AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 209, 4 September 1929, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"RIO RITA." The captivating musical comedy romance of Mexico, '"Rio Rita," is the finest production ever brought to the Dominion by Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller, and it is repeating in the South the sweeping success it achieved in Australia, where it broke all theatrical records. "Rio Rita" is the last word in stage presentations, and the picturesque sumptuousness apparent in beautiful settings and gorgeous costumes surpasses anything seen here before. A brilliant cast is headed by Miss Gladys Moncrieff, the golden-voiced Australian singer, and the supporting artists are fully worthy of her talents. Janette Gilmore, Dave Mallen and Charles Norman strike a note of effervescent gaiety, and the ballets, which are numerous and vai-ied, are a revelation with their nimble-footed work and concerted precision. Booking has been particularly heavy for the opening night at St. James' Theatre on Friday and following evenings. CRYSTAL PALACE. '•'Wolf Song," which had a successful season at the Regent Theatre, Queen Street, is to be presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road, tonight. Lupe Velez, the screen's beautiful soprano, is the featured player. She will be heard in four haunting melodies. The story centres round Sam Lash (Gary Cooper) who leaws his Kentucky home and wanders -.he trail of nature I for two years in company with a couple of rough trappers. It is a stirring story of love and adventure with Indians as an extra ingredient. The vocal work of Lupe Velez is fine. "Yo Te Arao," the theme song, is sung in English, while the choral efforts of a band of hillemen are harmonious and delightful. The supports will be good and include Eddie Cantor in a musical act, "That Party !in Person." There will be news of theday in sound and dialogue and a tworeel comedy. WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS In these days of musical change the lighter side is emphatically necessary, ly and the Westminster Glee Singers, ill under Mr. Edward Branscombe, who jr open a season at His Majesty's on Sop- — jtember 14, have paid due regard to this ' in the drawing up of their programmes. To this end a large selection of humorous quartets, plantation songs, vocal dances, solos with an accompaniment of voices, and many other novelties have been included in their repertoire. Of special value will be their singing to church choirs, choral societies and schools, and in particular will be exemplified the wonderful perfection to i which boys' voices can be brought.