ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10563, 14 April 1920, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

■ V "POSSUM PADDOCK.” The season of "Possum Paddock" i» now wending its merry way at the Opera House to remarkably diences. Laughter .and merriment are certainly the chief ingredients of this typical backblock comedy. The parts are all equally well sustained,- and- the .dramatic element consideraby helps the general action of the play. It;is certainly an achievement to stake any one production for the length of time that Possum Paddock” has held the boards, but the management, guided by the fact of the long seasons in the Australian capitals, decided to risk' the full ' thirteen; nights. This play and results have certainly justified the ; venture. "Possum Paddock” will be repeated all this week, ami concludes its nin on Saturday next. Lth. From thence the' company go direct ■ r*. Auckland, when they open at His Majesty’s' Theatre on April 20th. ■ HIS. MAJESTY’S,; A well-filled auditorium at His MajeS; tv’s Theatre last evening evidenced, the popularity ,of the current .programme by Fullers’ vaudeville company. The outstanding attraction is ■an acrobatic act by . Archie, and Gertie Falls, who perform, remarkable; somersaulting and tumbling work with .exceptional aguitv. Gertie Falla also executes graceful evolutions on Va 'singe -ToW suspended from the top of the stage. The acvwas accorded -prolonged-, applause. Mae; Courtenay and Mr "C," were also v/,1 to- the front with - their-'topical' ditties, andt .he. latter's.-jokes,proved most mirthprovoking. , Miss Florence Fox (male impersonator), George Hall (raconteur)., the Darraghs. (song patter .duet.y Flaneur and his dogs, and Paul Stanhope s,revuecompany contributed ■renioyably; .The programme will . .be' repeated - this .evenIng. ' ' ' ‘ .:. '' ' ; . ... ; " "DADDIES.” BY ■ J. • AND N." TAIT’S COMEDY - COMPANY. V • J.' and' N.' Tait'ptomise''theatre-goer" a brilliant comedy performance ; of Daddies.’” a four-act-play; that is being presented for the .first time in- New/ Zealand at the,' Gtand .Opera House iiex* Monday evening'for a short season of si* nights, when-will be-witnessed the debiu of an accomplished English across,-Miss Ernita Lascelles, -in 'the part .of RuthAtkins. “Daddies” has met with exceptional success in T»ndon and New York and in Australia, and as the management are presenting, the , play with -an exceptionally fine , cast ana- a,.-first-class production the ■ success of the short, .season here should'be assured. It is ; a clever comedy and the manner in -whicr. the downfall and; "bursting ./up”: of a confirmed bachelor’s . club is brought about by the diplomacy of Mrs Audrey, who is ably assisted by several war orphans, is most-laugh table. - Miss -Bruits will make . her debut in 'Wellington ;as Ruth Atkins, and Herbert Eansori will be seen as one of the bachelors, Robert Audrey. Mr George Bryant takes the part of a ernstv old bachelor,; but his charge, "Lorry,” gradually gets the best of things., ; Little Elva Powi.e is said to be excellent as Lorry. "Daddies” promises to make a big appeal- to all classes of, theatre patrons. - The box, plan for the entire season will be opened , at . the .Bristol Piano Company to-morrow morning.. QUEEN’S .THEATRE. - Evelyn .Nebsil, in/her- first William Fox photo-play, " "The Woman- Who Gave.” will head the programme qt .the Queen’s Theatre to-night. She. plays-the part of. an artist’s model in the . studios of Paris, where a' crippled American artist is painting a .masterpiece. .A Bulgarian Prince sees this piotureV before it is finished, and falls in love with, the model. Taking advantage -of a misunderstanding he. forces her to marry him Eventually she rebels, and flees to'the artist for protection. How the artist, blind and crippled-as he is, gives his life to secure her happiness and that of her son, is vividly portrayed. .■ An excellent supporting programme is provided. BENEFIT CONCERT. • , A very successful concert was , held at the concert chamber last evening under the auspices- of the Salvation Army -in aid of the Samson family, as a result .of which a fairly substantial sum should be available for the ■ deserving purpose Of (relieving (the djhbreto*! -people. A lengthy programme was sibmitted to' a large audience, and the proceedings were most (enthusiastic (throughout, ’encores being much in demand.. Lieut-Coionel Mitchell, M.P., presided. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Alice Brady has a ' very fine part as Jane Eyre in "Woman and Wife/' which is screening at ■ Everybody’s • Theatre. This picture is a film adaptation ; of the world-famous novel. ."Jane Eyre.”/ Miss Bradv gives a perfect study,of the heroine of this great book, : while the remainder of the cast are excellent. There ero, splendid supports, which go to make a programme of great interest. ■ THE KING’S. ' ~'-V Congtance. Talmadge and Tom. Moore, who,are appearing.in "The Lesson/' now being screened at'the, King’s,’give'a fine rendering of that 'powerful' picture pla'y. "The Lesson” and' .'supporting .. itetns, which include Mr. Martin Duff,' the .Scottish ■ tenor,' and the' King’s, grand orchestra, complete a most : enjoyable ' ,programme. There will- be a full- orchestra 1 matinee this afternoon./ The/plan, is/at the Bristol. . - - ■ ■ THE~EMPRESS. One of the' best 'comedy' 'pictures ever eeen is the venuino- verdictof all who have se?u /'Coax .Me”, at .the ,Express Theatre, which- features June, TJlvidge; In (he nart of'"Nancy// The bold, ean.ey daughter ' of'the . old , Colonel.; The story is clover ..and' is' woven, around the, lf»ve sick couples. ■ -The mounting; and- acting ore good, ,and -the., supporting. ..cast , .of characters are well chosen,’ all ;belng ,parMenially good in their • respective;parts. Being an-outdoor 'comedy/there are'ieveral nretty- scenes of,outdoorTife.of boatIflg, swimming; and , riding. ■ The seventh chapter of "The, Man , of I Might” • provides" the . melodrama, ,part of the / programme • -with - thb - us,ual / interesting Gazettes arid Weekly News. - .■_ • JUVENILE- CQNCEBT. , ''A juvenile concert has. been arranged by, Mrs Johnston on .behalf of the'Early Settlers - , and’ Historical,'Association, and will ’be given on Saturday, April- 24th, in the concert chamber of the.TownHalL As all those taklng-nqrt in this concert held prominent ' positions at- the ’ recent competitions (most of them .haing ,prizewinners) lovers, of- the performances'of onr juvenile artists should bear'' this date,,in, mind.. .Th.e. programme'. ; which comprises solos, duets, character songs, dancing, etc., is most attractive, and will ho bubiished in. full, next.week,, hlembars of the association, are reminded that, the euchre nartv arranged for to-night has been • postponed.' - -• ,