THE LORGNETTE

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 11, 15 November 1919, Page 6

THE LORGNETTE

(By Pbompxeb.3

ONE of the finest programmes Fuller's have had for some time is being given in the Opera House. The Camille Trio, acrobatic comedians, repeated their whirlwind act. It created uproarious laughter. Doody and Wright, a comedy duo, appeared for the first time in Auckland. The male partner of the pair proved to be a most capable and amusing eccentric dancer. His foot work was deft, and his comedy business diverting. The performing dogs and monkeys of Dimaio and Clark again appealed strongly to the audience. Mr. Ernest Barraclough sang very effectively in "An Old-Fashioned Home," "In the Heart of a Rose," and "Mate of Mine." Mr. Sam Rowley sang some Irish songs, and told some Irish .stories as to the manner born. Ho varied his turn by singing " The Bells of the Lighthouse"- well. The Walter George Company presented a revival of the revue, "Way Down in Arizona." Miss Hylda Shannon's "Heart That is Free" received an accomplished rendering. In the duet with Miss Dulcie Milner, "Indiana," she was also most pleasing. The latter lady, in the solo and chorus, "Down Wkero the Black-Eyed Susans Grow," was warmly applauded. Miss May Geary and Mr. Barry Hitchings were heard in the duet" "Sloe Eyes." Mr. Frank Haining had one or two numbers in which he acquitted himself well. Mr. George and Miss Georgie Martin wore concerned in the duet, "LaughHig Byes," and the former sang the solo, "Arizona." Mr. Frank Hawthorne was encored for his yodelling song. Miss Polly McLaren danced beautifully. Mr/ George Storey's interlude with an alleged horse in the role of "Cuthbert the Cowboy," was one of the drollest things he has done. ® ® ® There will be shown on the National Theatre screen on Saturday a Fox-William Farnum wonder story, "The Rainbow Trail," a sequel to "Riders of the Purple Sage." The "Rainbow Trail" takes up the fortunes of Lassiter, Jane Withersteen, and the girl Fay Larkin, years after they had been locked up in a lost canyon. The scenery in this extraordinary story is absolutely magnificent, a*s the play is played by William Farnum and his people in the Grand Canyon of Arizona. One also sees the Navajo Reservation, where the remnant of the Red Indians of America reside. The photography in this great play is by Frank Lloyd, perhaps the master of them all. ® ® © At the Strand Theatre on Saturday "Who Cares?" will be shown, with that charming actress, Constance Talmadge, in the lead. Joan is living with her grandparents, a grouchy old couple. She has a dull time until Martin Grey moves in next door. The two meet in secret, and have a happy and harmless time until the grandparents discover what is going on. Joan receives such a scolding that she runs over to Martin's house that night and asks him to take her to her friend, Alice Palgrave, who lives in the city. He offers to marry Joan, and after the ceremony goes to live with Martin. Here Martin continues to respect her extreme innocence, aud she continues her maidenly existance. The condition of affair* leaves his wife free to carry on what she supposes is an innocent flirtation

with Alice Palgrave's husband. Fate squares matters by throwing Miss Toodles, of the chorua, in Martin'e way. Things get quite dramatic when Joan finds Miss Toodles is visiting her husband at his country home. tig). ■ ® @> The Princess Theatre has a nice picture, "The Border Wireless," which is so well produced and acted that it is immensely popular. Wm. S. HartT is the same Bill Hart, but a little different-v-a great man with a horse, a great man with his fists. In the picture, "The Border Wireless," he is seen in one of the greatest fight scenes over screened. The play holds the attention of the audience throughout. The supporting programme contains, an interesting gazette of Australian events, and an enjoyable comedy by Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, entitled, "Harold, Last of the Saxons." & $ * Jewel Carmen and the Lee children are seen in a rich comedy drama, "Doing their Bit," at the Queen's Theatre this week. It is a splendid chance for these remarkable children to show their extraordinary cleverness, and it never appears that they are acting. There is stirring adventure as well as breezy comedy in this story, and throughout the interest in the antics of the Lee children is kept up. "Lawless Love" is a .story of a beautiful woman whose life and honour is in imminent peril, while a gang of reckless outlaws fight battles for possession of her. It is a gripping story of the great West, and those people who live under the law, but without law. The film depicts, the manner in which the man in evening dress displays cowardice and ~ loses the woman's love, while tho rough, virile man in buckskin succeeds. A Fox News and a Miitt and Jeff cartoon complete an enjoyable programme. @ Sgt 9 Messrs. J. and N. Tait's name has always been associated with artists of distinction, and their latest importation of the celebrated baritone, Mr. Harry Dearth, has again proved their judgment. So great has his success been in Australia that he was obliged to give 22 concerts at the Auditorium, Melbourne, his farewell there being something remarkable for the display of enthusiasm on the part of his many admirers. His name stands high in the concert world of England, and many homes contain at least one song with the line, "Sung by Harry Dearth." He has a wonderful voice of excellent quality, and he uses it with great effect. His expression and enunciation is remarkable. Mr. Dearth will sing here numbers that have made him famous. He will be assisted on the platform by Madame Marie Power (contralto),' Mr. Harold Beck ('cellist), and Miss Carlien Jurs (a very fine pianist). The box plans are open at Wildman and Area's. The Auckland season will commence on Monday next at the Town Hall Concert Chamber. ® <® <® At the Tivoli Theatre on Saturday next a most dramatic pictorial representation of Hall Caine's famous novel, "The Woman Thou Gayest Me," will be shown. The worldfamous director, Hugh Ford, has seen that no detail of this alluring sex drama has been overlooked, and it is intensely absorbing. Besides this great picture play there will be shown "Good-bye Bill,'* a top-hole burlesque, with Shirley Mason and Ernest Truex in the lead. It will make you laugh. ®> ® ® News comes of Dorothy Brunton, who has been appearing at the St. Martin's Theatre, London, since July 16. The Westminster "Gazette" says: " 'The Bantam V.C is hardly the play one expected from the talented author of 'Hobson's Choice. ,

However, Mr. Brighouee candidly calls his work a 'farce,' makes no effort at real character drawing, and relief upon complicated plot and comic business and a dialogue, with some good jokes in it. Miss Dorothy has a difficult task in presenting the .chorus girl, which she accomplished very creditably; Miss Muriel Pope gave some individuality to Misa Ehderwick, whilst her foodhoarding mother was funnily played by Miss Rose Edouin." (Miss Edouin is Mrs. G. B. W. Lewis, formerly of Melbourne. She has reverted to the family name under which she made her early appearances). The "Pall Mall Gazette" praises Miss Urunton for "really clever work." The "Daily Chronicle" says that her work was good, but the play was not very funny. The "Times" states that Miss Brunton was "certainly vivacious as the lady who was by no moans shy," and the "Daily Telegraph" becomes enthusiastic, thus: "Last night's performance was remarkable for the signal success achieved by Miss Dorothy Brunton in the role of Daisy. Miss Brunton is a necent arrival from Australia; and this is the first real chance she has had of showing her mettle. © ® © Oscar Asche has achieved a world's record with his "Chu Chin Chow" production. Oscar has given 1467 performances. "Charley's Aunt" previously held the record. $ $ © Booth Tarkington, author of nevels which have been turned into plays, tells the story of how, at an artists' Red Cross fair, two pretty girls of sixteen or so came up and asked for his autograph. "I haven't a fountain pen," I said, much flattered. "Will pencil do " "Yes," said the other girl, and so I took out my pencil and signed my name in the Morocco-bound book that she had given me. The girl studied the signature with a frown. Then she looked up and said: "Aren't you Robert W. Chambers?" "No," said I, "I'm Booth Tarkington." The girl turned to her friend with a shrug of disgust. "Lend me your rubber, May," she said. $ <® ® Enid Bennett, one of the newest of the Thomas H. Ince stars, was born at York, Australia. She is a blonde, with striking blue eyes, that mirror every shade of feeling. Educated under a governess and at a finishing school, she started upon a business career in an office in Perth. But the routine did not suit her vivacious temperament. Besides, she secretly aspired to footlight fame. Her opportunity came when following a performance of Kathleen Grey in "The Third Degree," she was introduced to the star who later assisted her to secure an engagement as Modesty in "Everywoman," Fred. Niblo, whom she afterwards married, was then playing in Australia, saw her, and immediately engaged her to appear in his repertoire company, with the result that she played prominent parte in "The Whip," "The Fortune, Hunter," and "Seven Keys to Baldpate." "Daddies," which is now repeating its Melbourne success under the Jand fJ. Tait management at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, lately completed a year's continuous run in New York, and shows again the possibility in the way of royalties of any piece that takes the fancy of the New York public. The author dorives, a. certain percentage of the takinge from every performance, and the income that he achieves from 365 performances'. of the play can only be imagined when the nominal price of a good seat, say about two dollars, is constantly increased by the operations of the ticket speculators. In addition, there are the royalties from tours—an even greater eonsidr eration when the play, as often happens, ig being presented by two or three different companies travelling selected routes over the huge area of the United States,