“A NIGHT OUT”

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11423, 20 January 1923, Page 2

“A NIGHT OUT”

WILLIAMSON* MUSICAL COMEDY. Saturday night next will see the ie~ appearance of the J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company, with the popular comedienne, Maud Fane, at the head. Always welcome, this favourite company of over 100 members will make their at the Grand Opera House, in what is- said l to be one of the raciest and most melodious musical plays pi'esented for many years, "A Night Out.** This will serve to introduce clever Maud Fane, who nlays "Marcelle.” Since last here, this dainty artist has travelled far, and returns a finished pelformer. Mr W. S. Percy* who is a-high-ly popular comedian in the Dominion, will be seen as "Pinglet.” a part that is said to be amongst the best of his many excellent impersonations. The supporting company is an exceptionally strong one. and includes such first-rate artiste as Messrs Roland Hogue, Field Fisher. Cecil Kelleway, Cyril Ritckard, Harry Wolton. Jack Hooker, and Misses Madge BUiott, Floie Allen. Addie Scott, Gwen Withers, Beryl Ferguson, Winnie Tate. Percy Claridge, and many others of note. "A Night Ont'* is described as the most rapid fire of any musical play of recent years. It is crammed with five hustling scenes'. It is crammed with clever dirlotrue, and (garnished with many brilliant ballets and speciality dances, in which figure principally Madge Elliott and Cyril/Sitchard.

The second production of the season will be "Oh 1 Lady, Lady* 4 —another musical play which comes with a particularly fine reputation. The third is announced in "Mary/' the beautiful, tuneful, and entirely fascinating comedy with 'music that has recently taken Australia by storm. In Melbourne "A Night Out” ran consecutively for 19 weeks, and in Sydney for 21 weeks, which established a record for a musical play in both these centres. The box plans for the first six night and first Saturday matinee will be opened at the Bristol Piano Company, Thursday morning next. In view of the extraordinary popularity of this organisation, big advance booking is anticipated. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE Many excellent novelty turns are featured at Fullers’ this week, while the supporting programme is replete with humorous absurdities and light catchy tunes. The popularity of this week's entertainment continues to attract large audiences, and no one should miss the "King of Di nnowhereski,” a musical revue with a swing. There are dainty ballet scenes, and the stage setting is of a high order, while the plot affords plenty of scope for rich humour.

PRINCESS THEATRE "THE EIGHT THAT FAILED.” The current programme at the Princess Theatre is a g<\od one. Bert Lytell in "The Right that Failed” takes the lead. In this story the author has got away from the stereotyped plot and developed a set of characters new to the screen, with a humorous and original development which holds the audience in its grip. The story was transferred to the screen by Leon ore Coffee, who deserves credit for the sparkling Continuity. Bayard Veiller, author of the Law” and “The Thirteenth Chair,” who has turned to broducing pictures for Metro, has done the best work of his career in making the story live- las a merry slice of life, true to every detail. Mr Lytell is seen as Johnny Duffey, a "highbrow” prize fighter, who, ashamed of his profession, pays court to a society girl, Constance Talbot, at an exclusive summer resort. The star was never more charming nor deft' in ’characterisation than he is as Johnny. It is a singularly subtle portrait of a roughneck who is a gentleman under the ekin, and a gentleman who has the tough fibre of ‘tlie roughneck. Virginia Valli, one of the most beautiful' and distinguished actresses of the screen, .gives an exquisite performance as Constance. The brave old days of Charles Hoyt’s farces are recalled by the appearance of Otis Harlan as Johnn’s father, the rotund little veteran of the stage rollicking through the role in gurgling gaiety. ' De Witt Jennings lends authority to the role of Constance’s lawyer-father, and Max Davidson, as the prize ring champion, and Philo McCullough,. as . a young society suitor of Constance, give excellent performances. The supports are or a varied, nature.

STRAND THEATRE DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME.

The fine double-feature programme kt the Strand Theatre drew and delighted large houses yesterday. Rex Beach's famous story, “The Net," has been admirably adapted for the screen, under the taking title. “Fair Lady." The 6tory is perhaps one of the ‘best-known and most popular works of the author, and in transferring it to the screen the producers have spared neither cost nor trouble in making a faithful interpretation. The all-star east is headed by the charming and dainty Betty Blyih, who plays tne ipart of a beautiful girl, who barters her kisses to learn the secret' by which she saves her sweetheart. It is a lavishly staged and most absorbing story of New Orleans, of Sicily, and of a dread vendetta; but a story in Which, in the end, love overrules vengeance, and hate loses all its sinister power.

The second big feature is “My Lady Friends," a First National attraction, costarring Mr and Mrs Carter De Haven. It is a swiftljj-moving farce, sprinkled with many hearty laughs, and photographed in settings of rare beauty and variety. The De Havens could evoke laughter with any sort of vehicle, but in this instanCe'they have a story which is brimful of complications and humorous situations. It is the sort of entertainment demanded at frequent intervals by the theatre-going public; but which cannot always' be supplied, because ot the lack of suitable stories. De Haven plays the part, of a Bible manufacturer/ who ohooses his “lady friends" discreetly, but without the knowledge of the little wife, who is unable to forget the days When economy was the rule, and cannot bring 'herself to indulge in the luxuries her husband would pile on her. To get himself out of the complications which follow the sudden appearance of all three of his lady friends, Smith enists the support of Edward Early, 'his lawyer-friend; but, alas, the latter has a wife, who is more suspicious than Mrs Smith, and she "spills the beans." In the end, however, Smith manages to clear himself.