Round the Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 809, 1 November 1929, Page 14

Round the Shows

“JOURNEY’S END” REALISTIC WAR PLAY

If R. C. Sherriff intended “Journey's i End” to impress upon people the I utter futility and stark tragedy of war. | he has certainly succeeded. "Journey’s End.” which attracted anI other large audience at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, pictures war ir its grim reality. The action takes place in a dugout. in the British front line before St. Quentin. The big German attack is expected, and the junctions of the small group of officers around whom the story centres arf realistically portrayed. Nerves art raw and ragged, and the strain is expressed in speech and thought. Prom the dugout one can hear the distant booming of big guns “lip ‘Wipers’ way, where things are never quiet.” In the trench outside are occasional explosions and at intervals the rattle of machine-guns. The story is effectively told. Mr Reginald Tate plays the role of Captain Stanhope, the nerve-shatterec company commander, with conviction and he is well supported by Mr Harvey Adams, who gives a fine study of the part of Lieutenant Osborne Mr. Lewis-Shaw (Lieutenant Raleighi Air. V. Lawson (Lieutenant Trottert Air. Alan Lawrance Hibbert). Air. John Fernside (Private Alason). Air. Reginald Dane (the Collonel) and Air. Reginald Wykeham ( Sergeant-Ala jor). There are several very fine scenes, particularly that between Osborne ant! Raleigh just before the raid, and the death of Raleigh. The acting of all members of the com pan v is of a particularly high standard, and the dramatic action oi the story loses nothing in effect as a result of the commendable restraint shown by the principal actors. Only a short season will be played.

ST. JAMES THEATRE JIM GERALD COMPANY Jim Gerald and his talented company of supporting artists are presenting another splendid programme at St. James Theatre. The whole show is bright. The main feature is a clever revue entitled “Barebacks,” which gives the principal members of the company ample scope for fun-making. The show is parti* culariv bright in singing and dancing numbers. It goes with a swing frot the first curtain to the Xational Anthem. and the audience is kept in a constant state of laughter by the droll antics of Jim Gerald and his bunch of fun-makers. The whole programme is enjoyable and the good houses which have been attending this week's programme have shown their appreciation with continuous applause. RIALTO AND REGENT, EPSOM “THE RIVER PIRATE” One of the most stirring of all Victor McLagen’s film stories is “The River Pirate,” which will be screened at the Rialto (Newmarket) and Regent (Epsom) Theatres this evening. “The River Pirate” is the tale of the reckless men who raid ships and warehouses along the New York waterfront in motor-boats. Victor AlcLaglen is the most cool and most daring of all these colourful personalities and his exploits make up a thrilling story. An excellent supporting programme is shown at both theatres, headed by the comedy-drama, “The Tip Off.”

ROYAL SHOWS “REDSKIN”

The splendid double-feature pr«; gramme now at the Theatre Roy** Kingsland, is headed by ‘‘Redskin.” of the most outstanding film productions of the year. “Redskin” has been made almost entirely in natural colours and as th*backgrounds are most picturesque. * is a beautiful production. The stor: is a modern one. dealing in a sympa* thetic way with the trials- of a younf native Red Indian, who is educated and goes through to a big America® university as a champion runner. Ricb; ard Dix is the star and gives one * the best of his virile characterisation* The supporting programme, which > headed by “Prisoners,” a Coring Griffith story of Viennese life, includ the latest episode of the “Blake °- Scotland Yard” series.

LIGHTING EFFECTS

REMBRANDT’S SYSTEM IN FILMS A system of lighting first origin*** by the great Dutch artist. Rembran® is often employed in modern moticpicture photography. The W*** painter used “sketch lighting” on features of his subjects, creating half-tone effect. The light was maa to strike the face from an angle, * caUS . ing the features to throw shadows - the other portions of the face. ■ During the filming of Rooms.” Evelyn Brent’s first starr L ; talkie for Paramount, it was found to the usual fiat light, thrown into y;j star’s face, failed to reproduce the 1 J effect. The Rembrandt method employed and lights were arrang above, below and at the sides. **, markable effects were achieved full justice was done to Miss Bren- , finely chiselled features and delic* profile. “Darkened Rooms.” which is no*, production, is the pitcurisation of Philip Gibbs's famous the same title. Neil Hamilton, :j Hill and David Newell are feature* the cast. Lothar Mendes is dire<a lw J