ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 95, 15 January 1921, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BLIND HUSBANDS.” Interesting in more ways than ono is the Universal Jewel feature showing at the Grand Opera House, under tho title of "Blind Husbands.” The story possesses genuine dramatic strength, and the scenery amid which it is enacted is beautiful in the extreme. The mountaincoring scenes are magnificent. An entertainment given by -Mlle. Irma Caron before the screening commences is varied and pleasing, KING’S THEATRE. Quite frequently it may be said of the programmes presenter! at the King’s Theatre that the attractions of the music provided are no whit behind tho .attractions of the pictorial items. In the case of tho programme introduced to'the public last night it is questionable whether the music did not outshine the pictures. Signor Roberto Romani, the operatic basso, whose season began a little more than a week ago, eclipsed his previous performance in tho songs that he rendered last night. The recitative and aria, "She Alone Charmeth My Sadness” (Gounod), was interpreted in a fashion that displayed to rare advantage the. beauties of the magnificent music. Signor Romani sings as a true artist, with feeling and with understanding. His “Invictus” rang out strong and sincere, and his "Will o’ the Wisp" finely expressed tho triumphant mockery with which Jack o’ Lantern vaults his sinister powers. With Hosmers “Chinese Wedding Procession” the King’s Orchestra scored a distinct success The piece gained prominence from the fact that it was played as uti entr'acte, but it was really deserving of little more praise than many of the other delightful selections that accompanied the screening of the pictures. Tho principal dramatic production, was a Norma Talmadge flint bearing the title "The Woman Gives As ever, the acting of Miss Talmadge was extremely pleasing, and the only fac to be regretted was that the situation of the play hardly seemed to afford hei the opportunity of exercising her charms to the full. To a slight extent interest was lacking, but certainly neither Miss Talmadge nor the supporting n>emboiB of the company deserved the blameif or that "Schooldays” was the title ot a comedy in which Larry Semon went about the business of laugh-gethng with his usual success. His absurd expo ences in Dreamland, kept the attendance thoroughly amused.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The glamour and romance of Old Spam -the Spain of the bull-ring and Carmen, of the matador and toreador—is the key note of the fine photo-drajpa that head the new programme at ® Theatre. The past is revived > and the many oxciting phases of the life matador, the darling of the Spanish mob, are faithfully delineated on the screenThe bull-ring appears several times i the production, and the kinematograph producers claim io have faithfully reproduced the arena from the famous amphitheatre at Barcelona, and the centum old ring, of which Blasco Ibanez wrote, at Valencia. A remarkable feature ot the play is the selection of the eminent Japanese actor, Sessue Hayakawa to play the role of Lopez, the Valencian. Ihe actor proves himself completely suited for the different requirements of his exacting role. He is well known to Wellington audiences for his work in many dramas of tho East, and his forsaking of Asia for Europe, and tho land of the Moors, as far as his acting in the play shows, has not harmed him. The story is poignant and swift in its action. Briefly, it tells of tho vicissitudes experienced by the matador, Lopoz, who believes himself to have been wronged, and thinking thus, whether on tho sanu of his arena, or in his bhrranca» deteimines on a monstrous aiitl inhuman revenge. Outlawed, he ravishes tho countryside, despite frequent, encounters with the rurales and gendarmerie. The climax comes suddenly and unexpectedly—and the watcher scarcely realises that the revenge has been foiled, so exciting is the picture. In addition to the principal, film, a Larry Semon comedy adds a touch, of humour to the performance. EMPRESS THEATRE. The change of programme screened at the Empress Theatre yesterday proved very acceptable, and all sessions were crowded. Of several attractions the principal one was a particularly interesting photo-play in the shape of ’ A Master Stroke," in. which Earle'»»iiliams makes a welcome reappearance. The theme of the drama is a sensational plunge on Wall Street, New York, which saved the Hero's life and won him a wife. The principal plays the part of Yale Durant, who had idled through existence for nearly thirty years, squandering a fortune, only to live more in four days of real action than he had before in , all the previous portion of his life. Tho thought of a girl saved his lite. It gave him a new start and caused him to plunge into Wall Street and put over “a master stroke.” In a sense he was a lamb among bulls and bears, but by a strange twist of fate he led' them all and ended a financial feud which had been waged for years. It is a picture filled with comedy, love, and suspense. Tho hero found 1 that a woman controlled Wall Street, and that n single word from her and tho balance would tip in either direction. Ono way she would become a heroine, and her employer would win a financial victory. The other course offered her no reward, and would spell ruin to those who trusted her. Yet when Yale Durant smiled at her she was like clay in the potter’s hands. There is not a dull moment in the story, which has the added charm of magnificent settings. The supporting films include episode eleven of "Smashing Barriers,” a scenic subject, and the latest English Gazette. THE FASHION PLATE DANDIES. The Fashion Plate Dandies, whose season in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hell has opened in such, promising fashion, will .to-night present a change of programme. The greater port of the entertainment dispensed by the company is airy nonsense affording plenty of matter for laughter. George Titchener, the principal comedian; has a big store of natural humour, and a style that readily puts him in the good graces of his audience. The basso, Renn Millar, is an old favourite with the people of Wellington, and his numbers, always tuneful and artistic, are invariably well received. Deserving also of special mention for their ejeverness are Lenora Graham (coniem.r>nno) and Rosa Walton (monologist). Wfli of whom are well in rhe art of pleasing. The Dandies score very heavily in their concerted pieces, especially in those burlesque items which have come to bo looked upon as an indispensable feature of all Dandy programmes. "IRENE." Commencing on Tuesday next, at tho Grand Oprca House, Messrs. J. and N, Tait will present their latest musical comedy success, "Irene,” a production that has just had a particularly successful run in Australia. "Irene’-’ is described as a remarkable play that has something more than the attributes of the ordinary musical comedy. For example, its music and libretto are distinctly above the average. The whole score, it is stated, could be heard without any stage accessories and still provide a delightful entertainment. Similarly the book could be taken in its present form, and on its incident and humour alone would captivate any audience with any sense of comedy. It 18 described as the most, novel musical comedy ever staged in Australia. Ingenious mechanical arrangements provide swift action, while the scenic settings and tracking are said to reach a very high standard. The production deals with the adventures of a little shop girl, who, by the whim of a millionaire, ie lifted

from the drudgery of the department store to the position of a social butterfly. Miss Dorothy South has made good in the name part, while Mr. Chester Clute, the male modiste, and Mr. Thomas Paunceforte,. the inevitable "friend” in musical comedy, are two comedians of repute. Mr. Robert Jowett takes the part of the millionaire, while Miss Georgia Harvey, an old friend, is entrusted with the low comedy role of Mrs. O’Dare, the mother of Irene. The box plans are open at the Bristol.