ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 48, 20 November 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

ENGLISH COMEDY SEASON. The English Comedy Company, headed by Miss Zillah Bateman, are enjoying a most popular run at the Grand Opera House. Another large house thoroughly enjoyed the presentment fciven last evening of Eric Hudson’s clover comedy. “The Unfair Sex.” The plot is an amusing tangle of matrimony, divorce, and golf, and the dialogue is snappy and humorous, and after seeing it one can understand why it enjoyed such a long run iu London. Miss Bateman does outstanding work in the tale of the young wife, whose opinions of her husband’s lady friends are decidedly outspoken. The company is a strong one, und Miss Vera St. John, Miss Henrietta Cavendish, Miss Sylvia Clifton, Mr. Norman Carter, Mr. Campbell Copelin, Mr. Frank Bradley, and Mr. Jack Phillips are all English artists of merit, who sustain their roles with fidelity. ’The Unfair Sex” will make its final appearance to-night, and will be succeeded on Monday night by the London laughing success. “Eliza Comes to Stay.” “ELIZA COMES TO STAY.”

Another big West-end London success will he staged on Monday and following nights in 11. V. Edmond’s farcical comedy in three acts. “Eliza Comes to Stay,” which, it is reported, met with immediate success in London, and was unanimously acclaimed the finest farce comedy since "Charley’s Aunt.’’ It is promised that the comedy will he seen in a superb setting, and a brilliant cast, which includes Miss Zillah Bateman as the irresistible Eliza. Mr. Campbell Copelin as the Honourable Sandy Verra)!, Miss Henrietta Cavendish as Lady Pennybroke. Mr. Frank Bradley as Montagu Jordan. Mr. Norman Carter as Alexander Stoop Verrall. Miss Sylvia Clifton as Vere de Vere Laurance. and Miss Beryl Barrac.lough as Mrs. Alla way. ‘Eliza Comes to Stay” is described as one concatenation of laughs: the dialogue, business and situations denoting the hand of the experienced master of clean and wholesome farce comedy. The tenancy of the Grand Opera House being limited, and the success of "Eliza Comes to Stay” being assured, the management nave decided to present -this comedy during the remainder of the present season, which will positively close on November 27. The box plans for the full season are now available at the Bristol Piano Company, and day sales may be procured at the Grand Opera House confectionery store. EMPRESS THEATRE Another excellent double programme made its initial appearance at the Empress Theatre last night, the two main features being a Para nount special, “The Blind Goddess,” and a Master picture production, “Black Cyclone.” “The Blind Goddess” is a powerful drama of mystery, romance and deep emotion. The story is a human one, and the players form an exceptionally fine cast, including Jack Holt. Ernest Torrence, and Esther Ralston. The plot concerns the romance of a joung prosecuting attorney and the daughter of a powerful politic.il New York boss. When the politician is found murdered, and the police arrest the woman last seen with him, the lawyer-lover finds himself torn twixt love and duty. His fiancee naturally demands that he prosecute the murderer of lw father; his high ideals of duty urge him to resign his position and defend the accused woman, of whose innocence he becomes onvinced. Be decides on the latter course. The exciting developments that follow, leading up 1o the sensational trial. the court-room scenes showing the grim routine of the criminal law and its effort to convict on purely circumstantial evidence, the unexpected discovery of the actual murderer, the startling denouement as to the real identity of the woman, and the final joyous reconciliation, make up a photoplay that is completely satisfying and decidedly above The average in screen entertainment. “Black Cyclone” is the love story of Rex. the king rf wild horses. Rex. as tho star of a photoplay, has an appeal all of his own. his parts being not only out of the ordinary, hut as forceful and captivating s.s 'hat of any human. In addition to these two features the funeral of the late Sir James Carroll was screened. The music of the Empress orchestra was of the usual high standard.

The next big attraction corning to th * Empress is John Barrymore in “The Sea Beast.”

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The Hector St. Clair revue company continues to cause the walls of His Majesty’s Theatre to resound with laughter. Their current production is a rollicking musical melange, mtitled "Exit Laughing.” Hector St. Clair had the big audience in roars of laughter last night with his clever work in the "All-in-one Police Court” turn, in which he acts as counsel and judge. Paul du Bur. tho “Paper Ring,” continues to amaze and delight everyone with the case and facility with which he can weave the most delicate designs from sheets of ordinary newspaper. Bertini is a violinist well worth hearing, and is ably supported bv Byrne ,at the piano. The Three Rodney Girls are in great demand for their sprightly dancing, and Roy McLean and Dot Cresswell are as clever exponents of eccentric dancing as have been seen here. One of the most popular turns on the programme is Lorna, Lance and Company. a quartet of clever juveniles, who sing and dance in most entertaining fashion. There will- be A matinee performance at 230 this afternoon, and the present popular programme will be presented for the last time to-night. Something good is promised with the weekly change on Monday night.

KING’S THEATRE. "His Secretary” is a picture all lady typists should see. as well as men who employ typists, as it proves that all is not business that looks like it. In this picture Sloden (a married man enslaved by his typist), and Colman (single and unenslaved) are partners. Clara Bayne is so sure of her employer that she loses her head, and begins to take liberties that no self-respecting typist would, and Sloden stands for it all until one. day Mrs. Sloden arrives, and instinctively grasps the situation. Exit Clara. Sloden then looks round for another type of typist, and finds the safe species in Ruth Lawrence, who dresses dowdily, and has never dreamt of a beauty parlour One day Ruth hears herself discussed by the partners, ami about the same time reads an article on how ordinary girls can make themselves attractive. She resolves to lump out of her rut—dresses smartly, and exhausts every known art with ravishing effect. The fun then moves fast and furious. Miss Shearer is always vital and cfarming. Miss Gwen Lee is Clara Bavne. Mr. Lew Cody is Colman, and Mr. Louis Willard is excellent as Sloden. There is in supnort a breezy comedy, a. line gazette of topical happenings. and capital New Zealand scenic, and some screen snapshots. The orchestra of Mr. A 11. Jerome is a satisfying feature of tho entertainment.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. For gasp-provoking action. spinetingling suspense, clean comedy, and tender love scenes, “The Bat.” the famous mystery picture which < pened before a crowded house at the Queen’s Theatre last night. is in a class by itself. Audiences are kept on the edge cf their seats from the opening scenes to the startling finish, when the mask is torn from "The Bat,” and he is disclosed as one of the least suspected characters. The weird settings and unsurpassed photography in "The Bat" make it one of the artistic as well as outstanding dramatic triumphs of the last ten years. Although the plot of the stage play has been followed, new complications have been introduced to baffle even the hundreds of thousands who saw the spoken drama. The all-star cast has eminent players such as Jewel Carmen, Jack Pickford, Louise Fazenda. Emily Fitzroy. Tnllio Cnrminati. Robert McKim. Eddie Gribbon, Andre de Beranger, Lee Shumway. Charles ilerzineer, and Kojin, famous portrayer of Oriental types. The supports are a gazette and scenic, while appropriate incidental music is rendered the Queen’s orchestra. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "The Wilderness Woman,” a First National picture. which commenced screening at the Paramount Theatre lasi evening, presents I he i musing adventures nf an Alaskan miner and his daughter in New York. The leading toles are taken by Aileen Pringle and Lowell Sherman. Kadiak Macbean, Alaskan miner, finally strikes it rich and sells his mine for a million dollars. With his daughter, Junie, he sets out for New York. NiSther of them had the slightest idea of what New York or tho conventionalities of modern civilisation are like. They discard their. Alaskan garments for mailorder clnthe.s of outlandish •esign. On the way to New York they encounter two confidence mon, the "Colonel" and Robert, his son. who. seeing the hank roll Kadiak carries, ingratiate themselves into his confidence. In the city the McLeans meet Alan Burkett, the engineer who had appraised their mine. The Colonel and Robert, how,ver, take them in tow. showing them New York night life. Burkett tried to lead them into a more quiet life, but they misconstrue his meaning and take him for a snob. After many exciting episodes and scenes of night-club life. Burkett has an opportunity to plead his muse with Junie. Others who are seen to advantage in the cast are Henry Vibnrt and Robert Cain. The supporting films include the latest gazette, a scenic, and a comedy. A first-class programme of ■innropriate music is provided by the Paramount ore'ieslz". NEW P"IWCFPS THEATRE. A Parnmcuri c'-nedy. "Helgnd the ••’rout,” load-- the provrimnm nt >lm Now Princess Theatre. It is a story of the war, iu which Wallace Beery and Hay-

mond Hatton have the leading parts as two American soldiers. Their escapades while at the front provide many laughprovoking incidents. -Mary Brian is the •eiii in the ease.” The second featurein a comedy starring Richard Dix and Lois Wilson' entitled "Let's Get Married." In the story Richard Dix takes the part of a young college man who, alter many wild doings, falls in love and decides to settle down. However, he is wrongly accused of resuming his wild ways, and is sent to prison for 30 days. After many trials he escapes and < nds in marrying the girl he loves. The third feature is "The Life of Jaclt Hobbs," and shows the famous cricketer at home and on the field. Besides these three big pictures, there is a serial, a gazette, and a screen contest for Wellington's prettiest child.

ARTCRAFT theatre. The newest Marshall Neilan i induction, "The Sporting Venus," a Metro-Goldwyn picture, will be screened at -he Artcraft Theatre this afternoon. to-night, and finallv on Monday evening. The featured players are Blanche Sweet, Ronald Colman, and Lew Cody. it tells of the daughter of a Scottish lord who falls in love with a commoner whilst her father is living on the Continent. She returns on her eighteenth birthday closely followed by a penniless prince who is determined to marry the heiress. There is plenty ot drama as well as much fun i'n this' entertaining picture. It was filmed in France, England, and Scotland. Four excellent supporting pictures-an entertainment in themselves—are also shown, whilst James Haydock renders most pleasing and appropriate music throughout the entire screening. MILLICUNT KNIGHT RECITAL. Miss Millicent Knight, mezzo soprano, who has recently returned to Wellington after five years study tn England, will give a recital in the Town Hall on November 29 at 8 pin. Miss Knight will be assisted by Mr. Leon de Manny (violin,, and Mr. Harold Whittle (accom- ■ panist). The box plan will open at the Bristol on Monday morning. JOY NIGHT NO. 6. Joy Night, to take place on Friday, November 26, promises to be a great night—like the previous ones. The commercial travellers are leaving no stone unturned to give the public who attend a really good time. It is to be a plain and fancy dress ball, but run in such a manner that it is full cf fun and frolic, although run on the lines of a high class ball If the people who attend these Joy Nights could only see the bright eyes of the little ones in the orphan homes, and the sick children in the hospitals when the matron announces that she has received a substantial cheaue for their Christmas comforts from the commercial travellers, they would not hesitate in giving double what they already give for this great cause. It should be a great satisfaction to lyiow that, after spending a most enjoyable night, at the same time support has been given ono of the best causes that is known in the world to-day. MISS CLODAGH RUSSELL. An interesting dramatic . and verse speaking recital is to be given by Miss Clodagh Russell in the Concert Chamber on Monday next, at 8.15 p.m. Miss Russell comes fresh from England, where she was a fellow student with Masefield and Drinkwater in Miss Callan's speech-train-ing school. She bolds the silver medal (with honours) on the art of speaking verse in the Poetry 'Society, also the honours certificate of the League of Arts end Guildhonse in poetry speaking. She is essentially an exponent of the modern school, expressive of the restless postwar spirit of to-day. No charge is made for admission but those desiring to reserve a scat can do so at the Bristol. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist) has arranged the programme as under for his organ recital to be given at the Town Hall to-morrow evening:—Fantasia and Fugue in A minor, by Bach,; Pavano, by Byrd: Musette, by Dandrieu-Page; Reverie, by DebusSy; Toccata in F. by Cesar Franck; Gavotta from 12th Sonata, by Martini; Psychological Poem (for orchestra). "Le Genie et la Mort, Op 11 (No. 6).’’ by Rebikoff; Meditation (No. 3 iu C sharp minor), by Bopartz. ST. MARY’S CONVFNT CONCERT. Friends of St. Mary's Convent. Hill Street, expressed their pleasure when the annual concerts interrupted for some years were resumed last November. The concert this year, which is to take place in the Concert Chamber. Town Hall, on November 30. is expected to appeal not only to music lovers on account of the high standard, but to the general public, because of the object for which it is to he given, viz., to provide a Christmas gift for ths nursing sisters of the leper station at the Makogai Island. Miss Anne Gilpin. Miss Agnes McDavitt, Miss Myrtle Pigou. Miss Ailsa Dillon, and other young singers arc already known to the audiences. A former student of the convent, a t opular Wellington soprano, Mrs. A. E. Burge, is lending her help to the cause, and several younger students will ,‘cnder pianoforte quartets. INVITATION RECITAL. Tho violin students of Mr. Eric L. Meier will present an interesting programme at the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Tuesday next. The contrasting items will be .Schubert's "Impromptu in A Flat,” played by Miss Elsa Walter, pianiste, and three accompanied violin duets; sonatas, by Royce, Arne, and the beautiful "Golden Sonata" bv Purcell. Invitations may be obtained at’ Begg’s or the Bristol.

ADFLPRI CABARET. To-night will ho the last night of Oriental week at the Adelphi Cabaret, and the last opportunity of hearing Sam Stern in his attractive offerings.