ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11658, 24 October 1923, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

“ THE LITTLE MELBA ”

STELLA POWER SINGS A HUMAN NIGHTINGALE. If ever a singer carried the mark of Melba it is Miss Stella. Power. With charm, personality, the assurance of her art that comes only with mature platform experience, a remarkable technique, «hc possesses, too, that indefinable combination of all the virtues and something- more that, for want or a better word, wo call style Her voice is a pure soprano; under a control positively uncanny, it soars through the most difficult passages in a manner which puts its owner amongst the array of human nightingales. The upper register is of superlative quality, clear and rich, and the intonation, redolent ox the great Australian soprano and the French method, wonderful!}- true. There is all the technical ability that anyone could demand there; the thrill of Stella Power is a thing to marvel over, and anything from coloratura to cantabile singing is heard at her will. But it is tone that makes Miss Power so unusual an artist. The voice of Melba quality, less powerful, of course, in a singer of much greater personal charm than ever that diva had. In briof, "The Little Melba/’ Last evening, in the Town Hall, a fairly large audience gathered for the first concert The programme, brief, but well-balanced, included Verdi's "Ah Fora e lui,” the "Charmant Oiseau” of David, songs of Duparc and Chausson, and some of the usual run of drawing-room ballade. The "Traviata” scena is most exacting and has always been a favourite show piece with concert artists. The Andante movement ("Ah Fors e Lui), expressive of suddenly awakened love, is one of the most beautiful of Verdi's melodies, with a refrain of half-a-dozen measures in the finale, which might be termed the Violetta motive. Then suddenly it develops into a brisk and sparkling allegro ("Sempra libera”), full of florid and brilliant ornamentation, in which she resolves to avoid every tender feeling and plunge into the round of pleasure. On the stage it furnishes a remarkable finale to the act, and as sung by Miss Power the allegro left one breathless at its beauty. Twice more the singer showed the ease with which she could Tevel through coloratura work, in the "Charmant Oiseau/' from "The Pearl of Brazil,” closing with some brilliant vocal •ernbroiiery. and "Lo, Here the Gentle Lark” (Bishop). She sang the "Chanson Triste” of Duparc, and Chauseon's "PapiUons” in French with rare artistry, brteathed life into the limp "Butterfly Wings” of Montague Phillips, and gave an unforgettable rendering of Hagemann's unusual "At the WelO.” This on three appearances; the demand for encores producing Dvorak's "Songs My Mother Taught Me,” "Se Saran Pose” (Arditi), "Sing Merrily To-day” (Phillips), and "By the Waters of Minnetonka” (Lieurance). That she appeared no more was not due to any lack of enthusiasm on the part of the audience.

Mr William James, known as a creative artist, proved a pianist of impeccable technique. He was little short of brilliant in his playing of Liszt's "Fifteenth Rhapsodie,” the one on the Rakoczy march, which Berlioz also utilised, did not hurry over the middle section of the Chopin "D Flat Waltz” as so many of the mighty, bu.f brooded somewhat on the "Polonaise in F Major,” satisfying completely with his Beethoven "Minuetto and Trio,” the former based on one of the lovely old hymn tunes of which the master was sg. fond. He also played "La Coucou” (Daquin) from the "Pieces de Clavier” rather hurriedly, and Debussy's "Prelude in A Minor.”

Mr Harold Beck, a young New Zealand 'cellist, with an instrument which is rather uneven in its behaviour, showed himself a well equipped and sensitive artist. His best numbers were the Bantock "Hamabdil,” Bizet's "Adagietto” from the “L’Arleeienne” suite), and the Handel "Pastorale,” played with the mute. He also gave "L’agreable ' (Marin M&raie), "Papillion” (Popper), and an "Air” (Johann Matheson). Mr E. J. Gravestock announces three more concerts in Wellington, the dates being Thursday next, Saturday next, and Monday next. Miss Stella Power's numbers for to-morrow night’s concert will include the famous "Mad Scene” from "Lucia cii Latnmermoor,” Mozart's great aria "Ah’. Lo So” from "11 Flauto Magico,” Rimsky Korsakov’s "Chant Hinder*,” Bemberg's "Chant Venetian,” "A Brown Bird Singing” (Haydn Wood), and "Spring” (Henschel).

PRINCESS THEATRE A BIG ATTRACTION. Willian S Hart eclipses ell his previous performances by his wonderful acting in his latest attraction, "Three Word. Brand, * which is now showing at the Prin.ess Theatre. It shows Hart as a ionelv wanderer w'ho gives up his life for his two children; who are taken to an orphanage, where one is quickly adopted, but the other stays on until he becomes old enough to work for himself. In time he becomes owner of L 7 ranch, and is known to all as "Three Word Brand." Meanwhile his brother, also played by William S. Hart under the name of Marsden, has become Governor of the State, and a bill is about to go through the Legislature dealing with a proposed water dam, which, if brought, into being, would ruin many ranchers of the Rego Valley. Brand’s partner brings out his sister and a deep friendship springs up between her and Brand. Yeats, a crooked noighbonr of Brand’s, secures the arrest of Brand’s partner for the alleged murder of a rancher named McCabe, who was found dead on the boundary line. Prom then on the great picture is packed with thrilling incidents. However, all ends well, and the picture comes to, a satisfactory conclusion. Harold Lloyd, the eye-glass comedian, is shown ir. a screaminglv funny comedy. "Among Those Present.” It is packed ful 1 of laughs, especially when the hero attempts to ride an exceedingly wild horse. The supports include a Parngazette. GYMNASTIC DISPLAY OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. The gymnastic display which will he given by th© pupils of the Wellington Girls’ College at the Opera House to- j night, at 8 o’clock, is being anticipated with a great deal of interest and pleasure. It will b© arranged to please all ages ancl tastes. The costumes will be "neat, but not gaudy,” and the absence of frills and furbelows, so a« to enable the movements to be clear-cut. and smart, will give an air of briskness to Jhe proceedings, which will distinguish it from those of the move elaborately-dressed entertainments. The expert physical culturist works upon the mind as well a* the body, and the proof of thi* will be clearly demonstrated, in the exhibition. Besides the graceful- oxericses thorp will be elocutionary items given by Mary Cooley, Zelma Carroll, and other popular favourites. It j« announced that the display will be given in the presence of Fli* Excellonc.y the Governor-General and party.

‘‘THE CABARET GIRL’ 1

SUPERB WILLIAMSON ATTRACTION

Of "The Cabaret GirF’xtlie latest, and said to be th© greatest—of all J. Williamson musical comedy productions to be seen at the Opera House on Wednesday next, a prominent Sydney critic writes: —"At the Cabaret de la Her Majesty’s will be found, the following superb attractions: The delightful freshness, beauty and vivacity of the Cabaret Girl herself, Madge Elliott, dancing and entrancing her way into the hearts of the visiting thousands. The return of Alfred Frith, in a series of humorositics, face-f unnyisms, and a potted version of Theda Bara a la Gertrude Elliott that are productive of the maximum in mirth-provoking. Alfred, was sorely missed while he was half-way round the globe, and he gets a riotous welcome homo every night from the house. Cyril Ritchard’s characterisation of a sorely perplexed and worried young man is an unforgettable memory. The advent of Harold Pearce,. of extremely pleasing voice, charming personality, and natural ability to appear as though ho were anywhere but in a theatre. And then, in swift succession: Nelly Payne is a private secretary who need never look far for a position should she desert the stage; Reita Nugent, whose dancing carries her one 6tep» at least up the ladder to stardom: Cecil Kellaway, endeavouring to cloak his perfect acting under the loud and noisy garb of an Arizona cow-bifter* Floie Allen, doing with her customary consummate skill and continually baffling the audience with a puzzling question about herding sheep. There are others, too: Marie Eaton, as the noisy portion of a vaudeville troupe, more often out of a job than in one; Field Fisher, as a fierce-looking theatrical magnate; Jack Hooker, denying the existence of gravity by lightly tripping the light fantastic. All of these acts, blended to catchy music, a blaze of light, accentuated by a perfectly pulchritudinous chorus and a sartorially dazzling fashion parade. From the production angle, more than holding its own with the London presentation/' The box plans will be opened at the Bristol Piano Company on Monday next.

KING’S THEATRE

RODOLPH VALENTINO AND NAZIMOVA FEATURE.

The screen’s greatest lovers, Valentino and Nazimova.. have certainly produced between them a feature whose equal has rarely been released in this country. "Camille,” which is screening at the King's this week, is a modernised version o? "La Dame aux Camelias,” the famous piav and novel by Alexander Dumas, the younger, and known throughout the world as a masterpiece. By many critics this thrilling drama, written by Dumas when only twenty years of age, is regarded as the prototype of the modern problem play. It was first put on at the Vaudeville Theatre, Paris, in 1652, through the influence of the Duo de Mormy, and its unusual theme won it instant attention. Since then it has been one of the favourites, revival after revival demonstrating the vogue it still enjoys. Its strong emotional scenes have won the histrionic support of many notable actresses who have listed it among their repertoire of theatrical offerings. It has enjoyed equal popularity in England, France, America and Germany

"Camille” tells the story of Marguerite, a notorious and beautiful woman, a part of the gay. life of Paris. When she fell in love with the young law student, Armand Duval, she gave up her old life and friends and then made the crowning sacrifice of all. What that was is dramatically pictured by Nazimova, who invests the part with a charm, h beauty, and a pathos which held the audience spell-bound to the end. As Armand, Rodolph Valentino is the perfect lover, the cast as a whole is an exceptionally strong one, and the gorgeous scenes of the gay night life of the gayest, city in the world are marvellously portrayed. The supporting films are a mirth-inspir-ing comedy, "Be • Careful/' and the latest gazette and travelogue; while the sparkling musical programme is admirably rendered by the King's select orchestra of twelve artists, under the able directorship of Mr L. D. Austin.

’TRIFLING WOMEN.

DRAMATIC PHOTOPLAY ON FRIDAY

Rex Ingrain's claim to film immortality is justified again in his remarkable new production, "Trifling Women.” which will be screened at the King's, commencing* next Friday. It is the latest achievement of the skilful director, whose name has become synonymous with the best m filmdom and a guarantee of exceptional screen merit. Jv, eauals and in Rome particulars sur, passed his earlier efforts, and should win a high place among the best of the season's photoplays. The brilliant director of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” "The Prisoner of Zenda,” and other big Metro pictures is himsett both author and adaptor of his latest success. This fact alone makes his triumph, all the more complete for the etory and continuity are on a par with the oroduction itself. In all, it is a distinctly worthwhile photodrama, and is recommended to those who want the very best in the motion picture fare. Tho story is concerned with the fascination of Zareda, a crystal-gazer whose sirenlike fascination attracts men into ’her net How she attains wealth and power through a marriage with a wealthy marquis; how she arranges his death to marry her young lover, Ivan, how she meets a terrible end with her lover when her husband finds them together, makes a graphic and dramatic story. In the cast are brilliant players, Lewis Stone is* seen ns the Marquis Forroni. Barbara I.a Marr as Zaredn, Ramon Novarro as Tvan, *and Edward Connelly as Ivan's father, Boron de Mauoin. Others in the cast br© Pomeroy Cannon, Hughie Mack. The fine photoplay is the work of John Seitz. An excellent supporting programme has been arranged, including special music from the King's Select Orchestra. The box plan is at the Bristol.

DANCE RECITAL MISS KATHLEEN O’BRIEN'S PUPILS. Miss Kathleen O'Brien’s third annual pupils' dance recital will be held at the Grand Opera House on SatuyOay. October 27th. The programme will consist of the dancing play, "A Persian Romance,” a gorgeously costumed Oriental danse dramatinue. preceded by a varied programme of ballet and divertissement In "A Persian Romance.” Miss O'Brien takes the part of The Dancer, and Mr Lionel Inch and Miss Thelma Aiken play the speaking parts of The Shah and The Favourite Wife. This is the most ambitious effort of the creator, whose recitals have been so successful; and those who have witnessed the rehearsals are onthiwiiffitic in their approbation. Early booking is ad v Nab Jo for those who wish to secure good seats.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

A FINE REVUE. ■The remarkably fine bill at His M.a- ---; jesty's thib week was well received last ! night by a large house. bom© charming and graceful living-statues were posed by Marie St. George and her company. Her "Venus de Milo” was particularly .good, and the finale—a modernised vehfcion of "Pygmalion anti Galatea”—was marvellously well done. Eric Masters made his first appearance before a Wellington audience, and his fine 'character songs quickly won his -way lo i the hearts of his audience. Claude de Car, "theacrobatic waiter,” evoked laughter and applause by his burlesque juggling, his clever funny business, and his wonderful hand-springs, catherine-w heels, somersaults, and so forth. Leo Martin, "Jazz Specialist,” showed great mastery of tho silver cornet, the violin, the xylophone, the hand-bells, and lost, but by no means least, of an instrument made up of bottles of all shapes and sizes. A number of plantation. melodies were delightfully rendered by "The Jubilee Trio” (a baritone, a bass, and a very pleasing mezzo-sopra-no), whose voices blended most harminously together. The second part of tho programme was a screamingly funny revue, "The Dancing Delirium,” by George Wallace’s talented revue company. Tuneful music, catchy songs, gorgeous dresses, dainty dances, and rollicking fun and humour make a most excellent ensemble. The revue is at once a flood of fun, a downpour of talent, a cascade of 6ong; and the hearty applause and laughter showed how greatly it was enjoyed by the audience, as appreciative as it was large. The members of His Majesty’s Orchestra also deserve a special meed of praise to-* the very finished manner in which it accomplished its arduous duties. This programme will be repeated nightly throughout the week, and at a special matinee on Saturday next.