ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

FULLERS' OPERA HOUSE. A new revue, specially writton by Jim Gerald for his reappearance in Auckland, will bo presented at tho Opera Houso this afternoon. In this production, which is entitled "It's Different," the show will rank as one of tho finest little gems of musical | comedy attractions patrons have had the opportunity of witnessing. It is not the I broad, clownish material that so often passes muster for burlesque, but tho wit • of this pieco is real, sparkling and spontaneous. - There are altogether 11 scones, or "differences," each of which is a miniature show in itself. Mr. t Gerald himself, of course, is the kingj pin of tho show, arid ho has ample opportunities . for demonstrating his versatility as an artist. Special new | scenery has been painted, and a. new wardrobe made to add to tho effect of the production. STRAND THEATRE. , Genuino mystery and intriguo abound . in Pyramid Pictures production, . "The Mystery of the Hansom Cab," introduced . on the new programme at tho Strand Theatre yesterday. The picture closely follows Fergus Hume's famous novel, of ; the same name, and has lost nothing in adaptation for tho screen. From tho time when tho body of a murdered man is found in a hansom cab until the crimo is sheeted home, there is a well-sustained strayi of mystery in every development of t the plot. Tho photography and con- , tinuity does credit to tho Australian producers, and tho vivid scenery and wellchosen cast add to tho quality of the production. The principal incidents in tho i styry occur in Melbourne. Every phrase of' life in the city is depicted, and a portion of the drama is enacted amid tho squalor of a slum. Arthur Shirley, already a popular figure in American films, appears as Brian Fitzgerald, upon whom suspicion for the murdor falls. Grace ' Glover plays opposite him. Fitzgerald • is eventually brought to trial, but refuses I to divnlgo anything. He is, however, ac- • quitted by the jury, after an impressive trial scene, but the identity of the nuir- ' derer is still a mystery. Intricate developments ensue, atid Fitzgerald and the de- ' teptives gradually form a chain of evidence. Statements. made by a dying ! woman in a slum throw suspicion on tho father of Fitzgerald's fiancee. Before r justice can take its course he dies, leaving ' a confession, which reveals the motive for 1 the murder. The real murderer is a black. ' mailer who had long kept the unfortunate man in his power. A comedy, "His Law- " ver," a Strand Magazine, and a Pathe ' Review constitute the remainder of tho picture programme. A vocal interlude is j provided by tho Lyric Four. HAWAIIAN TROUBADOURS. ' Kaai's Hawaiian Troubadours will commence a season in His Majesty's Theatre ' with a matinee at half-past two o clock ' this afternoon. This is tho first appearance of these Troubadours in New Zea- : land, and they will present an entertain- ! ment entitled " A Night in Honolulu." Tho company has just completed a 1 phenomenally successful tour of Australia, and the programme will be the same as that presented before tho Prince of Wales in America. The 12 picked artists aro said to be exceedingly versatile, and many of them can play Hawaiian and jazz instruments as well as they can sing. Hawaiian music possesses a softness, 1 plaintiveness, and exquisite sweetness 1 that makes it distinctive. The Troubadours have been described as faithful pur- ' veyors of tho music lore of Hawaii, and the first portion of the programme will be devoted to island music. Tho second portion will bo varied and will include lazz numbers and jazz songs. Expositions by Hawaiian hula-hula and tickle-toe dancers also should bo a delight. Tho players will be garbed in Hawaiian costumes. while the stage will be transformed if to a delightful island setting. Tho whole entertainment is said to be a revelation of the sentiment of the Hawaiian people, national in its character and trne in its setting. Tho box plan for the season is at Lewis R. Eadv and Son, Ltd. CHORAL SOCIETY. Tho Auckland Choral Society will present Mendelssohn's dramatic oratorio "Elijah "on Thursday, May 7. " Elijah" is a magnificent work and is, perhaps, the strongest oi'atorio in point of music and dramatic plot ever written. A well balanced quartette has been secured for the presentation and will comprise Miss Lois Evans, Miss Mina Caldow, and Messrs. Arthur Ripley and Leu Barnes. Miss Evans will make her first, appearance with the society and will take the soprano solos. Miss Mina (,'aldow's rich contralto will bo heard in " 0 Rest in tho Lord," while Mr. Arthur Ripley will sing the tenor solos. Tho part of " Elijah " will be sung by Mr. Barnes, of Wellington. The work of the chorus is expected to be a feature of the performance. The instrumental accompaniments will bo supplied by a highly efficient orchestra. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The Bohemian Orchestra will give its first concert of tho season in tho Town Hall next Thursday. The orchestra comprises 80 performers and much practice lias brought the combination to a state of well-balanced perfection. Tho orchestral numbers will include " King Manfred " overture, " Slavonic Rhapsody," and " Ballet Russo Suite." Miss Winifred Purnell, a brilliant pianisto, who has just completed a highly-successful London and Continental tour, has been engaged, and will play Tschaikowsky's Piano Concerto. Mr. C. Hayes, champion cornetist. of New Zealand," will play " Zelda," by Percy Code, while tho Lyric Quartette will be. heard in selections. The box plan will open at the Town Hall on Tuesday. ORGAN RECITAL TO-NIGHT. Tho city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, will give a recital in the Town Hall to-night, when he will have the assistance of Miss Laura Walker, a member of the Melba Opera Company, who is on a holiday visit to Auckland. The instrumental numbers of the programme will cover a wide range of compositions and will include, by request, Guilmant.'s "Funeral March and Hymn of Seraphs." Miss Walker wilt sing Thomas' "Knowest Thou tho Land ?" from "Mignou," and songs by Peel and Coleridge-Taylor. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will play at the Zoological Gardens to-morrow afternoon. Tho programme* will be a varied once and will include tho suites "Vcnezia" and "The Shoe," overture. "Bronze Horse," and selections from "Don Giovanni" and "The Maid of the Mountains," together with bright marches arid hymn selections. PORT AUCKLAND BAND. The Port. Auckland Band will play at, the Knox Home, Tamaki, to-morrow afternoon. A concert will also be , given at thi' Central Wharf to-morrow evening. Varied and attractive programmes have been arranged for both concerts. MECHANICAL EXHIBITION. A mechanical exhibition will open in Symonds Street, near Grafton Bridge, on Monday evening. This novel attraction is being introduced by Mr. W. Jobling, and he carries his own theatre and has altogether 34 different sets of models, including humorous and serious studies. There are models of 'fairies and,clowns, engines, .historical and Biblical studies, and figures that will play classical music on various instruments. The whole exhibition is driven by electricity. A model of particular interest should be that of "Puffing Billy," the first steam-engine. This model is over 100 years old and is in perfect condition. Many of the models were shown ii tho Wembley Exhibition.