Round the Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 460, 15 September 1928, Page 18

Round the Shows

BELLINI’S “NORMA”

TALE OF ANCIENT GAUL This afternoon there will be a matinee performance of “La Traviata” and this evening Bellini’s .Norma’* will be staged. The story of “Norma” is set in ancient Gaul, at the time of the Roman occupation, about 50 B.C. Norma, a high priestess of the Druid temple, has forgotten her vows. Falling in love with the Roman pro-consul, Pollione, she has borne him two children. The Roman soldier is faithless. He makes love to Adalgisa, another priestess, and seeks to abduct her to Rome. On the eve of her flight Adalgisa kneels before Norma and asks to bo relieved of her vows, telling the High Priestess she loves a stranger. Norma learns that the faithless Pollione is the stranger. In a spirit of renunciation she urges Adalgisa to take her children and flee with the Roman. The eager Pollione, however, bursts into the temple and impiously attempts to drag Adalgisa from the alter where she is officiating. Norma enters and strikes the sacred shield that calls the priests to arms. The Druids rush in and seize Pollione. lie is brought before the High Priestess for judgment. In a passion of self-sacrifice Norma tears off the sacred wreath, the symbol of her office, and declares she is equally guilty. Pollione, too late, recognises the greatness of Norma's love. Death is the punishment of sacrilege. The Druids build the funeral pyre and together Norma and Pollione ascend it. As the flames envelop them they declare themselves purified and happy in their new-found adoration.

CAPITOL AND EDENDALE REGINALD DENNY PICTURE A story of a prize-fighter’s son who was brought up as a dancing instructor is told in Reginald Denny’s latest success, “On Your Toes,” to be shown again this evening at the Capitol and

Denny plays the effeminate role with skill and although “On Your Toes” is a different style of picture from most of his others, it is nevertheless highly enjoyable. The plot tells of the search by a prize-fight manager for a champion. He finds a

promising pupil in Elliott (played by Denny), but he is prevented from boxing by his grandmother, who has refrained from telling the boy of his father’s career.

“Something Always Happens,” the second attraction at both theatres, stars the popular actress Esther Ralston in an exciting mystery play.

TUDOR, REMUERA “CHICKEN A LA KING” An hilarious comedy romance which is delighting all who see it, the picture “Chicken a la King,” will be shown again this evening at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera. “Chicken a la King” is a comedydrama of a conservative home-loving business man who tries to play the Good Samaritan by saving his bro-ther-in-law from the lure of a chorus girl, but in doing so, gets deep in the toils of the charmer himself. Incidentally the story points the moral that there is no place like home after all, especially when you come so close to losing it. “Good Time Charley,” a merry, but at times pathetic, story of a smalltown vaudeville actor, will also be shown. Warner Oland and Dolores Costello are the stars. “DRESSED TO KILL” AT EMPIRE A modern story of the underworld, entitled “Dressed to Kill,” will be shown this evening at the Empire Theatre. Edmund Do we as “Mile a Way Barry,” is the star of the production, a debonair, immaculately dressed master mind of crookdom, who resembles the gangster of other days only in his utter disregard of the value of human life whether it be his own or the man he has marked for “a ride,” Ben Bard heads the supporting cast and beautiful Mary Astor, “the patrician of the screen,” plays the leading feminine role. An enjoyable romantic comedy entitled “Slightly Used,” is also on the programme. May McAvoy and Conrad Nagel head the cast. GREEN MILL, MILFORD “A BUSH CINDERELLA”

The New Zealand-made film, “A Bush Cinderella.” with Dale Austin, will head the programme to be shown at the Green Mill Theatre, Miiford, this evening. A Busli Cinderella,” is a charming story of a typical New Zealand backblocks family which adopted an orphan girl. This girl’s uncle leaves her his entire estate, but a dishonest secretary endeavours to appropriate the money for himself. Many of the scenes are taken in and around Auckland, and the photography is of a very high order.