AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 245, 16 October 1929, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE.

The first changc of programme of the Jim Gerald season, presented last niglit, was replete with bright and snappy ideas, and the theatre became a veritable hall of merriment. A hilarious revue in five scenes occupies the second portion of the entertainment, and in it the principal finds a mis-en-scene cleverly designed to give full effect to his remarkable abilities in the direction of comedy. An intriguing theme is developed when two noted film stars embark on a honeymoon trip immediately preceded aboard the vessel at the wharf by Teddy Short and his new-made wife, Tlielina Barnstaple. The contrast between the couples taxes the elasticity of the imagination, and when Tlielma launches out on her matrimonial meanderings, in the way she intends to continue, with a never-ending flood of verbosity, Teddy instantly becomes the pitied and sorrowful unfortunate. Just before the ship sails, the film star husband is called hurriedly ashore, and with a panic, in which the fact that Teddy Short has lost liis partner is entirely overlooked, the moorings are severed, and the young bride with the strange young bridegroom are left to mourn their loss. The events that follow become more and more complicated as the ship nears its destination, by which time the strangers have become more than friends, with always before them the dark clouds of trouble at the reunion with their "lawful weddeds." Jim Gerald dominates the merriment, and is ably assisted by Miss Essio Jennings, who, as Thelrna Barnstaple, makes an ideal "nagging" partner, and her fits of rage and uncontrollable irritability are well done. Reg Hawthorn, as the reporter thirsting after "live copy," has a comparatively light part, but does it well. The revue is interspersed with bright and spectacular dance and vocal numbers, in which the Twinklers and ballet are seen to advantage. The first portion of the programme is cleverlyvaried, and in its ten "ideas" has never a dull minute. Much laughter was caused by the "pirating" effort of Jim Gerald and Tom Dale in. their "fairy rolls," but in the wilds of One Tree Hill they found they had "struck a snag," and the crisis came when the auto, reached the parting of the ways. There was a wealth of clever dialogue as in the number, "Everything we like we like," in which the comedian took the part of the romantic postman. The intromission number was a particularly spectacular item, with the entire company taking part, and the terpsichorean interpolations by Olivette, Joan Graham and Ronnie Shand were outstandingly clever. Lily Coburn, Letty Craydon, Mercia Elliot and Linda Foy all figured prominently in the various ideas presented, putting their full weight into the programme.

"JOURNEY'S END." On Wednesday, October 30, at His Majesty's Theatre, the J. C. Williamson management will present the dramatic triumph, "Journey's End," which is at present being staged with remarkable success in England, America, France, Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Australia. Up to the present it has only been staged in one city in Australia; its success in Melbourne being without a parallel in the dramatic history of that city. It was to have been presented to Sydney playgoers this month, but the sensational success achieved there by Leo Carrillo in "Lombardi, Ltd.," will prevent this happening, and instead it is to be sent for a tour of New Zealand, and it will be one of the Christmas attractions in Sydney. When it was first staged in London, where it has been running continuously for twelve months, "Journey's End" created a profound sensation, and the following is a portion of the criticism written by the London "Times" representative:: —"British blood tells. All over the world British men and women, and children, too, will esteem it a privilege to see 'Journey's End.'" The critic of the London "Daily Mail" wrote: —"All this nonsense about 'no more war plays' must finish; everyone must see 'Journey's End.'" R. C. Sherriff's great play of the war will be presented by a specially-selected company of English artists, including Reginald Tate, Ambrose Flower, Vincent Lawson, Alan Lawrence, Reginald Dane, with whom will be associated Lewis Shaw (recently hero in "Young Woodloy"), and a strong supporting cast, including Harvey Adams, Reginald Wykeham, Jolm Fernside, George Jennings, Redge Carey, and Arthur Stigant, jun. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. The League of Nations Union (Auckland), in an cfl'ort to increase its funds and membership, gave an entertainment, in Unity Hall on Tuesday evening. The first half was a musical programme arranged by Mr. Leo YVliittaker, when many of Auckland's mo»t popular singers contributed items. In the interval before the amusing one-act play, presented by the Grafton Dramatic Club, Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., president of the League of Nations Union, mentioned the opening of the new office in Pacific Buildings, Wellcslcy Street, where Geueva literature can be read and acquired. The League of Nations Union, he said, existed to inform public opinion of the ideals and activities of the League, and every thoughtful citizen should join its membership.

DRAMATIC CLUB. Tlic All Saints' Dramatic Chib will conclude tlic season next Monday and Tuesday, when they will present the three modern plays, "How the Vote was Won." "A Little Fowl Plnv" and "The Rest Cure." These comedies have been under rehearsal for some time, and judging by the progress made, a highly successful performance is assured. The musical portion of the entertainment is in tha mpable hands of Mrs. A. C, Fawson and her orchestra, that has played no small part in, the season's success. COMPETITIONS SOCIETY. The fourth annual festival of the Auckland Competitions Society will commence at 0.00 a.m. to-morrow at the Lewis Eady Hall. Ilis Majesty's Theatre has been engaged for the demonstration concert.