AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 184, 6 August 1934, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK." All the famous songs from the popular musical comedy, "The Belle of New York," now being staged at His Majesty's Theatre for a revival season by the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society, are recalled with fine staging and emphasis. "She is the Belle of New York," "They Always Follow Me," "My Little Baby," "La Belle Parisienne," "When a Man is 21," "When I Was Born the Stars Stood Still," "Little Sister Kissie," and all the rest are favourites of long standing with Aucklanders, who have seen this production three times within the past seven or eight years, and still consider it fresh enough and enjoyable enough to be worthy of a crowded house. Violet Gray (The Belle) is charmingly played by Eva Simson. Cora Angelique, the Queen of Comae Opera, who is in search of a tenth husband, is done to perfection by Antonia Martinengo. Reta MacCullay is petite and pleasing in the role of Fifi Fricot, while other acting honours go to Walter Smith and Maurice Alexander as the twin Portuguese noblemen, the Counts Ratsi and Patsi Rattatoo; to Len Barnes for his sterling portrait of Ichabod Brouson; to Douglas Stark and Dawn Collier, for their work as Blinky Bill and Mamie; to Joyce Wright, for her Kissy Fitzgaiter; to Gordon Fagan, for his "Doe" Shifkins, father of the Queen of Comic Opera; to James A. Sharp, as Mr. Twiddles; to Bob Fen wick, as Kenneth Mugg; and to Gcorgn Clapham in his lunatic role. "ROBIN HOOD" PAGEANT. ■ A strong plot consisting of three episodes setting out a romance, a drama and a comedy, comprises the central feature of the "Robin Hood" pageant-drama' to be staged in the Town Hall to-morrow and Wednesday and Thursday evenings, in aid of funds for the Girls' Friendly Society. Special music has been composed for the production," comprising old English and modern lilting and satisfying melodies and rousing choruses. The company on the stage will number over 200, and there will be a specially trained chorus and a hidden choir of nearly 200 voices. The colourful heraldic pageantry of Old England will be staged with appropriate scenery and settings. The "book," in blank verse, is from the pen of D'Arcy Tarr. An outstanding feature of the production will be the "Song of the Pageant." An additional attraction will be the Robin Hood Fair, to be held in the Town Hall on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. JOAN CRAWFORD'S EYES.

A chance for prize money or complimentary tickets is offered to local artiste by the management of the St. James' Theatre in the winning of a competition advertised in to-day's issue. Two photographs of Joan Crawford, star of the film "Sadie McKee," are reproduced, and competitors are required to draw in the eyes of the star in the blank space left in the face. First prize ie listed as one guinea, second as half a guinea, and further awards as guest tickets to the theatre.