AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 302, 21 December 1926, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

THE FROLICS AT FULLERS'. The Midnight Frolics commenced their final week at the Prince Edward Theatre, Karangahape Road, last evening, when they presented, to a packed house, a pro- : gramme rich in comedy, bright sketches, dancing, melody, and vocal numbers. Clem -Dawe, with his eccentric antics, is still immensely popular with those in front, aud is the life of the show. An attack of depression would need to be intense for a person not to be amused by the droll comedy of this clever comedian, and it is a long time since a better comedian was seen on the Fuller boards. In the sketch "The Marriage Bureau," Clem Dawe is a positive "scream" as the assistant who is called upon to supply wives with husbands and husbands with wives, as the case may be. It was one of the best sketches that he has yet appeared in. He was also particularly amusing in a number of other sketches, notably "The Rest Cure," "Dancing Wives," and "The Waiters." Others who contribute to the success of the entertainment are Eric Edgely, Les White, Nell McGuire, Dorothy White, and Louis Cottam. Miss Phyllis Amery is seen in new dance numbers this week, and performs each with great artistry. The accomplished Russian violinist, Gregory Ivanoff, is in great form, and his solos were well appreciated. A fine Russian number, in which "The Song of the Volga Boatman" is the theme, by the Frolics Jazz Band, under the direction of Ivanoff, proved most popular. In addition to singing a duet with Mr. Oscar Beck, the Norwegian tenor, Alec Regan contributed solos, and v monologue, and assisted Clem Dawe, in some comedy numbers, to the piano accompaniment of Roland Stafford, the capable musical director. The same programme will be given nightly until Thursday evening, when, at the gala performance, the Frolics will present a programme of request numbers. Commencing on Monday afternoon next, Elton Black and his Town Topic Revue Company -will make their first Dominion appearance ot this theatre. NEW REGENT THEATRE. Auckland's new theatre, the Regentwill be officially opened on Friday evening next, December 24, with a specially selected picture, vaudeville, and musical programme. The principal film will be the Paramount masterpiece, "Beau Geste," a mystery story of the French Foreign Legion in the deserts of Africa. It is based on the theme, "Greater love hath no man," and tells of three brothers who disappear from home after the theft of a famous sapphire known as "The Blue Water," from their aunt, 'iheir subsequent experiences and sacrifices in the Legion provide the action in this story of adventure and romance. An all-star cast is headed by Ronald Colman, Alice Joyce, Noah Beery, Mary Brian, William "Powell, Norman Trevor, Ralph Forbes, and Victor McLaglen. Herbert Brenon was the producer, and when he set out to make the film he was presented with the difficulty of finding a desert stretch to look like the Sahara, and, secondly, to build a fort there. Finally, he did both in desert wastes near the Mexican borders. On the vaudeville part of the bill will be a most spectacular and daring act by Zoe Delphine and Company, entitled "In a Paris Cafe," and selections will be given by Miss Hilda Nelson, the English soprano. The Regent orchestra of 20 soloists will give a special programme under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge. FERRIS JAZZLAND REVUE CO. The Ferris Jazzland Revue Company will open at the Town Hall on Boxing Night. All the members of this company are coloured fobs, and they specialise in the old Southern plantation pastimes and melodies. One of the main items on their programme is tbe jazz band number, in which an unusual feature is the part m which four of the lady members prove themselves equal to any male jazz expert. The "Charleston," in genuine American style, is said to be a real' exposition of modern dancing. Other dancing numbers include the "Cake Walk," "Buck and Wing," and an entirely original number, the "One Man Quadrille," which is a most humorous item. Those who enjoy singing, music, dancing, and good class vaudeville should be well catered for by this clever combination of performers* Box plans at Lewis R. Eady'and Sori, Ltd. I PUPILS' RECITALS. There was a large attendance in the Cabin Tearooms at a very enjoyable and highly creditable end-of-term recital, given by the pupils of Miss M. Daly, when a programme of violin, piano, and vocal items was rendered, followed by a dance. Following upon recitals by the students of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Morris, au enjoyable social evening was held in St. Barnabas' Hall, when Mr. and Mrs. Morris entertained a large gathering of parents and friends as a fitting wind-up to a successful year's work. EMPRESS THEATRE. A special programme of amateur and professional vaudeville will be given this evening at the Empress Theatre. The bill will be headed by Charles Mar, singer of "coon" songs, the Morris Duo, comedians, and Sinclair and Lord in a humorous sketch entitled "Xonsense." There will be fifteen other turns, comprising song, dance, and comedy numbers. The principal picture attraction will be "The Splendid Road." with Anna Q. Xilsson, Lionel Barrymore, and Robert Fraser in the lending roles. The story is a romance based on the Californian gold rush in 1849, and the film was produced by Frank Lloyd, who made the famous "Sea Hawk." SOCIAL EVENINGS. The male members of the staff of Hardley's, Ltd., were recently entertained by the firm at a social evening. A banquet was provided, at which some 200 members of the staff were seated, the evening taking the form of a smoke concert. A presentation of a handsome clock was made in the course of the evening to a member of the works staff who is about to be married. On the following afternoon the wives and children of the staff were entertained. This function took the form of a Christmas tree and a "Punch and Judy" entertainment. Refreshments were provided, and the scene was a very gay one, and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. At the close of the afternoon the children gave rousing cheers for the firm.