ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4428, 16 June 1922, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CENTRAL THEATRE PICTURES TO-NIGHT. “STRONGER THAN DEATH. Playing the fascinating role of a London music-hall dancer who finds romance in the heart of India, the superb Nazimova is to be seen this evening. The Russian star’s newest screen vehicle is entitled “Stronger Than Death,” and is! a screen adaptation of the brilliant novel by I. Ai R. Wylie, It is a story of a beautiful and poetic love, which develops between a man and a woman placed by fate into an atmosphere of danger and swiftly moving events-. Stirring drama at all .times illumines the narrative, making it one of. those stories that get a strong hold upon the emotions of the spectator. Her interpretation of Sigrid Fersen, the volatile dancer of the London music habs, whom fate throws into a vortex of conflict and intrigue in the heart of India, demonstrated why Nazimova has been called "the star of a. thousand moods” and the greatest. actress in the world. Iler expressive features registered every shade of meaning and all of; the tumult that raged in the dancer’s soul.

TO-MORROW NIGHT. “THE HUNCH.” “ The Hunch," starring Gareth Hughes, which is the attraction for to-morrow night, is a screen adaptation of a story by Percival Wilde that appeared in the Popular Magazine. The story deals with the adventure of a young Wall Street broker who wakes one morning after a, convivial party to find “Buy J.H.” inscribed on his shirt-front. “J.H.” means Jerusalem Steel, and the broker has a hunch that it will make his fortune. He borrows money to buy. Then the stock slumps. His loan, is called in. Unable to meet it, and unwilling to give up his hunch, he arranges to disappear for a time, leaving a hand a,nd knife to indicate that he has been murdered. Starting for the country, he is arrested as a suspicious char-, acter and held, for liis own murder. The series of hilarious incidents that follow in the story seem made for screen use, and the role of the young broker should show Mr. Hughes at his best. ' At the completion of the ordinary programme two episodes of “The Terror Trail” will be screened. THE PANTOiMjIME. “OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.” A full house greeted the Pantomime Company at the Central Theatre on Wednesday night, when “Old Mother Hubbard” was It was not, perhaps, up to the expectations of those who anticipated a really big affair, and the scenery was by no means wonderful, but a very fair performance was staged and the audience was kept interested and amused throughout the whole of the evening. Many of the characters were particularly enieraining, and Mr Arthur Bertram as Archibald Hubbard proved a good comedian and an admirable “King of Dum Doodle Dum Doo.” Miss Rpbee Raymond a,s Sally Horner was popular as a lazy slavey,. and Miss Audrey Carlyle played her part as Bluebell very .well. Miss Lulla Fanning made an admirable " boy,’’ of which class she was the principal, and as Robin Goodfellow she gave a very pleasing performance. The musical numbers were generally well rendered, the best being the singing of Miss Ethel z Osborn, the Fairy Queen. Her “Annie Laurie” was particularly good. The “Nightingale’s Trill” gave her an opportunity of demonstrating her great abilities and the fine qualities of her voice. A few special items were included in the programme, and the treatment of a violin by Mr Fred White, the talking violinist, was very entertaining and musical. Miss Laurie McLeod performed well in her Egyptian dances, and Arthur and Rubee Bertram gave a good exhibition of the latest jazz creation.