ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 56, 30 November 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE. That popular athlete idol, "Snowy’ Baker, in the big Australian success, "The Jackeroo of Coolabong," i< proving a strong drawing card at tho King’s Theatre. Earing feats of horsem mship, including tho mastering of buck-iumpers are shown in this stirring drama, Australian life. "Cows and Cuddles" is another typical Australian subject in •which broad humour plays a large part. These two capital subjects prove th it Australia is fast coming to the front as a film-producing country. These Australian subjects, with their dash of the bunli and thilir odour of wattle blossoms, are quite off tho beaten trace and as such come as a welcome relief to the stereotyped motifs. The King's orchestra, as usual, supplies excelleit. music. QUEEN’S THEATRE. ' The picturesque coast of the South ' Rees forms the' background of the splendid picture "Thunder Island." a feature which has proved immensely popular with patrons nt the Queen's 'I heatre since the initial presentation on Friday. Edith Roberts, the brilliant star, takes the leading role. The story relates of a Mexican girl who marries a dying rancher that she might inherit his fortune. Eater n villainous imposter poses ns the dead man so as to get possession l of the girl, but she is rescued by a young sea. captain. In the Paramount■Artcnaft picture, "Alarm Clock Andy,” Charles Ray plays tho part of a bashful youth who has set his heart on being an automobile salesman. On the same programme there is tho latest International News and a Century comedy. This week's programme is a decidedly attractive* one, and will ho ’repeated nt all eeseions until Friday, when a complete change will be given. [ EVERYBODY’S THEATR< The big double bill now running at Everybody’s Theatre has hit the popular taste. "The Master Mind,” a powerful adaptation from Daniel 0. Carter’s recent stage success, contains all the requisite elements for a successful screen story. The cast is headed by Lionel Barrymore and Gipsy O’Brien. The other star feature is "The Girl irl the Web,” which gives that clover actress. Miss Sweet, fine scope to display her powers. EMPRESS THEATRE. A Jack London picture is always sure of a hearty welcome, and "The Little Fool," now starring nt the Empress Theatre, has been voted by all who have seen it to be the greatest of the London stories so far translated to the screen. The tense drama, -which is taken •from "Thio Little Lady of the Big House,” is packed with compelling situations, and the play is admirably acted by a strong cast, with Milton Sill and Era Carew at the head.

"PADDY, THE NEXT BEST THING.”

The "Sydney Morning Herald,” in criticising the opening production of "Paddy, the Next Best Thing," says: '’Gayer Mackay and Robert Ord’s adaptation of Gertrude Page’s novel must be accounted e clever piece of stagecraft in the touches of shadow which relive the dazzling sunshine of the comedy, and in the skfill with which the interest centres naturally in the character of that red-headed little Irish madcap, Paddy Adair. Paddy, as the spoilt darling of the Adair family, every member of -which has been broken in to admire her love of showing off, whilst exaggerating the little doings of her day into grrat events is a very trying role for any actress to assume. It is only natural that strangers to Paddy’s eccentricities should view them with a less tolerant eve than the kindly folk at home. So* it was. at the Criterion on Saturday, there whs a breaking of the ice. Gradually, however, Isohel Brosnan created and warmed up the needed atmosphere by 'her buoyancy and charm. Jong before the curtain, waverers had cheerfully recognised the fascination of \ play which is absolutely sure to be-come’-as popular in Australia as it has been in London and elsewhere, and the itTarm of Isobel Brosnan as Paddy, alNiough not a. boy. is, the next best thing.” The play will be staged for the first time in t'he Dominion on Tuesday '.'ext in the Grand Opera House, by J. C Williamson’s new English comedy company. The last two nights of the season will be allotted to a revival of J. Hartly Manners’s delightful comedy of ,-<outh. "Peg o’ My Heart.” Hotel Brosnan will appear in the leading role of both productions. "Paddy and Peg. The box plans for the season open on Friday morning at the Bristol.

DAME CLARA BUTT. At the Town Hall on Wednesday next, December 7, Messrs. J. and N. loit announce that Dame Clara Butt and Mr. Kennerley Rumford will return to New Zealand and give a series of four concerts in the Town Hall, Wellington and th© event is causing much pleasant,anticipiftion in musical circles. These two gifted singers have endeared themselves to Dominion audiences just as they have throughout the British Empire, and the wonderful success achieved in Australia will be repeated in this country, the management states that never in the musical history of Australia have such audiences been attracted, and in Sydney,. Melbourne, and Adelaide the Town Halls could not accommodate the crowds that clamoured to hear these two fine artists. I The "Sydney Morning Herald paid ‘Dame Clara Butt a wonderful compliment in that paper’s notice of the opening concert of the great contralto at Sydney Town Hall: "Ilers is a wonderful voice—tho voice, of n century in its largeness, range, and richness. But behind that .-.mazing gift of nature is the power of a cultivated use of the emotional expression, without, which. no singer stands pre-eminent in the world of son". It was indeed n wonderful night. Supporting'Dame Clara Butt and Mr. Rumford , are Diiniel Melsa, the young Polish violinist, and Miss Grace Torrens, the eminent composer-pianist. lour concerts will be given in WellingtonDecember 7. 10. 12 and 14. This ?«><”■- ential booking 1= now available, and Hm general tex plans for the four concerts will be opened at the Bristol next Monday morning. DRAMATIC RECITAL. Some fine Dickens sketches will be riven at Mr. Culford Bell’s pupils coiicert on Friday and Saturday, "bcrwo. "Mark Tapley," Miss Wiggs, . ■ Gummidge.’’ A Shakespearean scene (in Character); "The Quarrel cf Brutus and Cassius" is another good item, and "itn the fairy plays and musical monologues should attract a good audience. "A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM.” Mr. A. Stanley Warwick’s production of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will commence nt tho Grand Opera House to-night at 8 o’clock, and will be continued on Friday and Saturday with a matinee on Saturday. The full incidentat music by Mendelssohn will be.played bv an orchestra of 35 performers under Air. Horace Hunt and tho 'fairy have been arranged by Alias _ Eid* le Becre. The first night cast includes Afessrs Alan Fuller, Paul Latham. V. Oswin, R. Myers. L. Power D. bush, J. Churchill, P. J. Smith, P. Williams, F. Grogen, and Misses E; Aitcheeon, U. Churchill, L. Mclntyre, P. McMillan, D Guis“ V. Wilson. S. Neilson, .1. AlcLav, J. Maris, P. McDonald M A.cDonald. Al. Neilson, and several ittendants. The doors will not bo opened during the performance of any act or oichestral number. Reserved seats may be ebtainecl at tho Bristol and students oonceßsions are Announced.

TOWN HALO PICTURES. What is stated to bo one of the most Interesting picture programmes offered the WeHington public for some time past

is to be given on next at 8 p.m. The main feature of the entertainment is x the film "Shamus O’Brien," which is stated to be a highly dramatic setting. In the title role, King Baggott stands out most prominently. The pictures taken of the Supreme Pontiff, Benedict XV, will also be included in a full programme. There will bo items by Mr. George Dean, who has not been seen for some very considerable period,-and whose work is said to be original and clever. To further strengthen the bill _ the marvellous, mysterious Howards will appear in their great thought-reading act. The box- plan is at the Bristol. MADAME MUELLER’S PUPILS. The concert given iby Madame Mueller’s pupils in the Concert Chamber last evening revealed a number of very promising vocalists, who have doubtless a good deal to thank their teacher for. Among the best were Miss Phyllis Read, a very charming mezzo, who sang "Venus’s Doves" (Bishop). Her quality of tone is musical and round, and she sang with some charm of address and manner. Another good soprano was Miss Ruby Ramsey, whose voice would have been better suited in something more brilliant than the somewhat colourless "Romance" from Rossini’s "Wil-, liam Tell." Miss Winnie Ramsi y, who sang "A Song of Thanksgiving,” has a pretty soprano voice, which would have better fitted some of Montague Phillips’s songs than- thes grandoise Allitsen number. Mrs. S. Faulknor also has a pleasant soprano of good quality. “Vainka’s Song” was daintily sung by Miss dive Gill, whose nervousness induced a curable vibrato. Mi's. G. Goldsmith has a robust contralto and plenty of confidence. She sang "An Indian Love Song” (Lieurance) and “Annie Laurie.” Miss A. Clarke, who has a nice mezzo voice, was heard'in "Waiting," and Miss Gwen Esau exhibited a round contralto organ in "Parted from Thee.” Mrs. L. Rosenthal sang "Softly Awakes My Heart.” from Saint Saens’ "Samson and Delilah." She sang "Vorrei” (Tosti) as an encore, with more feeling. Mr. G. R. Millward’s voice is light baritone in texture. He sang with commendable insight "Who Knows?” and "The Dear Little Girl.” Mr. T. J. Jenkins is a sound dramatic tenor, with plenty of power, and a good sense of accent and climax. He' sang "Inter Nos” _ very well, but took liberties in "Melisando in the Woods.” Mrs. Mueller has a good) baritone in Mr. J. Johnson, who should bo heard of again. He sang in good stylo "Rage, Thou Angry Storm" (Benedict). Miss Hctaetia Perry sang "My Prayer” (Squire), and Misses Ramsey and Esau sang tho duet "Castinettes.” Some two dozen students sang the round, “Borno on tho Night Breeze,” Miss AV. Ramsey and Messrs. Millward and Johnson sang the trio, "O Lovely Peace,” and Messrs. Millward, Davies, Johnson and Beckford the quartet, "A Bowl of Roses” (Clarke). Mr. Norman Izett was the accompanist. '

As the Choral Club, the foregoing will present an entirely new programme at the Concert Chamber this evening. Tho proceeds are in aid of the new Technical College 'building fund. /