ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12614, 26 November 1926, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

“ELIZA COMES TO STAY” SPLENDID COMEDY AT OPERA HOUSE. With each successive performance, Joseph Cunningham’s New English Comedy Company enhances its refutation for presenting a bright, original, and clever entertainment, established on the first night of their initial offering in Wellington “The Unfair Sex. That the efforts of the talented company are appreciated by the theatregoing public was again proved last evening, when spontaneous applause greeted every rise and fall of the curtain. The humour is well sustained in the amusing situations that arise in this latest farce, which describes the feelings of a young man, the Hon. Sandy Verrall, who has thrust upon him the guardianship of a girl, whom he aptly characterises as a “perfect Fright. 5 ,v One week of her in his flat, and he flees to the Continent to escape When he returns from abroad, however, he discovers that the cause of his previous consternation has blossomed into a stately and very desirable young woman. He then decides that the only way out of his predicamerit is to marry Eliza, who with her transformation assumes the name of Dorothy. This he does, and not reluctantly. Miss Zillah Bateman scores another decided success as Eliza —the unbearable and the dignified—and does full justice to the most difficult double role. Mr Copelin is well suited to the character of Sandy, while Miss Henrietta Cavendish, as Lady Pennybroke, acts with dignity and grace. Miss Sylvia Clifton, as Miss Vera Lawrence, a designing actress, and Mr Frank Bradley, as Monty Jordan, tho musicmaster and disappointed lover, give excellent representations of tli€6e char- “ Eliza Comes to Stay” will be >epoated to-night, and the final presentation will take place to-morrow night.

A FINE SINGER

MISS KNIGHT’S RECITAL. Among all the singers that New Zealand has sent abroad Miss Millicent Knight is easily one of the most prominent. Thus her recital in the Concert Chamber on Monday next will be awaited with much interest. A most attractive programme has been chosen. On her appearance in London the “Musical Times,” a candid journal, said- “Among the newcomers of late Miss Millicent Knight (Wigmore Hall) was the best. Not a perfect singer, indeed, but a singer all the same, and that is not at all common in these days of recitals in a dreary, spineless sort of ‘Sprecligesang.’ She straightway made unambiguous songlike “sounds. It was as though she were swimming boldly in deep water. The average recitalist one hears is a mere paddler. Her tone was healthy and resonant.” . Miss Millicent Knight will bo assisted by Mr Leon de Mauny and Mr Harold Whittle. The box plan is at the Bristol.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE

! -THAT’S MY BABY.” Douglas Mac Lean, assisted by Marj garet Morris, will be seen at the New Princess Theatre to-day in “That’s My i Baby,” one of the cleverest and most t thriilihg comedies ever shown on the silver sheet. An airship and a young baby boy play an important part in this picture. . Mac Lean, a young man, is jilted on the eve of bis wedding. He swears off girls. Then he meets Margaret Morris. He is not in favour with her father, in a business way, and not in favour with mother in any way at all. A rival suitor hands him a baby to mind, and everyone thinks that it belongs' to Mac Lean. Finally he manages to clear himself and wins the girl after a number of thrills and comedy situations. The second feature is a wonderful out-of-doors film, “The Snowshoe Trail,” starring Jane Novak. A coniedv, a gazette, and further entries for the children’s beauty contest complete the bill.

PARAMOUNT .THEATRE

“THE GREATER GLORY.” To yliat extent Viennese society had become addicted to strange fads ami foibles following the war is illustrated hv. Anna Q. Nilsson, who plays -the leading role in “Idle Greater Glory,” June Mathis’s great sereeu ! epic, commencing to-day at the ParaI mount Theatre. The production is a first National adaptation of the cede brated novel, “Viennese Medley,” by ; Edith O’Shaughnessv, wife of the i Amcvican Minister at Vienna, i “The Greater Glory” is a colossal !picture of Vienna during and after Iho war. It depicts with realism the fortunes of a fine old Austrian family. More than a vear was spent on the production by Miss Mathis and a vast companv. In the picture Miss Nilsson, who plays the part of a demimondaine friend of the Austrian war barons and profiteers, evinces a mania for tiny golden statuettes of rabbits, preferably jewelled. She is showered with these ornaments by her wealthy patrons, who have grown rich as a result of tho conflict. , Tho large company is headed by Anna Q. Nilsson, Conway Tearle, Mav Allison, lan Keith, Jean Hersliolt, and l.ucy Beaumont. Miss Beaumont, who has one of tlie most remarkable parts in the picture, was selected for her part only after more than 300 character women had been subjected to tests. .. There will ho a first-rate supporting bill, and excellent music by the Paramount Orchestra.

KING’S THEATRE

“THE SKYKAIDKR” AND “DON’T.” At the King’s Theatre to-night commences a great double bill, comprising the big Paramount attraction, the “Skyraider,” which brings to the screen the world’s greatest Ace, one of the war’s heroes and France’s idol, Captain Charles Nnnge&sar, whose war record is one hundred and five enemy ’planes brought to earth, who was wounded seventeen times and honourably discharged three times, and who Ims been decorated with the highest honours every Allied country had to offer. The second attraction is a delightful Metro comedy, “Don’t,” featuring Sally O’Neil, the wonder girl. It is packed with funny situations, abounding in hair-raising thrills, and is based on a timely theme, with romance and real adventure. The story tells of Sally Moffat who returns from college to home where life is n succession of “don’ts.” Tiring of these restrictions sho runs away to marry her sweetheart, and after a period of hilarious and hair-raising adventures, comes into real happiness. There will be a first-rate supporting hill, while Mr A. H. Jerome’s orchestra. will bo heard in manv beautiful numbers.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

HECTOR ST. CLAIR REVUE; 1 BRIGHT VAUDEVILLE. Hector St. Clair’s new revue, *‘Stop-Press/’ now being; presented at His Majesty’s Theatre, maintains the standard of its predecessors. Hector St. Clair is in his happiest vein, and has the house in roars of laughter all the time. In “The Harassed Comedian,” he convulses the audience with his clever fooling. Other amusing sketches in which he excels himself are “Taken by Surprise,” “Matrimony,” and “Pfiin*e£s Extraction.” The whole show abounds with bright numbers. In the vaudeville half Bertini and Byrne are as popular as ever with violin and piano. The Carthy Brothers, the popular English comedians, keep the audience in high humour with their merry jokes and eccentric dancing. Lorna \Lance and Company, theclever juvenile musicians, provide a first-class turn, while Clyde and Yvette are two clever novelty dancers, Clyde also being an accomplished whistler. Mr Wilfred Kohn’s orchestra is a great asset to the entertainment.

QUEEN’S THEATRE

BUCK JONES IN “THE GENTLE CYCLONE.” Thrills, from the moment the first sequence opens until the last man is whipped, in the final fade-out! This, in a word, tells the gripping story of “The Gentle Cyclone,” Fox Films Western starring Buck Jones, which opens at the Queen’s Theatre. Buck, of course, is the “cyclone,” and, despite the suggestion of gentleness in the title of this picture, Mr Jones at times is as vigorous and tornadic as his fondest fan could wish. In fact, in many of the scenes of “The Gentle Cyclone” Buck swings a pair of very lusty and decisive fists. “The Gentle Cyclone” has been made under the direction of W. 8. Van Dyke, who has piloted Mr Jones through many of his best Western stories. The cast has been selected with unusual care, and a picture with fine entertainment value has been produced. A gazette, scenic, and comedy comprise the supporting bill. Excellent incidental music by the Queen’s Select Orchestra is an important attraction. Box plan at Bristol Piano Co. or ring 23-334 for reserves.

EMPRESS THEATRE

JOHN BARRYMORE IN “THE SEA BEAST.” In “Tlie Sea Beast,” an adaptation of the novel “Moby Dick,” I hope to make live again before the ryes of the world one of the most adventurous, colourful, and characteristically American of industries, that of whaling, now defunct and living only in tho traditions of New Bedford and of such novels as “Mobv Dick.” Lk these words, John Barrymore Mimmcd up the attitude of the entire Warner Bros. West ('oast studio force engaged in the making of “The Sea Beast,” which commences at the Empress Theatre to-day. “There was a wealth of romance in the whaling industry of New England hack in 1840. On the blunt bowed, drop drafted whaling vessels were bred the hardy Yankee sailors who brought the maritime triumphs of war and peace to America. Now, of course, those bravo times arc nothing but a memory in such towns as New Bed ford once brimming over with the j bustling activities of the bluff New ; England sea people, proud with the ! task of supplying tho entire civilised world. “It was a rugged, eventful life, fu!! of sudden death and ever-present danger. Crew killing captains ruled with the closed fist and the belaying pin. Ships fought each other for disputed quarry. Some turned pirate or smuggler, but in the main the officers and men of tho whaling fleet were upright and God-fearing. “It is the mighty spirit of New England whalers that we have attempted to capture for the silver sheet in tho production of “The Sea Beast.” Bess Mcredyth adapted this stirring Herman Melville story to the screen, and Millard Webb directed. In the cast are Dolores Costello, George O’Hara, Mike Donlin, Sam Baker. George Burrell, Sam Allen, Frank Nelson, MatJiilde Commit, James Barrowes, Vadin Uranoff, Sojin, and Frank Hagncy. “It’s the Old Army Game” will be shown during the day sessions only, excepting Saturday, when “'The Sea Beast” only will be shown. AY. C. JMlds and Louise Brooks arc the stars m this comedv-drama.