MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 727, 29 July 1929, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“THE THREE PASSIONS” Lord Bellamore leapt to his feet, crushing the telegram in his clenched fist. His chair crashed down behind him as, oblivious to the amazement which his distinguished guests tried their best to dissemble, he strode to the door, out through the hall, pajst astonished but deferential footmen, into the downpour of rain in Park Lane. Hatless, in full evening dress, soaked to the skin, he jumped into the taxi which crwled up in answer to his hail. “The Assissi Brotherhood of Anglicans, Lari’s Court —and drive like hell!”

And, while the company of peers, famous soldiers, sailors, diplomats, whom he had been so proud to welcome to his house-warming, wondered whether Joijin Battle Wrexham, Viscount Bellamont, had suddenly gone mad, he, •'the richest man in all England,” wept tears of mingled rage and sorrow as the cab carried him to the tragic wreck of his life’s fondest hopes. Lord Bellamont is one of the principal characters in Rex Ingram’s prpduction of Cosmo Hamilton’s story, “The Three Passions,” the big attraction at the Majestic Theatre. Interpreted by Shayle Gardner, a New Zealand stago and screen actor of fine reputation, the figure of the self-made millionaire shipbuilder is a striking personification of the lure—and limitations —of Money, one of the Three Passions of the firm’s intriguing title. Ivan Petrovitch, famous since Ingram gave him the big role in "The Garden of Allah,” is Philip Wrexham, son of Bellamont, in "The Three ____ Passions”. As an

under graduate who, under the influence of religion, decides to renounce his father’s wealth, he indicates another of the “passions.” Last but not least of the trio is “Blossey,” Lady Victoria Burlington. an ultramodern English society girl.

Big features of "The Three Passions,” of which the keynote is the young hero’s revolt against his father’s materialistic creed and his still bigger struggle against his sense of vocation and his love for "Blossey,” include scenes of a great strike of workmen at Bellamont’s shipyards, of the "night life” of modern London, contrasted with the squalor of its slums; the peaceful quadrangles of centuries-old Oxford colleges throw into grim relief the smoke and clamour of a great industrial and the tragedy so often to be found there. The chief attraction on the excels lent supporting programme is the rollicking comedy of jack-tars, entitled "You Know What Sailors Are.” Then there is a Majestic Magazine and Eve’s Review with the news of the world in pictorial form, and excellent music by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s Majestic Symphony Orchestra.