ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 9 July 1925, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT

“SUNSET MALE QUARTETTE.”

The picture programme for to-night is headed hr the special Fox production “Go'ld Heels,” based on the great, sporting drama “Checkers.” There will also commence for a three-night season a coloured male quartette of considerable merit. Hailing from America, they have been only a short time in the Dominion, and have met with considerable, success. Decidedly quaint and original, “The Sunset Four” present a series of numbers characteristic of the. negro race. Their plantation melodies are said to be most appealing, while their harmonising in concerted numbers reveals a full knowledge of vocal interpretation. The box plan is at Mrs Cook’s,

‘ 1 \YI LDELOAVEK. A BRILLIANT FLAY. One of the greatest .successes featured by the big firm of J.O.W l/tcl., i.s the attractive musical play, \vmt-lloAV-er,” which is now touring the Dominion after a very .successful run m Australia. ft was produced at the Opera House last night. The play was a wonderful combination of smart and clever libretto with pretty songs and choruses; it was so well acted and produced in so gorgeous a. style that it proved an instantaneous success with the large audience. One of its outstanding features was that while the actress taking the name part stood very high in her profession and is po sse.se d of every. quality that made for success, she was supported by a cast of exceptionally good performers and a well controlled orchestra, making a- << tont ensemble ’ that quite fascinated the whole audience. The artiste in the name part, Marie Burke, is a brilliant young actress and singer, and last night was equally a success in both. She has a- charm and personality that make her a. favourite from her first entrance on to the istage and that increase her popularity and attractiveness light, to the brilliant finale. She lives the part and makes it her own, and that is perhaps the greatest secret of her success. As the simple village beauty, or as the heiress in .society, she i® equally natural, and her genius is shown by her wonderful .adaptability. Rarely had anything finer been seen on the local stage than her acting in the tragic scene when she was bidding farewell to the lover whom she thought untrue to her, Bu.t it wasl impossible to point to a scene in which she is not. just as good. Her performance was one that will live long in the memory of all: who witnessed the play. in Marie la. Varre and Gus Bluett the company have a couple of comedians of a very original type whose work forms a very amusing feature of a notable performance. The former with her infectious laugh and the latte/ with his most droll manner and his unexpected; way of saying and doing things score a great success. As Guido, Herbert Browne is very good and sings well indeed, but his acting is hardly convincing. A most amusing and striking personality is that of Gaston, the scheming lawyer, taken by Charles Zoli. The dancing of Casino brother® and Stoneburn is .most fascinating and bewildering in its mazes amt turns. It was altogether most effective. Special comm/mdation must he given Mr. Class Downing for his excellent control of an efficient orchestra and a very good chorus. The effects 'Secured were really good and played no sin alf pant in the gene rial success. The dressing of the performers, the general stage effects, of which perhaps the effect of the breaking of the dawn may he picked out for special praise, the scenery and the ballets were attractive feature® of the play. The production as a whole was excellent and one of the best ever seen here. The audience was most enthusiastic in its endorsement of the verdict given by the people of the cities' of New Zealand and Australia, ft was one of the prettiest and most alluring of present day musical plays.