AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16723, 5 January 1920, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROTAI.. "TH?: BIRD OF PARADIsE." iwro is .1 p<xuiiar :asc;naUJn About the south Pacific Islands, «tor:e6 woven about their lazily U-.-.ai!-' cUmatc, their Picturesque scenery. t-h'iir warin-bloocei ar.d inherently mu;.cal people, I "j-e alway3 popular. To New perhaps, they am tho SO, in view of tho closo relatjonshin the Islander* an*l cur o-.vn nr.thvi. A drams, with a Hawaiian aicoschero culturally extends such pos?:Uli;ks ' to the prodtxer, and from thai point or Tiew. 'Tho Bird of ParadiM!, which V.-.-.3 (Staged for tho £roi timo a*, the Theatre iioval on Saturday zniwt tro Totod rv distinct eucocos. The eoencrjr, nnJ the act in ; cf Miss ilnriol Starr, cad her strong c»mpar.y, wero beyond reproach, but the actual plav itself wo* hardly convincing. The author, one could r-o*. ho'.p thinking, hod not made tho beat of a fcij opportunity. Tho actual tl<cmc of tho play wns not new. though tiiat was n drawback, but it had apparently not tc?n handled by a uir.fiW cf dramatic instinct. It dealt with the traffic lotp romance of a young ITi-mian princess, ■who v.' first 6ight falls :n low with a:i onthv.=:3."<'.ic yotins American doctor, whoso ambition is to isoiite the Jcpnwy ptra. Against the advice of a baach-cwnber, who has reached jtnt about, tho limit in degradation, he piv«» up his purpose, and, marrying the pirl, remains cr. ihe island c[ Puna. Two aro quite sufficient to make the beachcomber's word* come true. "The flowercovercd Snjrcrs nf the Hawaiian sun" tho younß doctor's brain, and ftupremo indcJencc, more than a satiety of kava, and an for the civilisation of honi", complete tho picture. Weak from tlio start, he (Icrclopa into a first-class "wai?tcr." H » scorns tho love oi the prinocs?, who goes l>ack to her own pocpto in order that «ho ma" r.ot stand loncer in his way, and £LIM with a superstitious Ix-iio/ that her doath haa been doereed by a. high priest, sho succumbs t-o an old native custom and offers herself aa a eac rifle-* to n. burning mountain. Therparebie-p.-wsibi'.itiea in tho piece, uut tho author haAcot made the most of them. The diaiojuo M not exceptional, and considerably more mxrfit have been made out of romo of the characters, « - no or two of which, particularly those of the missionary and his wife, approach danircrsu-sly cloae to burlesque. At times, too. tho (.udier.co is apt to let its interest in th© *tory wander, whero a. littlo mere dramatic power would have had tho opposito effect, and considerable mort> could have been made, of tho last act, in which, however, tho tctinff and the sccnery aro ainplo recompsn/vj for th® weak construction.

Despito it-s defects, "The Bird of Paradrrc'' is a derided novelty, and the most wm mcd-s of it by tho company on Saturday r.ipht. Aa tho nrincces, Mies .Starr was saddled with a. heayy ovoning'a voik, beinfr on tho stago practically all Iho time, but sh-; ramo [ h lou-.-h the ordeal with fly in? colour*. Vivacious ill through, eho was particularly pood in tho Bcoocd act. when eho frara her husband « about to leave her. and a.?ain when sho defies tho kijh priesL In tho lighter incidents Rh«i waa equally pood, nnd her reception of tho deputation urging her to become queen watt splendidly done, aa was her conception of tho eomi-ciyjlii»ed nutivo girl, plunged into tho midst- of European society. by her accent, and licr typically native dancing and gyration*. Miss Starr hao made a cjoao study of tho Hawjuian maiJon harrtelf. She had a pathetic rolo to play, nnd eho mado tho very teat of it. As the American doctor, Mr llarry C. Power made his prst appearance here, and tho impression ho Wt wis a particularly good one. Ho had no sroot chances until the hut act, but hia y.-orfc _ then v.-.m <-icolleat, his acting of tho lutoxicated cad bein-* dono with an admirablo restrauit. Intoxicated parts arc extremely easy to over-do, brit, Itr Power kept just, tho nccoßKaxy prip on himoelf. Mr Prank Harvey wao not ooen much after the first act, which depicted liim fla a "down und out" be-ich-combcr, piven to cynical moraliainfr, and to quotiiifr "com/ortins" pa£s3;,~oA from Omar Kvai:. It was not n congenial role, but Mr Har.-oy inade an intensely inferestmf; i-u:dy of if, and aotal with much oramatic skill. After his re n gen oration, duo to the uplifting influence of a good woman, the audience Raw little of him, but that little was just sufficient for Mr Harney to /■hoar his y.-rsaiility, and to enablo him to brinff out the oontrast between tho drunken ovton«t ar.d '.he Buccensful Ecienti*t, Mr Arthur Styan was cicollcnt ns a bluff American planter, with a mmt un-American propensity for "handing out the dollars," and Mr J. B. Atholwood, still one of tho beat character actors in_ Australasia, was quite at home as tho vindictive n*tive priost. Miw Ethel Morrison filled the part of the beachcomber's Rood an?ol, with every m.cce«s and Miss Marion M»'cua Clnrko made- tho moat of the small part of Mahumahti. Tbo- rest of the caste y.as cniitc satisfactory. The correct atmosphere wan lent to tho piece by htila-liula danocs, and ukulele playera, though tbo loiter were, perhaps, a little too much in evidence, tho tendency Being rather towards monotony, while at time** their music interfered with tho dialogue. The netting of the pieoe was first-claso throughout, the eflact» in tin tireo sc«nei» in tho lost act, particularly that of tho interior of the crater of a volcano, bein* very fine indeed, while the storm in the first act was also realistically carried out.

"Tho Bird of Paradise" will be repeated to-night. '

"THE SILEXT WITNESS." The n«t production to bo staged by tho Muriel falarr Co. on Thursday night in ono bearing the somewhat uncommon title of 'Tho Silent Witness." This is tho work of that versatile young snthor Otto Haurbcch, who first gained prominenoe in America bv h» translation of "The IXorry Widow," which great succcss una followed by his original work o£ "J£a4inka'' that has been eo well and favourably made known by tbo Williamson Musical organisations. "Tho Silent Witness" was Haurbcch's first aorious attempt at dramatic writing-, and it was accorded fin immediate euccoos in New York and the larger cities of America. This success waa repeated in Melbourne and Sydney. Tho season of "The Silent "Witness" in Sydney Tan for nearly seven weeks in Her Majtety'o Theatre, boAinoss being very big throughout. In its first notico of the picoo tho "Melbourne Argus" caid: Strong and stirring situations, with vebcmcnco i:x language and action, mark this new drama, "The Silent Witness," which Miss Muriel Starr ar.d her company produced, to tho frequently expressed approval of n larrge houso at the Theatre Koyal on Saturday night. . . Tho nccessary complication to tho stirring law court scenes ib furnished in the fact that Bod Morgan, born without the formal ceremony of wedlock, has his fathor'-i ambitions, and seeks them through hi* father's college and his father's profession, the law. A taunts him with his birth, is promtly .knocked down, and apparently dies in consequence. Bud iz placed on trial for his life by tho State Attorney, who happens to bo his own fathor—burned to death by rumour and a colic go fire Ion? years beforo—and the deputy appointed to act for tho State in the prosecution is, for political reasons, particularly anxious for a conviction, apart altogether from any question of guilt. He soems likely to get it, until the State Attorney, meeting liis old sweetheart and tho mother of his won, takes up Uvo defenoe. and in provirwr that the cause of death was wholly occidental, and that it occurred oomo time after the aeeault. secures an acquittal, and makca everything rig-ht for everybody who is at all worth coi> •ideriiKj in the case. Tho best point of the play is the nieo balanco in action which is prwserped. tho quick appreciation of dramatic possibilities, and tho first-rate acting onportunities afforded to eovoral of tho leading members of the company. opera norrsE. Another splendid programme is promised at tho Opera House' to-night. It is headed by tho«e popular performors, Maud Courtney ar.d Mr C., whose collection of songs and stories axe so remarkably clever. They are certain of a warm welcome. A newcomer, in the person of Do Sylvia, will be aeon in a uniquo exhibition of skating. Re Baker's Models will present further bcautifal stndieo of classic etatuarr. That clever violinist. Miss Maggie, will give further selections from her repertoire. Mias Daisy Hancourt will be heard in more amuring songs, ar.d Kecaux ami Aria will give further lylophone selection*. Also en the programme will be Ija Belle Marie, eessational trapezist; Charlebert Bros., and Harry, noTelty acrobats; and tho Falvey Satera, harmonies. The plan# for the first -wo nights will b* at Atkinson's Sweet Store, and from Wednesday onwards at and Thompson's. QCTIE>"*9 THEATRE. "Blue Blood," the feature f «»c new programme at the Queen's i bcotro tnis weok, is a powerful piay, which will eoi tie public thinking. It shows the cflect <rt viokius living upon the dcscoadants ol tac original transgressor, nothing g v?ffl over. Speixer Wellington, a wealthy }o g mac, who a threatened with paresis, *"•" D j" > take the advice of hid physic-an. and flo I Earrica Crace Valient. Dr. -Karri loves the fame woman, but his proieseional . - our will not p«mii him to tc 1 her o. he. husband's secret. A child is t"Orn, a p- ! dtfccti»e, that dies almost i The mother's mind becomes a, I time. and another child i* suDstUuttol I ihe dead baby. The husuicd co " f wr.ree, and one nisrht, :n tho "p'V A,wild debauch, suddenly drops dead. programme includes the _ . -N>w Builer," and "Her Candy Ki • -•* ?atho soenic. "Their and Monto Do.e. ] :ctorikl birisrci. uc opi?oae <*• i-iscinis- lUidcx."

LIBERTY TIiF.ATRE. "V* hen Doctors L"i i :;,nvc," • , l „» i] 'ia\ryr. > production featuring llaboi No-nan.!, Vi i pictarv thai «-:ri":cs a. t'ro-h 2:0:0. and u .1 < nuro liughter-raifor. :ravol.:r.; <r. ! a niiivray :r:r. Ma>'„ ..7 ier t.i l>.co:::o : jxquaintod wiUi a ?>suag doctor in th.> n<.r.: j car. s-i-alIow« a cr.iri o: : bncco to 0:1:0 .. toothache, vrhich eho l:a& r.o: pot. As :: happens, tho doctor hi:u*--l: u not t00.".. H-" is in tn ctvc medical attention. ar.i ; po tr.at ho r:not pive himself .-.-vr.y ho ! pTT«cri!»(», but jr. a rr.anr.-*.- that ' patient ha» to ho rv.shoi away •. > a Then follows r. :v: ;-s c: <hr: *' ' funr.v FiVuaiiens. Bur.*'-:-rs' kr.iv.v-, v. I_U: i_-o'a\'.. nr. i ordinary ctTcci. A fit n:nr. ccntv.rv.tos M tbo arr.usvmor.*. Vy t!ic arionr -a which bo pmspoe h:s t-i:;:. r.nd clto;«:her Tho p.oco "5 /^h 0 ' C' ' S " ' V^ ' fcrtort-l ;r. Fcorir. "Raindrop;." -.ho roniM'." "Chic'-:--:'. Cha**d." v.-i 1 :;a.u"tto. T : » entr'acte "Kaur.l--.-." ;= rlayixl !•-.* the I.iborv Orchestra. "DAM A CEP noons." Eugene IrT''u; , v.-.'.h n pow—a play -.v'r-ieh cauhol r-o nnx-j; tiiacv.frion u; Home —is *.. s-hovr. Liberty Theatre r.o::t Saturday. .'ei:n~ or. instructions from Nov.' Z-oaiar i Cor.:.--. Eoparato eoeshas are :o bo held f'r !:;■ :> and women. The author hn« "Taher. cH th«> '.Io vo-3,' 1 go to t• i , v:_-i 1 ro:: v !:u the fysten which hv= in tl-.c ir.cour.i:cd t-'iO <x>r.-p:r.:oy nf fu>nc<> < n .Tv:;;i Kxrjr-.ro. Gotxls" rtmo . f the ficte for u i-.ii: ;r.t;!icatio:i o: itn trx>:ucii'iouß lc : '.-on. Si-or.os taken Jr. hospital, ehowinj victims r C \i>r.'j.l <!: — ea&?, cor.'.riljutr. {rrcatly to tbo pxt-rc's authenticity an<l morr! .-lpp-.-a!. T:;o who.o Btor- is profoundly r:!.".-:.-.?.'. !*"' flic in ::v N n .nri v.nu's, '".i* : <■'.o r y nf surio.y. Tho i-'cuT ! ■ I'T'--.'.. :' saiil. of tho vxj:;'.iti'»:'. of 'tlw-- :s t> '.oavo the t'pcclaior v.itii a :'■<h.win'-." loamcd a frc-.a deal v."itlio*,it b::r. • ovori I)-,- r.npVa.'iar.t iho C v.eor's nilit:r mu.-'-t bemo :r. rr.ir: ! tiiat r..> j mixed r.udiozccs a.ro to bo p 1 !•> ■ this picture. B:ix p'.ar.f. will i«o op<-n at Tho Bristol on AVcd:ay.

STRAND THEATRE. j Tho new programme a", tho Sv.-ind TLeatro j was occn by full housos m u.l u:: Saturday. Tho r.t.ir feature .s ".Tuo 'i.av- i JVicv." a P.irnrm>t::it y.xiu.-o of ■ 1 - j ceptioucl merit. Kkio Forpisnn t.a.i tho IrsuLin? rojo, ;\:;rl Wy:;d Standiu.y m her euppoit. Tho T">! i<-L<v- j>- a. y presorts several r.ovol fC-.'iK'K, 1:1 c:;! T.t "tin;; .1 sumptuous <iiniK'.- iKi'.'i.v p>iven jn stable, tho gnosis 1 - i;v O urro".iidcd •■ y t:.« !.cr.>ino's ihorniiitlihioa*. Tho nov; por:.d "I ho Silor.i Mystery.' 1 i 3 ou;:l '"> ~i>e c:iO if th? most tUriUias" and mystifying j.ictiw «».•• iai j present-"*). Such famous Kranci* Ford. Mao Garten, and Koi*:m.ry Thebv arc in tho cr.st. Tho first epi'K'.i •kv entitled "Errvpt's Th > r/lory }*.•.<: to <i-> wiii: the theft of a i jewel r.i monntar.' pontiniental Tho icw.-l i known !>■•* "Tiir> Kvo of tho Worlj, .ir: i its firat thoft i» from an Iv,'VT>ti;:ti :m::iu:;y r.aso. An American v.omun Focur-..-, th. l jewel, ar.d just as hor <]:iu;;htor ij iK-iu;; ■xeddod a foominßlv detached ! n v .» .1 revolver chnt -,vhio!i kills Use bridofrroo'n. Numerous nituatintto follov.', the* fact that many • ? tiio iriofts nt aTO Rii?j)icion for tho inurii- r used to full el ram :i oft.'ct. Suiiportin.; films are a Macl: Kcr.nott comply, ••llearts and Flowers," i* Brny "Fcnciir-j in Japan," and an American Oarotlo.

CRYSTAL PALACE. A Lip triple bill h announced for iho Crystal Paluou this v.-o-k. Tlio features a drama, starring Junet Alexander, on titled "The Treasure of Hon von," :KkrpU.-l from the celebrated novel of that name- by Mario Corclli; a. Chaplin comedy, jx-.rtrayin-T tho always popular comedian ir. "Charlie's Picnic": nirj, by spccial arrangement with the V.'oatlarvl Chamber of Commerce antl tlu> Canterbury ProijTew Lea-ruo, a photographic masterpiece, "A Tour Through "Wcstlard. showing beautiful «*-e:ics of New Z-i-.-ilin i ' mapnifioent gcencry between Otira an t "Waiho Glacier. Tiiis is procliU2-.r-d by Mr T. E. Y. Keddon. M.P., c<; tho Ix-st Now Zealand fcnif picture over produced. and specially t:d:en by tho Government vh->-prior at the request of t'ly- "Uostlsnd Chamber of Commerce. Members o< :h? Prepress League, ChamVr "f <.'<.n;:.-K-r< Tunnel Loafjuo, Automohilo Ae.'oriaiion, ai.d other bc-lioß are RTX-ciallv 'rvifced tv tii'vii* nniquo views of I*h-c j t Coast. 1 iw» filr:! is in two port* of 2000 fort each; lif Cr«t section win "bo eciwned to-day. ami the r---portion will lv* «*ho\vTi an from Monday r.ext. The Crystal Palace Orobe«lr:ii Qanri-ct Trill ::itr<xiuor- sorno r~w nn'ler tho conductnrshir) .if Mr ]! >bt. P. Kirk. r.nAXTI THF.ATI'.K. Tf>-d.s.v a now prosrsinmo wiil io pref-n'o i at tho Grand Theatre. Tiie bili 11 l:cailed by A Perfect Lady"--a wonderful fiu'-cess—]>rc-luccil bv GoUhvyn, anj featuring Kt-ntit-dv. This i-" slatod to ho o:.j of tlio best picture;? product-! during t!ipast twelve nionthp. It lir.3 been adapt/.d from the weli-kiKiwn story by T'lianninc Po'.loclt and Itcnnold Wolf. "A Perfcet Ixidy" combined everything that justifK-j tlio popularity of Madpo Kennedy, the favmmti- of millions of cinema lovem, nr-.d L 9 :ol;imivlrJgcd a» ono of Ih.i most miccessful plays "over staged or scroefted. Tho r.-.rpixjrt s. which aro of .t varied churact.»r, includo the tenth instalment of "Stinqv.rco," u liumriroi:R Christie comcdy, and other cxrxjlent l : l;ns. Seat 6 may l>o booked at tho thoatrr, tc!ephono 29M. "DE LPXE AKNTE," AT KVEUYBOnVP. Another his: ultnulion to be wm week ut Kvor-vbody's Tlir;itie, in tho i'< re<Mi \-ersioa of "JDc Lu.w Annis," 'ho drama ;ha.: woa proaentcd so micccwfully nuito rccvclly throughout IKe-.v Zealand by iLi.vs Polini. Norma Talmadge. tojjother v.-ith Euircne O'Brien, and an ulUstar cast, iwceed in mnkinj; a production wliich c-i:: be claimed to be highly cr.terfaininc. "l-o J/uxo Annio" ia a that is filial v.-itli 6u.-ponso and has a wonderful Tl-.-ro is probably no f;lm star moro ti:i;:-.en'Jy euitod for the role of Xan than Norma T.il-ma-Jije, whose on "ho tc:eon l-.as I t-cn I phenomenal. llcr portrayal of tho lovely young w:fo and mother, who by a turn of fate, herK.lt bccon:<-3 on-; of tho crooks and confidence womun that nro l!:n psychological study of Ivcr husband, is easily ono of tlio beet pieces of c:Kiract.?r work this clover actress has done. "He Luso Annio" ia a picture that -.vil! p!ea?o all picture patrons. There is also an cxcelloat list of supporting nnd cpccialiy colecUxl items hy tho orchestra. acatsmay be obtained by No. 4923. "WIRTII BROS. CIIICUS. Air G. Ia Petcreen. a'.lvanre rur-.r.a.jer for Wirth'fl circu?, arrived in Christchurch on Saturday to mako arrangements far t!u> local season. Mr Potorcnn elates that orporicnc«d (jrcat trouble in the south in j grounds for tho location of the hi? j circus, and tho satno diiTicultv :> boinj ei- i in Christchurch.