ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 177, 21 April 1924, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

TIVOLI THEATRE. Patrons of the Tivoli Theatre were treated to an entire change of bill on Saturday evening when hundreds were turned away long before 8 o clock, ur the newcomers on tho programme, none made a bigger hit than Niblo and Doris, a brilliant burlesque. artist and a coon who can dance. The disquistion of these two on an imaginary horse in t.n“ "wings” had a laugh in every bream. Doris, giving an imitation of an, allege! prima donna singing “Il Bacio, ''' as .‘l positive and literal scream. Her taciai contortions and the queer noises sno made as she romped through the. olu waltz song were excruciatingly comica... Niblo is a black-faced comedian with a dry humour, and the pair arc going to be vastly popular. Robe Kcsslova, the gipsy violinist, has a fine mastery over the strings. Her tone is. crystal clear and wonderfullv sympathetic; she fingeis with line clarity in any position, and her evenness ot tone when double .or treble-stopping is admirable. She p.ayeu the "Mignon” gavotte with variations, a new setting of “The Last Rose or mer,” the ragged old melody hen You and I Were Young” (with orchestra assistance), and in response to liearty applause played very sweetly a bttlc Maori love song "Poataroa. * Trie -Hanlon Brothers, masters of pantomime and simultaneous acting, made their re-ap-pearance in their amazing sketch , A Night in tho Hotel Impossible,” which includes that gruesome interlude corning the page boy’s dream,. Nothing so clever as the mirror delusion has been seen for years. The railway engine sensation which concludes the act is a stunning climax. A delightful turn which gave maximum satisfaction was that of the gifted Tully Sisters, four in number, who are skilled musicians, specialising in the merry liltish jazz music so much favoured by the age Those charming girls open the ball, as saxophonists—the complete quartet and having satisfied the audience that even saxophones in harmony need lighter relief, thev introduce it with the aid of the viiolin, piano, xylophone, drums, and ukelele, and on all these instruments they are equally proficient in up-to-date jazz melodies. Dtinuy d’Alma and May consist in the main of a very clever acrobatic clown and three welltrained fox terriers. Danny is a very agile ground tumbler, who deserts ths floor for a time to disport himse.f on stilts, on which he executes a number of hand-springs as readily as though he were on his feet. The dogs are well firrtfned in the art of somersaulting, upright walking, and even go as far as to fox-trot to music. _ Milton Brooks and Alma are a small girl pianiste and dancer in her early 'teens, and a smal lor boy, who plays tho violin and gets it over with the aid of a winning iicT' sonality; and Sheila May and Sydney Keith are the usual talk, song, and daneo couple, both vivacious and clever. Miss Claire Solly, the contralto, repeated the excellent impression she made on Good Friday night, and Signor Pasinatl was heard again in the same round of songs that he sang the evening before. Pharus, the healer, announced during the , evening that ho would be giving matinee demonstrations of his methods of pain banishment every day during this week at the Tivoli. Ho will bo in Wellington for two weeks only. KING'S THEATRE. Many of America’s besCknown film stars appear in "Hollywood,” the novel production now starring at the King’s Theatre. It gives a glimpse behind the scenes, where films are made, and at the same time tells a clever story of tho aspirations which are cherished by so many young people of both sexes to become film stars. 'The sad disappointments which await many of tho ambitious ones are strongly _ brought out. Most of tho scenes are laid in and about tho famous Los Angeles studios. The makl-ng of pictures forms a most interesting study, and a famous director is seen at work supervising the construction of a big film. The story interwoven is a clever one, and the settings and scenery are- most elaborate. With so many famous actors and actresses in tho cast, it goes without saying that the acting is very fine, “Hollywood,” without question is a novel and refreshing film production. Tho supporting pictures are well worth seeing, and the incidental music by the King’s select orchestra leaves nothing to bo desired. EMPRESS THEATRE. A picturisation of the novel, "Main Street,” by Sinclair Lewis, is the star attraction at the Empress Theatre. Tho leading i-oles are taken by Florence Vidor and Monte Blue, who have the support of Harry Myers, Norah Beery, Louise Fazenda, and others. The supporting films include an amusing Christie comedy and a Continental News film. Attractive music is supplied by the orchestra. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. An excellent, all-round programme, comprising five pictures, will be shown at the Artcjnft Theatre to-night. The petite and vivacious May McAvoy is the star in the Paramount feature "Morals,” adapted from the well-known play and novel by William J. Locke. Her characterisation of Carlotta, the trusting girl from a Turkish harem, is convincing and sympathetic, and the story is both human ■ and engrossing all through. Harold Lloyd creates roars of laughter in the mirth-provoking comedy “High and Dizzy.” A good Gazette (containing a view of H.M.S. Hood), an interesting travelogue, and a highly humorous Torchy comedy by Johnny Hines, completes tho fine bill. Pleasing orchestral music will add to tho enjoyment of tho evening. PRINCESS THEATRE. A powerful story, which shows how a man of strong will can rise superior to adverse fate, is told in "Kick In,” which heads the strong programme now showing at the Princess Theatre. Chic Howes, after undergoing a sentence in prison, decides to go straight. Ho has a hard row to hoe, however, as the district attorney, for political purposes, is out on a hunt for "crooks." Hewes gets mixed up with the attorney’s family, and in the end conics out with colours flying. It is a fascinating story of tho underworld, in which Betty Compsou, Bert Lvttell, and May McAvov do some most effective acting. Th" big picture is supported by a gioely-varfed programme. GRAND JAZZ BALL. A. special feature of Fleet Week festivities will be the reception and grand Jazz ball, which the Wellington Orphans Club is organising in honour of the Admiral and officers in tho Town Hall on Saturday evening next. A special jazz orchostra of sixteen performers, under the baton of Mr. A. Braund, will supply tho music. Tickets and reserved seats may be had at the Bristol, and the proceeds will bo donated to the funds of the Wellington Navy Dengue. The ball is expected to be a most brilliant gathering. QHEEN’S THEATRE. Antonio Moreno has a starting part in "The Spanish Dancer,” now showing at the Queen’s Theatre. It is s. story of old Spain, and with Pole Negri as the dancer who puts her finger in a kiligly pie, Moreno as Don Cesar do Bazan, plays a stirring role in the intrigues of th? Court of Philip IV of Spain. Pola Negri as Maritna, is tho calculating coquette to perfection, and the number of her beaux merely add to her diplomatic victories till she holds a high place in all tho hidden schemes of the day. Philip is played by Wallace Beery, Queen Isabel by Kathlyn Williams, ' anil Lazarielo by Gareth Hughes. A Paramount Gazette and a Burton Holmes Travelogue, are supports, while the Queen’s orchestra supplies excellent incidental music. A. concert to raise funds for the Easthr camp nf tho Maranui Boy Scouts took place recently in the Maranui Anglican Church Hall, and was well attended. The first part: of the programme consisted of kinema pictures of miscellaneous character, the principal being a drama "Rescue bv Wire'css.” Mr. Robert Carr was in charge of the machine, and Mrs. Skuso was tho pianist. Tho second part consisted of items by Mr. Edlin, Mr. Ward, Mr. Jenkinson (fbDutmaster), Misses B. Carr, and G. Hall, and Masters G. Power and Davidson. Mr. A. Sando was in tho chair.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Tho new holiday programme to bo produced at His Majesty's Theatre today by the Fuller Vaudeville Company is stated to be one of exceptional excellence, and to include a number ol star engagements. Among tho newcomers will be Rice and Elmar, who come direct from America. These artists perform a number of difficult teats on what is known as a trampoline table, and which includes forward and backward triple somersaults, leaping and dancing, all of which are stated to be perlormed with amazing ease. The Hilo Duo, a pair of Hawaiian artists, will appear for the first time and will mature instrumental and vocal music that is stated to be redolent of the South Seas. The ma-o member of the duo is stated to be a distinguished performer on the ukelele, and the female partner to be a most accomplished dancer. Neis items will Ire supplied by the Folios Bergere Quartet, Miss Nell Crane, and blavin and Thompson. As is customary, the second half of the programme will be occupied by a revue. To-night Douuy Hurl will stage an entirely new production entitled “The Pirates.” This is eaid to be a highly diverting melange of melody and fun, in which the principal comedian has ample opportunities for the display of his powers as a mirth-provoking comedy pirate. He vnll bo supported by his capable company, who will introduce a number of Dew songs and dances. The costuming, it is stated, has been cleverly contrived so as to harmonise to the. smallest detail with the scenic and lighting scheme. The new programme will be repeated nightly during the week and at the usual week-end matinee.