AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 March 1932, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

COSY THEATRE. “THE SPECKLED BAND.” Tho Sherlock Holmes mystery story “The Speckled Band,” is to be shown finally at the Cosy Theatre to-night. Reserves at \.are s, ’phone 1 . “CITV OE SONG.” In the production of “City of Song,” the British talkie masterpiece, coming to the Cosy Theatre to-morrow, when it will be shown at matinee and evening performances, artificial studio sets have been discarded for the genuine, and much of the fascination and rare charm of tho picture lies in tho wealth of natural settings through which the story moves. Naples, the Isle of Capri, and the ruins of Pompeii, lend their far-famed splendours to enrich this delightful romance, which will linger long in life’s most pleasant memories. Jan Kiepura, the “new, handsome Caruso,” and beautiful Betty Stockfield are the stars of “City of Song,” and in one sequence of the story Kiepura’s golden voice- rings through the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii. His song is the Love Song of Naples, and he sings in a large open-air theatre, in which the inhabitants of this once prosperous city listened to Greek tragedy and Latin comedy, while Vesuvius frowned down upon them. Vesuvius still frowns today, but the theatre has not echoed to the sound of an actor’s voice for nearly two thousand years, and Kiepura’s only audience, in addition to AHss Stockfield, is rows of broken stone seats and the crumbling remains of Pompeii’s once stately edifices. In striking contrast to this “City of the dead” is the gaiety and life in the other picturesque settings of the production that quickly moves on to the Isle of Capri, to Naples—City of Laughter and Life, City of Song, and then on again to London, City of tho Voild, as its delightful story unfolds. Reserves at Tare’s, ’phone 1333. THE REGENT. “THESE CHARMING PEOPLE.” In “Those Charming People,” which opens at the Regent Theatre to-night, the noted British actor, Cyril Alaude, who made so fine an impression as “Grumpy,” has the leading role—that of an impecunious old colonel, gifted with humour and finesse, who lives by his wits, having everything that money or credit can obtain. He is supported by a number of wellknown and experienced stage players— Godfrey Tearle, Nora Swinburne, Ann Todd, Cyril Raymond, C. V. France and -others. “Those Charming People” is Paramount’s first British production, made at the company’s new studios at Elstree. The story is by Alichael Arlen, well-known throughout the Englishspeaking world for his satirical studies of society life. ‘“ Those '“"Charming People” presents a triangle drama, with complications, in a Mayfair setting. The old colonel, played by Cyril Alaude, sponges on bis wealthy son-in-law, James Berridge, a shipping magnate. Julia, James’ wife, fears that his work comes first with him. She is disappointed when her husband leaves an important party which she is giving for his friends—many of them politically prominent —because an urgent call has come from his Glasgow shipyards. After James lias left,, the party gets more and more hilarious. Julia dances with Geoffrey Allen, her husband’s handsome secretary, whose attempts at love-making she has hitherto repulsed. But when, at four in the morning, Geoffrey suggests driving into the countrv to see the sun rise, she consents. They run out of petrol, and go to a farm for breakfast. Fearing to excite comment by returning in evening clothes in daylight, they decide to- spend the day on the form. From this point the story moves on thvo.urrh n rapid plav of incident to an effective climax. Reserves at Tare’s, ’phone 1333.