AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

■ —« i PLAZA THEATRE. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, the inimitable comedians of "Half Shot at Sunrise ,, and "Hook, Line and Sinker," score another triumph in the hilarious farce, "Cracked Nuts/' which is now screening at the Plaza Theatre. The story centres round, the monarchy of El Dorania, which changes its rulers with unvarying regularity. A lovesick* youth (Bert Wheeler) desires to prove to the hostile auiit of his affianced his claims as a man of substance and worth, and makes up his mind to buy the kingdom. When he arrives in the realm he finds that the reigning king is a very old and intimate friend (Robert Woolsey), whom he must first of all put to death in order to mount the throne. This is much easier said than done, and the candidate for royal honours is mercilessly hampered by his wish to prove himself a worthy lover and the utter impossibility of ending the life of his long-lost friend. The way out of the impasse comes in a highly novel manner. Dorothy Lee is the heroine, and Edna May Oliver is excellent as the dominating aunt. The supporting programme includes two comedies, a cartoon, and some interesting screen "snapshots." MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT. An excellent programme was presented by the Municipal Band and supporting arMets in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. The bandmaster, Mr. G. Buckley, was the conductor. A popular feature was the band number "Ciassica," which combined several well known operatic arid classical airs. Miss B. Stuart, contralto, pleased with "When All Was Young," and "The Spirit Song. 3, "Make, My Girl" and "Megan" were well suited to Mr. F. Campbell's baritone voice. Mr. H. C. McLennan gave an excellent flute rendering of Bricciuldi's "Romance and Tarantellc," and Mr. R. Jackson's xylophone number, "Tarantelle de Concert" was greatly appreciated. An enjoyable cornet duet, "The Nightingale and the Thrush" was played by "Mr. F. Bowes and Mr. J. Da. vies. The band numbers included the rousing "March of the Warriors'' (Delibes) two selections in Aubers overture, "The Bronze Horse" and Massenet's "Herodiae," and "The Waltz of the Doll," and "A Hungarian Dance" (Delibes, "Coppelia"). A selection from Offenbach's operas and Ketelby's fantasy, "In a Chinese Temple Garden," concluded the programme. The band gave another fine programme at the Zoological Park yesterday afternoon. "PLAYHOUSE" REVUE. "Tho Playhouse," an, assortment of playettco, sketches, vocal and dance numbers, was presented by a company of 40 performers at the Y.W.C.A. on Saturday evening. Among- the items were dances by the pierrot troupe, o playette, "When Dreams Come True" (N. Jamicson, A. and S. Ivil, L. Frith, Mrs. Leadbeater), "The Willow Pattern," staged by a number of children, "Alice in Wonderland" (M. and U. Bedford, V. Hillier and J. Stonex), "Love's Old Sweet Song" (A. L. Mercer, G. Barton), "David Copperfield" (A. and S. Ivil), "Getting Into Society" (A. and 0. Whit-nall-Smith), "The Toymaker's Dream," and a comedy, "My Turn Next" (Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, Messrs. Peterson and Roberts, Misses Best and Matthews). ORGAN RECITAL. Tho programme played by the city organist in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon included compositions by Handel, Bach, Schubert, Watling, Wolstenholnie and Vierne. The selections, which were artistically played, were greatly appreciated.