SCREEN and STAGE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17031, 3 May 1923, Page 5

SCREEN and STAGE

NOTES ON CURRENT AND COMING SHOWS

“ In Old Donegal.” perhaps the most charming comedy drama in Mr Alien 1> June's repertory will be staged by that company for the last time at the Theatre Royal to-night. To-morrow night and on Saturday “ The Parish Priest” will be played. The thirteenth annual festival of the Christchurch Competitions Society will commence on Monday at the Theatre Royal and Choral Hall. There will be a grand concert nightly at the Theatre Royal. Judging by the large attendance at I Everybody’s Theatre the picture “ The j Pride of Palomar ” is proving just as ! popular as Peter B. Kyne’s novel itself actually did. This author has a romantic and somewhat humorous style of writing, and the picture is a faithful reproduction of the various episodes described in the book. One bl‘ the outstanding features of the picture is a true reproduction of a thrilling tyorse race, whilst other notable incidents are exhibitions of buck-jumping and some spectacular dancing at a Spanish festa. Miss Rene Maxwell, at one time associated with the J. C. Williamson Co, and was prominent in “The Lilac Domino ” and other musical productions, has entered vaudeville ranks, and at latest advices from Australia was appearing at the Tivoli. • “ East is West." featuring Constance Talmadge and “ Why Change Your Wife?” featuring Thomas Meighan. Be be Daniels and - Gloria Swanson will be screened at the Grand to-night and finally to-morrow evening. Andre Skalski, “the Polish poet of the piano ” will give two recitals at the Choral Hall next week—on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Mr BruntneJl, Minister for Education. in opening the third annual conference of the Teachers’ Federation in Sydney recently, stated that the rural democracy of this country demanded our best attention, but was not receiving it. He considered that the correspondence system was ineffective, unless parents themselves could assist, and he also urged earnest consideration of the new visual instruction, remarking that film makers and picture show proprietors should be consulted about the .matter. “ There were ver y few subjects.” said Mr Bruntnell, that could not lie better taught by moving pictures. This system of education had a great fascination for children, and the iesson taught was never forgotten.” The present programme at the Opera House is drawing large audiences nightly. The vaudeville section of the hill is a good one while “ The Mixture.” staged by Walter George’s Sunshine Players is proving ih-* most laughable ancLjjopular the ; any has vet presented. Irene Castle, famous dansenee ana actress, appears again o*-> the* screen for the first time in more than two years in “ French Heels.” being screened at Greater Crystal Palace. The story of “French Heels” introduces Mrs Castle in a series of whirlwind events. She dances, rides, swims, and wears a number of exquisite gowns. The action of the storv takes place in New York City and ‘in the lumber camps of the far north. It is a modern story, written especially for the star, and provides her with some of the best opportunities of her career. The two last nights of Mr Allen Doone’s season are being devoted to the presentation of “The Parish Priest,” in which Mr Doone sustains the roleof Father John Whalen. This lovable, jovial old cleric is a host in himself, his dry humour and deep understanding of frail human nature making him a prime favourite among a. galax^ - of characters, who are remarkably interesting. Big. manly Jim Walsh, sturdy of form and generous to a fatilt, Michael with his quaint perversion of the Scriptural maxims, and Miss Corrigan ever in search of her elusive i parent, are one and all refreshingly sincere types. The two schools of medicine, widely diverse in their methods in the persons of Drs Cassidy and Walsh, make an interesting comparison.

What was perhaps one of the narrowest escapes in the history of motion picture making was experienced by Frank Mayo and two or three of his supporting players when explosives sot off in making final scenes for the Universal photoplay showing at Greater Crystal Palace. “ The Flaming f-rfcur.” Under the direction of Edward Sedgwick every precaution was taken, but a wall not quite thick enough was shattered and the players covered by falling debris. “The Man From Beyond ” at the Liberty opens in the Arctic regions, and tells the story of a man brought back to life after being entombed for one hundred years in a mass of solid ice. How he again takes his place in the advanced state ot civilisation, meeting what he believes to be a reincarnation of his sweetheart of a century ago, his fight to bring back the love so long denied him, and culminating with his rescuing the girl after being whirled through the surging waters of Niagara rapids to the very brink ot the falls itself, provide unusual entertainment/' “ My Wild Irish Rose ” will be one of the attractions at the Liberty on Saturday. All those who love, the land of the shamrock wili find much to interest them in this splendid photoplay, which tells a thrilling story of life in the Emerald Isle in the early days of Queen Victoria’s reign. Mary Miles Min ter and Toni Moore, who are featured in “ The Cowboy and The Lady,” a Paramount picture coming to Everybody’s on Monday, have excellent roles that will delight their numerous admirers. This is a thrilling Western picture, dramatc and absorbing. The supporting cast is excellent. Camel racing is one of the most popular sports in Africa—the sport of sheiks, to paraphrase the description of horse racing—and one of fhe swiftest beasts in years will be seen at the Liberty on Saturday in Metro’s sensational picture “ Missing Husbands.” The camel is the one ridden bv Jean Angelo, as Captain Morhange in the photoplay, and his name is I Mer-el-Tlakj. which in the native tongue signifies “Feet of the Wind.” This Sahara Man-o’-War at a racing meet two years ago, set a record of 9 hours 14 minutes over the 100 kilometre course between Bjeh and Ivara-din-Mas. Mr Andre Skalski spent last- evening nt the Orchestral Society’s concert. The society might ask him for a few hints. The Orchestral Society opened its 1923 season in the Choral Hall last evening, with a large audience, givI ing close atention and appreciative applause. Mr H. G. G lay slier is conductor. and there are sixty performing members. The big item was the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1 (Listz), and it was given very creditably. The general impression left by tlie concert was that the members should he better prepared by more frequent rehearsals, as the players do not keep together, and make a truly harmonious whole. All the numbers wanted more careful preparation. Tlie vocal soloist was Miss Nancy Bowden, who sang five songs. She has a pleasing style, but her best notes are limited in volume and range. Her upper register was very uncertain, and she might do better if she confined her attention to purely contralto songs. TO-NIGHT’S SHOWS. Theatre Royal.—Allen Doone Co., in “ In Old Donegal ” Opera House.—Walter George’s Sunshine Players and vaudeville. Everybody’s.—“ The Pride of Palomar ” and “ Torchy’s Nut Sundae.” Strand.—“ Stronger than Death ” and •Is Matrimony a Failure?” Grand.—“ East is West” and “ Why I Change Your Wife?” Greater Crystal Palace. —“ French “ Heels ” and “ The Flaming Hour.” Liberty.—“ One of the Blood ” and “ The Man From Beyond.” Queen’s. —“ Silver Wings.” King’s (Sydenham). “For Big Stakes ” and “The Man From Beyond.” Choral Hall-—Christchurch Orchestral