ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REVUE AT ST. JAMES*. Another series of bright sketches will bo presented by the Whirl of Mirth Rovue Company at St. James' Theatre this evening. Georgo Ward and Sherman, his humorous partner, have many new items, and tho rest of tho company will bo seen to advantago in now skotchcs and dances. REGENT THEATRE. A widely-varied programme, which met with an excellent reception from a largo audience, was presented for tho first time at the Regent Theatro last evening. The Sydney ballet was onco again to tho foro, this time presenting an entertainment of an entirely different nature from their previous performances. It was entitled. "Evolution of Terpsichoro" and was pro dueed by Mr. Maurice Diamond. Against o background of blue tho silhouetted figures of the dancers appeared in graceful and eccentric numbers, tho full interpretation of which was convoyed most clearly. Tho dances, presented upon a raised stage, included a minuet, a waltz and those ot nioro modern . invention, given by Freddie Hodges, Ivy To we and tho Regent Ballet Vocal numbers were given by Stella Lamondc, whose engaging stage personality and bright songs made her a favourite with the audience. ' A satire on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," by Mr Diamond and Mr. Maurice Guttridge with the Regent stago band, produced perhaps tho brightest moments of the rvening. The pictorial programme was exceptionally good. The first was "The Sawdust Paradise," m which Esther Ral ston was seen as a reformed carnival girl, drugged from the atmosphere of question ablo games and amusements by an in spiring evangelist. It is an excellent story most ably interpreted. Reed Howes. Ilobart. Bosworth and Tom Maguire are also in the cast. It was loft to Wallace Beery and Raymond llatton to provide the humour of tho programme, and no bettor opportunity than "Tho Big Killing" >could have been provided for their unfailing capacity of making laughs. The story deals witji a family feud in the bark-country, in which the pair become involved, posing as sharpshooters. They maintain their poso remarkably well, but unfortunately find themselves hounded bv both sides and forced to leave tho country more precipitately than they had thoughl possible. Tho Regent Orchestra, under Mr. Maurico Guttridgo, plays an excel lent programmo of music, which includes selections from Rossini's "William Tell." A Regent Gazette deals with (opical affairs in England, America and Australia.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. A remarkable tale of the adventures in Paris of a dancing girl, an American youth and an apacho is said to bo told in " A Woman's Way," which is the main picture on the programme to commento to-day at (ho National and Lyric Theatres. Warner Baxter, Margaret Livingston and Armand Kaliz form a combination of talented artists which should produce something well above the average. The story is the rise to fame of Laine, a cafo entertainer, beloved by an American and an apache. She becomes a premier danseuse in tlio Paris Opei'a, but her love for the American is overshadowed by her dread of tho apache, who has sworn that if ho cannot win her no one else will. Tho apache is sentenced to Devil's Island, but the lovers' relief is short-lived, for in .1 thrilling sequence ho makes his escape and returns to' Paris. The climax is reached in a notorious underworld cafo 011 the outskirts of Paris, where the apache is shot bv tho police when about to kill tho American. The second picture is "Fleetwing," which is said to be a fascinating romance of an Arabian dancing girl. The picture tells of the struggle against tribal traditions of two young people, Jaafar, a sheik, and Thirya, the dancing girl. Much of the action is stated to centre upon, the capture of Simoon, a beautiful Arabian horse, which aids the young lovers in their flight to safety. Barry Norton, Dorothy Janis and Ben Bard have tho leading roles. •

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Original comedy is tho keynote of the programme now showing at Everybody's Theatre. The .first picture is " Stop That Man," in which the youthful Arthur Lake appears with Barbara Kout. The theme of this story is ono of youth. It is that of a boy whose greatest, ambition is to follow in the footsteps of his brothers, both of whom are policemen. The opportunity occurs when he is sent with a uniform to bo cleaned. 110 dons it, but finds moro excitement than ho had bargained for when ho is called to (ho rescuo of a girl and unwittingly assists a thief m tho robbery of a house. Much to his consternation, ho is arrested, but is released through tho influence of hits brothers, the fire of his ambition quenched. Tho second attraction is " Good Morning, Judgo," which is undoubtedly one of Reginald Denny's most able comedy interpretations. It is tho story of a young society man, who, arrested in a brawl at a boxing match, spends the night in gaol and has his fino paid next day by a wealthy social worker, who conducts a mission for poor and homeless men. Ho conceals his identity, and earns tho love and gratitude of his benefactor by saving her from thieves. Tho leading feminine role is played by the beautiful Mary Nolan.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A typical Irish castle is said to be the setting for a colourful romance in "Ifnng man's IIouso," which is the principal attraction of the programme to bo shown from to-day at (lie Majestic Theatre. The popular Victor McLaglen is at tho head of a strong cast, which includes such notable players us Hobai't Bosworth, June Collyer, Earlo Foxo and Larry Kent. Tho story is from the novel by Donn Byrne, and deals with tho predicament of an Irish girl, who, for love of her father, marries a man sho abhors. In tho gripping situations which aro said to follow sho loses her father, discovers that her husband is an even more unscrupulous drunkard than sho had imagined, and is forced to flee (o escapo his persecutions. Tho supporting programme includes a Now Zealand scenic showing tho River Avon, Christchurch, a Majestic News, a nature study. " A Struggle for Existence," and a Start. Laurel and Oliver Hardy comedy. An orchestral interlude of Gilbert and Sullivan airs will be payed by (be orchestra under Mr. Whitehall Waugh.

c:HAND THEATRE. An original nolo in comedy productions is struck in " Wickedness Preferred," which is at present showing at the Grand Tlftatrc. Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle, a popular comedy pair, are seen in tlie leading roles. The story is that of Anthony Darn, nn author of " caveman " fiction, who, evading the watchful eye of liis thoughtful and efficient wife, seeks lonmnco with a married woman on a desert island. The woman repents in disgust when she discovers that Dare is hopelessly lost without the attention of his wife, and when her husband and the novclist'3 wife arrive on the scene and prepare an appetising feast in full view of the famished runaways she is still nioro penitent, 'Mie husbands are inclined to fight, but harmony is restored by a reconciliation between tlio two women. Tim usual excellent supporting programme will be shown. TUDOR THEATRE. A bright comedy, " Detectives," starring Karl Dane and Georgo Iv. Arthur, heads the new programme to bo presented at tlio Tudor Theatre this evening. The second feature is " Beware of Married Men," a humorous production, with Irene Rich and Clydo Cook in the principal roles. There is also an excellent supporting programme.

• STBAND THEATEE, "Lost in tho Arctic," a'film record of a hazardous expedition into tho far North, which willy begin u season in Auckland at tho Strand Theatre to-dav, should be especially interesting apart from its historic importance for tho light it is stated to shed upon tho hardships and peril associated with Polar exploration. Tho expedition is that of Sidney Snow, who set out to solvo tho mystery of the disappearance of four members of Vilhjalmur Stefansson's party, which, in 1914, made a daring attempt to reach tho North Pole in a non-dirigible balloon with Salomon Androo, the French explorer, in charge. Snow discovered their remains on a northern spit of Ilorald Island and, incidentally, was nblo to film what is said to bo one of the most amazing pictures -on record. The supporting programme will bo a Strand Magazino, a comedy and "Lady of Victories," a technicolour novelty of Napoleon and Josephine, featuring Agnes Ayres. Tho Strand Symphony Orchestra, under Eve Bontley, will play an introduction and an interlude, "Rienzi" (Wagner). STUDENTS* CONCERT. Tho students of the Seddon Memorial Technical College hold their annual con-' <ert last evening. Tho college halt was packed to its utmost capacity. Tho programme consisted of a musical play in three acts, " May Day in Welladay," tho whole production being staged and presented by tho staff and studonts. Tho characters were Annette, a village maiden, Joan Bryan and Avis Lovy; village maidens. J. Sutherland, N. Harrison, A. Watkins, I. Agate, 11. Jacksoi. and R. Murray; Sue, Joan Booth and Owen. Ryan; tho beadle, C. Maloy; old village couple, F Henry,. M. Slaney and H Blomfield; country yokels, C. Rutledge, \V. Thompson antl R. Thompson; Naomi, a fortune-teller. Florenco Trimble and R. Creagh; Nike, a poacher, G. Butler: fancy of the well, L. Souster and J. Albrighton; fairy Flora, D. McNaught and J. Branscombo. Thero were many singers and dancers, who acquittod them selves most ably to tho accompaniment of tho school orchestra of 18 instruments The proceeds aro for tho Papatoetoo Or phanagc.

LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. Threo one-act plays of outstanding merit by thrio of the most brilliant authors t>f to-day have been chosen hy tho Little Theatro Society for presentation in tho Town Hall conceit chamber for a season of four nights, commencing on November 28. Harold Brighouse's " Maid of France," Richard Hughes' " Danger" and A. A. Milne's " Tho Boy Comes Homo" will be, presented, and it is expected that this performance will surpass the many previous successes of tho society. Booking arrangements are advertised.