ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 257, 27 September 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BRIGHT SIDE UP.” OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. To-night at 8 o’clock J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will present for the first timo here Ernest C. Rolls’s stupendous spectacular musical comedy extravaganza, “Bright Side Up,” which ran for 16 consecutivo -weeks in Sydney and which recently attracted record audiences during its long season in Auckland. Catchy and tuneful melodies, genuinely humorous comedy, witty dialogue, beautiful ballets, exquisite ensembles, gorgeous stage settings, wonderful acrobatic and specialty dancing, the latest creation in dresses and costumes, and a host of beautiful show girls are among the features which have made “Bright Side Up” the most popular and most successful musical production staged in Australia or New Zealand during recent years. There are over 70 English, American and Australian, artists concerned in the production, including a specially selected Australian ballet, a bevy of beautiful show girls, and a full operatic orchestra. Miss Jennie Benson, who is making her first appearance here, is ono of London's most popular comediennes, having appeared there in a number of musical comedy successes. She is an artist of versatility and charm and in her song numbers she is said to be artistic to a degree, while in the comedy scenes she is intensely humorous. Mr Charles Norman is regarded as the best comedian who has appeared in New Zealand during the past ten years. Ffo gave us a taste of his artistry in “Rio" Rita,” when he appeared here in this production with Gladys Moncrieff. Miss Rene Riano, who is advertised as . “tho girl with tho million dollar legs,” is one of the funniest and most whimsical comediennes the American stage has produced, and so spontaneous is her humour that at times she has her stage mates laughing as uproariously as the audience. Chic Arnold is another notable comedian, who comes with' a reputation won at the principal London theatres. Cecil Scott, Maio Baird, Archie Thompson, L’Etoile and Laurance, Mr Colin Crane, Billy Kershaw, Audrey Lewis, Misses Thelma Trott, Marie Doran, Madge Hope, Al ..Mack, Charles Keane, Albert Batehelder and Frank Keane are others in the big cast. THE REALM OF ILLUSION. DANTE, MAGICIAN AND SHOWMAN. “There’s absolutely no doubt about Dante being a master of magic,” enthused a Sydney critic, who wont on to add that Dante was a master showman as well, tlio superb ease and deft finesse marking his tricks being astounding. “Ono feels that he has cxpcriecned all the wonders that tho realm of bewildering illusions has to offer. And what a pleasant experience!” Dante gives his performance in tho glare of bright spotlights, and this in itself is an intriguing feature of his tricks. “Dante today lias the biggest magic show in tlio world, and ho lias earned a reputation which ranks him the greatest, magician in the world,” said another reviewer of the famous Danish entertainer. “Everything that Dante docs is stamped with his own remarkable individuality, which is compounded of personality and a brilliant imagination, stimulated by a marvellous wealth of- experience. Most of Dante’s finest illusions are of his own invention.’ 1 ’ With him is his 1 own company of some 20 assistfttits who contribute to tho colourful spectacular effects which enrich the entertainment. The Palmerston North season, which is for two nights, opens at tho Opera House on Wednesday, October 4th. - The booking arrangements will . open at the Central Booking Ollice on Saturday next, 30th inst. Children are half price to all parts. PICTURE THEATRES. “Made on Broadway” at the Regent Theatre; “That Night in London” at the Palace Theatre: “Broad Minded” and “Murder on tho Second Floor” at the Kosy Theatre.