AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 June 1926, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

TO-DAY AND TO-NIGHT. “GLORIOUS NEW ZEALAND.”Tliis morning Mr Tano Earna will arrive with tno special Government him, “Glorious New Zealand,” which, lias enjoyed a meteoric success in every town and city where it has been shown. “Glorious i\ow Zealand” is tonring under the auspices of the. Government I'ub.icity Department, under' tho direction of tiie ±±on. G. J. Anderson, and carries the support of ail important people from the Governor-General and the Prime Minister downward.'The Timaru season will commence with a special matinee this ailernoon, and again, in the evening at the Theatre Royal. Mr Tano Earna, who has travelled throughout Now Zealand with tlio picture, will deliver a comprehensive address on the various views and incidents as they pass across . the screen.- Even to tho most enthusiastic. New Zealander, “Glorious New .Zealand” comes as a revelation of beauty undreamed of. The beauties of Fiordland, tho wonders of Rotorua have been shown comprehensively and in rvondorful detail. Everyone is familiar with’ the outlino of the majestic Mitre Peak, but who has travelled foot by foot down the mai-vellous height of tho highest waterfall in tho world, who has seen a real snow fight in progress on the frozen slopes of Ruapehu, or the actual landing of an 8501 b sea monster off Mayor Island? With the wonders of Rotorua, it has been left for “Glorious New Zealand” to bring home to the people of tho Dominions the awe-inspiring spectacle of tlio Champagne Pool in eruption at Wairakei, the boiling fountains, the hidden steamhammer of Iverepiti, and tlio swirl and rush of the rapids and falls. From icefall to steaming volcano one passes swiftly during the two hours screening of this wonderful film. One sees tho mighty ice pinnacles of the Franz Josef Glacier, the; mists of dawn clearing from the crest of Aorangi, monarch of mountains, the steaming craters of Ruapehu, and tlio boiling mud-flowers of Rotorua. ; Nobody will appreciate “Glorious Nbw Zealand” more than tho great brotherhood of the rod and lino, at tho sight of crystal clear streams alive with gleaming forms of monster trout. The river scenery includes some marvellous studies in reflections. The weird beauty of the river of darkness that flows beneath tho glow worm grotto at Waitomo is also shown. Even the glow worms themselves are shown, teeming millions of them, 1 with all their tiny.lamps trimmed and . burning brightly. These ero nnlv.a few of tho wonders. Aestheticallv it is t-hn finest thing ever shown in tho Dominion. Box ulnns for tho evening session are at tlio Bristol.

“LADY OF THE NIGHT.” A VIVID DRAMA. No matter to what station of life one is called, emotions remain pretty much the same, according to tho theme of “Lady, of the Night,” the latest from tlio studios of famous MetroGoldwyn, which delighted tho good house ■ at, tho Grand Theatre last evening. . Bell, Metro-Goldwyn director, has filmed the lives of two girls—one at tho top and one at tho bottom of the social ladder—who fall in love with the same man. Both elect to sacrifice their happiness, Brilliant society functions, receptions, country club dances, and the like, prepared by the lavish hand of wealth, are contrasted against the squalid home-life of the slums and its only outlet of pleasure—the undorworld dance liall. Bell, with the insight of a great director, has not allowed the intenso drama to go without its humour. Ho has flecked the story with light touches of fun that are appropriate in every way to its great human interest. The plot follows the lives of two girls, ■ born at almost the same hour. It shows tho two worlds that dwell side by side each with little knowledge and understanding of the other. Norma Shearer in a dual rolo handles each role easily and skilfully, particularly in the scenes in which the rich girl and the poor girl meet during their struggle for.the hero. Malcolm McGregor is an ideal leading man. The supporting films includo a picturesque Now Zealand scenic, a bright cartoon, tho latest in “Screen Snapshots,” and a newsy Pa,the News. A special feature of the entertainment was tho work of. the Grand Orchestra, who played a ploasing budget of fine music.

INCOMPARABLE PAVLOVA. BOX PLANS OPEN TO-MORROW.

Tho box plans will be opened at the jMistol j/iano Co. to-morrow morning lor tlio first and only appoaranco here, at tho 'l'houtro Royal on Monday night next, of Anna Pavlova, tho world’s greatest dancer, and to judge by tho large number ot applications which have already been received in regard to tho booking arrangements, there will be tlio same great demand for seats here as.-happened in other centres of New Zealand. In provincial towns in the North 'lsland tho whole of the theatre was booked out days before Pavlova appeared. Pavlova will bo supported by Laurent Novikoff, the. brilliant young Russian dancer, and she will bo accompanied by her entiro London-and Paris organisation, and a full grand operatic orchestra will bo directed bv tlio famous conductor, Lucicn Wurmser. Madamo Pavlova; regards her ■achievements as part of a harmonious scheme, in which music and scenery arc allied with the dance. This peerless artist, ethereal as p, fairy, flashing ,ns a diamond,' light as thistledown, endows all the other aids to tjlio ballet with a poetic mystery. One forgets tho musical score of “ Afternoon Leaves ” in tho wondrous beauty of her interpretation of it; all thought of technique vanishes beforeher feathery daintiness and consummate grace, that perfect art which conceals art. Not only her feet, but her hands, share in the poetry of her movement, like tlio delicate linns of a Watteau painting. All is form and rhythm—without which there is no art —and it is form and rythm crystallised and elevated, and made vividly eloquent in expression. Above all clso is her magnetic personality. It is this quality which explains tho pre-eminence of Pavlova. It inspires all that she docs, so that even in the austerity of a classic dance, this charm animates her achievements. M. Laurent Novikoff achieved a wonderful triumph in AVellingtmi in his dances with Pavlova.. He is described as tall, of. classic feature, and like a commanding Greek athlete. Altogether the supporting company numbers- 50 people, and Pavlova will hi' accompanied,by a full grand operatic orchestra, which under tlio conductnrrliip of Lucien Wurmser, who lies been associated with Pavlova, for mr.nv vea-r«. Miss Theresa. Rogers, the 'brilliant young New Zealander, nr-hieced a i i-■ >mi oil in Wellington in “GlKMiininea.” in which ballet she sl-ai's the honours with M. I’ianowaki.