AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15132, 29 January 1917, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

HIS MAJESTY'S,

EDNA MAT AS “SALVATION JOAN.”

To-night’s star attraction at His Majestey’s Theatre, evidently possesses extraordinary merit, for tne Otago Daily Times refers to it as. “the beet picture ever shown, in Dunedin.” Patrons may anticipate an uncommon treat. Edna May, regarded as the greatest of modem musical comedy actresses, has achieved fresh laurels in a picturisation in dramatic form of “The Belle of New York,” of which 1 she was the original star. In this, her greatest character, “Salvation Joan,” she appears to-day. It was the freshly reconstructed Vitagraph Corporation, with a capital of two millions sterling at its back, that was able to bid high enough to induce Edna May to act for the film. Her first appearance in that direction is considered to be a triumph. In the dual roles of society girl and Salvation lassie her acting is said to be simply magnificent. “Salvation Joan” is 7000 ft long, and the story is divided into, seven acts. The drama tells a powerful stony of New Yorks’ upper and underworld) Pithily summarised :t is a narrative of a richlyendowed society belle who works in the slums as a Salvation lassie; meets the chief of a gang of criminals; falls in love with him, only to discover his true character and vocation later on when she finds him and his gang forcibly entering her mother’s mansion. Edna May is supported by a very fine cast of especially chosen players. The' latest copy of the ever-welcome Pathe Gazette and one of Fisher’s vastly popular cartoons, “Muff and Jeff and the National Guard,” dill also be shown. Crowded houses may be confidently predicted. '

EVERYBODY’S

THE HERO OF SUBMARINE D2,

Some day, when the war is over, and and the censor is out of a job, the world will be thrilled by the stories which will be told of the heroes of Britain’s fighting submarines. In the meantime, wiiat little has been told has given the world a graphic hint of the perils of underwater war. With this much to go upon, the Vitagraph Company has anticipated the day when the censor lets up on his blue pencil and produced a remarkable triumph in filmic enterprise, depicting with striking realism the exploits of “The Hero of Submarine D2,” the production of which will he the star attraction at Everybody’s Theatre tonight. The supporting items include Bud Fisher’s latest cartoon scream by the comical pair, “Mutt and Jeff”; the usual Topical Budget of cinema news, and an unusually good sub-comedy, “Jerry and the Backhanders,” starring Geo. Ovey.

“FAUST.”

ANOTHER BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE.

Wanganui music-lovers were afforded another rare treat on Saturday evening, when the Gonsalez Grand Opera Company gave their farewell performance. The opera presented was Gonoud’s masterpiece “Faust,” a work of grandeur and magnificence in conception, which has no rival in world popularity. Signor Balboni, as “i-aust,' ; delighted his audience with his beautiful tenor voice from the opening. He has a fine stage presence, and revels in the glorious work of the opera. The garden scene with Marguerite (Signoriua Visoni) held the audience in ecstacy. Gifted with a soprano voice of great range and quality, Signorina Visoni revelled in the higher registers which her sustained character demanded. She pourtrayed the happy maiden in simple simplicity remarkably well, and entered fully into the powerful scenes after her meeting with Faust. Signor Fillipini combines with his wonderful baritone voice quite exceptional histronic ability. Strongly dramatic in every pose and gesture, he threw his soul into his fine solos, and his fatal duel scene with Faust is perhaps one of the most telling of the' opera. Signor Cacialli (Mephistophelss) undertook an exacting role with wonderful poise and restraint, and his sardonic pourtrayal won him a full measure of hatred and admiration. Signorina Euss, Signora Piccolo, and Signor Mosca in minor roles contributed materially to the high standard of the production. The combined vocal support was excellent throughout, and the “Soldiers’ Chorus,” sung by the soldiers on their return from the war, was a revelation in concerted singing. The orchestral work was again the great feature of the evening’s success. The whole production was a distinct triumph, and was received with great enthusiasm.