“THE CABARET GIRL”

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11663, 30 October 1923, Page 3

“THE CABARET GIRL”

J. C. WILLIAMSON MUSICAL COMEDY. Of the J. C. Williamson production of the latest musical comedy "The Cabaret Girl,” which will bo seen in Wellington on Wednesday next, interpreted by the ever-popular New Musical Comedy Company, an enthusiastic Sydney critic writes: —"I try to hold myself down to bare adjectives when speaking of ‘The Cabaret Girl/ but it is a hard thing to do. This distracting musical kaleidoscope has intrigued me beyond explanation. It is love that makes the world go round, and love that makes ‘The Cabaret Girl’ do likewise. I have never seen a more delightful love affair on the musical comedy stage than that of ‘Marylinn Morgan’ and ‘James Paradene.’ Certainly ‘The Cabaret Girl’ is one of the very best musical plays Sydney has seen —and it is delightfully portrayed by the (apparently multitudinous) members of this highly popular Williamson Company. Alfred Frith is surely inimitable, and Field Fisher is a worthy associate, Harold Pearco, a newcomer, debonnair and refreshingly artistic, and Cyril Ritchard a finished .dancer and light comedian. Of the lattice, Madge Elliott, as lead, has come into her kingdom, while Misses Floie Allen, Millie Engler, Nellie Payne, Marie Eaton, and many others are splendidly cast. A further new arrival is found in Mabel Monro, who is a refined comedienne. The frocking of the play is amazing in its gorgeous prodigality; the numerous ballets and specialty dances exceptionally original and artistic. The music is an especially harmonious product of Jerome Kern (author of "iSallyi” music), the three acta being mounted and caparisoned in the best Williamson manner. In saying that the "book” is the joint effort of P. G. Wodehouse (the author of "Inimitable Jeevee”) and George Grossmith, is sufficient guarantee as to the entertaining quality of the dialogue. Tue box plans are now open at the Bristol Piano Company. "The Cabaret Girl” will be played for the first six nights. There will be one matinee only, Saturday next. The company arrive from Sydney by the s.s. Marama to-day.

KING’S THEATRE

REX INGRAM’S "TRIFLING WOMEN/’

The Rex Ingram production "Trifling Women” is perhaps the greatest of all the films from the studio of this famous direotor. Ramon Navarro, Barbara La Marr, and Lewis Stone, is surely a cast that few pictures contain. "Trifling Women” tells the story of Zareda, a crystal gazer, whose powers of fascination enable her to cast 6pells over the men folk until she has them within her net. In the course of her clever scheming she achieves marriage with a wealthy marquis, and with it the power that wealth gives to its —sometimes—fortunate possessors. This is a loveless marriage, however, for she desires union with her real lover, a young man named Ivan, and only marries the marquis as a means to an end. Having succeeded so far she plana to bring about hts death, but this scheme miscarries, and in the end Zareda and her lover are discovered together by the husband. It is a terrible end that they meet, thus bringing to naught their designs to perpetrate a horrible crime, and the film treats the drama in a most graphic manner. The part of Marquis Ferroni is portrayed by Lewis Stone, Zareda is Barbara La Marr, Ivan is featured by Ramon Navarro. In support are a Monty Banks comedy, "Nearly Married/’ a twin-like resemblance leading to some excruciatingly funny incidents. The film is 2000 ft in length, and there is fun in every foot of it. The latest gazette is especially interesting, especially to Soccer players and supporters, for it shows the huge crowd moving over the ground at Wembley Stadium, incidents of tho play between Bolton and West Ham, and the presentation of the cup. It also gives the Prince of Wales winning a fine steeplechase event, while the King and Queen look on, something with a shade of anxiety on their faces as the Prince takes the jumps. The orchestra Is conducted by Mr L. D. Austin, and gives a most excellent programme of music.

PRINCEBB THEATRE

HALL CAINE'S "CHRISTIAN.

The world-famous novel by Sir Hall Caine, and which has attained 6uch a reputation throughout almost every oountry of the globe, is one of the greatest books of the century, and in its picturised version by Maurice Tourneur has lost none of its excellence. At the Princess this week is to be eeen a great picture, admirably staged and acted. The story tells how John Storm, a young Manxman in love with Glory Quayle, becomes a Christian Socialist and determines to live as Christ would were He on earth. He renounces his love, and Glory goe6 to London to become a nurse, later going on the stage and becoming a popular star. Btorm enters a monastery, hut, un» able to overcome bis love for Glory, renounces his vows,/ He later establishes a mission in London, and, in a religious frenzy, goes to Glory, determined to kill her Her love for him causes him to forgo his purpose, and he wanders out into Trafalgar Square, where he is mobbed by a crowd which hae been misled by an enemy of Storm’s into believing that he had prophesied the end of the world for midnight. The beauty of many of the scenes, in composition, lighting and photography, is unique in the development of pictures and reveals why Mr Tourneur is regarded as an artist in this new craft. The actiqg is as intelligent and effective as the direction. Richard Dix, Mae Busch and the other principals are bound to emerge from the screening of "The Christian” with new acting laurels. The supports include "North of the Rio Grande” and "The Rubberneck.” No one should xnis* this programme, for each release displays great powers, and all go to make up a bill of exceptional interest.