ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S SPLENDID VAUDEVILLE. The performance given Oy Afrikander and his noble animals has proved such a great draw that the management has engged them for another week. Afrikander’s work in the huge cage with his five lions and two tigers is really sensational, and everyone who lias witnessed him perform marvels at the wonderful control he exercises over the beasts. Pew men possess the nerve required to arrange and conduct such a daring act. It is known that lions can be trained, but never before has a man appeared in Wellington with two trained tigers. Another feature of the programme is the appearance o£ J. E. Sutton, an entertainer who recently arrived from England. His piano playing is remarkable, and from, it a clean and bright turn is derived. As a raconteur he excelled, and his song “Gone” was very humorous. As an encore he gave a clever American character sketchCarlton and Rosslyn are a fine English duo, and their selection of musical comedy, interspersed with humor ous dialogue and stories, found the audience sitting up and taking the fullest interest. Miss Jenny Roy, celebrated Scottish soiibrette and dancer, gave a refined display of footwork, and her songs were very pleasing. Quite a new programmei of vectnioquial entertainment was submitted by Carlton Max, who is <i.e of the most finished artists in tins respect who has appeared before a New Zetland audience. . Others on the bill are John Moore, Highland entertainer; Megan Brothers, musical clowns; Eugene Knoop, ambidexterous caligraphist. There will be a special matinee today, and this excellent entertainment will be repeated this evening.

QUEEN’S THEATRE

“HER LOVE STORY.” There are very few lovers of good novels who have not heard of Mary Roberts Rinehart, who has justly commanded tremendous popularity. No lover of the motion picture has failed to admire the acting of the beautiful Gloria Swanson, and thus the new attraction which commenced last night at the Queen’s Theatre is in for a highly successful run. It is a Paramount production, entitled “Her Love Story,” adapted from one of Miss Rinehart’s novels and starring Gloria Swanson and lan Keith. The plot, couched in lavish settings, and handled brilliantly by the producer and the talented cast tells of the Princess Marie, daughter of an archduke of a tiny mid-European State, who is in love with the captain of her father’s guards, old Rudi. A marriage of State is arranged for the Princess Marie with th<? King of tie neighbouring State. Hoping to avert Fate, she is secretly married to Captain Rudi, and the next day tells her father of the marriage, but he refuses to recognise it. Rudi angers the king, and this time the latter demands that he he sent to prison. The Princess Marie is then forced to the marriage by threats of the execution of her lover. Finally she consents, on the condition that Captain Rudi’e life is saved. He is exiled. A son is born to the queen, but it is not that of the king. She tells him, and so that the secret will not leak out, she is declared insane, and imprisoned ini convent. Captain Rudi, who has been wandering around the world, hears of the plight of the queen, and, after many exciting experiences, they are reunited. The Ices of the hoy and the weakness of his heart cause the death of the king. After the death of the king, his Prime Minister visits Marie and tells her that her 6on is now king.

There is a superb supporting iffogramme, and the Queen’s Orchestra under Mrs A. Wright plays a fine selection of music, including an overture, “Mosaiic,” by Seredy.

WILLIAM HEUGHAN A MASTER OF SONG. The claim, to be one of the world’s greatest singers is indeed a great distinction to claim, yet, nevertheless so has William Heughan, the great dramatic basso cantanto, been acclaimed throughout the cities of the world. A magnificent singer whose versatility is amazing, a singer whose wonderful magnetic and compelling personality, combined with beauty and richness of voice, has held audiences enthralled wherever be has appeared. A singer indeed whose vocal art is hereditary and has been handed down through the centuries. A descendant of the Eogha-in Clan, the greatest < f ancient minstrels and hards, singers of songs in the Royal Courts of Scotland. Trained in the old Italian school iby the most eminent of rnaeetros, the late Vincenze Sabatdni, of Milan, his voice from youth upwards a. thing to marvel at, has now, to quote a leading English critic: “Not onlv groat beauty, but is essentially a. great voice.” The greatest principal bass roles have all been sung ,by him both in the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London, and the leading Italian Opera Houses. Audiences of twelve thousand have been held spellbound in the Royal Albert Hall, London. The band of H.M. Scots Guards ,has accompanied him as a. soloist.

He is ably assisted by Hyman Ler.zer, the sensational young violinist, who is- looked upon as the Heifetz of Australia, and who though but twenty years of age has appeared nnd made a great name in Australia, and Now Zealand. He is further assisted by Gladys Sayer, the world-fumed pianiste who received her tuition at the Brussels Conservatoire, and also under the great Hambourg. Their second’ series of concerts will he given in the Town Hall next Wed. nesaay, Thursday, and Saturday. Box plans are at the Bristol and are now open.

MISS KATHLEEN JANSEN CULTURED MEZZO-SOPRANO. Miss Kathleen Jansen, a cultured mezzo-soprano, who is a native of New Zealand, will give a song recital in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall next Wednesday. Miss Jansen has studied in England under the leading teachers, and has recently finished a course of vocal training for two years under Professor C. Sauer, in' Sydney, paying particular attention to French, Italian, German, and Russian songs. Miss Jansen has appeared several times successfully on concert platforms in Sydney, and leading musical critics liavo bestowed high praise on her vocal achievements. She lias prepared a very comprehensive and versatile programme for her- recital —works by Dvorak, Tschaikowsky, Puccini, Saint-Saens, and Grieg. Several _o{ these compositions are new to 'Wellington. Miss Jansen will be assisted by M. I .con de Manny (violinist) and Mr Harold Whittle (accompanist), The box plan ia at the Bristol.

THEATRE DE LUXE “WANDERER OF THE WASTELAND.’! Ever since the De Luxe Theatre has opened the programmes screened there have been particularly fine, but it is doubtful whether even the splendid programme of the past have surpassed the present offering which was greeted by a packed house when shown for the first time last night. The big picture is the Paramount film version of Zane Grey’s wonderful book, “Wanderer of the Wasteland.” Jack Holt. Kathlyn Williams, Noah Beery, and Billy Dove, the leading players, create the right atmosphere from the first flicker, and it is successfully maintained to the end. The photography is splendid, and the sublime colourings of Nature in all her moods are faithfully reproduced on the screen. The story tells of Adam Larey, a miner, in the town of Picacho, who is the victim of circumstance in a shooting affray m which his brother is killed, and who is forced to become a wanderer of the wasteland. Without, food or water he attempts to escape through the desert, and fie is found in an exhausted state by a desert rambler and prospector. He changes his name to Wansfell. Four years pass and strange tales come out of the desert of the grim justice of Wansfell. An Indian tells of a prospector who is being robbed of his gold mine, and Adam sets out and finds that it is Dismukes. He rescues Dismukes, who tells him of a strange couple who live in a nearby canyon. Adam visits the cabin, recognises them as a couple he had met in Picacho, with Itutn Virey, the girl whom he had formerly loved. The couple are killed in a landslide, but they tell him where to find Ruth, and Adam locates her in San Diego teaching. She urges him to return and face the authorities, and when he returns he finds that his brother was not killed. Adam returns to the girl who had promised to wait for him and they are happy. There is an exceptional supporting programme, and the - Orchestra De Luxe, under Mr L. D. Austin, plays a fine selection of music.

THE STRAND NORMA TALMADGE IN “THE ETERNAL FLAME.” The great double-feature programme at the Strand Theatre this week comprises,a thrilling screen version of Anna Katherine Green’s famous mystery novel, “The Leavenworth Case,” featuring Leena Owen, Martha Mansfield, and Wilfred Lytell, and “The Eternal Flame,” Balzac’s intense play eonverted into the drama magnificent, with Norma Talmadge in the star role. “The Leavenworth Case” is claimed to be the finest mystery film ever offered. It is tense and baffling until tho very last foot of film. The finger of suspicion points first to one and then to another as the guilty person, and leaves the spectator almost believing all the members of the Leai emvorth household participated in the murder of Ira Leavenworth, a wealthy old recluse. “The Eternal Flame” is most superbly staged and mounted, and graphically tells a tensely dramatic love story*. The six high lights of this attraction are:—The Palace of Versailles, with a thousand dancers m a gorgeous and unbelievably lovely court ball , the magnificence and profusion of the setting—room after room of splendour, hall after hall of delightful beauty; dresses—one ravishing frock after another is worn by Miss Talmadge —one jewelled court dress is a miracle of shimmering splendour; the great underground vaulted rooms where the branding scene, tabes place, the sudden coloured lighting effects are aweinspiring; the French countryside, quaint, highly-decorated coaches and picturesque trappings; the unearthly beauty and unique interior lighting of tho Convent scenes.

This attractive programme, which is to be repeated to-day and daily throughout the coming week, drew a delighted large house yesterday.

KING'S THEATRE

“THE SILENT WATCHER.” This delightful and picturesque theatre stands as highly in popular favour as ever, and much of this popularity is due to the comfort, cleanliness and subdued but charming lighting of the theatre, and to the high standard of pictures submitted to lovers of screen drama and humour. The music, too, is 'also a special feature, for it is always carofi’Uv chosen and harmonises with the subject shown on the curtain, and under the direction of Mr A. H. Jerome, is well rendered. The star feature ’ast night was the “Silent Watcher, ’ featuring Glenn Hunter and Bessie Love, adapted from Mary Roberta Rinehart’s story, “The Altar on the Hill.” It is produced by Frank Lloyd, who made such a magnificent success of “Th« Sea Hawk.” As the story goes Joe Roberts fairly worshipped his ‘chief,” John Steele, who had promoted him from office boy to personal secretary. The chief entered tho race for Senator and Joe’s devotion and assistance were inspiring. In the chief’s home, Mrs Steele, tiring of her domestic duties, departed for Europe s lid prolonged her ita.v, leaving the chief lonely and to seek other companionship. Th© chief meets July Elliott, .a soubrette, at a theatrical performance. The chief asks Joe to rent an apartment for Lily in his own name. Joe also provide? a gun, which he registered in his (.Jce’s) name. When Joe returns homo he finds the police at his home. They arrest him and tell him that Lily Elliott has been shot to death in the apartment rented m his name and by his own gun. Dumbfounded by tne news but in an earnest effort to protect the chief, Joe takes the blame for the murder, not knowing the facts. There are interesting developments before the true facts are brought to light, and almost mother tiagecl.v, but Joe’s devotion to his master are realised and th© final ending of the drama is what one would nave wished to happen. The supports are excellent and include a topical nows film and a comedy, “A Tailor-Made Chauffeur.” A ■ pecri! overture ard cutr’acU, are included in this programme. Next Friday's star picture will bo “Love and Glory,” a stirring story of the Fia-nco-Prussian war, covering a period of 50 years and full of incidents of the moist thrilling character, lhe story is that of the bugler of Algiers, taken from the novel, “Wo Are French.” A private view is being given on Monday morning at 10 o'clock, at which ■several Consular representatives will be present.

ORGAN RECITAL Mr Bernard F. Pago (city organist) will give his usual weekly organ reci tal at the Town Hall to-morrow (Sunday) evening, and the programme has been arranged as follows: —Overture to “A Midsimmer Night’s Dream,’’ by Mendelssohn; Contemplation (Op 174), No. 0, by Rlioinbei cer; Adagio (“Tho Dream”), from String Quartette (No. 2), in G minor, by Alfred Hill: Prelude and Fugue m C minor, by Willan : Canzone della Sera, by E. d’Evry; Prelude (act). “Tristan and Isolde,” h.v Wagner; Tristan and Isolde, by Wagner.

TIVOLI ANOTHER FINE BILL* Another fine double-feature bill wa* presented for tho first time at the Tivoli yesterday, and it will be continued throughout the coming week. The programme is headed by “The Devil.”adopted from the stage play with George Arliss in the title role. It is a powerful and gripping story, presenting the celebrated life-story of the notorious Dr Muller, a man •who makes men and women his puppets for the exploitation of his devilish freaks ot mind. No finer representation of a master rogue has been seen on tho screen for a long time past, and the various episodes and incidents which follow each other in quick succession, are charged with dramatic intensity and power. The second big feature is ,“A Woman of Palis.” a drama of society life and the underworld of “Gay Paree.” Written and directed by Charles Chaplin, the famous comedian, the production proves that Chaplin is an artist as well as a comedian. This is not a funny picture, although the plot was conceived by Chaplin. It is a story of a woman's heart carrying with it the problems of the ages. There are some fine scenes depicting cabaret life, and bne scene, in which a hectic revel is in progress, while revealing the pranks of the merrymakers in rather a daring fashiou, at the same time points an excellent moral.

The current programme is an excellent one. aud can be heartily commended to all patrons of the cinema.

EMPRESS THEATRE “BROADWAY AFTER DARK ” .The ipirit of Broadway—blase, beautiful, cynical, childish, ever young, evei gay, intoxicating as the spirit of vouth—th© playground of the world, is vividly brought, out in "Broadway after Dark.” tho thrilling photo-drama that is being -creened at the Empress Theatre this week The picture is set among the clamorous cafes and night clubs. where youth and beauty scorch their wings, like moths round the candle of pleasure, not seldom receiving wounds from which they never really recover. The all-star c.,ste includes such favourites as Adolphe Meniou, Anna Q. Nilsson, Carmel Myers, Norma Shearer, and Willard Loujs; and the play comprises scenes of riot and luxury that begger description, episodes as bizarre as any in the thousand and one talcs of th© Arabian Nights, a veritable fairyland of mid* night adventure. It is a picture that reveals the soul of “society” in the world’s greatest city, strips it hare, weighs it in tho balance, and *'nds it wanting. In the plav Adolphe Mtnjon fills the role, and fills it ->s to the manger'born, of the ladies’ t an. “the perfect lover.” “Ralph Norton.” a typical pa.mpared cmi of wealthy parents. but. once bedrock is reached, a gentleman. Tired cf the artificialities of his set, of making low and being made love to in an atmosphere where true love is absolutely impossible. he determines to find out if there : s anything at all real in life; ar.d to that end he throws in his-lot with the down-, nd-outers of the theatrical boardhig-hoi-ses in the purlieus of Broadw ly. Here, meeting Rose Dulane, a beautiful young girl, working as a slavey and shadowed by a detective who won’t let her forget that she br.a seived a term in prisoia for theft, he decides, for a whim, merely to secure, if possible, a new oensation, to -end ne-r into “society” as his “war!,” and enjoy, with a sardonic humour, the complications that are bound to follow. They suffice, however, to reveal to him what a sterling, loveable, yet strong and fine character Rose Dulane is; r-nd he awakens, with a shock, to the fact that h© loves her.

The supporting films include a delightful ' comedy, “Robbing the ■Rube,’ ’ and a more than usually interesting topical news budget. The overture consisted of a taking saxophone novelty, “The Piggly Wiggle.” by Mr J. Haines, soloist; and the bright, breezy, sprightly, and sparkling incidental music was admirably rendered by the Empress Select Orchestra. under the able directorship of Mrs Dick.

This most attractive programme will be repeated this morning, afternoon, andl evening, and daily and nightly throughout the coming week. j

“ROMANTIC INDIA" GRAND OPERA HOUSE THIS EVENING. His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral, Lady Alice Ferguseon, Miss Fergusson and suite will be present at tho opening performance of the Lowell Thomas latest and best travelogue, “Romantic India.” It, unfolds many of the forbidden mysteries of the gorgeous East, and Colonel Eldred Pottinger, D. 5.0., F.11.G.5., in his breeziest way let? you into the secret* of unknown India and Tibet, and tells of the veiled ladies of the harems. You see the danco of tho whirling dervishes, with their bobbed liair. The motion and eolouitd pictures are said to he the finest yet projected. This in not a lecture, but a new form of entertainment. You are held spellbound, as you see the extraordinary and laughable pictures. To torture tne body as a means of penance is nowadays regarded as a relic of mediaeval superstition, yet it is still regularly practised by the* Hindus. One sees coloured pictures of some of tho methods practised by the religious devotees of that strange country. To roll round and round a temple with a baby in one’s arms, lying for horn’s with a rock weighing several hundredweight resting on one's body, burying one’s self in sand, or reclining on couches of sharp iron spikes for several hours daily, or contortions that tie one's body into knots, are not practices which a Western mind considers conducive to spiritual thought or prayer. Many scenes are shown on the screen and admirably explained. In the two short hours at his disposal it is marvellous how Colonel Pottinger manages to cover so much ground, tell so many salient facts about the situation, and at tho same time keep his audiences thoroughly amused. While the speaker dwells on the marvellous beauties of the gardens and lakes of Kashmir and the glorious scenery, orchids and flowering shrubs of the Himalayas, he does not neglect to show the other side of the picture—views of the sandy deserts. terrible dust storms looking like black smoke. A remarkable show. The box plans are at the Bristol.