ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11708, 21 December 1923, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE A BRIGHT PROGRAMME'. This week’s programme at His Majesty’s marks the tenth production of tho George Wallace Revue Company, who appeared in an amusing farce entitled "Off Honolulu.’ Miss Sadie Tilburn and Mise Marie Nyman, are two new members of tho company, seen to advantage in this production, and are a decided acquisition in its presentation. George Wallace, who is responsible for practically all tho humour in “Off Honolulu,” is as indescribably droll ns ever, and never fails to put his audience in a thoroughly good humour before he is on the stage very long. Ho has the support of a carefully selected band, which includes Marshall Crosby, whose songs aro always such a popular feature on the George Wallace revue programmes. Last night, at the special request of admirers, ho included the appealing “Mountains of Morn” in his repertoire. The plot is sufficient to carry patrons through a riot of merry musical numbers, a collection of dainty ballets, and also serves to display some effective dressing. “Off Honolulu” is in overv senso a popular revival. Othirs on the programme include Jack Trent and Sadie, versatile and original in their repartee and dialogue, and comedy dispensers of no mean merit; also Carlton Max, ventriliquist, and Marshall and Aston, the Bohemian duo, who were heard in several new numbers. Ray Kemble, a pseudo-female entertainer, merrily trills his way through a group of popular songs, while the Sinclair Brothers, drawing-room jugglers and balancers, provide a turn above the ordinary, and well worth seeing. The programme will be repeated this evening and on Saturday afternoon and evening. MIBS GERTRUDE ELLIOTT OPENING BOXING NIGHT. The season of the famous English actress, Mi6s Gertrude Elliott (Lady Forbes Robertson), to commence on Wednesday next (Boxing Night), at the Grand Opera House, miust rank as one of the most important the J. C. Williamson firm have inaugurated here for some time. Gertrude Elliott is an aotrese with a world-wide reputation, and also has had the honour of many Royal Command performances before Their Majesties the King and Queen. The opening piece is Michael Morton’s play of grip and thrills, “Woman To Woman.” A Melbourne critic, speaking of the opening performance at that oity, said:—“lt, is something of a privilege to welcome to Melbourne Miss Gertrude Elliott, both for her own high reputation in the theatrical world, and as the Wife of a great actor-manager; but after seeing her dramatic powers in the opening play, 'Woman To Woman,’ one feels that had she come unheralded and unknown, she would have made just as dew an impression on the audience. Gifted with unusual beauty, a deep rioh. voice, and a striking personality. Miss Elliott is also a fine actress, and possesses that polish and ease whioh give ..one such keen pleasure to observe.” The company supporting this celebrated actress includes many names well known in the theatrical world of England. The principals are: William Mollison, Mayne Lynton, Lilas Waldegrave, Herbert Milliard, Anne McESwan, Athol Forde, Gertrude Boswell, T M. Oliff, I. B. Rowe, and Milton Brooks. “Woman To Woman,” which has created a furore not only in England and America, but has completely oaptivated Australian and Dominion theatregoers, will be played for five nights and one matinee only, the box plan for which open this (Friday) morning at the Bristol. The productions during the season, which extends over eighteen nights, will he a brilliant Frenoh oomedy, “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife,” a Continental farce. “Bute: Madame." and a comedy drama of romance, “Smilin’ Through.” All these productions will be staged on the some scale of completeness as in the larger cities of the world. EMPRESS THEATRE ‘THE SHIEK’S WIFE.” The cast for “The Sheik’s Wife,” which will he shown at the Empress Theatre to-night, was selected with great care by Henry-Roussell, the eminent Frenoh director. He interviewed several of the foremost actresses of France and England, and selected Emmy Lynn, because she was not only the type desired, but because her ability as an emotional actress was recognised throughout Europe. She has been, pronounced by critics as the perfect wife of the Sheik. From observation he had learned that the Arabians made excellent actors. They seem to grasp what is expected of them and are alblc to perform the business with scarcely any rehearing. The role of the Sheik, however, was too exacting to entrust in the hands of a novice and as there were no Arabian actors of repute available. Heniy-Roussell continued his search throughout France for a player capable of handling the role. He was rewarded by securing none other than tho well-known Marcel Vibert for the Sheik. Vibert is a favourite in Franco and Europe; both as a screen and stage player. It is said to be a wonderful production. The supporting programme includes “Tho Chased Bride,” a Christie comedy, further scenes from Cbecho Slovakia, and the Empress News Film. The musical interlude consists of songs rendered by Mdl. Rosenthal, whoso ringing during the “Bohemian Girl” programme will long be remembered. The Empress symphony orchestra, under the baton of Mr M. Dixon, will play the overture, “If I Were King” (Adams), nnd incidental music of a high standard. Tho box plan is at tho Bristol till 5 p.m., then at tho Theatre Telephone 3442.

KINO’S THEATRE

'THE PURPLE HIGHWAY” TONIGHT.

The now programme to be shown at the King’s Theatre for the first time to-night is in keeping with the splendid attractions previously shown by this favourite house of amusement. After an absence of two years, beautiful Madge Kennedy returns to the screen in a dramatic story of the highways and byways of life, "The Purple Highway.” The story is set in an artistic atmosphere, and tells of a young playwright and musician, both of them failures as far as their professions go, who are spurred on to great efforts through the influence of April Blair, a little slavey in the Home for Artistic Failures, of which they are inmates. To those of us who are artists, no matter in what, form, “The Purple Highway” is a story that will have a special appeal, for it expresses the meaning of that indefinite "Something” that is known to the artist as inspiration—the force that lifts men and womon from oblivion to tho place of the great. The supporting programme includes a oomedy entitled “The Artist,” and is described as a cyclone of fun by a cyclonic comedian. In addition a beautiful travelogue and the latest “Gazette,” together with delightful music by the King’s renowned Select Orchestra, indeod completes a real Christmas holiday programme. The box plan is at the Bristol; after 5.30 seats may ho reserved at the theatre, ’phone 22-212.

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

A STRIKING EULOGY. Mr Edward Branscombe’s Westminster Glee Singers, who are about to com* mence a brief farewell season at the Town Hall on Saturday, the 29th inst.» have been augmented since they were here last by three new boy 6, Roland and Thomas Mayne and Arthur Valentine, and the personnel of the Choir is now: Leslie Snow, Ronald Thompson, and the two boy soloists, Edmund Walter and Albert Cooper. The adults are: Male altos, Messrs Donald Reid and William Lowry; tenors, Messrs Edward Branscombe, Ellis Vizard and George Pownall; basses, Messrs John Andrews and Alfred Cunningham. The two boy soloists, Edmund Walters and Albert Cooper, are considered to possess the finest soprano voices in the British Empire, whilst the singing of Mr Alfred Cunningham has created a sensation in Australia, a quadruple encore for him being a common occurrence. In reference to one of the concerts at Sydney the Sydney "Daily Telegraph/'’ had the following to say:— "As soon as the final cadence ended the great audience of four thousand rose and cheered. The enthusiasm was remarkable, and clearly demonstrated that the 6tolid, conventional concert procedure has no place with the Westminster Glee Singers. Special concessions are offered students and members of choral societies, and particulars in respect of same may be obtained at the Bristol, where the plans will be opened as from Monday, the 24th. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE "THE WOMAN IN HIS HOUSE/’ The new programme to-day at Everybody’s Theatre presents the Pirst National special, ‘’The Woman in His House,” in every sense a screen masterpiece, .Tanking with the greatest motion pictures ever made. The theme, which presents a striking example of the divine power of mother love, is so thoroughly human that even the most critical audience cannot fail to enjoy it. The hand of genius may be seen in the development of the theme, and in the rare and touching emotions, which have been brought out under the direction of John Stahl. Mildred Harris I has the leading feminine role, and she is seen in a new light. Eamsay Wallace appears opposite Miss Harris as her busy husband, an eminent physician. The acting of little Eichard Hedrick, as the stricken infant, is a revelation, and recalls the marvellous work of the crippled characters in f"The Miracle Man.” The supports include Gazette, Travelogue, and a screamingly funny animal comedy. . QUEEN'S THEATRE "WILDCAT JORDAN.” A new programme will be instituted today at the Qpieenfs Theatre, with “Wildcat Jordan" as its chief feature. A scene not called for in the script was enacted during the filming of this Talmadge picture. *lt was necessary for Talmadge to make a quick getaway from a second-story window and on to a passing cab. In making the leap Talmadge jumped for a halyard hanging from a flagpole, swung out into the 6treet, and letting go jumped to the top of a taxi-cab. The action wae timed perfectly before completing the leap, but on the taking of the scene the driver of the cab was a second slow, and instead of landing on the front of the cab where the Toof was made of sheet iron, Talmadge jumped on to the wooden framework, orasning through to the inside. Luckily he was not seriously injured. This is just one of the many thrills and stunts in “Wildcat Jordan. The supporting film subjects include the clever Century comedy, “So Long Buddy,” starring Buddy Messenger, the latest Burton Holmes Travelogue, and HP-to-the-minute Gazettes. An excellent programme of incidental music will be (provided by the popular Queen’s Grand Orchestra, PRINCESS THEATRE “THE SEA WOLF.” The new programme commencing at the Princess Theatre is headed by Jack London's great sea yarn “The Sea Wolf,” which in itself is an epic of the sea. The story tells how Humphrey Van Weyden, a wealthy young man, is in love with Maude Brewster. While thep are crossing San Francisco Bay on a ferry the craft is rammed in a fog by an ooean-bound liner, and the two are swept out to sea. “Wolf” Larsen's 6choonor, ominously named "The Ghost,” bound for sealing grounds, picks up the castaways. Humphrey is made a cabin boy The schooner arrives at the sealing grounds, and there meets “Death" Larsen’s ship. The skipper of the latter, a brother of "Wolf,” with three of his men, board the "Ghost" to induce Wolf’B men to desert him. "Wolf," however, is too quiok and has the full intruders gagged and bound. Then, to escape the latter ship, he steers into a fogbank. This gives Humphrey and Maude a chance to escape in an open boat, and they are driven by a storm on to an uninhabited island. “Death" Larsen's ship encounters “The Ghost" and takes everybody off except "Wolf." In the 6torm the latter’s ship is stripped ■ hare and is driven on to the island where Humphrey and Maude have landed. Boarding the vessel they find "Wolf” blind, paralysed and helpless. They manage to rerig some canvas and leave the island, but "Wolf" gradually dies. Bowling along under a steady breeze they encounter a warship and are so rescued.