GRAND THEATRE’S PROGRAMME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22631, 24 July 1935, Page 7

GRAND THEATRE’S PROGRAMME

EVELYN LAYE IN “EVENSONG" Apart from the fact that “Evensong,” which heads the programme opening thi« morning at the Grand Theatre, has been banned in Australia and will therefore draw the crowds to see why, the picture needs no such recommendation to ensure its success in Dunedin.-, Its thrilling music alone would put it in-a foremost place, but, equally, so would. its dramatic quality. A distinguished cast provides some first-class acting, but to any music lover the major attraction lies in the singing of Evelyn Laye, Conchita Supervia, and Browning Mummery. The story tells of Maggie M‘Neil, an Irish girl gifted with a lovely voice whose early romance with an egotistical young musician carried them both to Paris, he fo pursue his career, she to train as a singer. But George’s career was more to him than the girl, while it was plain to Kober, an impresario, that Maggie’s voice was so wonderful that fame awaited her. He was deeply interested in her, not as a woman, but as a singer, and his counsels prevailed. She was persuaded to cast aside love and the laughter of, life and to deprive herself of every pleasure, replacing it all with unremitting study, devoting herself unreservedly to the struggle of gaining her place as the greatest of operatic singers. She achieved her ambition, but at a great cost. Victor Saville has directed with his powerful flair for pictorial and dramatic values, using Venetian and other Continental scenes with magnificent effect, and skilfully, spinning a web of glamour around the central figure. Through the whole dramatic story, too, music has its place in delightful variety, the numbers ranging from operatic excerpts to the homely song? the soldiers used to sing. In support of the featured player, Evelyn Laye, who holds the screen throughout with her appealing portrait of unhappy singer, are Fritz Kortner in 'a finely sympathetic study of her faithful but sardonic manager; Carl Esmond as the luckless archduke; Emlyn Williams as George Murray, the youthful composer who induced the little Irish girl to go with him to Paris to begin her. career ;• Conchita Supervia as Irela’s eventual vocal rival; Browning Mummery with effective tenor solos; Muriel Aked as Irela’s faithful maid; and Alice Delysia as a vivacious French music mistress. Each and all are said v to contribute sterling work. “ Mystery Woman.” which will be shown in support of “ Evensong,” is the story of a woman who dares a life of intrigue for the man she loves. She feels that the life of this one man belongs to her —and recklessly she searches out the secret that has separated them. Mona Barrie, in the leading feminine role, appears as the beautiful and glamorous Marguerite. Other members of a very able cast arc Gilbert Roland. John Halliday, Rod Laßocque, returning to the screen after an absence of three years .- William Faversham, Miseha Auer, and Billy Bevan.