ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 119, 5 February 1923, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

“OH! LADY, LADY." Special interest centres in tho initial representation here this evening of the New York musical comedy triumph, “Ohl Lady, Lady," tiecause it comes with the reputation of being the best, brightest, and prettiest play the repertoire of the J. 0. Williamson Ltd. New English Musical Comedy Company. “Oh! Lady, Lady” unfolds a clever and original story,, the interest of which is sustained right up to tho final five minutes. Its dialogue is original, and the comedy scenes are hilariously funny. The music is tuneful, tho frocks superb, tho ensembles beautiful, tho ballets charming. There are several big dance specialties. It has been stated that were the J. C. Williamson Company to search the whole of Now York and London they eould not have come across an artist more suited to the role of Fainting Fanny than Miss Fane. Tho part gives the brilliant young comedienne special opportunities' to distinguish herself, Gild it is said her. rendering of “Mammy,” with the aid of tho clients and their ukaleles, would assure the success of any musical play. Bright and always refreshing, H. S. Percy is at his best as Spike Hudgins, an ex-burglar, who gets into the most awkward difficulties because his newiymarried wife steals a valuable nqcklaco from his employer. Mr. Percy has a number scenes and musical numbers with Maud Fane. Miss Madge Elliott and Cyril Riichards will be seen 'in important parts, and in addition they will present two of her greatest dance creations. Messrs. Field Fisher. Cecil Kellaway, Roland Hogue, and Millie Engler assist" greatly, and a feature of the opera is the specialty dsfncing effect introduced by Mr. Jack Hooker, Gwon Withers, and Charlie Kennedy. Harry Wotton and Floie Allen are both congenially cast, and the famous ballet of eight are at their best. Omy a limited number of evening performances can be staged of “Oh! Lady, Lady,’ 1 special matinee will bo staged on Wednesday afternoon. On Saturday next "Mary” will be staged. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. A white waif jettisoned in an Indian camp is the heroine of “The Man from Hell’s River,” now screening at Everybody’s Theatre. She grows up to be a beautiful woman, and tha story of the struggle for her love between two stern men of the frozen winter wilderness of the North-West, one of whom has a fiery nature chained by conscience and self respect,.while the other has taken life and his acquaintances merely as opportunities in a reckless career, is well told. Maballa, the girl, is persuaded by playing upon her fears for her “father,” who has a past in the distant “outside,” to wed the ne’er-do-well. How tlie wedding resulted in. failure, and how the better man wins in a ding-dong knife fight in the great snow-drifts, is well portrayed by Eva Novak and Irving Cummings. Dorothy Gish in “The Country Flapper,” is a humorous support. Tho orchestra, under Mr. M. Dixon, pleases, EMPRESS THEATRE. The story of an irrepressible orphan is the vehicle in which Jackie Coogan is starring at the Empress* Theatre. He escapes from the orphanage, is recaptured asleep in a barrel, given away to the kindly policeman by tho wagging of ‘'Queenie” his dog. “Queenie” shares with him an ignominous return to . chilly charity, but the orphanage fails, and the inmates ano advertised to any who will adopt them. Jackie’s new mother is a delightful little woman, but her husband is a brutal, self-centred drone. Jackie, in defending her, places the husband hors de combat, with n well directed flowerpot, and after Court proceedings the husband is gaolc<l for fi year. Jackie and liis 1 ‘mother” go to live amidst the grass and cows, happy in each other. Fun drips from tliis story. “Bright Eyes” (comed.y). a Pathe Review, and a scenic of the Kauri industry; are supports. Mr. L. D. Austin’s augmented orchestra is welcome.

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT. The whirl and flutter of Monte Carlo is lavishly reproduced in “Foolish Wives J 1 screening now at the Artcraft and Paramount theatres. The changing crowd of the idly rich, needy adventurers, knaves and curious fools of not only the old world, but the new, who continually throng this mecca of gamblers, has always a fascination. In “Foolish Wives” are shown not only the. typically brazen, brilliant adventuresses, who live upon the follies of others, but the women of the world of society, whose indiscretions lead them to a desperate need of money. This is taken advantage of by Sergius Keramzin, a ronegrade Russian, masquerading as a count. With l a fatal natural fascination for women, he allies a cold and crafty diplomacy, and there flutter into his net many women who tread the dark paths of dissimulation for the first time. The part of the cijunt is superbly acted bv Erich Von Stroheim, and Miss Du Pont is the American consul’s wife, who saves herself in time. The end is superbly tragic. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. In the new programme to be presented this evening; by Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller there is much that will interest and amuse all classes of theatregoers. Walter George and his popular Sunshine Players arc to present a new comedietta entitled “The Orange Girl.” which was considered by Auckland critics to be the best production staged by tho company during their ten weeks’ season in that city. In “Tho Orange Girl” comedy has received special attention, and the parts written for the comedians are said to bo immense. Some fine lighting effects have been introduced, and the scenic effects generally are said to compare more than favourably with I’aything seen here. A vaudeville bill of exceptional strength is to take up the whole of the first part, and seveia of the artists are making their first appearance in Wellington. Of the newcomers, Vaughan, who is described as “the jazzing gymnast,” does an act that is distinctly novel and clever. His hand-balancing and foot work are a treat, and his offering is put over in a manner that is said to be tar ano. away ahead of gymnastic acts previously seen here. A distinguished American violinist in the person ot Miss Dola Stantonne is appearing tonight, and will be heard in a fine selection of classical and popular musiu. The Hilo Trio, a party of Hawaiian musicians mid dancers, are m their second week. Theirs is a very Pleasing performance, particularly their playing on the Hawaiian steel guitar, gome new and well chosen numbers will be sung bv Miss Ruth Bucknail, the giften Australian prima donna A - though an Australian, Miss Bucknall has appeared m sonic of the biggest concert halls in Great Britain and on the Continent. Last but by no means least is “Tho Concertina bwaggio, Mi. Harry North This artist made a wouderiul impression on His Majesty’s audiences during last week, and it is quite safe to predict for him a very successful New Zealand tour. Rarely do local audiences get the opportunity of hearing concertina players of Mr. North’s.calibre, and those who have hemal him have not been slow in appreciating him. On Saturday night he had to respond to encore aftor encore before the audience Would Jet him leave the stage.