ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20136, 22 December 1928, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A special matineo performance will bo presented by the "Midnight Frolics", Company at His Majesty' 3 Theatre this afternoon. Clem Davvo will appear in several bright {sketches, and the other artists will bo seen to advantage in now numbers. Oscar Black, Lillian Crisp, William Ferryman and Dorothy White will render enjoyahle songs, and Phyllis Amery will give several novel dance numbers. Gregory Ivanoff, the clever violinist, is always woll received, and tho Frolics' band plays operatic melodies and jazz with equal success. Booking arrangements arc advertised. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Children will bo delighted by the pantomimo which opened at tho Majestic Theatre yesterday afternoon. Tho story of Aladdin is told in six gorgeous scenos, comprising a remarkable presentation. The initial performance captured the fancy of a largo audience, all portions of the theatre being filled with young folk. It was a brilliant spoctaclc, produced to please tho juvenile mind and whole-hearted applause from hundreds of tiny hands testified to its success. The presentation of tho pantomime occupies an hour, and every minuto of this is full of delight. There is a cast of, 50 performers, specially instructed by Miss Lillian O'Leary. Tho work of tho children was well-night perfect, and Bnowed a clever control of natural- talen. From tho tiny tots upward, evory one played his or. her part admirably. ,A few of tho parts, such as those of Aladdin's mother and uncle, and the King, are taken by adults, but tho pantomime is essentially a children's one. To them full credit must be given. Bright dances and songs were given between tho scenes, some of tho solo performers showing exceptional merit. One tiny girl, dressed in yellow, roceived prolonged applauso for a happy little song and dance. Beautiful settings and wonderful dresses wero a feature of tho scenes. A du6t given by "Aladdin" and the "Princess" was worthy of any platform. Tho-pantoininio will be repeated tt 2.30 every afternoon. "Dry Martini" is the main feature on tho picture programme this week. The spirit of Christmas seems to be woven into this ingenuous talo of yohth's adventures in gay Paris. The central figure in the story is a young American who camo to Paris "to mend a broken heart." For fivo years ho had been intending to return to America, but ho stays chiefly because he invariably becomes hopelessly intoxicated tho evening before tho steamer sails. His boon companion is an elderly country man who, separated from his American wife, has become typically Parisian in his mode of living. Into tho lives of these two -comes the elderly man's daughter from America. Both reform for her. sake, but subsequent adventures show them sho is not the inexperienced girl they thought. All ends happily when she is married to tho young man and her father returns to his former way of living. Matt Moore is indescribably humorous as the young man. 1 tie supporting programme contains interesting and amusing pictures. A feature has been made of the music this week, the orchestra, under Mr. Whiteford-Waiigh, playing a fino programme, including Christmas carols. NATIONAL /THEATRE.:. Tho brightest, of music, dancing and costuming are but few of the factors which made tho performance of the pantomime, "Mother Goose," at tho National Theatre last evening an entertainment well worthy of crowded houses. The story itself is known to almost everyone, but it is seldom that the opportunity is afforded of seeing it performed upon tho present scale. It is aboard ship that tho audience is first introduced to Mother Goose, who is immediately tho source of much amusement. The scene quickly changes and the audience is tranported into fairyland, whero tho juvenile ballet displays its dainty stefcs with the easy grace of youth, and the many littlo principals hold forth in many strain. Then thero is Poppyland, the land of sleep, and tho Well of Truth, deep under the sea, which is one of tho most effective scones of tho production. It is thero that tho ballet of the sea anemones makes its appearance in a number of alternately graceful and intricate numbers. Throughout tho performance there is a particularly strong vein of humour, and indeed nothing is lacking to mako tho entertainment an outstanding success. The cast of principals is as follows:—The funniest of danjes, G. H. Tarr; the inimitablo king, L. G. Wilson: Demon Mischief, Patsie Petersen; Fairy Sunstar, Pattio McLaughlin; the Goose, Audrey Letts; Clara, by a humorous animal impersonator, G. Leonard; solo dancers, Joyce Phillips, Marjorio McLaughlin, Thelma Mills; acrobatic dancers, Wilson and Valeska; five-year-old impersonator, Dorothy Katipaj miniature soubretto, lone Rice; baby marvel, Avis Arthur; muscular Hercules and his agile partner, Wilson and Millar; Princess 1 Charming, Jenny Bernstone; principal boy, Sadie Bernstone. There is a full orchestra, under the baton of Mr. E. Burke, Avhich is a distinct attribute to tho evening's enjoyment. LYRIC THEATRE. An unusual comedy, "Littlo Snobs," featuring May McAvoy, is the main attraction on the programme now being shown at tho Lyric Theatre. Tho story is of a poor girl whose father is a showman on Coney Island. Out of his meagre savings he is ablo to.send his daughter to a boarding school, from which sho returns scorning hor father and her former friends. How sho is restored to her senses, how her rich friends quickly evaporate, and many more incidents aro said to make it one of tho most amusing comedies of the year. Tho cast includes Alec Francis, P.ohert Frazer and Virginia Lee Corbin. "Sailors Don't Care," another attraction, is a comedy of naval life on the lower deck, into which a romantic element has been introduced by tho rivalry of two shipmatos for the same parlourmaid. A dramatic theme is provided by the coun-ter-operations of Q-ships and U-boats. Popular British favourites aro in tho loading roles. Estelle Brody is tho parlourmaid, and tho discord between the two sailors is ably developed by John Stuart and Alf Goddard. ' PLAZA AND TIVOLI. A double-feature programmo of unusual morit is now showing at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. Tho principal feature is "Waterfront," a First National production starring Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall, against a background of the Sun Francisco docks and shipping. The story revolves round tho lives of 1 oggy Ann Andrews, the beautiful daughter of n tug-boat skipper, and Jack Dowling, a member of the crew of a tramp steamer. Accidentally incurring tho anger of Captain Andrews, Jack has great difficulty in courting Poggy, but tho captain finally changes" his opinion of the younger man and a happy conclusion is reached, file second film is "Tho Wright Idea," another clover comedy, with Johnny Hines m the leading role. RIVOLI PICTURES. Emil Jannings is at his best in " The Last Command," tho principal feature to bo shown at tho Rivoli Pictures, Howick, this evening. The Russian general, with a nation at his feet, is disgraced, and goes to America, whero ho obtains em ployment with a film concern. Ho is cast in his first picture as a Russian genera), and his old nowor is temporarily regained. The second film is, " Bardelys the Magnificent, 5 ' starring John Gilbert and Eleanor Boardman.. The supporting programmo includes a bright comedy and selections by tho Rivoli Orchestra. 'The matinoe programme inoludos throe fino productions, " Tho Honour System," The and " The Warning." CHRISTMAS CAROLS. Tho Ponsonby Boys' Band will play Christinas carols in various parts of. tho Ponsonby district to-morrow and on Christmas Day. An attractive programmo, including many popular items, will be

STRAND THEATRE. Clean fun, excitement running high and a genial, care-free attitude to life malp tho film "Speedy" one of the best of comedies, and certainly the best yet produced by Harold Lloyd. Young and-old welcomed tho picture with unrestrained good humour at the Strand Theatre last evening Favourite of children as Harold Lloyd has long sinco proved himself to be, he is no less popular with older folks. A baseball enthusiast, "Speedy," so named for his celerity in finding and losing employment, is first seen as an attendant in a cafeteria, always anxious to serve, but at times overcome by his exceptional fondness for baseball, to the detriment of all other interests. Despite this weakness his geniality and supreUH* confidence gain him tho affection and support) o£ those who would otherwise rate him for his carelessness. One of these is old "Pop" Dillon, owner of the one horso-car in Now York, an institution in tho district, and running on a lino keenly sought by a street railroad company, whoso officials, after being refused by Dillon when they offer to buy his rights, determine to take them away by force when they' discover a certain stipulation in Dillon's liconce. This requires that he must run the car once daily oh tho lines or forfeit the car and the right to the road. Attempts to obtain the car are then made, by a gang, whose efforts are largely frustrated by the amusing ingenuity of the old tradesmen of the district, who have been soldiers in the Civil War and uso the password, "It smells like rain," in times of danger. One of tho best scenes in the picture occurs whon these veterans do battle with a crowd 'of gangsters, who have endeavoured to remove tho horse-car. Unorthodox weapons and methods of attack are employed by tho old men with distinct success. Equally unorthodox are the methods of "Speedy in a race with tho car and an almost, spent horso from the hands of tho gangsters across tho city in order to conform to the condition in Dillon's licence. As a taxi-driver and in other quickly-gained, qnickly-lost employment Lloyd is equally amusing. Scenes in New York's Coney Island provide opportunities for further coinody. An excellent supporting programmo is also screened. Tho recent public appearance of (he King and Queen at the Tyne Bridge oponing and pictures' of Princess Mary's visit to Ireland were received in a manner that showed the sympathy of the audience with the Royal Family at tho present time. A Dinky Doodle cartoon, with various gazettes, was also shown. The Strand Orchestra, directed by Miss Evo Bontley, gave a very creditable porformanco. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. An attractive double-feature programme will bo presented at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. "Playing Straight," a clever comedy-drama is the principal film. Pola Negri, tho talented dramatic actress, has the leading role in " Three Sinners," the second attraction. The supporting programme includes a comedy, a gazette, and an interesting nature study film. TUDOR THEATRE. Two fine pictures, each with a widely different appeal, are now showing at the Tudor Theatre. Tho principal featqre, " None but the Brave." is a bright story of lifo-savers, mermaids and a seaside carnival, starring Sally Phipps and Charles Morton. Iho second feature i 6 " Powder My Back," a clever film with Irene Rich in the leading role. On Christmas night only, " The Romance of Hinemoa," a film taken on the shores of Lake Rotorua, will bo shown. The cast, which is composed entirely of Maoris, is particularly strong, and the photography is excellent throughout. CAPITOL AND EDENDALE. "The King of Kings," a film specially fitting for the Christmas season, will be shown at the Capitol and Edendale Theatres on Christmas night. The picture deals with tho life of Christ.- and thd fine cast of unnamed artists provides notable acting. Tho scenic effects and photography are magnificent throughout, and tho film should attract largo audiences, ST. JAMES' THEATRE, St. James' Theatre will reopen this afternoon with a new company, the George Wallaco Revue Company, which will present an iriitial programme of ex ceptioaal merit, , Tho principal item, which promises to_ be an unusually good comedy, is " Off" Honolulu," in which George Wallaco appears as the sailor. Besides bright sketches, there will be many songs and dances by the members of thp company, which includes a jazz band, a beauty ballet and some fine vocalists. Booking arrangements are advertised. CAROL CONCERT. A fme programme will be presented by tho Municipal Band, assisted by various soloists and tho Minster Singers, in the Town Hall this evening. Items will include a series of charming Christmas carols, vocal solos and quartettes, instrumental solos and numerous band numbers. Tho band will play the overtures "Poet and Peasant", and " William Toll," a selection from " Tho Yeomen of the Guard," Dvorak's " Slavoiiic Danco, No. 8," an impromptu by Schubert, and the " Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's " Messiah." Booking arrangements are advertised. MUNICIPAL BAND. Tho Municipal Band will play at the I Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. Ai*l interesting programme will include a series of Christmas carols, tho "Bohemian Girl" ovorture, selections operas of Offenbach, and " Maritana," bright marches, instrumental solos and other numbers. LUNA PARK. Special holiday matinees will be held at Luna Park this afternoon, and on Monday and Wednesday. On Monday, Santa Cl.-uis will bo in attendance, and every child presont will receive a gift. The park will not bo open on Christmas Day.