AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19841, 16 May 1927, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Two well-known writers have their books showing in picture form to-night at His Majesty’s Theatre. The fame of Atarie Corelli’s novel 44 Thelma,” read and re-read by countless thousands throughout the world, has made the photoplay version of the book one of the really outstanding achievements of the year in the realm of the cinema. It serves as a starring vehicle for beauteous Jane Novak. The picturization has adhered religiously to the original narrative and lovers of the famous novel will see all their old friends of the book spring into life again when “Thelma” is shown to-night, Monday and Tuesday. A virile, highly dramatic photoplay, set in the stern, snowbound Canadian northwoods, is the second attraction. The picture is “Prisoners of the Storm,” by James Oliver Curwood, and House Peters, as forceful and dominant a personality as ever, is the star of the production. Rich with colour and atmosphere of the locale in which the story is sot, and filled with drama and action, the picture leaves nothing to be desired in the way of entertainment. His Majesty’s orchestra will play:—Nocturne, Tschoikowsky; Mazurka, Afoszkowski; La Graviata, Verdi; Serenade, Little; Legcndc, Wienawski. Four character waltzes, Coleridge-Taylor; Serenade, Drdla: Orpheus, Offenbach; Rosamunde, Schubert, and a selection from 4 ‘No, No Nanette.” “The Black Pirate.” With the news that Douglas Fairbanks’ latest screen offering, “The Black Pirate,” will be the feature attraction at His Alajesty’s Theatre, starting on Wednesday next, comes the added word that this picture is entirely in colour and ranks as one of the most elaborate cinema spectacles of the year. Fairbanks is as usual the romantic adventurer achieving no end of thrills through his hazardous, always inimitable, and frequently amusing “stunts.” His ingenuity and athletic prowess are big factors in his struggle to win a captured damsel from a shipload of blood-thirsty pirates. This situation forms the drama of the play as well as the backbone of the story. Never before in his career, in the opinion of critics, has the star appeared in a photoplay vehicle that has given him such splendid opportunity for histrionic and interest compelling art. The fact that the picture is in colour has made possible splendid atmosphere besides. “The Black Pirate” comes heralded as presenting everything for general audience entertainment—high adventure, appealing romance, gripping melodrama, and mystifying intrigue. Plans * open on Alonday, and there is a special matinee on Wednesday. THE WANGANUI PIERROTS At the Opera House to-night the above company of local artists will give their initial town performance to assist the funds of the Wanganui Rowing Club. For the frst half of the programme the company will appear in full Pierrot costume in concerted numbers, doubles and comedy sketch and the second half will be presented as vaudeville. Tho complete change from Pierrot to vaudeville with the programme of bright and sparkling numbers to be given should offer Wanganui followers of entertainment a show of its kind second to none. The following well-known local artists comprise the company:—The Lyric Quartette, (Afcssrs T. L. Sperring, F. A. Campbell, G. P. Williamson, Trev. Thomas). Alcsdamcs T. L. Sperring, S. Wills, Aliss A. Greening, Miss D. Hughes, Frank Crotty and Basil Dean. Airs Trev. Thomas is accompanist. Jack Stone’s dance orchestra will play latest numbers. Tickets are selling by tho. club members, and members of the Pierrots. Box plans are at H. I. Jones and Son’s.