ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 310, 24 September 1921, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KING'S THEATRE. A masterpiece in its kind is 3ho Leopard Woman." which was presented at the King’s Theatre last night. the producer has worked up the atmosphere of his drama with wonderful success, catching in every scene tho very spirit of romance and adventure. Moonlight in Cairo streets, tho burning desert, camp fires in the tropic night—these elements conspire to charm the senses and produce tho mood essential to enjoyment of the story. Ixiuise Glaum and House Peters are the principal figures in tho play. The woman is an .adventuress, bound to the revolutionary element in Cairo; tho man, a true Briton, ready to embark on any enterprise for his Empire's sake. '‘Madame,’' as the woman is called, learns that Culbertson, the man, has been commissioned to est.alilish an alliance between the Government and the powerful King M'tela, in t-ie interior. She swears to defeat him, and , hires a girl to assassinate him. Jhe at- | tempt fails, .and the woman follows the man first to Bajuma, on the borders of tho desert, then into the heart ot the desert itself. Thte desert sepnes are magnificent. By night the tents are weirdly beautiful, with the old moon gazin’’’ down on them. .There is a inw encounter between -the man woman in the nocturnal quiet—a blaze■ of passion that the man. warned by h s sens- of duly, tries to extinguish.-The woman, raging at his escape, orders her seiwant, Chake, a block of splendid ph>h ’"o to murder him in his tent The story takes ninny turns before Madame and Culbertson both find themselves camped on M’tela's land. _ One of t m memorable sfahtu remaining at this stage is the approach of troops m the darkness, their coming marked at first only by a faint, twingling P’’° c " torchli-his on a distant lull- 1 *>e Smrnent of the story will meet with approval. Perhaps one. to mentioned. in praising the desert scenes, that first to ensure compete realism the producer has made his hero shoot a zebra before the eye of the camera The zebra, surely, is a masterstroke. Louise Glnum's acting is good and the acting of House Peters is pmhaps even better. “The Leopard Moman'' is screened to the accompaniment of beautiful music. A Harold Lloyd force-comedy. one of the brightest seen for many days, is among the supports. Mr S Turrell sang last night. He van L have given three selections, hut the snot-Pmht was shut oil after the second ilem, and the audience did not protest. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Eairv tales are wonderful things—for children. Por when one “grows up amt finds’that reality is ever-present while castles in the air invariably topple from their lofty pinnacles and crumble into the dust of cynicism and unhappiness, one learns, that the present must bo taken into account, no matter what tho future brings. “Bovary-ism” and makebelieve cannot but b. discountenanced, and although the Cinderella of the story-book lived happily ever afterward, the Cinderella of to-day pays heavily ever afterward', while the world, which finds it easier to condemn than condone, curls its lip. Tho foregoing, although merely la few words w the theme of one of the finest photoplays that has yet been screened in Wellington; a propaganda play, a. problem play, if you will, but yet one that leaches its lesson and teaches it well, without unnecessary sensation and distasteful episode. It is entitled “Forbidden Fruit/' and was screened to packed houses at the Queen’s Jheatro yesterday, at both sessions. After the screening, appreciation of the picture was evident, and those who saw it could not help commenting as they emerged into tho street. Lavish from the point of view of mere production, wonderful in tho beauty of the few exquisite “fairy’’ scenes that are woven throughout the fabric of the play, striking by the general excellence of the cast, the photoplay is of a type which unfortunately is not seen often enough in 'Wellington. Theatregoers are fickle-mood-ed, and require much pampering before they will admit having been impressed; but there is no doubt that “Forbidden Fruit”, achieves its object. Agnes Ayres, the Californian beauty, is the star, and she is supported by Knthlyn Williams, a veteran of the screen, and a strong male cast. Miss Williams over-acts in some scenes; but that is pitactically tho only blemish in tho play. The old fairy tale of tho glass slipper and so on is the real basis of tho story. When the chance camo to n poor seamstress to become a beauty merely because one of her mistress’s guests could not attend a. dinner party, she took her place, and l joined the ranks of hedonists. The iconoclast camo in Hie form of tho loafing husband, who, like a Hash, broke town the delicate fabric of her happiness, and left her, like Cinderella, standing on the stairs in rags as the clock struck the midnight of her joy, with the prince at the foot, perplexed, . stricken. However, Nemesis,i in the form of ft butler, who had served in best families and -also in gaol, gave Cinderella her chance —and the climax is splendid. Good music is played by tho Queen’s Orchestra. EMPRESS THEATRE. Pelham Grenville Wodehouse has written some excellent humorous stories for tho “Saturday Evening Post,” and "A Damsel in Distress," his latest effort, is no exception to the rule. It is brimful of .light humour of the most acceptable order which is woven around a series of novel situations. Tho story has been adopted to tho screen, and yesterday it headed tho new bill presented at the Empress Theatre. 'The leading roles in "A Damsel in Distress” are played by Juno Caprice and Creighton Hale, who are very happily cast. As to the theme of the photo-play, tho heroine is living with her mother and mint. The father js eccentric and has retired wealthy, and gardening is his hobby. The aunt has a eon, Reggio Byng, and she is ambition? to have him marry tho girl, but Reggie is infatuated with .his uncle’s secretary. During her School days tho girl imagined she was Tn love with a young fellow who had left the city, and when she received a letter from him urging her to go to New York, she slipped away to t*ho big oily. Tn order to avoid pursuit by her relatives she darts into the nearest cab, which hapnens to bo occupied bv a young playwright. So began her rwl romance, for when she ran tho original young man to earth, she found that her school-girl lover had developed Lit, and lus manners were a bit frayed, too. So her heart swung back to the nice young man .she had encountered in the cab, who was responsive to her charms. Of course, her family objected, and 'here is whe.ro the mounts in one situation after another until a much-chequei-ed romance bos its. way. Tn a word .A Damsel in Distress” is a riot of fun and jollity of a wholesome order, and the audience is keut in humour right up to the closing scene. Tho picture is bound <0 enjoy a successful season. The supporting films include the latest episode of “Tho Lost. City. a good, broad comedy, and topical subjects. EV E RYBODY’S THEATRE. Adapted to the screen, Nat Gould’s stories of the turf lose none of their glamour and romance, and in a sporting community like AVollinglon they invariably prove most, acceptable. One of tho late author's best works was "A Dead Certainty.” and its popularity was attested to by the crowded attendances at Everybody’s Theatre yesterday, when a picturisati'on of the novel was included in tho weekly change of programme. Jhe story has to do with the machinations of an unscrupulous owner in Ins endeavour to persuade another owner to “pull” l,u h,,rse. There are two exciting races. Poppy Windham appears as Patricia Stone, and Gregory. Scott takes j tho part of tho young squire, Arthui

Dunbar. Cameron Carr is the unscru- I ptilous undo who gambles with, and loses, his niece's fortune. The races are very realistically depicted, being presented with a great wealth of relevant detail, and the interest never flags for the moment, rising steadily to an enthrallin'* climax as the ‘horse "Whirlwind defeats the purpose of the unscrupulous undo ami wins fame and fortune for his owner and the hitter’s sweetheart. "A Dead Certainty” is an English production, and rivals “The Whip” as one of the best sporting dramas screened locally There is lots of bright colour in the photo-plav, and the settings, which are typically English, are of graceful beauty. The photography of the . production is particularly good. The minor attractions include an excellent American comedy besides topical subjects. "THROUGH JUNGLE WILDS.” Mr. Harry K. Eustace, who has probably taken greater risks than most biggame hunters because of his penchant for hunting with the camera as well as with the rifle, will to-day deliver his last two lectures in the Grand* Opera House. Mr. Eustace’s pictures of wild I animals in their native haunts have a j wonderful fascination, and his lectures aro chatty and entertaining. Probably most of those who have spent an afternoon or an evening listening to Mr. Eustace have had nothing to complain of except that all good things must end. The hunter’s stories are full of thrills, and the camera bears witness to their veracity. The matinee to-day will be open to adults as well as children. MISCHA LEVITZKI CONCERT-TO-NIGHT; An event of much musical importance will take place at the Town Ball this evening, when Messrs. J. and N. Tait will present the distinguished Russian pianist, Mischa Levitzki, who has been described by the great musical critics of the musical centres in Europe and America as “The wonder-pianist of the century.” For some time past musiclovers have been looking forward to this visit which is indeed a brief one, for ho can only play in Christchurch. Wellington and Auckland. The piano which will be used'to-night is one of the five full orchestra Steinway grands which Mischa Levitzki travels, and it is his favourite instrument. A particularly fine programme has been arranged for to-night’s concert, and concert-goers may anticipate a real musical feast. . Ihe Bach Organ Toccato and Fugue in D Minor is the opening number, and is a magnificent creation of the great master. 0 Melody (Gluek-Sgambati) is a melody of unusual delicacy and purity. Following this will come Beethoven's famous Sonataln F Minor (Appassionata). Op. 57. This Sonata has been called “a volcanic eruption which rends the earth and shuts out the sky with a shower of projectiles.” Five bracketed pieces by Chopin in the following older will next claim attention—Nocturne in F Sharp. Op. 15, No. 2: Etude in G Elat (Butterfly); Etude in G Flat (black keys); Waltz in A Flat, Op. 64. No. 3; and the Scherzo in C Sharp Minor, Op.JW. Tho concert will commence punctually at 8 o’clock,, and the box plan of reserved seats will be at the Bristol till noon and after nt the Blue Bird confectionery store, where day sale tickets may bo obtained. WILLIAMSON COMEDY Sift SON. Wednesday next J. C. Williamson announce tho return of Mr. John D. O’Hara in “Welcome Stranger" nt tho Grand Opera House. Included in the season will be “Three "Wise Tools, with John D. O’Hara and Jules Jordan. Of ‘Welcome Stranger,” an Australian critic writes;—"Mr. Jules Jordan is well fitted io phiy the leading role, for the newcomer is distinctly welcome, and he made himself a. popular favourite as soon as he stepped on to the stage. Mr. Jordon •secured a personal triumph which ensures tho success of the play. He does not merely act. the part of Isadoro Solomon; he is lsadore Solomon. He portrays a shrewd, kindly, humorous Jew with a sureness of touch and a wealth of light and shade which is a delight. Here is no stage Hebrew mouthing and gesticulating, but a real living thing, and whenever tho squat round figure is on the stage the production goes' with a swing and tho laughs come freely. Ho has many good lines and a big part of the limelight, and he makes the most of his fortune. ’Welcome Stranger’ deals with the coming of Solomon to a little New England town which does not want people with Biblical names and which does not hesitate to -tell them so. He returns good for evil and suave courtesy for insults, lie protects a helploss maid and he talks of his Essie. Thereafter his brilliant but uncheckcred career is followed to its magnificent last act, in which in tho blaze of the electric, lights and progress ho has brought to tho town he is acclaimed by his admiring fellow-citizens and presented with a wellmerited silver cup. ’There is plenty of fun and brisk action by the way, however, and tho audience was highly delighted. Mr. J. D. O’Hara kindly, simple, silver-haired old gentleman, ou this occasion a neglected inventor is as kindly, simple, and silver-haired ns ever, and proves just as lovable. Uo and Mr. Jordan make a strong pair, and ■on their shoulders falls the bulk of tho work. Messrs. Frederick Esmelton, Edwin Lester, Thomas Lloyd, and Arthur Connell give clover sketches as citizens of the village /that wakes, ami Mr. Robert Toms is an admirable young lover. Speeches by Messrs. Jordan and O’Hara were insisted upon by a delighted audience at the close of the entertainment.” Tho box plans for “Welcome Stranger.” which will Ixi played for tho first six nights,„ will be opened at the Bristol on Monday* morning next. ’TO-MORROW’S ORGAN RECITAL. 'Tho programme for Air. Bernard F. Page’s organ recital io be given tb-nior-row night includes throe request numbers, as follow: —Largo in G, by Handel (1685-1759); Bach’s (1685-1750) Toccata and Fugue in I) Minor; and Prelude (Act 1), “Tristan and Isolde,” by 'Wagner (18131S83). The remainder of the programme is: (1) Pavano (Byrd) (1512-1623); (b) Capriccio Pastorale (Frescobaldi) (15871654); (e) Musette (Dandrieu (1684-1740); Rebikoff’s Danse des Odalisques. Op. 2 (No. 3); and Cesar Franck’s (1822-1890) Pastorale (Op. 19). SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS’ CONCERTS Tho first of the season of three concerts io be given under the auspices of the 'Wellington Society of Musicians is fixed for Saturday. October 15. The composer selected for this occasion is Grieg, when Two Melodies for strings, orchestra. Ilolberg suite (strings), or part of “Peer Gynt,” unaccompanied songs for male voices, Tho Ballad of Olav Trygvason, and other items will be given. The performance will bo under the direction of Mr. Horace. Hunt (president) and Mr. Robert Parker, who will bo assisted by Miss Mabelle Esquilant, Air. Hamilton' Hodges,'and other lending artists. 'Two tickets for oach concert can bo secured for a guinea subscription, on application to the hon. secretary, Air. W. J. Robbins, Box 1026. Single tickets, ss. (res.), 35., and 2s. COLOSSEUM RINK. Numerous entries have been received for tho skating carnival io bo hold at tho Colosseum Roller Rink in Vivian Street on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. 'Tho rink is as popular as ever, and all four sessions aro liberally patronised. The floor is in excellent condition, and baud .music and a balcony cafe add to tho pleasure of tho devotees of this fascinating pastime. To-night there will he an exhibition of fancy, trick, and graceful skating by r. A. L. Power, assisted by New Zealand’s champion child skater, also a rehearsal of tho grand march, etc., for the big carnival.