AMUSEMENTS

Northern Advocate, 6 May 1930, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

LYCtIUM, TONIGHT. GLORIA SWANSON. Miss Swanson makes her debut from the audible screen in ‘The Trespasser,’ her first all-taking picture for United Artists, written and directed by Edmund Goulding, and presented tonight at the Lyceum Theatre, the opening performance of • a three-night season. In a part said to be the most dramatic she has yet essayed, Miss Swanson at tho same time reveals a wardrobe that is even more modish than any she has worn in the pictures which earned hCr sartorial distinction. And Miss Swanson speaks and sings from the screen for the first) time. Her voice is rich and well-modulated, it is declared; she not only talks in all the scones in which she appears, but in addition sings two songs in tho United Artists picture. One of them, “Love,” was composed especially for her by Edmund Goulding, author and director of UThe Trespasser.” MJs's Swanson’s supporting cast includes Robert Ames, the leading man; Purnell Pratt, Henry B. Walthall, Wally' Albright, William Hblden, Blanche Friderici, Kay Hammond, Mary Forbes and Marcelld Corday.

TOWN HALL,

MONDAY, MAY 12. Tho clover revue, ‘Stage Snapshots,’ which is being presented at the Town Hall, on Monday next, by Mr Austin Peters and Miss Marjorie Jordan, is an entertainment of unusual merit, and is direct from J. C. Williamson’s. The leads will be taken by Mr Peters and Miss Jordan, assisted by Madame Dallice Olsen and Miss Robinson, with other new artists of merit. The ballets and ensembles are all under the direction of Miss Jordan and are precisely similar to those presented recently by J. C. Williamsons. The dressing is smart, and in some instances decidedly snappy, and this, with good lighting effects and showy stage settings, should combine to make up an unusually artistic presentation. A decided .attraction wll be the Regent Hilo Orchestra of 10 instruments, including four saxophones, all played by artists of the highest calibre. This aggregation is preparing a special number for stage presentation which will undoubtedly register a big hit. The entertainment will open with a clever ensemble by the whole company and this will be followed by “Song on the Nile,” by Miss Maude Robinson, a newcomer to the ,Whangarei stage, who is possessed of a soprano voice of singular charm.

“Singing in the Bain,” with a clever ballet is realistically presented to a special orchestral accompaniment. This number will be a favourite. A really snappy potted playlet describing the tribulations, of a love.siclc country swain is next*.put over by Austin Peters and Marjorie Jordan. This is followed by Northern Wairoa’s crack saxophonist in a fireworks selection. The next item might almost be termed the “piece de resistance 0 from a menu of delectable items. This is the presentation of the world’s most startling illusion, “Death on the Guillotine, ” which drew' thousands of spectators in (London, New York and Paris. This startling illusion, wherein the heavy knife apparently ’completely severs the girl’s head from-her body, has not as yet been shown on a New Zealand stage and can only be describ ed as a masterpiece equal to, or better than anything of the kind yet evolved.

To lower nerve tensions after this thrilling exposition, Miss Thelma 'Marvin, gracefully poised on her toes will dance “Vanity.” This is delightfully dainty and certainly worth the applause it will undoubtedly call forth.

The novelty act of the year is the singing of “Painting the Clouds with Sunshine ’ ’ by Madame Dallxce Olsen assisted by the Snapshots. Madame Olsen is also a newcomer to the Whangarei stage and is the possessor of a deep contralto voice of extraordinary power and flexibility. A scintillating little sketch “Virtue’s Reward” is followed by the finale of the first half. This is a house-rocker by Austin Peters and his ballet. Further hints of (bright numbers on the programme will be given later in this column. Patrons are requested to note that the Box Plan opens at Blanshard’s at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 9, and that prices of admission are 3/ and 2/ with half rates for children, 345