ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 245, 11 July 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE MIKADO." Th# Williamson Gilbert-Sullivan Company played "The Mikado" twice at the Grand Opera House on Saturday, and had a very appreciative, audience on each occasion. Two generations of Engjishspeaking people have revelled in the captivating music and evergreen humour of this play, and a third generation was represented strongly at the matinee on Saturday afternoon. The production does not seem to have lost any of its charm by long years of repetition. Less dependent than some others of the Gil-bert-Sullivan plays on tho topical allusions of pa.it days, it is as genuinely witty now as when it was written nearly forty years ago. Its music presents the very essence of Sullivan’s genius, a. striking proof of its vitality being offered in- the fact that to every audience of to-day. as of yesterday, many ’of tho airs are familiar. Tho Williamson company does full justice to "The Mikado.” Mr. Charles Walenn is a most amusing Ko-Ko. with enough of originality to maintain fully the interest of the part, and Miss Patti Russell is a charming and tuneful Yum-Yum. Miss Thelma Carter and Miss Vinia do Loitte form with her the trio of maids. Mr. James Hay is a very effective Nanki Poo, and Mr. Frederick Hobbs gives a worthy characterisation of tho Mikado. The work of the chorus is particularly good. "The Yeoifien of the Guard,” certainly the most pretentious of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, will be presented on Wednesday evening, and theatregoers are asked to note tho alteration in the matinee day this week, the "Yeomen" matinee being held on Thursday afternoon. Tho story of Jack Point, and the portrayal of life in the historic Tower of London, provides Gilbert with a story far more serious than in his other librettos. but yet there is much of that subtle humour for which the author was so famous. The music also attains a very high standard. It is Sir Arthur Sullivan at his best. It is real light opera, far too delicate in ita musical speech and quaint in its manner to bo classed ns mere comic opera. On Friday and Saturday next the evergreen “Pirates of Penzance" will be presented. KING’S THEATRE. Constance Talmndge is seen in “Tho Temperamental Wife," now screened at the King's Theatre. As Billie Billings, married to one Smith, who is described as so saintly mid virtuous a man that ho "hadn’t even a single redeeming vice,” she is fully occupied in teaching her husband his “proper place," and so engrossed is she in this task that when she learns her husband employs a pretty and youthful typiste, tho news conics as a bombshell. The latest Larry Scmon comedy is also included on the programme. A ’cellist, Signor G. Martinongo, and the King’s orchestra add to tho enjoyment of the entertainment. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. "Oh, Boy,” at Everybody’s Theatre, is a clever comedy with a highly amusing story.- Tho cast is led by June Caprice and Creighton Hale. Larry Senion, in his third comedy, "The Sportsman, produces many laughs. The supporting bill is strong. EMPRESS THEATRE. “The Still Alarm,” a melodramatic photo-play, is screened at tho Empress Theatre. The picturesque charm and romance of the original story has been carefully adhered to, and the thrilling fire scenes have been depicted in a manner which was impossible on tho stage. In the making of these scenes seven fire brigades were used to fight the flames. The supporting films are good. QUEEN’S THEATRE. A very large audience, entirely filling the house, witnessed the screening of the new programme at tho Queens lheatie on Saturday. "Torn Sails” is full of tho atmosphere, the customs, the legends, and the traditions of the Welsh coast and villages in which -its scenes are laid. If the brighter aspects are preserved, the darker threads which run through the skein of the humble villagers’ lives arc described with grim power. Dual roles fall to the lot of each of three players in "The Cheaters,” the Metro production, in which May Allison is featured. The story shows the activities of a clever trio'of .Hindu fakirs. May Allison plays the role of a girl who. through the influence of her associates, sees only the wrong side of life. STRAND THEATRE. A change of programme will be made at the Strand Theatre to-day, with "Don’t Ever Marry," a six-reel comedydrama with Wesley Barry in an important part. This youthful star has become famous after his performance in "Dinty” and "Go and Get It,” and it is claimed that ns the bell-boy in "Don't Ever Marry” he is at his best. The picture tells ft mirthful story of a matrimonial mix-up, and shows the folly of not taking married life most seriously. The production is i>v Marshall Neilan, and is of the usual high standard set by the First National Company. A good supporting programme will also be screened.