ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 47, 5 December 1939, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. lAN HAY’S “HOUSEMASTER.” \ _ Ranking as one of the six best British films since the advent of sound, lan Hay’s sensationally successful play, “Housemaster,” emerges as fine out of the rut entertainment and commenced a two-day session at the matinde to-day. Perfectly cast with Otto Kruger, Diana Churchill and Philip Holmes in the leading roles, it is a bright and breezy comedy -with a sympathetic note underlying its humour and it has the breath of English, life and outlook. The action of the play takes place almost entirely within the walls of a large English public school. A strong pre-interval session ■ includes "Youth Marches On,” the film made by the Oxford Group Movement and which is causing tremendous interest everywhere. Plans for the season are at Money’s. GREAT NORTH CHINA TROUPE. On Friday next, at St. Andrew’s Hall, International Varieties, Ltd., in association with Lan Fu Chung, present tho Great North China Troupe, Royal Command performers. A refreshing change from the stereotyped form of variety entertainment, these Oriental wonder workers will be welcomed by theatregoers as something right out.of the ordinary. Jugglers and balancers who defy all laws of gravity, acrobats who perform seemingly impossible feats high above tho stage, contortionists who hang suspended by the hair of the head, beautiful girls who spin in mid-air by their teeth—these are some of the thrills which are provided by the Great North China Troupe. Herbert Young, an attractive youngster of only nine years of age, is described as tho Chinese Bobby Breen. Ho has enchanted audiences the world over with his beautiful soprano voice, and his renditions of old English ballads are a sheer delight. Chinese artists are justly famous for their magnificent stage settings and brilliant costumes, and in this respect the Great North China Troupe has faithfully upheld the best traditions of Oriental art.

Tbe appearance of Bernardo in his interpretation of black art, together with the Chinese “Pygmalion” and Royston, billed as England’s “Charlie McCarthy,” go to make an entertainment the like of which is seldom witnessed in New Zealand.

To permit the full show to he presented, a special stage will be erected. Box plan is now on view at A. C. Wilson’s music shop.