AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19879, 21 February 1920, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

u GOING UP.” SOMETHING NEW IN MUSICAL COMEDY. Of tho J. 0. Williamson musical play ‘ Going Up" the “Lyttelton.Times” critic wrote: —“ Numerous plays have been seen hero, with motor-car or submarine adventures as their themes, and it was only to bo expected that before long something centring about tho most romantic of all modern inventions, tho aeroplane, would sooner or later make its appearance. Surely enough, such a play lias now .arrived in Christchurch in the form of the brightest and most attractive musical comedy that has been sent across to New Zealand by Messrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., for many years— 1 doing Up,’ which sprang instant favour when it was presented for the lirst time here to a /crowded house at the Theatre Royal!” the music is bright and catchv, tho dialogue particularly witty, and the many ballets, dances and tableaux are extremely effective- There is one feature about “Going Up” which is not apparent in most musical comedies, and that is that the whole plot is not revealed to the audience early in the first act. On the other hand, it gains in interest as tho play moves on, and is considerably more interesting at tho finish than it was in the beginning. Tho story is a very simple one, but the piece by no means suffers on that score- The author of “ Going Uv>,” an aviation novel which has met with much favour, is recognised by all and sundry wnen taking a quiet holiday, and aided •?£ tho misguided eloquence of his friends, the impression quickly forms that the book is lounded on the actual experiences of the author, who has never been in an aeroplane in his life. A famous French Army aviator arrives 1 on the scene, and as the community is a sporting one, an air race between the two is quickly arranged, from which the unhappy author is unable to escape. A human stake in the form of a winsome girl, with whom both arc in love, makes Iris withdrawal still further impossible, and the upshot of the whole affair is that, after a single lesson in aviation, given in his own rooms by a mechanic, with only a table, a chair, two friends, a walking stick, and a hat to_ practise upon, the author competes with his doughty opnonent, and, of course, secures the prize.” ‘'G'oir.oUp 9 will bo played for four nijiht. l ;' commencing Tuesday next, and wiTl bo followed for the final three niehts cf ti.o season by “ High Jinks.” The box plans are at Messrs Milner and Thompson s. 1 OPERA HOUSE. Tho well diversified programme now showing at the Opera House attracted a large audience last evening, when the turns of Edwards and Parkes, the Montrose Duo, Kceley and Aldous Henri Ircnch, J. Wallingford Tate ancl other artists were ail enthusiastically received. Bert Le Blanc and his Travesty Stars are announced to appear on Monday. ■ 11 STRAND THEATRE. “SHARK MONROE.” The story of “ Shark Monroe " deals u ith the notorious sivipner of a sealing schooner iu Alaskan waters, who s widely known for his cruelty and primitive savageiy. In a water-front saloon ho meets Marjorie Hilton, a girl from the East, and her dissipated brother, Webster, who are on their way to Alaska, but whose trip is stayed when Webster wastes their money in drunken carouses. “ Shark ” no-rees to carry the two to Skagwny, when thov agree to work their passage, and on the voyage, after saving Hilton’s life at the risk of his own, Monroe cuffs the young man for dereliction of duty. Marjorie strikes Monroe with a rope end, and this act inspires love in his breast for her. Later Marjorie falls into the hands of a trafficker in womon, but “ Shark ” rescues her in one of tho greatest climaxes ever seen. The principal supporting films are Episode 8 of “ The Silent Mystery,” a Mack Seunett comedy “His Last False Step,” and an American Gazette. QUEEN’S THEATRE. TOTON.” The central figures of the romance are a flower girl •of Paris and an American artist. _ Olivo Thomas has tho part of the girl. The girl, tired of her struggle for a few pennies, is urged-by the woman with whom she has lived to become an artist’s model. Her engagement by an American artist develops into a romance which ends in a secret marriage. The return of the artist to America to the sick bed of his mother repeals the fact of his marriage to his own family, and opens a secret campaign on the part of parents and lawyers to separate husband and wife. Intercepted letters and sorrow for tho long absence of her husband lead to the death of the young wifo # at tho birth pf her baby. The child, a girl, reared by a master crook, an old admirer of its mother, becomes an expert pickpocket known as “ Toton.” Disguised as a hoy, sho plies her profession. Tho war brings tho father of “Toton” and his adopted son to Paris, and her Apache guardian becomes involved iu a plot to steal some valuable paintings that have been stored for safe keeping in her father’s old studio. The incident leads to the uncovering of “Toton’s” real identity, and her eventual betrothal to her father’s adopted son. The principal of tho supporting films are Episode 13 of “ Tho Lightning Raider” and “I Want My Children.” CRYSTAL PALACE. A FAVOUR, TO A FRIEND. Dainty Emmy Wehlen is the star in this comedy romance, in which she has the party of Mary Worthington, who leaves her homo in the West for New York, in order to take possession of an estate left by an uncle. The executor, Mark Arnold, who lias been using the estate for his own dealings, enlists the services of his nephew, a*u equally unscrupulous individual, and tho pair endeavour to force Mary to sign an authorisation containing a clause which ■would Ireo Arnold from prosecution. As Mary refuses to sign she is locked up. The manager of a theatrical company, ■ which is m rather a had way, hits on the idea of securing publicity for his show by having his‘loading lady kidnapped, and arranges with a friend who has not seen the lady to carry out the kidnapping. By mistake he seizes Mary, who has escaped from her room, and carries her off to the mountain, and Mary, discovering that hei* abductor thinks she is the'theatrical lady, allows him to remain in ignorance, particularly she is safe from her persecutors. Ibis leads up to the climax in which "there aro quite a number of thrills. Tho supporting films' are “ Snakef ville’s; Twins ” (a Bon Turpin comedy), a Topical Budget and a Travelogue Tho engagement of Sergeant H. G. Glaysher, tho solo harpist, has been extended for tho whole of next week.

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LIBERTY THEATRE. “ HER KINGDOM OF DREAMS.” This week’s change of programme at Liberty Theatre takes place to-day, when the star picture will be a First National drama, n Her Kingdom of featuring the favourite ac tress, Anita Stewart, “ Her Kingdom of Dreams ” is a big play, with a heavy call on First National film tal ent. Tho plot is a tangle of several plots ,each of which would make a play itself. When a lumber baron leaves all his money to his pretty secretary, arid on his deathbed persuade! her to marry his son ( whom glie scarcely knows, and who is involved with a' spider hussie, there is big enough nlot to start with A humble family robbed of its title to lumber lands and a high-soulcd son out to deal with the swindler who wrecked tho happiness of his home, provides plot number two, and so on. After an amazing series of complications tho play ends with an exciting motor chase, the solution of tho various complications making astrong ending to a powerful pictureThe supporting programme is unusually strong, including a Centiry comedy. “ A Lion Special.” a very clever animal picture. Two beautiful scenics will also be screened, “ Following the Course of the Cay use,” showing the glories of mountain scenery, and a Post Chester film, “ The Cioud.” A Double Gazette, of happenings throughout the world, completes an exception ally strong programme. Besides the excellence of the picture T>rogramnie, Mr Leslie. Belcher (lately principal tenor with the Fisk Jubilee Singers) has been engaged, and will sing “ Lolita.” “Come Sing to Me,” and the popular Irishj all Those Endearing Young Charms.” The management announces the appearance an an early date of Mr Charles Srnytlie. a basso formerly associated with tho Melba, Caiva, and Esty Grand Opera. Companies, and his party of merry musical maids. The Liberty orchestra will be beard in a new selection, of music,, and this week’s entr’acte is an extract from “ The Geisha-.” The box plan is on view at the Bristol until noon, and afterwards at Liberty Theatre. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The programme at the Sydenham Pictures to-night will include “The Crimson Gardenia” and “Unexpected Places.” On Monday “The Hand Invisible,” portraying Montague Love, will be screened.