ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 183, 29 April 1924, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Bright vaudeville, opera, and spectacular and hair-raising turns comprise the new programme presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. A crowded audience was not slow in expressing its approbation of tho varied entertainment offered. Eirst to appear among the newcomers was Cestria, a Continental acrobatic clown, who was seen in a highly diverting act entitled "d’Lo Garcon Eccentrique.” In it he juggles, executes triple somersaults, and performs all manner of clever stunts. More than passing enthusiasm greeted the initial appearance of Signor Alberti, formerly of . the San Carlos Opera Company, Milan, whose rich, mellow tenor was heard to great advantage in some sweet excerpts from Italian grand opera. Chief among his successes were 2J<a Donna Mobile,” and "Finiculi Finiculn,” while his rendition in English of "I’ll Sing Thee Songs of Araby,” met with a rousing reception. Soli, an instrumentalist with an English reputation, specialises on the inarmiba. on which he played every class of song from operatic excerpts to the more popular numbers. He had to respond to numerous recalls. A new selection of melodies and dances, breathing the spirit of the South Seas, was supplied by the talented Hilo Duo. Rice and Elmar scored a bigger hit than ever with their novelty acrobatic-comedy act on the trampoline table. No somersault or aerobatic performance seemed too difficult for them to accomplish, and aided by the resilience of the big canvas sheet they performed feats that were as amazing ns they were amusing A refreshingly original turn was that of Mr. Charles Lewis, the English humorous vocalist and raconteur, who. with his clever quips and pleasing personality soon became a general favourite. Entirely fresh ground was broken in the latest production of the Hurl-Evans revue combination. It was a delightful musical nonsensity, entitled "The Dress Rehearsal,” and proved to bo a clover satire on the modern producer. Doddy Hurl was in his element os the stage manager, and he saw to it that mirthprovoking situations were created at every turn. The piece introduced several catchy musical numbers, and a selection of original dances, and contained some remarkable scenic effects. Mr. Frank Crowther’s orchestra was as usual all sufficient. MUSGROVE’S CELEBRITY VAUDEVILLE. Musgrove’s Celebrity Vaudeville is maintaining its high standard at the Tivoli Theatre. There was a crowded audience again last evening, when the many new turns met with unqualified approval. Windsor, Edgar, and Kelleway. a trio of merry musicians, again hud the audiecne in the best of humours. Kelleway is the possessor of a light baritone voice of excellent quality, while Edgar and Windsor are violinists who play exceptionally well under the guise of fooling. The trio present a delightful entertainment. Donald Stuart is a sleight-of-hand artist of merit, who keeps up a patter which is as amusing as his get-up. The Hanlon Brothers present their clever sketch "The Hotel Impossible.” Other high-class items on tho bill are Rebe Kesslova, tho gipsy violinists; Sheila May and Sydney Keith, bright humourists; Claire Solly, in new songs; the highly-amusing Niblpo and Doris; and D’Alma and his -wonderful dogs. The Tivoli management has received advice that Signors Rasponj and Sarti, late of the Sistine Choir, will leave Sydney for Wellington on Friday next. KING’S THEATRE. The powerful film, "The Acquittal,” again had everyone mystified at the King’s Theatre last evening. It is a brilliant picturisation of a famous stage play, and it is so cleverly told that the audience is kept guessing right up to the startling climax as to who was the guilty party. The story tells of the trial of a young man for the murder of his stepfather. Interest is kept at high tension until a confession clears the name of the hero. The play is splendidly act. ed. The big picture is supported by a high-class comedy. QUEEN’S THEATRE. All the essentials for a first-class photoplay—romance, humour, and pathos —are provided in "His Children’s Children," the big Sam Wood production now featuring at the Queen’s Theatre. The story, -which is adapted from Arthur Train’s popular novel, is splendidly acted by such fine artists as Bebe Daniels, Dorothy Mackaill, James Bennie, and George Fawcett. The supporting subjects include a bright Paramount comedy, a Burton Holmes Travelogue, and Paramount Gazettes. Tho incidental music by the Queen’s grand orchestra, under Mr. A. H. Jerome, is a feature of the entertainment. The box plan is at the Bristol. PRINCESS THEATRE. A big double bill is now holding the screen at the Princess Theatre. In pride of place is the Lasky production, "The Tiger’s Claw." The scenes are laid in India, and there is plenty of excitement in the story. A pretty love tale is told. Jack Holt takes the leading part, and is seen in some of his dare-devile riding stunts. The cast is a strong one, including Eva Novak, Bertram Grassby, and Karl Stockdale. The other big picture ijn the bill is "Grandma’s Boy.” in which Harold Lloyd is seen at his best. This five-reel masterpiece is one long laugh from start to finish. The hero has every asset except courage, and the tribulations which his cowardice bring him are intensely amusing. The supporting programme is full of merit, and the incidental music pleasing. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A photoplay full of dramatic situations, suspense, and vital human appeal is "Temporary Marriage,” now screening at the Paramount Theatre. Tully Marshall, Kenneth Harlan, Myrtle Stedman, Stuart Holmes, Maude George, and Mildred Davis are in the cast. "Laven, der and Old Lace” is also being presented. Marguerite Snow, Seena. Owen, and Louis Bennison are tho featured players. When "Rosita” is shown for the first time at the Paramount Theatre next Friday the public are promised an entirely new and a different Mary Pickford. In this, her latest United Artists’ attraction, she appears as a grownup young woman. The famous Mary Pickford curls, of golden hue, are coiffed high in Spanish style of the nineteenth century, while Miss Pickford, wearing gorgeous gownsj with long streaming train, is said to appear litho and sinuous, revealing a seldom seen phase of tho personality loved the world over. "Rosita" is described as an entirely different story from anything Mary Pickford ever before has been identified with. Its appeal 'will be to the grown-ups rather than to the children. A thrilling tale of Spanish romance is unfolded in swiftly moving scenes. Glimpses of carnival and palatial splen. dour are said to be blended into a story of dramatic intensity interspersed with human frailties, comedy intrigue, and suspense. EMPRESS THEATRE. The brilliant sporting drama, "Long Odds,” has caught on at tho Empress Theatre. It is generally conceded to be one of the best sporting films yet seen here. There is an interesting story told in the plot, and the reproduction of the steeplechase is most realistic. At the big water-jump- the horses appear to jump right inti the camera. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. A particularly strong bill has been secured by th» Artcraft /nanagement for the mid-week change, which commences to-night. The wellknown Panemount star, Bebo Daniels, supported by Nita Naldi, David Powell, and an allstar cast, appear in the famous production, "The Glimpses of the Moon." This is a society drama, rich in human interest, displaying luxury awl wealth, with the playgrounds of the rich as settings. In addition to a good Gazette, an interesting Travelogue, a "Torchy" comedy is also included, oil to a pleasing orchestral accompaniment.