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Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 48, 20 November 1926, Page 22

The Regent Opening. The definite announcement, for some considerable time expectantly awaited by. the whole of Wellington, is now made of the opening of Williamson’s new theatre, the Regent, ill Manners Street. Ihe scaffolding in front of the building is now cleared, disclosing an edifice of imposing grandeur and architectural beauty. A building, in fact, which must now be included amongst the limited number of architectural show places in the citv of Wellington. The Regent will be opened at 8 o'clock on Friday, December 3, with a powerful programme, consisting of the Paramount Master Picture "Beau Geste,” and a strong vaudeville programme. A grand operatic orchestra of fourteen. selected soloists, under the baton of Mr. M. I. Dixon, will render a specially-arranged musical accompaniment. Two lull performances will be given daily, at '2 o’clock and 8 o’clock, whilst intermediary sessions of the picture programme only will be. held at I'2 noon and 1.30 p.m.

Miss Beryl Uarraclough, the character comedienne with the Joseph Cunningham New English Comedy Companv, which has commenced a New Zealand tour at the Opera House, Wellington, hails from Sheffield. Miss Barraciom.’h is much-travelled, having toured South Africa, the Near, Middle and Far East, Egypt, and the Continent One can quite imagine that-these peregrinations would include some thrilling adventures, but the most thrilling of all stands "starred” in her diary as the night she danced with the Prince of Wales at a supper partv given at Government House, Madras,. India, by Lord Willington, after a performance of “Romance,” in which Miss Barraclotigh played the lead.

Elocutionists and those who have a predilection tor clear enunciation and correct intonation, two essentials in stage and platform equipment, should not miss the opportunity of hearing Miss Henrietta Cavendish, of the Jos eph Cunningham English Comedy Company, now starting a brief tour of New Zealand at the Grand Opera House. It is a treat to hear English spoken as it should be spoken, without any mouthing or pedanticism, and with proper regard for the splitting of sibilants, and the pronouncing of final consonants. Miss Cavendish 'lias earned her undoubted distinction as an actress in the principal West End London theatres, and is touring New Zealand foi the first time, and those who have heard and seen’ her in "The Unfair Sex” and “Eliza Comes to Stay” hope it will not be her last.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s successful picture, "The Big Parade,” having finished its tiftv-second week on Broadwav, New York City, on Saturday last, has now started in on the first week ol its second year to the same turn-away business that has been in evidence from the outset. John Gilbert, Karl Dane, and Renee Adoree are credited with doing astonishingly fine dramatic work in this picture. Three prints of "lhe Big Parade _ arc now -in New Zealand, and its Dominion release will take place at Auckland and Wellington simultaneously early in January.

"The Sporting Venus,” a MetroGoldwyn picture, is the special feature now showing at the Artcraft Theatre. The featured players are Blanche Sweet, Ronald Colman, and Lew Cody. Drama, thrill, and humour are the main elements of the picture, well combined with original treatment.

Marion Davies, in her new picture for Metro-Goldwyn, "Yolanda,” makes her latest appearance at the Artcraft Theatre on Tuesday next, for a three nights’ season only. Tense and dramatic scenes are portrayed throughout the film 1 with deft realism. Nearly two thousand persons were required to enact scenes depicting the armies of the conflicting forces alone.

Drawing near the finish, and getting more exciting with each episode, is the thrilling serial “Hurricane Hutch,” chapter twelve of which will be shown at the Artcraft Theatre this afternoon, together with the special feature “The Sporting Venus.”

Miss Henrietta Cavendish, who has created such a favourable impression to all Wellington theatre-goers, for- her excellent acting in “The Unfair Sex” at the Grand Opera House, in which she plavs the part of Helen Delisse, the mother of philandering Joan, has had a verv experienced career, and prior to coming to Australia wjth Mr. Joseph Cunningham had many West find of London successes to her credit. One of Miss Cavendish’s biggest successes in England was made in that remarkable play, "Outward Bound,” which it is the intention of Mr. Cunningham to nrodiice upon his return visit to Wellington, together with “The Sport of Kings,” Miss Cavendish was formerly associated with the late Sir Charles Hawtrev in many comedy successes, and was specially chosen to play the lead throughout Great Britain in the propaganda nlav “Uncle Sam.” Tn the new play "Eliza Comes to Stay,”, which is being produced for the first time in New Zealand at the Opera House on Mondav next, Miss Cavendish has another excellent role in which she is as much at home as in her part in “The Unfair Sex,” namely, Lady Pennybroke.

Young Dressford Hardingham, from Sydnev, and touring with the New English Comedv Company, at present appearing at the Opera House, shows an uncommon aptitude for scenic painting, qnd is doing excellent work. He is also responsible for scenery used by the Midnight Frolics, who are scoring a big success in Auckland.

A number of talented Wellington amateurs are at present actively rehearsing the bright musical comedy "The Girl Behind the Counter,” under the direction of Mr. David Devitt (late "of J. C. Williamson’s companies). Ihe first performance is to be given on December '2, and the proceeds will be in aid of the funds of St. Mary s Homes, Karori.

Of Miss Marie Nev’s work in “The Constant Nymph,” the London “Era” says: "Miss Marie Ney’s study of the responsible Kate was so good that it left one asking what was to become of this decent, repressed creature. Later this clever actress showed her versatility by appearing as Dodd s hard, supercilious sister.”

It is probable that Zatie Grey’s "The Vanishing Race” will be released in New Zealand this year. It was the intention of the Paramount Company to withhold the release of this picture until next year, but owing to tlie fact that production is working at such high pressure, and that Paramount have so many big pictures, including "Beau Geste,” “The Sorrows of Satan,” and “Old Ironsides” on the way. it has . been decided to release this picture in New Zealand. Ihe Vanishing Race” is showing to capacity houses in the Australian capitals, having just completed an eleven weeks' box office run at the. Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney.

“Padlocked,” a “Saturday Evening Post” storv, will be the first of Paramounts’ fifteenth birthday group, to be released in New Zealand. It was written bv Rex Beach, and enjoyed a popular run. “Padlocked” is a story of parental repression, and its effect on a •spirited voung girl of to-day. Lots Morgan, the wistful heroine of Stella Dallas gives an inspired performance as the modern daughter who braves the dangers and temptations of Broadway nmlit life in pursuit of a career as a dattcer. Noah Beery, as the old-fash-ioned father, whose zealous reform efforts drivel liis daughter from home, ■-.cores a distinct triumph in a role that is entirely new to him. Helen Jerome Eddv and Allan Simpson are also tn the cast.

Those who have seen the first previews of Richard Barthelmess’s new First National picture “The Black White Sheep," sav it is the most thrilling production lie has yet given the screen. The storv is of a cashiered British officer of an aristocratic family who wilfnllv submerges his identity in the English Armv in Africa, and after a series of adventures wins back his spurs. Throughout, the ’ attraction has been given a picturesnue setting, which includes some wonderful desert scenes The supporting cast is composed of stars whose names are well known to picture goers, and includes Patsv Ruth Miller, Corinne Howard, and others.

A wonderful reception has been accorded the premiere of “Fig Leaves," the William Fox pboto-plnv de luxe just released in Svdttev. Everv conceivable idea of publicitv has been worked for its exploitation, with the result that the sessions were crowded out and hundreds turned awav nichtIv Tn conjunction with the release of the film a «on« fox-trot has been composed bv Toe Fdnev, dedicated to and named after the picture, and which makes a capital dance number “Fig Leaves” seems destined to enjoy a world-wide success.

Eugene O’Brien, who is featured v'itb Claire Windsor in the Master Picture. “Souls for Sables.’’ suggested from “Garlan and C 0..” bv David Graham Phillips, makes his first a-penr.uice in an independent production. For man” vears Mr O’Brien was a star in his

own right, and then played opposite Norma Talmadge in her most successful pictures. As Fred Garlan, in “Souls for Sables,” Mr. O'Brien plays the part of a young business man, and it is said that his portrayal of the character is one of the Lest he has ever done.

Advice has been received that Harry Beaumont and his company, in England, shooting exteriors for “One Increasing Purpose,” will shortly be sailing for New York. The British Government have given him every cooperation in obtaining shots of the most interesting and beautiful places in the country, and as these figure so largely in A' S. M. Hutchinson’s dramatic story, audiences may expect one of the most authentic and scenically beautiful pictures that has . ever been made. Among the many interesting points in London which were used as backgrounds for action, invoiding the stars Edmund Lowe and Lila Lee, are Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Bridge, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s, Rotten Row, The Mall in St. James’s Park, the Old Curiosity Shop, etc.

“The Border Sheriff" is the next great Western drama from Universal, starring Jack Hoxie, with a great cast of Western plavers in support. Among the players are Olive S. E. Jennings, Pee-wee Homes, Buck Moulton, Tom Lingham, Bert De Marc, Frank Rice, Floyd Criswell, and Leonard Trainor.

June Mathis, master mind behind the production of "The Four Horsemen” and “Blood and Sand,” is sponsor for what is now acclaimed as the most colossal production of them all. This is “The Greater Glory," a new First National super-feature, which will be shown at the Paramount Theatre shortly. Founded on the celebrated novel “Viennese Medley,” by Edith O’Shaughnessy, wife of the American Ambassador at Vienna, Miss Mathis has reconstructed and expanded the story into what is, perhaps, destined to be the most psychologically correct and gigantic work of drama ever shown. Further than that, she supervised the production and selected her own director—in fact, she created one for the task. He is Curt Rehfeld, formerly technician with David Wark Griffith and Rex Ingram, whose work in that capacity Miss Mathis observed at close range when the two were associated during the filming, of “The Four Horsemen.” Miss Mathis picked as her nucleus for the cast five principals who were seen in "The Four Horsemen.” These are Jean Hersholt, Nigel de Brullier, John Sainpoulis, Isabel Keith, and Bridgetta Clark. Their performances are pleasantly remembered by film fans. Of the cast of twenty to be seen in her new opus, pivotal roles go to Anna Q. Nilsson, Conway Tearle, May Allison, Lucy Beaumont, lan Keith, and Jean Hersholt.

The name of Titlieradge recalls memories of all that is notable in the acting art. In the J. C. Williamson production of “Old English,” Galsworthv’s brilliant play, to be staged at the King’s Theatre, 'Melbourne, Lily Titheradge will return to the stage as Rosamund Larne. A daughter of George Titheradge, she herself achieved considerable success in the theatrical world. Another well-known stage name in the cast will be that of Eileen Kav Souper, daughter of Gerald Kay Souper, who first went to Australia as a member of the Oscar Ache company, and remained there to plav many’ parts under the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management.