ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19509, 13 December 1926, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" THE UNFAIR SEX." Aucklanders arc promised, something unique in the way of farce comedy at His Theatre this evening, when " The Unfair Sex " will be presented for the first time here by Joseph Cunningham's English Comedy Company. The play is said to be the masterpiece of its author, Eric Hudson, and the very fact that it played for two years at the Savoy Theatre, London, should assure its popularity here in a season of five nights. The plav is essentially modern and the author is said to have woven round a plot, unusually intricate for a farce comedy, some brilliant dialogue and .amusing situations. , The play owes its success chiefly to the flow of gentle satire directed against the foibles of presentday society. The piece hasi been very popular everywhere it has been produced. Miss Zillah Bateman, the leading lady, appeared in the first presentation of the play in London, in the role of Diana Trevor, a part full of possibilities for an actress with a fine sense of humour. She is supported by a well-balanced eompanv, which has won great praise throughout its tour of the North Island. The box plan arrangements are advertised. MUNICIPAL CAROL CONCERT. The city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, must have been gratified at the large attendance of over 1700 at the Carol Concert given in the Town Hall ou Saturday evening. fhe proceedings were marked by considerable enthusiasm, and encores were frequent. A feature of the programme was the excellent singing o!: the" Municipal Choir in a choice selection of carols, ancient and modern. The singers were on familiar ground in the traditional carols "A Child This Day is Born," and "The First Nowel," and finished though these were as- regards interpretation, it was in tho more modern settings that their, skill was fully tested. Tho finer nuances were drawn upon in numbers such as Tschaikowski's "Once Long Ago," Gerrard Williams' "There is No Rose," and Frank Bridge's "Cradle Song," while Geoffrey Shaw's "The Shepherds Found Thee by Night," sung to a tasteful organ accompaniment by Mr. Edgar Randal, showed a fine grasp of the possibilities of part writing. Rutland Broughto:a's masterly setting of "The Holly and the Ivy" made a universal appeal and was warmly encored. Here the sopranos excelled in the theme sung to local accompaniment by the lower voices, while the playful nature of the articulation in certain lines gave added charm. Backed up with a splendid organ accompaniment the choir also gave an impressive rendering of tho "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's "Messiah."

Mr. Haagen Holenbergh was a valued contributor to the programme, and his pianoforte solos were followed with keen interest. He first played with much facility three Schumann pieces, which included the "Novellette in B Minor,"

"Romance in F Sharp Major," and "Aufschwung" (Soaring), and later proved an exponent of the "modems" in Pugno's "Serenade to the Moon," and Cyril Scott's "The Jungle." His elding programme number was Chopip'ft "Scherzo in C Sharp Minor," which called for marked skill on tho recitalist's part. His treatment of the choralolike subject, with its frequent interruptions of lacy arpeggio passages was conspicuous for a. certain nobility of stylo Mr. Holenbergh was recalled after each appearance. Mr. Maughan Barnett's organ soloo constituted an appropriate choice, and were interpreted with technical mastery. A Fantasia on Old Christmas Carols, by Faulkes, traversed snme airs but little known at the present day. Tho most ingenious treatment was given to the theme "The Moon Sbinus Bright," while the subject of " Tha Great God of Heaven is Come Down to Earth" was mainly presented in _ resounding chords. Beethoven's dainty "Minuet" so appealed to the audienca that it was wanted again. Bach's great "Prelude and Fugue in D" made th® fullest demands upon the organist, a culminating sensation being readied in the florid pedal solo towards the closo of the fugue. Following this was a tasteful meditation upon the air "Adest» Fideles" which served to exhibit tlio quieter stops to advantage. A pianoforte accompaniment is not the most suitable medium for presenting oratorio excerpts, but notwithstanding this, the assisting vocalist., _ Miss Phyllis Gribben, captured something of the appropriate mood of her opening recitative aria " O Thou That Tellest," from "Messiah." Her phrases were given with freedom, land sine was also well suited in the buoyant " St. Nicholas Day in the Morning" (Easthope Martin), and in her encore songs. Mr. Leo Whittaker's accompaniments were artistically played. A musical feast awaits patrons of the concert to be given in the Town Hall next Saturday evening, when tins Municipal Band, in conjunction with the New Zealand Eight, will render a num-

her of Christmas carols. Miss Mina Caldow will contribute somu charming numbers suitable to the season and Mr. Roy Dormer will give excerpfcs from the "Messiah." The New Zealand Four will sing a few of their most populstf numbers. Intrumental items will bei played by Messrs. J. Purchase and Fred Bowes. The band numbers include the ever popular "Poet and Peasant" overture, "Maritana," selection; "The Voice of the Bells" and the "Hallelujah" , chorus. Booking arrangements are advertised. NATIONAL AND LYRIC. A double-feature programme of considerable merit is at present being shown at the National and Lyric Theatres. "Puppets," a First National production, shows Milton Sills as Nicki,* the Italian proprietor of a puppet theatre in the East side of New York. On the outbreak of the World War, Nicki goes to fight, leaving his wife to manage the theatre. He is reported as killed and his friend begins to pay attention to his wife. However, Nciki returns alive and has to light his friend to regain possession of his wife. Some thrilling scenes are shown, including photographs of the battlefield and the scene at the climax when Nicki and his friend fight in a blazing theatre, while the woman, for whom they struggle, looks on. The second picture, "F[er Market Value," contains several comedy situations, and has a fine* romance woven through it. The action centres round the affairs of the young widow of a stockbroker left "in trust" to thred ef her husband's male friends. A splendid east includes Agnes Ayres, Anders Randolf, Taylor Holmes, Edward Earle, Hedda Hopper and George Irving.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. An attractive programme of vaudeville and pictures will be presented at the Hipprodrome Theatre this evening. The principal feature of the entertainment will be a party of 12 pierettiss from the firm of Robert Greer and Soia, who will provide sketches, scenas, songs, dances and ballets. In addition, vaudeville star acts will be presented by the De Kara Duo, Molly Thompson, Daphne Norris, Thane Tullock, Tine Petersoi, Jesrnond Hiscott and Little Marjie. The pictorial fare will include "Youth and Adventure," one of Richard Talmadge's latest starring vehicles. Details of reservations are advertised. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. The popular "Midnight Frolics" revue company, which will terminate its Auckland .season on Thursday week, presents another new programme at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening." Among other items will be "Shoppi ig." "The Asylum," "Audition," "Pension Episode," "Coming Events" and "A Wrong Put Right." This week's programme should eclipse ail previous entertainments presented by this talented company. Owing to the amount -of reorganising work now being done by the Erolics company, there will be no Monday matinee in future until December 27.

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. In the role of Elmer Prettywillie, xvho owns a drug store in a small town in Florida; W. C Fields causes many laughs in "Its Ine Old Army Game" now showing at the Princess and Tivoli iheatres. He has many customers, but does little business until an enterprising stranger uses his store as an ollice for'the sale of New York real estate. The second attraction is "The Arizona Sweepstakes " a gripping story of the adventures of ;m Arizona cowboy, who first gets mixed up in the gang warfare of a largo city and later finds himself forced to do 'battle with a millionaire rancher from the east' The cowboy escapes from the dangers "of the city and arrives home in time to ride in the Arizona sweepstakes, upon the result of which the father of the girl he loves has staked his all. Opposing him in the race is the villain, from the east and a dozen or more cowboys. Hoot Gibson plays the leading role. MUNICIPAL BAND RECITAL. There was a good attendance at the Town Hall last evening when the Muneipal Band gave another line programme. Excellent renderings were given of the Christmas carols, "Hark, tins Herald Angels Sing," "Christians Awake," "Q Come All Ye Faithful" and "While Shop' herds Watched." The hand was also heard in the overture, "Morning, Noon and Night," the descriptive piece, " Forest Wooing," and in selections from Gounod's ''Faust." 'lnstrumental solos were given by Mi\ Fred Bo wot,, Mr. If. C. McLennan and Mr. R. Jackson.