AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17031, 3 May 1923, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

“ MISSING HUSBANDS.” A STARTLING FEATURE. LIBERTY THEATRE, SATURDAY. “ Missing Husbands,” the high-class Metro production, spoken of as “ the screen sensation of Europe.” will open a week’s run at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday. In this picture Madame Stacia Napierkovvska, the famous French actress, enacts the principal role of Antraea, the heroine of the j story. A woman, as beautiful as j Mona Lisa, and as compelling in charm j as Cleopatra', is found in the charac- j ter of An tinea, queen of an oasis < kingdom in the Sahara, who played with men’s hearts as she toyed with the tropical flowers that grew within her gardens. Two explorers of the French army meet her. and she falls in love for one, who repulses her advances. The other, insanely jealous, kills his comrade, only to find that his love for Antim-a is dead. He attempts to kill her and then flees into the desert. After being found and again declared fit for service, he, with two brother officers, set out on th© sandy trail to find the desert queen whom he realises lie loves and cannot forget. The photoplay production is a triumph, not only in direction and oast of characters, but in the magnificent- settings that captivate and astound the spectators. It offers a kaleidoscopic array of luxury and splendour found only where women’s every vs him is law. A considerable portion of the action takes place in the palace of An tinea. These settings are of such overwhelming beauty and extravagance that they hold the spectator in a maze of astonishment. As another feature film the management offers ”My Wild Irish Rose,” a picturisation of “ The Shaughraun,” the well-beloved pjay of Old Ireland. David Smith, one of the* best known directors, had the production in his care, and he secured some of the best Irish atmosphere available. Irish villagers, pigs, goats, go-carts, and geese add to the atmosphere of the thatched roofs in the Irish village. A prison ship is another of the highlights in the production and many of the sets are historically correct, being a replica, of those which still exist on the old sod. Pauline Starke will take the part of Moya, sweetheart of Con, the Shaughraun (Irish for ne’er- j do-well), the latter part being played j bj Pat O’Malley. A special part- in j the play was written in and will be | played by “ Mickey ” Daniels. the j “ freckledest ” lad in the world. Maude! Emery and Helen Howard, girls with just the features that bespeak Celtic I youth and beautv, are also members of j the cast. Abundant humour is pro- j vid-ed by Larry Semon in “ Golf,” a j comedy that in every way equals the j absurdities that the audience are wont ! to expect from one of the world's i greatest comedians. An excellent j selection of music will be played by ! th© Liberty Grand <>rehestra. under j the conductorsfbp of Mr Arthur Gor- ! cion. The box plans for the season ! are open at- The Bristol Piano Company, j where seats may be reserved.

THEATRE ROYAL.

THE ALLEN DOONE SEASON. i Allen Boone and his company staged j again “ In Old Donegal ” at the 'J he- ! atie Royal last evening to a large and j appreciative audience. The light- ! heartedness and good nature of Larry j Donovan won immediate favour for , Alien Doone, who gives an excellent characterisation of the youthful Irish- 1 man. Mr Doone’s singing was warmly appreciated. Miss Edna Keelev cap- ! tivated her audience the moment she ’ stepped upon the stage, and her charm- j ing manner and pleasing stage presence j evoked warm admiration. The other i characters were all skilfully interpreted , and the play was very much enjoyed. ' “In Old Donegal ” will be given for j the last time to-night. The last two nights of the season, j to-morrow and Saturday, are being de- I voted to “The Parish Priest.” This is a play which improves with acquaintanceship, and there is every reason to believe it will bo just as much appreciated as those pieces which have preceded it. The gentle-speaking old priest guiding more than leading, the | slightly vixenish daughter of the wealthy old doctor. the fashionable ■ physician himself, and Michael, gem of | handy men, are all prime factors in ! the delightful misdeal that threatens j the peace of all. The ambitious young j Dr Walsh, anxious to be grateful to j bis patron. Dr Cassidy, his burly 1 brother Jim, strong for family pull as | opposed to professional etiquette, Frank i Doherty, seeking to find peace, and i Miss Corrigan, seeking to find her ! father, all round out a very human ! group. Add Helen Durkin, school- ! marm. whose life is bound up in young j Dr "Walsh .and you* have one of tho i finest stories ever told on the stage, i Miss Edna Keeley’s presentation of ! this lovable girl on the threshold of her j life’s happiness, with her hopes of years suddenly dashed from her grasp, is a j memorable one. The Father Whalen [ or Air Allen Doone bids fair to become j a classic in comedy of this class. i

COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL.

COMMENCES ON MONDAY. The annual festival of the Competitions Society will commence on Monday next. May » . There will be morning and afternoon sessions at the Choral Hall, where th© elocutionary classes are to be heard. The music classes will be commenced in the Theatre Royal on Monday afternoon. On Mondav evening, and on every succeeding evening during the festival there will be entertainments :n the Theatre Royal, at which the recalled competitors, the best in their c'asses, will appeal' for the final awards. The entries this year are g°od', some experienced and talented performers will be heard. Season tickets arc now obtainable from the secretary, Mr T. F. Hall, 194, Cashel Street.