AMUSEMENTS.

Grey River Argus, 5 November 1928, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. “MICHAEL STROGOFF.” The scenic and spectacular possibili* ties of the sere n as compared to 'he limitations of tlr? theatrical stage ■wore never more forcefully contrasted than in the Univ' ,TSla.l-Film de Franc production o;f J’ulcs Verne M famous drama, “Michael Strogoil” which comes to the Opera House to-night and to-morrow night. To quote the language of a famous Paris cinema revi wer: “Meager decorations of the th (‘at re, what arc you compared to the. ball at the imperia* Court of th.* Czar; the invasion of 'b Tartars, the camp of the Grund Kahn, the sensuous dancing of the b<«yadcics : u the tent of Fcofar Kahn, the assaui 1 by the countless hordes of barbaric I rib ismen on the Siberian city U 1 Irktusk, encircled by a burning sh..et of naptha floating 'on the surface of th*; river Angara? What are tlu limit el number of supers in the stag ■ presentations or years gone by compared 1 “ the thousands upon thousands of Russian soliders who defend with then last breath the city of Tomsk ugauu-t more thousands of fi : ice Tartar cuvalray?” Certainly n<\ lover of the f? mous book, “Michael Strogoff, ■' which retains popularity aft- r fifty years’ will hesitate to say that in the coming production he, for th?- first time, has an adequate concept ioii| nf the romance, and perils of the “Courier of the Czar,” in his mission across thio wastes of Siberia.. In this pr •- sentation the possibilities of his masterpiece havi been visualised in a manner that would stagger th? imaginotion of Jules Verne himself. COWBOY BALL. Starting at 8.30 p.m. to-night and proceeding to the “wee. sma” hours of the morning, Fred Mayfield’s nine Canadian Cowboys playing in all 39 instruments, will entertain those who wish to spend one of the most enjoyable evenings witnessed in the Town Hall. Canada and America considers that this band is equal to any for dance music in the world. Sec Gladys Fry and Clarrie Holder demonstrate the “Varsity Drag.” So as'to give onlookers an opportunity of hearing this wonderful combination and viewing the dancing, the gallery will be thrown open to the public, the charge being 2/-. An excellent supper will be provided, and altogether they will provide a night that will live in the memory of Greymouth for many moons. Band Concert. The items to be rendered by the Greymouth Municipal Band at the concert on Tuesday night promises to eclipse anything they have ever before presented in the concert line. To successfully play any one item of such works as of Verdi.” Franz Schubert’s magnificent “Unfin-

ished Symphony,” and Beethoven’s symphony, “Ereica,” is a great achieve ment. The rendition of the three works in one evening is rarely undertaken by any band, hence a musical treat is in store. The Band’s other items are: two beautiful hymns comoosed by F. Duckworth. entitled “Autumn,” and “Margaret,” both gems. The descriptive fan’asia, “A Charabanc Ride” and the characteristic item, “March of the Mountain Gnome completes the Band’s portion of a rich and varied programme. The artists assisting the Band are Miss Jacqueline Reeves the fairy-like dancer, who will present for the first time 'o a Grcym’outh audience the toe dance. “Love in a Mist.” Miss Parfitt will recite Sir Walter Scott’s dramatime poem. “The Erl King.” as an introduction to M r James Patterson’s musical rendition, the story being told by Mi s Parfit', after which the pianist will play Schubert’s “Liszt,” a magnificent musical composition. Miss Openshaw. of Blackball, will sing the vocal solo “A ’Cottage by the Sea.”i Mr J. H. Keddie will give the humorous monologue. “The Old Crimean Col■iiiil.” Mr J. Allen will introduce a real novelty with his musical saw, on which popular airs of music will be played. This is a unique item.