ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11247, 27 June 1922, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT HIS MAJESTY’S THE MYSTERY SHOW. AN ASTOUNDING ACT. Commencing with Gladys Victor, the Australian soubiette, this week’s programme is a distinct advance in quality over the general average. Beresford ar.d Rennie continue in their popular musical comedy duets; and the Harem Scarem Girls keep the audience in screams with their terrible, tomboy rough-play. Another one-act sketch, “After Hie Show,” gives Sam and E3i.se— I "The Goldies”—an opportunity to do some good, versatile acting with pathos and humour, mixed in good proportions. Jack Birchley is a marvellous contortionist. Not enough is it to say that he is double-jointed; from certain of his feats in self compression, one would he more inclined to say ho. has no joints at all. In Miss Etta Field, the management of Fullers’ have secured a coming operatic star, for, at the close of ‘her present engagement on this circuit, she goes to England to complete her studies. She is a sonrano of very fine range, and her voice is sweetness itself. Last night she was heard in excellent form in h;-r renderings of “The Star,” “Visei d’Artei” (La. Tosca), and “Sing, Joyous Bird,. An astonishing net was staged by Mr P. T. Selbit. -aptly entitled “Sawing Through a Woman,” in which a young iadv who, beyond a shadow of doubt, is in the living flesh, is placed within a coffin-like box in full view of the audience, and the box is then sawn clean through with a two-handed saw, operated by a couple of men. When the sawing operation is complete the halves of the box are pulled apart, and the occupant Is disclosed lying quite unharmed. The whole thing is completely baffling, and leaves the spectators spell-bound. Prior to the sawing performance three large sheets of glass and two thin steel plates are pushed into the box, and apparently through the lady’s body and out on the other side. Members of the audience stood on the stage around the box, which is laid on trestles, and it was possible for them to see that there was no false back to the box. These men held the ends of the ropes which bound the lady, and which were passed through holes in the box. Pagdon and Stanley, the 10001 b of harmony, elicited several encores, their “In the Days of Adam and Eve” being especially popular, with its inclusion of lots of local and topical hits. I«ast hut not least comes the original ventrlloqulal, ‘‘Popping the Question,” Victor the Great and Co. being a whole vaudeville show in themselves. The theatre orchestra, under Mr Frank Crowther, always helps to brighten things up; and its musical programme last night, was especially good.

“BROKEN BLOSSOMS”

! AT EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. D. IV. Griffith’s superb masterpiece, “Broken Blossoms,” is drawing crowded attendances at each session of Everybody’s Theatre. The plot is based upon Burke's story, ''The Chink and the Child,” in “Idmehouse Nights.” The principals are a charming girl, the embodiment of all that was poetic to the mind, of Cheng Huan, a Chinese poet, and “Battling" Burrows, a prize-fighter, a human brute, who keeps a gambling den. Lillian Gish is infinitely sweet in the leading female role, her performance excelling qll her previous successes. The production is wonderfully staged, and the acting throughout is of a high order of rnei.it. The auxiliary films are of an entertaining character also. The programme will he screened at all sessions daily throughout the week.

ROLLER SKATING THE COLOSSEUM RINK. The chilly weather yesterday proved favourable for the fullest enjoyment of roller skating, and a large number of patrons attended each session at the Colosseum Rink, Vivian street. Many who were novioes during the early portion of the season are now proficient skaters. The band contributes en attractive programme each evening. Tho management is now receiving entries for the two-step competition to be held to-mor-row eveningTHE “VICE-RECALS’* SEASON CONCLUDED. A feast of music and mirth was provided at the Grand Opera House last evening when the talented combination of entertainers, the Vice-Regals, brought their successful season tq a close. A special farewell programme was submitted, and encoTes Were insisted upon in each instance. Mr Claude Dampier again proved himself a veritable host with his numerous drolleries. The talented company goes on an extended tour of the Dominion, after which a short season will be played at Wellington.