ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 55, 28 November 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

LAST OF'WILKIE BARD. There was a capital audience present fto see and hear the last of Wilkie Bard at the Grand Opera House on Saturday ■evening. The comedian, who was in great form, sang and acted "Sentry Go,” "The Boot Shop,” and “I Want to Sing in Opera,” with an unction and quiet humour delicious to witness. At the conclusion of his turn, Mr. Bard eaid that during the afternoon he and the miir>ftre of his company had been out at the Miramar golf links, where ho had played against Mr. E. S. Douglas with salutary effect. The rain had interfered ifith much ‘they intended to do, still they had a pleasant dime and had raised nlft for the Plunket Home. It was not as much as they anticipated ■would Lave been raisjd had the weather been with them. However, it was something attempted, something done, in a good cause. Mr. Bard's remarks were heartily applauded. '.

KING’S THEATRE

That Australian life' provides material for the most entertaining photoplays was proved at the King’s Theatre on Saturday, when a capital E. J. Carroll production, entitled "The Jackeroo of Coolabong," received a unanimous verdict of approval from large audiences at all sessions. That popular athletic idol, "D:iowy” Baker, is seen in the leading role, which gives him ample scope to display his prowess as a horseman and athlete. The play is rapid in its action, and there is sufficient sensationalism in the story to please the most exacting. "Snowy" Baker gives a fine exhibition of five-bar horse-jumping and riding buckjumpers, and the ex-amateur Australian champion middleweight also proves that he has not forgotten how to •use his fists. Miss Kathleen Key makes a dainty heroine, while Mr. Arthur Greenaway and Mr. Tauchert also figure in the strong cast. "Cows and Cuddles” provides a most amusing sample of Australian slap-stick comedy among the cows of the near-back. A rollicking Christie comedy, entitled "Bed Hot Love,” and a newsy, k "Gaumont Gazette" and "Topical Budget” completed this high-class programme, which will hold the screen until Friday evening next.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

The picturesque coast of Lower California supplies the settings for "Thunder Island,” the gripping story of romance, mystery, and scheming, which heads the strong current programme at the Queen's Theatre. There were large audiences at all sessions on Saturday, when the thrilling story of Lower California and the South Sea Islands was voted as fine a film play as has come along for months. "Alarm Clock Andy" is a comedy well worth seeing. The latest "International News” and,.a bright Century comedy complete a programme of Tare charm. This strong list of attractions will be shown for the rest of the week.

EMPRESS THEATRE.

"The Little Fool,” a clever adaptation of Jack* London’s story, “The Little Lady of the Big House,” again captivated large audiences at the Empress Theatre on Saturday. The big closing acenes ring true with compelling interest. The play splendidly acted by an all-start cast, including Milton Sills, Ora Carew, Nigel Barrie, Byron Munson, Marjorie Prevost, Helen Howard, and Iva Forrester. A bright comedy, "Save Your Money,” and the fourteenth episode of "The Lost City," also figured on the programme.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

The big First National attraction, "The Master Mind,” featuring Lionel Barrymore and Gypsy O’Brien at the head of a strong cast, won golden opinions at Everybody’s Theatre on Saturday. The story concerns the workings of the remarkable mind of a brilliant psychologist, bent on reaping revenge on a district attorney who had sent his brother to the electric chair. A beautiful girl, innocent and unsuspecting, is used as the pawn and n gang of dangerous criminals, completely under the control of the master mind, weave the nets of vengeance around the victim with thrilling skill. Just at a time when the master mind lias finally achieved his purpose, something unusual happens to stay his band, and the ending' is one of the most unusual yet projected on the silver sheet.

"A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM."

On Thursday next will commence the brief season of Shakespeare's comedy, when, Mr. A. Stanley Warwick will, in co-operation with Miss Estelle Beere and Mr. Horace Hunt, produce "A Midsummer Night/s Dream.'* The cast includes many well-knjpwn performers, viz.:—Florence Churchill, Linda Mclntyre, Alan Fuller, Paul Latham, Ten. Power, Sheila Neilson. The beautiful incidental music will be performed by an orchestra of 35 players, and fairy ballets have been introduced. Popular prices rule, and students’ concessions are notified. The box plans are at the Bristol.

"PADDY THE NEXT BEST THING.”

The public may anticipate a treat in the delightful comedy, "Paddy the Next Best Thing,” which J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will introduce to New Zealand at tho Grand Opera House to-morrow week (December 6). This comedy, founded on Gertrude Pago's popular novel, has had a long run in London, and was still running in New York to great business when tho last mail loft. It is the story of a man whoso dearest wish was that his child to bo might be h son. but his wishes a.ro disappointed, for tho child turns out to be "Paddy," a most delightful Irish girl, whoso whims nnd witticisms, her love and love-making are as amusing as they are charming. Miss Isohel Brosnan has made a distinct hit in this role in Australia, and that impression is sure to be reflected in Wellington. "Peg o’ My Heart” will be played during the season.

THE HARMONIC SOCIETY.

The excellent concert given by the Harmonic Society at the Concert Chamber on Thursday last was repeated on Saturday evening before an audience which nearly filled the hall. The good partsinging of the choir is always appreciated, and as the selection of English part-songs was very good, covering a wide range of mood, the concert was much enjoyed. There is one English composer whose part-songs are eternally fresh and spontaneous whom the society does not appear to favour. That is the late Sir Arthur Sullivan. A night devoted to excerpts from his works—partsongs and numbers of his cantatas and operas or even his/ church music, would be popular with the public. Mr. and Mrs. R. 11. Orr repeated their duets from "On Jlielum River” (Amy Woodford? Finden), “Kingfisher Blue” being delightfully sung. Mrs. W. J. Coventry and Mrs. E. JI. Strickland were the vocal soloists, and Miss Laurie Anderson played violin solos. Mr. IL Temple White conducted, and Mr. Harold Whittle was at the piano.

MARIST BROTHERS’ ANNEAL CONCERT.

Pal rone of the annual concert given by the pupils of the Marist Brothers’ School, Newtown, are promised a musical and elocutionary freaT on Monday, December 5. in the Town Hall. The programme is of a varied character, and inclu'V»s choral Items, vocal solos, phy--ideal and statue drill, recitations, and dancing. The trial' scene from "The Merchant of Venice” will be staged by pupils. Leading artists of Wellington will assist, including Miss A. Flan. Miss Blanche Godier. Messrs. A. Stanley Warwick. J. Elliott, L. Hanlon, Fergus • Jieeves, and J- Knowsioy and pupils. Sor full programme eeo papers. The ©x plan is at the Bristol.

DAME CLARA BUTT, The return to New Zealand under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait of Dame Clara Butt, the great contralto and Mr. Kennerley Rumford, will be hailed with delight by all music lovers There are certainly no two other artists in the English concert world who can fill to overflowing Hie largest concert halls, and this was recently demonsitrat ed in Australia, for it is stated that at every concert hunutcffs were unable to gain admission, and In Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide the entire seating capacity of the Town Balis was booked right out days before the date of the concerts. The musical critic of the Melbourne "Argus” says of the first com cert in that city:—"A great house welcomed Dame Clara Butt and Mr. Kennerley Rumford at the Town Hall on Saturday evening. Mr- Rumford was greeted with a warmth tfiat seemed to ■leave him embarrassed, though he showed no embarrassment when he began singing. The appearance of Dame Clara aroused what might be termed a cyclone of enthusiasm. The great con tralto is still the great contralto. At times she differs from what she was on her former visit. The splendid lower tones that formerly thrilled by (heir volume and richness are still hers; she may riot 'boom’ them quite as much, but she allows them to tel' at the telling part of a song, and then so to speaA, switches them on to a medium tone or something lighter. In this way her voice might be said to be not one voice, but three. When required, the three registers, or three qualities, blend into one —into one splendid, Tridivisible unity that makes her effects literally wonderful." The supporting artists are Daniel Melsa, the young Polish violinist, and Miss Grace Torrens, an eminent pian fate and composer. The dates of the Wellington concerts in the Tf/qi Hall are: December 7, 10, 12, and 14, and attention is drawn fo the preferential booking system as advertised, and the box plans for general booking wilt be Opened at the Bristol next Monday moral ng.

PICTURES AT'TOWN HALL. Commencing on Thursday next, for a season of three nights and a matinee on Saturday afternoon, December 3, at 2.30 p.m., will be shown a highly interesting series of pictures, the . principal attraction being the authentic pictures taken at the Vatican of the Supreme Pontiff, His Holiness Benedict XV. It is claimed for this film that it is the only one ever taken of a reigning Pope, wKo gave permission, and actually eat for the moving picture camera operator. There are also other films, notably "Shamus O’Brien,” the (beautiful romantic Irish story by Sheridan Le Fanu. In addition, Mr. George Dean will recite the dramatic story, as a prologue to the screening, and there will be a full supporting picture programme. An added attraction will be. the Marvellous Howards, mental telepathists. Distinguished support will be accorded the season, and Mr. Charles R. Blake ib the representative. The box plan is at the Bristol. DRAMATIC RECITAL. Mr. Culford Bell has prepared a very attractive programme for his pupils’ am nual display, to bo given in the Concert Chamber next Friday and Saturday. Minong the principal items, will be a fairy play, "The Frozen'Palace," and a short comedy, "The First Prize, while musical monologues, sketches in character, and a Shakespearean scene will be other interesting items. The plan is at the Bristol.