ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19947, 16 May 1928, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

* TILLY IN THE CITY." A STUDENT BURLESQUE.

An uproarious night at His Majesty's Theatre marked the opening performances of the new University students' musical burlesque, "Tilly in the City.' What could bo heard above the rattle of interjections was very amusing, frequently clever, and occasionally a little scandalous, although there seemed to be no sufficient reason why the author should hide his identity, in anonymity. Everyone else took credit, and deserved it, with the possible exception of some of those who essayed to sing. Tilly, whose adventures in Tamaki were elaborated in last year's student play, blossoms out in the sequel as a thoroughly modern, self-opinionated young miss who prefers to earn her own living as a city typisto rather than spend a life of luxurious easo in the sumptuous halls that grace the locality labelled, "east of Newmarket." But Mrs. Annie Slinter, who crudely bemoans that she "cannot meet the nobs of Remuera without any boodle," seizes upon the chance to effect a daring masquerade and creates consternation in tho ranks of society. There is nothing much else in tho tale, the balance of the play being devoted to a little bright and jolly music, a little dancing by a bare-kneed ballet, and a deluge of grotesque miming. Student traditions are more than adequately upheld by the preponderance and quality of the topical allusions, many of them audaciously clever, and the prominence given to the outrageous buffoonery of the female impersonators. Parts of the performance last evening went with creditable aplomb, and the production as a whole ran more smoothly than is usual on a students' first night, special mention being deserved by Mr. T. G. T. Sparling's orchestra and Miss Marjorie Turner's ballets. Mr. Kenneth Brampton was the producer. A pair of comedians without whom the burlesque would suffer are Messrs. Bryce Hart and W. G. Trevarthen. Their- fooling was splendid. The pantomime dames, in which they both revelled, kept the house in constant laughter, Mr. Hart's antics in particular being fairly catastrophic. He had ] the advantage "of saying some of the wittiest things in the play and being masked in the funniest make-up, but his acute sense of the ridiculous was manifest in everything he did. The feminine interest, which was unusually prominent, had its most charming ex- j ponents in Miss Beryl Nettleton, as the adventurous Tilly, and Miss Honey O'Connor, as Lady Poppy Chataway. Miss Nettleton, who sings and dances with an air of her own, held the reins of the company the whole evening, her appearances with the male chorus carrying considerable effect. A weightier part was that of Miss Z. 0. Lloyd, as Mrs. Buff Orpington, the remaining feminine role being in the hands of Miss Dorothy Buckingham. Mr. A. George Lowe cut a dashing figure as Algernon Slinter, Mr. C. M. Rattray was comical as Professor Warbler, Mr. Bruce Hutton sang pleasingly in a duet with Miss Nettleton, Mr. H. R. Anderson was selfpossessed as the film producer, and Mr. G. G. L. McLeod was a handsome Master of the Hunt. The only character that did not ring true was that of the Detective, Ivnosey Parker, and that was not the fault of Mr. F. W. Martin. One of the best interludes was a simultaneous dance by Messrs. R. Fenwick and D. Plummer. Messrs. E. Brodie and R. E. L. Aubin were also in the cast. The production is enhanced by the inclusion of several effective settings. Four more evening performances will be given. PRINCESS AND TIVOLL Charlie Murray and George Sidney are again seen together in "Flying Roineos," the First National comedy which heads the new programme at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres to-morrow Both individually popular on stage and screen, Sidney and Murray together make an ideal comedy team, and their previous successes in many comedies, including "The Life of Biley," "Sweet Daddies," and "Lost at the Front," have made them highly popular. In "Flying Romeos" the pair are seen as Cohen and Cohn, two impecunious barbers, who are rivals for the hand of their well-to-do landlady. Unfortunately she has an affection for aviators, and when she meets a well-known flier, the rivals decide to enter an aviation school. From this point onward the two barbers become involved in complication after complication until they find themselves in an aeroplane thousands of feet above the ground without any practical knowledge of aviation. As they in turn handle the control lever the machine begins a series of astounding manoeuvres which delight Blumenthal, the owner of the flying field, who believes that a famous "stunt" flier is aboard. When at iength the pair succeed in reaching the ground again they are greeted with applause and Blumenthal promises to send them on a great transoceanic flight. Their efforts to escape continue the comedy of the picture until an unexpected climax is reached. The supporting cast includes Fritzi Ridgewav, Lester Bernard and James Bradbury, jun. A second attraction will be Hoot Gibson's latest Western production, "Trick of Hearts." Georgia Hale has the leading feminine role. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A new type of comedy, relying mainly on keen satire, "The Private Life of Helen of Troy," will be presented at the Majestic Theatre for tho first time next Friday. Based on tho popular novel by John Erskine, this picturo presents all the incidents of the Trojan War and the heroes and goddesses of mythology in a unique light. Each character has been_ treated from an intensely human viewpoint, and the result is that the actions of even Helen, the most beautiful woman of all time, appear frequently ridiculous. The treatment of what are commonly regarded as modern problems against the lavish setting of the Royal Court of Sparta in the Homeric age is said to provide charming comedy of a unique type. In tho principal roles are Maria Corda, Lewis Stone and Ricardo Cortez. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

Mario Prevost's latest First National picture, "Man Bait,'' is tho principal fTlrn on the attractive programme to be shown at Everybody's Theatre to-morrow. The themo of this picture deals with a sales girl in a department store, who is discharged for resenting with a blow of her fist tho advances of her employer. She becomes a dancer in a cheap dance hall, and hero she meets the reckless son of a millionaire, who falls in lovo with her. She believes she loves him, but later when ho leaves her with his brother to train her for her new social station, she learns to love the latter. She discovers that her fiance is a bounder and the love romance of the brother and herself comes to a happy conclusion. The rolo of the younger brother is filled by Douglas Fairbanks, jun., while the elder brother is played by Kenneth Thompson, one of the screen's most popular leading men. Included in tho capable supporting cast are Betty Francisco, Eddie Gribbon, Fritzi Ridgeway and Adda Gleason. A full supporting programme headed by another feature picture, "Tho Country Doctor," is screened. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. Another of the popular series of municipal concerts will be given in the Town Hall this evening by the Municipal Band, assisted by Miss Nellie Lingard as vocalist. The band numbers include Tsehaikowsky's " 1812" overture; Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours," from "La Gioconda"; Elgar's scene Espagnole, "Sevillana" ; an intermezzo waltz. "Beethoven Echoes"; Liszt's second rhapsody, and other interesting items. Miss Lingard will sing a charming series of ballads, and instrumental solos will be rendered by Messrs. F. Bowes and H. C. McLennan. Bookiug arrangements are advertised.

EMBASSY THEATRE, Three shifts of workmen, working night and day, are now employed on the transformation of the old .National Theatre into the new Embassy. The work started on Monday and will be completed by Thursday, May 24". Already the interior of the building has undergone a great change. The raising of the floor of the stalls and the painting qf the theatre in an entirely new colour scheme is almost completed, but much decorative work remains to be done. The passage leading from Queen Street will be carpeted and fitted with new lighting devices. It will lead to the lower vestibule, a large, bare space in the old theatre, but, in the new theatre, a replica of an old English garden as complete in detail as possible. From this, marble staircases will lead to the stalls and dress circle, and the foyer at the entrance to the dress circle is also to bo redecorated and furnished with new carpets. Altogether, over £(500 is to be spent on the carpeting. New seats are to be provided and the stage raised to enable a perfect view from all corners of the auditorium. Mr. E. R. Greenfield, managing director of the new theatre, has received a cable from Mr. Ed. Warrington, producer for "The Diplomats," the company which will provide the opening revue attraction, stating there is still some doubt about the exact personnel of the company. However, it is expected that, in addition to containing nearly all the artists previously announced, the company will he strengthened by several others. Booking arrangefor the opening of the season aro advertised. HIPPODROME AND LYRIC. The underworld dens of Hongkong provide the colourful background of " The Warning" the first attraction on the new double-feature programme to commence showing at the Hippodrome and Lyric Theatres to-morrow. The story concerns the activities of a Chinese, secret society which has been quietly murdering members of the British secret service. The picture abounds in opportunities for exciting action, many thrilling situations being introduced, while the suspense is said to be maintained throughout. A feature of the picture is claimed to he some particularly clever photographic treatment of the exciting incidents in the quarters of the secret society. Jack Holt, one of the screen's most popular players, and Dorothy Revier, have the leading roles and are Said to give satisfying characterisations in their difficult parts. The second attraction is "The Miracle of Life," a problem drama based on a novel by Olga Printzlau. A very fine cast includes Percy Marmont, the popular English actor, Mae Busch, and Nita Naldi. "THE MERRY WIDOW." "The Merry Widow," a Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer production, will commence its season at the Strand Theatre on Friday. The title suggests picturesque romance, and in the hands of the gifted director, Erich von Stroheim, it is said to exceed the highest expectations held for it. The titlo role, in which Miss Murray is featured, furnishes this piquant actress with the best role of her career, and she should give "The Merry Widow" the charm and vivacity it needs. John Gilbert, one of the most popular men on the screen to-day, has the part of Prince Danilo. Other members of the cast, including Roy d'Arcv, Tullv Marshall, George Fawcett, Josephine Crowell, and Dale Fuller are said to acquit themselves well in their respective roles. The picture is based on the popular stage play of the same name as written by Victor Leon, Leo Stein, and Franz Lehar. It was adapted to the screen by the director and Benjamin Glazer. The original musical score will he played with the picture. Chief among the supporting pictures will be " Miss New Zealand in Movieland," the first film to show the arrival of Dale Austen in Hollywood, and her subsequent experiences meeting the "stars," going through her first test before the camera, and taking part in a film. Booking arrangements are advertised. SONG RECITAL. A song recital will be given in Scots Hall next Tuesday evening by Miss Margaret McKenzie Aitken, the Scottish contralto. A very fine programme has been arranged, including Italian and English numbers. A special feature of the entertainment will be a number of old Highland and Gaelic songs, which are not frequently heard in Anckland. Among the artists to appear in support oi Miss Aitken are Madame Mabel St. James, elocutionist, and Miss Marjorie Wigg, who will contribute several numbers on the violincello. The accompanist will bo Mr. Leo Whittaker. Booking arrangements are advertised.