ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12096, 25 March 1925, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE BRIGHT REVUE AND VAUDEVILLE. The current programme of vaudeville, showing at His Majesty's, augmented as it ia by George Storey’s Revue Companv is one of the best entertainments that Wellington theatregoers have had presented to them for many a day. “The Blue Lagoon” is the title of George Storey's latest farce, and from the first call of “lights” to the final curtain rthe audience was kept amused last night. The action centres round a tropical island, to which comes the s.s. Firefly, commanded by Captain Brown in search of a wife. Two competent (P) members of the crew are Bill O’Sale (George Storey) and Bill (Frank Haining). There are many highly-amusing situations, which give George Storey ample opportunity to show his capacity as a comedian. He is ably supported by Mr Haining, who is a fun-maker of the first order. Mark Erickson, as Captain Broom, gave a food performance, and, as Leonidas, red Monument was excellent. Mias Dulcio Milner and Miss Mabelle Morgan, as Asa and Unita (island girls), were seen to excellent advantage in their , parts, and they sang with much charm. Ada Scaddon, as the captain’s daughter, gave a pleasing performance, as also did Rich Butler, the officer of tho Firefly. Mention must be made of the danc- j ing and ballet work of the Delectable ! Six, whose efforts were a feature of an i excellent entertainment. They appeared in some pleasing : dance numbers which were faultlessly executed. -) In the vaudeville section. all of which is on a high standard, are the JS’ay Brothers, two sensationally clever acrobats, whose daring feats are. to say the least, hair-raising: Maxwell fclarew. (entertainer, displays suprisinft versatility in a series of diverting and wholly enjoyable items which quickly established him in his' audience’s fav- , dot. ’ Anita Shawe, a charming sou- ! brette. woie some becoming gowns and j Bang songs which made an immediate . “hit.” As a comedian Frank- Perryn j strikes a new vein of humour. He has i an inexhaustible store of patter, .Ills j play upon the dictionary and his songs being exceptionally good. The Mullaney Brothers, a droll pair ot merrymakers, scored a decided success with their items, the duet, "The Broadway Girl,’’ being the best of- the . varied repertoire presented. . The orchestra, under the direction of Mr Frank 00-wther, in, as usual, a pleasing feature of the entertainment. The present programme will be presented nightly until Saturday, on which day a special matinee performance will be given t>THE TEN, COMMANDMENTS” RETURN SEASON AT KING’S THEATRE. “The Ten Commandments,’ ’ Paramount’s great picture, which waa screened at the Be Luxe Theatre some months ago, will commence a return season at the King’s Theatre on Friday next. During ita previous season, which lasted for only -two weeks, it was found that many people were unable to fee this great film, and it is being brought back to Wellington m response to the many requests on behalf of the public. Since leaving Wellington it has established records wherever it has ibeem screened. Its season in Auckland covered nine weeks, with tnatinees ever, day. It was shown under similar conditions m Christchurch for four weeks. Ccrtainly if is proving what it is claimed to be—tho most ambitious effort in film production Since “Intolerance.” The production is one of the longest and most expensive ever made, teem-ing-with remarkable characterisations, lavish and bewilderingly beautiful and withal a magnificent drama. The picture opens with a Biblical prologue, showing the children of Israel in bond- j age. their release, the passing of the. Red Sea, the wanderings in the wild-! erness, and the giving of the ten commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. Moses is shown leading the children of Israel into the promised land- Then comes the destruction of the children of Israel for their renunciation of the true God. The interpretation of the parting of the Red' Sea, the pillar of fire, and the inspiration <jf the ten commandments on the mountain are effected with an artistry that is little short of marvellous. Then—with remarkable suddenness the audience is confronted with a modern drama in which a young man and a young woman defy this ten commandments thinking to “wax rich and prosperous” thereby. Whilst they are permitted to prosper for a time, finally the penalty of desecrating the laws of God exact full toll. This in brief is the lesson that the ten commandments seeks to teach. The pioture will be presented at the King’s with a full orchestra tinder the conductorship of Mr A. H. Jerome. The box plan is now open 'at the Bristol, and those who intend to see this picture are advised to hook at their earliest opportunity to avoid being disappointed.

MISS ETHEL 08B0RN

* AN EXTRA CONCERT. It is with pleasure that we are able to announce an extra and final concert by the distinguished singer, Miss Ethel Osborn, for the Town Hall on Saturday next. This will take the form of a request programme, and all such requests should be sent, before Thurs- i day next to Mr A. S. Warwick, 33,1 Willis street. Already many numbers! have Been asked for, and it is certain that “Regnava nel Silenzio” and Han- ; del’s lovely aria, “Rend il Sereno,” will j be on the programme. One of the, i most popular items on Monday’s programme was the beautiful “Ave Maria” '. with violin obligato, and this is also' in much demand. It is pleasing to \: note that Mr Tom Williams has at- i tracted so muck attention with his vio- 1 lin work that requests are being receiv- 1 ed for a lepetition of some of the num- 1 hers that he haa performed. This young player will go far in his art, and he has become a very great favourite with Wellington audiences. Madame Marie Borman will provide the accompaniments, her playing being of the highest order, and further support will 1 -] be afforded by Signor Truda in flute , obbligati, and Mr A. Stanley Warwick ] wiU recite. The plan is at the Bristol, J and no further extension of the season i is possible. <

OPERA HOUSE VAUDEVILLE SHLENDID ENTERTAINMENT BY STAR ARTISTES. Without doubt one of the best vaudeville companies which New Zealand Entertainers, Ltd. (by arrangement with J. 0. Williamson, Ltd.), have presented to Dominion audiences is that now appearing at the Grand Opera House. The whole entertainment was enthusiastically received last night. The company represents the best artistes in vaudeville theatres Tsf the Continent and America, and many novel and unusual features are introduced. Felovis, than whom no better [juggler has ever previously been seen [locally, provides an amazing exhibition. He defies all laws of gravitation, performing the most reckless I feats, and balances a variety, of objects in such a manner as leaves the ! audience bewildered arid amazed. He : was accorded a great reception. The j Versatile Three are i% a class by ' themselves. Possessors of well-tram-ied voices, marked musical gifts, which ■ they demonstrate by their pluyirig of j piano, banjo and sixophona, and a flair [for singing the latest songs in a mauj ner which is a delight, they hold the audience from the moment they enter I the stage until they Bow their exit. ' How jazz songs should he sung Is the I main theme of their entertainment, but [in the ballads and negro items they I were equally plenaing. One of the I best and most thrilling acts of itß kind I witnessed locally is that of The Daros, | who perform the most hair-raising i feats with the aid of a 15ft ladder. Hayden and Nevard appeared successI fully in a pleasing song Boena, “Then land Now,” which introduced the songs of to-day and those or'TOO years ago. [Mias Violet Lester, the Gufd-yoiced vo[calist, displayed her surprising vocal gifts in two pleasing numbers, _ and - Miss Ethel Newmap gave a miniature ■ musical comedy turn entitled /he I Widow,” which found Immediate favour. Jack Hooker and Dorothy Seaward appeared in quartette of char'acter dances. Special mention must be made of the performance of the Four Ortons, comedy artistes, who performed hair-raising feats on the tight I rope. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr A G. Frost, contributed f largely to the success of the -entertain- ! ment, being a pleaaing feature- | There will be a special matinee to- | day at greatly-reduced prices. . THEATRE DE LUXE “THE GAIETY GIRL.” Mary Philbin bh the title role in “The Gaiety Girl,” the last two nights of which' are announced. It. is a wonderful, story of how a poverty-stricken but aristocratic maiden of the great house of Tudor, of Pencarrey, becomes a dancing girl i at the Gaiety Theatre, rises to he an 'artist of international fame, and is tricked into marrying a man she does not love. This is the problem that Irene Tudor descendant of a line of kings, had to face. The supports include a most interesting International News Budget, Mid a mirth-inspiring Century comedy, “Broadway Beauties,” while the Orchestra De Luxe, under the able director-: ship of Mr L. D. Austin, renders an i admirable selection of musical items. ! This most attractive programme will be repeated this evening, and nightly throughout the week. j COMMENCING NEXT FRIDAY | NORMA TALMADGE IN “THE ] ONLY AVOMAN.” Norma Talmadge’s “marriage” in “The Only Woman,” her latest photoplay, which is the chief detraction at the De Luxe Theatre, commencing next Friday, including a matinee Saturday at 2.30, was the moßt gorgeous ever staged in Hollywood. The scene was the most gigantic ever eject®** for Norma. All .the mediaeval splendour of a vast cathedral, added to tile wealth of costuming and decorating, and the chanting ot a specially-select-ied choir, gave toe filming of the picI ture a setting of unusual beauty. It j ; waa estimated that, including aotors, ! 'workmen, and spectators, more than 3000 persons crowded Stage 6 at toe • United Studios while Norma’s noonuay wedding waa being filmed. Norma en- j tered on toe arm ot her Bcreen father, Winter Hall, while Eugene O’Brien, the perfect lover, was accompanied by his “father,” Edward Davis. Norma was followed by 12 bridesmaids and half-a-dozen pages and flower-girls. More than 1800 players took part in the ohurch ceremony. “‘The Only Woman” is Norma’s first photoplay since “Secrets,” and is her greatest work to date. „ The atory is one of a girl who marries a man she hateß in order to save her father from disgrace. Aside from the heart interest, the picture presents some of toe most vivid and thrilling shipwreck soenes over screened. The supporting programme is a very fine one, consisting of topical budget, comedy, and A speciaUy-ar-ranged musical programme by the Orchestra De Luxe. .The box-plans are now open at toe Bristol Biano Co., Atiken’s Book Arcade, or ring theatre after 5,30 (’phone 23-080).

EMPRESS THEATRE

INTERESTING ENTERTAINMENT. The screening of the film tests made by Mr Beaumont Smith in Wellington recently has .been providing excellent enjoyment at toe Empress Theatre. The results are at times excruciatingly humorous, and the audiences who have so far crowded - out the theatre have found that their release provides as good an entertainment as is to be found. The abduction scene was in some cases an absolute scream. Then came the jilted husband or wife [ who committed suicide upon finding ! out that their partners had gone astray, j The news film includes a review of 1924 great events, a comedy, “Two Too Many;” “Hodge-podge,” -sense and [ nonsense, with. Beaumont Smith’s new I picture “Joe” as toe grand finale, i Arthur Tauchert, of ‘ ‘Sentimental I Bloke” fame, is great in the] role of the station hand who mar-j rics tofe daughter of his employer, and j then gets entangled in city affairs. In view of toe exceptional attraction early booking is advised.

DOROTHEA SPINNEY

IN GREEK DRAMA. ; The famous ‘Greek play “The Medea” by Euripides, will be given in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Friday, March 27th at 8 p.m. by Miss Dorothea Spinney, whose last tour in 1921 made such a profound! impression. “Her rendering of Greek drama is i one of the most beautiful things seen j, or heard on any stage to-day,” says a ! famous critic. “She adds to an intelligent and dramatic interpretation of the lines a wonderful voice, and loveliness of movement and pose. The phrase ‘a Greek frieze come to life’ is an old I one, but nothing could describe better the effect of her gestures and posi- , ! tions.” The “Oxford Times” calls her j voice on® of the most beautiful in England. 1 1

A FAMOUS SINGER COMING TO NEW ZEALAND. Cable advice was yesterday received at Wellington to toe effect that Miss Edna Thoirias, toe famous singer of negro spiritual songs, who created quite y furore in the United States, is leav■ling San Francisco in the Maunganui, which is scheduled! to leave that port to-day, March 25th. Miss Thomas, who has been. commanding an exceptionally [high salary, and who is considered to be i one of the most effective fingers heard j for -many yeare, will tour New Zealand ' under toe direction of Mr E. J. Carroll, who so efficiently managed- Sir Harry Lauder’s recent successful tour of the Dominion. “BORN RICH” AT THE QUEEN’S THEATRE. The etory of how two young people who were happily married lived the fafet life of their set till the inevitable happened, and now the crash over (which all their friends were gloating, was averted because they lost all their money and lived happily ever afterwards, is well told in “Bora Rich,” screening at the Queen’s Theatre each day this week. It waa quite inexplicable to all their friends that after the first year of married life top couple in question should still he sweethearts. The husband and wife are played by Claire Windsor and Bert Lytell, ■ and other stare in the cast are Cullen Landis, Frank Morgan, J. Barney Sherry and William Burton. The supports are excellent. COMING ATTRACTION. Playing in support of Richard Dix in his first Paramount picture, “Manhattan,” coming to the Queen’s Theatre on Friday, is Jacqueline Logan. “Manhattan” was adapted from Jeffery'Farnol’s novel, “The Definite Object.” The story is a gripping tale of New York’s, gang life,, by one ..who knew what he waß talking about. Farnol ate and slept rfght in the surroundings of which he writes, and everything about the picture is authen. tic.

KING’S THEATRE “MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE.” “Monsieur Beaucaire” is Being screened at the King’s for the remainder of this week. The picture is a triumph of the photographer’s art, and the dressing and mounting, are a delight to behold. Rudolph Valentino, and Bribe Daniels, who head'.toe cast, have seldom been Jn to better advantage. The King France, the crafty Richelieu, and | the- ignored Queen are the central 'characters into whose lives comes toe Duke de Chartres, the first peer of the ! realm and the idol of the court ladies. ■The King affiances him to his-cousin, | iust released from the convent, and La i Pompadour is insulted in turn by each. [The Duke’s arrest is ordered. hut he ; escapes , and disappears. Shortly af- ' terwards there appears in Bath a mysterious individual who is barber to toe French Ambassador. Subsequently introduced to toe astounded company !as the Duke of Chartres. The humilajtkm of toe Belle of Bath follows, and | Chartres, pardoned by toe King, reI turns to France, and lays his fortunes iat the feet of his old love. The orchesjtra, under "Mr A. H. Jerome, is as [usual a pleasant feature of an excellent entertainment. The current programme will bo shown throughout this week. ■ -