AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19919, 15 August 1927, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

“THE ARCADIANS” If the Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society had no other claim to public support, said the president (Mr Louis Cohen) at the close of the performance on Thursday evening, the fact that they gave a charity performance every year was justification for their existence. This year’s charity performance, which takes place to-night is in aid of unemployment relief, and it is anticipated there will be a large attendance at the Opera House. “The Arcadians” is a pretty, fantastic musical play and provides sheer enjoyment from the first bars of the overture until the curtain tumbles. Catchy songs, bright dancing and genuine humour make it a production which, should not be missed. The principals Miss Lee Swan, Miss Julie Werry, Mt Keith Grant, Mr Frank Crotty, and Mr Bob Howell have wou considerable success by the performances last week, and the ladies and gentlemen of the ensemble work well to make the show a successful one. j The orchestra and all mechanicians, ; stage hands, and attendants, are giving i their services entirely free to assist the relief fund. MUNICIPAL THEATRE The beginning of production on “It,” arriving at the Opera House to-morrow night, marked the return to Paramount of Elinor Glyn noted English novelist and author of “It,” which serves is Clara Bow’s initial starring vehicle. “It” is Madame Glyn’s film adaptation of her latest story. Through the medium of the camera lens Miss Bow reveals her interpretation of just what constitutes “It,” which the author declares Miss Bow possesses to an extraordinary degree. The novel, adapted expressly for Miss Bow, deals with a shop-girl who possesses that magnetic something which defies definition but attracts all others with compelling force. With a limited education, no family prestige and nothing but her fundamental sweetness of character. Clara rises to notable success by exerting the inexplicable “It” and winning the love of her employer. The film’s locale is any big city; the time, the present. In its unfolding, Madame Glyn goes fully into her conception of the magic quality, depicting characters who believe they have, those who live to have, and those who possibly can never gain “It.” To quote Elinor Glyn herself: “It” is that quality possessed by some few persons which draw all others with its magnetic life force. With it you will win all men if you are a woman—and all women if you are a man- Without it you take a chance—and are not certain of winning anyone, or of keeping him or her when won. Clara Bow is the featured player and the supports include Antonio Moreno, William Austin, Priscilla Bonner, Jacqueline Gad*son an»d Julia Swayne Gordon. Clarence Badger directed.*

COMBINED SCOTTISH CONCERT Arrangements for the combined Scottish concert, in aid of the unemployed, to be held in the Opera House on Wednesday, August 24 are well in hand and a programme of exceptional merit has now been finalised. Many well known local artists are to assist and with singing, dancing, elocutionary and instrumental items of a national character, the programme should not lack for variety. W.E.A. LECTURE Tomorrow evening, the series of lectures arranged, by the local W.E.A. committee will be continued in the Technical College when the Rev. J. Paterson, M.A., will speak on the Hittites. The discovery of the buried cities of this ancient people, whose civilisation flourished in Asia. Minor some three thousand years ago, is one of the romances of modern archaeology. The remains discovered explain the origin of many artistic, religious and historical facts still traceable in modern life. The lecture will be illustrated by lantern slides showing views of the buried cities and? remains unearthed. Admission is free.