ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

QUEEN’S THEATRE “CONTRABAND” AN INTERESTING FILM. “Contraband,” now at the Queen’s tells the tale of a young woman who inherits a small town newspaper. Her efforts to improve the town are frowned upon by a local politician who is the secret leader of a band of rum-runners and bootleggers. Follow in one succession of intensely exciting and interest-sustaining action, thrilling situation upon situation, the whole culminating in a climax magnificent in the intensity of its dramatic power. Lois Wilson and Raymond McKee are in the leading roles. The supporting programme, which is good, includes a further thril'ing eni- I sode of “The Riddle R{ders.” Exceptionally delightful is the charming I musical programme submitted by the : Queen’s Select Orchestra, under the ! baton of Miss Eileen Dennehy. j j KING’S THEATRE “LEARNING TO LOVE.” j Constance Talmadge is featured in j the above big picture, which is now j befng shown at the King’s Theatre, j and, as the heiress, just out of boarding school, thought she had learned to love, and she' gloried in the fact that she was engaged to three men at once. With the appearance of Antonio Moreno as her guardian, she experiences a feeling she cannot diagnose. It happens to be the true brand of love which Constance had never learned. Their marriage is followed by a threatened scandal, resulting from the enraged protestations of her forgotten fiances, and her husband, in order to save her, refuses to live with her. All ends happily of course. “Learning to Love” is a First Na. tional attraction. There is a splendid musical programme rendered by the King’s orchestra under the baton of Mr A. Jerome. The supports are extremely well chosen. THEATRE DE LUXE A. UNIVERSAL ATTRACTION.. Virginia Valli is the popular star featured in tbe Universal attraction, “Up the Ladder,” which is now being presented at the De Luxe, The story revolves around a young woman, who, after sacrificing her hereditary fortune that her husband may climb to fame, discovers his mfidelity_ tnrougn the instrument of his own invention, thp televisionphone. This ultra invention is an apparatus which makes it possible for one to actually see whom one converses with over the telephone. Aside from this unusual mechanical feature of the picture, the plot is one that combines all the elements of human interest and gives Virginia Valli, aa the wife, a splendid opportunity to display her histrionic ability as an actress of rare ability. An excellent supporting programme is also screened, and includes the latest gazette and a hilarious comedy. A delightful feature of 1 the programing is the splendid musical score. “CAPPY RICKS” GRAND OPERA HOUSE TOMORROW. Wellington theatregoers will have an opportunity of seeing for the first time in New Zealand Peter B. Kyne’s dramatisation of his famous book at the Grand Opera House to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, under the direction of Philip Lytton, Ltd., by arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Although the title of the book is a household word throughout tho Dominion, a brief outline of the stage version should prove interesting. The story has to do with the adventures of Matt. Peasley, a determined young sailor, first mate of the Retriever, who successfully overcomes the efforts of his employer, Cappy Ricks, to keep him from rising in the shipping world, and it makes capital material. The master of the vessel is killed at Capetown, and Peasley brings the ship home to San Francisco. Ricks is about to turn the young sailor adrift, when Peasley quits him voluntarily, and starts' a shipping venture for himself. The story increases in liveliness and interest as the shipping battle progresses. Running with this sharp contest of wits there is a highly entertaining romance, for Peasley falls in love with Cappy’s daughter, Florrie. The girl herself, under the assumed name of Goldie Glalie, enters merrily into the war between her father and Peasley, not on the side of her parent, but to give financial aid to Peasley, who does not know of tbe relationship. Ultimately Cappy acknowledges that he has found a son-in-law after his own heart. The season is limited to seven nights, and the box plan at the Bristol shows every indication of a crowded house being present to welcome Mr Lyons and his company of comedians to Wellington. Yesterday Mr W. A. Low, the advance manager, received a cablegram from Sydney that the entire company and complete accessories left by the Ulimaroa direct for Wellington. To show the thoroughness of the presentation, even the furniture used in the Australian presentations was shipped. STRAND THEATRE “ROBBERY UNDER ARMS.” The supporting films, the music, and comfort of the popular theatre are all in keeping with the quality of the big picture, “Robbery Under Arms,” now at tbe Strand, and help to complete a first-cla6s entertainment. There was very much of the Robin Hood about Captain Starlight; ho was a gentleman horn, of that there is no doubt, and although lie turned brushranger he never forgot his early training. .All through his .stirring life lie never robbed those who could not afford to lose money, also a strict rule was that no women were to be robbed, and he always insisted upon Ids idllcwers carrying out these rules. He became such a menace to the country that the Government offered £IOOO for the capture dead or alive of Starlight and tbe three Marstons. The picture cannot help thrilling all those who see it. The supporting programme is particularly good. and includes Our Kiddies in a clover comedy, “Seeing Things” ; urban screen chats of particular interest, and tho latest Topical

Budget are also shown. Seats may be booked bv ringing flic theatre, ’phone number 32!>9. Tim programme will he continued until Thursday next, and there are special matinee- performances at which reduced charges arc made. It is a splendid programme.

JIM GERALD "A MILLIONAIRE FOR A NIGHT** SPARKLING REYEE AT HIS MAJESTY’S. “Rave on, old man, rave on!’’ i how the inimitable Jim Gerald as tl.< night clerk greets the invitation to bi come a millionaire tor a night. But 1.. accepts the position, and his subscquc;.-. adventures, as he assumes also the pa; , of the painter who is looking loi sun able models, forms the motii ot to. sparkling revue “A Millionaire hoi ; sparkling revue, "A Millionaire for : Theatre last evening. Better and botte. was the general consensus of opinion of the crowded audience which greetci. the opening performance. Despite the weeks which the company has shown it is evident that Jim Gerald is merch growing in popularity, whilst each nev revue is an improvement on its pie decessor . The revue opens with a street scc-iu m Dan's, reminiscent of the Bois de Boulogne, where Jarvis Huntington, a young millionaire (Ernest Crawford), appears to the echo of shots off stage] where he has in the joyousness of New Year's revelry fomented a riot. Pursued by the gendarmes he appeals to Steve (Jim Gerald), who is bemoaning the fact of his intense sobriety, to change places with him for the night. He explains that his father is worth a million dollars, to be promptly asked why he does not sell him. It is agreed that they shall meet at the hotel where Steve works, and where he is in the next scene shown in a characteristic offhanded manner attending to his duties. Comes Mr Stephen A. Halsey (Howard Hall), the father of six charming daughters, to book rooms, and as an arrangement has been arrived at between Huntington’s father and he that the son and eldest daughter shall wed, further complications arise when the change-over is made. Raphael de Vince, a Spanish artist, also arrives, and intimates his intention of seeking models, and Steve with a supreme disregard tor consequences assumes his character as well as the other. His adventures with the models who arrive for selection later, and whom he interviews and overlooks, provides a .vehicle for hilarious laughter. Hawthorne takes the part of A. Buttm, the hotel turnaceman, whose lugubrious insistence on the unsafety ot the boilers is irrestistibly mirthprovoking. His oft-repeated expression "it won’t do no good," comes to be looked for, and raises a faugh each time) With Jim Geraid he sings “Hr Gallagher and Mr Shean” in irresistible lasiiion, his unchanging doiefuinass proving an admirable toil to his sprightly vis-a-yis. Scene follows scene in rapid sequence as the plot—it a revue can be said to have a plot—unfolds. One, where the new millionaire holds a conversation with his supposed fiancee, is a scream, and leaves the indignant lady declaring to the niglit clerk .tuai the man is mad, and that sue can never marry him. Polly McLaren is as enticing ao tvc., and was heard to excellent vuvan.....,■ in her song, “The -Market.” Natural," . “The Twintders” ballet is well to v... fore, and dance as daintily and wear ... enticing frocks —not for quantity, u... for quality—as of yore. It is a "spa... ung show without a dull moment m ana well worth a visit. The first half of the programme 1,-. with the Selbons, a t-iever pair n gymnasts and eccentric dancers, whet, principal feature is a "futuristic jaaz, which, if it “ever becomes popular, u n at least necessitate strenuous phjsica) cultivation. Miss Bessie Slaughter, a lady with a remarkable tenor voiceremarkable, that is, for a woman—was heard to excellent advantage in several songs, and was warmly applauded foi the real excellence of her singing. George Edwards and, Mollie Hughes need no introduction to Wellington audiences. They have a new sketch, a domestic scene, where the husband, who can pack in half an hour, does everything but what should be done, and bullies until wifie takes a hand. It is a little sketch with a moral for many husbands—and some wives. David and Queenie Kaili, Hawaiian ukulele artists, who dance and sing convincingly, are the concluding item of a programme well up to Fuller standard. SISTINE CHOIR SOLOISTS BOX PLANS NOW. OPEN* The box office indications are that the celebrated Sistine Choir soloists will be welcomed by a crowded audience when they make their reapparance here in the Town Hall on Thursday evening. Concerts will also be given bn Saturday, Monday and Tues* <jay next. The new combination of Sistine singers includes such old favourites as Paganelli, the lyric tenor, who is also well-known as a composer of ecclesiastical music; Facchini, the “Caruso” of the party; Belli, who will be remembered for his “La Calunnia” aria from “The Barber of Seville”; and Sarti, tlie popular singer of French and . Neapolitan serenades. Chief among the newcomerfe is Amedeo Burani, known in Italy as “the young ltuffo.” Burani is described as of commanding physique, 23 years of age with a pleasing platform manner, anc possessed of a voice ot astounding volume and line quality. During the soloists’ recent seasons in Sydney anc Melbourne, Burani was singled out foi special attention. More than one Press critic declared him to be the finest baritone heard in Australia in recent years. Another new baritone is Alfredo Auchner, a cultured singer with a restrained stvlc, and considerable n> terpretive ability. Ernesto Fern bass, and Spartaco Morgia, tenor, veil also be heard here for the first time Tlie programmes of the soloists t\d contain a greater number of operatic choruses and other concerted itcim than formerly. As a result ot man> months of research m the music lib raries of Italy, Maestro Casolan. die musical, director it the soloists, ha compiled some remarkably interesting programmes which depict the vlioU gamut of Italian soncs from the mn«irigals of the sixteenth century to th* latest operas of Mascagni. Puccm-, and Moutemezzi. The old Italian items, motets, madrigals and scenes from the earlv operas will be piesen'ed in the elaborate court costume oi the seventeenth century. Her Excellency I.adv Alice Fcrgusson wul be present, at the opening concert on Tliursdav evening. The box plans for tbo season are at tlie Bristol Piano Co.