ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 113, 5 February 1924, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

IIIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Although no new artists were included in the new bill at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, those on the bill fully merited tho applause of a critical an'ii-( ence. In. the vaudeville half of the programme Will Hastings, the English comedian, had a great reception. A humorist of tho first flight in his patter and his acting, he is also a fine and versatile performer on tho flute, on a ’cello of his own construction, a cornet, and a long trumpet The McKinnon Brothers still continue to hold their place by virtue of toe dancing, concertina playing, and an exhibition of the sword dance. Tho comedy duo, Jack Trent and Sadie, are clever in their limericks and songs. The turn of Les Wharton, the coon comedian, consisting as it does of a new selection of stories and songs, is well up to his previous performances. The Con Moreni revue, “Slightly Mixed,” for sparkling dialogue, absurdity of situations, abundance of humour, the number and variety of its melodies, and laughter producing qualities, excels any other revue produced by this company. The plot is very thin and rather impossible, but from the opening chorus to the finale the audience are convulsed with laughter except when called upon to admire the ballet scenes and enjoy the songs. Con Moreni, as the Bailiff, is the life of the revue, and his singing of “Maude,” a burlesque on “Come Into the Garden," is excruciatingly funny. Other musical numbers are: "You Won’t Be Sorry” (Ida Leggatt), “Wait Till I Get You Alone” (Harry Moreni and girls), “Just For Ale and Alary” (Winnie Edgerton and fpirls), “Star of Eve” (Dolly Varni and girls), “Who Believed in You” (Ida Leggatx and Dan Welklon), “Annabel” (Will Kenny;, “See Baby” (Les Austin and girls). A very pretty “Fox Trot” is introduced by Afinnie Goldberg, and Les Austin. Mr. Frank Crowther and his orchestra supply the very enjoyable incidental music. KING’S THEATRE. “A Chapter in Her Life,” a Universal film production, screening at the King’s Theatre, is a most human story. It is typical of the sheer joy of bring as evidenced by the presence, and influence of an innocent and optimistic little girl in a millionaire’s family, torn by bitterness, dissension and strife. She radiates good | cheer, and preaches in her, life the duty of happiness and the happiness of duty. The supports include a Buddy Messenger comedy, “Dad’s Boy,” and a most informative International News. The orchestra plays a delightful programme of classic music. KAPITI AND VICINITY. At the King’s Theatre yesterday afternoon a private screening was given of films taken of Knpiti and adjoining islands, the Paraparaumu beach, fishing in the Waikanae River, and scenery in the locality. The views were clear and well photographed, and represented scenery of which few folk have the faintest idea, an especially good view being shown of a spnset on the rippling sea. The range of pictures was very wide, and many of them have been made familiar in history in connection with the raids of the great Maori warrior Te Ruaparaha. Webber’s homestead on Kapiti, the last relics of the whaling stations on that island, a settler’s whare on the mainland. and innumerable other scenes captured the interest of those at the filming These and additional pictures in the same locality will be publicly screened shortly. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The dynamiting of a cliff which caused thousands of tons of rock and debris to fall 1000 feet is one of the most spectacular scenes of “To the Last Man,” a Paramount picture now showing at the Queen’s. Theatre., The explosion is a sequence in the picture showing the wiping out of a band of cattlemen by cattle thieves. The avalanche closes the entrance to a canyon and kills all but one member of the band. “To the Last Man” is a Zane Grey production based on the author’s famous story of the Pleasant Valley War, a feud of the late ’eighties, which was fought out literally to the last man. Besides Richard Dix and Lois Wilson, the principal players are Noah Beery, Robert Edeson, ■ and Frank Campeau. The supports include the latest Gazettes, Burton Holmes Travelogue, and Paramount comedy. The Queen’s grand orchestra, under Air. A. H. Jerome, provides a specially selected programme of music. The box plan is at tho Bristol. EMPRESS THEATRE. “Pioneer Trails,” a Vitagraph special production now showing at the Empress Theatre, illustrates vividly the struggle of the early settlers of Western America to obtain a footing in the land of prairies and mountains. This picture Iras more than its ordinary share of incidents, all of them intensely thrilling, and altogether it is one of tho most thrilling screened for some time. In support are a comedy, a scenic, and a Topical Gazette. The orchestra renders a choice selection of music. PRINCESS THEATRE. John Barrymore in R. L. Stevenson’s grim and terrible story “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” form a fine picture attraction at the Princess Theatre. “The Nth Commandment," the second feature, is a story of life in New York theatres and of how to keep the home together and yet mix with the world. Next Friday two big produ«tions will be screened —a George Alelford production with a story appeal like "East is West," and May McVay in “A Virginia Courtship,” a. love story of the Old South in modern times. Tho day sessions will feature in addition “The Eagle’s Talons," an exciting chapter play. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. At the Paramount Theatre, Long Tack Sam and his troupe of Chinamen, for nearly on hour, electrify the house nightly with an exhibition of conjuring, hand-balancing, horizontal bar work, rope climbing and sliding, and many other wonderful feats. The main picture is a. thrill ing drama “The Exiles.” The comedy, “Why Pay Rent?” is a real comedy. The orchestra is distinctive. The last days and nights of Long Tack Sam are announced. CESARONI. Signor Lucien Cesaroni, who recently returned from a successful tour of America, has recommenced teaching the art of vocalism in Wellington at 102 Willis Street (Adelphi Chambers),. Signor Cesaroni, who has played in grand opera all over the world, intends during the year to form a chorus of 21 good voices (six of each department), and to train them in tho choruses of operas by Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, Gounod, Rossini, Mascogn.i, Donnizetti, etc., such choruses to be sung in costnmo and acted in the proper mise en scene. Later ho hopes also to produce in their entirety Mascogin’s “Cavalena Rusticana” and Leanconalla’s “I Pagliacci." AIR. FRANK HUTCHENS. Mr. Frank Hutchens, the brilliant Hawera pianist, with an Australian and English reputetion, is spending a holiday in New Zealand and intends giving a recital in the Concert Chamber on Thursday, February 14, when ho will give a programme embodying the choicest work of Beethoven, Scarlatti. Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Ravel, Debussy, and other leading composers for the pianoforte.