ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 55, 29 November 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Marion Davies plays one of her most remarkable roles iu the uew production, “Beverly of Graustark,” based ou George Barr McCutcheon s famous novel of modern European intrigue, and playing at the De Luac Theatre. She plays not only the heroine, Beverly, but also masquerades us a crown priuce, and goes through a coronation to save a throne in a daring Impersonation. The star had her hair clipped, removed all vestiges of femininity from her face, ano so perfectly enacted a man’s role that the deception is uncanny. Antonio Moreno plays the principal male role of Daman. and Roy D'Arcy Creighton Hale, I’auletto Duval, Max Barwyn, Albert Gran, and other notables appear. The supports arc a scenic, gazette, screen snapshots, and a comedy, with a delightful programme of incidental music by the orchestra. “A TRIP TO CHINATOWN." The De Luxe Theatre will on Friday commence screening the comedy. "A Trip to Chinatown." a picture version of the world-famed play by Charles Hoyt, with a cast comprising Margaret Livingston, Earle Foxc. Anna May Wong. Mane Astaire. J. Farrell MacDonald, and Hazel Howell, and a cast of American beauties. The entertainment value cf this picture is several hundred paces ahead of the stage piece, it is said. The story ia concerned with the complications that arise when a beautiful widow invites a young millionaire, who imagines himself an invalid. to take her on a sight-seeing trip through the Chinese quarters. Every element of the production should produce comedv—the situations themselves, the manner in which the director has developed them, and the cast. It is easy to appreciate how the original stage piece was hailed everywhere as a great comedy. The picture is most certainly among the most laughable farces ever screened. The box plans are at the Bristol and Aitken's Book Arcade.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Hector St. Clair is undoubtedly providing comedv of the popular ty'A', and must rank as oue of the funniest and most successful comedians in the fuU sense of the word, that the Wellington vaudeville stage has seen for a very long time. This week, at His Majesty's Theatre, the Hector St. Clair company will present an entirely tew and original revue, entitled "Hail-marked.’’ Those who have seen it declare that this production is full of genuinely tunny comedy sketches, eminently pleasing vocal items, excellent dances, catchy songs, and tuneful melody. Hector St. Clair will be seen in many parts, and many moods. Mr. Les. Pearce. a notably fine baritone, should make a strong appeal with his vocal numbers, likewise Mr. Hylton Osborne. also a vocalist of exceptional merit, will offer acceptable contributions. Vivacious dancing can always be antici* p.-jted from the youthful Rodney girls. Other members of the company all have suitable parts in the many novel sketches and scenas. Hector St. Clair, in his easy, intimate. Inconsequential way. straight away makes himself one with his audience, and without the slightest apparent effort. invokes that genuinely happy laughter which is ineeed .tire "hall-mark” of a true comedian. There are no first-timers tn the vaudeville bill this week, but each and every act remaining over from last week is of a very high standard. Lorna. Lance and Company, the four remarkable children of the stage, ars a success nightly, and "Baby Leslie” is always rewarded with a storm of applause. These children are indeed clever artists. Clyde and Yvette will present another smart novelty act. showing distinct ability and difference in the art of singing and dancing. Mr. Clyde is also an accomplished whistler, and his imitations of a steel guitar are something to be remembered The Carthy Brothers are great favourites with Wellington audiences, and a now programme by these clever performers will be anticipated to contain the latest in topical humour and original singing and dancing. Thish excellent bill will be presented throughout the week.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The old whaling days are gone. No longer do four-masters sail forth to scour uncharted seas for the leviathan of the deep. The breed ot salt w-ater men who feared neither the gales which swept the Sky. nor the monsters beneath the sea, has passed, but in “Tbe Sea Boast,” now showing at the Empress Theatre, these stirring adventurers or bygone days are vividly brought to life. Taken from Herman Melville's classic story, this picture is one of the greatest that has ever reached Wellington. John Barrymore is starred as Captain Ahab Ceely, and in this role, which calls for strong, sterling acting, the famous star gives what Is probably his greatest performance, changing as he does from a young man, loving and full of hope for the future, to a cripple, hopeless, and possessing but one thought, the destruction ot the beast which had robbed him of nil that life held dear. A gazette and most amusing cartoon are also shown, while at the day sessions only is seen “It’s the Old Army Gaine,” a Paramount comedy featuring W. C. Feilds and Louise Brooks. KING’S THEATRE.

A tremendous air battle and dramatic court-martial are the prologue of "The Sky Raider,” featuring Jacquebne Logan and Captain Charles Nungesser, the great flying ace, now showing at the King’s Theatre. Tlie story mainly concerns itself with the efforts of a conscienceless villain tp break up two romances before committing the first air mail robbery in history, and is fuU of thrilling battles in the air. Tlie second f'ature is "Don’t,” the humorous etoly of a modern flapper's rebellion against the conventions. Sally O'Neil is the star, and is supported by John Patrick. Bert Roach, and Karl Dane. One of the great thrills is a breathless ride in a rar driven by a lunatic. Round dizzy mountain roads the car speeds, driven at a furious pace by the madman. A gazette is also shown, while an excellent (core of incidental music is played by the orchestra.

MISS MILLICENT KNIGHT’S RECITAL. At the Town Hall to-night Miss Mlllicent Knfglit will present a magnificent programme of vocal gems, the chief of which will be "Morio Vogllo” (Astorga), “Gia il sole lai Gouge” (Scarlatti). “Lantento” (Huparc), "Le Trois Princesses” (Vuillerinoz), and a delightful English group, including '‘Flow Not So Fast Ye Fountaines,” "Sweet Kate,” “My Sweet Sweeting,” “Pawn." “1 Have Twelve Oxen,” “Bless My Brooms,” ’and "The Terrible Robber Men.” There will also be items composed by Schubert, Brahms, and Hugo Wolf. Mr. Leon de Mauny will be heard in Handel’s “Sonata in A." and also "Tambourin Chinois" and "Chanson Indoue." Mr. Harold Whittle will be the accompanist. Special concessions have teen arranged for students. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Anna Q. Nilsson plays the leading role in “The Greater Glory,” June Mathis’ film now showing at the Paramount Theatre. The story follows the fortunes of a fine old Austrian family. After the war the heroine, who is a member of tliis family, is reduced by circumstances to accept a menial position. Then she 'a discovered by a former shopkeeper. who has reaped wealth as a result of war profiteering. In a short time she is the idol of Vienna’s new multi-millionaires. The drama is a poignant recital of the downfall and ultimate rehabilitation of what was once tile gayest city of Austria. Conway Tearle. May Allison. lan Keith. Lucy Beaumont, and Jean Hersholt are the other featured players. A gazette is shown in support. -hile pleasant music is provided by the orchestra. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Buck Jones, the stalwart cowboy of Fox Films productions, bus a new’kind of robin "The Gentle Cyclone,” at the Queen’s Theatre. He is a fighting pacifist, and his two-fisted attempts to restore peace bring about many highly amusing situations. Jones, as Absalom P. Wales, a harmless looking individual, is drafted to act as arbiter in a ehhonic dispute between two families of the West. He is successful only, however, after most of those concerned have been knocked unconscious in the many whirlwind tights which occur. Rose. Blossom, Marian Harlan, and Kathleen Myers, are included in the east. A gazette, scenic and comedy are shown in support, with capital incidental music. ARTCRAFT TUEATItb’. The. final screening takes place at flic Artcraft Theatre to-night of that excellent picture, “My Old Dutch ’ etarring Pat O’Malley and May McAvoy. It tells of London's quaint coster folk, their lives r and their loves;-it is a forty years’ love story, grippingly appealing, remarkably dramatic—a picture one cannot forget. There are thrills, too. including a great race, and a tremendous fight. Through it. like a thread of gold, runs a touching i love story, rich in pathos and tinged I with quaint humour. Commencing to-morrow is tin feature “The Bandit’s Baby.” in which Fred Thompson and his famous mount,, Silver King, are given delightful comedy situations. plenty of action, and fine melodrama. Special music is played by James Haydock. PLUNKET CHRISrifAS PARTY. On Saturday the Plunket Society will make its annual appeal to all parents in Wellington who have been helped and to all sympathisers. No pains have been spared to make the-Christmas party an enjoyable afternoon for the children Father Christina" will lie in aitendance with his tree well filled with wonderful gifts, mane of the toys Having been snccially imported from England. A children’s roimpunitv sing cf nursery rhrmes will he held an I parents are asked to watch the newspaper to se» which rhymes are to be ung. so that they may teach them to the children.

I ADELPHI CABARET. I The programme tor the Adelphi Cabaret this week is a particularly fine one. Tonight will be a special night, the proceeds trow which will be devoted to the Community Club's carnival queen. Dancing will be from 8.30 to 1 a.m Similar hours will be observed on Thursday, but on Tuesday. Friday and Sat. inlay. dancing will cease at midnight. Tbe cabaret is booked for Wednesday uight.

“THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER.” On Thursday uight will be given tlin first production in New Zealand of the musical comedy, “The irl Behind the Counter." v Inch Mr. David Devitt, is producing at the Grand Opera House, in aid of St. Mary's Homes, K.-irori. Tbe name part will be played by Alice Harris, as Winifred Willoughby, who falls in love with Charlie Chctwynd, just returned from West Africa. Norman Byrne Is Chctwynd. Both Mrs. Harris and Mr. Byrne are the possessors of excellent voices and are said to do ample justice to Harold Talbot's tuneful music. The comedy is in the capable hands of Lillian Grey. Mollie Plimmer, Kathlyu Murie, Mabel Robertson; Robert Charlton. Jack Cameron, Joseph Hunt, Harold Abbot, James McBryde. and Leslie Anderson. In addition to Florence Heyworth and Phillip Low, the speciality dancers, include Joan Carter, Muriel Wilton, Gladys Smyth, Irone Wilson. Iris Low, Zeena Holden, and Dot Wheeler. Mr. Lon Barnes has charge of the music. The box plan la now open at the Bristol.

MR. TEMPLE WHITE’S PUPILS. Ou Wednesday night selected pupils of Mr. Temple White will give an iuvitaliou vocal recital, and it is seldom that such a splendid programme is heard as the one that has been arranged for that evening at. the Town Hall. Included in it are the famous sextet from “Liilea di Lammermoor” and quartet from "Rigoletto,” and a glance at the names of popular Wellington singers who are taking part will guarantee that the whole programme will be of a very high order. These are:—Miss Myra Sawyer mid Mrs. Eletior Hampton (sopranos), Miss Nellie Amies and Mrs. W. J. Coventry (contraltos), Messrs. Frank Bryant and Samuel Dunean (tenors). Mr. Charles Hlckmott (baritone), and Mr. I.en Daniell (bass). Programmes may be obtained nt the leading music warehouses, and those desirous of making sure of a scat may do so by reserving at the Bristol. 'The plan is now open.

ORGAN RECITAL. The weekly organ recital was given at the Towu Hall last, evening by Mr. Bernard F. Page, city organist. I lie programme comprised(a) Prelude from "La, Damoiselle Ellie," (b; Prelude from "L’enfant Prodigue." by Debussy; Symmy No. 6 in B Minor ("Pathetic ). by Tschaikovsk.v (tho whole of this Symphony was played).