STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 508, 10 November 1928, Page 14

STRAND

) “THE STUDENT PRINCE” The beautiful old romance of ‘‘The Student Prince,” bubbling over with the merry wine of youth, is drawing to the close of its season at the Strand Theatre. The story of “The Student Prince” has an appeal all its own. Who is there who has not tasted the riotous selfabandonment of youth and the pang of “moving on” —of leaving youth behind? And the bitterness is made all the more bitter by realisation that one can never, never go back. That is just what happened to • Prince Karl Heinrich of Karlsburg, heir-apparent to the throne. He was . brought up in the overbearing quiet- ' ness of the Palace grounds—never meeting his equals or even anyone of his own age; his sole companion was his tutor, Dr. Juttner. Then came the great change—to Old Heidelburg University for a year. At Heidelburg he was welcomed, for the first time in his life, by young fellows L of his own age, and threw himself into -their happy, careless existence of ' drinking, tramping and singing. He met Kathi there, too. They fell [ madly in love —in love to the oblivion of all else. The picture has caught the very spirit of youth without spilling a drop, and even if it ended there would be wor£h the price of admission. But it doesn’t end there. The old king dies. Karl Heinrich is recalled home to assume the r.eins of office. He is bound by the conventions of Royalty. Kind old Dr. Juttner dies and he experiences the depth of utter loneliness and misery. Fiercely desperate he plans a return for one brief hour to old Heidelburg. But alas, the spirit had departed. The students stood stiffly to attention and formally drank his health; Kathi was tearful but adamant; and he returns sadly to the Royal Castle and his Royal marriage. “The Student Prince,” even besides its gaiety, and sadness is a great picture. The technique is perfect and the outdoor scenes and backgrounds superb. But its real power lies in the inner spirit of the passing of youth. The supporting programme includes a gazette, a coloured picture of Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth, and a 5 stage prologue in which Miss Etta Field is the soloist.