ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 182, 29 April 1922, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

the famous n.z. diggers. The famous Diggers will open a Wellingttyi season at the Opera House tonight. Those who have witnessed thenperformances in the past realise how completely they control their audience in the matter of laughter. In this respect the “Sydney Times” has said: “We do pot think these Diggers realise how good thej r really are. In the new programmes they are now submitting they maintain that the laughter will be louder than ever before. A sketch which is a sure fire hit is “Tickets, Please,” which ran for two years on the English music-halls. It is full of funny gags and stunts, and will be played by the comedian who originated it in England, Mr. Joe Valli. The burlesque, “Jaz? Band, is an item which, for sheer downright comicality, will bo hard to beat. Hie new quartet has a repertoire which encompasses the very latest American and English song Juts. They also introduce many novelties into their presentment of the turn. The orchestra selections include the very latest London successes, such as The Little Dutch Girl,’’ “The Naughty Princess and Oscar Asdic’s latest success “Mecca.” The Oriental Dance, by Stan. Lawson in the Egyptian scene, is a big success everywhere. )' rank Perrvn, late understudy to Geo. Robey, gives some fine “Robey” songs vj 1 1n patter, and just to show Ins versatility puts into other portions of the pi ogrammo original duets with Stan. Lawson, and some excellent character studies. A lovely carnival scene and a charming Oriental scene, painted by Will Beck, lend delight to the. eye, and the dresses, specially imported from 'London and Paris, make up a picture of beauty and joy. The. company o twenty performers also includes I red Webber, who is a light comedian, who also has a -nice offering in the way of latest songs and dancing stunts.

SOUTHWOOD’S QUALITY PERFORMERS. The Quality Performers will give two final farewell performances at the Concert Chamber to-day. At the matinee this afternoon children will bo specially catered for both in respect to prices of admission and. the performance generally. The evening programme will be made up of items selected by patrons, intermingled with many entirely new items. .The concerted numbers will include the syncopated opera Verdi and the country (old English) and Hawaiian scenas, these having been requested by a number of intending patrons. ‘ Now songs will be given by Aneurin Morris and baritone Wilfred Scott. Mr. Scott will sing “Come to the Fair” in the old English scena, and Mr. .Morris will give a new operatic selection for his solo, with such old favourites as may be most in demand for encores. Jhe jazz band, which was unable to appear last Saturday owing to Mr. Foster having met with an accident to his trombone at the matinee performance, will positively appear at both performances to-dav. Patrons are advised to book their seats, for a packed house is expected, and many may be disappointed, as was the case last Saturday. “MY LADY OF THE CAVE.” The audience that assembled at Everybody’s Theatre last night to witness “My Lady of the Cave were treated to a purely New Zealand romance, written in Auckland, produc-. ed and filmed in tho Dominion, and the character parts taken by residents out here. The scenic effects are excellent. as is only natural in a picture taken in the beautiful surroundings so easily found amongst the show places of New Zealand. The greater part ot tho picture was enacted on Mayor island, some 37 miles from Tauranga, Mr. A. R. Hayward, the producer, having organised a company to perform the romance in the picturesque, surroundings there.' The plot is an unusual one, and leaves the audience guessing for most of the time. It relates to a young white girl, the only survivor of a Maori raid in the old davs, who is protected by hci rescuer until she meets the hero, represented bv Gordon Campbell, when they mutually fall in love, and die adventures, which are many and varied, which generally befall true lovers, are depicted wonderfully well. Miss Hazel West plays tho heroine sweetly and naturally. while the hero is represented by a voung Wellinetonian. Jhe minor parts are all well taken, and the management are to.be congratulated upon the attractiveness of the whole picture. In addition, a Pathc Gazette and a M"ck Bennett comedy, ‘ Ladies rust, afford variety and amusement of a particularly enjoyable character. T C WILLI' MBON COMIC OPERA COMPANY. J. C. Williamson’s comic opera company to-night conclude at His Ma■estv’s Theatre. Auckland, a phenomenally successful season, during which tho following operas were produced: “Merrio England.” “Dorothy,’ . the Chocobtc Soldier,” and bv permission of W. Dovlv Carte,.-the following: “Mikado,” “Gondoliers,” and “The Yeoman of the Guard.” The company commence an overland tour on Monday at Hamilton, then nlaying 'Wanganui three nights, Hawera one night, Palmerston North, two nights. Hastings one night. Nanier two nights. Masterton one nightl opening in Wellington on Saturday.. May 13. with “Merrie England.,” The company, which number" 100 neopb. are travelling by special train. The princinals include: Charles H. Workman. Ethel Morrison. A. Howett-Worster. Patti Russell. Byrl Wnlkely. John Ralston. Grace Crotty, Victor Prince, Edeen Dunn, Charles Mettam, Molly Tyrell, together with the chorus .and orchestra of the Gilbert and Sullivan comnany. under the baton r>f Gustave Slhpoffski. Box arrangement” will be announced later for the Wellington season, but overland the plans open three days before the opening date in each town.

TRAMWAY BAND CONCERT. An attractive programme has Been arranged for the concert to be given at His Majesty’s Theatre on Sunday evening bv tho Tramways Band. Mrs. M. J. Goodson, a Hawera soprano, has been specially engaged for the concert, and items will also bo given by Mr. H. F. Wood, whoso tenor contributions arc always welcome. By special request the band will play “Tschaikovskv.” the Wellington band contest selection. A concert solo, “Mia,” will be contributed by Mr. T. Goodall.