ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10640, 13 July 1920, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS (MAJESTY’S. Tho customary change of programme at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening attracted a packed attendance. Ward and Sherman made a decided hit with their laughable Dutch patter turn, “Tho Wom-en-llaters’ Union.” The humour was fresh ami clean, and a vocal number by Ward was heartily applauded. Jennings and Gerald staffed a most hilarious musical sketch, “Mrs MoGilliondy,” in which Mr Jim Gerald exhibited exceptional talent as a vaudeville dame. Tho audience laughed iieaz’tily at his amusing dialogue with Miss Jennings and his usual .eccentric dunce, incongruous though it was under the circumstances, .brought down the house. A couple of Australian "digger” vocalists, Messrs Luurio and Rossic, tenoi and baritone, harmonised pleasingly in their ducts though their songs were not ■sufficiently attractive or artistic. Mr Vince Courteney and his partner Miss Eva Courteney, presented a new patter act which proved thoroughly amusing and original, save for one or two jokes which have been overworked. ,Mr Courtney. who composes tho words and mnsio of his songs, -introduced a catchy number, “Mexico,” which was deservedly encored. Thoroughly artistic were tbo vocalisations of the Ma tanas, operatic, duetfcists, who opened with “Como Sing to Me.” Mr Matana excelled himself with “Because,” and . thov concluded with tho popular. “A Little Bit of Heaven” as a duet. Miss Curley Sherwood, despite a pleasing personality, failed to arouse enthusiasm with her vocal offerings, and sho -repeated last week's venerable jokes. Tho popularity of the Falvev Sisters was further exemplified by tho applause that greeted their charming vocal duets. A turn which fell distinctly flat was that of Knight and Bunting,' billed as "singers and patterologists.” “Off on. their Holidays,” an old-time comedy sketch, was cleverly enacted;bv Edwards.and Parkes, who made the most of tbo mirth-provoking situations "and dialogue. Frequent outbursts of unrestricted laughter by the audience afforded abundant proof rf ’ success of- the sketch. Ray and Olga figured in a song and patter turn, which constituted a mixture of new and ancient lokes. They were amusing enough, however, to pass muster. Flaneur's performing dogs completed the bill. The company will repeat the programme this evening. THE GAIETIES DE LUXE. A party of vonng people, consisting of tho Misses Eileen' Clifford, Ida Duncan, Bai combc-Brown. Free, A. Stott, and V. Gore, and Messrs D. A. Murdoch, SClifford, T. G. Morgan, A. Free and V. Voitch, gave an entertainment in the concert chamber last night, modelling themselves on tho costume comedy companies of which many have visited Wellington, and dressing in Pierrot style, they gave a- programme of songs and dances, concerted numbers and choruses. Mostly of eorio comic variety and won favour with a large audience. The bright particular star was Miss Clifford, who carried the show brightly along chiefly by her own efforts. Her support was at .times obviously nervous, but all did their bit brisklv when called upon, and one most excellent feature of the whole entertainment wag that everyone was up to time and took up their cues quickly. Indeed,, the stage management was at all times, excellent. - Miss Clifford took part in a number of items. She was especially good in the song “When Paderewski Plays,” ably assisted by the chorus, a serious number was "Roberto die Odore,” then she gave “Waltz me Again and Partners.” playing her own accompaniment for the former. “I’ll be a sister to you All,” was sung with the. ‘ male chorus, and “Come on Over Here,” with Mr Morgan and “Fritz” were also among Miss. Clifford’s , items. In fact her part during the evening was no light one, and, she is to he congvatu- • lated on carrying it through with such' spirit. Miss 'Clifford'also wrote two of tho numbers'given'.ah amusing skit on the "Races," sung by Miss BalcombcBrown and Mr Morgan, and "An Epicurean Oratorio,” given bv the company. Mr S. Clifford also helped largely to keep the fun going, singing "Percy and Algie,” “A Needle m> a Haystack, and “When Ghumley comes to Town, assisted bv the' chorus. Mr D. Murdoch and'Mr Morgan gave a representation of a “Crusader-and a Digger,” Miss Ida Duncan and Mr Free . sang and danced in “I’ve got everything I want, but you,” Mr Murdoch sang ’ Red Devon,” Miss Goto danced to “Sadie," and Mr Welsh and Miss Clifford sang the duet "Tho Owl and tho Moon, Miss Free, who played most of the accompaniments. sang “Where the Long Trail Ends" and “I Char," while tho chorus assisted whenever required and kept things moving brightly. The chorus work showed evidence of good - practice, all movement being well in unison. A one-aot farce. “Fortune Favours Fools, was given by Messrs S. Clifford and Morgan, and Miss Balcombe-Brown. There was a large attendance and the audience thorough!.- appreciated the efforts made bv the little company for their entertainment, Mr T. G. Morgan was the stage manager, and Miss Clifford arranged tho dances, etc. THE KING’S. June Elvitlgc, Montague Love, Carlyle Blackwell, Evelyn Greeley, ami the clover comedian. Johnny limes, is the all-star cast in "Three Green Lyes, noiv being screened at the Knurs- ihe storv is original and humorous, and is greatly .appreciated by the Kings audiences. - M-iss Eileen Driscoll gives a fine rendering of her well-selected songs, and nil exceptionally good programme ot music is played by tho Kings Grand Orchestra. There will be a full orchestral matinee to-morrow. THE EMPRESS. * Patrons of this theatre have reason to be pleased with the excellent programme which is now being screened, and which is drawing such large audiences. The star picture, His Birturigiit” with Sessue Hayakawa in tho lead,'is the host thing this great artist has ever done. Tho supporting pictures are also very good. > “THE MAN THEY COULD NOT HANG.” Again last night Everybody's Theatre was utterly inadequate to accommodate tho enormous crowd that tried to gain admittance. Last night’s audience was the record to date, oyer 2000 people clamouring for admission. Apparently the only way for patrons to get a seat is to be at the theatre before the appointed time of the advertised sessions. Seldom in the histor- of moving pictures in Nciv Zealand has such a film as “The Man they Could not Hang” created such a sensation. ladies are particularly iequested to attend the day sessions, and so obviate the inconvenience of the nightly-, crush. “The Man they Could Not Hang” will bo shown five times each day until Thursday, and Mr Frederick Haldane will lecture at'every session. THE ENGLISH PIERROTS.

Tiie English Pierrots, whose previous visits to the Dominion gained for them the reputation of providing a clean, 'bright entertainment, devoid of any semblance to vulgarity, and containing plenty of originality and charm, are an. uounoed to appear at the lown Hall on Saturday next. Tie company consists of sixteen performers, each an accomplished artist.' A special feature is the musical sketches, into which are introduced clever witticisms and smart patter entirely free 'from vulgarity. Included in the ’ Company is W. ,P. Turner, the quaint comedian, whose cheery personality extremely fine comedy, and excellent ’acting on' the occasions of his previous visits will be recalled with pleasure. The personnel of the company has undergone some slight alterations and additions since their previous appearance in the Dominion—these changes have added to the merits of the combination ns an instrumental whole. The introduction of tho ladies' quartette caused special comment in Australia. Tho box plan opens at the Bristol tomorrow.