ENTERTAINMENTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 June 1924, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

■—#——>— OPERA HOUSE TO-NIUHT., “TRILBY.’: Not more than a score of years have passed since Du Maurier’s “Trilby” burst upon the literary horizon with an unprecedented eclat. Nor was its vogue short-lived, for ‘ ‘Trilby’’ has taken its place among the immortal novels. No. lesser stars than Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in England, Wilton Lackeye in America, and Tyrone Power in Australia, vied with each other in respective characterisations of the sinister Svengali. From the outset of the screen version “Trilby” had been brought to life, its fascinating characters made real. A Trilby adorable m form and feature, adorable dn the odd contradictions of her nature. A Svengali who coincides with our mental image, that sinister vagabond musician-mesmerist, long since deftly planted in memory by Du Manner’s word paintings, weaves his spells—not only on the heroine, but will also on the audience as well. A “Little Billee” whose sensitiveness vibrates from the .screen; a bluff Taffy, a lovable Laird—and so it goes through the gamut of characters—.realism! “Trilby” is a romantic story which has charmed readers for a decade. While the younger generation may foe less familiar with it, they will, for that reason, he nioro firmly gripped by its suspense, its change of moods, its altogether unsuspected ending. Andree Lafayette, the famous French beauty, takes the part of “Trilby,” whilst “Little liillee is capably portrayed bv Leighton Hale, and “Svengali” by Arthur Carewe. The box plan is at Mrs Look s. HUMPHREY BISHOP. SPARKLING ENTERTAINMENT. As might have been expected, there was a large crowd at- the entertainment given at the Opera House last evening by the Humphrey Bishop Comedy and Opera Company. The excellence of. the entertainment to which the public were- treated some months ago was not forgotten, and the cold, torbididng weather was not sufficient to counter the desire to hear this gifted company u ith its bright sparkling programme once again. The strength of the company remains un-' impaired, and it owes as much as ever to Mr Bishop, who imparts to it something of his own fiery spirit, and gives a glow of enthusiasm to the whole entertainment. From the moment he took his all were transported into a world of music and the delighted audience hurst into applause, often long sustained, after each item. The standard was high right through, and there was not a member of the company who did not do his or her part to maintain that standard. The orchestra itself proved a great attraction, the work of Mr Frank Egan (violinist) and Mr Billy Thornton (drums) being conspicuously good, and in some respects quite novel. The company are not copyists, and have their distinctive way of doing everything. The manner of their introduction was both novel and pleasing, dress, rhyme, speech, song and wit combining to this end. There is no need to single out all the items. Each was quite different, and all were given by true artists. For variety, within the bounds of high-class work, the company would he hard to beat, and humour flowed almost from beginning to end. The numbers of the company, in which all the voices combined admirably were most popular. Of the male members, the best contributions in serious seng came from Messrs Walter Kingsley and Maurice Jaffey, who sang together, and with other members of the company many times, preserving their freshness and sustaining the interest at a high level with each number. The comedian, Mr Edward Elliott, has special gifts, which lie used to the great enjoyment of the

audience. I-Ie ' got the l ight effect bv his sombre appearance, a play ' upon words, reiteration and a peculiar inflection of the voice. AVhile others laughed lie had ,a most doieful countenance, with not a flicker of a smile. He. later gave an amusing demonstration of his powers as a ventriloquist. Should this company pay another visit to Hawera they will be assured of a warm welcome.