AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 250, 21 October 1924, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

" A DESERT ROMANCE." "A Desert Romance," a tale or the f*3;£;, nating East, will he staged to-morrow, night at the Town- Hall Concert Chamber., The cast includes the well-known Auckland artists Miss Lynda Murphy Mrs. Nelio Porter, Miss Myra Monk, Miss Nellie SUttpson. Mr. Edward Ctiurchouse, Mr. Maurice Ballance and Mr. Jack Gordon. Mrs. Charles Prime is musical directress, and the music is said to be truly Eastern. T_ne ballet and solo dance will be By Mura Daphne Knight's pupils, and the light effects by W. crosher and Sons. The proceed.-, are In aid or the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and Aurklanders will be given an opportunity to show their practical appreciation or the estimable work done by tne National Reserve division All sports know the ramlliar llgure of the so-called "Zam-buks" and their untiring- energy and cheerrul attention, and it Is to be hoped a roll house will greet the eye or the promoters to raise runds for so deserving' a cause. PRESBYTERIAN HOMES CONCERT. Happiness reigned supreme at the Town Hall Concert Chamber last evening, when a hundred or so boys and girls from tlie Presbyterian Social Service Association s orphan homes at Onehunga and Devonport held their annual concert, in the presence or a large and appreciative audience. Before the programme opened the Rev. I. RJelTrcys said that the association had been handicapped in its preparation or the concert by the innuenza outbreak, which had 1 made it impossible to hold a rehearsal Tor about three weeks. The programme commenced with the singing by the children or the "National Anthem" and "God Ble3s the Prince of Wales." Then rollowed a variety or choruses, recitations, playlets, and a drill display. A Welsh play, rrom the pen or Mrs. Jelrrevs. showing the origin or the title or the Prince or Wales, was a feature or the perrormance, and was done exceptionally well by the Onehunga Home children. THE OPERA HOUSE. Gayle Wyer and his company, whose circle or admirers is widening jvlth every perrormance, offered a change of fare yesterday, In which comedy or a truly boisterous and rollicking nature was the principal ingredients. "The Lady Buccaneers," as the piece is called, was reminiscent of the riotous absurdities created by a pair or entertainers whose name became a household word among Fullers' patrons. There are counterparts or the well-remembered "SUITy and Mo" in tlie cast, and their eccentricities were recalled. Though robbed unduly o!" Its musical qualities by the preponderance of "slap-stick" comedy, the revue seemed to give every satisractlon, and showed the versatility of the perrormers In adapting new roles. The temerarious proclivities of the lady pirates are quickly subdued when a pair of avlattors alight on the ship and announce that a licet of formidable war crart are assembling on the high seas. Only too wlllinglv they turn over the command to their visitors. And that Is about as far as the story goes. But not so the fun. It has only started, and receives a Mlllp by the appearance of a couple or stowaways, who usurp all order and routine In a merry manner. Walter -Cornock and Frank Perrvn play the roles of this incongruous pair," and the former was a distinct success as a Hebrew vagabond. Gayle Wycr and Harry Burgess are dashing officers, who win more than the command or the ship rrom the ralr complement. Billy Bovls' very appearance added to the humour of the play whenever he appeared. Miss Vera Benson, the leadingvocalist of the company, made the most of her rew opportunities. She has an attractive personality, and even more pleasing voice, and scored a success in every number. Her rendering or the ever popular "My Hero" was a particularly charming effect. Miss Heather Jones led the chorus in a dashing yet dainty manner, "Vamping Sal" being a popular number. The work of the remainder of the company all contributed to the success or the piece. On the first hair of the bill there was a line variety or rare by old and new artists. A particularly meritorious turn was that of Don C • Merle, a magician, who perrormed numerous mystirylng Teats In a most baflling and tantalising manner. Hartley and Wright were another pair or newcomers

and divided their perrormance Into .-.- ' ing patter and pleasant music. Th.iVS'"monising in "When the Leav« wr n n * r - Tumbling Down" was partlcuuriv SIR 8 vatlng. -wiiy. capo. AMUSEMENTS GUIDE. Entertainment Announcements ••• Pm»1I OPERA HOUSE— Band-Box Ravii. <w pany and Vaudovllle. - 8 c ?°- PICTURE THEATRE!. NATIONAL —LIoyd Hamilton and Ben Al»* - ander In "A Seir-mado Failure." •■ STRAND —Fred Thomson in "Tne Dan*~. ous Coward," Mrs. Walter Murdock * m ™ LYRIC —Thomas Melghan In "The ennh denrc Man." and Corinno Grimtn in "Lilies of the Field " «"«uni in TIVOLI —Helen chadwlcK in •'Love nf ■ Women," and Mary Miles M_ter ? n "South or Suvai"- m PRINCESS— MiIdred Harris "in «tw . Shadow of the East," and May Mr Avoy in "The Forbidden Valley." • EVERYBODY'S-- Jackie Coogan In' «_,onir Live the King." * ~ * GRAND —Anna Q. Nllsson in "Enemies of Children." " ul QUEEN'S— "Rocks or Valpre," and «'9_in Deep." - lv CAPITOL —Prlscina Dean m "The stormDaughter," and Mary Anderson in «t_S' Much Married." 10 ° BRITANNIA— "PIeasure Mad," and "TimBad Man." v IM . regent —Betty compson in "Woman to Woman." "" ,0 BROADWAY —"Thundergate." " '- EMPRESS —VioIa Dana In "Rouged Llns >•- and "Tho Bad Man." B 4,ps ' WEBT END— Tom Mix. In "Eyes ot the Forest. ARCADIA— Buck Jones in "The circuir Cowboy." - KOSIE —"Wee MacGregor's Sweetheart.".