghter of a locomotive manufacturer enriched by the world war, who is making a European tour. “Swiftie” is bent on having a good! time, and her younger sister follows her lead. The mother is engaged in social affairs, and the girls enjoy unlimited freedom. Then Forbes arrives home, and immediately sees a change in his household; the girls will not obey him, and they defy pie authority. _ As the outcome of this defiance, “Swiftie” leaves her home and oommenoes to live her own life. Her sister follows her, and becomes married, but her romance is quickly shattered, and she returns home. “Swiftie,” however, goes gaily on her way,. until at last she becomes entangled with a gambler in a position from which there is no escape. Finally toe returns home—in truth a prodigal daughter—and finds her father ready to forgive and forget. The picture is bright and breezy, and the love interest is supplied by a young avaitor, played by Ralph Greaves, who believes in “Swiftie” in spite of her shortcomings. Theodore Roberts makes an ideal father, while Vera Reynolds plays the younger sister, and Louisa Dresser the mother. Excellent supports include a powerful drama, “Love’s Boomerang,” starring David Powell, a Mack Sennett comedy, “The Quack Doctor,” and the latest gazette. MIBB ETHEL OSBORN EXTRA CONCERT AT WELLINGTON.

The large audience who attended Miss Osborn’s concert on Thursday accorded her an overwhelming reception. Starting with an unusually warm reception. she worked up her audience to a pitch of the greatest enthusiasm, which was entirely justified by her artistic rendition of a charming programme of songs and arias, both new and old. Possessing a voice of the utmost brightness and limpidity, she sings with that effortless naturalness that is delightful both’ to hear and see. .As the Town Hall,is now obtainable for Tuesday next, the management have decided to give one more concert, after which it will not be possible to hear Miss Osborn for some time. A programme of great interest has been arranged, and in response to many requests, some of the numbers already heard will be repeated as extra numbers. Requests from all'parte of New Zealand are pouring in for Miss Osborn to visit those parts, and it will now be necessary for her to prolong her stay in the Dominion in order to accede to these requests. On Tuesday Miss Osborn will once more have the able assistance of Madame Evelyn de Mauny, Mr Leon d© Mauny, and Signor Truda, each of whom received from Thursday’s audience high appreciation of their talent. The box plan is at the Bristol Piano Company, and the usual students’ concessions can be had on application there. PIANOFORTE RECITAL MR GORDON SHORT’S PUPILS’ CONCERT. An invitation pianoforte recital by pupils of Mr Gordon Short is announced to be given in the Concert Chamber on Wednesday, October 17th. An interesting selection has been made from modern British pianoforte music without including, works of an extremely modern nature. A work new to Wellington audiences will be the Spanish Rhapsody for two pianos by Chabrier, for which two Steinway grand pianos will be used. Invitations' may be obtained at leading music warehouses. ORGAN RECITAL BERNARD PAGE TO-MORROW. The programme for the organ recital to lie given at the Town Hall tomorrow (Sunday) evening by Mr Bernard F. Page (City Organist) has been arranged as under: Concerto in D Minor (No. 10), by Handel; Ilomante, On. 118 (No. 6), by Brahms; Guilmant’s (a) Meditation—Prior© (Op. 90), No. 40, (b) Oanzona (Op. 90), No. 35; Fountain Music and Duet from (Act 11.. Scene I) “Pelleae and Melisande,” by Debussy; Toccata jn F by Cesar Franck.