ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1920, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY'S. "THE GREAT GAME." Mr. W. A. Low, the well-known theatrical and picture manager, has secured the New Zealand rights of a fine sporting picture of English make, entitled ''The Great Qame." Bombardier (Billy) Wells plays the chief part, and his fine physical qualifications enable him to impersonate the hero convincingly. He is the son of a wealthy baronet, and owner of the Derby favorite, Lion Heart, which wins the blue riband in his colors. The race is wonderfully depicted on the screen, and the scone? around Epsom on the great day are most thrilling. Wells lias one occasion to show his prowess in the ring. A big fight has been arranged to take place at the National Sporting Club, in which Wells has a big financial interest in one of the contestants. At the last moment his man has been doped, and is unable to appear. Wells steps into the ring, and a six rounds' battle of fierce fighting takes place, much to the fiture of his opponent. The picture will be screened at Everybody's Theatre next Monday and Tuesday, and should draw big crowds in New Plymouth. The box plan is now open at Collier's. GEORGE WALSH AND SESSOE HAYAKAWA. Mystery, love and intrigue in aristocratic London society, and Oriental vengeance, are the elements which make '•The Illustrious Prince," a photo-play drama based on the story by E. Phillips, Oppenheim, and starring Sessue Hayakawa, Nipponese star, one of the most sensational and fascinating screen pro- , ihictions ever filmed. Wlio did kill De ! La Mar? The Duke had learned of his | wife's intended .elopement, had armed j himself and' followed De Lar Mar; thu .Prince had {railed him through the fog. 1 Perhaps the Prince's old Japanese servant knew? The solution furnishes a thrilling climax to a great drama, rich in -nspense and involved plot. The programme also includes another five-reel feauire. "Never Say Quit," in which the' ever popular George Walsh provides fun of :i fast and furious nature. JSIIL RUSSELL IN '•HEARTS AND DIAMONDS." In to-night's new bill at the People's, 'Hearts and Diamonds," popular Bill K'.issell as ...Lawrence Hanrahan, a wealthy young New York diamond broker attracted by a wonderful diamond necklace worn by a beautiful girl in a Broadway restaurant, bribes the waiter for information and scrapes an acquaintance with the girl and her elderly guardian by driving off thugs, who apparently are trying to rob them. The whole combination proves to be a carefully laid game of international crooks to get possession of the Hanrahan diamond collection, one of the most valuable in the world. The shrewdness and bravery of the young broker prove potent 'to outwit the crooks, but before lie, gets back the diamonds and discovers that pretty Adrienno. whom he was the thief, is really a victim of the gang, young Hanrahan experiences some of the hardest lights of his adventuruous career. The bill includes gazette, comedy, and Dominion Travel series. . EMPIRE THEATRE—TO-NIGHT. THE LYRIC COSTUME COMEDY CO. Arrangements ar c well in hand for the opening of the Lyric Costume Comedy Co. to-night, and judging by indications there should be a crowded audience to' greet this talented coterie, who by the way were an illuminating factor in the drawing power of the recent Chautauqua party. 'Messrs. A. H. Ripley (first tenor), Herbert Richards (second tenor), Alan McElwain (first bass), and J. W. Ryan j (second bass), form the personnel, and! unaccompanied part singing is their special feature. In this particular line of vocal entertainment they stand imriv-; ailed. Nothing could be liner than their | harmonising, whether it be in simple j rhyme and lullabies, or in sentimental and pathetic ballads. They have worked together so long now that their voices and minds seem in perfect accord, and I the effect on the audience is electrical, ' encore after encore being the penalty whrever they have appeared. Excelling in ensemble work, each, however, supplies his own quota to the genera! success, and makes good with his respective offering. Miss Jessie Bartlett, one of the supporting artists, has an attractive stage presence, and sings with rare taste and musical intelligence. The pianist, Miss Evelyn Harvey, is an able musician, while Miss Doreen MeClutchy is a brilliant solo danseuse. A musical treat, par excellence, is in store for patrons, The box plans are at Collier's. MISS ADELAIDE VAN STAVEREN. Miss Adelaide Van Staveren, who will make her first professional appearance in New Plymouth next Thursday evening, at the JCmpire, is returning to us after an absence of twelve years, during which time the promising student has developed into a great and popular artist, acclaimed as such by the public and critics of the world's greatest musical centres. At Fassano after her debut as Asucena in Verdi's ■'!] Trovatore" her performance worked such enthusiasm that the audience carried her shoulder high, an unusual compliment to a foreigner by people who live, think, and feel music as a natural, lifelong environment. Other ■■accesses followed fast on the heels of tile most auspicious debut, a long series of important operatic roles at Dal Verne, Milan, then Covent Garden Theatre, London, the Mecca of all rising operatic artists, Many musical stars have visited Zealand, but none of them our fellow countrymen, and it is natural that we share the pride fully justified by her achievement, which must be felt by tile widely known family to which this talented artist belongs. Box plans for Thursday's recital will be opened at Collier's on Monday morning next.