Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 17

Round The Shows

EMBASSY

VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES The Embassy Theatre will be open this evening, when a programme of pictures and vaudeville will be presented by the proprietor of the Lyric Theatre, Mr. W. J. Bannehrs. The pictorial side of the programme is headed by an unusual instructional film entitled, ‘Are you Fit to Marry. The plot deals with a subject that has been held as unmentionable for centuries, but it is related so dramatically and clearly that it must interest everyone and offend none. This picture, which has been recognised by leading ministers and social workers as the most forceful lesson ever screened for young and old, does not parade evil that good may come of it. It shows how the most innocent may become victims of the sins of others. The picture has been passed by the censor only on the understanding that children under 16 will not be admitted. A second picture will be screened in “The Demon Rider,” starring the popular outdoor actor, Ken Maynard. The vaudeville section of the programme will be contributed by Sidney Dan, who claims the title of “the world’s fastest escapologist.” He escapes with ease from regulation handcuffs, straight-jackets, ropes and defies being detained in any way. His act is one of the most remarkable seen on an Auckland stage for some time.

TUDOR. REMUERA

CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S LATEST Charlie Chaplin plays the role of a poor old tramp taken on as a handy man, in his latest picture “The Circus,” to be shown this evening at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera. Beit the tramp proves himself a marvellous dumb-bell in the try-outs of the old clown tricks like “the William Tell act” and “the barber’s 3h o p,” and is heaved outside the tent. His chance comes when the property men quit in a body and he gets a job carrying in the magician’s C_ „ *; _ stock -in - trade, nari.e onctpiin rT , , There is one gorgeous scene when he presses the wrong button on the magic table But the magnificent climax is Chaplin as a tight-rope walker, 100 ft above the sawdust. A story of a rich young son interested only in polo will also be shown. This is “The Smart Set” starring William Haines. The Tudor Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Victor Stear will provide the incidental music.

HIS MAJESTY'S

‘TRIAL OF MARY DUGAN** For two more nights Mary Dugan will stand her trial before the audience at His Majesyt’s Theatre, face the barrage of cross-examination from the prosecutor (Leon Gordon) and bare the intimate details of her life to the court. This plav by Bayard Neiller, the author of “Within The Law,” has been a dramatic sensation wherever it has been produced. In Auckland it was billed to run for four nights, but the season had to be extended until Tuesday, when the company will play “Scandal.” “The Trial of Mary Dugan” is unlike any other piecethere is no orchestra and no curtain and the audience has to become jurymen for the occasion. Mary Dugan, the mistress of a murdered millionaire, is tried for homicide before one’s eyes. The court procedure of the United States is followed faithfully, even to the entry of the charwomen prior to the hearing of the day’s cases Cosmo Hamilton’s “Scandal,” which will be revived on Tuesday night, gives Miss May Collins, the American star, and Mr. Leon Gordon a big opportunity for dramatic triumphs. The story hinges on the gossip of a large city concerning the clandestine visits of a millionaire’s daughter to the studio of an artist, and her discovery there by members of the indignant family. One of the most effective instances in “Scandal” is when Franklin, the supposed husband of the girl, orders her to bed in a luxuriouslyappointed room, turns out the lights after putting the key of the room in his pocket and walks toward her.

CHORAL SOCIETY

THURSDAY’S CONCERT Judging by the excellent variety to bo offered by the Auckland Choral Society, there should be a record attendance at the Town Hall on Thursday night, when the second concert of the season will be presented. On this occasion the programme will bo comprised of orchestral and choral numbers, instrumental and vocal solos, and items by the celebrated juvenile violin choir. This latter organisation appeared with great success at a recent concert given by the Bohemian Orchestra, and its reappearance will prove a popular feature of the programme on Thursday. Prominent items will be “Slavonic Rhapsody,” by the orchestra; a solo by Master Cameron; the choral selection. “The Heavens are Telling” (Haydn); “Ave Maria” (Max Bruch), by Miss Ruth Rowe; and Miss Theo Halpin. pianiste, will play “Scherzo in C Sharp - ' Minor” (Chopin).

“THE GOOSE GIRL”

HIS MAJESTY’S WEDNESDAY Bright and beautiful ballets, tuneful music, topical songs and allusions, danced, sung and supplied by a galaxy of girls, with male and combined choruses intervening here and there, make up the gorgeously produced comic opera, “The Goose Girl.” which will appear at His Majesty’s on Wednesday and Thursday evenings of next week No trouble or expense has been spared to make the initial production of the Patrician Operatic Society one big success. The choir of St. Patrick’s Cathedral has been known for the past, half-century for the continued high standard of its vocal and choral work; from its ranks have come many operatic performers, some of whom have starred in grand opera in European countries and in Australia. The choir maintains its high traditions to-day, and its quality will be heard and seen in the English comic opera their society is now giving to the public. Its composer, the late Sir Al- j fred Scott-Gatty, is well-placed among ; English composers of light operatic J and vocal music. In the forthcoming production. Miss I Daphne Knight will be in charge of j the ballet work, and Mr. E. J. Burke ; is the musical director. When it is stated than Captain H. J. Redmond, so well and favourably known in operatic circles throughout the Dominion, is in complete charge as produced, the public will realise that “The Goore Girl” will be an amateur show quite out of the ordinary. The box plan and day sales are at Lewis Eady. Ltd., Queen Street, where early application should be made, as the bookings are already very heavy.

LYRIC

“ARE YOU FIT TO MARRY?”

“The sins of the fathers shall be visited on the children even unto che third and fourth generation.” This ancient and solemn warning is preached in a startling manner in the picture “Are You Fit to Marry?” to be shown again this evening at the Lyric Theatre. As an indictment against hypocrisy, and prudery, this picture is unrivalied. It shows clearer than any sermon or book could do that the innocent suffer for the sins of others. The story of “Are You Fit to Marry?” revolves around a man who knew he had tainted blood, and who was warned by a doctor never to marry. But love was stronger than fear, and he married his sweetheart. A year later a little baby Was born, but alas! it was malformed, and an imbecile. In a dream, the mother visions what the child would be like when it grows up, the misery and the repugnance. This part of the picture is tremendously powerful, and depicts the life behind the scenes of a great city. In addition to “Are You Fit to Marry?” an excellently varied programme is presented. This Includes “The Demon Rider,” an exciting and colourful story of theft and mistaken identity in the cattle country. Ken Maynard, the popular outdoor actor, and his horse Tarzan, are the main actors. An added attraction this evening will be the appearance of Sidney Dan, in a vaudeville act of unusual calibre. Besides chewing glass and eating nails, Sidney Dan is a fastworking escapologist. He escapes from police handcuffs and straightjackets in record time, and his act should not be missed.

“GARDEN OF ALLAH” AT GRAND

“The Garden of Allah,” a story based on Robert Hichen’s remarkable novel is now being shown at the Grand Theatre. Alice Terry and Ivan Petrovitch are the stars. This picture was photographed on the actual locales in Northern Algeria as desribed in Hichens’s novel and moves with a subtle dignity amid the spell of the unfathomable East. Glowing sunsets, withering sandstorms, volup- ... _ tuous Arabian Allce Terr y dancers and quaint glimpses of desert life are all combined to form a vivid background for the story of a man’s soul torn between the call of love and the equally insistent voice of his holy vows.