AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18009, 14 July 1928, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

FULLER-HA Y WARD’S

I DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. [ Tho Theatre. Royal double feature bill 1 lor this oven inn- j s 0 j special importance and those in search of an evening's entertainment will be wise to arrange lor a reserved seat. The beautiful blonde actress, Esther Ralston, languishes behind iron bars in “Love and Learn.” -Miss Ralston, or “Nancy Blake,” the chic young daughter, who finds her parents on the verge of divorce when she comes home from boarding school, ten!-: that extreme measure to give her p.u cuts something to worry about, with the hope tlliat the resulting worry would take all thought of such action out cf the minds of her elders. She landed in jail, however, only after she had to resort to the shooting up of a court room, which was presided over by a dignified young judge, played, by Lane Chandler, who has political ambitions. A series of amusing incidents are brought aboutfollowing her stay behind the bars. The picture does not have a single drag moment, and Aliss Ralston is supported by an excellent cast. Lane Chandler, the handsome young leading man, especially stands outi in this production.

; Tho vast improvement in morion picture production within the past decade, is admirably indicated in a new Metropolitan version of “The Flame of the Yukon.” If you can remember the | success achieved by .Dorothy Dalton as “The Flame” in Thomas Dice's virile | production made in 1917, you will be ■more than delighted with this latest version which, presents Seena Owen ana Arnold Gray in the leading roles. The ! scones, laid in the Canadian Northwest | during the early gold-rush days, are : superbly presented. The story is good and the main incidents, notably as real- : istic a fist fight as was ever seen on rlhe I screen, are intensely thrilling. Miss Owen is highly artistic as “The Flame,” | while Air Gray is an admirable foil, in the leading man’s role. Jack McDonald as .Sourdough, Matthew Betz as Black Jack Hovey, and Vadim TTraneff as Solo Jim, are excellent in their portrayals. The latest “Gazette,” and a very humorous Jimmie Adams comedy are also showing. Seats may be booked through ’phone 570, or at the Theatre office.

IRENE RICH IN “THE CLIMBERS.” All the pomp and circumstances of an Old World Court are embodied in “The Climbers,” the Warner Master picture starring Irene Rich, which comes to tho Grand Theatre to-day. During the reign of King Ferdinand VII., tho Court of Spain became guilty of prodigal expenditure, clandestine love, reckless gaiety, and dark intrigue. There it. was a pitiless social “climber” caused the banishment of the beautiful Duchess of Arrogan. Irene Rich as the Duchess has an opportunity tb portray one of the most, colourful and romantic roles of her career. She merges from the character of a gentle-mannered woman of high degree to the tempestuous and fiery-spirited “hell-cat” of New Spain, a woman whose mind and heart are embittered for all men. Then into her life comes) a dashing, light-hearted cavalier who lays siege to her heart with a resistless and charming persistence. Discovery that! she loves him also brings the revelation that he was the man who unwittingly caused her exile. Hate and love) are at war in her heart. Paul L. Stein directed and Tom Gibson wrote the adaption of the Clyde Pitch drama. The supporting cast includes Clyde Cook, Forrest Stanley, Flobelle Fairbanks, Myrna Loy, Anders Randolph. Rosemary Cooper, Dot Farley, Hector Sa.rno, Joseph Striker, Max Barwin and Martha Franklin. Supports include the ever popular Our Gang in their latest comedy, “Commencement Day,” and a lengthy Path© Gazette. Seats may be reserved .as usual. ’Phone 486.

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY

“MADAME POMPADOUR. The sparkling musical play “Madame Pompadour” will be played at Hmaru (for one night only) by the J. O. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company. The settings for this musical play, dealing with a period of French history in the reign of Louis XV., are lavish, in fact, the whole production. abounds, in beauty, with gorgeous frocking a special feature. The outstanding figure in the show is Mi.ss Beppie de Vries, whose charming i>ersonality and beautiful voice have made her a favourite with fhe public. Pompadour's lover is acted by Mr Frank Webster, whose singing ot tiie song “Madame Pompadour” is* one of the hits of the production. The comedy work is in the capable hands of that old favourite, Mr Arthur Stigant, who never fails to raise a laugh. Miss Adele Crane is most satisfying in the role of Pompadour’s sister; Misis Vera Sproull is excellent as the maid. Louis XV. is taken by Mr P. Gory, and the Prefect of Police by Mr Hedloy Hall. The orchestra plays the musio throughout the production in pleasing manner. “THE STUDENT PRINCE” ON FRIDAY. On Friday night next the Royal Comic Opera Company will produce “The Student Prince.” This romantio love story, set to exquisite music, is said to have a potent appeal for all who love mass singing or concert, music, on* both. _ A strong cast is headed bv Beppie de" Vries as Kathie, the role played by her on the Continent in “Old Heidelberg,” the romance upon which the comic opera is based. James Liddy appears as Prince Karl, played by him over 1,001) times. Other prominent artists are Frank Webster, Arthur Stigant, Hedley Hall, Adele Crane, Vera Spaull. Box plans for the season open at the Bristol on Monday.

“FAUST.”

The brilliant success achieved by the Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Opera Company with the presentation of “II Trovatore” in tho Theatre Royal on. Thursday night assured tho company of another large house last night when they concluded their Timaru season by presenting Gounod’s “Faust.” In the appraisement of theatre-goers tho world over, there is one supremo opera setting of “Faust” —tho one which Gounod issued in Ito'J, and it. was this settling which was reproduced in all its splendour last night. The stem’ opens in the study of ‘ old Dr. Faust, who is di,spirited. Outsido the young people are cheerful, and he sighs for his lost youth. Then Mephistophelcs enters and offers Faust youth and love in exchange for his soul. Faust hesitates, and Mephistophelos shows him the vision of Marguerite, crying that she will love the rejuvenated professor. Faust agrees to the demon’s terms. In tho second act Faust and Marguerite meet for the fust time. The scene is one of revelry, which ends with Mephistoplieles being driven out. Then, with the fiend roufled, gaiety reigns once more, and the act closes with “Como la Brezza.,” a waltz theme, during which the crowd donees and Faust tries to press his acquaintance witli Marguerite. Tn tllie next act Faust brings shame on Marguerite, and, left alone, she is taunted by lier friends. Later Marguerite is cast into prison, and Faust re-appears. Marguerite is terrified as she recognises his voice, but slio defies the fiends, does not listen to

Faust’s appeals, and prays to heaven. The opera, ends in a magnifioient emotional outburst as Marguerite dies. The appearance of Signor Fumagalli, who had made a splendid Ferrando tho previous evening, was eagerly awaited. As Mephistopheles he disclosed a thorough knowledge of the requirements of the part. Signorina Margharita Flor, the Danish prima donna, gave what, was to most of the audience a new Marguerite. Gentle, shy, and pleasant, her singing-co-ordinated with these attributes, and she secured the required vocal effects by unbroken quality. In her rendering of “The King of Thule” and “The Jewel Song,”. the audience found much room for satisfaction. The latter was sung with delicacy and refinement, and it was a treat to! hear Biich a beautiful voice. Signor Vanucci was in appearance a model Fan.sti. Ho is a light-voiced tenor, and in J ' opening scone his voice came ih;v well. He gave “Salve Dunora” tenderness and beautiful 1 expression, :s being one of his best numbers. He also displayed a. sound knowledge of how Faust should act. in the courting scene, the sense of diffidence in approach being nicely conveyed. As Siebel, Signorina Matilda Pfrimmcr was well oast. On the opening right she did not have a chance to shine, hut last night her effort in the. Flower Song was one of the gems of the evening. Signor F. Federici earned much praise for his singing and acting as Valentine. He sang “Dio Possenta” extremely well, .and was duly l rewarded by a hearty round of applause. Judging by the appla.use, the outstanding, merit of the remainder of the performance was the “Soldiers’ Chorus.” This was exceptionally' well sung, but artistically it Was onlv an incident. Of far greater value to the general effect was the acting and singing in the death scene after the duel, and Marguerite’s singing in the final scene. The men’s chorus throughout was of great assistance. Thei work of the orchestra, was again of a very high standard, and added considerably to the success achieved. At the conclusion of the. performance the com- 1 pany received an ovation.