AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"JOURNEY'S END."

This evening at His Majesty's Theatre J. C. Williamson, Limited, will present at S.lo the initial New Zealand representation of It. C. Sherriff's famous and very successful play, "Journey's End," which has won for itself a world-wide reputation. The company arrived yesterday and a full lighting and scenic rehearsal passed off very successfully last evening under the supervision of the stage director. The triumphs which have been won by "Journey's End" in England, France, Germany, America, Canada, Australia and other countries are without a parallel in recent years and it is quite likely that it will prove quite as suffoessful in New Zealand. "Journey's End" is almost without a plot, for slight indeed is the actual story told by the author in a series of episodes. Yet from the first moment when the curtain rises on the ill-lit dugout before St. Quentin, the attention is gripped. The characters are quickly and dramatically established. After a few sentences the audience knows the men for what they are. . Five members of the company, all Englishmen, will make their first appearance here this evening. Reginald Tate, as Captain Stanhope, achieved an outstanding triumph in Melbourne. "Towering about the others," wrote a critic, "purposeful, passionate, is the company commander. He is in a state of nervous irritability and needs a rest. He dopes himself with whisky, and at times he is wildly ashamed. But he is still master of himself, takes charge firmly at every crisis and dominates his officers and men by sheer moral courage." "Harvey Adams," wrote the same critic, "made his schoolmaster-turned soldier, friend and comforter of his captain, a living and lovable character, and Lewis Shaw, who was here recently in 'Young Woodley,' as the newly-joined subaltern, has a part that might have been written for this talented young artist." The. comedy characters are admirably portrayed by Mr. John Fernside and Mr. Vincent Lawson, while others' who have assisted to make "Journey's End" an. outstanding success in Australia are Alan Lawrence, Ambrose Flower, Reginald Dane, Reginald Wykeham, George Jennings, Redge Carey and Arthur Stigant, jun. The play was produced by George R. Parker. Mr. Redge Carey is stage manager..

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Opening with a bang and proceeding with snap and versatility to a final curtain in which Jim Gerald and Keg. Hawthorn evoked enthusiasm with their original Gallagher and Sheen .song hit. the new programme of Jim Gerald's Revue Company at St. James' Theatre last night proved a particularly bright and lively entertainment. A series of song and comedy numbers which composed the opening half of the entertainment proved colourful, catchy and hilarious. Jim Gerald was in high feather with his particular brand of and Eon Shand as a hardshoe step dancing artist disputed honours in the toe-tapping line with lively Letty Craydon, while vivacious Lily Coburn was also well in the front row of the picture with her snappy song and chorus "Sweep Your Troubles Away." Excellent comedy team-work was displayed in a farcial skit featuring the collapse of the Woman-Haters' Union, and as a contrast in versatility the company display equal aptitude in staging a colourful picture of the days of kneebreeches, swaying crinolines and the stately minuet. A circus revue, "Barsbacks," was the vehicle from which the company dispensed song, dance and laughter throughout the second part of the programme, a feature being the dressing and dancing of the ballet, which added to the customary ensembles a particularly smart workman-like gymnastic turn. Here again Jim Gerald, in the role of vaudeville detective, kept the action hit up to high speed, not only with his supply of conversational drolleries, but turning in a series of excellent fake falls and e tumbles, and occasional lapses into acrobatic and eccentric dancing. Mercia Elliott and Linda Foy made hits in song numbers, tho latter being associated with Tom Dale in the duet number "You Were Made For Me." Another especially good duet item was the twin-dancing specialty "Honey,"' by Joan Graham and Ron Shand. Jim "Gerald's old song favourite "Paddy McGinty's Goat" went over big, and 'the house thoroughly enjoyed the revival of "Gallagher anil Sheen" as put over by himself and Reg Hawthorn. This programme will hold the stage for the next week, including matinees. °

GIANNINI'S FINAL CONCERT. Even if the large Town Hall had been engaged, the enthusiasm of the audience that would have greeted Dusolina Giannini at her final concert last night could have been no more sincere than that of the eager listeners who filled the Concert Chamber. Giannini's name appeared beside twelve numbers on the programme, and the audience was favoured with no fewer than seven encores. Of the selections sung, by far the most impressive were "Ave Maria" (Gounod) and ''One Fine Day" from Puccini's "Madame Butterfly." Two Spanish and two Italian folk-songs were also sung. The programme was complete with three pianoforte selections by Miss Molly Bernstein, the accompanist, and three violin soloo' by Sol Deutsch.

EMPRESS THEATRE. At the Empress Theatre, Newton, a double-feature talkie programme is announced. The first attraction is "The Lone Wolf's Daughter," with. Bert Lytell and Gertrude Olmstead in the leading roles. This picture is full of thrills, and the suspense is well sustained throughout the screening. The second feature is "The Bachelor Girl," with William Collier, jun., and Jacqueline Logan at the head of the cast. There are also interesting talking items in the supporting programme.