AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1931, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

VAUDEVILLE ENTERTAINMENT,

A welcome return to "flesh and blood" vaudeville was marked by the appearance of a company of variety artists at Hie Majesty's Theatre on Saturday even, ing. Many of the items were of outstanding merit, and the fairly large audience present gave the performers an enthusiastic reception. A popular fignrt was Miss Patricia Boyle, the child soubrette, who shows great promise of achievement in the world of vaudeville. Some amusing song parodies were provided by Wendy and Alfonse, society entertainers, who were followed by Mr. Morris Schroeder, baritone singer, in two line numbers, ''Arise, 0 Sun," and "The Sunshine of Your Smile." Mr. Ray Jury was heard in some bright xylophone numbers, and a series of amusing Cockney anecdotes was provided by Mr. Art D'Arcy. Attractive dances were given by Miss Mascofcte Taylor, soubrette. a.nd by Trevor and Dawn, well-known Adagio and Apache experts. Mr. Elton. Black's Scotch songs and anecdotes kept the audience in a simmer of amusement, and the more serious character studies by Mr. Allan McSkimming as an English gentleman and as a veteran actor who recalls the days of Henry Irving, were received with equal enthusiasm. The sleight-of-hand tricks by "Kardo/' who exhibited an amazing dexterity with pla.ying cards, cigarettes and various coloured balls, drew rounds of applause from the audience. "I Hear You Calling Me" and "One Alone" ("The Desert Song") were sung by the soprano, Miss Sarah Stacpoole, with feeling and confidence. The performance closed with a series of picturesque native eongs and dances by the South Sea Troubadour*?, who, singing of the Fijian farewell made a wide appeal.

PLAZA THEATRE. The versatile Bebe Daniels, who made a successful song debut in "Rio Rita," is the leading , player in the colourful melody romance, "Dixiana," which, is enjoying an extended season at the Plaza Theatre. Miss Daniels and Everett Marshall, noted operatic baritone, make the best of the excellent song numbers provided for them,, while Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, who will be remembered for their performances in "The Cuckoos," afforded ample scope for their talents in comedy. The story is set in the early days of the Southern States of America., and. the New Orleans of 1840 has been faithfully reproduced. Bebe Daniels, in the part of Dixiana,, is introduced as the featured actress at Cayetane's Hippodrome, where her beauty has attracted the attention of "Royal" Montague, the villain, arid Carl Van Horn, the hero. Dixiana favours the latter, and together with Peewee aad Ginger, played by Wheeler and Woolsey, - visits the Van Horn plantation. By sen unfortunate slip, however, it is learned that Dixiana is a circus girl, and the elderly Van Horn matron packs her away from the plantation. She and her two faithful adherents ta.ke employment with Montague, playing in his gambling saloon, and there Dixiana is able to frustrate an attempt on Van Horn's life, and is thus reconciled to her lover. There is colour photography in the picture, and the scene showing the colourful Mardi Gras is excellently done. The supporting programme has been chosen to sustain the high standard of the main attraction.

"WILD WEST" RODEO. Thrills in. plenty should be provided at the "Wild West" Rodeo, to be held at Carlaw Park next Saturday afternoon. It requires as large an area as Carlaw Park to_ stage the buckjumping and steer riding competitions, and there is ample aecomodation for the public. A woodchopping championship, besides a number of other events, has been arranged, and the Devonport United Band has been engaged for the occasion. A special appearance will be made by John Aaeon, who claims to be tho biggest man in the world. Australian and New Zealand stockmen will compete with American cowboys, who include Tex Hilton, "Red" Montgomery, Canadian Joe, "Black" Harry and "Bud" Pearson. ■

LUNA PARK. Large crowds of people continue to flock every evening to Luna Park, Auckland's popular amusement area. Amon<* many attractions which assure patrons of an enjoyable evening's entertainment are the scenic railway, the caterpillar, the dodg'ems and the fun factory A bus runs to the park from the foot of Queen Street.

MUNICIPAL BAND. A varied selection of popular and classical items was played by the Municipal Band, under the conductorship of the bandmaster, Mr. G. Buckley, at the Zoological Park yesterday afternoon. The band gave a recital at Albert Park in the evening.