ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12251, 24 September 1925, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

“CAPPY RICKS” i OPENS AT THE OPERA HOUSE A SPARKLING COMEDY. The number of readers, who have enjoyed Peter B. Kyne’s famous novel “Cappy Ricks,” is legion, and- in Wellington as elsewhere the reading public has responded to the thrill and salt-sea tang of this virile tale of the out-of-doors. ‘ Cappy Ricks,” Matt Peasley, and Cappy’s daughter, Florrie, have been made real personages on the printed page, and that the public is anxious for renewing a delightful acquaintance, was amply demonstrated at the Opera House last evening, where the J. C. Williamson Company presented the stage version of the hovel to a crowded audience. Although the book is a household word throughout the Dominion, a brief outline of the stage rendering may be allowed. The story concerns the manager of the ‘‘Blue Star” Shipping Company, known to his intimates as “Cappy Ricks,” an irascible, energetis, at times viperisli.. old man, whose god is efficiency, but who beneath the surface has a very human heart, and a deep love for his motherless daughMatt Peasley, a determined young officer, defies 1 ‘Cappy‘s’ 3 orders by bringing a ship home from the Cape when the captain (lies, forestalls t his discharge by handing in his resignation, and starts in business as a rival shipowner. The attempts or “Cappy” to break his young rival, and the astuteness displayed by Peasley plus the active assistance of “Cappy s daughter—make up the plot of lue But, despite a sound foundation, “Cappy Ricks” is a sustained scream from the opening scene to the final tan of the curtain. When the curtain rises, “Cappy” (Ward Lyons) is shown m the process of engaging a secretary “Chew-gum? smoke cigarettes? dance all night? Take 150 words per minute for ten minutes? he fires at her like a Gatling gun, and being satisfac-. torily answered promptly engages her. There follows an exhibition of whirlwind Yankee business methods which kept the audience m a sustained roar of laughter, alternately bullying and commending the repressed and subdued Skinner, the manager of the Blue Star” lme (Walter Dver), but drops everything when his daughter, charmingly played by Mary McGregor, appears to ask him for 50,000 dollars for the mission to African pignues. Cappy” compromises with 20,000, and incidentally starts all the trouble, tor when Matt Peasley arrives his daughter, who falls in -ove with the husky young sailor at first sight, loans him the 20,000 dollars, and enters into partnership with him, in his first business venture. . As the story progresses, it provides endless opportunities for ; Cappy s - genius, and Ward Lyons is equal to all demands, being equally happy m his whirlwind irascibility, and in those other passages where his armour of business hustle pierced, he becomes very human. The final scene where Peasley, having beaten the old man at all points, pretends that lie himself is beaten, and allows the old man to triumph over'him, is a splendid one. It may be said, ' without detracting from' the merits of the other members of the cast, .that “Cappy Ricks is a one-man play, but it has the virtue that all the other parts, relatively small though they are, are played convincingly. Ward Lyons is hardly on the stage during the course of the play, and- scored distinct triumph. Herbert Stallard,' as Matt Peasley, gave a fine representation of the Virile young sea-captain, and Walter Dyer, as John Skinner, was also excellent. Too much cannot be said of the performance of Mary McGregor as Florence Ricks. Miss Mepregor gave a dainty and finished performance and dance, and established herself as a firm favourite, whilst Mary Macrae, as the secretary, and Lfaris Bingham, as Cappy’s” sister, were also convincing. No description would be complete without mention of Donald Nicol, who takes the .part of Cecil Pericles Bernhard (from New York), V-he super-pro-duct of “culture” and epitome ot inefficiency, whose portrayal of the Ox-ford-trained dude was really excellent. The season is limited to seven nights, the box plan being at the Bristol. theatre deluxe A PICTURE WORTH SEEING. “Up the Ladder,” which - terminates its season at the De Luxe this evening, is a picture worth seeing. It is a story of love and business, and Matures Virginia Valli. TO-MORROW’S SPECIAL “NEW LIVES OF OLD.” ‘Paris, city of life and laughter, a spy-drama without a parallel, and a cast headed by 'beautiful Betty Conip' son tell you that the picture 4 New Lives for Old,” which commences its season at the De Luxe to-morrow, is a photo-play far above the ordinary. The story, briefly is that of a celebrated dancer oh holidays in a country village in France* she meetg and falls in love with Captain Warren, keeping fronx him her true identity. Back in 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 Ccmpson is thus seen in a remarkable dual role, and is twice as fascinating as 1 you’ve ever seen her before. Clarence Badger directed the production, which also features such favourite artists 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 bo rendered -by the Orchestra De Luxe. A matinee will be held on Saturday afternoon next at 2.30. Box plans are now open at the Bristol Piano Company, Aitken’s Book Arcade, or ring theatre, ’phone 23-080.

4 HIS MAJESTY’S ) A LAUGHABLE REVIEW. J The levue now being staged at His Majesty’s by Jim. Gerald and his j talented company is one of the funniest I musical comedies seen in Wellington { for some time and those comprising the | huge audience present last evening were i delighted with the show. “A Millionaire for a Night” is the title of the present revue, 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 m an hotel who "swaps " position with a millionaire for one glorious | night. As is usual the bulk of the tun-making falls on the shoulders of Jim Gerald, ‘‘the night clerk,” but Reg. Hawthorne, the hotel furnaceman is irresistibly mirth provoking with his oft repeated expression “it don’t do no good.” The part of Jarvis Huntingdon, the millionaire’s son, is capably taken by Ernest Crawford, and Lanoe Vance_ is a great success as Raphael-de-Vince, an artist. Miss Marjorie Ramage daintily takes the part of Mamie, the clerk’s sweetheart, and Misses Essie Jennings and Moaua Thomas are exceedingly well cast for their part. As in all 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 of the programme the Belbons feature in futuristio jazz; Miss Bessie Slaughter, an English contralto, continues her successful season; George Edwards and Miss Mollie Hughes present a humorous sketch while a welcome re-appearance of Queenie and David Kaili, the Hawaiian ukulele artists, make up a programme well up to Fuller’s standard. This programme will be presented all this week. THE SISTINE CHOIR SOLOISTS TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMME. To-night at 8 in the Town Hall the world-famous Sistine Choir Soloists will make their reappearance here after an absence of nearly three years. The soloists add some new attractions on their present visit —new singers as well arf old favourites, and there is the happy idea of presenting part of the programme in handsome Goldonian costumes, which, in their luxurious display of velvet, satin and lace, are typical of the Barocco period in ite lightest and most pleasant aspects. The period drawn upon musically is in keeping, the composers represented being Palestrina. Vittoria, Cimarosa, Giordano Gluck and Veneziani. In the modern section of the programme there will be two operatic choruses, 1 the Anvil chorus from “II Trovatore,” and the beautiful prayer, “I/a Vergine degli Angeli,” from “La. Forza del Destino,” an item which will he, remembered as a “piece de resistance” during the previous visit of the soloists. Signor Eaganelli’s solo numotui ojbq,, SjOunpioiQ epnput siaq ben” and the popular “Berceuse do Jocelyn” of Benjamin Godard, better known, perhaps, under its English title of “Angels Guard Thee.” Signor Facohinf will sing the aria “Salve! Diraora” from Gounod’s “Faust,”,and also Gluck’s great aria, “Oh del Mio Dolce Ardor.” The young baritone, Amedeo Burani, * who * comes with a great reputation, will be heard in the stirring monologue from “Andrea Chenier” and other operatic excerpts. Other solos will be the “Hymn to the Evening Star,” from “Tannhauser,” by Signor Belli, and the aria, “lo non ho che un picoola stanzetta,” from Leoncavallo’s “La Boheme,” by Signor Sarti. Signori Auchner and Belli will be associated in a humorous duet from an old ..opera, “The Secret Marriage,” by Cimarosa, and Signori Facchini and Auchner will sing the popular duet from Act IV. of Puccini’s “La Boheme.” Four concerts are to he given in Wellington, to-night and on ‘Saturday, Monday and Tuesday nighte. Her Excellency the Lady Fergusson will he present at this evening*s performance. The box plans for the season are at the Bristol Piano Company, and day sale tickets are obtainable at Ned Perry’s, tobacconist. Manners street. KING’S THEATRE CONSTANCE TALMADGE SUPERB. In “Learning to Love,” the feature film at the King’s Theatre this week, Constance Talmadge is starred, and her acting is superb. As the heiress, just out of board l ng school, she thought she had learned to love, and.6he 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 had never learned. Their marriage is followed by a threatened scandal, resulting from the enraged protestations of her forgotten fiances. All ends happily of course. ‘‘Learning to Love” is a First National 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. COMMENCING TO-MORROW RUDOLPH VALENTINO IN “A SAINTED DEVIL.” Many thought Rudolph Valentino had about reached the heights in screen entertainment when he chose Booth Tarkington’s “Monsieur Beaucaire,’gs his “comeback” vehicle for Paramount, after an absence of two years. But “the sheik” has fairly lawut himself in ‘‘A Sainted Devil,” his latest production, which opens at tlie King’s Theatre to-morrow. It’s a Joseph Henabery production, an adaptation by Forre6t Halsey of the magazine story, ‘‘Rope’s End,” by Rex Beach. “A Sainted Devil” haß to «> .with South America and South Americans—pictorially beautiful 6tory of old Spanish customs against modern city life. 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 vein 3. he makes a picture never to be forgotten. “Beaucaire” was just about the last word in lavish productions—gorgeous settings, superb portrayals, etfc. “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 are now open at the Bristol Piano Company, or ring the theatre, 22-212.