ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11736, 25 January 1924, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE OPERA HOUSE “AMBROSE APPLEJOHN’S ADVENTURE" TO-NIGHT. Tho final presentation of "Quarantine” by Mr Lawrence Grossmith and his company took place last night before a large and enthusiastic audience. "Quarantine” is one of those sparkling, modern comedies, in which some risks may be taken with the conventions, but to which the public have now become sufficiently educated to accept without question and to enjoy without reservation. The situation of a man and a maid, whom the world erroneously believes to be married to each other, and treats as if they were, is one that has an irresistibly humorous appeal, and although authors would at ono time have hesitated to exploit it, this is an enlightened ago, and the public certainly do not seem to mind. Taking the play as one finds it, nothing but the warmest praise does justice to the actors. As Tony Blunt, Mr Groesmith gives a finished'performance, extracting the last ounce of quiet, unobtrusive humour out of the part. Miss Dorothy Seaoombe plays the part of Dinah, the unmarried “wife,” while the role of Ix>la do la COsta, a Spanish adventuress, is in the hands jf Miss Diana Wilson. Mr Winnington Barnes appears as Pamela, Josseph's husband, while the wife’s part is taken by Miss Sylvia Clifton. Other parts are filled by Miss Mabel Gower, as Pincent, the maid; Miss Georgia Harvey, as an energetic scandalmonger; Miss Adelaide Gunn, as Miss Larpent; Mr Leslie Victor, as a henpecked husband; Mr Cyril Gardiner, as an obliging American journalist: Mr Stephen Hoare, as a steward; Mr Paul Plnnket, as a ship’s doctor; Gerald Erankton, as a waiter; and Edmund Duggan, as a passenger. "AMBROSE APPLEJOHN’S ADVENTURE." To-night will see tho second production of the Lawrence Groesmith season in the revival of tho intriguing and entirely original play, "Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure.” This play, which will be generously remembered on the occasion of tbe gifted English actor’s former visit, gives Mr Grossmith many remarkable opportunities to display his versatility in the dual role of an English gentleman and a pirate. "Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure’’ is a quite unusual type of play, revelling in a deal of the old-time romance and swashbuckling of the Spainsh Main, in the good old days. It also has the advantage of showing this particularly well-balanced company at its best, special opportunities being afforded Miss Diana Wilson, Mr Ashton .Tarry and Miss Dorothy Seaoombe. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next, the last nights of the season, will be devoted to the production of "The Silver Fox," another fine play that was remarkably popular when last seen in Wellington. The season will terminate after the performance on Thursday next. The box plans are open at the Bristol Piano Co.

EMPRESS THEATRE

"THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST.” "The Girl of the Golden West," a First National production, coming to the Empress Theatre to-day, is a Western story of unusual power. There will be found in it no Broadway cowboys, no Indians, no running gun fight, no pretences. It is of the days when tho grandfathers of to-day were youngsters, but it is stated that the characters have been selected with such exactitude, the acting is so realistic, that one breathes the very life of the times. | It is a gambling story, and tho incidents | that lead up to the time when the ’ heroine (Sylvia Breamer) plays cards | with the sheriff (Russell Simpson) for ‘the life of the bandit sho loves (J. War- | ren Kerrigan), and the action during the tense moments of the game, are handed with the finesse of a real kinema artist. All three principal characters reach dramatic heights in enacting their difficult parts, and Rosemarv Theby as Nina also merits praise for her several important bits in tho production. The mountain scenery is refreshing, and the picture runs its length without a dull moment, and obviously without padding. It is a brilliant picturisation of David ■ Belasoo’s outstanding stage success. I This week’s musical interlude will con'sist of a charming song cycle by Wellington’s best known baritone, Mr Charles I Moore. The supporting films include the lEmpross Nows Kim ami a Mermaid oomedy, "High Life.’’ The Empress Symphony Orchestra, under the oonductorship of Mr M. Dixon, contribute an excellent programme of music, including the overture “Paragraph 3” (Snppe). The box plan is at the Bristol till 5 p.m., than at the theatre. 'Phone 3143.

“REMEMBRANCE*’ *

KING’S THEATRE. Following out its policy of securing only the best in pictures, the management of the King’s Theatre presents to its patrons this week one of the finest dramas ever made, "Remembrance.” i The picture .is a United Artists big special, and includes such well-known stars as Pdrtssv Ruth MUler, Culleij Landis, and Claude Gillingwater. "Remembrance" is a picture with a message. It is a story for fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters, and no one should miss it. It is a companion picture of "The Old Nest,” the drama which was greeted with packed houses everywhere it was shown. The supporting programme will include the million dollar baby star, Babv Peggy, in a comedy entitled "Carmen, Jurior,” with a laugh in every foot of this delightful film, and, as an added attraction, Mies Elsie Kell, Wellington’s brilliant soprano, will render choice musical numbers. Last, but not by any means the least, will be delightful musical items Ey the renowned King’s Select Orchestra, f<j>r which Mr Austin, musical director, has arranged a special programme. The box plan is at the Bristol, and after 5.30 patrons can reserve at the theatre, or by calling ’phone 22-212. The reserve seat system is very popular.

QUEEN’S THEATRE

MARY PHILBIN’S TRIUMPH. "The biggest star in the camera firmis whht the critics called Mary Philbin, after witnessing her performance in "Merry-Go-Round,” now showing at the Queen's Theatre. The part of the hero, a high-born Austrian count, is taken by Mr Norman Kerry, one of the most finished actors of the day. The whole cast is of unusual calibre. The Universal Super-Jewel spectacle feature, which was in the making for many months, tells of the love between a peasant girl of the Prater, the famous Coney Island district of Vienna, Austria, and a young count of the Emperor’s highest staff. The recent World War knocked the foundation out 1 from under Austria’s proud aristocracy and left a ponderous emptiness where before there had been splendour and pompous idleness. Now members <>f noble families work, no better than the peasants they once despised. In the ranks of the street-sweepers in Vienna today there is a former count, who was a favourite at the court of Francis Joseph before tho war. But with the nobility n tiling of tho past, and with nothing else to turn to in an effort to secure food enough to keep from starving, this former noble, whose knowledge and training had to do with war, was only fitted for this mental work. Truth is stranger than fiction, vet this exact condition of affairs war foreseen when Universal began tbe filming of "Merry-Go-Round.” An excellent supporting programme will he shown, while the usual high standard musical programme will be rendered by the Queen’s Grand Orchestra. The box plan is at the Bristol.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

CON MORENI COMPANY. ANOTHER ENJOYABLE FARCE. The Con Moreni Comedy Company, with another of their amusing burlesques, is the principal attraction this week at his Majesty’s Theatre, where the Fuller firm have provided a varied programme suitable to the tastes of all vaudeville patrons. “The Bandit," with Con Moreni in the lead, was received with applause and enhusiasm by tanother large attendance last evening, when the members of this bright and versatile combination more than substantiated former previous opinions of their work. A striking feature of this production, bs was the case with the others of the series, is the ballet, which dances through the “Bandit” with brightness and vim. Con Moreni himself Is delightfully humorous and responsible for a large share of the fun and. go of the piece as Osca Late, the Austratralian traveller who sells to the President some thousands of guns that will not go off, makes love to the President’s beautiful daughtre Rose (Ida Leggat), and incidentally incurs the undying hatred of General Nuisance, the giddy old generalissimo of the Mexican® forces (Alex. McAlister), and Jcse Palmart, her bandit lover (Dan Weldon). Winnie Edgorton is very sweet and winsomo as Ro3a’s English friend, Mary Canoodle; Will Kenny makes a very fine President; Harry Moreni is great as the Big Chief Neverwash, "heap big fighter”; while Dollv Varni (as "Elizabeweth," .Mary's maid), and Les Austin (as Lord Canoodle, Mary’s brother) contribute greatly to the mirth jollity. Among the artists in the first port ion of the programme were Les Warton, highly diverting with song and patter; Rosina Gordon, the possessor of a sweettoned mezzo-soprano voice, while a verv clever performance was given by .Nat Hanley In song and patter and at tho piano. Will Hastings, the English comedian, gave an excellent rendering of a number of humorous songs. Fred Bluett was again in form, and his quaint singing of auaint songs completely captured the audience. The programme will be presented again this evening.

WIRTHB’ CIRCUS

A COLLECTION OF STARS IN AMAZING TURNS. That the appeal of the circus has not tailed to leave its mark on ail, botn young and old, is quite sufficiently demonstrated by the packed houses which nJgntiy await entrance to Wirth Bios.’ big circus and zoo at present undergoing a season at a location in Cable street. Neitner nave the famous Wirth Bros, failed to combine with all the romance of a circus the attractiveness tvhich is called for by a modern public. He who is not satisfied with the whirlwind of marvellous acts placed before him in three hours crammed full of tensely gripping episodes would be classed far and above the ultra-modern. Such a collection of stars has not as yet been seen in Wellington, neither on the stage or under canvas. In their annual tour of the States in search of new talent Mr Philip Wirth has not failed, with a practised eye, to thoroughly comb out the greatest fetes and bring only the best. Such an act as is placed before an audience as that of the Flying Lloyds will scarcely be forgotten bv anyone who has seen then in action. Prince Guiseppi Bignali, billed as the smallest jockey in the world, does not fail to evoke great applause, and his activity is stupendous for one of his stature. Evans and Perez, and the jockey act of Alfred Clarke, were likewise noteworthy performances. Also those of the Hughes Family of trick cy- ■ clists. Included on tho programme are the Egochago troupe of bull-fighters from South America, who provide one of the most amazing turns, ever presented; Big Alfredo, Spanish clown, and trained dogs from Cuba, Havana; Mimi Wharton and Tx>uie; Carmelle Duo, jugglers extraordin- : and, and many others; while Mr A. Christie with his wonderful trained animals provides many splendid acts. There will be another performance this evening.

"LONG TACK SAM”

PARAMOUNT THEATRE TO-NIGHT. Wellington theatregoers • are sure to extend a royal reception to-Long Tack Sam and his unique Chinese men and women .when they make their initial appearance in Wellington at the Paramount Theatre this evening. Long Tack Sam and’ hia troupe of Oriental wonder worker are said to be tbe most expenfive engagement ever made by Mr H G. Musgrove, of the Tivoli Theatres, Sydney and Melbourne. AH the Australian papers write in glowing terms of this wonderful act, and at the farewefl performance at Sydney recently the audience stood and cheered these remarkable (performers. Long Tack Sam is a magician of the highest order; he mvstifies hi. audience with acts of a most bafflifig kind. His daughters dance delightfully, and a Chinese comedian provides something novel in the way of English dude exaggerations. The whole troupe, however. are said to be at their best on the horizontal bar. Here they fly in the air, turn round at great speed, and perform many hair-raising feats, leaving the audience spellbound. Altogether this wonderful performance should revive one of the most oxhilarAting vaudeville acts ever seen in Wellington. A special feature vs the magnificent Oriental stage setting, comprising rare Chinese embroideries and hangings of the Tirhest colouring, which blend and harmonise with the enchanting and mystifvinq atmosphere of tbe entertainment. Supportln<r Long Tack Sam and his amazing Chinamen is the popular screen star. Torn Mix. in "The lone Star Ranger,” adapted from Zinc Grey’s famous novel of the same name. Intending patrons arc strongly advised to book tlieir seats «t tho Utility Stationery Shop, or ring telephone 21-842, and thus avoid the crush at the doors. Owing to the fact that the company arrive* by the Auckland express to-day. Lon Tack Sam’s engagement will not begin until to-night. Beginning with the Saturday matinee, there will be a full orchestra at all matinees during the engagement of Long Tack Sam.

PRINCESS THEATRE

DOROTHY DALTON PICTURE. A screen production’ ranking with the best can fairly be said of Dorothy Dalton’s new Paramount production. 'Dark Secrets," to be shown at the Princess Theatre to-day. Miss Dalton is superb in the stellar tole, and she is finely supported by Robert Ellises Lord Walling ton. her, fiance. Ruth Rutherford (Mis 3 Dalton) unwillingly becomes involved in an affair with an Egyptian physician, Mohamed Ali (Jose Ruben), who, by u’s wonderful power for healing. nas miraculously cured her of a spinal :n----jury resulting from a fall from a horse. Thq nntanglement of the affair and ‘-he reuniting of Ruth and Lord Wallington is the main theme of the production. How this is accomplished constitutes a thrilling story. The work of Jose Ruben as the exacting Egyptian doctor is especially commendable. "Dark Secrets” may well be classed as the screen success of the month. "It may be acting, but is it art?” asks the critical Mrs .Tolley, whose husband la the owner of "Orlando Jolley’s Floating Theatre,” of the Broadway musical comedy star who has come, under an assumed name, for a position with a third-rate barnstorming troupe. When her identity is known at last, the beautiful actress fears for the only happiness she has known—in "Youth to Youth. ’ a Metro picture now at the Empress Theatre. Billie Dove heads a distinguished cast in one of the most satisfying films of the year.