ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 280, 20 August 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE. Katharina M'Donnld is the handsomest and one of tho foremost dramatic artists that wo see upon the screen, and , her association with Thomas Meighan, one of the strongest actors and a producer of infinite resource, makes "The Thunderbolt,” presented at the King s Theatre last everting, one of the most appealing dramatic dishes served up ,in that house for some time past. 'lhe picture commences with young Bruco Corbin nailing AJlan Pomeroy down to a forgery of certain company scrip, and. as he does so, lhe recalls the ancient feud between the 1 Corbins and the Pomeroys in tho Kentucky mountains, Allan Pomeroy as a br>y having been present when, during a (storm, his father shoots old Corbin. Ilf is during that storm •Bruce >S bora, Hut ho has been handed down tha legacy,- of hate, and ho has i Allan where ho wants him —a confessed forger. The young mon consents to tear up the forced papers on one condition only—that Allan’s daughter, Ruth Pomeroy, shall marry him. It is a Utrango marriage;’ one born of hate, and they live together almost as strangers, and in n burst, of rage he tells her that he has only married her because he wishes her to bo the last of tho Pomeroys. But a storm occurs that night, and Bruce, terrified from birth at the thunder and' lightning and quite beside himself, forgets his threat, and leaves tho next morning for South America on a , business trip. On his return a year later he finds his wife a mother. There are recriminations, but some sort of. peace is patched up. At Inst she begs to be allowed to leave him. and does so when his fortunes nre at their lowest ebb. Bruce travels far to redeem his financial position, and returns to’ find his wife in a palatial home. Suspecting the worst, he makes for the child to snatch it from her care, but at this dramatic point there are mutual explanations, and it is a case of a little child loading : both ■to happiness. Miss M'Donald gives a beautifully restrained performance as Ruth, and Air. Meighan Is at his best as Bruce Corbin. Good work is also done bv Forest Stanley ns the constant lover Spencer Vail. The dramatic picture was preceded by a capital farce, entitled "Captain Kidd’s Kids.” in which the efflorescent Harry Lloyd males fun of the 'screaming" order for twenty minutes. The vocalist of the evening was Miss Clarice Norman, the finest mezzo soprano heard in Wellington for a long time. She has n full, rich, sweet-toned voice used with admirable discretion. Her songs were: "Sink, Red Sun,” "Spring’s Awakening," and "It’s Only a Tiny Garden.” Ths King’s orchestra, under Mr. .Austin, played the "Stradella" overture and much good music of a miscellaneous character. QUEEN‘3 THEATRE. Had Houdini’s cat not had a most receptive collar, fastened with ribbon, "Terror Island," screened at the Queen's Theatre for the first time last evening, would n.ot have happened. But, as it was, the jewel was safely hidden, the gang temporarily outwitted, and the 1 submarine made seaworthy. From the foregoing, it may be easily understood that the picture is a "thriller," replete with the interest that "stunts” create, , woven round a plot that has to do with lost treasure and a bunch of villains, Including a 'vampire lady." Houdini, who is an Australian, made himself known to the Australasian public through his skill in releasing himself from all manner of handcuffs, chains, ropes, and wires in a manner that would » make a hardened criminal green with envy. In his time he allowed himself te be thrown into the water handcuffed and leg-chained, with the strongest of steel gags on his mouth, and his arms chained to his legs, locked in a safe, the combination of. which was not known, He survived all these awful trials, and. like some famous boxers, forsook real "stunts” for the less arduous work required by the movies. In "Terror Island” onq is transported by super-sub-marine to a far Pacific island, where live natives who eat the "long pig that speaks,” and dance their devil-dances on the beach under the light of a melodramatic moon. The scenes of the native village, in the photo-play, are ex- , cellent. A touch of gruesome realism j is’ provided by the sight of squirming natives suspended on rough native gallowstrees—a sight, albeit, more gruesome than pleasant. The submarine, which is a vessel after the Jules Verne type, will certainly afford pleasure to those of an inventive turn of mind, ifor there . seems to be nothing it is not able to do. ■ The supporting films ’are of a high or- > der, and the Queen’s orchestra renders ■ appropriate music. Special films, in- i cludin* a New Zealand-made Chaplin ; comedy, are featured nt afternoon ses- ; •ions only. , / ■ 1 , EMPRESS THEATRE. J Acting on the assumption that the ( public like sensation and melodrama with , a new twist, tho new- bill screened at ( the Empress Theatre yesterday was crowded with thrills and daring action. These attributes were provided in the photo-play, "Sky-Eye,” which is the first motion picture in which most of the locale is laid in the clouds. Aeroplanes j just flying around can be seen in any Illustrated newspaper, but in "Sky-Eye" one sees a leap from a plane to a rushing train, a leap from plane, to plane, • and a thrilling mid-air fight in a plunging aeroplane over the heads of spectators madly gesticulating in their horror and apparent helplessness. Of coiitab, there is a sentimental touch to the picture, sensational scenes and an appealing love story being cleverly interwoven. The action centres about the famous Texas oil fields and the United States military aviation field near by. According to the story a Government contract is about to be awarded, and when an unscrupulous oil operator finds out that it is given to his rival lie lays plans for the destruction of *he wells and organises a gang of "sky pinites” to accomplish his purpose. The situation I? further complicated by tho introduction of the beautiful daughter of one of" the oil men. Then follows a series of stunts and thrills in the air and rioting nt the oil wells. Tim supporting films incliide the fourteenth episode of "Tho Silent Avenger,” and topical subjects. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Tho change of programme presented at Everybody’s Theatre yesterday proved very acceptable, including as it did a drama cast of unusual lines, in the shape of the photo-play, "The Woman Untamed.” The main point almut the picture is that it provides tho Broadway dancing, star, Doraldina with a strikingly original background for a series of her characteristic dances, in which she has instilled ail the temperament. abandon, and spirit for which Spanish dancers arc rdhowned. “I ho Woman Untamed" is not without its thrills. A mutiny took place on board ■ the ship which carried tho heroine—a I defenceless girl among a crew of ruffians. So she left the troubled ’hip for the wild shores of an island inhabitnled by cannibals, who wore followers of vague gods, and by a strange turn of fate was accepted as their goddess from the sea. There is plenty of action in the story, especially when a shipwrecked renegade suddenly appears on the. scene, and many are the strange adventures which follow before Doraldina is able to make her way hack to civilisation. As a prologue to the. film a series of dances are given by a. Hawaiian dancing troupe from Mr. .1. Knowsley’s dancing school. Thi« turn is nut on nt the eight o'clock SBurinns. Also included in the programme lire u "Seaside Siren Comedy,” "Bathe Gazette,” and a. Chester outing ntndy.

ENGLISH PIERROTS TO-NIGHT. One of the best-known conifjaniea of its kind is the "English Pierrots," who will visit Wellington, commencing tonight in the Grand Opera House. During their recent season in Auckland, which is a record of seven weeks, most liberal praise was bestowed on tho combination. The "Herald" says: "With tho presentation of an excellent programme the English Pierrots immediately established themselves as favourites, tho initial appearance being marked by a budget of items of music, mirth, and melody that was highly entertaining. The hall was filled to i Is utmost capacity with an audience which expressed every satisfaction with the programme, and constantly demanded encores. Tho feature of the programme was the male quartet. Their singing was harmonious, and their treatment of the "Soldiers' Chorus" from Faust was particularly fine. The English Pierrots present a programme of unusual variety, , including excerpts from opera quartet? line! eolos, latest London sketches, dramatic items, dances, etc., in revue style, under the title of "Bits and Pieces." "A Dud Dream," which is included in tho opening bill, is an original sketch still being shown on the London stage, and is described as being funnier than "Alf’s Button" or "The Better ’Ole." The box plans are at the Bristol till noon, afterwards at the Opera House, where day sale tickets are also obtainable. JASCHA HEIFETZ. The second recital by Jascha Heifetz will be given in Uro Town Hall on Monday evening, and according to the advance booking another large audience will be present to greet the young vir-, tuoso, whose wonderful playing on Wed-} nesday evening last created such enthusiasm. Messrs. J. and N. Tait regret that it is impossible to arrange for Heifetz to visit the South Island, and the Wellington season must be limited to two more recitals, Monday and Thursday next, and these will be the only opportunities of hearing this great artist. Monday night’s programme is of special interest, as it includes ■ 'Bartini's Sonata in G Minor and Mendelssohn’s magnificent work the Concerto in E Minor, which was played by Jascha Heifetz in Petrograd before over 5000 people when he was barely six years of ago. It was this wonderful performance that brought him fame in the musical world. The Chopin-Auer Nocturne in E Minor, Brahm’s Hungarian Dance No. 7, two Caprices by Paganini, and the Wieniawski Polonaise in D Major complete a programme which will surely be appreciated by music lovers. The box plans are at the Bristol, where the concession vouchers for musical students and scholars from schools and colleges may be obtained, and on Monday morning fave shilling day sale tickets will be on sa.e at Ned Perry’s, ALLAN WILKIE SHAKESPEAREAN SEASON. An event of interest to theatre-goers will be the approaching season of the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean company, which is to open at the Grand Opera House on Monday evening, August 29. The company, which was organised in Melbourne nearly a year ago, has toured successfully in Australia, and through New Zealand. The combination is headed by Air. Allan Wilkie and Alisa Hun-ter-Watts. Playgoers will have a vivid recollection of Mr. Wilkie's previous presentations of Shakespeare. I’he plays to be staged during the first week will be “Hamlet" on August 29, "lhe Alerry Wives of Windsor" on August l!(l, "Twelfth Night" on August 31, "The Merchant of Venice" on September 1, "Macbeth" on September 2, and “lhe Merrv Wives of Windsor" on Saturday, September 3. After careful consideration Air. Wilkie has adopted, with completo success, a method by which each play is presented with only one interval, and that is of but eight minutes. Under this system there is no digression from tho action of ..the plays, which, however, are performed in their entirety. Mr. Wilkie, and Miss Hunter-Watts will figure in the principal roles. An exceptionally large company will support, the principals. The box plan will open at tho Bristol on Thursday. Air. S. Malcolm Laughton, personal representative of Mr. Wilkie, will bo available daily at the Grand Hotel between 2 and 3 p.m„ to interview those seeking concessions far scholastic and educational in- , (dilutions. ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS. That very great public favourite. Air. Alexander Watson, will make his farewell appearance in Wellington this even, ing, when in the Concert Chamber he will give his twelfth recital, comprising popular selections from Sir J. Al. Barrio, Rudyard Kipling, Dickens, and Mark Twain. Barrie is represented by "A Holiday in Bed,” Kinlins; by "Mandalay," "The Bell Boy." "The Ballad of the Bolivar.” "The Married Alan,” "The Shut-eye Sentry,” and "Boots,” while "The Flight of Little Em’y” and "Nicholas Nickleby Thrashes Squeers” are the two Dickens items, the recital concluding with Mark Twain’s "Nightmare, or Punch. Brothers. Punch.” Air. Alexander Watson ,will leave for Christchurch by Monday’s boat. COLOSSEUM RINK. Saturday is always a popular time at the Colosseum Rink in Vivian Street. An orchestra is in attendance, and trained instructors are present in order to give gesistance to those who are not proficient in tho new art. There is a pretty balcony cafe, where all manner of dainties are obtainable. "JUDAS MACCABAEUS.” Handel’s "Judas Afaccabaeus” is to be performed in the Town Hell on August 27 by the Choral Union, under the conductorship of Air. Temple White, with a band and chorus of 399 performers. The society has secured the services of Aliss Rosa Alba, the great oratorio soprano. Tho Sydney “Bulletin" said: "Rose Alba’s voice has all tho limpid beauty of Melba's, coupled with the freshness of a boy ’ chorister’s.’’ Aliss Phyllis Massey will be the contralto, Air. Hubert Carter. of Palmerston North, has been engaged for the tenor role, while the important bass part will bo sustained by Mr. Arthur O.ikey A full rehearsal will take place on Tuesday evening in St. John's. HARMONIC SOCIETY. In tho Town Hall this evening the Harmonic Society will give tho second concert of the 1921 season, under the j conductorship of Mr. H. Temple White. | An entirely new programme is being pre- | rented, and six of the eight part songs to be given by the choir of 50 picked voices will lie unaccompanied. The plan will lie open until 12.30 at the Bristol, where seats may be reserved without extra charge. TO-MORROW NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Pago (city organist) will give another of his Sunday organ recitals at the Town Hall to-morrow evening, and the programme is as follows — Borowski’s; Sonata (No. 1); Andante (from String Quartet), by Debussy (1862-1913); E d’Evry’s Idylle; Harmonies du Soir (Karg-Elert); Wagner’s (1813-33) Prelude (to Act 111, "Tristan and Isolde’). and The Gate of lhe Warriors (Bogatyn) r.l Kiev (from Pictures from! an Exhibition), by Moussorgsky. PAOLO AND FRANCESCA. Stephen Phillips has retold the famous story of the unlucky lovers "Paolo and Francesca" in a powerful dramatic form which when presented in London, aroused great interest—the author being hailed as the greatest modern exponent of blankverse drama. Tho play will be presented by Miss Hardirige-Ataltby for the first limo in Wellington at the Concert Chamber for a three-nights’ season, commencing on Tuesday next. Mies Hardmge-

Maltby will be the Lucrezla, and Aliss Linda APlntvre, Francesca, while the brothers Paolo and Giovanni will be played by Air. Theodore Trezisa and Air. Paul Latham, a long cast of minor characters being filled with well-known Wellington performers. Mr. Leo Bupkeridgo will sing a soldier song, and the orchestra will be under Mr. At. Dixon. The box plans are now on view at the Bristol. WHITE CROSS CONCERT. No pains have been spared to make tho concert organised for the purpose of raising funds for the relief of the distress in Ireland a success from every point of view, and it is understood tliat the Town Hall oh Tuesday evening will be well filled. Misses Teresa Af'Enroe and Mabel Esquilant will contribute solos, ami also « duet. They will be supported by other well-known artists, and by the winning choirs of the Thomas Moore competitions. M'Laugnlin's orchestra has been engaged. Io suit the convenience of Hutt and Petone residents the programme has been so arranged that it will finish nt 10 p.m. sharp, thus enabling those who desire to attend tho concert to have ample time to catch the 10.30 train.