ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19141, 6 October 1925, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

V OPERA HOUSE. , Humour and variety characterise the vaudeville programme which was introduced at Fuller's Opera House yesterday. The outstanding act was presented by Henri French, piaking his first appearance as an alcoholic performer on a single large wheel Feigning intoxication, he gives some reniarliable expositions of balancing and propels the wheel through intricate manoeuvres. As a juggler, ho, introduces some novel expositions of equilibrium with glass bottles. Each trick reveals originality in action and agility on the part of the artist. Taylor and Summers, the popular comedy couple, appear in new selections and monologue numbers. Taylor's rendering of a burlesque address by a clergyman was appreciated. and with fcus partner he evoked applause with a facetious piano duet. Musical monologues formed the basis of the new act undertaken by Leslie Elliott. Her best items were "At Somerset Fair," and " When They Introduced tho Jazz to Donegal." The Selbons submitted a collection of novelty tumbling turns, and gave a demonstration of " Futuristic Jazz/' Originality was the keynote of the revue presented by George Ward's Snapshots Company, a six-scene production entitled " The Ku Klux Klan," The revue abounds in humorous dialogue, and contains an intricate plot which develops with an abundance of mysterious incident. The notorious Ku Klux Klan is used to introduce the atmosphere of uncanni- , ness into the performance. A rival organisation, the " Just Due Hand," works by subtle means to obtain possession of the talisman of the other party. George Ward and Beit La Blanc in the role of two detectives are responsible for the humour of the piece. Their futile efforts as clumsy investigators make them the subject of sustained ridicule. By attempting diplomacy and striving to pose as convincing and astute detectives, they create considerable amusement. York® Gray and Vernon Seilars appear as agents of the secret society and provide the element of intrigue in the plot. Carlton Chase, Patsy Hill, Daisy iates. Les Warton and Dorrie Tointon make up the cast. The scenery of the revue is complete, and suitable ballet. numbers aro featured with each setting. Leading the ballet chorus in a humorous vocal selection " Big Bad Bill," is Carlton Chase. Another vocal item " Carnival," is led by Patsy Hill in a cabaret scene. _ Daisy Yates sings " Kentucky Days" and Vernon Seilars " Song of Wine." A popular interlude is afforded by Dorrie Tointon and Yorke Gray in a vagabond dance. The performance will be repeated each evening this week. KIALTO THEATRE. " Being an Ethel M. Dell story, this picture will find plenty of admirers. Having also the qualification of good screen entertainment, it should piease everybody. What little shortcomings there may be are soon forgotten in the very tense incidents which intrude themselves at frequent intervals throughout the telling of a rather comprehensive story." Thus an Australian critic introduces a review of "'The Top of the World," the Paramount production which heads the new programme opening at the Rial to Theatre to-day. The s tory unfolds in South Africa where many excellent views gire local colour. The heroine, an Englishwoman, has recently arrived in the country in order to avoid marrying a man she detests. She meets the hero, who immediately tells her that, although he bears a striking resemblance to the man she intended to meet, he is only a cousin. Eventually she agrees to marry the cousin, though love is left out of the bargain for the time being. James Kirkwood enacts a dual, role, and Anna Q, Nilsson appears as the heroine. A second attraction will be " Sherlock, Junior," a Paramount picture in which the popular comedian, Buster Keatou, has the leading rola. PRINCESS THEATRE. " Every Man's Wife," Maurice Elvey's latest production for William Fox, heads this week's programme at the Princess Theatre. The story tells of a woman's unfounded suspicion and jealousy of her husband, which results in an estrangement between the two. A featurs of the production is the large variety of extremely beautiful gowns worn by Elaine Hammerstein, who plays the role of the heroine. She appears "almost entirely in afternoon and evening gowns, and is said to make an exceedingly graceful picture in the clinging folds. Dorothy Phillips makes her return to the screen in this picture and Herbert Rawlinson, Robert Cain and Diana Miller are also in the supporting cast. The second feature is " Greater Than a Crown," with Edmund Lowe in the leading role. STRAND THEATRE. The disappearance of a beautiful girl forms the basis of "Into the Net," the principal attraction on the current programme at the Strand Theatre. The picture shows the methods by which the police trace missing girls, iarge numbers of whom disappear " annually in New York. Fx parts in every department are seen employing all the most modern scientific methods. The police net gradually closes round the gang of criminals responsible for the girl's disappearance until finally a grand round-up begins. A desperate battle between criminals and police occurs at this point, but in the end the net is completely closed and the gang captured. The story was written by Richard E. En wright, Police Commissioner, New York. The featured players are Jack Muihall, Edna Murphy and Constance Bennett! EMPRESS THEATRE. Vaudeville trials will be a feature of' the programme at the Empress Theatre this evening. The principal picture attraction will be " Idle Tongues," a First National production featuring Doris Kenyon and Percy Marmont. The picture is adapted from Joseph C. Lincoln's popular novel, " Dr. W ve." Lucille Rickson and Claude Giilingwater head the supporting cast.