ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17113, 19 March 1919, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" OH, BOY!" The musical farce-comedy of America, rith a decided flavour of the French hoatrical dish of the same class, is exmplified in "Oh, Boy!" It certainly lakes for light entertainment, with an special appeal to those in the mood for ! rivolity. Tho " hook" teems with smart hinge in quip and repartee, hut several ■■ i its situations, and the dialogue per-1 lining to them, are risque, as the French »y. The result is that tho pieco travels ow and then along the border-line that aparates wholesomo fun from tho indeliate kind. If the thin ice in tha case of Oh, Boy is skated upon so lightly as ) avoid a breaking through, which would e offensive, it is to Hie credit of artists nd producer alike. With this reservation ! tie pieco iB distinctly amusing, and the ' lueic is pretty enough to sa.isfy all lovers f bright and simple melody. The J. L. Williamson Company's production of this m work at His Majesty's Theatre last vening attracted a largo audience, and voked hearty laughter and applause, to ay nothing of frequent encores. Miss Jecil Bradley bad the chief singing role s Jackie Sampson. Her vocal work herein was of an excellent standard, and or acting remarkably bright. Sho was articularly good in a novel duet, with a ouch of burlesquo cleverly introduced, Nesting Time at Milford," in which she 'as ably supported by Mr. William Greene, .'ho latter was in very happy mood in the jading juvenile role, his gaiety being of be infectious kind. Ho sang exceedingly /ell in his several solos and tho concerted umbers in which he was associated. A rail-conceived character 6tudy was that f Mr. Field Fishor, as a misanthropic alel, a kind of comic edition of Jaikes, f "The Silver King," and a fellow of ifinite dryness. Mr. Alfred Frith was 160 droll to a degree in hie sketch of a etcctive. Miss Gracie Layers, as a Mcinating young bride, acquitted herself •ell, both histrionically and vocally. Mr. 'red 'Maguire, as the bridegroom, whose ] flairs become very tangled owing to the oings of bis giddy _ friends, was humorus, and his singing was enjoy. ble in tho several numbers allotted a the part. Mr. George Wilsughby, ae a judge not adverse to an vening out, gavo a finished study of the ole, embellished by many a subtle touch, liss Maude Boatty was diverting as an ldorlv Quakeress, and carriod off tho unleaaaht tack of simulating intoxication as rtistically as was possible. The dance nterludes by Miss Madge Elliott and lessrs. Jack Hooker and Tom Preston ;ere highly popular, awl deservedly eo. 'he art of the producer was in evidenco hronghout. Tho company's season hap been exended for three nights, and will tarlinate next Wednesday. To-night and n Monday night " Oh, Boy will be reeated. To-morrow and on Tuesday night 1 The Three Twins," and on Friday, laturday, and Wednesday "You're in /ove" will be staged. OPERA HOUSETho entertainment submitted by Fullers audevdlo, Ltd., at tho Opera Houso ttracted another largo aud-e.icc last evenlg. It is a varied programme of conderable merit, the outstau«.ng ieatuw eing a revue entitled " The King of Fataonia," produced by the Al. Bruce Comanv. The revue is easily the best produoion of this coterie of artists, the " hobo baractfrisation of Mr. Bruce being enuinoly funny. The chic American omedioune, Miss Bessie Lester, was at er beat in several character songa. Murirne. xylophonist, Romaine, violinist, 'ollard and Jackson, operatic artists, and lav and Gray, patter comedians, also ppeared. A matinee will be given this fternoon. CHAUTAUQUA. The Chautauqua entertainments will bo DDimeDCed to-morrow in a marqueo touted on the site of tho Old Auckland luek, in Sturdee Street The programme rill consist of " music, oratory and originlily " It will bo opened by the Apollos, nth the "ApoUophone," a new musical Istrument invented by Mr. Arthur Wells be head of the company. The uifltroment , about 18ft long, and can be played by vo persons simultaneously. Another rtist of note is Miss Hopper, the eloculonist. On Friday, Dr. Andrew Johnson •ill lecture on "Eli and Dennis and The Serious Side of Fun." Another item rill bo the New Zealand Trio, consisting f Misses Jessie Bartlett, Ava gyraona and •,velyn Harvey. Arrangements have been jade for all holders of children s tickets a be allowed out of school at two o clock ach afternoon. . "THE DANDIES." The combined picture and variety encrtaiument, given at the Lyric Theatre his week, finds favour with patrons. The Dandies " give an enjoyable enterainmcut, and the various items are much The motion picture portion if tho programme consists of the popular loldwyn film, " Pock's Bad GirL" TIVOLI THEATRE. Tho management of the Tivoli Theatre las set a high standard of picture enterainment for some considerable time past, md, in additiou to this, it is at present übmitting a complete chango of pro'ramme twico a week. The feature 61m to » screened for the tot time this afternoon s entitled " Molly Entangled." A somedy-drama, it is said to be a wholeorae and refined story that has drawn ?ery large numbers of spectators wherever ,hown. Miss Vivian Martin, who is in he principal role, is said to bo given every )pportunity of displaying her remarkable rcrsatility. Miss Martin is charming and lelightful, and has thoroughly established lerself as a favourite with patrons of lictura theatres. Her whimsical and ippoaling mannerisms, combined with her ngh sense of artistry, go to make mctures n whioh she is featured high-class entertainment*. A Jester comedy, " uamou. lage," tho latest American Gazette, a Glm mowing views of the gathering in the Domain on Saturday last, and selections 3 y the Tivoli Orchestra will complete the mtertainmunt. PRINCESS THEATRE, Madame Olga Petrova, the world fain ous Rus:o-Amerioan film actress, appears at the Princess Theatre this wdok in hei latest production, "Tempered Stcol." Madame l'etrova suffered severely from influenza in November last, and was forced to take a long holiday to recuperate. Al present, she is better in health, and DIM appeared in two new plays since her illness. "Tempered Stoefj" gives her an ex cellent opportunity of displaying hei versatile histrionic ability, and for show, big several of her beautiful gowns. The interest of the talcs attaches to life in and about a Tenderloin theatre in New York. Tho characters are all true to type. Included in the programme is the amusimi Chaplin comedy, " A Dog's Life.'' Cliarhf appears to great advantage in tho photo play. The play is a million dollar exhibit, produced by tho corporation that produced " My Four Years in Germany. STRAND THEATRE. Mabel Normand, tho world-famed come dienno, appears at tho Strand Theatri this week in her latest comedy-drama entitled, "Peck's Bad GirL" Miss Nor mand, who recently appeared to sucl advantage in a Ooldwyn film, "Dodginj a Million," does much to mako the photo play a decided success. Miss Normanc can bo termed a pioneer in pictnro plays; for, young as she is, she appeared li 1908-9 with tho late Fred Mace, in tin first Biograph corae'dies, and soon becami famous. There aro several good rapport ing films, and at the evening sessions special music is played by the btranc Orchestra. „_._,_ QUEEN'S THEATRE. Miss Bessie Barriscale, who appears « " The Cast Off," a strong drama screens this week at the Queen Theatre, ha not recently been seen in many dramas having for a period re'ired from tin " shadow stage." Her acting in the pla; is very fine, and the film itself is mucl enhanced by the clever acting of the sup porting characters. GRAND THEATRE. Charlie Chaplin appears at tho Gram Theatre this week in one of hie finest pro ductions, tho million dollar film, entiHec

A Dor's Life." By many photo-play 3vers the film is considered to bo Chapen's best to date. It tells of the advenarea of Charlie as a " hobo." While lying sleep under a hedgo he is bitten by a og, who henceforth becomes his friend, 'articularly funny are the scenes taken -side a cabaret. Other films, Including cod topical gazettes, are shown. GLOBE THEATRE. A photo-play of unusual interest is hown at ithe Globe Theatro this week, nd is entitled "The Eagle's Eye," being he third episode of a most goiisational crial storv, adapted for the screen. The pisndo deals with German spy propaanda in America, and of the attempt y secret agents to " bottle up" the .merican Atlantic fleet in New York [arbour. Other films are shown. NATIONAL THEATRE. An excellent film adaptation of Ralph Connor's fine novel, " The Doctor oi 'row's Nest," has created a good impresion at tho National Theatre this week, n the film version, which is entitled The Heart of a Lion," William Farnum, be Fox star, appears to great advantage, ither good films are shown, including a unshino comedy. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A drama of much interest, " The Firefly if Franco," is now being screened at Everybody's Theatre. The leading parts re taken by Wallace Reid and Ami <ittle. The picture holds the attention of he spectators throughout, and tho acting y the strong cast is worthy of note. )ther pictures of interest are shown.