ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12250, 23 September 1925, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

“CAPPY RICKS” CO GRAND OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. v Wellington theatregoers will have the first opportunity in New Zealand of seeing Peter B. Kyne’s stage version of his famous hook, “Cnppy Ricks,” to be presented to-night at the Grand Opera House, hy Philip Lytton, Ltd., by arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Cappy Ricks, Matt, Piesley, and all the characters wno made the author famous will be seen in real action to-night. A big demand for seats has taken place at the Bristol, and a crowded house is assured to welcome Ward Lyons and his talented company of 'oomedlans to Wellington. There are not many characters engaged in “Cnppy Ricks.” but every one of them is sai4 to be life-like, and does ilist exactly what the author, Peter B Kyne, desires. In the name nart Ward Lyons is the bustling, bounding, arrogant Cappv, with a stormy exterior, hut a heart of gold—.the man who talks hig about himself and the people he will ruin. He does not mean a word of it. Tt is just a pardonable extravagance of speech, for he is a lovable « old fellow, who is weakness itself, in the hands of his charming daughter. An excellent cast hns been selected +o suunort Mr Lyons, and one and all fill their roles admirably. A very strong vein of sentiment and love interest runs through the storv, which anneals to efert»!n sections o f the audience: Tn the three acts of the corriedv two beautiful scenes have h»en painted showing Cannv office on the waterfront-,' San Francisco, and his home oyerjooking the Golden Gate.

THE SISTINE CHOIR SOLOISTS , CONCERT TO-MORROW NIGHT. To-morrow evening at 8 in the Town Hall the world-famous _ Sistine Choir Soloists will make their reappearance here after an absence of nearly three years. Her Excellency Lady . Alice Fergusson has intimated her intention of being present At to-morrow night’s concert, and doubtless there will be a large muster of local musical enthusiasts to welcome back, these, well-rs--1 uiembered singers. The new party of soloists commenced their New Zealand tour at Auckland on September ,6th, and reports from the northern city ■indicate that they are at least equal, if not superior, to their predecessors. The programme to be presented at to morrow evening's concert will include a proportion of the old Italian madrigals, motets, and scenes from early operas, which the soloists are featuring on the present visit. These earlv numbers will be presented 'in the elaborate court costume of the eighteenth century. The concerted items will include the motet, ‘TenebTae Factae Sunt." from the Passion of Lodovico da Vittoria j four-part canzone by, the great Giovanni P. de Palestrina a new madrigal, “Mattinata.” bv Vittore Veneziani; the beautiful chorus, ‘‘La Vergiqe degli Angeli,” from Verdi’s “LA Forza del Destino”; and the popular. Anvil ichorus from . ‘‘II Trovatore.” Doubtless the soloists will be induced tp terminate*the. performance with the inevitable ”Fnnicoli, Funicolal" Signor I’aganelli’s solo numbers, will include Giordano’s “Caro mio ben,” and the well-known-berceuse, “Angels Guard Theef” ,_.hy Benjamin Godard. Signor Kacahini will sing Gluck?s great aria, “O! del .mio doloe“ardor,” and Iho ana ‘‘Salvo 1 Dimora," from Gounod’s ‘‘Faust.’’ The new baritone, Signor - Amedeo Bnrarti, will be heard in the stirring monologue “Nemico della Patria,” from Giordano’s opera, “Andrea Chenier,’’ Other solo items will be the Hymn .to the Even-' ing Star',from “Tannhauser,” sung by Signor Belli, and an area, “lo non ho che unapiccola stanisetta,” from Leoncavallo’s “La Boheme,”- hv Signor Sarti. Signori Auchner and Belli will be associated i- a humorous duet from an old opera, “The Secret Marriage,” by Ciriiarosa, and Signori Faochini and Auchner will sing the popular duet from Act IV. of Puccini’s “La Boheme.” Phe box plans for the flour Wellington oonoerts are filling rapidly at the Bristol Piano Co. Day safe tickets will he available to-morrow at Ned Perry’s, tobhaconist, Manners street.

KING’S THEATRE A VARIED PROGRAMME. Constance Talmadge heads a fine cast in “Learning-to Love,” the leading film this evening at the King’s Theatre. The story deals with the romance of Patricia Stanhope, art extremely pretty heiress, and of the ' scrapes she gets into with her numerous “affairs.?’ The time arrives when Pat conies ,jnto control of her fortune, and she finds that her business matters have to be supervised by Warner, her guardian, and she tries/to add him to her list ,of conquests, but is considerably piqued when Warner refuses' to make love. Miss Talmadge is aided by a strong cast, headed by Antonio Moreno. There is a good supporting programme. FRIDAY NEXT RUDOLPTf VALENTINO IN “A SAINTED DEVIL.” , Many thought Rudolph Valentino bpd .about reached the heights in screen entertainment when he chose Booth Tarkington’s “Monsieur Beaucaire,” as his “comeback” vehicle for Paramount, after an absence of two years. But “the sheik” has fairly Ui>uuiie himsfelf in “A Sainted Devil,” his latest production, which opens at tne King’s Theatre on Friday next. It’s « Joseph Henabery production, an adaptation by Forrest Halsey of the magazine story, “Rope’s End,” by Res Beach. “A Sainted Devil” has to >sp with South America and South Ameri-. cans —pictorially beautiful story of old Spanish customs against modern city lire. It shows the virilitv of the Pamgas against the sophisticated culture of eunos Aires, the Paris of the Americans. Valentino has a role that fits him to perfection. As a dashing young. American, fired by the pure Castilliane blood of generations which courses through his veins, he makes a picture never to be forgotten. . “Beaucaire” was just about the last word in lavish productions—gorgeous settings, superb portrayals, etc. “A Sainted Devil” proves that there’s always something new under the sun. Here’s the “great lover” in the kind of a role the public likes to see him in-*—first as a young planter of wealthy parents, then a regular holy-terror, brooding over the loss of his lovely wife who was abducted on their wedding day. The box plans hre now open at the Bristol Piano Company, or ring the theatre, 22-212.

HIS MAJESTY’S A SPARKLING PROGRAMME. • Since their return to Wellington, Jim Gerald and Company have preeeir- ! ted several very enjoyable revues, but it is doubtful if any of the previous revues were os successful or ns sparkling as the one now being staged at His Majesty’s. “A Millionaire tor g Ni'S'ht” is the title of the present' e-' vue, and abounds with snappy dialogues interspersed with plenty of catchy, musical numbers, and some excellent solo and ballet dancing. The revue portrays the adventures of a night clerk in an hotel pho ’’swaps ’ position with a millionaire for one glorious night. As.,is usual the bulk of the fun-making falls on the shoulders of Jim Gerald; “the night clerk/’ but Reg Hawthorne, the. hotel furnaceman is irresistibly mirth provoking 1 with his oft repeated expression “it don’t do ho good.’’ The part of Jarvis Huntingdon, the millionaire’s son, is capably taken by Hi nest Crawford, and Laiice Vance is a great success as Rapbael-de-Vinee, an artist. Miss Marjorie Ramage daintily takes the part of Mamie, the clerk’s sweetheart, and Misses Essie Jennings and Moana Thomas are exceedinglv well cast for their part. As in al} the previous revues, the dancing takes' a prominent place, and Miss Polly McLaren, and the Six Twinklers keep up their great reputation as.artistic dancers. In the vaudeville portion ct the programme the Belbons feature in futuristic jazz; Miss Bessie Slaughter, an English contralto, continues her successful season; George Edwards and Miss Mollie Hughes present <1 humorous sketch while a welcpme re-appearance of Queenie and David Kaili,. the Hawaiian ukulele artists, make up aerogramme well -up to Fuller’s standard. This programme will be'presented all this week. theatre de iuxe ‘ “DP THE LADDER,” A fine story in which love and business are deligntfully entwined is screening at - the De Luxe Theatre. It is a story of a woman’s sacrifice to retain the love of her husband. Jane Cornwall ( Virginia Valli) had returned to her anoestrial halls after a flying visit round the world, to find James' Van Clinton (Forrest Stanley), with whom she .was in love, struggling in poverty, and in need of. 25,000aollars to perfect his invention of the televisionphone, which amount she provided. They are married, but he attains a success that caused him to neglect his wife and. take up with Helene Newhali (Margaret Livingston), a.married woman. The supports are of 'excellent variety, especially the views of the Arctio re- - gions. The incidental music, played during the evening is a fine addition to a splendid pre^ramme. ON FRIDAY BETTY COMPSON IN “NEW LIVES: .' FDR OLD,” •Paris, city of life and laughter, a spy-drama without a parallel, and a cast headed'by heautirul Betty Comp-> son tell you .that, the ’picture “New Lives for Old,” which commences its season at the De Luxe on Friday next, is a photo-play' far above the ordinary. - The story briefly is that of a celebrated dancer on holidays in a country village in France, she meets and falls in love- with Captain - Warren, keeping from him her true identity. Back in Paris she unwittingly, insults a crippled: soldier/but'in return offers her, services to France, She is set to. watch a spy and discovers a plot. Betty Ooihpson is thus seen in a remarkable, dual, role, and is twice as fascinating as you’ve ever seen her before., Clarence Badger directed the production, which also features such favourite artiste as Wallace MacDonald, Theodore Kosloff, and Sheldon Lewis. A big supporting programme has also been' arranged, which includes the very' latest gazette, a sparkling comedy, and a musical programme of high standard to be rendered by the Orchestra De. Luxe. A matinee will be held on Saturday afternoon next at 2.80. Box plans are now open at the Bristol Piano Company, Aitken’s Book Arcade, or ring theatre, ’phone 23-080.

QUEEN’S THEATRE “CONTRABAND” AN INTERESTING FILM. A thrilling production, “Contraband,” now. at the Queen'stells 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 is good,’ includes some excellent films. FRIDAY NEXT “THE SHOOTING OF DAN McGREW.” V .The record-breaking picturieation of Robert W. Service’s immortal poem, “The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” will commence a week’s season next Friday. It is a tremendously gripping drama, everyone of the famous incidentsbeing vividly portrayed. Percy Marmont is seen as Jim, the husband, Lew Cody as “Dangerous Dan McGrew,” and Barbara La Marr as “The Lady that’s known as Lou.” A special mu-‘ sical programme' is being arranged.

ROUND WORLD TOUR . , CRUISE , OF, CARINTHIA A FIXATING' PALACE.\ (By Telegraph.—Spatial to “Times.”) . ' .AUCKLAND, September 22. ' -Further particulars have heen received regarding the coming cruise of the new Cunard liner Carinthia, which is to, run an excursion with 400 tourists from America round the world. The vessel will be two days at Wellington, arriving on Christmas Eve, and the tour will cover 38,000 miles and will occupy 149 days. After leaving New York, on October 10th, the chief ports of call will be Havana, Colon, Balboa, Los Angeles, San Francisco, . Hilo, Honolulu, Yokohama, Taku, Hong Kong, Manila, Zamboanga, Port Moresby, Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Fremantle, Batavia, Singapore. Colombo, Bombay, Cairo, Naples, Monte Carlo, Gibraltar, Cherbourg, and Southampton, and thence to New York. The Carinthia, which is. the latest addition to ! the Cunard line' is a super-crnising liner, and was specially designed for long cruises. She was recently built by Viekerß, Ltd.. at Barrow-in-Furness, and is of" 20.000 ton* tonnage and 27,000 tons displacement. She will therefore be one of the largest liners to enter Australian ports. The passenger accommodation combines Hixury, ease and comfort, and extends over six decks. The decorations and. furnishings are superb. The principal feature of the first-class accommodation is perhaps the smoking room. For the decorations of the room the resources of Spanish architecture and art have been drawn upon.. The scheme, it is stated, is based on certain elements in the house of tlie great Spanish painter, El Greco, who lived at Toledo during the fifteenth century. There are copies

of masterpieces of the Spanish School of Painting and Spanish leadligbt windows and tapestries and embroideries have been incorporated in the decorative scheme. Passenger and goods lifts have been installed. SPtJRTS PROVIDED FOR The sports arena occupies 5000 square feet combining the largest and best swimming bath of any steamer afloat, racquets court and gymnasium, dressing cubicles, shower baths and electric baths for massage treatment.

The Oarintihia has 77 rooms with private baths and 115 single berth rooms. Hot and cold -water is supplied in every room, and the ventilation of the compartments provides for a supply of warm or cold air as required. Punkah louvres have been introduced throughout the vesser and each individual will thus be enabled to control the amount and direction of his air supply. An unlimited supply of hot and cold water , is laid to each bathroom, while every first-class cabin has its own radiator.

An oil burner, the Carinthia has twin screws driven by two sets of Parsons turbines. The shaft horsepower, collectively developed, will be about 13,500, the vessel is 625 feet long with a 74 feet beam, and she draws 30 feet. Her crew number 420, ' and she has accommodation for 375 first-class passengers, 483 second-clan and 816 third-class.