ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12021, 26 December 1924, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE O'BRIEN GIRL” MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA AT HIS MAJESTY’S. The long-awaited appearance of Mr Hugh J. Ward's new London company of comedians will take place at His Majesty’s Theatre to-day at 2.15 and this evening at 8, when the much-heralded musical dancing extravaganza, “The O’Brien Girl,” will be presented for the first time in New Zealand, after phenomenally successful seasons of six months in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. “The 0 Brien Girl" is stated to be a musical comedy of excellent type, American in origin, but not of the over-noisy variety which sometimes arrives from New York. The new company, with only two exceptions, is entirely new to New Zealand, and contains many English members and a few from America. The plot of the play is of the always popular Cinderella type. Alice O’Brien, a stenographer, has received a small legacy. She resolves to have one crowded week of luxurious life : and in the play she is found at a fashionable hotel. There she meets her former employer and his son, and, naturally, the son becomes hopelessly infatuated. This is only the beginning of a series of situations in which sentiment, comedy, and farce are mingled in an attractive way. Miss Mamie Watson, who appears in the name part, is of the quiet, English musical comedy type, winsome and graceful. Miss May Beatty, who doubtless will be heartily .welcomed wack to New Zealand, it is expected will give us some of her finished comedy work for which she is famed. She will be supported by Mr Mark Laly, an accomplished English' comedian, who will enact the part of Mr Wrexel, a henpecked husband. Mr Ireland Cutter as Billy Weathersly will give much aid in the comedy department. The company specialises in dancing, and eccentric and acrobatic and graceful dancing will illustrate the skill of a number of members of the company. Among these will be June and Dorothy Roberts, Hazel- Harris, and Wesley Pierce and others. A powerful chorus and ballet 18 bit' .and’there will be scenes in a Red Indian dance and also the “Daisy Ballet.’’ The scenery (painted by Mr Reg. Roberts), lighting, and dressing are all new, and are stated to be of a gorgeous description. A full operatic orchestra will be under the direction of Mr Willie Redstone, a notable English composer. Owing to the Bristol boj oce being closed, the box plan may be seen at Ned Perry’s, Manners street. THEATRE DE LUXE . GAIETY WEEK COMMENCES TODAY. The popular De Luxe Theatre to-day (Friday) enters into its gigantic gaiety iweek, and everything possible has been done to make this week’s attraction one of outstanding importance. ■ The photo-play to be screened is “Wine.’’ It has a most remarkable cast of favourite players, headed by the popular Clara Bow, and also includes Forrest Stanley, Huntly Gordon, Robert Agnew, and Myrtle Stedman. “Wine” was made as one' of the big productions of Universal, . and the stage settings are simply ‘ tremendous. Principal among the spectacular features of this screen story are a number of night club scenes, where throngs of fashionably gowned women applaud the efforts of professional entertainers. The main theme of the story concerns the life of a father, mother, and debutante accustomed to every luxury that money affords. When the story onens the man is facing financial ruin.' Urged by his wife he .consents to lend his name and business’acuteness to a giant scheme to flood the country was Illicit liquor, which results’in something bordering a tragedy. A charming prologue will be presented before this photo-play, and dainty Miss Gwenethe | Walshe will appear in a dance la champagne, with full musical and coloured effects. The supporting programme will' also be. in keeping with the De Luze Gaiety Week, whilst the Orchestra De Luxe will render music of greatcharm and beauty. As already announced a matinee wil be held at 2.30 on Boxing Day; The box plans are at Bristl I>iai ) Cmpany and Aitken’s Bk Arcade, or if not convenient call or ring theatre, ’phone 23-080. CHRISTMAS PROGRAMMES. The energetic management of the De Luxe yesterdav presented a. programme befitting tbe- day. In addition to beantiful scenic. Pa the reviews, topical budgets, Mi- Barton Ginger recited in costume and ovitb full effects Dickens's ; thft Lvric Quartett© rendered “Holy Night” and “Calm as the Sea,” while Herbert F. Wood, the popular tenor. rendered ’“The, Rosary. In addition the Orchestra De Luxe rendered “Nazareth” and Christmas carols as well as other &t>prooriate music. The programme appealed to all by reason' of its suitability for the dav, and there were large and well satisfied audiences. EMPRESS THEATRE “CAPTAIN JANUARY.” ' A most attractive programme is to bo presented by the Empress Theatre management this week, and besides another season of Mr BeaumontSmith’e screen trials. Baby Peggy will be presented in Iter .latest Release Cnptain January.” . Mr Smith re-1 ports great success in his screen trials, i and has to date put through over iioOl applicants. Despite the fact that! there are still names coining in it will bo found possible to give ail a trial, I a thing it was nt first thought impossible to do. . The picture side of the programme, including as it does the usual excellent supports, is particularly attractive. Baby Peggy’s now- effbrt is her latest and by far her best. It tells the story of a little girl who is washed up at a lighthouse, and is taken care of by the old lighthouse-keeper. When she is about five years old some people appear who claim her as their child causing great, consternation to the old keeper, who has played mother, father and relatives included for so long. There is a series of most interesting occurrences, and the ending is particularly happy, showing as it does the old man cared for bv the newly-found parents, and the little girl happy in tlie thought that she is not to lose her old chum Hobart Bosworth ie tlie lighthouse-keeper of the story. and Baby Peggy is admirable as" tho diminuatial “Captain January.”

A PLAY OF THE ORIENT

It is some considerable time 6ince Wellington playgoers hare enjoyed a visit from a J. C. , Williamson dramatic company, therefore the announcement that the big firm are to present, for the first time in this city, the celebrated emotional abtress, Miss Muriel Starr, and the popular leading man, Mr Frank Harvey, together ■ with' a distinguished dramatic company, • in Somerset Maugham’s drama of love and passion, “East of Suez,” at the Grand Opera House this evening, will beh ailed with delight by the lovers of drama in this city. The action of the story takes places in Peking. The central character is an alluring woman, half English, half Chinese, whom mill find irresistible. But in her train comes ruin and despair, for her lover is tinged with the cunning and cruelty of the worst type of Oriental. It is said to be a powerful and enthralling story, set in quaint and mysterious environs of the Chinese capital. It is stated to be a different play that has ever been presented in the Dominion, and has an appeal that playgoers will never forget. In love, more than anything else, “East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet.” This is the motif of a drama more gripping, more thrilling and compelling than any the stage has seen during the last decade. Glowing and throbbing with the colour and life of the Orient, its action takes place in Peking, the silken city of strange fascination and myaterious undercurrents, where no man knows his neighbour, and many strange things come to pass. Outstanding in this silhouette of life and love is a woman of seductive charm,, grace, and abandonment. She was the daughter of an Englishman and a fullblooded Chinese mother, and her name is Daisv. “I don’t know duty; I only know love.” This is the keynote of a character that plays a faithful part in the events that come to pass when sHe marries a young Englishman. A special feature of the production will be the remarkable atmosphoric music, specially composed by Eugene Goossens, and which caused something of a sensation when the play was staged in Sydney and Melbourne. The performance this evening will be witnessed by their Excellencies the Governor-General, Major-General Sir Charles Fergusson. Lady Alice F.ergusson and suite. The box plans for tonight and to-nvorrow night, are at the theatre confectionery, where the back stalls and gallery tickets may also be obtained. The curtain this evenjng will be raised at sharp, when intending patrons are kindly requested' to be in tlicir scats by that time. KING’S THEATRE NORMA TALMA DGE IN “SECRETS.” Commencing at the King’s Theatre at the to-dav Ndirma Talmadgo will be seen in her latest First National picture. “Secrets.” In this spectacular production she plays four different roles in four different periods, and in gowns of four different taehion cycles. It is a picture of modern ro malice with glimpses into three other periods of home life. Starting out. the picture shows Norma ns a young wife of the early days in the ifar West. Then the action switches to, tne year 1870, and the passing yeaffs of the

photoplay’s story next shows her i> the gowns of ttbe late ’Bo’s of the last century.. Last of all, Norma is shown again in modern costumes in 1924 settings. '‘Secrets” is an unusual picture with an unusual story, which is developed in a novel fashion. Eugene O’Brien is the leading man. Hie King’s- Select Orchestra of 11 instrumentalists, .under the- distinguished conductorsjup of Mr A. H. Jerome, will render a selected programme of music.' The box plans will be' at the theatre allf day to-day and to-morrow. Seats may be reserved by telephone if desired, ’phone 22.212. Zane Grey’s great book, “The -Last of the Duanes,” proved a great attraction at the King's in its picturised ver - sion last week, and there was an excellent supporting programme. There was a monster slower of balloons from the balcony at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Oh Christmas. night, Victor Hugo’s great masterpiece, drew a delighted audience. THE TIVOLI THREE HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS. For a holiday programme it would be hard to imagine anything better than the selection offered at the Tivoli. Three big attractions are offered, anil each of a different character. Number one is the fairy pantomime, “Rip Van Winkle.” This story is one «o well known that its appearance- in pictures should be of enormous interest, for who does not love a fairy tale; and into thin play is introduced all the aristocracy of the land of make-believe. Number two is the First National production, “For Sale.” This is n story of ultra-modern character, and deals with fashionable snoietv and its views on matrimony on the “marlin ire for money” basis. The third attraction-is the Beaumont Smith production. “H"llo. Marmadnke.” featuring Caude Damnier. This is the moot per r <*rt Australian film yet produced, and is o comely o F the most brilliant- order. From a point of view of edits- and variety, this nroornmme c’ioiil- 1 be viewed ’-v capacity houses. It will bo screened twice daily, at 2 p.mfl and 7 p.m.