AMUSEMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 November 1927, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS

OPERA HOUSE Gruesome and gripping! This describes Lon Chaney’s latest —and perhaps his greatest—incursion into tlye field of bizarre stories and fantastic make-up, “The Road to Mandalay,” exotic mystery drama of the Orient, playing at the Opera House to-night only. The story is mysterious and thrilling. It holds an audience breathless with -the audacity of its. plot; with the remarkable characterisation of Chaney, the sinister suaveness of Kamiyama Sojin as the tiger-like Oriental gangster, with padded paws that conceal daggers of steel; with the compelling performance of Owen Moore as the derelict naval officer who achieves regeneration through his own sense of shame. Nothing of this is stilted; U is appallingly realistic. Lois Moran plays the daughter wth superb artistry, and Henry B. Walthall gives a wonderfully artistic performance as the priest.

BAND QUEEN CORONATION. Youth, beauty, grace, gorgeous dressing, scintillating electric lights, will be the display at the Opera House on Tuesday and Thursday nights, November 29 and Dec. 1. The promoters have gone to no end of trouble to make this ceremony one of the most spectacular ever held in Greymouth. Mr H. Sweney, of Christchurch, has been specially engaged to produce the pageant. Mr Sweney is Canterbury’s foremost producer and is supervisor of all this class of functions in Canterbury. The script for this ceremony has been specially written by Miss Mona Tracey, who is recognised as one of the finest writers New Zealand has produced, and her work on this occasion will fully bear out that reputation. The rendering of the coronation address will be 6 by Mr J. W. Greenslade, and Mr T. Tarrant. The Queen will be crowned as “Britannia” amidst a spectacle of grandeur, immediately after the princesses have been crowned. The coronation robes and dresses are extra special. Immediately after the ceremony, English, Irish and Scotch dances will be given by girls specially attired. The Slave Dance will be a feature wherein the slaves present wine and fruit to Her Majesty, creating honours to ladies and gentlemen who worked to make the campaign a success will also be a feature. The first portion of the concert will be given by Mrs McAuley’s pupils and these children will put on a concert of a first class nature. The work of these little artists both here and in Christchurch speaks for itself. Everybody wants to make certain that they secure one of the Coronation Souvenir programmes, so they can follow the ceremony word for word. They will be on sale from Monday. Box plan is now open at Webley’s. The price of admission is . 2/- and 1/-, plus fee. With this moderate charge and the bill of fare provided, there should be an overflow house.

“THE FUTURISTS” Even the fact that it was Saturday night, and the shops were open late, did not prevent the Opera House being well filled to welcome the Futurists to Greymouth. This bright company commenced their New Zealand tour on Saturday evening, and their reception left no doubt regarding their ability to maintain their reputation Up to the minute in staging, dressing, dancing, singing, and “elocuting,” the Futurists registered a bull’s-eye hit in every item on a lengthy programme. That Greymouth theatregoers had not forgotten the favourites of two years ago was proved by the hearty applause that met Messrs Northcote, Desmond, Correlli, Dawson and Co., and the success achieved by the newcomers, including Joe Brennan, Ira Vanda, Ida Newton, Dell Barnes, andothers was of no lesser degree. “Happy and snappy,” the 1 Futurists were always on the go, maintaining their old policy of “no waiting and no delay.” Myrtle Skewes and her orchestra produced the necessary atmosphere by a jazzy overture, and the company’s choruses carried on the good work, while the Cabaret Kittens Ballet, with many changes of costume, shook shapely limbs in the latest dances. One of the high lights of the show was the singing of George Correlli, whose fine tenor voice was heard in “Funiculi, Funicula,” “La Donna e Mobile,” and “When Autumn Leaves are Falling.” Joe Brennan made an instant hit as a down-and-out dame, and later as an extremely novel policeman and a priceless fireman. A feature of the programme were the numerous sketches, introduced by Gus Dawson and played by the company. “Dismal” Desmond, in a suit of the latest cut, got off some taking jokes, and twinkled a pair of nimble feet. An Oriental revuette, with Joe Brennan as the “Shriek,” presented a colourful scene, and gave Ida Newton and George Correlli an opportunity of singing “That Night in Araby.” Ida Newton’s very pleasing voice was heard in songs and monologues, while Ira Vanda and the ballet, in national costume, made a- success of the popular “Spanish Town.” Gus Dawson and Dell Barnes combined in a Dutch song and clog dance, while the “Balloon Land” finale rounded off a bright entertainment. Mr. Cyril Northcote, in thanking the audience for the large attendance and very cordial reception, announced that the Futurists would make a return visit to Greymouth at an early date. They should draw a capacity house.

EUCHRE TOURNEY. In St. Columba Hall to-night the usual weekly tournament will be held, for which special prizes have been donated. The tournament will commence punctually at 8 o clock.