ENTERTAIMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18649, 4 March 1924, Page 9

ENTERTAIMENTS.

' OPERA HOUSE. The great variety of splendid vande-». ' ville turns presented in the new pro-* ' gramme at Fuller's Opera House this week was heartily appreciated by. the large audiences present at the performances yesterday. A number of the artists are new-comers, and without exception present turns of the highest standard. In a combination of patter, song, and dance, Lloyd and Raymond, who have deservedly .'•■'■. become great favourites, were enthusiastically applauded. Their simultaneous dancing is extremely clever, and includes a " Clerical Dance" in which some most difficult steps are nimbly achieved; while their musical numbers, " How I Long « For Alabam " and " Peter Gink," were equally well rendered. Chas. Valentine, a clever young ventriloquist, made his first appearance last taight, and with " Georgie," his little figure, accounted for much of the mirth of the evening. His turn not only consisted of patter between himself and '" Georgie." but also included an old form of ventriloquism, seldom heard on the stage nowadays, that of " throwing " his voice above or below the stage. Charles Lawrence is already known to Aucklanders with his dry humour aa an entertainer of no mean order. He appeared with the English Pierrots about two years ago. That he is as popular as ever was clearly shown by his reception last night. After his interpretation of a bashful bridegroom's wedding speech, and a parody on " A Fine Old ' English Gentleman," into which he introduced many local " hits," he was enthusiastically recalled, and sang "Nothin* New." An unusual turn was presented by the Campbell Brothers, concertina experts, whose mastery over their instruments was a revelation. Herbert Joy, the musical " swaggie," presented a well-staged and novel turn, which was well received, especially a " duet," played on two whistles, at the same time. Slavin and Thompson received their usual share of the applause. Their patter and parodies on "Sally" and " Tipperary " went well. The extension of Miss Rosina Gordon's stay in Auckland is a welcome one. Last night Miss Gordon was in excellent voice, and her singing of "Coming Home" (by request), and " I Hear You Calling Me," won well deserved applause. In the overture to /Zampa " she had ample opportunity to display her brilliant pianistic talent. Durno, the dextrous juggler and cyclist, held his audience breathless last night while he performed feats of i daring skiU upon osne-wheeled cycles. Among other feats, his turn incudes balancing on a single wheel about ten feet from the ground. The programme will be repeated each night and at the usual matinees until next Monday. MARY PICKFORI> IN "ROSITA." Mary Pickford's latest achievement in the motion picture world, as exemplified. in the United Artists' attraction " Rosita," will be submitted to Auckland picture-goers on Friday, when the initial screenings will be given at the Tivoii Theatre. _ Miss Pickford, in, the role of Rosita, is said to portray a character which is a distinct departure from - any "^ impersonation heretofore attempted by her. The public, which has been accustomed ;in the years past to seeing the " world's sweetheart in little girl, portrayals, is bound to be interested in the effort which takes her out of her usual course to present her in her first serious grown-up character. In this, her latest picture, she wears her hair up, hiding her beautiful- curls, except for' a momentary glimpse in a boudoir scene. It has been -~' said of her work in " Rosita " that the vital force which, in the chief role she f--' brings to bear on the King to spare Don Diego's life,, the patient suffering of her plea to this monarch, drunk with power and infatuation, comprises one. of the most stirringly dramatic scenes of intens* emotionalism any person might •wish. Here it' is that Miss Pickford ascends to new ; and ' greater heights of cinema artistry; here this foremost star comes into her rightful heritage as a portrayer *~ of glorious, vital, alluring womanhood— not a new Mary Pickford, but a grown-up Mary Pickford presenting a new phase of personality and artistry which the public is sure to love as they j loved ; her little '• girl- characterisations. PRINCESS THEATRE. The double programme screening at the Princess Theatre continues to .. attract favourable 'attention. 7Of the two ■:■:.-- featured films, "Big Dan'* is a tale of the prize '■;■ ring, containing ;•■ a* ■■■ realistic fight ■■'.'.-;;; between Charles Jones and' his rival in ' the drama. 'Jones reveals himself as particularly well adapted to the role of a fighter, and his performance in this, his latest vehicle, is proving very entertaining to his many devotees.',' The second drama on the programme is the Paramount production "Bella Donna," starring the Polish beauty; Pola Negri. /It > is a romantic tale of Egypt adapted from the famous novel by Robert Eitchens. Included in the cast are Conway Tearle, Conrad Nagel and Lois Wilson, - or the new programme commencing on Friday two featured films will be screened," William Fox production, ;"The- Silent Command," and a Paramount picture, "A Gentleman of Leisure." The former is a. spectacular melodrama of . the sea,' starring Edmund Lowe, as Captain Richard Decatur, U.S.N., together with a host of other well-known players. "A Gentleman of Leisure" 'is ■< a rapid-fir© Paramount comedy with Jack Holt in th« lead. -; ; . ' ' .

NATIONAL THEATRE.; ... Pharws, the Egyptian, who is playing an engagement at the National, Theatre, \ continues to excite a great deal; of interest. His performance is most unusual, consisting in a demonstration of a system '■;■";-. of relieving pain. This, based as it is on a knowledge of nerve pressure, is an interesting one, and is described in entertaining fashion from the stage. ■ The new picture on the programme, is .." Counter- C feit Love,' a Playgoers' Special," dealing with, a horse race and its outcome. It tells of a girl's battle to. win happiness, to save the honour of her family, and to clear her brother's name. A feature of the picture is its realistic racing scene. STRAND THEATRE. The current programme at the Strand / Theatre is. drawing large houses, the great variety incorporated in the one programme proving an undoubted attraction. The official film depicting the jubilee celebrations at Wellington of Archbishop Redwood have aroused considerable interest, while the inclusion of such entertaining fare as a film illustrating the sugar industry in Australia," a travelogue entitled "Winter Witchery" and a new Christie comedy, "Hot Water." , gives splendid support to the principal feature, the First National film, "Flaming Youth." This is an absorbing film-drama dealing with the problem of' social restlessness, and is adorned by some very fine acting.