ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 August 1946, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE.—To-night: “Variety Jubilee” starring Lesley Brook.

Acclaimed as the greatest picture to come out of Britain in years, the miehty musical drama, • “Variety Jubilee,” is showing at .the Opera House to-night. The story, tells of the friendships of three stars of the' British vaudeville stage during the past fifty years. The leading roles are played by Lesley Brook, Reginald Purdell, a famous top-notch star, Ellis Irving and George Merritt. The film shows the rise and fail of the Variety Theatre, and we see Betty Warren bringing back to life the tuneful Florrie Ford singing, “Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?” and other hits. We are entertained by a galaxy of the stars in England to-day—Ella Retford, favourite of the forces singing. “Take Me Back to. Dear Old Blighty,” “Pack Up Your Troubles” and other Great War hits. Slim Rhyder, the world’s greatest trick cyclist in hilarious antics, Joan Winters with the new song hit, “Richmond Hill”; Nat D. Ayer, composer of “If You Were the Only Girl in 4 the World”; the Ganjou Brothers and Juanita with their graceful and daring acrobatic dancing; Wilson, ’Keppel and Betty are seen in less graceful dancing that provokes gales of laughter; the six .Can Can dancers display their charms in the .way of the Naughty Nineties, while the Jubilee Girls are the glamorous chorines of to-day. The spectacular climax finally presents the Band of His Majesty’s Coldstream Guards in their first screen appearance in the new and stirring number, “The Song of the Marching Men.”

REGENT THEATRE—To-night: “The Affairs of Susan,” starring Joan Fontaine and George Brent.

“The Affairs of Susan,” which is showing at the Regent Theatre tonight, is- the most sensational comedy hit of the year. In the title role is Academy Award winner Joan Fontaine, who, after six successful dramatic roles, turns on a splendid performance as the unpredictable “Susan” in this light comedy. George Brent, Dennis O’Keefe, Don Defoe and Walter Abel all play important roles as Susan’s suitors, Miss Fontaine, as film actress Susan Darell, is the girl who can’t choose between the four men in her life—and who takes all four! But —when the men get together ,to compare experiences, what a story they tell—what a picture it makes—and what a surprise there is in store for Susan when she finds she can’t fool all the men all the time. This time new and delightfully shocking in her first gay romantic comedy, Joan Fontaine is vivacious and flirtatious as the girl who said “Yes” four times too often. ‘•OUR MISS GIBBS.” Lovers of comedy situations will find a grand bill of fare in the Greymouth Operatic Society’s second presentation, “Our Miss Gibbs,” which is being produced at the Regent The tre, Greymouth, for a season of six nights and two matinees, and for two nights at Hokitika, for the benevolent funds of the Greymouth and Hokitika R.S.A. respectively. A talented and well-balanced team has been working hard for the past three months and have been moulded into a formidable combination by the producer (Mr. L. McGlashan). The beautiful frocks secured from the Wellington Society, the exquisite paintings of the scenario artist, Mr. J. Rhodes, the ballets, the dudes, the choruses, and a well-balanced orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. W. Ford, will all contribute in making this production one of the best yet. The vocalists engaged are outstanding, in addition to their important roles as principals in the unfolding of the .many humorous situations which arise in this outstanding evergreen of the stage. Its signal success with “A Country Girl” is certain to ensure a most successful season for “Our Miss Gibbs.”