ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY. A welcome reappearance in the new and successrul mush-aT play, "Sybil," will be made by the J.C. Williamson Royal Comic Op*ra Company at His Majesty's Theatre on Friday. Gladys Moncrieff. the popular Australian actress, has the title role. Of this comic opera the critic of the Melbourne Age writes:—"lf you take one charming and accomplished lady, place her in the position of being forced to impersonate another lady of Royal blood, and then bring on the scene the husband of the second lady, you have laid the foundations of a pretty story. If, in addition, you set the story to music and thus give it a super-romantic atmosphere, the prettiness of it is vastly enhanced. ... It was an auspicious introduction. The mounting was superb and the presentation undoubtedly the best Australia could give. The cast calls for nothing but praise. Miss Moncrieff is .at her best. Mr. Fleming is well suited in a manly part. Miss Morrison is always effective in what she does, and Mr. Holland presents us to another grotesque military person. Mn Stigant is exceptionally funny. Miss Hardwicke is dainty and tuneful. Mr. Chisholm sings and looks »nd tho remainder of the cast do'excellently. Compared with other modern musical productions 'SvbiP is right in the front rank. It is as brilliant as 'The Merry Widow,' which is one of the best of the modern musical comedies." The box plans for "Sybil" (first five nights) will be opened this morning at Lewis R. Eady and Son. Ltd. There will be a matinee on Friday.

OPERA HOUSE. The twelfth and last week of the P. Gayle Wyer Band Box Revue Cmpany's Auckland season will commence this afternoon at the Opera House. For the farewell week, Mr. Wyer has selected a playlet said to be admirably adapted to tlie Christmas atmosphere, entitled, " The Old Schoolmaster." Children generally have a happier feeling when on holidays than during school hours, but very few would object to participating in the fun that is said to prevail at the Band Box school. The revue is described as one without a dull moment, laughs following laughs in quick succession, due to the comedy efforts of Messrs. Walter Cornock, Frank Perryn and Billy Bovis. Many bright musical numbers will add to the popularity of the show, while, as usual, with this company, the costumes and dancing of the clever ballet will be a feature. Among the new acts in the vaudeville section are Calland and Hooper, a recent importation from England, who will present a series of vocal numbers. Two clever perfomers are Pic and Alf, whose varied assortment of feats fully entitled them to the applause they received on Saturday. One man has few equals as an equilibrist, while the other is a contortionist and eccentric dancer of rare ability. The McKinnon Boys, "Scotland's Ambassadors," are playing a farewell week prior to their departure overseas and a new series of songs and impressions will be given by J. G. Taylor and Dorothy Summers, two performers very popular in Auckland. The programme is completed by Jess and Tony, who will appear in a new patter, singing and dancing act.

"THE TEN COMMANDMENTS." Everybody's Theatre was again packed to the doors on Saturday evening, when the Cecil B. De Mille production, " The Ten Commandments," saw its fourth Saturday night presentation in Auckland. The picture is remarkably conceived and Worked out in an elaborate manner, dealing partly with the Biblical story of the Exodus and partly with a modern tale of a man who broke every one of the Ten Commandments in turn. Cecil De Mille has moulded from the Laws of Moses a story that shows the Commandments are as vital to humanity to-day as they were in the days that were handed to Moses on the Mount. Probably nothing finer or more stimulating has been seen than the vivid Biblical prologue depicting the 1 travail of the Israelites under the tyrannical Pharaoh ; their release from bondage ; , the pursuit by the Egyptians; the opening up of the Red Sea; and the engulfing ■of the Egyptian host. One section of the I picture—the flight and pursuit—is worked ! out in colour as real as life itself. An enj larged orchestra adds very materially to j the enjoyment of the picture at the I afternoon and evening sessions by play- ! ing a fine musical programme, which has J been selected to fit every changing mood ■of the thema

TIVOLI THEATRE. ; " Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure," the • popular stage play in which Lawrence ■ Grossmith was seen here a short time ago. i is being shown in screen form at the Tivoli 'Theatre, under, the title, "Strangers of I tlie Night." Enid Bennett, Barbara La Marr and Matt Moore portray the prinj cipal roles. It tells how Ambrose, after 40 j years of monotony and self-centredness, suddenly becomes the central figure in a. series of mysteries, thrills and romance almost unbelievable. It all comes to pass on one amazing night, when certain mysterious strangers enter the life of the staid Ambrose. Through it all, however, jhe learns to become sympathetic to a beautiful girl, to whom, before, ho had shown little attention, being satisfied to lead a selfish and uneventful existence. " The Heart Bandit," a Metro production is the second feature on the programme.

CARLAW PARK PICTURES. There was a large and appreciative audience at the Cailaw Park Pictures on Saturday evening, when an admirable programme was presented. The perfecting of the plant and the general arrangements for the comfort and convenience of the public have added greatly to the tone of the entertainment provided, not the least of recent improvements being the engagement of a new jazz band. The chief item on Saturday's programme was Dustin Farnuni in "Big Happiness," one of the best productions of this noted player. The picture is spectacular, with scenes of the night life of Paris for a background. "A Peep at Parnell Baths" and "A Day at the Zoo" contain much that is of interest to local audiences, while "Bowled Out" is a comedy of considerable merit. "Logging in Canada," .1 Gazette and a Review, both the latter containing views of recent happenings, complete an excellent programme. This bill will be repeated this evening.

DIXIE JUBILEE SINGERS. The Dixie Jubilee Singers will open their season at the Town Hall on Boxing night. Over 26 years have passed since the public of New Zealand has had the opportunity to hear a genuine company of jubilee singers. Throughout Canada and the United States the" singers have been greeted with the greatest enthusiasm whenever they have appeared, and the generosity with which they responded to encores is cited as evidence*ot their desire to please and the taste and judgment they display. Whether it is the simple melodies of the sunny South or more pretentious > music like the sextet from " Lucia," they are said to be equally familiar with it and equally effective. Their repertoire includes jubilees, now and old, plantation songs, negro melodies, classic, comic songs, sentimental songs, and songs of the old slavery days. As His Majesty's Theatre is not" available on Christmas night for the proposed sacred concert the season will begin on Boxing night. The box plan is open at Lewis K, Eady and Son, Ltd.

DIXIELAND CABARET. A special late night will be held at Dixieland Cabaret this evening. Numerous attractions have been arranged including carnival novelties and abundant supply of streamers, toys and confetti, while Miss Verna will display her talent in now cabaret dances.

ST. LEON'S CIRCUS. St- Leon's Circus and Rodeo will com* mence its Auckland season on Boxing Day on a site in Anzac Avenue. During the circus' absence from Auckland many new acts have been engaged and the entertainment to be presented next Friday promises to be exceptionally popular and a fitting celebration -of the company's 83rd annual tour. One of the paramount attractions is expected to be the performance of Dooley, who is described as the upside down marvel and the wizard of the tight rope and trapeze. One of the sensations introduced by Dooley is that of standing on his head on a flving trapeze and then sliding down a wire from the top of the huge tent in that position. He also turns somersaults on the tight rope. Other new acts arc Ueloraine and Lo Roy, horizontal bar performers; Miss Madeline Parrav, -lady rider; Wyndham and Breeze, Roman ring expert* Miss Vera Leo's posing dogs and .the Ki-yia trio, dog actors. All these acts together with displavs by the &t. Leon s acrobats and the full complement of highly trained horses; ponies mules, dogs and monkeys, are included on the circus programme; while Mr. Jack Williams London rodeo outfit, comprish&lr"? krg ° col i ection of Australian »fe Umpers and mules, will afford an opportunity for the two riding champions Vic Cowan and Will Dodd, number of local .riders have intimated ho™ TT ° f "^P l "* to ride these horses. Performances will be given -n the afternoons and evenings. ,° v ? NATIONAL THEATRE. week- r Vh* i«i'- - >at,,ona l Iheatre this week, ihe story concerns the problem smMmm US M Bood.s„pp orti „ g pmgramM A

BAYSWATER CONCERT. A demonstration concert bv fUi „ •