ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 252, 21 September 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE BEST PEOPLE”—TO-NIGHT. The drama season of the Palmerston North Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society opens with a three-night programme to-night at the Opera House, with “The Best People,” a comedy in throe acts brimming over . witli pungent wit and clover satire. It provides a picture of the various strata of English social fife and their reactions to each other, and it is full of the aspirations and conceits of human nature which are cleverly and amusingly portrayed by the various characters. Mr and. Mm Edward Lennox, two of “The Best People,” have the usual difficulty which is associated with endeavouring to direct tbo affections of • their son, Bertie, and their daughter, Marion, both of whom naturally have very definite ideais regarding love alFairs which are made to order. As usual they go to the other extreme — one wishes to marry a chauffeur whilst the other finds that a chorus girl is a soul mate. So tho “Best People” enter a whirlpool of conflicting standards and emerge with an improved outlook and a greater appreciation of human nature. Tho tollowing is the cast of characters: Edward Lennox, Mr E. Spraggon; Mrs Lennox, -Mites Scott; Bertie Lennox, Mr J. Ellison; Marion Lennox. Miss E. Boon; Millie Montgomery, Mrs Potter; Alice O’Neil, Miss Mortland; George Grafton, Mr N. Rodgers; Lord Rockmerc, .Mr G. Simmonds; Henry Masters, Mr A. E. Eising; Bullock, MiDriver; Waiter, Mr Flavell; Maid, Miss B. Rodgers. Mr F. Cousins, who has successfully produced and staged many other productions, will direct “The Best People.” The box plans are now open at the'Central Booking Office.

J. C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY.

“BRIGHT SIDE UP.” Tho opening night in Auckland _of Ernest C. Rolls’s spectacular production “Bright Side Up,"’ which is to be staged here under tho direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at the Opera House, Palmerston North, on Wednesday night next, September 27th, was noted for tho enthusiasm displayed by one of the largest audiences which has ever filled His Majesty’s Theatre. The performance was repeatedly interrupted by the applause which followed each feature and at the final fall of tho curtain tho scenes of enthusiasm were without a precedent in the theatrical history of Auckland. It was a definite indication that playgoers still have more than a warm affection for legitimate _musica. plays, that is, of course, providing they arc of a high standard, and in this direction probably no spectacular production ever staged in Now Zealand has quite reached the standard of “Bright Side Up.” Great interest will probably bo taken by loea playgoers over the first appearance here o. the celebrated London comedienne, Miss Jennie Benson, who created a furore in her song and character numbers in Auckland recently, Mr Charles Norman is a genuinely humorous comedian who invariably captures bis audience during the first few minutes ho is on the stage, and they laugh at him and with him all the time. Miss Rene ltiano became wonderfully popular with audiences in Auckland. Her “make up” is grotesquely humorous and her eccentric dancing is an outstanding feature. One of the most humorous events in the production is the burlesque dance performed by Miss Maie Baird, Mr Archie Thompson and Mr Harry Simmons; and one of the most thrilling is the acrobatic dance by L’Etoilo and Laurance. Mr Colin Crane, the brilliant Australian baritone, will, together with Alius Alaric Doran (soprano), present the number “Russian Moon,” and “Pearl of the Pacific.” Still another feature is the presentation of “Trees,” which is sung by Aliss Thelma Trott and danced by a clever Australian ballot. The box plans will be opened at the Central Booking Office on Afonday morning next at ten oclock. A queue will be formed from 8 a.m.

PICTURE THEATRES.

“Terror Aboard” at tho Regent Theatre; “It’s a King” at the Palace Theatre; “Excess Baggage” and “Scarlet River at the Kosy Theatre.