ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18679, 8 April 1924, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. A programme of vaudeville tarns, all of the highest standard, was presented to delighted audiences at both performances af< the Opera House yesterday. Unfortunately, owing to a mishap to the car in which they were travelling to Auckland, the Littlejohns, who were to have presented a juggling act, were unable to appear. The remaining turns, however, made up for their absence. The Deloraines, who make their final appearance this week, again thrilled spectators with their daring display up.on revolving ladders. Some of the feats of the lady are most spectacular, while the clevr animal imitation of her partner created much laughter. Roy Gennett has already established himself a firm favourite with audiences by his brilliant eccentric dancing, and ho received a well-deserved ovation at the end of his most intricate performance. . His extraordinary suppleness of limb allows him to execute many intricate and bewildering da»ces. The Hawaiian songs and dances of tfye Hilo Duo, wore again enthusiastically received. The haunting melodies are suggestive of palm-fringed beaches and bluo lagoons and in the hands of experts such as these the stringed instruments can almost be made to speak. The applause which greeted the appearance of the Rev. Frank Gorman testified to his popularity. His vocal numbers included " Absent," " I'll Forget You," and " Thinking of You." In the chorus of the latter, the audience joined heartily. Leo Sterling is not only an exceedingly humorous comedian, but also a clever musician. Although interspersed with patter, his turn included such musical gems as Gounod's " Ave Maria," artistically rendered: A " Hunting Fantasia," upon the keyless coach horn was also well received. " Their best show to date." is the popular verdict of those who saw the latest production of the St iffy and Mo Revue Company, These old favourites launch out into society and their escapades are tho source of constant laughter. The supporting performers are given ample scope to display their various talents. The most popular of the vocal numbers were " One Little Girl," sung by Peter Brooks; "Moon River,"' Dot Davis; " Tuckee Home," as a duet by Queenie Paul and Mike Connors. A pretty dance was introduced by Keith Connoly and Rene Vando. The work of tho ballet was especially good, while their costumes left little to be desired.

NATIONAL THEATRE. | An excellent vaudeville turn, that of j Eric Harrison and Verna Bane, is prov- ! ing an attractive item in the current pro- ! gramme at the National Theatre. The I mystery picture, "The Acquittal." coni tinues to excite a pood deal of speculaj tion on the part of the spectators, the j mind being constantly exercised in a vain J endeavour to detect the murderer of the I millionaire. It is a. gripping story, eni acted by a. powerful cast, headed by I Norman Kerry and Claire Windsor. The j spectators watch with bated breath as j suspicion leaps from character to character. and gasps with amazement as, with a final dramatic flash, tho ■ mvstery is cleared in "a powerful climax. STRAND THEATRE. Tho current programme at the Strand Theatre is headed by tho First National attraction, " Ponjola," which is an unusual tale of love and adventure, with a fine African background. It has many dramatic scenes, chief of which is that in which tho heroine is toTd of the other woman and her son only four hoars after her marriage. Anna (J. Nilsson has her hair cut short, in this picture, and makes a very convincing boy though never letting the spectator forget she is a woman masquerading to help the man she loves. James Kirkwood equals her in a splendid character study and grips the interest and sympathy, especially in the scenes depicting the man broken by fever and "drink, and fighting to keep his sanity.