ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11651, 16 October 1923, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

GREAT SUCCESS OF GEORGE WALLACE’S COMPANY.

‘‘Stiffy” and “Mo,” the popular entertainers who have just completed such a successful run at His Majesty’s Theatre, have gone, but in their place has come a company with equally strong credentials, for the George Wallace Company finished down South on ; Friday, and the Dunedinites accorded : them a send-off such as has never been given to a revue company by the city o’ cakes before. They had become such popular idols that for the last four nights every scat was booked up before ' the doors opened. They made their ' first appearance at His Majesty’s last evening, and the entertainment they ! put over was delightful in the extreme. [ No need to say “cut out the rough stuff” ; it is not there to cut out, for . George Wallace takes pride in the fact : that he can give a sparkling revue, . chock full of fun and laughter, without it. And he does. ; The revue is entitled “Off Honolulu,” and as the scenes take place aboard ship, and the story rune round the plans of a wonderful airship -which ' is to be given a try-out in the Southern Seas, a spy who tries to get at the plans—in which he is finally thwarted —there is plenty of scope for merriment and good humour. The good ship is bound for the South Sea Islands, and is two days off Honolulu. The Government has entrusted the oaptain with plans of this amazing airship, which is to be given a thorough tryout to see if it can perform all that is claimed for it. A spy manages to get aboard the ship with a view to securing possession of the plans, and the search for the spy and his subsequent capture are the material which form the basis of the revue. Oaptain Jones (Marshall Crosby) makes a very able Bkipper, and his plans to catch the spy appear bound to succeed, but Nelson, the pride of the Navy (George Wallace), proves the truth of the old adage about the beet laid plans of men and mice; for he contrives to do everything wrong at the supreme moment, and one plan after another is brought to naught. The humour of the situations kept the audience in continual laughter, and as the musical numbers were equally enjoyable, it can be imagined that the public are in for a good time. “Dixie,” a .burlesque of American ragtime, is George Wallace’s most popular number, and his double time, “Marie Shangoni,” with Nellie Hall, was very charming. Marshall Crosby sings “Roaming,” a song specially written for him by George Wallace, which should catch on in Wellington as thoroughly as it did in [, Dunedin. Some of “Nelson’s” antics \ are grotesquely funny, especially where ■ he does a slide on his ear. Nellie Hall j succeeds very ably as Phoebe, the ! stewardess, and the orew of “six raw- ; cals” also provide some lively inci- c dents. Not the least exciting moment j is when Phoebe throws herself into | Nelson’s arms with such foroe that he I, loses his hold, and to his consternation [ she dives overboard. Jack White is a r typical sailor, and Reg. Collins makes !, a dashing chief officer. Tom Lincoln. I ■ performs the office of ship’s cook. The . : finale by the company is a very fitting . conclusion to a revue that is bound to I become very popular. All the gags and i songs are new, for it has been specially i prepared to that end. i But the revue is only part of the | programme. Leo Martin as a jazz i: specialist continues for another week, I and performs wonders with tubular t bells, handbells, violin, oornet, and ends j with an excellent solo on about a score j, of ordinary glass bottles. Marie St. , George and Company appear in a fan- ! ! tasy, “The Awakening of Galatea,” j | some very delicate statuary pos- | I ing with a very dramatic eon- 1 j elusion, which shows the wreck | .of the statue in a violent storm ‘ and its wonderful piecing together —a dream on the part of the artist. Eric

Masters made a hit in his first appearance in character songs, his repertoire being extensive and excellent, including a new item, “Maoriland.” Claude do Car was vastly entertaining as the acrobatic waiter, and the feats he accomplished—some wonderful feats — without coming to grief. He does some most amazing stunts, the like of which can hardly nave had their equal in Wellington before and he caps a firstrate performance by bringing on a lovely little Pekinese dog, which jumps hurdles on its hind legs, dances, makes backward somersaults in a manner which quite captivated the audience. It is truly one of the best programmes Fullers have provided, and one that is bound to continue the order, “house full.” “ADAM’S RIB” AT KING’S THEATRE. A picture which is sure to find favour with film-goers is “Adam’s Rib,” a j film which is rather different from the :ordinary kind of motion picture. To love after 19 years of married life is more difficult than love at first sight. Starving for romance, Marion Ramsay is hurt when her husband forgets the nineteenth anniversary of their wedding. That is what happened to Michael Ramsay and he had to buy the entire wheat cron of Moravia before he straightened matters out. For the mysterious Jaromir who was paying attention to Marion Ramsay was no other than the exiled King of Moravia, exiled because he paid too much attention to romance and too little to politics. Ramsay engineered a big deal; nothing less than the purchase for gold of the entire wheat crop of the country on condition that Jaromir returns to the throne. But matters *come to a head between Ram«a> and his wife and Marion leaves him to gc. to the King. Following fast is Ti'l je, newly fluttering into romance herseif with Nathan Hucubolt, scientist and scholar. Tillie’a one thought is to save her mother; but the delegation including her father and the Moravian ambassador arrives to offer the King the opportunity to return to the throne. He refuses, then yields to the emotionalism of an aide. Then Ramsay sees a brooch of his wife’s upon the floor and a powerful scene commences. Tillie brands herself to save her mother who is undiscovered, and is given the shelter of Nathan’s name, married by a blinking registrar, wakened at dead of night. But though he loves her he does not trust her end he leaves for the wilds. Ramsay thus finds himself with a wrecked homo, his household goods and five million bushels of useless Moravian wheat. How the tangle is straightened out is told in admirable fashion in a fine film. There is a bevy of stars in this piece, beauteous Anna Q. Nilseon cute little Pauline Garon. Milton Pills Theodore Kosloff, and Elliott Dexter. 'The supports are excellent, and include an interesting topical gazette, wliilo the King’s Orchestra dispenses somo bright incidental musio under

ETHEL OSBORN FINAL CONCERT TO-NIGHT. Miss Ethel Osborn, who was named The Tettrazzini of Australia’’ by the late Sir Walter Davidson 7 has no necessity to shelter under the name of that great prima donna, her work is her best recommendation. Endowed by nature with a voice of marvellous range and purity, she is fortunate enough to be. the proud possessor of the true musical instinct allied to a thorough and cultured vocal training. It i 6 hardly possible that a voice of such compass will be heard for many years, for it is necessary to go back to the time of Mozart to find a record of a singer with a range that extends from the A below the stave to the C in altissimo. The large and appreciative audience of Thursday last at once gave her full credit for her great qualities. Rarely has BUch applause been heard in the Town Hall. Equally at home in a number from oratorio, opera, or a simple ballad, she at once took the hearts of the audience bv storm. The programme arranged for to-night should prove very popular, and in order to oblige the very many who have sent requests for certain numbers, Miss Osborn will repeat some of the works performed on Thursday in addition to the printed programme. The strongest support will be afforded with Madame de Mauny as a most sympathetic accompanist and soloist, Mr Leon de Mauny as violinist, and Signor Truda as flute solo and obligato. The box plan is at the Bristol Piano Company, where students’ concessions can be had. STELLA POWER SEASON COMMENCES NEXT TUESDAY. On Tuesday next, at the Town Hall, the world-famous soprano, Miss Stella Power, universally known as “The Little Melba,” will make her first appearance in New Zealand, under the direction of Mr E. J. Gravestock. It will be remembered that this now famous singer was partly taught by Dame Nellie Melba some five years ago in Melbourne. Arriving in Sydney as an unknown student singer, she delighted everyone, and gave a whole series of successful concerts at the Conservatorium. She then left for London, and within a month gave a private recital in the Royal Albert Hall, at which her famous patron accompanied her at the piano, in order that Mr Lionel Powell, the leading London concert entrepreneur, might hear the newcomer to advantage. A large number of Press critics also attended. The result was that a fortnight later (in November, 1919), Mies Power made her London debut in the same vast concert hall with Sir Lanldon Ronald’s Symphony Orchestra. Her success was immediate, and Dame Nellie introduced her everywhere as “The Little Melba,” under which designation she has'appeared ever since. The young singer has sung at no fewer than 57 concerts at the Albert Hall in the interim, and at even more in the Queen’s Hall, generally with Sir Henry Wood’* orchestra. In addition to these engagements, the young Australian has appeared regularly on tour with the various brilliant concert parties under the direction of “Intemationual Celebrities, Ltd.” In this way she toured last year with Kubelik for 47 concerts in the great provincial centres, and before that with artists like Backhaus, Gerardy, and Charles Hackett, the famous tenor. One of the strongest combinations headed by “The Little Melba” was completed by Madame D’Alvarez, Adela Verne (pianiste), and Bratza (the Serbian wonder-violinist). The last-named is to visit Australia and New Zealand next year, j Miss Power will be supported by Mr j William James, another brilliant Australian, who has created quite a sen- | Ration in English musical circles with his compositions. Mr James, in addition to being a composer of unusual talent, has won a big name for himself in England as a pianist. The company will bo completed by Mr Harold Beck, the well-known violoncellist, who has been specially engaged for the New Zealand tour. The box plans for the four Wellington concerts will be opened at the j Bristol Piano Company on Thursday morning.

PIANOFORTE RECITAL MBS JANET BOSS HECTOR. Despite the unpleasant weather conditions prevailing last evening, quite a number of musio-lovers braved the elements in order to attend another of the series of pianoforte recitals arranged by Mrs Janet Boss Hector. Those who were not deterred by the rain were indeed well rewarded, and much appreciated the musical fare presented. The recital was opened with the “Wohlemperirte Klavier” (Book 1— No. 1) by Baoh, which was followed by Sohubert’s “Impromptu” (op. 142 No. 5), both numbers being admirably executed. But the pianist was at her beet in the beautiful “Concerto in 0 minor” (op. 37) of Beethoven, and gave a wholly delightful reading. The allegro oon brio, the largo, and the final rondo were played with delicacy, refineand a clear sense of proportion. Mr C. W. Kerry gave adequate support at tbe second piano, playing with sympathy and understanding. The Chopin studies (op. 10—-No. 3, and op. 25 No. 3) evoked considerable applause, as did also the great master’s “Nocturne” (op. 48—No. 1). The “Scihulbrede Tunes,” by Barry, were characteristically interpreted, while a decided success was scored in the only Liszt number on the programme, tho “Valse Impromptu.” In response to enthusiastic demands, Mrs Hector finally contributed an interesting little study in A major by Poldeni. The programme was much appreciated, and it is hoped that Mrs Hector will see her way clear to afford admirers another opportunity for hearing her artistic playing. MILITARY BAND CONCERT THE COMING OF DERRY'S. The visit of Derry’s -well-known I military band; from CJhristohurch is being eagerly looked forward to, and a big house la expected for its opening performance at the Town Hall on Saturday next. Tlie full band of 66 performers is visiting the city, and it will be an exceptional opportunity of hearing a finst-class military band, of which there are only three in the To-ri-inion, and of which Derry’s is the largest. The programme will include the fantasia, “A Day at West Point,” describing a day’s work at a military academy; the Andante Con Moto and Allegro un Pooo Agitato from Mendelssohn’s Scotch Symphony; the popular fox trot, “Bv Heck.” the overture “Ituy Bias” (MendelssohnBartholdy), with piccolo solo by the leading soloist of the Dominion; a selection from Gilbert and Sullivan's opera “Yeomen of the Guard,” and ‘‘Melodious Melodies,” a pot-pourri of popular airs cleverly arranged. |

Smithy in the Woods.” describing night, the approaching dawn, morning ■breaks, the rushing brook and the song of the birds, the chimes of the steeple clock, the morning hymn, and the village smith lighting hie forge and starting his day’s work. Ibis is one of the hand’s most popular numbers. PRINCESS THEATRE ‘ ‘PRODIGAL DAUGHTERS. * 1 The modern flapper has been given great prominence in the motion pictures lately, but in “Prodigal Daughters” now showing at the Princess Thieatne, this -fascinating subject is treated in an entirely different manner. Imagine a father who leaves his wife ana two daughters and goes on a business trip to Europe. He left his household running on orderly lines. On his return, nowever, be finds his daughters and his wife have made much “progress” in the art of living the fast life. So fast is one of his daughters that she is called “Swiftie” Forbes, and the younger daughter follows her sister’s lead. Balls, parties, cigarette smoking and ooektail drinking are part of their everyday life, and the poor father is amazed at tho change which has taken place during his three rears’ absence. He is, however, determined to enforce his authority out the girls will not obey him. As the outcome of this defiance, “Swiftie” leaves her home and commences to live her own life. Her sister follows her, and becomes married, but her romance is quickly shattered, and she returns home. “Swiftie,” however, goes gaily on her way, until at last she becomes entangled with a gambler in a position from which there is no escape. Finally she returns home —in truth a prodigal daughter—and finds her father ready to forgive and forget. Tbe picture is bright and breezy, and the love interest is supplied by a young aviator, played by Ralph Greaves, who believes m “Swiftie” in spite of her shortcomings. Theodore Roberts makes an ideal father, while Vera Reynolds Elays the younger sister, and Louisa •resser the mother. Excellent supports include a powerful drama, “Love’s Boomerang,” starring David Powell, a Mack Sennett comedy, “The Quack Doctor,” and the latest gazette.