ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 50, 23 November 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE SEA BEAST.” John Barrymore, returning fo the screen after his international success a, "IJiimlet” on the stage, is said to have, found the finest vehicle of his screen career in “Tlie Sea Beast.” the Warner picture that comes to the Empress Theatre next Friday. This adaptation of Herman Melville’s "Moby Dick” is said lu rank with "The Covered Wagon" in impuitaneo as a contribution to American history, and to be a picture that contains more thrills than a dozen ordinary shockers. "The Sea Beast” is a story of the whalers of ISIU. Most of the scenes, including a lenitic storm, were filmed at. tea: others in Java. It i., a spectacular picture, with a mighty store of romantic adventure. Dolores Costello ami George O'Hara are also in the cast. JOY NIGHT. Friday will be Joy Night at flip Town Hall, the success of this great annual plain and fancy dress ball given b.v tile Coniiueiehil Travellers’ and Waiehouselucn's Association Io raise funds for providing Christmas < liner for sick and orplmn r ’eliihlren. and also to raise money for the blind soldiers’ and sailors’ fund, will never be in doubt, for a moment since the entertainment offered in previous years has been of such a standard as to assure nil fortunate and wise enough to be present, remembering the occasion and deciding to go to the next. Besides tho superficial attraction there is the object for which the money is being collected to appeal. The two halls will bo used for dancing to music supplied bv two orchestras. The price of admission will not only admit to both halls, but also give the bearer a ticket in a raffle of a gold nugget, valued at £250. and four paintings. A gold wristlet watch is offered as a prize for the best, original dress worn by a lady, and there will be a prize for the gentleman’s best: original dress also. Tickets are now on sale.

IBS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The new programme introduced at His Majesty’s Theatre last, night was up to the best Fuller standard, and was heartily welcomed by a well-filled house. A new turn in the vaudeville section was that of Clyde and Yvette, who presented something' really up to date in modem dancing. Civile uLo proved himself a sill'leur of ability, his imitation of a steel guitar being wonderfully realistic. The Loma lance Company, a band of clever Australian juveniles, again charmed the audience with their talented vocal and instrumental offering. The baby brother of the party created enthusiasm bv his solo on the drums, “The Stars and Stripes.’’ and also brought the house down with his song, “A on Can t Fool Me.” Bertini and Byrne were as popular as ever with violin and piano. Thp violin solos included “O Sole Mio and "After the Dawn,’’ both of which wore played with artistic taste., ’I lie popular English comedians, the Carthy brothers, had the audience in high good humour with their merry jokes, humorous duets, and eccentric dancing. The Hector St. Clair Revue Company were seen in a merry set of comedy sketches which were presented under (he title “Stop-Press.”l Hector St. Clair was in his happiest vein, anti had the house in roars of laughter all the time he was on the stage. The audience were sintnly convulsed by his clover work as "The Harassed Comedian.” He was equally amusing in the sketches. "Taken by Surprise.” “Matrimony,’’ and “Painless Extraction.” The revue abounded in bright, vocal numbers. Leslie Pearce was in capital voice, and made decided hits with his songs. “I’ll Take Her Back” and “Because They All Love You.” Hylton Osborne and Marilyn McGill scored with their songs at the piano, ami the Rodney Girls and Ray McLean and Dot. Cresswell were iu groat demand for their dancing. The orchestra. under Mr. Wilfred Kohn, gave valuable support.

MISS MILLICENT KNIGHT.. Next Monday evening, at the Town Hall, Miss Mi'llicent Knight will give a song recital, assisted b.v Mr. Leon do Manny and Mr. Harold Whittle. Miss Kniglit is the possessor of a magnificent mezzo-soprano voice of rare sweetness and power. Slit* will render items by Hugo Wolf, Brahms. Schubert. Hughes, Harold Craxton. John Ireland, Gustov Holst, Keel. Robert: Jones. Joint Dowland, Motet, VuiUermoz. Pierne, Duparc. Gluck, Marcello, Scarlatti, and Astorga. The full programme will appear later. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Marion Davies will make her appearance at the Artel-aft Theatre to-night in “Yolanda.” a Metro-Goldwyu picture which i< likened to a page torn from the romantic book of Europe in, the fifteenth century. “Yolanda” is considered Hie tiue-t and iuo-t beautiful picture in which Miss Davies has vet appeared. It has magnificence of setting, swift drama, and historical accuracy. It is from the story bv Charles Major. Tense and dramatic scenes are said to he seen throughout the film. Nearly two thousand persons wore required Io enact some scenes. It. lias action all the way through, he it the resounding slap of u serving wench in answer to the boh) advances of a boisterous soldier, or the moments when steel battle-axes and broadswords are sinking deep into the mail-clad foeman. Owing to its length-elevon reels -tins picture will comnienco screening at 7.50 p.m. James llaydock will play appropriate music. DE I.EXE THEATRE. "The Miibiight Sun.” a picture remarkable for the dramatic, strength of its stow, for the richness and colour of its scenes, and for the acting power of its players, is now the attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. It is Univeraal’e most recent Super-Jewel, and is a worthy successor to (ho company's other big productions. It was directed by Dimitri Ihiehowctzki, noted Russian playwright. and presented with tour featured players. The picture i# a spectacular and dramatic story of St. Petersburg during the reign of the last Tsar. Ihc stow centres around a dancing girl, wild through the influence of a grand duke and of Russia’s limmvial king, brings herself from the runks of the Imperial Rus-ian Ballet to the position ot its premiere ballerina. Playing one against the other, the girl loses her heart. Io a young officer. Laura la Plante, Pat ((''Malley, Raymcud Dane, and George Siegmnn'n are the. featured plaveis. A news and comedy are to bo seeirin support, with appropriate orchestral music.

KING'S THEATRE. Starring Norma Shearer and Lew Cody, supported by Willard Louis, Karl Dane, and Gwen Lee, “His Secretary,” a delightful Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy, heads the programme now showing at (ho King's '1 heat re. The storv is a modernised version oi the ugly duckling theme, with twentieth contutv variations. It is spiced with (he merriest wit and comedy, end will provide an hour of splendid enjoyment for iinv audience. Briefly, it centres around the romance of a typist who was in love with her employer, and (ills how her transformation from .in unattractive girl into one of dazzljng beauty, through Hie aid of clothes and modern beaut v secrets, brought him to ber foot. Tho si».npnr(,intr programme includes R gazette, comedy, screen snapshots' ami' Now Zealand scenic, while tlie music by the orchestra is excellent.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Adapted bv Roland West from (he famous stage plav bv Mary Roberts R.inehart and Avery Hopwood. Ihc Bnt,” now showing nt ihc Queen' 0 Theatre, is even more thrilling than the original stage play. "The Bat’’ is franklv a mvsterv melodrama, and it r ] o ' c , mystify. You may watch it nt nnv point, and vou cannot po°°il>lv tell w l,„ is tho guilty person in the great crime problem u.nt.il the revelation, nt the end. Circumstantial evidence pmntfirst tn one ncr°on and then to another You mistrust and doubt' everyone in turn ns n clever dramatic pl"t point 1 lie (in-’or of milt is «omo other oiin>tpr Emilv Filmy. T.oui-o Fnzcndn Jack Pickford, nnd Towel Carmon bon'’ ,1,0 ~11-star oast. Tn snrmorf are n „., 7 oifo and sceni". w.itb s-itnblc incl„„isi .witsic b v th" nrrhestrn.

PARAMOUNT TT’F'TRE Aileen Pringle Tnwell S'i™n Chester Conklin carry off all the ad

ing honours in “The Wilderness. Woman,” the new Robert Kane picture for First National, which heads the current programme at the Paramount Theatre. The picture ofl'ers Miss Pringle her first opport unit y to break awur from the queen and vampire type of role with which she has been associated in the past, and to reveal a hitherto coveted talent for comedy. As the Alaskan minor's daughter, uncouth and unversed in the ways of society, or even of modern society, who comes info violent contact with the conventions in New York City, she presents a figure at once amusing and appealing. The supports include a gazette, scenic, and comedy, with an appealing selection of quisle. TN VITA T lON R ECTT AL. The violin students of Mr. I.n’c L. Meier will present an interesting procrnmino at the '1 own Hall Concejf Chamber. The contrasting will bo Schubert’s “Inioromniu in A Flat, nlaved by Miss Elsa Walter, pmnisie. and three eceonipiinicd violin duets: sonatas, hr Btiree. Arne, and tile beautiful “Golden Sonata.” bv Purcell. Invitations mnv be obtained at Beggs or the Bristol. '