AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19967, 8 December 1926, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. “The Devil’s Circus” is attracting large audiences at the Empire Theatre this week. The featured player is Norma Shearer. Miss Shearer is presented first as a lonely orphan on the brink of womanhood, then transformed from her girlhood by the awakening of love; now as a circus girl in tights and spangles; here the woman of the world, disillusioned, despairing, and lastly as a crippled peddler on the streets, maimed by the act of a woman insane with jealousy. Here is a test for the greatest of actresses, but Miss Shearer, by the convincing fidelity and rare realism of her portrayal, makes light of the task. Her dazzling beauty and quiet strength of character in this role are the means whereby a criminal, both clever and handsome, is brought from the stormy sea of the underworld to the haven of honesty and domestic happiness. It is a simple story, simply told, and therein lies its greatness and charm. Telling of everyday people in the trials and joys that enter into every life, “The Devil’s Circus” has a foundation of sincerity that is in itself a message to the world. It shows the inevitable triumph of right; the eventual happiness of the woman and man who struggled from the depths to the heights. Also in the cast are Carmel Myers, Charles Emmett Mack, John Miljan, and Baby Joyce Coad. OCTAGON THEATRE. The current attraction at the Octagon Theatre this week is “The Volga Boatman,” a thrilling story of Russia. The play is staged on a magnificent scale, and abounds in the stirring scenes that accompany a great popular revolution. William Boyd plays the part of Feodor, the Volga boatman, who is in love with a Russian princess, w T ho in turn falls in love with him. The princess comes into his power when the revolutionaries are successful, and he agrees to kill her. but finds he cannot do the deea. He carries her off, and introduces her as his wife, but when the deception is discovered Feodor is ordered to be shot. He is, however, rescued in the nick of time by his comrades, and it is at his orders that the captured aristocrats are harnessed to a boat and compelled to drag it. There are startling changes of fortune and obstacles to be surmounted before Feodor eventually finds happiness with his princess. Appropriate music is provided by the Octagon Orchestra under Mr L. D. Austin. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “The Light that Failed” is one of the attractions at Everybody’s Theatre this week. The story has been taken from Rudyard Kipling’s well-known work, and has been capaVy dealt with by the producers. “A Social Celebrity,” in which Adolphe Menjou takes the leading male role, is an extremely good comedy, and provides a most suitable role for the star. QUEEN’S THEATRE. There is a good double-feature programme being presented at the Queen’s Theatre this week. The first is a comedy entitled “His Majesty Bunker Bean,” in which Matt Moore appears in a screamingly funny role. The second picture is “Her Second Chance,” in which the popular Anna Q. Nilsson is the principal player. The supporting programme is a good one. “THE AUCTION BLOCK.” “The Auction Block,” with Charles Ray and Eleanor Boardman in the leading roles, will be screened at the Empire Theatre on Friday. It is a Hobart Henley production, taken from the book by Rex Beach. The romantic story of an indolent, though likeable, young waster who was reformed through the love of a girl, and finally had the whole country admiring his- achievements, is told with great charm. The fine humorous possibilities of the story are not overlooked, and the inimitable drollery of Charles Ray is an entertaining feature of the film. Romance and humour are skilfully blended in this production, which has the inimitable touch that makes Rex Beach’s novels so popular. Based upon a wholesome theme, and directed under the powerful supervision of Hobart Henley, this new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer photoplay will appeal to a wide circle. Miss Boardman is cast as a country girl who wins a beauty contest, and is feted by a whole city. After a whirlwind courtship she marries the indolent son of a wealthy man, only to leave him on their wedding night feeling that she has made a tragic mistake. Charles Ray’s delightful acting is but one bright feature of tne film. He is ideally cast as a likeable young waster, who is reformed by the good influence of his wife. The captivating drollery of his portrayal, combined with his marked ability to interpret the dramatic theme underlying the story, makes his performance the finest of his brilliant career. Sally O’Neil, the new screen discovery of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who was starred with sensational success in this company’s recent production, “Mike,” is featured in an important role. She is cast as a foolishly romantic girl, who believed that all was fair in love, and acted accordingly. Other members of the cast are David Torrence, Ned Sparks, and Ernest Gillen. “TORRENT.” A picture that rises above the conventional limits of its kind is Monta Bell’s production “Torrent,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, which comes to the Octagon _ Theatre on Friday. It shows some new ideas on love and romance handled in such a manner as ti lift the picture into a class of its own whilst providing plenty of novel entertainment. There are thrills, humour, drama, and a most unusual climax packed together for an hour of real enjoyment. A notable cast was. selected for this picture, which features the charming new screen star, Greta Garbo, who is without doubt one of the world’s loveliest movie players. In addition it is apparent that she has been given a typically thorough European grounding in drama and the histrionic arts. She plays her role in this picture with the instinctive ease that achieves realism without effort, and gives evidence of intense study devotee, to the character she plays, Leonora. Opposite her is seen Ricardo Cortez, who has lately won fame in a number of outstanding leading roles. They are supported by a large cast of important players, including Gertrude, Olmsted, Tully Marshall, Mac* Swain, Lucien Littlefield, Lillian Leighton, and others. PIANO AND ORGAN RECITAL. A combined recital will be given this evening in First Church by Miss Koa M. Oliver, L.R.A.M., and Dr V. E. Galway. The many friends of Miss Oliver will welcome this opportunity of again hearing her after her two years’ absence _in London. The feature of the recital will be Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata and a group of two preludes and three studies by Chopin. The organ items will include Bach’s Dorian Fugue, some choral preludes by Brahms’ and pieces by Widor, Debussy, etc. A collection will he taken on entering. The programme will include a performance of Cesar Franck’s Symphonic Variation for piano and orchestra, in which the solo part will be taken by Miss Oliver, and the orchestral accompaniment played on the organ by Dr Galway. MISS WALLACE’S DANCES. To-morrow evening at the Early Settlers’ Hall Miss Wallace’s popular dance will be varied by the offering of a number of novelties which should add to the pleasure of patrons. This session will bo the prelude to the last dance of the season. Arthur Gordon and his dance band will feature the latest foxtrot and waltz numbers, and any request items that patrons may desire. EAST TAIERI SCHOOL. The seventieth anniversary celebrations of the East Taicri School will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday next. A social evening and presentation to Mr Waddell on his retirement from school teaching will be held in the Coronation Hall, Mosgiel, on Friday night. On Saturday a reunion. a roll call, and sports will be held in the school grounds at East Taieri. An anniversary service will be held in the East Taieri Church on Sunday morning.