ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 166, 9 April 1921, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE FORBIDDEN WOMAN.” Clara Kimball Young, who for years has been one of the most strongly entrenched of film favourites, is to be seen at the King’s Theatre this week, in the principal role of "The Forbidden Woman.” Tho play is simple in construction, and tihe work of maintaining the spectator’s interest devolves chiefly upon Miss Young. She appears as Diane Sorel, a Parisian actress, spoiled idol of a public that adores her. Surrounded by every form of luxury, she is exposed at all times to temptations that would speedily oast her down from her exalted position, but for a noble influence that never deserts her —the influence of her friend, Edward Harding (Winter Hall). At Harding’s earnest solicitations, she consents to dismiss forever the reckless young Andre de Clermont (M. Jiquel Lanoe) who is pressing his attentions upon her, regardless of the fact that he is married. The scandal that Harding has feared, however, is not avoided, for the wild de Clermont, learning hie fate in a curt note from the actress, goes to her boudoir and shoots himself. There is the inevitabl sequel of newspaper publicity aid merciless comment in every quarter. Feeling that she can live no longer within earshot of the cruel gos-sip-that is blasting her reputation, Diane goes to America with Harding, and buries herself in the heart of the country. She has become a real "forbidden woman," she must change her name. So it is as Diane Durand that she meets the first true romance of her life In the rural solitudes she encounters a handsome young author, Malcoln Kent (Conway Tearle); but here tho tragedy of her past existence confronts her afresh, in the discovery that Malcolm Kent is none other than the brother of Andre de Clermont’s wife. What the issue is it is best to leave the picture to tell. A feature Of this week’s programme that should prove a great attraction to music-lovers, is the singing of Mr. Warren Bayne, whose numbers last night were The Last Call” “The Grey North Sea, and "Inrictus.” Mr. Bayne has a pleasing, tuneful voice, and his performance was deservedly applauded. It is hardly necessary to state that the King’s Orchestra has a long list of good things to offer, or that the minor pictures of tho bill have been well chosen. A most interesting film is a Gaumont Graphic » depicting the sessions of the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva. A Pa the Review gives charming glimp.-es of a beautiful little French town Lo p uy . The photography of the lastnamed film is in colours.EMPRESS THEATRE. Although a melodrama of the most sensational type, "The Purple Cypher which holds pride of place on thb neiv bill screened at Uprose Theatre yesterday, is one of the most true-to-lite and most punctiliously correct pictures ’=» "1— “ Thp machinations of tho Tongs those secret bodies that out-Mafia the best vindictivo of the Italian vendetta gangsform the theme of the .picture. The highways and byways, the underground opium dens, and the beetling alleys of that Oriental palimpsest, San Francisco s Chinatown, are reproduced accurately in this film. Briefly, the story is as folinxva. Tlirpats of death, signed with the dread and fatal symbol of a Chinese Tong come to a family of three—a father, son, and daughter, the ing the covetous admiration of the long leader. This skeleton plot foims th basis of a startling romance, rich in ns flavour of the Orient, and teeming with local colour redolent of th ® und ®, r "-” rl nn In a word, “The Purple Cipher’ « absorbing photo-play in which interest is never allowed to lag. P .. . larlv interesting, m view of the fact that Tone war was quite recently fought ®S; rerial "The Invisible Hand,” and the latest topical news-

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The big attraction at Everybody’s Theatre Ts an “The Wopder Man, in which French pugilist, Georges Carpentier, is featured "The Wonder Man was included in yesterday’s change of programme, and it was rewarded vitn crowded sessions. Those who went to see “The Wonder Man,” and incidentally to note what a combination of war hero and fistic champion actually looked like were agreeably surprised to find in c™tter a young Apollo, unscarred by SS’ssl iu “ y ax “ were hidden beneath a rather On escer fioTdan exterior. He has all the adaptability for which the French are noted. There is interesting melodrama in a story of whioh the action has been lightened with flashes of comedy. The boxing scenes, the piece de r 63 '®^ o ® of anv Carpentier appearance, though FLX oidy incidental, are the real cTtte of interest. The other pictures shown are well up to standard.

"iSINBAD THE SAILOR.” It is stated that Messrs. J- and N. Tsif have royally provided for playgoers ?n thei; 19M annual pantomime "Sinl ! +1.2 bailor ” The show is spoken of generally as an balunrl entertaining production. me !><“ lets, dances, marches, and g roU P l ”& s be a feature to which more than U usual amount of attention has been deFoted this year. Of the magnificent 2™tumes it is said: In no previous pantomime have been included SU ° E geous creations. From the point d Flew of artistic conception, and beaut ful colour schemes they are said to be sheer driight. It is stated that twenty wonderful scenes will bring tefor® P' a y' sroers amazing achievements ofthescennUnter’s art, which, by the magic of the brush, are said to transfer one , ° fairyland. The msuical side .of the pantomime will appeal strongly to ate The cream of the song successes have been selected from the best available in England and America. It is cif-mied that the production generally J' 111 J’? the most elaborate and complete that has ever delighted pantomime patrons. The cast will include Miss Jennie Hartley (of "Bing Boys on Broadway fame) ns "Sinbad.” Mr. Dan Agar CDa me >’ Mr Jack Cannot (Mr. Sinbad), and Messrs. AVilliam A. Hassan, Colin Crane, Kelso Henderson, Bert Nicholson, Edgeley and Dawe, and the Littlejohn Trope, Misses Nellie M'Carthy, Lima Young, Margot Lester, Elsie Parkes, Etffiel Walker. The pantomime will be presented in Wellington on Thursday week.

SECOND HORACE HUNT RECITAL. Sir George Grove, writing of Schumann’s Symphonic Studies (to be played by Mr. Hunt at tho Concert Chamber next Wednesday), says: "Schumann’s most splendid work in this form, rising to the highest limits of the bravura style of execution." Mr. Hunt will also play "Night Fancies,” by the English composer, B. J. Dale—this will probably be the first performance in New Zealand —and works by Chopin, Liszt and Debussy. Miss Ava Symons will play a Russian air by Zimbalist, LiCbesfieud, Kreisler, and the first movement from Wieniawski’s Concerto, bliss Elsie Kell, who will bo the vocalist, has chosen favourite operatic numbers from Carmen, The Barber of Sevlßo and Pagliacci. These items replace The Persian Garden, which has been unavoidably jxistponed until the third recital on May 4, owing to the illness of one of the soloists. There is already good booking at the Bristol, where the plans are to be seen.