ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 54, 27 November 1926, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

"ELIZA COMES TO STAY.” Tonight is the last night uf the Wellington season of the delightful comedy company now appearing at tne Grand Opera House. “Eliza Comes to Stay/’ a farcical comedy in three acts, has been the play staged all this week, end last night it was fully enioved bv Lhe large audience present. This rather impossible farce provides a wonderful part for a clever comedy actress, and Miss Zillah Bateman tills the oill well in this respect. She is pathetic as the waif Eliza, and vivacious and charming as the stylish Dorothy. Mr. Frank Bradley also made the most of the part of Montague Joi don. The other mem bers of the company played their parts weil, and the applause was hearty at the fall of the curtain.

•‘THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER.” Thursday utght will see the first production in New Zealand of tile musical comedy from Wyuduams Theatre. London, of "The Girl Behind tne Counter," winch Mr. David Devitt is producing at the Grand Opera House, in aid or bl. Marys Homes, Karori. The name part Will be played by Alice Harris, who. as Winifred Willoughby, the daughter of General and Lauy Willoughby masquerades as an assistant in the flower department of "Ln Maison Duval, ’ and falls in’love with her first customer, Charlie (jfietwynd, just returned from West Africa. Norman Byrne is Chetwynd. Both Mrs. Harris and Mr. Byrne are the possessors of excellent voices and are said to do ample justice to Howard Talbot’s tuneful music. The comedy is in the capable hands of Lillian Grey, Mollie Piimmer, Kathlyu Murie. Mabel Robertson, Robert Cnarlton. Jack Cameron, Joseph Hunt, Harold Abbot. James McBryde, and Leslie Anderson. In addition to Florence Heyworth and Phiilip Low, the specialty dancers include Joan Carter, Muriel Wilton. Gladys Smyth, Irene Wilson, Iris Low, Zeena Holden, and Dot Wheeler. Messrs. Kirkcaldie and ..ams are supplying gowns, millinery, etc., for display in the first act. Mr. Len Barnes has charge of the music. The box plan is now open at the Bristol, where holders of 6s. tickets may reserve their seats. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Soil Beast" at the Empress Theatre. Here is a picture that comes up to all expectations—in fact, one that exceeds all the descriptive greatness that has been told 61 it while merely in the preliminary advertising stages. "The Sea Beast" is one of the year s great pictures—it excels in scenic beauty, romantic story, thrilling situations, and excellence of acting—and especially the last of these John Barrymore is first and foremost an actor. lie may not be so well known to lovers of the screen drama, as some of the other motion-picture "heroes," ’ut in stage fame the world over his name is a household word. He yet does not play for the screen in a great number of dramas, but when he does appear it is always a foregone conclusion that it is in something worth while. In "The Sea Beast" he takes a part that calls for strong, sterling acting, and in this role he gives to the film world what is perhaps so far his greatest character. The story makes one smell the salt air of the sea. At the magic cry, "Thar she blows! She blows!" half a hundred sailormen are instantly alert.' A mile away a stream of water rises like a fountain from the crest of a living island. Boats are lowered. The chase of the whale, leviathan of the deep, has begun. in . one such chase Aliab Ceeley met and fought, the most deadly and powerful of all the sea beasts, Moby Dick, and lie lost his leg. He became a “peg-leg," to be pitied and despised by his fellows. He returned to the girl of his heart, and thought he read pity in her eyes. Mocking shadows made him imagine he saw her kissing another, and Ahab returned to the sea. Therein somewhere roved the monster that was responsible for his lost love. Ahab must wreak his vengeance, As the years passed tlio gossip of whale men all over the world was of Ahab Ceeley, a man insane, a cruel man, a skipper who bad surrounded himself with an ungodly crew, who prayed to bis hale day after day that fortune bring him once more face to face with Moby Dick. The day came. They' met, and Ahab revelled in the moment of complete revenge against that which had cost him his love and his right to happiness. But back on board, his vengeance satisfied, a vision of Esther, his love, came to him. "We're going home," he shouted, and Fate led him once more to the faithful girl, who awaited her lover in the-old homo at New Bedford. The Empress Theatre was packed last night, and it is a certainty that not many seats will he vacant at the coming performances. The Empress Theatre is open continuously. At the . afternoon showings an extra picture, "Its the Old Army Game," will also be presented, lhe orchestral music is well adapted to the film, and it is an assured success in the bands of the Empress orchestra.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE To what extent Viennese seciety had become addicted to st range fads and foibles following the war is Lluslratcd *>• Anna Q. Niisson, who plays lhe leading role in "The Greater Glory," a First National production which commenced screening at the Paramount Theatre yesterday. The film is an adaptation of ’Viennese Medley," a * elebruted novel by Edith O'Shaughnessy. wife of the American Ambassador rt Vienna. The story relates how Fanny ■on Berg, fav-, ourite niece of Tante llde, loveable old fashioned aristocrat, around whom the life of a voluminous host of kinfolk revolves, is sent from Vienna tj a drab farm by stern relatives to permit them to outlive a scandal that Fanny unwittingly has precipitated upon their proud heads. Fanny rebels, quits the farm, aud soon, in the ensuing world war. becomes a central figure in the extravagant night life iu the city, which is sustained by the war barons and food profiteers. Yet it is this demi-mondaine’s bigheaitedt’ess that supports her aloof relations when war’s blight desc nds upon them. The fortunes of this widely ramifying family are woven into a dramatic fabric against a background of martial alarms with episodes pointing their messages and morals. Other principals in the cast are Conway Tearic Lucy Beaumont, May Aliisou, lau Keith, and jean Hersholt. Supporting this excellent picture is the latest <ra?ette. A first-class musical programme is provided by the Paramount orchestra. KING’S THEATRE. A new double feature programme coinmeuced its Wellington season at tho King's Theatre last night, both pictures being of au exceptionally high quality. The first of these, "The Sky Raider,” is a Paramount production, aud introduces the world's greatest living ’ace," Captain Charles Nungesser. It is essentially a drama of modern times, being a story of the air, combining romance with the thrills which fall to the lot of an airman only. Captain -.Nungesser plays the role of himself, the French aviator who brought down no less than oue hundred aud fifty enemy machines during the course of the Great War. tine day the Ace falls in love with an American girl, who is trying to trace iier brother. The captain recognises him by bis picture as a flyer who has been senteueed to twenty years in prison. However, Nungesser releases her brother, who is really innocent. The manner in which the Ace exposes and captures the real villain, who commits tlie first robbery iu air mail history, is oue of the several interesting plot threads in the picture. The chief feminine role is filled by Jacqueline Logan. The supporting picture is one winch is also worthy of attention. Entitled “Don't,” it is a combination of plausible plot and clean humour, which is intensely interesting, especially when its interest is heightened' by a delightful romance, aud tense dramatic nionieuls. “Don't," which has been weil described as u picture of infectious comedy, is the story of the romantic adventures of a girl who rebelled against society's conveutluus, aud it affords bally U’Neil a further opportunity oi’ winning still more appreciation of her unusual beauty, her piquant personality, and her marvellous screen ability. Au interesting gazette completes lhe programme, wmle tne Mug's tUcuetlra plays excellent music.

Ills MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Hector bt. Clair and bis capable c0m...,y continue to give more than satisfaction to patrons of His Majesty's Theatie in their e ureiit revue, "Stop Tress.” Hector St. Clair is seen at liis very best in a series of skeicnes, which afford nun fu'J scope for his powers us a comedian. He is inimitable as the "Harassed Comedian," a whimsical figure who arouses the ire of many in the audience by his innocent attempts to “tell a little story.” In turn. Jew, Scotchman, and Irishman indignantly protest against his caricaturing their races. The comedian is all apologies, and thinks he is on safe ground when he breaks into "Hello. Hello, Who's Yoar Lady Friend." but to his dismay a gentleman in a box waxes most indignant at this "outrage on good taste, ' and departs with his fair partner to coinplain to the management. The hapless comedian has no more luck when he endeavours to sing hi.s little song about a policeman, as a. burly member of the force comes forward and truculently threatens to "run him in.” It is all highly amusing, and had the audience in convulsions last night. The revue abounds in tuneful numbers, and of these 'Leslie Pearce makes distinct hits with "I’ll Take Her Rack” and "Because They All Love You.” The vaudeville entertainment i- nicely varied and of a high standard The Lorna Lance Company arc band o’ clever Australian juveniles, who put on a vocal and instr imental erformum >■ of refreshing origihality. Bertini, tbu

accomplished violinist, and Byrne, who seconds him ably at the piano, are wen worth hearing and feccinc. while tne Carthy Brothers (English comedians), ana Clyde and Yvette (modern dance specialists). provide sparkling entertainment. There will be a matinee performance at 2.30 this afternoon, and this bright programme will be presented for the last time to-night.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Romantic castles iu Europe, court intrigues, royal lovers, and bartering for mushroom kingdoms, all have a place In “Beverly of Graustark,” the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer production of George Barr McCutcheon’s stirring story, which was presented at De Luxe Theatre last night. It is a highly exciting romance of modern Europe, lilmed on a gorgeous scale. E[aoG**ate settings and spectacular ensembles form the background, against which a tensely dramatic and very human story is revealed. The tale is a most romantic one, and tells how a brave girl donned man’s attire in order to save her cousin from being robbed of his kingdom by a dastardly pretender. In the plot and counter plots which follow many complications are caused by the heroine appearing in dual roles. Marion Davies plays the heroin'', and, with her hair clipped short, makes a dashing “Prince.” A notable cast surrounds the star, with Antonio Moreno in the leading male role. Others who are happily cast in the brilliant romance are Roy d’Arcy, Creighion Hale. Paulette Duval, Albert Gran, Max Barwyn, and Charles Clary. A pleasing assortment of supporting subjects figured on the new programme, Including an International News film. Most pleasing incidental music was supplied by the orchestra, under Miss A. Bryers. will be a matinee screening at -.30 this afternoon.

QUE EX’S THEATRE. Thrills, action, speed and romance are the composition of “The Gentle Cyclone, the William Fox screen version of W. Buckley’s engrossing story of the u est, which opened at the Queen’s Theatre last night. The title of the picture accurately fits Buck Jones, the agile star, once lie starts to finish things in his own way. Jones has the part of Absolum Wales, a harmless looking person, who goes west to act as a peacemaker between two rival ranch owners. Peace is finally achieved, but only after some most thrilling fights in which Jones has figured. Silver, Jones noted horse, has an opportunity to pertorm numerous feats of a hazardous nature in this film, and under the guiding hand cl his master, indulges iu wild leaps, thrilling chases, and mountain climbs. There is a very able supporting cast. A gazette, an interesting scenic, and a most laughanie comedy, are shown in support, while delightful music is given by the Queens Orchestra.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. t “My Old Dutch.” a forty years love story, to be screened again at the Artcraft Theatre this afternoon and toni£Jt, is a picturesque story laid about London and coster life. The costers, with their quaint button-trimmed clothes, are seen with their odd festivals and queer customs: Pat O'Malley and May MoAvoy play a coster boy and girl who marry, and their undying love over a space of forty years forms the underlyix note in the story. A remarkable fight, staged with bare knuckles as in the days before John L. Sullivan, is one of the thrills. Among the artists seen in the cast are Edgar Kennedy and George Siegmann. of “Merry Go Round” fame. A splendid news and a highly amusing Century comedy complete the pictorial part, whilst the musical portion is in the capable hands of James llay dock, who will play the well-known song “My Old Dutch.” COLLEGE CONCERT. The Wellington College boys are to give a concert at the Town Hall this evening, in aid of the college pavilion fund. The programme will be supplied solely by boys attending the college. Features of especial interest will be the overtures “Rakoczy” (Kela Bela), and Raff’s “Cavatina.” by the college orchestra, under Mr. J. Lomas, and the choral numbers, under Mr. J. T. McCaw. Masters G. C. Power, L. H. Searle, and R. G. Whitehead will recite; Messrs. S. Pomeroy and F. Martinelli will contribute violin solos, and Mr. M. Boyd will play Schubert’s

“Marche Militaire.” There will be an exhibition of physical training, and the farcical play scene from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be enacted by the boys.

ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist) will give his usual weekly organ recital at the Town Hall to-morrow evening, and the programme will consist of the following items.-—(a) Prelude from “La Damoiselle Blue/* (b) Prelude from “I/enfant Prodigue/* by Debussy; Symphony No. 6 in B Minor (“Pathetic’*), by Tchaikovsky (the whole of this Symphony will be played).