ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19413, 23 August 1926, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS. Box plans for the forthcoming Gilbert and Sullivan comic, opera season will be opened at Messrs. Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., this morning.. The season will open on Wednesday evening with a revival of; the exquisite comic opera, "The Gondoliers." Anticipating, a large demand for seats the management will, have a staff of ushers in attendance to form a queue. This .will assure that the earliest arrivals shall have first choice of seats, "The Gondoliers," which can only be presented for three nights, represents Sullivan in his most sparkling and vivacious mood. It has not been so frequently reviived in Auckland that either its music or the libretto should have lost its freshness and charm. Despite the fact that they reveal a world of pure fancy and imagination, ample diversion is afforded by song and dance, and the work us a whole is conspicuous for the richness of its humour and the piquancy of its satire. The J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management has been most fortunate in the selection of the artists in tho" present organisation, as in Melbourne it was generally, admitted that never previously had the Savoy operas been represented so excellently. Playgoers will be glad to welcome that sterling comedian, Mr. Charles A. Walenn, who will be remembered for his excellent work when the last Gilbert and Sullivan company visited New Zealand. Other well-known artists include Miss Winifred Williamson, Leo. Darn too, Sydney Granville, Bernard Manning and Effie Jackson, all artists who have won their laurels in London in these famous works. Miss. Strella Wilson, Miss Mabel Gibson, Mr. James Hay and Miss Patti Russell are all well and popularly known. That the orchestra and chorus is above the ordinary may be gathered from the fact that they are under the baton of M. offski. The whole of the scenery and effects, all of which is' new, arrived from Sydney last Tuesday, in charge of a large staff of mechanics and electricians. Positively. only three performances will be staged of "The Gonaoliers," rfnd it will be followed by "The Yeomen .of the Guard," "The Pirates of Penzance," "The Mikado." "H.M.S. Pinafore," "lolanthe," and "Princess Ida," in that order.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. Buck Jones, tho Western film star, oa an unbridled and unsaddled horse, dash-, ing down a railway truck in pursuit of a hand-car on which two criminals have Sally Long a captive while they try to get her jewels, provides some unusual riding in "The Fighting Buckaroo," aFox Films production, which commences at the Hippodrome. Theatre to-day. The picture is said to be a logically told story with many new situations requiring quick wit, strength and courage. Buck Jones reveals each of these. Of particular interest in tho vaudeville section of the programme is a performance entitled "The Ziffs,." in which a number of elderly' gentlemen,. whose ages total 404 years, .sing and play the songs of long ago. Lester Sinclair "and Arthur Lord, comedians,' appear again in an amusing item. . Several, other professional items will be given.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES." In "What Happened to Jones/' the latest Universal-Jewel film, now screening at the Tivoli, Everybody's and Princess Theatres, Reginald Denny impersonates awoman with ' highly-amusing results. Being a master of all the manly sports, an athlete, yachtsman and expert racing car driver, the star had a difficult time in trying to perfect his characterisation. But Marian Nixon, his leading lady., came to the rescuo, and gave him several hours' instruction in the art of being a woman. That she is a good teacher, or Denny a good pupil, is evident on viewing the, scenes on the screep. The star, is "forced, to undergo many trials ;and : tribulations and the action is fast fetid '••cpntiriuqusr' The balance'.of the cast .is some, of the bestrknown .players in ,fhe, nlmworld, including Za'zu- Pitts, MelbourneMacDowell, Frances Raymond, Emily: Fitzroy, Nina Romano', Margaret Quimby, William Austin, John Elliott, . Edward Cecil and' Broderick O'Farrell. ' ' : •.. :" 0 ; \i I ,;, 1 1 PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. A special feature of the entertainments to be provided at tha Prince Edward' Theatre this evening will be The Masked Trio, a mysterious little party of up-to-date melody-makers comprising an exceptionally brilliant young pianiste, a tenor and a baritone; Tho identity of "the performers is a mystejy.,- which the aiidience will no doubt take 'pleasure ir* eudtjfevouring to solve. Their,.items will;-Include "Pretty Little Baby,' 5 "Always].' and "When My Sugar Walks Down 'the Street." It is, of - interest to ''dote" that the members of The.'Masked , Trip!; have recently been one oi' this principal and most popular of the contributors 4o tbo programme broadcasted "by. ,the' Auckland Radio Station. ' Wanda Hawley, a popular film favourite. ha,s the-principal roli6 in ~A ' Truthful Liar," a' Realart production, on the same programme. It is a romance of a young life that omerged trinijiphant from the shadows into which- folly had plunged it, A newly-married sdcidiy girl is caught in a raid on ,a notorious ,'jifamingbouse and then blackmailed. Iti is a photoplay abounding with intense .drfe* matic situations, and it is little Wortdor that, Miss Hawley wins fresh admirers as the result of her fine work, .

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. "Heirs Apparent," the well-known hovel by Sir Philip Gibbs, wbicli has been adapted to the screen by First National under the title of "High Steppers," is the principal feature on the current programme at the National and Lyric Theatres. In this tale it is shown how a father's carelessness in regard to the pleasures pursued by his wife and children drives the family to the brink of ruin. ' It isr. saved only by the sudden waking up of the son. whose love for a sensible.; gir!l opens his eyes. Lloyd Hughes is cast as the son. Mary As tor plays Opposite hi;m. The second film is "Yellow Fingers,'' a William Fox picture, directed by Em me It Flynn, with Olive Borden, Ralph Ince and Chure Adams in the chief roles. CHILDREN'S PANTOMIME. , A pantomime and variety Entertainment, written and produced by Lester Sinclair, will form a special attraction for children at the Hippodrome.Theatre, this afternoon. All the popular characters, of rhyme and story, Tommy Tucker, Cinderella, BoPeep, Boy Blue, .Tack and Jill and many others, will, appear on the stags. Dame Grundy will provide most of the amusement. " Charming ballets have been arranged by Miss Edith McMilne. In addition, Buck Jones, in "The Fighting Buckaroo," will be shown. MUNICIPAL BAND. A select programme of band music was rendered by the Municipal Band: under the baton of Mr. Christopher Smith, in the Town Hall, last evening. T'ie first item was "Lead Kindly Light,''!; which was followed by "Zampa," the popular overture. Mr. Hal C. McLennan contributed an enjoyable flute solo, "Sparkling Dewdrops.". The famous ' "Miserere Scene" from Verdi's "II Travatore" was rendered by Messrs. Maloy and Bowes, The programme concluded with "Queen of the valley" (Calcott) and -'Manon Lescout" (Puccini).

TABERNACLE CHOIR CONCERT. The Baptist Tabernacle Choir held a very successful concert in the Tamernacle on -Saturday evening. ' "Vocal items were given by Mcsdames Litherland, C. Turley and Patterson, Mi safes D. Officer,, Biomfield and Treby arid Messrs. B. Williams, Thompson, C. Williams and G. Colledge. The full choir rendered several selections, among which was " l"he Bells " (Wheeler) with, carillon accompaniment. The ladies' choir received an encore for " Rosebuds " (Geibel),and the repetition of several other items was demanded by an appreciative audience. Liszt's " Hungarian Rhapsody " was well -executed by Mr. A. E. Wilson, on the organ, and Mr. Brame Clark, on the piano.

MUNICIPAL CONCERT. Tlfo programme for the weekly Municipal Concert given in the Town' Hall on Saturday evening was? mainly devoted to organ music played in a masterly manner by the city organist, Mr. Maugtmn Bar-' nett. The occasion marked ths talented musician's first appearance at th«s Saturday concerts since his return from abroad and, taking into consideration this merit* and scope of the selected programme, it is to be regretted that the attendance was not larger. Some of the pieces played were, however, rather over the heads of the average attender at these recitals and appealed more to the tastes ■ of the connoisseur than to those whosemusical outlook is somewhat restricted.The opening "Concerto" No. 1, by Bach, was a fine test of efficiency, and its threw movements w<?re handled Vith commend' able insight. The same composer's "Pastomle" and dainty "Gavotte in E" showed a careful employment of thb., softer stops, and were well received. Brilliance, united with infinite variety in the exposition of the main subject, were features of Liszt's gre.it "Fugue"based upon the Chorale from MeyerbeerV "Le Prophete." The style of this was mostly pianistic, and the composer's ready command of harmonic resources was everywhere apparent. The modern French organ virtuoso, Marcci Dupre, was represented by three Vctrsets or Interludes, which were by no means easy to play, and were not ea\lv assimilated on "a single hearing. The composer would acenv to excel more in his treatment of musical figures, and uncommon colour schemes. Some delightful effects were secured in the moving parts of the second of the series, and here some picturesque registration was noted. The last of the setwas alive with rhythmic vigour and appealed to tho majority. Mr. Barnett reawakened interest in his realistic treatment of Schubert's "Am Meer" (By the Sea), and also made the most of Guil-, want's organ arrangement of Durant's "Sous les Bois," and the final piece, the "Wedding March" from Rubinstein's"Feramors." Mr. William Gemmell was recalled, after hiis expressive singing of "Even Bravest Heart May Swell," from Gounod's' "Faust." and "My Friend " (Belircnd), while Miss Margaret Stoddart a? solo violinist, was successful in the "Finale" from Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto in E Minor" and in the bracketed numbers "Foggydew" and "I'm the 330y lor Bs- - Them," both being muiiicinnly' arrangements from a former New Zealand pianist, Arthur Alexander, of two Irish Folk Song themes. Miss Stoddart was warmly recalled after her contributionsMr. Leo Whittaker, as usual, supplied dependable accompaniments.

, OPERA HOUSE. A programme full of interest to children will be staged at the Opera House tjm week. Walter Vernon, a ventriloquist,' with liis amusing doll Ginger, should be a favourite with the younger section of the audience,, while Apdale's Animal Gircuis, featuring the monkey comedian, Mutt, should also prove a great attraction; Maggie Foster s violin items will delight old and young. The other vaudeville acts will be prowled by Signor Palmetto, Black and White, and Rayna Carbette. This week will mark the conclusion of a' very successful Auckland season of George. Ward's Snapshot Revue Company, which will present as.its farewell offoring 2, revue, entitled. " Cheerio," which i 3 said to give George Ward and other members of his. company full scope. Next week a newcompany, headed by Hector St. Clair, will appear for the first time in Auckland.