AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17106, 30 March 1921, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. '•COL'SIX KATE." A lare* audience, and a highly STO"**™* one, witnessed the presentation of tJw «*f; Crania, "Cousin Kate" by JI» sg« Tempest and Mr Graham Browne and tho.r talented company at the Theatro Hojalliart ni-ht. The .piece is not one. that S hich in conception as others an Miss lompesk repertoire, .and neither tbe comedy 'nor the <l.«ii>a, cf which it cotwiw, u of the brightest or the highest quality, in lew capable hands it is quite possible, that u would Ml to impress, and would Jea\* t..t audience somewhat unmoved, .bast ni = m , production owed its success in a veryifliL'C measure to the admirable presentation or the title role by Miss Tempest. Her perfect and convincing naturalness of manner and expression, t!w equal facility shown by her in the comedy parts and ;n the sentimental portion?, mado the character of Cousin Kat* vividly nsii. It w tho Elron?f *t pa--t in ,-hc plav. and Miss Tempest wi_theut doubt fullv <xlip itsted its possioihtirs. Mr Biowno was cast in the part of » youns Iri=h aristocrat, somewhat romantic in cli:i;f c*«r vet not without a keen appreciation cf the "hunio:u- of t Flings. He save, an ™" cellent interpretation of the charac-.er, lus spontaneous humour and his penectly natural manner adding to Hie enjoyment cf the part. The siibordinnf-j characters were capfbly represented. Miss Dorothy Hamilton, sa "Cousin Kate's" cousin, was happily cast, and her flawless elocution was noteworthy. IHss Doris Gil ham was die scheming mother, ■Mr Herbert Wiliiard'was satisfactory in the part of Uie Rev. James Bartlett, and other parts were filled by Mr Frank Allanby and Miss Amorcl Kemp. Tho utilisation oi draped hangings for scenio effect, in place of tho customary painted scenery, is a notewort hv feature of the staging of "Cou?m Kate,'"' the result being entirely phasing and highly satisfactory.

"THE MARRIAGE OP KITTY" TO-XIGHT.

It was in "The Marriage of Kitty," winch is .to ba at the Tlwatro Royal tnis evening, thai Miss Marie Tempest iirst created a- furore in high-class comedy m Loudon, after ei\e> had been the idol of England in musical comedy for years before. Some idea, of the triumph Miss Tenipeat achieved mav be gauged by the fact that her creation" of the name part was responsible for the three years' run enjoyed by "Tho Marriage of Kitty." Miss Tempest s name has been associated with tho success cf "The Manias* of Kit'.y" in almost every part of the world. This is doubtltas duo to the fact that the author of it had tho famous Miss Tempest in his mind when hj» created the play. "The Marriage of Kitty" is a. comedy -translated from the French by Cosmo Gordon Lennox. The dialogue, crisp and jointed, runs with rippling smoothness. There is a groundwork of sound sens? behind its deliglitiul pj.?a?niitries, while «■ strong and sustained interest is maintained through its many neatly turned situation?. This, of course, reflects on the characters themselves as one not© of melody modifies another, and simply because tho character she plays has a genuine humaraly behind it, Miss Tempest has an opportunity of showing what is perhaps the most attractive feature of her genius, and tha/t is its essential womanliness. Mr Graham Browne id, without doubt, one of the finest comedy actors who have visited Now Zealand, and there ia also no doubt Mint his characterisation of tho part of Sir Reginald Belsize is one of liis very best creations. The other members of the company are, it is stated, congenially placed in "Tho Marriage of Kittv." To-morrow night "Tho Duke of Killieerankie" will be revive!, on Friday "Mary Goes First" will be produced, and on Saturday and Monday lio groat dramatio sensation, "Outcast," will bo presented. •OPERA HOrSE. A holiday attendance patronised tho bright vaudeville programme given at Fuller's Opera House last night. The first part was occupied by Hulev and Bent, the Two Fishe-rs, Baisden, Keeley and Aldous, Miller and Rainoy, and Ca.pt. Chas. Era.rd, all of .whom were .well received. Walter George's Sunshine Players provided a merry hour with the miniature musical comedy, "Tho Belle of Burmah." GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. Seating- accommodation was again' fully occupied at the Crystal Palace last night, and the fine holiday programme submitted was enjoyed by all. Heading the bill is "The Great Redeemer," a tense and. powerful drama, which, should bring quiet •thoughts to en-en ithe most pronounced scoffer at Christianity. Another attraction is "Beautifully Trimmed," starring C&rmel Meyers. The music supplied by the Symphony Orchestra' ia quito up to the standard set by thai talented combination. "HTTMORESQUE. ; ; • Hailed by critics everywhere a* one of the greatest screen- creations- of ull time, the Paramount-Artcraft Royalty masterpiece, ''Humoresqup," wiH be shoiun at Everybody's Theatre next week, comniancinc at the matinee on Monday. The picture was adapted from the famous story by Fannie Hurst, which, in its turn was founded on the immortal melody by Anton Dvorak. \Tlie cast is headed by Alma Rubens, and includes Vera Gordon and Gadton Glass. As a picture standing absolutely alone in the annals of motion picture records, "Humoresque" is claimed to be undoubtedly alone. What ia probably its. greatest record is the fact that it ran for twelve weeks, continuously in its first release, New York Theatre, and was then only withdrawn, because another production couH no longer be deferred at that theatre. In other big cities it has had extended runs of six and eight weeks, where previously the seasons were only of one week's duration. In Auckland it ran for three weeks, and has just completed a fourweek season in Wellington. It is confidently expected that hug© crowds will attend the soreenings of this picture in Christdhurch. The management of Everybody's advise intending patrons to book their scats eai-ly, and thus avoid disappointment. The box plan opens at The Bristol to-day, and reserved seats may be obtained there, or by telephoning 4925. LIBERTY THEA-TitE. Tha dramatio film, "Sox," featuring Louise Glaum, was shown to *a full house at the Liberty Theatre last nighfe There is also a very good musical programme, the chief attraction being the tongs by Miss Annie Duff. EVERYBODYiS THEATRE. No one can help laughing while watching the tribulations and antics of Fatty, Aibuckle as shown in "The Round Up" at Everybody's Theatre this week. * QUEEN'S THEATRE. '. The, programme at the Queens Theatre this week includes a comedy-drama, "Blind Man's Eyes," a Charlie Chaplin number, and an allBritish production, "Sweet and Twenty." GRAND THEATRE. The headliners at the Grand Theatre this week are "The Wonderful Chance"' (Eugene O'Brien), and a comedy, "Words and Music By" (Ray and Fair). . ■ - «ft STRAND THEATRE. The continuous pictures at the Strand Theatre were enjoyed by large a.titendances yesterday. Tom Mix in "Desert Lsve." is the chief attraction. TMDGSWAYS CIRCUS. Ridgway'a company of buckjumpers and YRU'ieville artists pea-formed last night in a large tent at the corner of Manchester and St. Asaph streets ito a large number .of ap»ctators, who were kept keenly interested and amused. The equestrian feats of Queenslaud Harry were a feature of the entertainment. The final performance in Christchurch will be given to-night.