ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19235, 26 January 1926, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. | The audience at the Opera House last evening literally held its breath when Barclay, the magician, caught in his teeth a bullet fired from a horse-pistol by a member of the audience. Members of the audience were invited to go on to the stage and assist Barclay in proving that the act was not an illusion. Various tests were carried out and then the marked bullet was placed in the horsepistol. One of the volunteers went to the back of the theatre and at a given signal fired the pistol. Thunders of applause greeted Barclay when he took the marked bullet from between his teeth. 'I lie Charlston Jazz Symphonists commenced their second week and effectively demonstrated that they are firm favourites with the audience. Their burlesque playing was a source of great amusement, and they also showed that, whatever may be said to the contrary, there is undoubtedly music in jazz. A solo, "Old Pal," played by the leader, "Tiny" Douglas, was an outstanding item, while two medleys were accorded a great reception. The brilliant juggling act of the Littlejohns, presented in a beautiful be-jewelled setting, was deservedly popular, and the new items presented by Phil Lopaz, the burlesque juggler, and Mae Regae, the dancer, completed a ■ vaudeville programme of rare excellence. This week Phil Smith's Musical Comedy Company, in response to many requests, revived its original production, "Mamma's Boy." This is a sparkling musical comedy and has lost nothing of its charm in its repetition. Every member of the cast fits in admirably and hinging round a simple plot, the impersonation of his wife's son by a husband, the plav lias the audience in a continual roar of laughter. Phil Smith is happy in the role of the oppressed husband, and justifies the great impression ho made in the original interpretation of this highly humorous part. Nat Hanley is an able assistant in providing hilarious entertainment and makes a realistic school bully. His versatility is given ample scope, . for he sings, whistles and dances excellently, while his playing of Rubenstein's "Melody in F" with jazz variations is a very fine performance. Willian Greene gives an amusing and highly successful interpretation of the part of a French master. Charles Megan, as Victor Turner, and Peggy Peake, as Mrs. Rumford, are very good, and Nellie Dean, Phyllis Nicholson and R-obert Raynard again admirably fill the other parts. There is a wealth of catchy musical numbers, and "Because You're You," a duet by Peggy Peate and Robert Raynard is undoubtedly the best. The ballet are seen to good advantage in several attractive dancing numbers, and Mildred O'Brien performs well in this respect. The programme will be repeated every evening this week. RIALTO THEATRE. An excellent double-feature programme commencing at the Rialto Theatre to-day will be headed by a Paramount production, "A Story Without a Name," with Agnes Ayres and Antonio Moreno in the principal roles. The story relates the adventures of Alan Holt, a scientist and radio expert, who with the help and protection of the Government is experimenting with a death ray operated by wireless. Experiments are carried out secretly but spies have located the workshop. Suspicious actions lead Holt to the decision to send his machine to safety that night. He sends a wireless to this effect but it is intercepted by Drakma, the head of the gang. Mary, Alan's fiancee, is visiting him when the attack is made on the workshop. Alan is captured, but before the secret is learned Mary destroys the model with an axe. She is then also taken prisoner. They are taken to Drakma's yacht and Holt is asked to tell the secret but refuses. Mary is brought in and Drakma tells of his scheme. He places Mary on one of the rum-running fleet, with a fierce ruffian, Kurder, in charge. They are told that the girl is to be treated with respect so long as Alan, who is placed on a small island,' does not attempt to escape. She is told of the uses and working of the small receiving and sending set that is on the schooner. Alan is also told of the receiving and sending set on the schooner and informed that he can use the one on the island to talk with his sweetheart but that the power is not sufficient to reach further. Alan is told that as long as he works on the invention to complete it for Drakma and does not attempt to call for help Mary will be unmolested. In the small house on the island Alan finds a complete workshop and the wireless set. He starts to work out a scheme for calling help. He picks up the notice that all the big broadcasting stations will close down so that the President's speech may be sent out. He knows that this time will be the best to get a message through. He succeeds in his plan, but the message is heard by his enemies as well as his friends and a highly-exciting climax results. The second featured film is "Any Woman," with Alice Terry as the heroine. "THE GOLD RUSH." Those who failed to see Charlie Chaplin's great comedy "The Gold Rush," at the Majestic and Tivoli Theatres still have an opportunity of viewing it at the Strand, where it is being shown this week. The film, which is claimed to,be Chaplin's greatest production, is proving wonderfully popular with Aucklanders. and is still attracting crowded houses each evening. Although the comic scenes of the picture draw shrieks of laughter from the audience there is much real pathos skilfully mingled with the comedy, and the. hero holds the sympathy of the audience throughout. An excellent supporting programme is also screened. MAJESTIC THEATRE. An exciting horse-racing picture, "The Dixie Handicap," is the principal attraction at the Majestic Theatre this week. The story centres round a famous racer, the last" horse left to the owner of a famous stable, who finds himself facing financial ruin. He pins his faith to this horse, hoping that it will win the great race, the Dixie Handicap, and so save his fortunes at the last moment. The events leading up to the great event are crowded with thrills, the race itself forming a fitting climax. The Majestic-Strand permanent ballet appears in a special racing prologue, and a varied supporting programme is shown.

MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will play in the Domain at 7.45 to-morrow evening, under the baton of Bandmaster Christopher Smith.