ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12181, 4 July 1925, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

GALLI-CURCI FINAL CONCERT TO-NIGHT. To-night, at the Town Hall, Madame Galli-Curei will give her third and final concert in Wellington. ; Intense interest is being shown, and" from the record bookings there is every prospect that the Town Hall will prove only too small to accommodate the large number of music lovers who intend to be present. As in the case of the two previous concerts, the programme tonight has been drawn up to appeal to all sections of the people, and will include, amongst other items, “Lo Here the Gentle Lark,” with flute; “II Bacio” and “Qui La Voce.” These throe items ,in themselves should prove enough to ensure a delightful treat. The box plans are at the Bristol, and a limited number of unreserved tickets will be obtainable this morning at the Grand Opera House confectionery^ GRAND OPERA HOUSE VAUDEVILLE DE LUXE. Long Tack Sam and Company, now at the Grand Opera House, still continues to draw crowded _ houses, and each item given last evening was given n full measure of applause. Arthur Mayes, London’s basso cantante, led off with a delightful trio of songs, while Chris Charlton, the royal illusionist of London, gave an entertain- , ing display of conjuring tricks. Addison and Mitrenga. fresh from London, danced excellently well. Moran and Wiser, the hilarious hat-spinners From New York, in “All In Fun, * gave on© of the most novel turns seen on the vaudeville stage. Then came Novelle Brothers, the musical aerobatic slowns from Paris, and last but not least were Long Tack Sam and liis star company. Long Tack Sam himself produced howls of fish from nowhere, and swung bowls of water in hazardous fashion without spilling a drop. A couple of little Chinese girls in Scotch costume danced tho Highland fling, while another sang a sweet little English 6ong with perfect accent. Altogether the entertainment is one cf the most varied seen in .Wellington. The final performances will be given at the matinee this afternoon and tonight. THE FAREWELL PERFORMANCE. This afternoon a special matinee will be given at the Grand Opera House by that popular and wonderful Chinaman, Long Tack Sam, and his talented company of artists, while this evening the farewell performance will be staged. Long Tack Sam is a show in himself, while the members of his company and the vaudeville artists are past masters in their own particular type of work. THE PROVINCIAL TOUR. A treat is m store for residents of inland and other towns included in the tour of this talented combination, which commences on Monday at Feilding. The other dates are as under: — Hawera, Tuesday, July 7th; Eltliam, Wednesday, July Bth; Wanganui, Thursday and Friday, July 9th and 10th; Napier, Saturday, July 11th, and Monday, July 13th; Hastings, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 14th and 15th; and Palmerston North on_ Thursday, July 16th. Other country dates will be advertised later. Several applications have been made for this unique combination to visit other districts, and the management is now drawing up details. KING’S THEATRE “DANGEROUS INNOCENCE.” Well acted, well directed, replete with intensely interesting and heartgripping scenes is “Dangerous Innocence,” a production co-starring Laura la Plante and . Eugene O’Brien, was screened for the first time at the King’s Theatre last night. Something brand new in the wav of love stories for the old eternal triangle is given an Unusual turn in the fact that the third person is the mother of the heroine. Excellent acting by the two stars, who have been given splendid supporting company, combined with wonderful photography make tho picture well worth seeing. Anne Church, a young girl aged nineteen years, but looking fourteen, sails to join her ship at Bombay. She falls in love with Major Sevniour, who ip at first attracted by her chilcjish helplessness. Later she tells him her real age, and has her tresses bobbed. A man named Gilchitst, tv member in the Colonial Service, also a passenger, makes advances to Ann. but site does not encourage him. Gilchrist then tells Sevniour that Ann is the daughter of his (Sevhiour’s) old sweetheart. One hot night Seymour is asleep on deck, and Ann finds him there. Steep overtakes her and Seymour awakes and carries the girl to her cabin. Gilchrist sees the incident, and reports it to the captain. The latter then summons Seymour, who answers that lie and Ann are engaged. Arriving at Bombay, Ann iv met by her parents, and her mother and Seymour greet each other under the observing eves of her husband, who knows' all about their former love. The mother insists on a six months’ postponement of the marriage, and Gilchrist in the meantime tells Ann the story of the affair between Seymour and her mother. Ann ,is broken; and refuses to continue with Seymour. The latter pursues Gilchrist home, and gives him a thrashing, hut Ann, heartbroken, hoards a steamer next clay lo return to England. The climax now follows quickly, and it forms a fitting culmination to a great film. There is a good supporting programme, including the latest International News, and a comedv, “Putting On Airs.” Art. Kamo, the wizard of the mandolin, and Frank Andrews, the marvel at the piano, have had their season extended, hut unfortunately they will make their last'appearances at the matinee to-day and at the session this evening.

TIVOLI THEATRE

“FABIOLA,” A POWERFUL PICTURE.

Now showing at the Tivoli is another programme! of rare excellence, end is headed by an adaptation of Cardinal Wisemnu’s thrilling storv of Rome in the fourth century. “Fabioln.” It is a story of the Christian martyrs, whose faith vanquished time after lime the terrors of the arena. “Fahiola” is a vision of luxury, revealing the tumult- of Bacchanalian orgies and the splendour of Rome at its Zenith. The other dramatic offering is the King Vidor production, “Conquering the Woman.” featuring that popular artiste? Florence Vidor. “Conquering the Woman” cannot in any way he termed an ordinary picture, as it deals in such an exceptional wav with life in glittering society, and brims with thrills and laughter. This is a tip-ton selection of really firstclass film, with excellent supporting items, and will he screened twice daily at 2 p.m. ajtd 7 p.m. for one week. First-class music attends the pro gramme, and at to-day’s matinee the usual evening session music will be

HIS MAJESTY’S A POPULAR REVUE. A special matinee this afternoon and the usual performance at Fuller’s this evening will bring‘this week’s excellent vaudeville and revue programme to a finish. “One Night,” the musical oomedv diversion by F. Grayle Wyer’s Band Box Company, is a mixed-up honeymoon couples’ farce, arising from the accidental separation of the neiwly-wedded pairs, while the vaudeville programme is tf submitted by George. Castles, a tenor; Torzillo, a harpist; Walter Vernon, a ventriloquist; David and Queenie Ivadli, in Hawaiian numbers; and Buddy, with his concertina. This most attractive entertainment will be repeated this evening, and a special matinee at reduced prices will be given this afternoon. PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA Quite the outstanding feature at the Wellington Professional Orchestra’s next concert will bo the performance of the first movement from Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony (No. 31. This remarkable work was completed in 1804, and was originally written to commemorate the wonderful achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte for whom Beethoven' at one time had the greatest admiration. The first movement (Allegro con Brio) has a number of themes in the highest degree characteristic, and is recognised as one of the most wonderful pieces of orchestral writing ever accomplished. Another interesting item "will he the overture of “Rionzi,” by Wagner. This intensely dramatic composition has in the past been a great favourite at these concerts. This reason the orchestra is giving a concert every six weeks, instead of every four weeks as previously. STRAND THEATRE TWO BIG PICTURES. Screening for the first time at the Strand Theatre last evening was the fine movie production, “The Breath of Scandal.” Lavish settings characterise this picture, and the intensely appealing theme is of immense human interest, vividly depicting the consequences befalling a modern flapper of unconventional doings, allowed too much liberty by the laxity of her uarents. The featured artists include Patsv Ruth Miller. .Tack Mulhall, Betty Rlvthe, and Phillis Haver. “Thundering Dawn” is the title of the second big picture, and splendid enterfcaimnent it-afford*. Included in the powerful cast are J. Warren Kerrigan. Anna O. Nilsson, Tom Santschi, and Winter Hall. The last-named, it will be remembered, was at one time a school teacher in Christchurch, and alone the fact of his being a New Zealander should add interest to the film. The story contained in the photo-play is very interesting, and wholly, satisfies the audience. In addition are the usual ‘ supports, while Harry Avery’s Jazz Band plays delightful music. THEATRE DE LUXE „ "THE SWAN.” THREAT PICTURE. Gigantic scenes, gorgeous dresses, an extraordinary galaxy of stars, and a most intensely absorbing and perfectly directed picture ie “The Swan.” which was screened for the first time at the De Luxe Theatre last night. “The Swan” is. a modern comedydrama of one of the courts of Europe told in a charming manner. The acting of Adolphe Menjou, Ricardo Cortez,i and Frances Howard is a rare combination. . “The is Princess Alexandra whom her mother wishes to marry Prince Albert of Hohenberg, a , gay, pampered, philandering Prince. Princess Alexandra, however/ie in. love with the, court tutor. Dr Walter. The Prince’s eves, however, aVe not for the Princess, but for her ladv-in-woiting, Wanda. That night at a hall given in his honour, the Prince 6hows no interest in the Princess, but flirts with Wanda to the distraction ‘of the mother. At a picnic the next day Princess Alexandra is urged by her mother to invite Dr Walter, with whom to flirt and arouse the interest and jealousv of the Prince. The scheme fails, and the Prince continues to flirt gaily with Wanda. Tliev are overtaken by a storm, and all four are forced to sit through the night in a wood cutter’s hut, where Dr Walter declares his love for the Princess. She tells him that it cannfot be. as she ie like the swan who is free to roam only within the walls of her palace. After their return , Princess Dominica. Albert’s mother, asks' for the hand of Princess Alexandra in marriage on behalf of her son. After a dinner in honour of the occasion Dr AValter draws swords against the Prince for a slight on the name of the Princess. The entire household is awakened, and the Princess rushes in to find the doctor wounded. Her warm heart breaks through the cold mask, and throwing her arms around the wounded tutor, kisses him in front of the scandalised court. The engagement io broken, and Princess Dominica is outraged that her son should be rejected for a’ commoner. The end follows swiftly, and is both unusual and dramatic. The supporting programme includes a comedy, a scenic, and the latest gazette, while the Orchestra De Luxe, under Mr L. A. Austin, plays a fine selection of music, including “Slavonic Rhapsody” (Friedeman), and ‘’The Swan” (Snint-Saensh There is also, a i-nrnct solo by Mr E. Eliot. A special word of praise is due to Mr Herbert Wood and . his efficient staff who «U help materially to make the entertainment most enjoyable.

QUEEN’S THEATRE

“IF I MARRY AGAIN.” "Rich in all the essentials of a really great movie production—cast, story, direction, locale, and human appealing drama, “If I Marry Again.” screened for the first time at the Queen’s Theatre, last evening, is assured of a wonderful popularity among Wellington picture-goers. Written by the oelebrated novelist, Gilbert Frankau, the story depicts romantic wooing and marriage, and. unfolds a gripping climax to a wonderful adventure. Sweeping from society splendour to the hardships and tribulations of a rougher life on the Pacific isles, the action of this magnificent production reveals a galaxy of unexpected wonders. Charlie Jordan, having married ' the daughter of a notorious female leader of San Francisco night life, is exiled l.i v his fa titer to a lonelv tropic island of terrific heat and infeeted with fever. In four years young Jordan undermined bv the fearful conditions existing on the island dies, leaving his young widow. Jocelvn Margot, beautiful, .vet Knowing men as only a woman who has been wooed, and won, and then disillusioned, can know them. Startling nro- ho? consequent experiences, her discoveries the most remarkable ever mnde bv woman. Featured in the star role of Jocelyn Margot is beautiful Doris Ken von with I,lord Hughes,

hart Bcsworth and Mvrtle Stedman *n strong supporting parts. The supporting programme is of exceptional merit, and includes a laughable comedy, “Assorted Relatives.” a delightful scenic of the Canadian Rockv Aiountains. and the latest Gaumont Graphic depicting splendid views of the reconditioning work at present being carried on in St. Paul’s Cathedral. An added attraction was the first appearance of Mr Reg. Scott, a Dunedin baritone o? | rare charm, who was heard in several j splendid numbers, A special children’*? matinee will be held this afternoon. I