ENTERTAINMENTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 December 1925, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE—TO-NIGHT. “CONTRABAND.” “Contraband” is a story of smugglers, romance, thrills, and filled with touches of delightful comedy. It is a story of a girl who tried to run a town and nearly got run out of itBut since it was nearly, that is the way the thrills crept in. Picture patrons have one of the greatest pictures yet seen here. In the cast are many well-known players, including Lois Wilson, Noah. Beery, Raymond Hatton, and Raymond McKee. The third of the series of Jack Dempsey in “F'ight and V r in” will also be shown. A sensational plunge with a child into a raging torrent, a daredevil rescue on a railroad trestle, a dash into a blazing orphanage, and other thrills mingle with broad comedy situations.

“GAPPY RICKS.” New Zealand lias never before in its theatrical history been provided with such comedy success as the adaptation of Peter B. Kyne’s famous book “Gappy Ricks.” The play for the whole of twelve months has been the comedy rage of Australasia, and, after finishing the New Zealand city theatres under* the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., special arrangements were made to play “Gappy Ricks” in the chief provincial centres of New Zealand. Ward Lyons, who has established himself as the ideal “Gappy Ricks,” 'will sail for London with some of the principals from Wellington in January, to re-create his ■ wonderful characterisation at the Royalty Theatre, London. Peter B. Kyne himself anticipates that his comedy* will have a continuous two years’ run in London. “Cappy Ricks” is a comedy breaking entirely new ground. It is clean, wholesome fun, and it is almost incessant from the opening to the final curtain. All the artists are true to the Kyne type ; and crowded audiences everywhere are galvanised into the hu_ inanity of the play when they are not screaming over the irascibility of the dominating “Cappy.” Local playgoers are reminded that “Gappy Ricks” is a metropolitan attraction in its entirety of production and company, and one that will be quite unusual in its visit to provincial centres. The season in Hawera commences at the Opera House next Wednesday, and will be continued on Thursday. There-is sure to be a big demand for - seats when the plans opens at Mrs. Cook’s Opera House Confectionery to-morrow morning at 9 o’clock.