ENTERTENMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 15

ENTERTENMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. Brightness, from the first selection of the orchestra to the final fall of the curtain, characterised the opening night of Mr. Robert Roberts' third production at the Strand Theatre last evening. The producer-comedian was given every assistance by the members of his Bon-Bon Revue Company, and the third week of the Auckland season should even surpass the success of its predecessors. "Whirlwind" is the title applied to the collection of vocal, humorous and dancing numbers comprising the programme, and they pass with whirlwind speed. Mirth-pro-voking scenes are sandwiched in between moments of delightful music, all moving with a background supplied by six young ladies, whose dancing is a treat to watch. Mr. Roberts is irresistible. This week he gives his audiences an insight into his powers as a character-sketch artist. As a gay old colonel, well on the retired list, and as a tottering old schoolmaster he gives performances that bear the hallmark of artistry. Miss Arline Paterson engages in some smart cross-talk with Mr. Roberts and in her dancing numbers is lightness and grace personified. Musical honours are evenly divided between Miss May Webster and Mr. Maurice Jaffey. Their "Angelas" number was beautifully sung. Miss Moily Hughes shines in more or less dramatic numbers, but she balances her sense of the dramatic with a nicely-judged sense of comedy. It is this, and the fine work of Mr. George Edwards, that make a brilliant sketch out of "A Slight Error," in which photographers' studios and matrimonial agencies are delightfully jumbled. Some entertaining moments are provided by Mr. Nick Morton, who is at his best in a light vocal offering, "That's A Good Girl." He also appears with Mr. George Edwards and Air. Wylie Watson in a vocal endurance test concerning th*! adventures of a monkey and three organ-grinders. Miss June Mills and Mr. Will Gilbert are perfectly at home in the more boisterous comedy work, and laughter never abates when they-are on the stage. The screen offering, "Women Love Diamonds," which occupies the first half of the programme, is a strong drama containing some excellent work by Miss Pauline Starke and Mr. Owen Moore.

REGENT THEATRE. Smooth, suave, the accepted "gentleman," Adolphe Menjou, m "Evening Clothes," now showing at the Regent Theatre, will undoubtedly prove a magnet for theatre-goers during the coming week. The picture, a Paramount production, opened to a good attendance last evening. In this Menjou has a role which differs slightly from his customary presentations. In the first part he appears as an uncouth landowner with a love for ] horses and the stable. As the Marquis D'Artois, he is the French equivalent of the English fox-huntmg squire. He affects a beard and wears the attire of the 'eighties. It is not until a "close-up" of his face at a dramatic moment is seen that one can be sure it really is Menjou. Disappointed in his wife, he turns to the gay life of Paris and in six months he is himself—perfectly attired in faultless evening clothes. It is certainly a relief to find Menjou as the admiring public is wont to picture him In his gay whirl he recklessly spends all his money and there comes a day when his only possession is his evening clothes. However, his very light-heartedness gives the lie to any thoughts of a bad end for him and the return to his wife comes not as a relief but as the expected, the natural course of events. The picture is above the usual standard, providing entertainment of the most enjoyable kind. Described as the vagabond "composer-violinist, Bertini, of the J. C. Williamson celebrifv vaudeville, certainly looked his part. He is a good musician, and, what is perhaps more important, he is a fine entertainer. He plays enjoyable pieces on his violin and his modus operandi is at once appealing. His imitation of the bagpipes and his playing of "Bve. itye, Blackbird," in all sorts of impossible positions drew forth rounds of applause. The operatic orchestra was a decided adjunct to the pleasantness of the evening. In addition to appropriate music during the screen entertainment, the orchestra played "Orpheus." in perfect fashion, as an interlude. Eddie Horton has now come to be looked feature of the protjramme, and his manipulation of the Wurlitzer organ last evening left nothing to be desired. Several short picture features completed a firstclass offering.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. Another splendid U.F.A. picture, produced on a lavish scale, " Love is Bund, is the principal attraction on the current programme at the Tivoli and Everybody s Theatres. Conrad Veldt plays the most important part, that of a doctor possessing magnetic powers, who endeavours to cast a "spell over a woman. The picture deals largely with the practice of hypnotism, and contains many amusing situations. Other prominent characters are portrayed by the noted urennan actress, Lil Dagover, who recently appeared with success in " The "Waltz Dream," Lillian Hall-Davis, and George Alexander, a leading French player. A thrilling story of the underworld, " The Imposter," is" the second feature, and was adapted to the screen from a story by Clifford Howard. Evelyn Brent, who cently appeared in " A Broadway Lady * and Queen of Diamonds," portrays a society girl who impersonates an associate of a" gang of criminals in order to recover a valuable jewel which her father was holding as security for a loan, and which had been stolen by her brother for the settlement of a gambling debt. The story contains numerous sensational and interesting episodes and possesses a pleasing and unexpected conclusion. The usual supporting films are also screened. Walter Vernon, the ventriloqnist, will appear In a new act at the Tivoli Theatre, in addition to the picture programme. CARTER THE GREAT. Several unusual and impressive illusions will be presented by Carter the Great, who will appear at His Majesty's Theatre, assisted by a company of international artists, for a season commencing next Wednesday. One of the most inexplicable of these is called "Cheating the Gallows," and represents the scene of an execution by hanging. One of the lady assistants is" supposed to have been captured by the Chinese and subsequently tried and condemned to death for witchcraft. She mounts the scaffold and the trapdoor is released. Then apparently her body is seen hanging limp and lifeless. Next, the Chinese who acted as executioner runs to the footlights, takes off wig and cap, and discloses the smiling young lady who, a moment before, was seen to drop through the trapdoor. The body hanging by the rope proves to be a dummy. A demonstration of thought transference will be given bv Miss Evelyn Maxwell, and a number of highly original acts will be presented. Ten evening performances and three matinees win be given. Booking arrangements are advertised. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Maughan Barnett, city organist, has selected a varied programme of standard organ works and transcriptions for the recital in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. Bach's G Major Prelude and Fugue, two movements of Handel's "Cuckoo and Nightingale" concerto, "Forest Murmurs," from Wagner's "Siegfried," and Raffs "La Fileuse" are among the principal numbers to be played. " ARIADNE." A large audience was entertained last evening in the Town Hall concert chamber by a repeat performance of "Ariadne, or Business First," A. A. Milne's delightful comedy. The proceeds will be donated to the formation of a children's community club by the Play and Recreation Association.

i MAJESTIC THEATRE. Of all bright entertainment presented at the Majestic Theatre, "Girl Week," inaugurated last evening, ranks with the best, and the programme should attract record audiences during the week. The dance fantasy staged by the pupils of Madame Edith Baird was excellent- It was a veritable pageant of colour. Reminiscent of a wonderful Drury Lane pantomime scene, the performance was not the easiest in which to obtain the desired effect, owing to the large number of dancers. Nevertheless, with appropriate Orchestral accompaniment, a most artistic production resulted, the merit of which was readily recognised. Each girl gave ample evidence of careful training, grace and charm being displayed in the- most difficult movements. Mr. J. WhitefordWaugh's orchestra must again be complimented upon supplying music that sets a new standard and. greatly enhances the enjoyment of the programme. Taste and discrimination have been exercised in the selection of gems from Grieg and Brahms in addition to incidental pieces. Particularly novel was "The Elephant and the Fly." interpreted with marked ability by Messrs. F. Poore and S. Sly on the piccolo and trombone respectively. "Ankles Preferred," the principal picture on the programme, is an exceedingly interesting story of a modern shop-girl. Few^f actresses could [>lay the part with the vivacity of Madge Bellamy, whose performance is a notable one. An amusing comedy described as a jazz version of 0. Henry s story, "Giris!" was most appropriate, while other features included an exhibition of the "Black Bottom" dance, a beautiful scenic with views of York Minstet", "Puppets," a London comedv-sketch. and the latest news in the topical budgets. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. The numbers to be rendered by the Municipal Band in the Town Hah this evening are all of outstanding interest. They are: A charming march trom Mozart's little-known opera, "Idomemeo," a brilliant overture from Verdi's "Nabnccodonosor," a grand selection from Wagner's "Die Waikure," garland of melodies from Gounod's "raust. Mr, Fred. Bowes will play as a cornet solo a melodv from "La Sonnambula, and Mr. Hal C. McLennan a fiute solo from "La Traviata." Miss Alma McGuer will sing "Mimi's Song" and "One Fine Day," and Mr. Jean Dellore will sing Walther's "Prize Song" from "Die Meistersinger, and "On With the Motley" ("Pagliacci"). Mr. Christopher Smith will conduct, and Mrs. Ripley will preside at I the piano.