ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12252, 25 September 1925, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

OPERA HOUSE WARD LYONS AS “CAPPY RICKS” A FASCINATING COMEDYDRAMA. Those who have read “Cappy Ricks,” Peter B. Kyne’s famous novel, must be delighted with the stage version now being presented at the Grand Opera House by the J'. C. Williamson Company with Ward Lyons as “Cappy,” the hard-hearted shipowner, yet the most human of beings, when he is showing his deep love for his motherless daughter. The story provides endless opportunities for ‘‘Cappy’s” genius, and Ward Lyons is equal to all demands being equally happy in his whirlwind irascibility, and in those other passages where his armour of business hustle pierced, he becomes very human. The final scene, where Pcasley, haying beaten the old man at all points, pretends that he 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 ths3 cast* that “Cappy Ricks’ is a one-man play, hut it has the virtue that all the other parts, relatively small though they are, are played convincingly. Ward Lyons is hardly off the stage during the course of the play, and scored w 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 McGregor gave a dainty and finished performance and, dance, and established herself as a firm favourite, whilst Mary Macrae, as the secretary, and Loris 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), the suppr-pro-duct of “culture” and epitome of inefficiency, whoso portrayal of the Ox-ford-trained dude* was really excellent. The season is limited to five more nights, the box plan being at the Bristol. j r QUEEN’S THEATRE PARAMOUNT SPECIAL, j TO-NIGHT ‘‘THE SHOOTING OF' DAN McGREW.” A special production will ho seen at the Queen’s Theatre when a Paramount Masterpiece entitled "‘‘The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” an adaptation of -Robert W. .Service’s poetical work*, “The Spell of the Yukon,” will he screened. The new picture tells a story of dramatic hate between two men, an actual happening in the days of the Yukon gold rush. Barbara La Marr, Lew Cody, and Percy Marmont play the great, roles ot the lady known as Lou, Dan McGrew, and Jim, the husband. The exceptional cast also includes Mae Busch, George Siegmann, and others. The scene starts in the South Sea Isles, moves to New. York, and th,en moves, to Yukon, lending a variety of settings botii beautiful and satisfying to the eve, and forming an ideal background for the tremendous emotional sweep of the story. A special musical programme accompanies this great photoplay. There will be a matinee to-morrow at 2.15. STRAND THEATRE “THE STEADFAST HEART.” Clarence Budington Kelland, who has already given to the screen some wonderful stories of small town and juvenile life, has come forward once more with “The Steadfast Heart,” a Selznick attraction, which will commence at the Strand Theatre to-day. “The Steadfast Heart” is the story of a small town, of its hates and dislikes, of its loves and likings, and of its happiness and sorrow. A waif, forced to do murder by sheer terror of an awful fate, is brought to trial. A great attorney is beaten by a youngster in defence of the child—and a hate is born which lasts through a generation. Sons and daughters are embroiled in the squabble and an entire town is turned against the waif until his few friends send him away to school. Years later he returns, and for the love of a girl, beats down the barred doors of society, shows ivhat and who he is and in a senes of startling episodes brings the picture to a breath-taking climax. In the feminine lead is dainty, winsome Marguerite Courtot, who is reaching the high spot of her career. The young waif is Jcey Depew, a child whose ability causes a stir whenever pictures are made. AVhen the hoy grows up. Joseph Striker enters the scene and the handsome young hero straightaway wins liis way to the hearts of the aaudiencc. Besides these are Hugh Huntley, the young Aus-

tralian actor, William B. Mack, one of the great artists of tlic screen and stage, Alary Alden of world-wide fame, and Miriam Battista. The supporting pictures include a comedy “True to Two,” a prizinu, colour scenic of Trouvillo, tho famous watering place, and the latest Topical Budget.

HIS MAJESTY'S A POPULAR, COMPANY. Tho crowded houses which are nightly at < liis Majesty’s shows how popular Jim Gerald and his talented company really are in their latest screamingly funny musical revue. “A Millionaire for a Night” is the title of the present revue, and abounds with snappy dialogues interspersed with plenty oi catchy musical numbers, and some excellent solo and ballet dancing. The revue portrays the adventures of a night clerk in an hotel who “swajss ’ position with a millionaire for one glorious night. As is usual the bulk of the fun-making falls on the shoulder? of Jim Gerald, “the night clerk,” but Reg Hawthorne, the hotel furnaceman is irresistibly mirth provoking j with his oft repeated expression “it ! don’t do no good.” The part of Jarvis Huntingdon, the millionaire’s son, is capably taken by finest Crawford, and Lance Vance is a great success as Raphael-de-Vince, an artist. Miss Marjorie Raraage daintily takes tho part of Mamie, the clerk’s sweetheart, and Misses Essie Jennings and Moana 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 groat reputation as artistic dancers. In the vaudeville portion cf 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 humorous sketch while a welcome re-appearance of Queenie and David ICaili, the Hawaiian ukulele artists, make up a programme well up to Fuller’s standard. This programme will be presented tonight and to-morrow night, and at a special matinee on Saturday afternoon. THEATRE DE LUXE “NEW LIVES FOR OLD.” Paris, city of life and laughter, a spy-drama without a parallel, and a cast headed by beautiful Betty Compson tell you that the picture “New Lives for Old,” which commences its season at tho Do Luxe to-day, 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 Compson is thus seen in a remarkable dual role, and is twice as fascinating as you’ve over 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 latesi gazette, a sparkling comedy, and a musical programme of nigh standard to bo rendered by the Orchestra De Luxe. A matinee will be held to-mor-row afternoon at 2.30. Box plans are now open at the Bristol Piano Company, Aitken’s Book Arcade, or ring theatre, ’phone 23-080. EMPRESS THEATRE PRISCILLA DEAN AND MARA 7 PHILBIN. A programme of more than usual interest' commences at tho Empress Thetre to-day. There are two big features, “A Cafe in Cairo,” a Master Picture, and “Fools’ Highway,” a Universal-Jewel production. Although “A Cafe in Cairo” is from the novel by Jzola Forrester, it might well have been written directly for the star, Priscilla Dean, so well does it fit her personality. The story concerns a fascinating little houri, Who falls in love with a dashing young American secret servioe operator. This picture is one of the speediest pictures that local screens have offered in many moons, and the spectator’s interest is held in a vice-like grip from the fast-mov-ing prologue to the spectacular underwater knife duel in the climax. Robert Ellis, who appears opposite the star, gives just the right amount of dash to his portrayal, bile tho supporting east m dudes such capable players as Carl Stockdale, Evelyn Selbie, Harry Woods, Carmen Phillips, Larry riteers, Ruth King andJohn Steppling, In Mary Philbin’s new picture, “Fools’ Highway,” a notable cast appears in the Universal production, including Pat O’Malley, Mike _ Kildare, Lincoln Plummer, Edwin J. Brady, Charles Murray, Max Davidson, William Collier, Jr.