ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19625, 2 May 1927, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MUNICIPAL CONCERT. The fine programme submitted by the Municipal Band at the weekly Town Hal) concert on Saturday evening attracted an audience of 850. The contributions were drawn from some of the most popular operas, while in one instance, the overture to Verdi's "Sicilian Vespers" received its premiere at the hands of the band. Mr. Christopher Smith conducted with a fine control of his forces, while all departments of the organisation strove to excel in each number presented. The concert was opened with a well-bal-anced interpretation of the stately march from Beethoven's "Fidelio," and was followed by an inspiring rendering of the Verdi overture previously mentioned. Here the brilliant themes were declaimed in striking manner, and the ensembles by the full band were worked up in spirited fashion. Special mention may be made of the uniformly sound work by the clarinets and trombones in their appealing measures. The beauties of the grand selection from Mascagni's "Cavallerm Rusticana" were fully exhibited, popular fancy, no doubt, dwelling upon the majestic strains of the Easter Hymn and the "Intermezzo." In lighter vein was a selection from "The Maid of the Mountains" (Fraser-Simson), which proved equally popular. Mr. Fred Bowes' cornet solo. "Souvenir de Bellini" was played with a sure sense of intonation, while in the instrumental arrangement, of the duet from the famous "Miserere" scene from Verdi's "II Trovatore. Messrs. T. H. Maloy (clarinet) and Fred Bowes (cornet) excelled tnemselves. These items were admirably supported by a wellcontrolled accompaniment by the band and encores followed in each instance. The. soprano soloist, Miss Alma McGruer, sang with commendable brilliancy of style the melodious Cavatina, "Nobel Donna e tanto Onesta," from Meyerbeer's "Les Huguenots," and was warmly recalled. She was also associated with Mr. A.. H. Ripley in the tastefully rendered operatic scenes,) "The Hour is Late, from Gounod's "Faust," and "A Stranger Here," from Wallace's "Maritana. Both artists had a good knowledge of their music and showed adaptiveness in voicing the concerted parts. The recalls which followed their efforts were deserved. One would have preferred Mr. Ripley in a less hackneyed solo number than '"Let Me Like a Soldier Fall," even though this was encored. Mrs. Arthur Ripley as accompanist played with accuracy. •' THE WALTZ DREAM." Another brilliant Continental film secured by the Regent Theatre for its patrons is " The Waltz Dream, which will be shown for the first time next Friday. When the picture was Given its premiere in New York, the Evening Post said: "It is not only the best Broadway screen offering of this week, but of many weeks. ' The Waltz Dream ' is light, pleasant and tasteful. It is an intelligent sort of humour, appealing to intelligent people, and it should be announced with a flourish in this connection that the audience not only appeared to appreciate this humour, but actually burst into spontaneous applause. The earlier scenes offer some of the most delightful comedy we have yet seen on the screen. The work of Mady Christians, as the princess, comes very near to perfection in the art of pure joyful comedy. Capable performances are also contributed by Wily Fritseh as Nux, the prince consort, and by Xenia Desni, as Fritzi, the beer garden violinist, to whom Nux finally turns for solace when torn -%way from his beloved Vienna. ' The Waltz Dream ' carries with it the gaiety, the charm and the sentiment of the Strauss waltzes." A special musical programme will be presented with the film. Miss Etta Field, the well-known soprano, will also make her first appearance in Auckland since her return from abroad. " CROOKS, LTD." Every year the University students' play is a welcome event for a wide circle pf theatre-goers. This year's production "Crooks Limited," a bright musical farce, should more than maintain the best standards set in former years. Patrons are assured of a feast of merriment with the apt local allusions for which the University players are famous. Miss Jeanne Robertson again plays the heroine and Mr. W. G. Trevarthen will bo welcomed "with his inimitable female impersonation, this time as Lulu the lady detective. Several new players have been recruited for the production, and they are promising well. Mr. Bruce Hutton has plenty of scope for his fine tenor voice as Herbert Henderson, the blushing hero. Mr. James Ramsay as the Master Crook should give even the most hardened theatregoer a thrill. The other roles are in hands not a whit less capable. A splendid ePort is being made this year in the chorus-singing, which it is expected will be mu'ch more effective than in previous years.

"FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE." The opinion that "For Heaven's Sake!" is one of the most amusing comedies ever screened is general among picture-goers who have witnessed Harold Lloyd's latest film at the Prin< , t) Tivoli and Everybody's, Theatres during the past week. The film is still drawing large audiences and those who have not yet seen it are advised to do so before the next change of programme. The screamingly funny scenes enacted round a coffee stand maintained by an evangelist who hopes some day to open a mission live long in the memory. A feature of this film, as with all Lloyd productions, is the clean, wholesome nature of the comedy. The cast includes Jobyna Raiston, who has acted with Lloyd in previous comedies, Noah Young, James Mason and Paul Wiegel. "So's Your Old Man," starring W. 0. Field, is shown in support at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. "The Speed Cop" is the, second feature at Everybody's Theatre.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. Realistic glimpses of the Great War are given in "The Unknown Soldier," which is at present creating great interest at the National and Lyric Theatres. A very human story has been built round the experiences of a family during the stirring yeais of the German bid for supremacy. Humour as well as pathos is exploited and comedy relief is used to good advantage in several scenes. The second feature, "Off the Highway," is based on an unusual story, in which a wealthy man, giving out that he is dead, masquerades under another name, in order to discover how bis heir will dispose of his money. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Entertainment of a high order will be presented in vaudeville form at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. Mr. D. Phillips, a clever character sketch artist from H.M-S. Laburnum, will appear in a cumber of monologues, and Mr. J. H Mack, a Scottish comedian, will also contribute a series of stunt dances. Supporting artists are the Lunatics, burlesque dancers and the Versatile Duo, comprising Jack de Rose and Sylvia Pnvnter. late leader of the Sunbeams. Picture enthusiasts are not 'orgotten, the second half of the programme including a storv of modern society entitled. "The Price She Paid." ORGAN RECITAL An attractive selection of organ music was played by the city organist, Mr. J. Maughan Harnett, in the Town Hall last evening. There was a good attendance of music lovers. Included in the numbers were "Toccata in D Minor" (Bach J, "Gavotte and Andante" (Handel), "Carstilene" (Orison)', "Sonata No I" (Mendelssohn), the Ypres Melody, arranged for organ and bells, "Serenade" {WoJsten* holme), and "Hero's Song" (Volkmann).

HIPPODROME THEATRE. One of the strongest vaudeville programmes ever presented at the Hippodrome Theatre will be submitted for the approval of patrons this evening. Heading the bill is Hector St. Clair, a comedian of whom Auckland audiences never tire. The First National screen winner, Miss Billie Andreassen, who competed very successfully against Australian beauties, will appear in a sketch " Old Loves and New." The third attraction will be a film screening all the finalists in the last screen beauty contest. Taken in Melbourne the photographs of the representatives o| New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland will be shown. In addition there will be a number of professional and amateur trials. The pictorial offering will be " 30 Below Zero," featuring Buck Jones.