ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 243, 18 October 1921, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“BABETTE,” A MUSICAL TRAVESTY. The programme says that “Babette” is “simply a travesty without plot or story,” and the programme is right, which is not aljvays the way with programmes. The show is a succession of exquisite ballets, pretty dances, delightful tableaux, and beautiful living statuary, all held together in a chain by a continuouos threading of fun and frolic, into which the performers splash around and enjoy themselves every bit as much as the audience—which is saying a great deal. So inconsequential is the production that there is no reason for naming it “Babette.” because, as a character. “Babette” is no more prominent than any of the other principals, except that she has to be full of vivacity and ba very pretty, and, of course, everyone knows that Miss Nellie CdUghlan can do that with one hand tied behind her, as it were. From the jump, the show is bright and breezy, full of vim and go. Miss Dora Cooper sang very well, and acted her part of “Yvonne” with grace, and Miss D. Flynn also made a most favourable impression with her pretty dancing, and her singing of “Good-bye, Summer.” Mr. Eric Amner, as “Lady Gertrude.” came on at the most unexpected moments, and. through the programme, his eccentricities kept the audience tickled, a good work in which he was skilfully aided and abetted by Mr. Bert Knox, aa “Lord Lumme.” Miss Goughian, in th© title roie gave way to no one in her spirit and gaiety, her love scenes with Mr. W. Cameron being very pretty, and her turns with Mr. H. Poppelwell, Mr. Eric Amner, and Miss Willis being both effective and humorous. Miss Phyllis Bull, of Napier, gave a beautiful allegorical solo dance, which was most artistically interpreted, and which was warmly applauded, as was also her second apopara nee in another movement, while Miss Dorine Bailey and Mr. Monte Winter partnered in a dance which was admirably executed. The dancing all through was of a high standard. The tableaux included “There Are More Heavens Than One.” “A thought of Him.” and “Brokenhearted,” Air. C. Tidy singing “The Rosary” during the presentation of the last-named. In “A Loving Lamp” Miss Richards sang the solo. The groups of living statuary were most convincing, the figures being “Susanna” (Miss Freda Jenks), "Modesty” (Miss Pearl Young). “Rebekah” (Mm \ida Wilson),. “Ruth” (Miss Dorothy u’Keeie and Miss La lira Thompson), "J he Flight from Pompeii” (Misa I’reda Banks and Mr. Dave Maggin). "A Post-war Consolation” (Miss Edna Couison).

The orchestra, under Mr. S. H. Knight, played admirably m support, and Mr. Cardston. the producer, us well as the performers, may bo fairly congratulated on a really excellent show. The performance will be repeated tonight.

MUNICIPAL SHOW ATTRACTIONS.

“It is no exaggeration to say that the audience was absolutely convulsed with laughter, the applause was deafening.” This is the way the Hawke’s Bay papers described the initial performance of the King, Marsh and Lanauze Company in their laugh-on-every-line playettes. The company has been especially engaged to appear in ths Municipal Theatre on Wednesday, 1 hursday and Friday next, and will present the dialogue “This is Ours,” the farce “Not in Those,” and humorous sketches by Miss Kiore King. That Mary Pickford has lost none of th© magnetic charm and appeal that en« deared her to some odd millions of people, and caused her to occupy a pedestal of public favour that is exceptional in a world’s history, is evidenced by her portrayal of the mountain girl in her third picture from her own studios, entitled “Heart o’ th© Hills,” which will occupy the first half of the programme. Full of nerve and charm, in her character of the little spitfire, she is no less delightful than in the later episodes of the picture when she becomes civilised through medium of a high class ladies’ college. It is the old Alary Pickford in a new light—that is all—and sufficient. Sh© has but increased her power to charm.

A WONDERFUL GIRL. The phenomenal wonder girl (Linda Elsie Thompson), who is without douht one of the world’s most remarkable figures, as far as the human rare it concerned, will bo seen on the Hastings show ground next week. Thia wonderful girl is the youngest of a family of nine children. The mother and father are very small people, ani at birth Linda weighed only fllhs., but she had assumed the proportions of a giantess at the early age of 13 years, when she turned an Avery scale at 18 stone. It was found an utter impossibility to send this giant to school, proving too strong a rival tn school hooks. The other children would stare at Linda all day Inng. and would not do their work while she remained in the room. She had to he removed from school, and educated privately* which lu-.s been thorough. Leading medic,al men who have visited thia mammoth girl have nronnnncerl her to ho the greatest incarnation the world has over soon. Tim girl’s present age is 17 years, and she weighs 26 sfon© with a chest measurement of 5 feet nook inches. r,nd measuring round the thighs 3 feet 4 inches. People who are interested in the wonders of human nature should not fail to so© Linda and convince themselves of her gigantic proportions.