Page 1 Advertisements Column 2

Evening Star, Issue 23421, 11 November 1939, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS. HIS MAJESTY’S (Proprietor: Sir Benjamin Fuller.) SATURDAY NEXT, NOV. 18 • FOR 8 NIGHTS ONLY, COMMENCING AT THE MATINEE At 2.15. INTERNATIONAL VARIETIES LTD., IN CONJUNCTION WITH LAU FU CHUNG, ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THE GREAT ! NORTH CHINA TROUPE | . NORTH CHINA TROUPE I NORTH CHINA TROUPE j AND COMPANY. DIRECT FROM A 5 YEARS’ WORLD TOUR, Supported by HERBERT. YOUNG HERBERT YOUNG The 9 Years Old Chinese “Bobby Breen,” who Sings in Superb English ‘ Bose of • Tralee,’ ‘ Little Drummer Boy,’ etc. / DR WONG The Sensational Chinese Wizard. It’s Sensation With The Lid Off It’s Thrills With The Silencers Off 18 Performances at Wellington 18 Performances at Auckland 11 Performances at Christchurch THIS IS THE OPINION OF MR MARCUS PLIMMER: WELLINGTON ‘ DOMINION ’ OF 11/9/59. “ Many of those who remember the Chinese' athletes and gymnasts who appeared in New Zealand a few years ago under the direction of Long Tack Sam will be pleased to learn that the astounding performances of that company are rivalled by those of the Great Northern China Troupe, which - thrilled two capacity audiences in the Grand Opera House, Wellington, on Saturday. These lithe, smiling Asiatics, who have come direct to Wellington from Hongkong, are every bit as adroit and flaring as their predecessors, and it is not exaggerating to say that many of the feats performed ’ op, Saturday were breathtaking,' All were performed'with cool, smiling efficiency. To add to the glamour of the show, it was given a brilliant Oriental setting—glittering red, gold,, and blue backcloth, wings, and borders. The exotic costumes of satins, richly embroidered with dragons, birds, and tigers, made the stage a dazzling scene of Oriental splendour. “ There were surprises, too. After the beautiful Chin-Chin had executed a graceful fan .dance, a small Chinese boy in conventional evening dress took his stand at the microphone and, without the slightest sign of effort, sang his way into the heart of the big audience. This lad bears the curiously English name of Herbert Young. He was announced on the programme as the Chinese Boby Breen. He has qualities of diction, modulation, and expression that exceed those of the American boy, and his songs wore ‘ Little Drummer Boy,’ ‘ Song For the Old Folks,’ ‘Bose of Tralee,’ and ‘ Gold in the Sky.’ “ The troupe numbers 20 people, men and women, and most of the time all are on the stage. One small girl balanced glasses of coloured water, one on her forehead and the other on her chin, and bent backward slowly until her head reached the ground, when she straightened herself out. Then, still without disturbing the glasses, she doubled up, and passed a ring over her body and head. Contorting her body, she threw her legs over her face; her calves caught the glasses as they passed, and, on the return, the glasses were replaced in position on chin and forehead, without the use of the hands—a marvellous display of balance and poise. A pretty Chinese girl looped her hair round 'a hook at the end of a long line hanging from the flies and swung to and fro across the stage for about five minutes, as she undressed and dressed. Another amazing balancing feat was that of a grinning young man, who, piling chair upon chair on a table, stood on bis hands on the topmost one. Finally, his feet were in the flies. Then he placed the topmost chair at an angle and without a quiver stoqfl on It on his bands. “ Shudders passed through many in the audience when male members of the troupe hurled themselves through a frame of sharp knives just large enough to take the body of a small man. Not content with that, one man, with piles of saucers in either hand and one in his mouth, attempted the same desperate lunge successfully. Most people have seen balancing feats by one small person at the top of a bamboo pole held by another, but in this case the 20ft pole was not held by a man with a socketed belt; it was balanced on his forehead, without the use of his hands. At the top. high among the glittering borders, a Chinese maid poised with grace and daring. . “ Also in the troupe was a clever imitator of the calls of birds, animals, and insects. Another showed deftness in sleight-of-hand tricks. Truly a remarkably good show.” NIGHT PRICES.—O.S. and D.C., 5s and 4s; Stalls, 3s and 2s. All plus tax. MATINEE PRICES.—3s, 2s. Plus fax. Gallery, Is Sd. Children half-price at Matinees only everywhere. Box Plans Open at D.I.C. on Wednesday Next. Day Sales at “ Rialto.” GEO. F. BOX, Touring Manager. OBSERVATION TOURS CORPORATION BUSES LEAVE TOWN HALL, OCTAGON. ON SUNDAYS, 2.15 p.m., For “ AROUND OTAGO PENINSULA.” Fares ss, including afternoon tea. Seats tna.y be reserved at Transport Office* Phone 13-926,