ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17750, 29 June 1929, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. A dictionary of superlatives would be required to amply describe “The Man Who Laughs,” which opened at the Theatre Royal last night. Never Has a more beautiful love story been told than that between Dea, the blind maid, and Gwynplaine. the maimed clown whose facial deformity dooms him to a perpetual grin. Mary Philbin, as Dea, has a role of rare ethereal beauty which again proves her to lie the most beautiful and the most tragic of all screen stars. Conrad Veidt, as Gwynplaine, gives- a masterly performance which strikes at the heart chords with unerring aim. The massiveness of the production, its gorgeous costumes and impressive sets forms a background in perfect accord with the mood of the story.

JOSEPH CONRAD'S POPULAR WORK “The Rescue,” coming to the Theatre Royal on Monday, reveals Ronald Colman in the stardom to which Samuel Goldwyn lias elevated him as a result of popular demand. In this, Joseph Conrad’s greatest story of the sea, Mr Colman is said to give the most stirring characterisation of his screen career. It is the story of honour, love and betrayal in the Java boss and barker types and dons dress backgrounds of rare beauty.

STRAND & FRANKTON THEATRES.

Milton Sills brings us a new type of role in his latest starring picture for First National, “Love and the Devil,” which opened at the above theatres last night. For the time being Sills drops his backwoodsman, wrecking boss and barker types and dons dress suits and the polished manners of an English lord. And he does it very well. Another picture which delighted the audience was “Two Outlaws,” featuring Rex, The King of Wild Horses. The balance of the programme includes the popular GazetluSi travel, and comedy items.

BENEFIT DANCE AT REGENT. To-night, the net profits of the usual Saturday night dance will'be devoted to the Earthquake Relief Fund. As this is a very urgent and needy cause, a large attendance is expected. Decorations of an elaborate and spectacular nature have been installed and new lighting effects have been installed. A delicious home-made supper will be provided. Special popular prices arc being made for this benefit.

SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT. The concert to be held in the Theatre Royal to-morrow night, on behalf of sufferers by the recent earthquakes, should draw a large audience. An excellent programme, arranged by Mr W. Hopkins, will include items by Miss i. Andrews, Mrs J. S. Prentice, Miss D. Glaphain, Miss M. McKenzie, Miss I. Grice, Mrs Anderson, Messrs J. Crompton, E. Quill. T. R- Jones, R. Braithwaitc, and a few selected items on the Columbia-Kolstcr Electric Reproducer. The accompanist will be Mr J. T. Battersby. His Lordship Bishop Cherrington will preside. Such an attractive programme and the worthiness of the cause should made a wide appeal.

ALLAN WILKIE COMPANY. The announcement that an extension of his tour of New Zealand enables Mr Allan Wilkie to pay a return visit to the Theatre Royal, Hamilton, wlli prove welcome reading to those many admirers whom he, Miss Hunter-Watts, and the splendid company that supports them have enlisted on previous visits. This visit is billed for Saturday next, and the play announced for production is “Much Ado About Nothing,” a comedy which Mr Wilkie has introduced info his repertoire for the first lime during iiis present tour of the Dominion and which achieved such remarkable success during the Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch seasons, gince Mr Wilkie first staged “.Much \do” it has everywhere been received with rapturous enthusiasm, and has proved the trump card in his repertoire. It has certainly all the elements that make for popularity. If its central motive —the story of Hero and Claudio —falls within the conception of tragicomedy there is also side by side the theme of pure comedy in the relations between Beatrice and Benedick. Two characters, Dogberry and Verges, like Bottom the Weaver and a score of other immortals, are."as eternal smiles upon the face of earth itself." Mr Allan Wilkie will in the forthcoming production he seen as Benedick and Miss Hunter-Watts as Beatrice, while the roles of Dogberry and Verges will be in the capable hands of Mr William Lockhart and Mr Miles Hastings respectively.