ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 149, 19 March 1921, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

"SEX." AT THE KING’S. Louise Glaum’s latest film success, entitled "Sex." which was screened for the first time in Wellington at the King’s Theatre last evening, is a remarkable picture. But it could have been called by the time-honoured saw, "iloiist by His Own Petard," or “A Poland, for an Oliver,” Those who will visit the theatre in order to see a problem play of a propagandist nature, sm*h as the title "Sex" suggests, will leave disappointed; for the story told is conventional, good strong melodrama, with the correct atmosphere of wealth .uii ease to cover over the discrepancies of a well-worn plot. "Sex” is purely and simply a drama of society. It is set nraidet extravagance, and the producers have spared, presumably, no expense in order to secure realistic scenes. The cast —at least the cast of those who matter in the play—consists of five people two wives, two husbands, and a lady after the style of the "wickedest actress In the world" in Rex Beach’s “Auction Block." And the whole story revolves round the doings of these five. As might be expected, the husbands do not fall *n love with their respective wives; but the plot is skilfully woven so that the woman who sought to gain all not bv the way the "wickedest actress," but one of the wives—found herself at the end of the piece broken, forsaken, heartweary. Amid gorgeous scenery, with Louise Glaum in the role of the danseuso with the heart of steel, one sees the hardened woman of the stage advising the youngest member of the beauty ballot to regard no one’s feelings but her own. She is talking thus to the gaping girl when suddenly the distracted wife of the man she had stolen by 1 er wiles bursts into the dressing-room, behind the scenes at the Midnight Follies. There is a scene. "You haven’t been robbed," the actress sneers at the stricken wife. "You’ve only lost semething." And' sho goes back to her Lie of fun a-al frivolity, without another thought for the woman whose broken heart must go through the additional pangs of a divorce. . . . The plot progresses skilfully. Like Pinero’s ' i-'ccond Mrs. Tanqucray,” the actress meets her match—and marries him. The country girl, well trained by the danseuse, as may be expected secures the love of her teacher's husband. She is equally os merciless when her former teacher, on her knees, asks for him back. In effect, that is the story, and it is well tild. The spectator is left to decide where there is culpability; but “Sex” seems to have little to do with, the play. Carrie Lanceley and her Melody Maids presented an excellent musical interlude, which pleased the audience. M’;ss Lanceley sang well the “Jewel Song," Lorn “Faust," and “It Was a Song You Sang to Me," the latter being a pretty modern ballad. She was heard also in "Love’s Garden of Roses” and Roses of Forgiveness," in addition io two encores, “Hey Ho, Summer," and "Barney O’Hay.” Miss Ceoilie Stevens, ychniste, made her greatest hit in tne Leautiiul "Meditation," from Massenet's. “Thais, playing as an encore Beethoven’s minuet, bravely returning after the breaking of a string. The 'celliste of the ]*rty, Miss Middleton, played Homer’s “Reqviem well, and the accompanist, Miss Matts, gave a charming monologue, “Jammy Face." A quartet, “Sweet and Low, could very well have omitted. J InKing's Orchestra played well. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The new programme shown at Everybody's Theatre yesterday is well up to standard, and incluHes a picture of exceptional merit, in the shape of “The A.B.C. of Love.” It is a charming photoplay, particularly suited to the talents and personality of sprightly Mae Murray, who plays the Ratting role. “The A.B.C. of Love” is really a dramatic romance involving the fortunes of rn orphan, as .innocent and ignorant as she is beautiful, A playwright marries her, and finds her adorable in her rustic country setting, only to tire of her wihen he takes her to the city and compares her with his worldly Diana. The settings of the production, both interior and exterior, are delightfully artistic, and Miss Murray makes a very winsome heroine. She wears a number of gowns well calculated to please the masculine as well ais the feminine dye, while Dorothy Green, in the role of an adventuress, displays some bizarre costumes. The supporting cast is strong, and includes 11. E. Herbert and Arthur Donaldson, both of whom figure in some tense dramatic situations. The latest Rathe Gazette and an interesting post-Nature scenic subject are also included in the programme. Reserved seats can be obtained at the theatre or by telephone 50 for to-night’s screening of “The A.B.C. of Love.”

EMPRESS THEATRE. All the ingredients which go to make an acceptable drama are contained in the photoplay, “The Woman Wins," which was screened in the Empress Theatre yesterday. The picture, which was included in the weekly change of programme, has much to hold the interest of the average run of theatregoere in point of mystery, love, and intrigue, and it is enacted amid gettings typically English. “The Woman Wins" has for many the additional attraction of being a Broadwest English production, featuring the talented actress, Violet Hopson, who makes a fine showing. The story is based on the fight which love will make for the honour of a good man traduced, and’ the strength which comes to th© woman who is prepared, if needs be, to fight the whole world in defence of “her man.” With much cunning the men who had sought to destroy the honour and' happiness of an innocent girl were forced jo admit that when it comes to a battle’ of wits the woman wins every time. One of the most dramatic episodes in “The Woman Wins" is where innocent man is sent to penal servitude through a "frame-up," but eventually the great wrong is righted. Other acceptable offerings are included in the programme. UNIVERSAL PICTURES.

The principal attraction on the new programme to bo screened at the Universal Picture Theatre, Island Bay, to-day is "Under Northern Lights,” it romance of love and duty and the North-West Mounted Police. The supports include a Century comedy, "Salome Lions," .-nd the second episode of the serial. "The Vanishing Dagger.” There will bo a matinee porforman.ee at 2.30.

MADAME STRATHEARN TO-NTG.IT.

Madame Jessie Strathearn, A.R.A.M. (London), will give the first of her concerts in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-night, His Worship the Mayor being in the choir. The programme of this entertainment appears in our advertising columns, and should present sufficient variety to please all tastes. 'J he three concerts which are being given are arranged to appeal to the people, and itis hoped that everybody will take tv ’ antage of the moderate prices to bear Madame Strathearn. This lady has sacrificed six months’ professional engagements to undertake this tour for the purpose of raising .230,000 for the Last End London poor—the proceeds go to the West Hain Central Mission, London. Madame Strathearn was a groat favourite with the troops in France, and at her recent concerts in Auckland she received a. great reception. LIMELIGHT LECTURE.

As announced in our advertising col'

urnns, Sister Kathleen, of the West Ham Central Mission, London, is giving a limelight lecture in tho largo Town Hall at a quarter past eight on lunday night. The great work that this famous mission has" been doing for many years paid in the dams of tho East End of .L-.don is not sufficiently known at this erid of tho world, and it is hoped that u good irony people will take advantage of this op-

portunity of hearing the story of the self-sacrificing devotion of the mission workers. The hour for the lecture has l>een fixed at 8.15 so as to enable churchgoers to attend. . Admission is f'oe.