AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17109, 2 April 1921, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL,

THE MARIE TEMPEST COMPACT.

The comedy, "Mary Goes First. entertained another largo audience at the Theatre Koval last night, and the many amusing episodes provided bv f't~ author. Henry Arthur Jones, gave Mi?s Marie Tempest and her company full uppbrttmitv to demon.-tra to th«r qu.iiitr. The story centred rouiia the rivalry between two queens or would-be -qu'-eus of a Brumma<rcm Focioty m the midlands of England. A knighthood comes to the husband of one. and the balance of power if disturbed and there is trouble, cattish civility, ra=h innuendoes, law suits, and v.-hav-not, all. however, conducted according to comedv principles. ' Finally the other lady finds herself t,he wife of a baronet-, and .there W another upheaval. Hiss Tempest herself took the part of Mr-* Whichello, the Society queen, displaced for a period by Che wile of tJio new knight, and restored to leadership wb,3ii her own husband i 3 made u baronet. Hers was a pari which gave hey ample scope, and the dinner party scer.es, in which the two ladies cut and perry to the consternation of the other iruests. were quite the best in which Miss empest has appeased. Miss Doris Gilliam wis the knight's lady, and ahe- played up to Miss Tempest BplendidIv. Mr Graham Brown-, a3 the muddleheaded politician, who becomes a baronet, was as 'Uvertimf as ever. Mr Frank Harvey, as Felix Gnlpin. a- young lawyer, had a strong part, which he never let down, and excellent work was ako put in by Miss Dorothy Hamilt-m as EMi Smithwood, and Mr Herbert Millard as Sir Thomas Bodsworth.

"OUTCAST.'

"Outcast" will be presented this cvniug and repealed on Monday, when, the season will be brought to a close. Hubert Henry Davis's social indictment, "Outcast," is claimed to bo tho greatest work of the groat playwright, and its atmosphere and general 'treatment are in most interesting, contrast to his "Cousin Kate." The masterly manner in which Davis handles liis difficult theme has been eulogised bv tho leading dramatic critics of tho world. Whilst tho subject matter is admittedly ''not nice," It is, as written by Davis and developed by Marie Tempest, stated to bo so clean and dignified in treatment that its presentation has been welcomed as a. fine moral lesson to tho community. It indicates . unmistakably - that when the law 3 made by society are set Tit defiance situations arise which become almost impossible of solution. Suffering and pain ere inflicted, oi, those whom we would least wish, to hurt, and to all' the spiritual and mental agony resulting there is added that most cruel of sonl-tortures—remorse, for actions brought about bv selfishness. ' Entirely, apart, however, from all sociological questions, tho play itself, judged merely as a play, is described as "dramatically splendid," and the "Miriam" of Mario Tempest dwell* in ">o iinmds of all as a cherished and treasured memory..

OPERA HOUSE. '

"The Belle of Burmah," a musical p'aylet bv 'Walter George's Sunshine Players, and a bright hour of vaudeville entertainment by the several artists, including Bnisdon, will bo .repeated-at the Opera House to-night. There will bo the usual matinee! this afternoon.

"HUMORESQUE." Eacih succeeding year sees a screen triumph which towers above all ot!u>r creations; one "whose gilory is so wonderful, so immense that it will live in history for all time. Unquestionably, t'l'C honour fo.r 1921 falls to "Ha mores-quo," a Pai'.i niount-Aft craft Royalty Masterpiece which sings the eternal story of motherhood triumphant. "Humorssquc" commences a- week's screening' at Everybody's Theatre, at the matinee next Monday. Some idea of -the power of this photo-play may bo gleaned from the . fact -that it ran to capacity business in its first-nm New York house for a period of twelve weeks, and was then only withdrawn to make way for another production. In that period, 300,000 people were thrilled through and through by it, which fact the prominent critios regarded as one of the miracllos of the age. The story is one that is interestingly famous, for it is one of the most successful tlunt has ever been published in the widely-read "Cosmopolitan Magazine." But no sltory—in story fi-rm—-could ever be the glorious living thing that "Humoresque" is. Only flesh and blood oharactqrs, gifted with the power of divino interpretation and guided by the direction of a genius, could give to the world tuoh en amazing creation as this. "Humoresque" is claimed to be the screen's supreme creation. It is a song that will live for'over iii the hearts of .all who see it. In addition to the above attraction a Paramount Artcrait comedydrama will also bo screened. It is entitled "A Full House," and stairs that popular comedian, Bryant "Washburn. A specially selected musical programme has been . arranged by Mir AV. J. Bellingham, F.S.M\, for Everybody's Select Orchestra. Among other items the following will bo played-: solo, "Humorescjue" (Dvorak), Miss Irene Monris"; violoncello solo, -"Kol Nidre" (Hebrew Meilodv), Mr Francis Bate; orchestra, "Schehenazadn." (JT. Rimsky-Korsakow), "Jewel's of Madonna" (Ermanno Wolf-Fer-rari); "L'Oracolo" (Franco Leoni). Huge crowds are anticipated by the management, and it advises all who oan to attend tha 'day sessions, and so avoid the crush at sight. Reserved seats may be obtained either at The .Bristol or the theatre 'phone 4925. "UXDER CRBISOX SKIES." AT GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. ' "The Groat Redeemer," "Beautifully Trimmed," and the current successful programme drew capacity business at Gmsater Crystal Palace last night, and will be repeated today and tonight for ' the last time. The famous Symphony Orchestra will play at both sessions to-day. For next week,. commencing li r onday, the manager, Mr Y. SI, Beebe, will present another fine _ programme* of music and pictufl&s, well up to the high standard sat by tlie big theatre. The star picture is "Under Crimson Skies," another of the Universal-Jewel super masterpieces, with the famous actor Elmo Lincoln in the stellar part, and supported by a celebrated all-star cast of p-luyeira. "Under Crimson Sides" could almost be oalkd a maritime screen epic, and the huge'production is'said by .tie best screen critics to bs "marked by a wealth of imagination, great pictorial effeots, a grandeur of conception, fidelity to type, and' a romantic sweep seldom' found' in dramas of eeafaring life." From a technics! point of view the film is ffawless. Its interest jnd excitement never flags, and there is a memorable punch in the sub-title's, also much Inimour. The production reaches its climax in t'lio beautiful scenes ehowdng a storm at night «on shipboard, with the vessel swept from end to end ' by hug© avalanches of water and epray, and everything on decik awash or afloat. But, apart from all the many natuTa.l scones of gmndeVn-, "Under Crimson Skies'' is a love story of absorbing interest, and has everything in the way of i romance and Adventure that fills the eye and' njind with admiration- . From \ musical point of view Greater Crystal Palace programme will be of much more than ordinary interest, next week, and there will be a liberal interlude of vocal, as well as orchestral items, as'Mr Beebe announces'the engagement, for the night session de luxe,, of the Lyric Four, a, quartet of exceptionally fine vocalists, consisting of Messrs 5. J. Morgan, H. Blakeley, K. More, and E. J. Johnson, who will introduce a string of quaint plantation, melodies, cleverly arranged, and entitled "A Trip Down the Mis-

Tho.e wi'.l also be «u _ excellent and appropriate proirruuime o» nuwio by the fatuous Svmphonv Oivh'atra, under tho able, c-et.dnctors-hip of'Mr Alfred J. Bun*. T!» aiioady big orcheMia- has been increased to twentv-two instruments, and in addition a solo pianist* Mr How-aid Moody has .been engaged for concerto work, an innovation which is sure to bo greatly appreciated by all music-lovers. In addition lO "Uii'ier Crimson Skies" the lengthy programme of pictuios will include one of the nov.il Centiir>- animal comedies, in which a number of Arriciin lions pbv leading parts. Theire wvl also be ihe latest International news film, and a beautiful travel picture. The bos plan is at The Bristol, or sev)ts may be reserved at the theatre 'phone 3755. STRAND 'THEATRE.

At tFie Strand Theatre to-day the new programme will bi headed by "Buck" u«n*s in "Sinii-et- Sprarue," a thrilling story of the Did West. Sunset Sprigue is a happy-go-lrcky ravby looking lor a job on the rouse when he meets a- man who draws him into the quest for a sU.lvii mine which belongs to a- plucky girl. This girl is defying the bandits who killed her father and t-cok l>osFessioii of the mine. Sunset starts • nftor tl»> band, and when he finishes with .them they are glad to disappear and leave the mine to the girl and the girl to Sunset. An additional attraction is Eileen Pe.rcy in "The Husband Hunter." It is a brilliant comedy bordering at times on farce. The story is of a. young girl v.-ho sets out to capture the love of a man she lias nr.-er seen. The picture is a splendid aiht.ptation from F. Scott Fitzgerald's story, "Myra Meets His Family." Eileen Percy enacts the role of Myra Hastings, tJRi voting" woman in question. When the story opens Myra's plan to win Kent "Whitney is well under way. A stonn forces Myra, and Whitney into a deserted house in th? woods and results in the couple being quarantined, they being informed that ecujjnt fever has existed in the shack. Rather than expose Jtvra, to any possibility of being compromise*.!, Kent proposes, and of course, is accepted. Thjen comes Bob Harkiioss, a former suitor of Myra. who loses to time in informing 'his friend "Whitney that his wife-,lo-lje is ii- famous husband hunter. Then the two concoct a. ecliome to 'show Myra. in hex true colours—and from this point tho fun of the piny runs riot. Miss Percy is admirably supported by Em."»ry Johnson lis leading man. An Australian Gazette, a "World's News, and a. Mutt- and Jeff cartoon complete- tho programme.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

"Da.rby and, Joan," an 'eight-reel English play, starring Hull Caine and Miss Ivy.Close, will head the new programme to to shown m tlui Queen's Theatre to-day. It. is a typical Hall Caine story—the immortal story of a boy and girl who loved; though all tho fa tea decree they hate; v.-ho strive through life togetlier as the perfect man and woman, happy in each other, though the cru*l ' circumstances of theJr*-lives trampled them iu the dust of poverty and starvation. Sayle Moore had rejected all the gifts cf creation, and had sunk .his soul in the pursuit of power and wealth. In tliis pursuit, he trampled underfoot all who dared to- stand.in his path. To 'further his own "-"elfish ends he diverted the stream which ToTked the old mill by which the widow Gorry «k<'l out a living. By tliis.act he brought the undying hate of the aid woman and her son Patrick, upon himself. Saylei Moore had but one eaving grace—the love he bore for his only daughter. She well inlovo with the widow's son, and when, after their secret marriage, iSnyle Moore drove his own daughter from his life, .he had reached tho deep Wei of his crafty soul. Out into tho world went these two, who to tit* close of their laves were to each oilier "Darby and Joan." Several supporting pictures will also be'screened.-

GRAND. THEATRE.

The big film to be ■ aorcened in the new piogramme at the Grand Theatre to-day is entitled "Two. Weeks." It is a comedy featuring Constance Talmadge. This popular actress is seen injecting into three cmsty bachelors t'lte subtle: feminine touch' that brings them, woman-haters all, to her feet .in milk? adoration.

Also on the programme is- the film of the tennis matches, for the Davis' Oup. Those who were tinable to make the trip to Auckland will be able to view these'games -practically t as well as if present ait the match, the finn being exceptionally good, and for those who witnessed the contest it will veoall the incidents of tlie game. The"film is not only of the actual play, but includes views of Auckland .harbour and city, and Rotorun, the players at practice, and tho crowds. Each player's style of service and oharacte'ristio strokes oan be obsefved, whilst numbers of exciting rallies ai-e shown in their entirety. In the Doubles the atmosphere of endless movement is conveyed most realistically. .

"THE MAN FROM SNOWY-RIVER" AT TBS LIBERTY.

At the Liberty Theatre to-day an Australian production, "The Man From Snowy River," will be shown. It is a screen version oj "Banjo" Patterson's poem, and' was produced by Beaumont Smith, who has to his credit a long list' of notable achievements. 'The picture is all-Australian, and is ably played by an excellent company, including! Cyril McKay, Hedda Barr, Stella Southern, John Cosgrove, Nan Taylor, Robert McKinnon, and many others. The'photography is said to h* excellent, and there, are some wonderful glimpses of the Australian bush and station life. The picture unfolds a charming and highly pleasing story of univensel apJ peal, and is full of romance, adventure, and thrills. The scenes were filmed in the footbills of the Blue Mountains, on the banks of the Snowy and Nepean Rivera, and round the Mulgoa district. An adequate supporting • programme includes the Pathe Gazette, Topical Budget, "Ciuenia Trawl .Series," No. 25 N.Z.F. Scenic, and "The Suitor," a clever and original Vitagraph comedy starring! Larry Semon. The following vocal, numbers ( will be given by. Mis Lily Glover:—"Love Will Find a "Way," "Lazy Mississippi," and "My Sweet" Little Alice Blue Gown.""

RIDGWAY'S CIRCUS.

The final'performance of Hidgway's Circus will be given tHias evening. The buckjumping is a, special feature of the dhow. Therewill also pe a matinee to-day.

MALE VOICE CHOIR. The Christcfourch Mole Voics Choir announce the opening of their fourth season, with three concerts instead of two, rac«*sitnted bv* greaily increased public pupport.. The first programme of. the season will be pi-esente/l in the Choral Hall on April 23rd, 28th,' and 30th, when the Choir will give, new and favourite part-song's and other items, wliich should please its many patrons.

TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN BECIT.VL.

Mr Pureed Webb.will give his first organ recital of a. aeries in Knox Church this evening at eight o'clock, when some new transcriptions and solos for the organ will be played. Liszt's arrangement of Alabieff's "Nightingale" is among the organ! selections, and vocal solos will be sung by' Miss OJjya Wacked and Mr W. J. Spratt.