ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20491, 17 February 1930, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"AUGUST, 1914." The famous London comedian Ernie Lotinga and his complete English company of twenty artists will make their first appearance at His Majesty's Theatre next Saturday afternoon in the. enormously successful military play, "August, 1914/' which is said to bo ono of the most interesting and most amusing plays staged during recent years. Only three or four performances can be staged - of "August, 1914," which will b<s followed by three productions each, of " Police Force," "Khaki," and " Full House." Prior to each performance will bo presented two world famous vaudeville acts, Karyl Norman, the Creole fashion plate, and the Hardgrovo Brothers, who are said to bo the. cleverest eccentric dancers who have ever appeared in the colonies. In "August, 1914," Ernie. Lotinga is said to be extremely funny from the rise to the final fall of the curtain. In the comedy scenes ho is ably assisted by the talented actress Miss Kathleen Barbor and the other principal members of his organisation. The plot deals with the daughter of a prominent English baronet who marries a German spy just before the outbreak of war. After many exciting events ho is foiled by the remarkable activities of the chief comedian, Mr. Ernie Lotinga, known in the play as Jimmie Josser. After a variety of remarkably humorous adventures everybody who is not good or comic perishes, and, with the villain departed, bliss remains, for the hero and the heroine. The season is limited to' 12 nights. The box plans will be opened on Thursday.

HIS\ MAJESTY'S THEATRE

The entertaining comedy, "Lombardi, Ltd.," which has had an extremely successful season at His Majesty's Theatre, will be staged for four more nights otily,as Mr. Leo Carillo and his company will vail for Sydney by the Ulimaroa next Friday. A final matinee ' will be presented on Wednesday afternoon. On Saturday, "August, 1914,"- will commence a season.

STRAND AND REGENT THEATRES,

A convincing demonstration of tho manner in which a musical comedy may gain by its transference to the screen is given in "Kip Rita," which is now being shown at both tho Strand and Regent Theatres. So much has to be done i? in tho average musical play that the four walls of a ■ theatre allow little scope for tho telling of a story. The music and the comedy must receive attontion as well as the plot, and frequently the plot suffers. The added scope of the screen, however, enables these difficulties to be overcome, and in "Rio Rita" the story runs smoothly in spite of the preponderance of spectacular settings and appealing vocal and dance numbers. All tho • traditional characters of melodrama are present, including a Mexican bandit, a gallant captain of tho Texas Rangers, a beautiful senorita, and a suave and smiling villain. There arc traditional musical comedy situations with tho mask of misunderstanding covering the eyes of hero and heroine, only to be torn off in time by a satisfactorily happy ending. The music is admirably suited to the tempo of tho story, and combiiios with the lavishly-produced settings to provide exactly the right atmosphere; Bebe Daniels, who appears in the leading role, gives a fino performance, her histrionic ability being only equalled by her musical talent. She is ably supported by John Boies, Robert Woolsey, Bert Wheeler, Dorothy Lee and Helen Kaiser, who are responsible for most of tho humour, while Georges Rene van and Don Alvarado give admirable portrayals as the villain and the heroine's brother respectively".

ST. JAMES' THEATRE,

"Gold Diggers of Broadway," Warner .Brothers', entertaining technicolour production, is still proving extremely popular at St. James' Theatre. The picture not only constitutes an interesting example of (he possibilities opened up by tho introduction of colour in motion pictures, hut also in itself as a revue of the best type. Bright dialogue, appealing music and' skilful danco numbers all play a part in providing excellent entertainment, whilo the cast is particularly well chosen. Winnie Lightner, Nick Lucas and Conway 'lealie have the principal parts. "Tho Desert Song," the screen version of tho popular musical comedy, will commenco a season at the theatre shortly.

ROXY THEATRE

The popular actress Gloria Swanson appears in her first'talking picture, "The Trespasser," which is now, being shown at the Roxy Theatre. Tho picture is especially suited for presentation under tho new conditions imposed by the advent of sound, since it has been written with a view to the requirements of that medium, and is not merely a silent picturo to which dialogue has been added, or a play originally .designed for the legitimate stage winch has been slightly adapted. The story, which gives ample scope for dramatic power, deals with the endeavours of a typisto to gain, the approval of the wealthy parents of the man who has married her. Tho picture, which has proved extremely popular, will be screened for two more days only.

MUNICIPAL BAND

Visitors to tho Zoological Park yesterday were entertained with a well-chosen programme of musical items played by the Municipal Band. Tho rango varied from hymns to waltzes, from " Lead, Kindly Light," to "Madame Pompadour," and in every. case tho peculiar appeal of each number, was exploited to tho full. A particularly attractive feature was the preponderance of numbers of tho haunting, idyllic typo, such as ICetelby's " Sanctuary of tho Heart," Myddleton's " Phantom Brigade," and Ord Hume's " Dawn of Peace." An interesting contrast to these was provided by two stirring marches, " Tho Iron Duke" and " The Cavalry of tho Clouds." In the evening a similar programmo was rendered at Albert Park. A special feature of this selection was an interesting composition entitled " Tho Shoo," in which an interpretation was given of tho various ideas suggested by a sabot, a court shoo, and a brogue. The stern, unyielding spirit of Russian militarism was admirably instilled into tho playing of Renollo's " Marcho des Moujiks," which was followed by tho " Raymond" overture and tho softer notes of " Kongo ot Noir." * Classical music was represented by Handel's " Largo," after which tho band gave a further demonstration of its versatility by concluding with Ord Hume'3 selection of popular songs.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND EMPRESS. The well-known screen artist Lon Chancy, who has gained a reputation for his. work in roles demanding outdoor action, has another eminently suitablo part in " Thunder," which commences a season at the Empress and Crystal Palaco Theatres to-day. Many thrilling episodes have been incorporated in the picture, which provides excellent entertainment. A number of short features of high standard aro also shown.

MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. Tho atmosphere of American university life has boon transferred to tho screen in "The' College Coquette," which heads tho current programme at tho Moulin Rougo Theatro. Kuth Taylor and William Collier, jun., have tho leading roles.

LYRIC THEATRE. Johnny Burke, Sally Eilers and Matty Kemp have the Heading roles in "The Good-bye Kiss," which is now being shown at the Lyric Theatre- "Sporting Goods," tho supporting feature, is an amusing comedv-drama in which Richard Dix appears.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The popular actress, Dorothy Mackaill, has a role eminently suited to her peculiar talents in "Hard to Get," which is now being shown at tho -Majestic Theatre. She appears as a mannequin who succeeds fn gaining the affections of a millionaire with a taste for philandering. For years she has dreamed of marrying a rich man, but she find? the reality somewhat disappointing, and eventually abandons her wealthy lover for the sake of a garage mechanic. Charles Dejaney has tho leading' male role, while humour is provided by Louise Fazenda, James Finlayson, Jack Oakie and Margaret Beaudine. Edmund Burns makes an excellent villain, and Clarissa SeLwynne appears in an effective role. The supporting programme includes an entertaining cartoon, a unique feature illustrating a lion-hunt-ing' expedition in Africa, and a musical interlude.