ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10179, 9 August 1924, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

— HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. “THE DANGEROUS MAID.” Replete with all the elements of tho most successful photo-play, “The Dangerous Maid,” a- comedy-drama heading the current programme at His Majesty’s Theatre, is one of the finest productions that has come to this popular picture-house in recent months. Brimful of hilarious situations, it lias in the principal rolo the inimitable Constance Talmadge, who portrays the part with her customary charm and artistry. Supporting her is Conway Tearle, one of moviedom’s most popular leading men. The theme of the photo-play in based on the novel “Barbara Winslow, Rebel,” a story of the days of James 11. Another episode of “The Steel Trail” serial will be screened to-night.

“A LADY OF QUALITY.” Spectacle scenes, love theme, psychology and old atmosphere of days gone by—these elements are all in “A Lady of Quality,” the Universal-JeweT production starring Virginia Valli, which will be shown at His Majesty’s Theatre on Monday and Tuesday nights. This Henley production is a special feature on an even more ambitious scale than .“The Flirt” or “The Flame of Life,” two former successes by the same director. When film producers cliooso a classic like this story, there is a certainty for the fans that the entertainment value will be high." Story values are half the values in a motion picture, in the opinion of many critics and authorities. This is the second Universal-Jewel screen version of a Burnett novel which Henley has directed, the first being “The Flame of Life,” so highly approved by leading critics. The period of “A Lady of Quality” is 1704, and the atmosphere is that of merrie old England. The settings, executed under supervision of Elmer Sheeley, art director of Universal City, are particulraly interesting because' of the interest attached to architecture, customs and manners of that period in history. It involved considerable research and designing.

“DIZZLE-DAZZLE.” At the Theatre Royal ,on Thursday next, the St. Peter’s Concert Party, a compact little combination of amateurs from Temuka, will perform the musical pot pourri “Dizzle Dazzle,” the proceeds of which will go to the St. Saviour’s Orphanages. “Dizzle-Dazzle” is acclaimed by southern critics as a scintillating production. There are 21 performers, and through a long series of rehearsals each one is part perfect in her or his role. The programme is said to be of generous length, and is of such a varied nature as to reflect the highest credit (at the same time revealing a considerable amount of care and attention) on the part of the producer, Mr B. Hughes. There are catchy choruses, burlesques of the proverbial “side-splitting” variety, tuneful vocal soli and duets, patter and cross-talk-“turns,” Oriental numbers, besides two grand finales, in which the whole strength of the company will take part. Not the least pleasing part of the whole show is the assistance lent by a full orchestra, which will interpret some of the latest airs. Altogether, “Dizzle-Dazzle” promises to be a great success, and a full house should be the result.

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS. The Fisk Jubilee Singers will appear at the Theatre Royal oil Friday and Saturday nights, August 15 and 16. Of these talented performers the Adelaide “Register” says:—“No one remembers much about the original Fisks, except that they created a great sensation wherever they went. The same may bo said of the later Fisks, for they are packing the Town Hall nightly with delighted audiences. At the change of the programme last evening when the bracketed choruses, “Steal Away.” and the “Lord’s Prayer” broke softly from the lips of the singers, past recollections of these appealing numbers were immediately vivified. The subsequent choruses were most interesting and entertaining, apart from their vocal work, as they created the evening atmosphere of an old plantation, with its sprinkling of log cabins, in which the dusky residents, their day’s toil over, were devoting themselves to melody. The audience, eavesdropping as it were,, listened rapturously to the music as it floated forth on the still evening air. The old plantation music was in marked contrast to the pot pound of ragtime melodies and popular airs also rendered by the company, but all found favour with the audience because of the splendid rendition. The box plan is now open at the Bristol.