ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12076, 2 March 1925, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OUR EASTERN EMPIRE INDIA, LAND OF ROMANCE LOWELL THOMAS TRAVELOGUE. A library of curious lore and thousands of miles of travel through one of the most fascinating countries in the world were woven into an address, compact and thought-provoking, shot with humour and enlivened by curious' anecdote, when Colonel Eldred Pottinger, D. 5.0., lectured at The Opera House on Saturday evening. Their Excellencies Sir Charles. Fergusson and Lady Fergusson were present to hear Colonel Pottinger tell* the story of the fine film which Mr jtiowejl Thomas presents to the public. The line of travel in “Romantic India” is far-reaching. It skirts many beauty Bpots and dips in many odd corners. From IJdapur, 'in the sputhernmost part of the continent, where are the. remnants of the early aboriginals of the country, almost black in hue,, through Quetta, curious military outpost, Peshawur and Kabul to the beauteous valley of Kashmir, upon whicli the summer rains roses, through teeming .Delhi to names famous in history, Agra, '.Cawnpore, and Lucknow, and finally to Benares, the holy city, to quaint Pari with its gigantic annual festival* of barbarism; Calcutta, modern metropolis of the Eastern Empire, and the definant peaks of Evrest looming beautiful and menacing and unconquered above the eternal encircling belt of clouds. That is the track of the tourist under the fluent guidance of Colonel Pottinger, and on the way he will learn of things rich and strong, curious travellers’ tales as fanciful as the Anthropophagi, and more marvellous because true. He will see the Pool of Eternal Life, to which natives journey from far around; will witness the strange pananoes which natives inflict upon themselves; will learn of the manifold Whims of India’s 2000 castes, including the 14 million caste of criminals, who lose their statue by going, to gaol, and can have it restored only by getting helplessly drunk 1 ; will see the “man who stole six policemen”'; the festival of the fish-eyed goddess, of which the image of the goddess is borne on a horse overlaid with gold leaves and with eyes of emeralds; will see men, fly-like, treading a lofty beam with agility, and daring all day long to draw water for the crops, the mighty assembly of elephants with which the Gaekwar of Baroda greeted the Prince of Wales; the fearsome wells, into which the Mogul Emperors made their subjects dive for sport; the, pilgrims and funeral pyres of the Ganges; the marvellously beautiful Taj Mahal, the most: wonderful memorial of white marble built by a potenate to his dead queen; the rough ways■ and dirty highways of Afghanistan, from which country only one adventurer in ten returns alive; the assembly-of foreign representatives to celebrate their three months in tfie robber State without murder having lessened their number,; and thrf mighty Juggernaut hauled by tumultuous crones, who kiss the ropes in fervotfr.

country, bazaar, and jungle, where heaters seek the tiger; over waterways, of great beauty, and' past a deserted;city, and ;W Venice;of the East goqs the all-recording camera; and on all Pottinger has something illuminating to say. < audience learns ■ much of the beliefs, the 1 intelligence, and life of the many nations into which India , is' divided. One person in four on the globe is-a British subject, says-ther lectuxerj and 'thrOe out of, four British subjects' live in. India. Over the Whole field ranges Colonel Pottinger; thoroughly at. ease, and he hap much of iqteresV to say concerning the politics and life of a country which will surely loom large, in-the world,'s future, concluding with a die-' cuesibn of the hscent of Mount Everest, and an- account .of the difficulties which the great peak presents. i The travelogue will be, repeated to. nigljt and every'' evening this week. Colonel Eldred' Pottinger, D. 5.0., F.R.G.S;, gave a short address on the “Problems of. India’’’ last night to the members of the Y.M.C.A. and friends, which all present thoroughly appreciated.

TIVOLI THEATRE A SPLENDID PROGRAMME. < Throughout the week a double featured programme will be screened 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 life-story of the notorious Dr Muller j 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 the soreen for a long time rf&st. and the various episodes and incidents which follow each (other ih quick succession, are charged with dramatic intensity and power. The second big feature is “A Woman of Paris,” a drama of society life and the underworld of “Gay Puree.” Written and directed by Charles Chaplin, the famous comedian, the production proves that Chaplin .is an artist as well as a comedian. Q'his is not a funny ; picture, although the plot was conceived by Chaplin. It is a story of a jvoman’s heart Carrying with it the problems of the ages. There are some fine scenes depicting cabaret life, and one scene, in which a hectic revel is in progress, while: revealing the pranks of the’ merrymakers lit 'rather a daring fashion, at' the same tiuib .points an excellent moral. " The current ..programme is an ex-, one. and can be heartily commended to all patrons of the cinema.

ORGAN RECITAL ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME. A large and appreciative audience attended at the Town'Hall last night to hear, the weekly organ recital, which was rendered by, the: city organist, Mr Bernard F. Page. The’programme was a choicely-selected one, containing many of the best works of the masters, including Wagner’e “Tristan and, Isolde” and Mendelssohn's “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” These, with the other items, were beautifully treated by Mr Page, who interpreted the numbers in his well-known accomplished manner. The programme was as follows: — : Overture to “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” by Mendelssohn; Contemplation (Op. 174), No. 6. by Rheinberger; Adagio (‘‘The Dream”), from String Quartette (No. 2) in C Minor, by Alfred Hill; Prelude and if ugue in CI Mfnor, by Willnn"; Canzone della Sera, by E. d’Evry; Prelude (Act I.), “Tris-I tan and-Isolde,” by Wagner. I

HIS MAJEBTVB THEATRE fullers' Vaudeville. Sparkling entertainment is foreshadowed in the new programme announced for first presentation by the Fuller Vaudeville Company at His Majesty’s Theatre this evening, for, it is stated that the new bill will reach a very high standard of excellence. Several fresh_ features are announced, the most prominent being Fullers' Eleven Wonders—a troupe of juvenile performers who are singers,, dancers, and what is said to be the limit in sensational tumbling. They perform, so it is reported, most amazing feats with wonderfill rapidity and skill, and are in addition most versatile as well. All the 11 children perform solos and numbers, and take part in ensembles, and their turn concludes with a whirlwind display of acrobatic tumbling. The performance of the Eleven Wonders almost constitutes an entertainment in itself. ' The Mulianey Brorecent arrivals from England, are said to rank as the best simultaneous dancers seen On the Fnller boards for a very long' time. They are also said to excel as burlesque ' comedians and to indulge in much bright patter and cross-talk, which is said to be enjoyable and wholesome. Other artistes of distinction making their first appearance in -.Wellington will be Will and Linda Newman, trick- cyclists, who will perform remarkable feats on • bicyoles and monocyCles.' This offering is invested with a great deal of comedy, and it is said to be novel, particularly where, the artists indulge in a boxing contest on wheels. Mr John Moore, the Scottish baritone and. comedian, will submit several further offerings, consisting of character-songs and humorous stories. ■ The rest of the bill is composed pf new offerings by {he pick of the personnel that so pleased the audience last week; Carlton and rtosslyn will 'again .indulge in another of. their musical sketches. Mr J. E. Sutton: has prepared a new budget of Bongs and anecdotes at .the piano. The Aldors will introduce fresh features with their clever, Roman ring act, and Miss- Jenny Roy, the-favourite Scottish comedienne and dancer j will be heard in new songs, ana Will introduce farther novelties in Scotch dancing. The latest pictdrial gazette will round’ Off a bill that should find, -high favour with ’ vaudeville playgoers. The neW bill -will be repeated- nightly .during the week,, and*-at a matinee on‘ Saturday. ./■ * .

1 .QUEEN’S THEATRE GLORIA SWANSON SUPERB.

Starring in the attractive picture “Her Love Story” at the .Queen'a this week is the (beautiful Gloria Swanson. The, story is presented amidst lavish settings, and is handled brilliantly by the; producer. The story is exceptionally interesting and 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 Ru(li.' A'marriage of State is .arranged for the Princess Marie with the -King of the 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 ikiifg, and; this time the latter demands that he be sent to prison. The PrincesS Marie is., then forced to the marriage by. threats of the execution ot her lover. Finally shO consents, on the, condition th&t Captain . Rudi’a life is- saved. He' •»> exiled: ■A ’ son fia born to the queen, hut it is not that of the: king. ' She teUshim, and so that .the secret will not leak out, she is declared insane; ahd’ imprisoned in a convent. Capjsaih Rudi, .who has been wandering around thC'Wotld', hears of the plight of the queen, and, after many exciting/.«xperiences,- r they are The loss’of; the hoy and the weakness of "big h'earfc ’cSuse. the'.death of the'.king. ' After'the death of the king, his Prime 'Minister . .visits Marie and tells her that her.eoß.is how king. There is a superb supporting ■ programme, and -the/Queen’s . Orchestra under .Mrs A.-WrigHt/plays. a fine seise* tion of.- mumo." including an overture; “Mosaic,” hy Seretfc... ,i FRIDAY'NffkT

RAFAEL SABATINI’S GREATEST:

“CAFTAtN BLOOD.”

. A stupendous production unsurpassed on the screen Will be shown next Friday—a story, of those adventurous and romantic days when ’■ buccaneers ruled the . Spanish Main, terrorising the colonists of the West Indies and plundering merchant vessels ion the high seas. Heart interest’’ vies With- the thrill of battle for .and' dramatic pathos is skilfully Mended' with a spice of subtle comedy. Blood” contains . some really' remarkable and artistic photography; in addition to numerous thrilling sea battles between the brigantine of the gallant,lrish freebooter and' various Spanish and French war vessels,-all riding: with, full nils set and 1 indeed, makipg a dazzling display. The see battle is an-altogether dramatic and finely conceived spectacle. It is thrilling— gorgeous—with galleons going high in mighty bursts .of flame and smoke-with the. decks of ships swarming with-seamen: The advance of -the Arabella and her sister ; ship' against the fleet of France has the thrill of finely chanted poetry. .The -box plan, for the entire, season is-now open at the Bristol. , ...

NEWCASTLE STEEL WORKB RAND

- TOWN HALL TO-NIGHT. \ > From 1 :- Australia yesterday arrived the now 'world famous .Newcastle, Steel Workt Band under the leadership of its noted .conductor, MrA.H.Baile, to inaugurate their New, Zealand tour at the Town Hall. to-night. This is the terminating point, of their world pilgrimage, or asrit Has. been aptly called, “musical mission of Empire.” This commenced -at Wembley Exhibition last April,-, and has since continued to the accompaniment of such classic victories as'the Belle Vuq contest at Manchester, the British Empire 'Championship at Halifax, and many big engagements. The Wellington, season, will .comprise six performances,' two on Monday and Tuesday at the Town Hall; and four succeeding concerts commencing Wednesday at the Tivoli Theatre owing to the civic hall being otherwise engaged. The forthcoming aeasOh should be of great interest since the opening programme will include the arrangement of Liszt's works hy Dr Keighley, which formed the test piece At Belle Vue. This arrangement, comprises the - 6th rhapsody, the LieberstfSume and piano concerto'in E flat. “In a Persian Garden;” a' characteristiqua descriptive of the-Orient, the" military setting of the “William Tell” overture, and a Tschaikowsky number add variety. The soloists are Mr -: Arthur' Stender, wellknowik to Dominion music lovers for his fine cornet work. Mr Ghee. Doan, trombonist, and Mr Chas. Coughlin, whose medium ;is the euphonium. The box plans are now open at the Bristol where seats may be secured for both the Town Hall performances l on Monday and Tuesday; and the Tivoli concerts commencing on Wednesday next.