ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19298, 10 April 1926, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MUSICAL COMEDY SEASON. Lovers of musical comedy who have enjoyed "Leave It To Jane", and "Whirled Into Happiness," will, it is said, find a still greater delight in "Primrose," to be presented for the first time in New Zealand at His Majesty's Theatre to-night. The J. C. Williamson New Musical Comedy Company will, it is stated, have much more material to work on than in the previous plays, for "Primrose" is said to abound in attractive scenery, there is plenty of wholesome comedy, and the musical numbers are declared to be extremely melodious. Ih® outstanding feature will be found to be the wealth of production and the dancing. Novel and astounding effects will be introduced by a new process of lighting. During the singing by Miss HicKlin of "Blue Iloosier Blues," the chorus, garbed to represent a party of whiterobed dancers, is immediately transformed into twentieth century "darkies." Ihen another touch of the illuminating magician's wand, and a company of early Victorian notabilities takes their place. Hailing from London, Miss Margery Hicklin, a distinguished English musical comedy artist, has been specially brought to New Zealand to play "Joan." Always a favourite, Mr. George Gee'will make a welcome reappearance in "Primrose, which will be played up to and including Saturday. STRAND THEATRE. Something in the nature of a musical feast was provided for patrons of the Strand Theatre last evening, when a crowded audience received with great enthusiasm a rendering of Tschaikowski s famous " Overture Solenelle, 1812, by the Auckland Artillery Band, together with the specially augmented Strand Orchestra. The burning of Moscow was depicted with special scenic as well as musical effects, and proved extremely impressive. Other items which were also received with much applause were a cello solo by Signor Martinengo and a vocal solo, " Queen of the Earth," by Mr. Snell. The programme was thoroughly enjoyable throughout, and should prove highly popular with music lovers during the week in which it- will be presented. The picture programme is headed by a Metro-Goldwyn adaptation of Mabel Wagnail's novel, " The Rose Bush of a .Thousand Years," filmed under the title " Revelation." Viola Dana and Monte Blue have the featured roles. The story is based on a legend concerning a rose bush in a French monastery which has survived from the Middle Ages. According to the story the bush was planted by a monk who regarded it as a sign of divine displeasure when no flowers appeared. But his constant prayers were at last rewarded, and before he died a vision of the Virgin appeared to him, and the rose bush miraculously burst into blossom. The story then shifts to the present dav. when an artist is commissioned to paint the vision of the Virgin. He does not consider his model, who loves him, a suitable type to pose as the Madonna. But the girl overcomes his objections, and while she is posing the miracle again manifests itself. As a result tlio girl looks into her past life. What she sees there leads to her regeneration, and she finds happiness with the artist. r lho supporting cast includes Lew Cody, Marjorie Daw, Kathleen Key, George Siegmann, I Ethel Wales. Frank Currier and Edward I Connelly. Other films screened include I Screen Snapshots, a delightful comedy j and topical pictures.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A delightful rendering of Bela's '"Lustspiel" opened last evening's excellent programme at the Majestic Theatre. Buster Keaton, in "The Navigator," gave a finished exposition of high-class comedy that kept the audience in fits of laughter. It has been said of Keaton that if he laughed he would be ruined, and his expression was as solemn when he kissed his sweetheart as when she smacked him in the face. It was only Buster Keaton that could work into an obviously absurd plot, so many amusing incidents and such laughter-provoking foolishness. The flimsy "plot" deals with the adventures that befall Rollo Treadwav when he fancies himself on board b deserted ship, cast adrift by revolutionary agents in a South American port. Bettv O'Brien (Kathryn McGuire), who has refused R-ollo's somewhat precipitate offer of marriage, finds herself in a similar plight. The comedy of the situ ation is increased when the ship drifts on | to a cannibal island and the unfortunate navigators are compelled to take to the water, after all their strategic devices to ward 00 the attacking savages have failed Their timely rescue by a submarine gives a neat finish to an excellent picture. The remainder of the programme includes an "Inkwell Cartoon, entitled "The Runaway," a Pathe Review in colour, and the Majestic News budget, portion of which was devoteii to a new camera process illustrating an exposition of the Charleston by Anne^ Pennington. An orchestral selection, "In a Clock Store," received a clever rendering which was received with relish by the audience, and the Majestic Quartette sang the "Pilgrims' Chorus" from "Tannhauser" with the solo "0 St.-u ol Evo" taken by Mr Venables. QUEEN'S THEATRE. " After Six Days," which is the principal attraction at the Queen's Theatre this week, was screened for the first time last evening. The picture, which was produced by Weiss Brothers, gives an excellent portrayal of all the picturesque episodes of the Old Testament. The gigantic representation of the court of Solomon, with its huge sets, its thousands of people and Solomon himself sitting in , judgment, the spectacular scenes in the life of Moses, the majestic throne room of Pharaoh's palace and the mighty undertaking of the Ark, are all shown with astonishing reality. Especially interesting are the scenes showing the building of the Tower of Babel, Joseph and his brethren and the Red Sea miracle. KENDALL STRING QUARTETTE. The Kendall String Quartette, comprising lady players of the violin, viola and cello, will give a series of fonr concerts in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, the first on Saturday, April 24. They will make their first, appearance in Auckland ! at the Auckland Male Choir's concert at the Town Hall on April 22. The quartette is said to rank high among combinations of its type. JUVENILE ENTERTAINERS. An attractive entertainment should be staged at the Town Hall Concert. Chamber this evening when the baud of Juvenile Entertainers under the direction of Miss Beryl Nettleton and Miss Marjorie Turner will appear in a well varied programme. Doreen O'Learv, Iva Ardley and Freda Croskie will provide speciality items, while the work of the children should be a great attraction.

GRAFTON LIBRARY COURSE. The Grafton Library winter course of lectures and entertainments which have been so popular in past seasons, will be inaugurated on Tuesday by a concert arranged by Mr. 11. Barry Coney. The programme consists of vocal and instrumental items. Madam Evelyn Sharp, Miss Laura Walker, Miss Ruth Exelby and Miss Marjory Tiarcks, Mr. H. Barry Coney and Mr. J. McDougall will be among the contributing artists. Mrs. Tiarcks, Miss Exelby and Mr. Coney will be the accompanists. Tickets for the courso are now on sale.

ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Edgar Randal, acting city organist, will give a recital in the Town Hal! on Sunday evening, commencing at 3.30 p.m. The programme arranged is of exceptional interest and should appeal to all lovers of organ music.

RJALTO THEATRE. The exploits of a young newspaper reporter form the basis of " The Fighting Cub," a Universal production which heads the new programme now being shown at the Rial to Theatre. An exceptional cast includes Pat O'Mallev, Wesley Barry, Mildred Harris and Mary Carr. The hero of the! story is Tommy O'Tools, an office boy on . newspaper who has ambitions to become the star reporter of the journal. He 'egards the editor almost as a god, but with the police reporter, Bully Connor, 1 e fails to agree, There is a big jewellery robbery, which is attributed to a notorious gang known as the " Owls," and Connor is assigned to the story. .Then Tommy asks for a chance at reporting. As a test of his abilities he is told to interview a millionaire and political power, named J. William Tolcr. Through the assistance of Toler's younger daughter, Tommy gets his interview. He writes the story and 1 returns home. On the way home he stumbles on a cine to the headquarters of the "Owls." Here he finds Connor present as leader of the gang. Knowing the man to be Toler's political lieutenant Tommy informs the latter of his discovery. He is then assigned to the job by his editor. Toler telephones Connor and tells him to come to see him on important business. The political leader demands the return of the stolen jewels, but Connor demands the reward offered for their return. A series of exciting incidents leads up to a thrilling midnight raid by the police on the headquarters of the robber gang. The second featured film is "Lost, Wife," a delightful Paramount cornedv drama, starring Greta Nissen and Adolpfie Menjou. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. A grand combined concert is to be given in the Town Hall at eight o'clock this evening by the Municipal Band, in association with the acting-city organist, Mr. Edgar Randal. The vocalist will be Master Bert Skeels, champion bov soprano of New Zealand and gold medallist at Auckland and Wellington. The band items, which will comprise a particularly fine selection, will include the following:—"lmperial Britain, march; "Poet and Peasant," overture; "A Motor Ride," sketch; Edward German's '"Three Nell Gwyii Dances," and a musical comedy pot-pourri "No, No, Nanette." A popular programme will be rendered at the organ by Mr. Randal, whose selections will include Guilmant's Grand Chorus in D Major, the "Migrion" gavotte, Dvorak's I "Humouresque" and Henry Smart's "Festive March in 1) Major." Mr. Leo Whittaker will preside at the piano. The box plan is at Messrs. Lewis R. Eady j and Son, Ltd.

UNIVERSITY CONCERT. The students of the Auckland University College will hold a concert in aid of tournament funds, in the Scots Hall, next Friday. The programme will include two interesting playlets by the Tillie of Tamaki cast, vocal and instrumental items, and a striking gymnastic display by the Wilson Brothers. Among the performers are : Miss Constance Howard, Miss Jean Robertson, and Messrs. Jack C'oppard, A. Fryer-Raisher, and Jack Cox. The college orchestra will render selections under the leadership of Mr. H. Leslie Takle. PEN WOMEN'S LEAGUE RECITAL. The League of New Zealand Penwomen will present their first dramatic, musical, and costume recital on Wednesday at the Unity Hall, Queen Street, above the Town Hall. A special feature of the entertainment is that all the items have been written or composed by members of the league, and in many instances will be presented by the-authors themselves. - BAND PERFORMANCES. The Auckland Waterside Workers' Silver Band will render a first-class programme on the Central Wharf this evening at 7.45. A performance of band music will bo given on Cheltenham Beach to-morrow afternoon by the Devonport Band. The Temperance Guards Band will render a select programme at the Ellerslie racecourse to-morrow at 3 p.m. THE MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will play at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon at three o'clock. The fine programme to be presented includes the marches "The Iron Duke," "The Staffordshire Knot," and "The Snappers"; hymn, "Ten Thousand Times"; overture, " Nabucodonoser," "The British Patrol": cornet solo, "A Garden in Brittany" {soloist Mr. Fred. Bowes); selections, ''Reminiscences of Wales" and "Moses in Egypt"; gavotte, "The Alexandra Palace," and waltz, "Petrograd."