AMUSEMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1928, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

OPERA HOUSE.

The star attraction showing at the Opera House to-night will be Universal’s mighty and stupendous special, “The Midnight Sun,” starring Laura La Plante. It is the most glorious glittering, and glamorous picture in screen history! Marvellous beyond words! Tremendously dramatic! Beautiful women gowned to the minute. You must see this wonderful picture. “YOU NEVER'KNOW WOMEN.” Admirers of Florence Vidor will be amazed and happy when they see screendom’s newest star in her first starring vehicle, “You Never Know Women,” which comes to the Opera House on Wednesday matinee and night. They will be amazed at the woman’s marvellous transformation. “The Orchid Beauty of the Screen” has at last blossomed out. Those who were delighted by the artistry she evidenced in “The Grand Duchess and the Waiter,” will again have something to “write home about.”

“THARK” AT TOWN HALL.

WITTY AND WEIRD COMEDY.

Further laurels were won by Williamson’s New English Comedy Co., last evening, at the Town Hall, when “Thark,” a three-act comedy by Beu Travers, was presented to a large audience. In the opinion of many, it was funnier than “Rookery Nook,” and laughter was dominant throughout the proceedings. The cast, was as follows: “Hook,” Leslie Victor; “Louise,” Willa Lyndberg; “Cherry Buck,” Helene Simon; “Lionel Frush,” Don. Farrall; “Mrs Frush,” Minnie Rayner; “Sir’Hector Benbow,” Cyril Vernon; “Ronald Gamble,” Hastings Lynn; “Lady Benbow,” Jane Comfort; “Kitty Stratton,” Beth Mackey; “Jones,” Victor Fitzherbert; “Whittle,” Willie Clifton. The story, summarised, was as follows :—Sir Hector Benbow, baronet, a gay old philanderer, during his wife’s temporary absence, whiles away a pleasant hour or two with a shop girl. But with that annoying habit wives have, especially when they are attached to husbands like Sir Hector, Lady Benbow returns unexpectedly. The baronet hits upon the expedient of persuading his nephew, Ronnie, to pretend that the lady is his guest. But Ronnie is' engaged to the baronet’s ward, Kitty, and she, too, turns up at an inopportune moment. Kitty, naturally, has a good deal to say, and after Sir Hector and Ronnie lie most prolifically and cheerfully, Mrs Frush and her insignificant son Lionel, the annoyed purchasers, from the baronet, of Thark, a manor, appear also, to make entanglements thrice entangled. Then the company is whisked away to Thark, an old English, country house in Norfolk, haunted by a dreadful “something,” commonly known as “it.” There are many veiled references to phantoms. Sir Hector and Ronald, through diverse circumstances, spend a night in the haunted room, not to sleep, but to pierce the stillness with screams, nervous jumps, and chases with rifles. In the midst of all this Kitty and the other young lady show themselves in most attractive pyjamas. The denouement comes when in the height of the confusion, a fearful blast screams through the manor.- A reporter springs through a window, and one gazes upon a badlyfrightened bedroom group. The newspaper man takes a flashlight photograph of the bedroom scene-, in all its confusion, and the curtain falls. A slight and improbable story, of course, but it was made the framework for much witty dialogue and humorous situations. .Mr Hastings Lynn as Ronnie was the star, and was ably backed by Mr Cyril Vernon as the Baronet. (Incidentally, do English Baronets say “ain’t” and “yer”?). When these two were on the stage something 'was doing, and their antics and verbal exchanges caused roars of laughter. Some of the humour was of that kind supposed to be unsuitable for “maiden aunts,” but it was clever and that was its best justification. The other characters in the comedy were but secondary, but each was capably portrayed, and added to the success of the proceedings. The mountings and dressing were again first class, particularly in the first scene of the third act, which was a masterpiece of scenic art. The orchestra was in good form, and the numbers played were greatly appreciated by the audience. Altogether, “Thark” will be a happy memory among local theatre-goers. The Company’s season will conclude this evening with the presentation of

“A CUCKOO IN THE NEST.” Few people could read the Ben Travers farce novel, “A Cuckoo in the Nest,” without laughing for hours, and i is said that the stage version is even funnier than the book. Witty, racy dialogue and humorous situations, which alternate between pure comedy and uproarious farce, are the distinguishing features of “A. Cuckoo in the Nest,” in which the J. C. Williamson., Ltd., New English Comedy Company are all seen at their very best. The plot is mainly concerned with the false suspicions aroused by a night at an inn. The supposed delinquents are two married people who are “bushed” as the result of a breakdown. Not being married to one another, they have to face a lot of misconstruction. When bedtime comes, Mrs Hickett goes upstairs to the room allocated to her, whilst Peter has to scout around for a. reasonably soft place to lay his monocled head. Eventually he has to seek refuge in the bedroom with Mrs Hickett. She lying placidly in the bed, bids him curl himself up on the floor, and in looking for a. suitable spot he knocks over portion of the furniture. In the midst of the uproar Peter’s mother-in-law and her husband burst in, and the situations which follow are said to be tire funniest ever witnessed on the stage. Mr Hastings Lynn, as Peter Wykeham, will appeal- in the role he created in Australia. Miss Helene Simon, who had only limited opportunities in “Rookery Nook,” will take the important part of Margaret Hickett, whose innocent liaison with' Peter Wykeham is the basis of the comedy. Miss Minnie Rayner, who established herself firm Iy in the affections of playgoers in the opening production, will have better opoprtunities as Mrs Spowker. Mr Cyril Vernon, is'said Io give a brilliant characterisation of the part of Major Bone. Mr Willie Clifton (Alfred) and Miss JWilla Lyndberg (Suzette) will make their first appearance here. Others in the cast are Jane Comfort, Leslie Victor, Nellie Mortyne, Beth Mackey, Alec Alves, Victor Fitzherbert and that sterling artist, Mr Basil

Radford, who will appear as Clauds Hickett, M.P. Box plans are at Webley’s.