ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1711, 12 January 1920, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

a i THE KIWIS. OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. After tlio high encomiums that have been passed upon tho soldier performers, “The Kiwis” in iho northern cities, Palmerston North will bo given the opportunity this evening at tho Opera House of judging for itself tho worth of the entertainers. Indeed, the component members are said to be masters and in concerted work reach the high-water mark of quality and refinement. After tho performance in Te Awamutu the Press said it was probably the finest combination of talent and artistry seen there. Owing to a family bereavement Ashley Macdonald will be unable to appear tonight. Tho company boasts two female impersenators—Mr Wally Fulword. a dancer, and Mr .Wilf. Thompson, who converts his voice into a falsetto and sings contralto with all the assurance and feminine vivacity in tho world. These two alone are worth going far to see and hear. The other members are fine singers all and give some beautiful numbers. The programme is also rich in little character sketches and comediettas. “Tho Kiwis” scored tin electric success at Auckland, winning golden opinions from Press and public, the Herald naming Iho show as “the greatest of its admirable kind that has toured the Dominion.” “Tho Kiwis” aro accredited by the authorities, and 40 per cent, of the proceeds go to aid widows and orphans of the war. VAUDEVILLE AT THE PALACE. One of the outstanding features of the vaudeville show to be presented at the Palace, Theatre this week commencing on Thursday, is tho act of the Japanese jugglers, tho logos. Gorgeously attired in costumes of purple, red and gold, these ■lever artists provide the most, sensational act; of its kind seen in vaudeville. U. Togo juggles with six sticks ,aud twists them so rapidly that they look like, a big wheel. George Togo provides tho thrill of the evening in his dare-devil “slide for life” bn a wire from the coiling at tho hack of the tress circle to the stage. Another worldfamed act in the show is that of Txmis Alsaco. described as the wizard of tho violin. Matt co has appeared on practically all the most prominent vaudeville circuits of tho vorld. Alsace and his Alsacephono (the violin with the human voice) are recognised j is tho best, that vaudeville can give. Other i stars in the company include Wendy Dale mil Alphonse, sketch artist and pranolodsts. Miss Lalla Knight is a lyric soprano with a big reputation, and Miss Ghana Mitsu j on tho piano is advertised as the girl with i tho dainty frocks. Taken altogether the j Msaee-Togo combination promise to be tho j Vst that Palmerston has scon in vaudeville i for years. Tho box plans open at the Kosy j office to-morrow morning. KOS Y . ■ “THE UPfJETERS-MAY ALLISON. In this latest of Metro pictures May ! Allison takes iho part of Hortense Trout!,,! who is most happy in her work until she ? attends the button-makers’ rally. Here she listens to a ranting woman radical a.nd . immediately feels that she too is down-1 trodden. | In the haunts of the long-haired : men and short-haired women she is hailed ' as comrade. At first fascinated by the life and also by a languishing poet, who makes' violent love to her. what is her horror to find that ho has already three perfectly l healthy wives! Many other things mqko j Hortense long for her former greater free-1 Two topicals and a comedy arc also, showing. j PALACE. j CLARA KIMBALL YOUNG IN ! “ MAGDA.” Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I and in her performance of “ Magda,” j Cla.ra Kimball Young is portraying the role that on the stage was made classic by such great artists u-s Bernhardt, Duse, Modjcska, i Mrs Fiske, Mrs Patrick Campbell, and Nance O'Neil._ The dra.rna lends itself to screen production, and no more suitable choice could have boon made for tho beautiful Clara Kimball Young. Physically she is a perfect Magda, emotionally she gets out of the pint every atom of effect possible, and artistically she achieves her greatest triumph. A happy selection was made in Edward Kimball for tho part of the father, and one he is more than usually suited to, being the divine Clara's father in private life. A Pathe Interest film and the latest Budget will also ho shown and a .specially good programme of music is promised. EVERYBODY’S. “TWO BIT SEATS.” There are plenty of little human touches in “Two Bit Seats,” the screen adaptation of Gladys Johnson’s successful story of the same name. Taylor Holmes and Marguerite Clayton .share the honours in the screen version, and infuse plenty of life and humour into tho production. Tho story revolves round two gallery seats at a show, and a young man’s honest endentvonrs to become acquainted with tho chaiming girl he found himself next to in the theatre. Originality with easy flowing action, combined with two stars of more than ordinary attractiveness, all go to make tho picture one that will easily please and entertain. Two Topicals and a comedy will also be shown.

IMPORTANT MUSICAL EVENT. The reappearance of .so popular an organisation as the J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company in a now play must be hailed as an important theatrical event. On Friday next. at. the Opera House will bo presented “Yes Uncle,” a fascinating’ piece which lias been as big a success abroad as I the “Merry Widow.” A special point of * interest is attacked to its presentation in j the fact that for the first, time in (he i theatrical annals, Palmerston playgoers are lo be privileged to watch an Australasian premiere of an important Williamson musical production, ft will lx- remembered that (ho initial Australasian presentation of “Katinka” took place in Wellington last, year, the piece, proving one of the biggest musical successes the firm has ever had. And judging from all accounts of the abundance of mirth and melody in “Yes Uncle” the latest musical comedy should have a lucky start-oil' from the city fortunate enough to witness its creation. The scene is sot, in an artist’s studio, and the cast includes William Greene (an artist). Field Fisher (his uncle), Alfred Frith, George vViljoughoy, Cyril Richards, Harvy Wooten, Pirio Hush, Jack Hooker, Harold Dickenson. Grade Lavers, Mario Eaton, Cecil Bradley, Madge Elliot, and Milii Engler. From a theatrical point “Yes Uncle” is said to be. head and shoulders above most light opera productions of the modern type. The story is racy, utterly humorous, with a chic French environment. It is a musical farce full of harmony of the ear haunting variety. The original London version has been added to considerably, but in such fashion as to heighten rather than detract from the novel plot. One song that is sure to become a bathroom, speciality is “Carry on the Good Work.” assisted by the now famous “Exquisite Eight.’> dancers. The box plans will be opened at Oates’ music store on Wednesday morning next. N.S.W. STATE ORCHESTRA. In connection with the New Zealand tour of the Now South Wales State orchestra a very line art souvenir programme has been produced. It is a book of 40 pages, print'd on aid paper, with a very handsome cover of heavy grey cover paper, printed in blue and gold. The programme contains photographs of the complete orchestra, as well as of Mr Henri Verbrugghon, its conductor, and other principals. It gives the complete itinerary of the tour from Auckland to Invercargill, and dates, cto. The body of the programme consists of the orchestra's’repertoire. This occupies over 26 pages and comprises 68 items. Throughout the repertoire is copiously annotated by Mr Verbrugghon. so that the programme thus includes "every item which will be rendered by the orchestra anywhere during its tour, and at the same time, presents a. splendid work of reference to those with musical interests, containing as it docs historical and explanatory notes and criticisms of a large number of the finest pieces of music in the world. The programme is sold a.t all concerts and box otlices, and readers are advised to secure their copies in advance from the local box otlices, so that they may have an opportunity of giving leisurely attention to the interesting mutter contained therein, before they proceed to the concert, to be hold on January 19 in the Opera House. The price of the programme is one shilling, and it is certainly the best shilling’s worth of its kind over offered to New Zealand.