ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19510, 14 December 1926, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE UNFAIR SEX." A COMEDY OF FLIRTATION. A few matrimonial misunderstandings, moulded in the hands of an author possessed of a keen sense of humour, make "The Unfair Sex" a comedy of more than average quality. .As lastnight's audience at His Majesty's Theatre discovered, it excels in situations and dialogue that no playwright but a complete modernist could inspire. Eric Hudson may not be familiar to everybody as a dramatist, but he has at least written a play that will bring its share of laughter to a stage that is gradually forgetting what a comedy unlinked with tragedy, mysticism and romanticism is like. Geoffrey Trevor is just a plain, sane young Englishman. His wife, Diana, is far from being plain, but she is equally sane and probably a good deal cleverer. Their great sin, according to the friend of the family, Sir Henry Hesketh, is that they have no children and entertain friends who had far better be kept away. Geoffrey certainly seems to be carrying on a pleasant flirtation with his wife's young friend, Joan, if kisses behind rose bushes have any significance, and Diana's more than safe interest in Harvey Fane, the young novelist, might well be regarded in the light of a minor compromise. But beyond the exchange of a few endearments and mutual endeavours to exert good influences on each other therewould appear to be no justification for Sir Henry's severe castigation of their moral relationships. The point is that by making a mountain out of a molehill the indignant K.C. sets husband against wife until both are hotly confused with the enormity of each other's offending. And what chance have two very-much-in-love people got when an intriguing lawyer concocts false evidence, plans collusion, dictates" bogus love letters and threatens the parties with the inevitability of divorce? Diana is in tears, Joan is incredulous, Geoffrey smashes the furniture and Harvey . . . well, Harvey is a unique person, an inoffensive little 'fellow whose book, "Puzzles for Neurotics," has given him the credit of ( having invented a new ism called "postshavianism," or the art of saying exactly the opposite to Bernard Shaw. This drawing room creature, who writes sex novels for fat and imaginative women, is a most humorous creation who can be depended upon for a full evening of laughter. That everything is straightened out in the end anil the road paved with reconciliations and renewed wedding bells goes without saying, for this is a play for all who want to laugh and be happy. The members of Joseph Cunningham's company comport themselves adequately in this their first play in Auckland. Miss Zillah Bateroan is an actress of much charm and considerable experience who made herself thoroughly popular during; the evening. Tall, good-featured and golden-haired, she appealed to the eye as much as to the ear. She possesses a rich, nicely-modulated voice and displays grace in her movements and gestures. Her Diana was a sympathetic piece of acting, with an eye to the comedy and a hint of dramatic power. Mr. Campbell Copelin as Geoffrey Trevor gave an impression of entire mastery of a virile role. Mr. Frank Bradley was completely at home in the- role of Sir Henry Hesketh, performing difficult work with distinction. Mr. Norman Carter, as Harvey Fane, conveyed the humour of the character with pronounced success and was frequently the i focus of attention of a convulsed house. I Miiss Vera St. John acted prettily as Joan. Miss Henrietta Cavendish in the matronly part of Joan's mother and Miss Sylvia Clifton as the maid contributed to a capable cast. The play will be repeated each evening. RIALTO AND REGENT. A story of mother love is told in''Over the Hill," the William Fox special, which has been reissued and is now showing at the Rial to and' Regent Theatres. Endeavouring to guide her children in the paths of righteousness, Mrs. Benton (Mary Carr) is handicapped by the attitude of her husband, who, Tather than work, obtains his money through crime. Finally, the children grow up and begin life's occupations. The two sisters marry. Isaac becomes a prosperous business man, and only John, the "black sheep," is left alone with his mother, although he, too, has a sweetheart. The father, careless, lazy and good-for-nothing, is accused of horse-stealing and circumstances are such that, to protect his father , from going to prison, John takes upon himself the burden of the crime. It almost breaks the heart of his mother and of his pretty sweetheart when he is sent to prison for a crime he did not commit, but the weak father, hesitating to confess the truth, permits the sacrifice. Three years pass, John is released fiom prison /md comes back home to find his father dead, his mother has been neglected by all the other children, and that Isaac has even appropriated to his own use the money that should have gone to support her. She has even been evicted from her own Lome and sent to the poorhouse. How John comes to the rescue, saves his mother from poverty and punishes his hypocritical brother, is told in vivid and dramatic sceDes. NATIONAL AND LYRIC. A' further interesting announcement concerning local picture theatre plans was made yesterday by Mr. Cecil Mason, assistant-general manager for First National Pictures (Australasia), Ltd. Mr. Mason states that definite arrangement have been completed whereby First National Pictures, Producers Distributer's Corporation pictures and Film Booking Offices productions for 1927 will be screened at the National Theatre under arrangement with Mr. R. A. Cleland. The best only of the 180 productions from these three services will be screened simultaneously 'at the National and Lyric Theatres in the coming year. STRAND IHEATRE. Great care was taken m the production of Mrs. Wallace Reid's latest pfcture, " Broken Laws," now showing at the Strand Theatre, and the result has been described as a masterpiece of film art. The story revolves round Bobby, a spoilt young man who has been granted his slightest wish by his mother, and had little respect for the feelings of others. The problems he faced as a result of this training, make up much of the highlyinteresting plot. . It is a superb- production, and played by an all-star cast including Mrs. Reid, Percy Msrmont, Jacqueline Saunders, Arthur Rankm, Virginia Lee Corbin, Joan Standing, Pat Moore and Jane Wray. The supporting programme includes the Strand Magazine and a comedy. The overture "Pique Dame" will be played and a musical act, " The Hardwicks," will he given on the stage. MAJESTIC THEATRE. In " His Secretary," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production now being shown at the Majestic Theatre, Norma Shearer takes the part of a business who is in love with her employer, to whom she is secrjstary. At first she has to hide her beauty under make-up but later she is transformed into a surpassingly beautiful woman. Others in the cast include Lew Cody, Willard Louis and Karl Dane. In addition the Majestic News, a New Zealand scenic film and a comedy will be shown. The overture is from H.M.S. Pinafore (Sullivan), - Mr. Walter Brough, vocalist, and Madame Valeska, solo dancer, appear in a Russian dsinco and song interlude.

FULLERS' VAUDEVILLE. In the first turn of the new programme presented by the Midnight Frolics in the Prince Edward Theatre last evening, Miss Violet Lester, assisted by the company, invited the audience to "keep on smiling." The invitation was superfluous, for laugh followed laugh in rapid succession. Although still labouring under difficulties, the Frolics' entertainment this week even surpasses its predecessors. Mr. Clem Dawe was in good form. He was given a laughable lesson in etiquette by Mr. Eric Edgier, and then he convulsed the audience afresh as a warder at a lunatic asylum. He also appeared in an amusing burlesque on the ways of the civil .service. In a sketch called "Coming Events," where, as a prospective bridegroom, he did all the possible things to bring himself bad luck, his humour was not as broad as usual, but it was equally as delightful. His next appearance was as a page boy in a short sketch written by Mr. Alec Regan. His familiarities with patrons of the "Palais de Dance" evoked much laughter. The finale of this'sketch was brilliant, and altogether it was one of the finest things that the Frolics have given an Auckland audience. Mr. Dawe, accompanied _by Miss Nell McGuire, then came down into the audience, and carried on an argument with Mr. Edgley on the stage. This was pure farce, and Mr. Dawe was excellent in it. His final appearance was as a shopwalker, and the audience enjoyed very much the originality of bis cross-talk with customers. Even the players were obviously suppressing their laughter. Mr. Dawe's work provides the "piece de resistance" of a fine evening's entertainment, but between his appearances are the music and dancing of the other members of the company, in its way almost as good as the work of the inimitable comedian. Mr. Oscar Beck sang "The Floral Dance" and it was undoubtedly his best offering to date. The song is eminently suited to his voice. The charming personality of Miss Dorothy "White was infused freely into her song, •"Ninon," which was given with great artistry, and Miss Violet Lester scored in several songs, both solos and choruses. Gregory Ivanoff drew from his violin melodies from the Italian, modern English and his own Russian composers, and under his direction the Frolics' band gave some fine numbers. But the outstanding musical event of the evening was the singing of a collection of "Fireside Melodies" by the company. The voices blended beautifully in these old favourites. Mr. Regan, with his customary lightness and delicacy, gave several fine songs, Mr. Dawe was associated with him and Mr. Stafford in the weekly item by the musical trio, and their four light songs could not satisfy the appetite of the audience, which still clamoured for more. Miss Nell McGuire was responsible for some very fine work throughout the programme. As a garrulous landlady in the sketch, "Coming Events," she gave a lifelike piece of characterisation, and "Whistle" was another good number. The dancing throughout was well up to standard. Miss Phyllis Amery was exceptionally winning in the "Hat of Suzanne," and with Miss White, Mr. Cottam and Mr. White she appeared in a remarkably clever tennis dance. The programme will be repeated every evening this week. "THE MESSIAH." Handel's "The Messiah" will be jointly performed by the Royal Auckland Choir and the Auckland Choral Society in the Town Hall next Thursday evening. Among those who will assist in the interpretation of the work are the Misses Mina Caldow and Evaline Ivory, and Messrs. Hubert Carter and Arthur Colledge. The booking returns give every indication of record patronage and only a limited number of good seats remain. A free performance of "The Messiah" will be given in the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon for school children. This entertainment will be for children only and no adults other than teachers will be admitted. Few children are given the opportunity to hear this annual musical feast and it .is thought this special performance will bo appreciated by parents and teachers. Arrangements for booking appear in the advertising columns. SCOUT-GUIDE CONCERT. Variety will be the keynote of the grand concert arranged by Auckland girl guides and boy scouts to be given in the Town Hall this evening. Instrumental and vocal solos, selections from grand opera and character sketches will be given by well-known artists, and there will be a host of other attractions. The proceeds will be used for providing Christmas gifts for children of the unemployed. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergus son, and Lady Alice Fergusson, Archbishop Averill, and Mr. G. Baildon, Mayor of Auckland, have consented to be present. NEWTON. SCHOOL CONCERT. A concert arranged by the Newton Central School will be given in the Orange Hall, Newton Road, to-morrow evening. Items "will be provided by several leading Auckland artists in addition to school children.