AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17108, 1 April 1921, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL.

MARIE TEMPEST COMPANY. Unfortunately Miss Marie Tempest wa6 still indhposed last evening, and was again unable- to appear with her company in tho amusing comedy, "The Duke of Killiecrankie." Miss Doris Gilham again successfully took Mirs Tempests part a? Mrs Mulholland, widow of the "Glue King," and her interpretation of the p?.rt and the acting of the rest of the capable cast were much appreciated by the large audience. Several artistic violin eoli by Mi.-s Nellie Black during interval* added much to the evening's pleasure.

■'MARY GOES FIRST" TO-NIGHT. "Mary Goes First" will be produced tonight, when Miss Marie Tempest, who has recovered from her slight indisposition, will appear in the leading role. A clever th«me and brilliant dialogue, combined with an original story, ere the chief ingredients which have made "Mary Goes First" one of the most successful comedies written during recent years. Mary is the wife of Dick Yvhichello, an English gentleman, who is really a loveublc fellow, but wlio has no ambition in life other than to enjoy his game of golf, which mounts to an obsession wiili him. Sir Thomas Boldsworth, Whichello's rival in a political club, is possessed of iui overwhelming confidence in him'self,- btegot by the acquirement of riches. Lndv Boldsworth betrays a tendency to drop her h's. Both these attributes constitute the stock-in-trade of the two social climbers. The new knight and his illiterate wife aspire to reach the highest pinnacle of gentility, and, as may be eupposed, the other has taken advantage of their entry into society to make their deportment one long pas. Mary Whichelio cordially hates the nouveau rich wife of the industrial magnate, and it is her frigidly polite reception of her bete noil' that the author has seized the opportunity to use in the dialogue which compels delighted interest from any audience. The clever repartee of Man' at length ■ penetrates the epidermis "of the woman at whom her shafts nre launched, and, after the knighthood has been worn, to a frazzle, an open rupture between them duly occurs. Eventually Mary, her temper getting the better of her reason, blurts out something which her rival construes into slander, and a legal action is the result. Interest from here is so keen that the audience is kept on the qui vive. This description of a portion of the plot will give playgoers an idea of how Miss Tempest shines in o character like that of Mary. "OUTCAST." "Outcast" will bo presented to-morow evening and repeated on Monday for tho farewell performance in the .South Island by Miss Tempest, Mr Browne, and their World-Tour Repertoire Company. Hubert Henry Davis's social indictment, "Outcast," is claimed to be the greatest W ork of the great playwright, and its-.ntmospliere and general treatment is ir most interesting contrast to his ' Oounii Kate." Tho masterly manner in whicb. Davis handles his difficult. Meme has been eulogised by the leading dramatic critics of the -vorld. Whilst the subject matter is ndruittedly "not nice," it is, as written by Davis and developed by Marie Tempest, stated to be so clean and dignified in treatment tha' its presentation has been welcomed as a fine moral lesson to the coinmunHy. It indicates -mm.'s'fakably that when the laws made by sociciy are set at defiance situations arise which iec-ome almost inipossib'r* of solution. Suffering, and pain are inflicted on those whom we-would least wish to hurt, and to all the spiritual and mental agony resulting 'Alie-re is added thaJt most cruel of soul-tortures—remorse for actions brought about by so'lfishness. Entirely however, from all sociological questions, the play itself, judged merely as a play, is described us "di-amaticnlly splendid," and the "Miriam" of Marie Tempest dwells' in the minds of all as a cherished and treasured memory.

OPERA HOUSE. Walter George's Sunshine Players received a hearty reception at the Opera Houso last night, in tho sparkling playlet, "The Belle of Burmali." The vaudeville section was well filled by a talented assembly of artists, including Baisden and Keeley and Aldous. ■There will be a matinee to-morrow.

"HUMORESQUE." . Fannio Hurst's greatest story, "Humoresque," has been adapted to the screen as a Paraniount-Artcraft Royalty Masterpiece, and will bo screened at Everybody's Theatre all next week, commencing at the matinee on Monday. It is a tale of youthful genius and mother . love, with the ■ scene laid in the -slums and high society of a great city. Miss Hurst, who is regarded as one of the most vivid and prolific short story writers of the age, is right at hoine j in; portraying all the lights and shades of life, and ■". JHunoresque" is said ,to contain intense heart-aippenl. Humour • and pathos are deftly mingled m the picture by a wonderful cast of players, headed by Alma Rubens, and including Uaßton Glass and Vera Gordon. The Chicago "Tribune" says: —"There's just one reason why 'Humoresque* takes its place among tho big pictures of the day. It is.-. a . great picture because it is a human picture. It brushes away superfluities and goes straight to the heax-t. You're surprised at the smile on- your face—but smile- you do. The wetness on your face is a tear. You didn't know you were crying. That's 'Humoresque:' " As a picture "Humoresque" stands absolutely alone as a motion, picture. Whnt is probably its greatest record: is the- fact that it ran for twelve weeks continuously when first released at the New York Theatre, and was then, only withdrawn because another production could no longer be deferred at that theatre. A similar state of affaire has provaiied in ' New Zealand. In 'Auckland it ' ran for three- weeks, and in Wellington it has just concluded a four weeks' season. The management of Everybody's anticipate huge crowds'for the Christchurch season) 'which will be .limited to six days only, aii'd strongly advises all who can to attend the day session and avoid the rush at night: A specially selected musical programme' will be given by Everybody's ''Select" Orchestra, ■nnder the direction of Mr "W.-J. Bellingham,' F.S.M. Among other items, Dvorak's violin solo, "Humoresque," will be played by Miss Irene Morris, and a violoncello solo, "Kol Nidre" (Hebrew melody) by Mr Francis Bate. The box plan fqr tho whole season is now" open, at The' Bristol, and seats may either "be booked there or at the theatre. 'Phone 4925 ;

"THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER" AT THE LIBERTY. The programme to bo presented at the Liberty Tlrtatre to-morrow has as its principal attraction "The Mnri from Snowy River," directed and produced by Beaumont Smith, who has to his credit a list of notable successes. "The Man from Snowy River" is a production of ■universal appeal, and is a remarkable and exceedingly delightful picturisation of "'Banjo' Patterson's Australian classic, and introduces all the familiar characters of the poem.. Some of the scones were filmed at the home of the real -man from Snowy River, and others around the Mulgoa. district, m ths Blue Mountains and along the banks of the Nepean River. It is an excellent and entertaining subject, and is irresistibly Australian from first, to last. A powerful company of accomplished players is headed by Cyril McKay and Stella Southern, with Charles Beetham, Tal. 'Ordell, Robert McKinnon, and others in important parts. The supporting programme consists of the Pathe Gazette, Topical Budget, "The Suitor," a Larry Semon comedy, "Cinema Travel Series" (scenic), and delightful vocal numbers, by Miss Lily Glover, the popular soprano, who will make her final appearance before leaving for Australia. Miss Glover will sing "Love Will Find a Way," "Lazy Mississippi," and "My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown."

THE DAVIS CUP MATCH. 01 great 'interest to local players is the motion picture of the tennis matches for the Davis Cup recently played at Auckland. It is the work of the Big Chief Production, and represents one of their first releases of films produced in New Zealand. It is their intention to promote the industry in New Zealand, and on Mr Fulton's return to Auckland the firm will launch out on . a programme of Maori dramas and comedy. These interested in local production and in furthering- the interest of the Dominion by this recognisea method should see this film, for the photography is very clear, every detail being distinctly seen The whole production compares more than favourably with the American films. . The Davis Cup picture will be shown at the Grand Theatre for a week, commencing on Saturday. A private screening was well attended by the leading tennis players on Wednesday. The production is a very striking and comprehensive record of the detail and general trend of play. The film, opens with scenes of Auckland's harbour and the lauding of the team. Then follows views of. tile city- &n<£ -each of the players, comprising the teams seen at actual practice serving and receiving. One can follow the method of Gerald gaitersou, 'Who is generally considered to have"the most perfect service in the world. Brooks is specially featured, also Tilden, Johnston, Washburn, and Hardy. The arrival of the Gover-nor-General and the officials is followed i>y the tribute to the, memory of Anthony Wilding, who made it possible for the matches to be played in New Zealand, and who helped to win and hold the cup for four years. The spectators are seen on the high stands, and then the play is depicted. It is ao well portrayed that it is almost as good 03 being at the match iteelL