ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1922, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

empire theatre. “SNAPSHOTS” THIS SATURDAY, Commencing a three night season at the Empire on Saturday. Mr. Leonard Nelson and Air. George Sharratt presents “Snapshots” of 1022. There is no more popular comedian in Australia than the renowned Leonard, and the fact that his name is at the head of a coterie of artists is sufficient guarantee of the excellence of the entertainment. All the leading people of the Quality Performers who visited here recently are included with the present combination. One of the old favorites who will be sure of a warm welcome is Miss Beatrice Wenban, who is the character comedienne with the “Snapshots,” and has that happy knack of creating laughter. Among the new artists is Miss Eileen Clifford, an accomplished lady entertainer at the piano, who is well known right throughout thq Dominion. Mr. George Sharratt, producer of the English Quality Performers, will be well remembered by all. The whole entertainment is produced under Messrs. Leonard Nelson’s and George Sharratt’s supervision. It is gorgeously staged and frocked, and amusement lovers may look forward with keen interest to the visit of the Snapshots of 1922 (late Quality Performers). Box plans are now open at Collier’s. EVERYBODY’S. “WAY DOWN EAST.’’ The big Griffiths classic, “Way Down East,” again crowded Everybody’s Thea-

tre last evening. The theme of the picture is the familiar one of innocence betrayed. Concentrated upon the making of a “big” production, Griffith has not attacked with the eimple directness that might have achieved great emotional effects. He has woven a fabric of irrelevancies serving only to delay the production of his single stupendous “stunt.” But when that stunt is produced, it is paralysing. It almost disarms criticism by engulfing critical and uncritical alike in a prodigious swirl of action. Picture an icebound river when the thaw has commenced. A great frozen sheet is turned to a mass of jarring fragments rushing impetuously towards a tremendous cataract. Upon one fragment is an outcast girl, prostrate. invoking the dreadful peace that the river promises. The last two screenings of “Way Down East” are announced for to-day—this afternoon at 2 p.m. and to-night at 7.45. Seats for the evening screening can now be reserved at Colliers. V THE PEOPLE’S. "AFTER THE SHOW.” From the moment Pop O’Malley meets Eileen, the penniless chorus girl, in the new Paramount picture, “After the Show,” at the People’s theatre, commencing to-night, the spectator is irresistibly attracted to the story until the final scene. It has o, magnetic effect, and carries one far out of oneself. The story of two loves, so different in character, is set in a wonderful background of dazzling color and life. Jack Holt is a convincing “angel” of a musical show, and dainty L9a Lee. as the chorus girl he loves, adds a faithful portrayal. Charles Ogle invests in the role of Pop

O’Malley, the self-appointed guardian of Eileen, a realism which charms. William de Mille has produced a masterly picture. Harold Lloyd also appears on this programme in his latest laughter special “Among Those Present.” CHORAL -SOCIETY. Keen interest is being aroused in the; forthcoming production of Handel’s ora-! torio “Judas Maccabaeus” by the New ■ Plymouth Choral Society, which takes place at the Empire Theatre on Wednesday next. The society will have the ( support of an efficient orchestra for the ' work, which is expected to be one of the finest productions given in New Plymouth for some time. Among the soloists the society is fortunate in having secured Mr. John Prouse, the wellknown New Zealand basso, jyho is coming from Wellington to sing the part. His reputation is sufficient in itself to ensure a crowded house, while the chance of hearing him in such fine arias as “Arm, Arm, Ye Brave” and “The Lord Worketh Wonders” should not be lost by anyone. The title part (for the tenor) has been to Mr. W. L. Hay of New Plymouth. Mr. Hay sung this work in Australia and. may be relied upon to give a musicianly interpretation of th,e work. • The soprano part has been allotted to. Mrs. F. C. Ferry, who, in addition to several exquisite solos, will also sing with Mrs. A. M. Wilkes the duet “Come EverSmiling Liberty,-’ ‘Hail Judea,” and “O Lovely Peace.”