Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 616, 19 March 1929, Page 15

Round The Shows

TRAGEDY OF WOLSEY I MR. WILKIE’S FINE ACTING HENRY VIII. AT HIS MAJESTY’S “Henry VIII,” a play rarely read and still more rarely performed, was given an interesting and at times impressive performance in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by Mr. Allan Wilkie and hjs company. The character of Cardinal Wolsey was for Mr. Wilkie a part almost ideally suited to his appearance and temperament. His Cardinal of the early scenes was the hard, cold, grasping, contemptuous Wolsey of whom we read in the histories—the very man for whom the term “proud prelate” might have been coined. We seo the devices whereby the churchman does not scorn to mould the headstrong king to his will—the vile tricks which send another man to execution but which give the intriguer another ounce of favour. The actions repel, but so splendid is the writing and so great is the dominance of Wolsey’s character under the interpretation of Mr. Wilkie that we sit disgusted, yet amazed, as the panorama of courtly intrigue is unfolded before us. Hut what a contrast comes! One feels inclined to quote Mark Antony: “Oh? What a fall was there, my countrymen!” Tho broken, ruined Cardinal, old, ill, all his plots come to nothing, and himself scornfully dismissed by his King, is almost crazed with the blow. The courtiers leave him one by one and he, beginning to weep, breaks into that passionate lament, “Farewell, a long farewell to all my greatness!” No one in the audience could resist tho pathos of Mr. Wilkie’s acting. One had hated Wolsey before, but one pitied him now as the motives of his despicable actions were displayed, and as this wreck of a man, who had once been tho greatest power in a strong kingdom, approached his end sympathy for the fallen despot increased. As Henry VIII, Mr. John Cairns gave a creditable performance, although he was quite overshadowed, as Shakespeare obviously intended that he should be, by Wolsey. Mr. Arthur Keane was successful as Cranmer, but the chief among the lesser characters was Mr. Alexander Marsh as Buckingham. He gave a line performance, becoming impressive in the speech before his execution. Mr. William Hockhart as Campeius, Mr. Milton Sands as Norfolk, Mr. Henry Wootton as the miserable Surveyor, and Mr. Dennis Barry as Surrey, all preserved the standard of the company in their acting. Miss Hunter-Watts painted j vividly the portrait of the unhappy j Katherine, and Miss Mildred Howard as Anne Boleyn did well in the coro- ! nation scene. This evening “Antony and Cleo- ! patra” will be produced. PRE-WAR SPY SYSTEM GRETA GARBO’S NEW PICTURE In “The Mysterious Lady,” soon to be seen here as a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring production for Greta Garbo, an unusual drama of European military intrigue is presented, with a romantic love story supplying the motivation. The story is taken from a vivid novel from the pen of Ludwig Wolff, noted German novelist, and shows the spider-like web of espionage that was woven through the continental armies before the World War. Miss Garbo, as Tania Fedorava, beautiful Russian spy. brings to the screen another triumphant characterisation. Conrad Nagel, playing opposite her for the first time, gives a performance of great strength and romantic appeal. A fine cast has been assembled for “The Mysterious Lady.” under Fred Niblo’s masterly direction.

NEW REGENT "THE TRAIL OF ’9B” “Tlie Trail of ’98,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s stupendous screen version of the Klondike gold rush, is still attracting crowds to the New Regent Theatre. The stark realism of this titanic production was largely contributed by advisors in the company who had taken part in the original stampede to Alaska in ’9B. It is certain that movie-lovers have never yet experienced thrills of the magnitude of those which are awaiting them in “The Trail of ’98.“ Clarence Brown’s titanic screen version of “The Trail of ’9B” is an unforgettable experience for movie-goers. Bor stark realism, depicting the unspeakable hardships and courage of the

men and women who stampeded to the Klondike for gold in ’9B, we anything like it. It beggars description, and almost overwhelms the senses. A beautiful romance portray ed by Ra 1p h Forbes and Dolores Del Rio puts the

last touch of supreme entertainment on this never-to-bc-forgotten picture. This stupendous production has a cast of no less than 35 well-known players, including Ralph Forbes, Dolores Del Rio, Karl Dune, George Cooper, Tully Marshall, Holtz and Harry Carey, and is undoubtedly the greatest of screen achievements, portraying as it does one of the most amazing adventures in the history of the human race with colossal and never-to-be-forgotten realism, drama, and romance. The picture is accompanied by a special musical score played by the Regent Operatic Orchestra.

BRITANNIA “SPARKLING YOUTH” Sparkling over with the gaiety of youth, tho current attraction at the Britannia Theatre is a bright comedy drama, filmed in the beautiful Riviera in the south of Europe. Magnificent beach scenes at the famous holiday resort of the wealthy, Biarritz, airplane thrills and cynical young men, go to make “Sparkling Y'outli” ono of the most interesting photoplays shown to local audiences. The picture was made by Gustav Molander, the European director lor Isepa, the Swedish producing company. “Heart of the Yukon,” the second feature, is a tale of the frozen wastes of Alaska, full of tense moments and spectacular thrills, starring John Bowers.

ST. JAMES REVUE BIG WALLACE PROGRAMME Bach evening at SSL. James Theatre George Wallace is delighting Aucklanders with “Harmony Row,” an entertainment with the sordidness of the underworld as its background. Wallace does not like sordidness, so, as “Dreadnought, the go-getting policeman,” he strives to improve the outlook of the embittered people in Harmony Row. “Harmony Row” is the 13tli change in the productions given by George Wallace and his company in Auckland. Wallace delves vigorously into the crime centres of Harmony Row and finds a wealth of material for humour. There is trouble for him, of course; Harmony Row’s residents, in many cases, resent his interference. Marshall Crosby is seen as a blustering, arguing police sergeant, with an eye for efficiency. Marie Nyman scores another success as a paper-boy, and JSi Meredith does exceptionally well as the bitter and bullying “Slogger Dee.” “I’m Only a Copper,” a song b> George Wallace, in semi-tragic vein, .is a great success. Marie Nyman sings, “You’re Tired of Me,” “Somewhere in the World,” and “Playmates.” Marshall Crosby’s strong voice is heard to good effect in an old favourite, “The Mountains of Mourne.” New items are given by the Dudleys, Jack ►Scott and Maida Jones. Clever dancing keeps the Rascals Ballet busy throughout the entertainment, and the jazz band has a new programme to offer. In the second half of the programme the company gives two bright sketches.

ROYAL SHOWS “VARSITY” Sport, romance and the happy times of students set against the background of it famous American college are the ingredients in “Varsity,” now at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland. Charles Rogers has the leading role of a young student, who is not aware

that his father is really the college janitor, a role played by Chester Conklin. Mary Brian appears as the student with whom Rogers falls “Clearing the Trail,” which is til so being shown, is one of the exciting Western stories of r e d o u btable

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announces that it has placed Nils Asther under a new long-term contract. Asther shares th€> masculine honours with Lewis Stone in “Wild Orchids,” Greta Garbo’s new starring vehicle.

MAJESTIC TWO INTERESTING PICTURES Two excellent pictures make up the programme now being presented at the Majestic Theatre, headed by ‘‘A Woman Redeemed.” "A Woman Redeemed” is a thrilling story of the British Secret Service in a foreign country. It tells of a plot to steal valuable plans for a new type of aircraft, and how the young inventer marries a girl whom he meets 111 laris. He eventually becomes convinced that she is a spy for a foreign organisation, but when she is congratulated by the head of the British oecret Service he realises that she has ] pulled off one of the biggest coups ever : known. The story takes the audience to Paris —gav hotels and cabarets, and to : .Montmartre, where secret meetings are held by the enemy organisation. ; A line cast of English artists lias been assembled for the production, winch co-stars Joan Lockton and Brian Aherne. A spectacular airplane smash is the climax of the story. The second big picture is '‘Homesick,” a bright comedy which deals primarily with a trans -America bicycle race, with Sammy Cohen as the star. Coincident with the announcement ot the race in New York, there appears an advertisement inserted by a Californian girl who seeks a husband, but the applicant for her heart and hand must be in a financial position to buy a chicken ranch. An interesting gazette and new music by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s Majestic Orchestra completes the programme. "The Constant Nymph,” the Gainsborough screen version of the remarkably successful novel and stage play, is to be presented at the Majestic Theatre on Friday next. This new picture is the personal triumph of a young and comparatively unknown screen actress in the part of “Tessa.” She is Mabel Poulton, who a few years ago was a junior typist at the London Alhambra. Because of her resemblance to Lilian Gish she was selected to appear in a stage prologue to “Broken Blossoms.” PRINCE EDWARD “MOULIN ROUGE” Paris and its gay night life is the setting of the picture, “Moulin Rouge,’* now at the Prince Edward Theatre. The story of “Moulin Rouge,” which is exceptional in its plot, deals with a young couple who visit the “Moulin Rouge,” where the girl’s mother is the star. The young man, struck by the overwhelming beauty of his prospective mother-in-law, immediately falls in love with her, she, too, being attracted but loyally puts her daughter’s happiness first. Following a. terrible car smash, in which the girl is seriously injured, the mother returns to the stage, and the young couple prepare for their honeymoon on the girl's recovery. Featured, as the girl in this production. is Eve Gray, the beautiful Australian actress, who will be remembered for winning a beauty contest In Sydney a few years ago. Olga Tschechowa, who plays Miss Gray’s mother, is a Continental actress, famous for her magnificent work on both stage and screen. The part of the fiance is excellently portrayed by Jean Bradin. “Moran of the Marines,” the second feature, is a bright story of the adventures of a raw recruit in the Marines, starring Richard Dix. DANCING AT THE PIRATE SHIPPE The unique cabaret on Y'e Olde Pirate Shippe, Milford, will be open again to-morrow evening, when dancing will be continued until 12 p.m. Another pleasant evening is assured. Late transport will be available as I usual.