ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18347, 13 March 1923, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE GIRL FOR THE BOY." 5 An inconsequential musical farce, " Tho r Girl for the Boy" depends more for its success upon the personalities of its interpreters than upon its own merits. The *( " book" is thin to a degree, and now and then nonsensical, while some of the dialogue is not characterised by the good taste that is desirable. The music is bright and catchy, the score having been ] embellished by some extra numbers of a J tuneful description. As a vehicle for the second appearance here of Lee White and . her company. " The Girl for ( tho Boy," however, serves its ' purpose, and last evening's audi- 1 ence at His Majesty's Theatre thoroughly enjoyed many of the specialities . introduced during the progress of the . piece. Miss White, handsomely frocked in a variety of costumes which created ganeral attention and not a little admiration, once more revealed the subtle charm which has made her so favourite an artist. Portraying the daughter of an American millionaire she was that lady sometimes and herself the rest of the time. She seems to have the faculty of walking right out of her part and taking ( her audience into her confidence. _ She 5 has a way with her which there is no , resisting, and a way of stamping her j songs with her own individuality. This , was realised in her rendering last even- 1 ing of several solos, each calling for those j little differences in expression which she is so well able to make. "We're all Crazy,'* "I Never Realised," "He's Com- , ing Home," "Dardanella" (sung in a gorgeous Oriental costume and with appropriate, chorus action), and the duet with Mr. Clay Smith, "Where There's a Girl There's a Boy," were all most artisti- . cally presented. Then, in an interlude, with Mr. Clay Smith at the piano, Miss ' White was heard in perhaps her best work of the evening. Passing from one number to another she sang syncopated . airs, a song of advice to girls : as to how not to treat their , beaux, an Irish ditty, and one , or two duets with her partner. Even then the audience must needs have more, and the clever and artistic pair returnad and gave an additional number. Mr. Smith was decidedly amusing as a disgruntled civil servant, who was gradualiv thawed out of his ice-cold reserve by the chocolate millionaire's daughter. His song. "I'll Try Anything Once," was re- , markably well sung. Mr. Ernest Sefton was seen in a very laughable portrayal of a chauffeur-valet, with ideas on married life which were comically cynical. He was well supported in the soubrette role by Miss Clarice Hardwicke, a dainty and pleasing little artist in all she does. Mr. Lance Lister, a young actor with an irretpressible vein of humour and an attractive personality, romped through the piece with infectious breeziness. With Miss Hardwickei and Mr. Clay Smith he was concerned in a smart little trio, "We Must Economise," and with Mr. Sefton in the duet, "Two Guesses." Miss Mae Baird and Mr. Archie Thompson were warmly applauded for thcrir expert version of an Apache dance, and for a wellconceived "Statue "The Girl for -.e Boy "' will be staged again this evening and for the two following evenings only, the company's season ending on ; Thursday. OPERA HOUSE. The reappearance of Miss Daisy Jerome at the Opera House yesterday, after an extensive tour of the South, was an important factor in the success of the new 1 programme. She was heard in an entirely different series of songs to those which made her popular on her last visit here, each piece containing its own type of humour and originality, and all lending themselves to the artiste's particular' style. Miss Jerome lost none of her old popularity, her new songs being received with marked appreciation. "Walk" was an amusing conception in which the dash and virility of the performer were the outstanding features. In "Greetings," Miss Jerome gave rein to her powers of mimi icry, and in a variety of attitudes burlesqued the mannerisms of such nationals as French, Scotch, and Australians, besides the peculiarities of the London Cockney. "The Dairyman's Daughter" and "Half-past Three" proved to be the best in the selection from the humorous point of view, and in both Miss Jerome scored triumphs. Her remaining numbers were "The Fellow I Could Love" and "Girlie," in all of which she found some novel twist to emphasise in her own inimical way. The American Revue Company presented, in the second half of the programme, one of the best revues of their season. "Hermie's Night Out" described the ludicrous adventures of two impossibly stupid gentlemen played by Messrs. George H. Ward and Henry Burgess. In the musical numbers Misses Curley Sherwood, Mabelle Morgan, and Ida Merton were well suited, Messrs. Charles Sherman, Richard Butler, and George Irvine taking the male voices. The chorus appeared in several dances and ensembles, prettily costumed and arranged. In the vaudeville portion of the programme Slavin and Thompson, who made their first appearance, gave a presentable performance in which popular songs arid repartee were the principal ingredients. Also on the programme were the Reese Sisters, in songs and dances, Craydon and Mack, in humorous songs, Charles Lawrence in stories and songs at the piano, and Miss Ruth Bucknell in several new vocal numbers. The programme will be repeated each evening this week, and at the usual matinees. PRINCESS THEATRE. Despite the great success, achieved by the Paramount picture, " Manslaughter,' at the Princess Theatre, it is to give place on Friday to another special attraction from the same studios. This ib " The Old Homestead," based on an old play, with the well-known and populai character actor.JTheodore Roberts, in the principal role or Uncle Josh. It is claimed chat this is one of the greatest of all emotional dramas written for the screen. As other pictures delight the eye, this one is said to delight the hearts of all who witness it. American reviewers have been highlv eulogistic in their references to " The "Old Homestead." One wellknown critic said —" The millions who know the old homestead will realise when they see this film that they have never before appreciated it. An exhibitor's picture, a patron's picture, a picture for the industry to point to as an example of what can be done with brains and a camera. James Cruze, the director, has raised himself to the pinnacl* of his profession by this great work. No greater picture has ever been made." Another writer declared that Uncle Josh will go down in history as the most lovable character ever seen on the screen. It , was also hailed as the outstanding pro- , duction in a year already rich in outstanding achievements. It is said that , the spectator will laugh at the antics of : Happy Jack, the tramp, played by T. 1 Roy Barnes, and cry at the heartaches ' of Ann, portrayed by Fritzi Ridgway. j Harrison Ford, a favourite with picture patrons, will appear as Reuben, the proi digal son. One of the sensations in The ' film is a cyclone in which a whole town ; is swept away, forming a climax seldom ' if ever, approached in a motion picture. 1 It is claimed that real people move through the film and that there are no ' strange or impossible situations. [ "QUEEN OF SHEBA." i An exceptionally elaborate and costly setting is said to have been given to the new Fox super-feature, " Queen of Sheba," which is to be screened at His Majesty's Theatre for a limited season, commencing on Friday. It has been described as a gem perfectly set. Critics suggest that a fortune must have been spent in the scenes depicting the court of King Solomon, enabling it to be reproduced in all its glory. It is declared that nothing more spectacular than the ; arrival of the Queen of Sheba at the count, the great chariot race cheered by 5000 spectators, and other incidents filmed in this production, has ever reached the screen. The picture will be preceded by > an appropriate prologue and accompanied by a special musicial score.

QUEEN'S THEATRE The strong human note that in struck in the Paramount film, " Humoresque," now the chief attraction at the Queen's Theatre, is making its duo appeal to the numerous patrons attending each session. The acting is exceptional. Also on the programme is a dramatic film of circus . "e, " The Sawdust Ring," and a Charles Chaplin comedy, " Shanghaied." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. " Bought and Paid For," with Jack Holt and Agnes Ayr in the leading roles, is proving highly popular at Everybody's Theatre this week. The theme is a strong one, dealing with one of the problems of married life. > It is oi: consistent interest throughout. The comedy, " Roaming Romeo," and " The Lion Man," serial, complete the bill.