ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 137, 22 March 1935, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. With its colour, its action, its blare and heraldry, the circus—both as 6een in the ring and as he lived behind the tent drops—will be shown on the screen of the Majestic Theatre, where Joe E. Brown will appear in the First National picture, “The Circus down” finally to-night. One of the greatest comedians in the history of filmdom, who has actually lived the life he depicts (Biown was a circus acrobat as a boy) Brown has been given a vehicle that allows his marked talents full sway, and supported by an exceptionally capable company, including the entire cast of the A 1 G. Barnes circus, he brings to liis audience a screamingly funny comedy that is replete with love interest, thrills and action, and which at times has touches of pathos that stop the laughter with a hint of tears. Patricia Ellis plays the leadr ing feminine role opposite Joe and is the aerialist with whom he finally falls in love, although when he first joins the circus he is madly infatuated with a bareback rider who is a female impersonator.

“THE WIND AND THE RAIN." There was a large demand for seats this morning when the plans were opened for the first and only production at His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday night by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., London Dramatic Company of the brilliantly clever and very entertaining comedy drama “The Wind and the Rain." It is some considerable time since Ashburton was last privileged to enjoy a J. C. Williamson, Ltd. production, so it is not surprising to know that more than usual interest is being taken in the presentation here of “The Wind and the Rain,” which is likely to be greeted by a large and representative audience. Dr. Merton Hodge, the young New Zealander, who based the play upon his experiences of University life at Edinburgh, gained his first knowledge of the stage through amateur work, some of it during the .various capping ceremonies during the years he studied at £he Otago University, Dunedin. With the ambition always to write for the theatre, he had, to use his own words, “to use the medical profession as a means of reaching London—the only place in which to take up play-writing seriously and commercially.” George Thirwell will appear as Charles Tritton. Jocelyn Howart is {'aid to be the ideal person for the role of Anne Hargreaves, and Arundel Nixon is happily cast as Dr. Paul Duhamel.' Tommy Jay plays thb comedy part of Gilbert, and R. L. Atholwood, Nan Taylor, Gwen Munro, Richard Fair, Ron Roberts and Frederick Hughes are also in the cast.