ENTERTINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11705, 18 December 1923, Page 11

ENTERTINMENTS

HIB MAJESTY’S Tl’~: TRE CHANGE OF BILL. AN INTERESTING PROGRAMME. The change of hill at His Majesty's Theatre last night included a revival of George Wallace's amusing musical farce "Off Honolulu," which makes the tenth production to date by this combination. Last night's presentation introduced two new members of the company, Mies Sadie Tilburn and Miss Marie Nyman, both of whom are the fortunate possessors of sweet and tuneful voices, and are a decided acQLuiition to the company. George Wallace was as indescribably funny as ever as the sailor, who always managed to do and say the wrong thing, and his droll antics were followed by many a hearty laugh throughout the Performance. This comedian has established himself as a warm favourite with the Fuller audiences, and his appearance on the stage last evening was the signal for much applause. The other members of the company lent every support. Marshal Crosby included the "Mountains of Morn" among his songs, scoring ail instantaneous success. His other item was "I Wish that I were There," which he gave a vigorous reading. Marie Nyman and Sadie Tilburn 6&ng "Hawaiian Moonlight" in a very delightful manner, while their 6oli work was also appreciated for the audience were unstinting in their applause. Miss Nyman, was also very successful in her amusing duet with George Wallace entitled "’Marie and written by the former. Jack Whyte danced a speciality hornpipe item, supported by a smart and attractive chorus, while Keg. Collins and Tom Lincoln were also heard sprightly numbers. The scene of Off Honolulu" naturally takes place a t sea, in fact, the performers are so satisfied with the exciting fare presented on the liner, that they nave no desire, it vrould almost appear, to land and partake of the pleasures of Hawaii. The pk>tj though meagre, suffices to carry the audience through a collection of enjoy*hie musical items and dainty ballets, and displays some effective dressing. Jack Trent and Sadie, performers with a goodly eupply of originality and vim, made their appearance in a hew comedy concoction, and soon made themselves at home, winning favour by their bright and entertaining repartee and humorous eonpß. 4 rPeroy of the was quite a success, while the lady's contributHpn, 'He WouSd Not Believe Me When I Told Him I Was Married/’' famed her muoh applause. Their turn is one of the best, and they quite deserved their success. Carleton Max, altejfd to be the "Prime Minister of Mirth, was. heard in a ventriloquial item with his automaton "Jerry/' and raised a good deal of laughter by questioning the dummy as to hie experience on the turf. The turn pleased a large section of the audience. Aston and Marshall, the Bohemian trio, were heard in several new songs. Kemble, a pseudo-female performer, with personality and experience in the art of characterising the opposite sex, caused not a little speculation, when he appeared in a smart gown with a collection of popular songs. The Sinclair Brothers, balancers and trick acrobats, were very successful in a turn which Included certain novel features. Their feats were original and worthy of more than passing merit, and they also fully deserved the applause that followed their aot. The programme will be repeated this evening and throughout the week. KING’S THEATRE DOROTHY DALTON IN "FOG BOUND." Thrills follow in quiok succession in "Fog Bound/' an unusual story of the high and low places of Ufe, which is now showing at the Sling's Theatre. The story tails how a wealtny young man who has a distinct dislike for hard work, but who is a leading light at midnight jazz parties, is attracted to a young girl named Gail, who leads a simple life amongst her father's orange groves.. In a raid on a fashionable gamblnig den. her father, who is also revenue officer, is shot dead, and suspicion i&lls on young Wainwrignt. The latter seeks shelter at Gail's home, and tho girl helps him to escape to a swamp. Learning later that he is alleged to have been responsible for her father's death, she leads a posse in the direction of his flight, but after finding him refuses to give him up. They make their way to his father's residence, where they are run down by the police. Then like a thunderbolt comes the climax, in which the real murderer is brought to book. The settings of this remarkable film are quite a feature, and include the entrancing scenery of sunny Florida, with its wonderful beaches and wild tropical forests. An old screen friend in Maurice Costello plays a prominent part. The second bur picture of the programme is entitled "Crinoline and Romance/' and has in the leading role the famous screen coquette, Viola Dana. 6he is seen as a little maid dressed in crinolines and skirt of the modern world. One night, however, little Miss Crinoline escapes and drives to her anntie's. where she, after a few days, is a victim of iasrimania She aleo receives the attentions of two dashing young specimens of modern chivalry, and rile way she makes her final selection is extremely amusing. She also tames her rigid old grandfather in a most delightful and laughable manner. These two fine pictures are supported by the latest Gazette, while the orchestra of twelve under the baton of Mr L. D. Austin, play a wide range of selections, which include Techaikovski's overture, "Marche Slave." The programme will be repeated to-night and following two nights. ' "TOUR NEW ZEALAND* CHEAPEST TRIP ON RECORD. It is surely the ambition of every New Zealander to see hi® own country, but unfortunately desires cannot always bo gratified. Not everyone has the leisure or the wherewithal to make an extended tour from the North Cape to ►Stewart Isan<\ but to-night and to-morrow night, at the Opera House, all will have the opportunity of seeing the most complete motion .picture of the Dominion, This film* which takes 100 minutes to unreel, is never-ending in variety. There is seen the wonderful Rotorua district, the picturesque Wanganui river, the worldfamous Waitomo Caves, the lofty heights of the Southern Alps, the beautiful Sounds of Western Southland, and the steep Buller Gorge New Zealand's towns and industries are all depicted, and wonderful are the scenes of the New Zealand bush and the Tongariro National Park.

Mr J. E. Wineloe, who accompanies the picture, describes each point of interest.

The film is later to be soreened in Great Britain, U.-S.A., and Denmark, having been specially prepared for the Empire Exhibition. It will be a splendid for the Dominion, and will mark the first systematic effort to exploit New Zealand's manifold attractions. The Empire Exhibition, which la to be held in London next year, will afford an unrivalled opportunity for bringing under the observance of millions of visitors who are expected at Wembley Park, the varied attractions which tne country has to offer to tourists and sportsmen. 'There is no doubt that Mr 8, Taylor, Government cinematographer, has, during the last two years, produced the finest collection of New Ze&hMtfk ted-

MISS GERTRUDE ELLIOTT

OPENING BOXING NIGHT* The famous London octrees, Aftss Gertrude JBlliott (Lady Forbes Robertson) and her. complete Lmglieh. company will appear at tne Grand Opera House on Boxing Night far the first time here. The New - Zealand tour is under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. The opening production will be Michael Morton's drama, “Woman To Woman.'* In -this play Miss Elliott and her company have scored successes in the principal cities of Britain, America, £outn Africa, and. Australia, her tour having been one series of triumphs. "Woman To Woman" is described,, as a drama of rare merit. It ie said to be deeply arresting, and to handle a difficult subject with tho utmost delicacy. It deals with, a problem of married life, which has formed the topic of many a heated argument. A critic in speaking of the opening performance, said: "It is something of ft privilege to Weloome to Melbourne Miss Gertrude Elliott, both for her own high reputation in the theatrical world, and as the wife of the great actor-manager; but after seeing her dramatic powers in the opening piny, 'Woman To Woman/ one feels that had she oome unheralded and unknown she would have made just as deep an impression on the audience. Gifted, with a striking personality, Miss Elliott is also a fine actress, and possesses that polish and ease which give one such keen pleasure to observe." The Dominion four is porring one round of hearty welcomes to this distinguished actress and her capable company, the Auckland season. being one of the most successful played by the firm in that city for a long time. The "Herald" of November B2nd says:—"Ae was only fitting, an unusually enthusiastic welcome was accorded Miss Gertrude Elliott <Lady Forbes Robertson) on the oocasion of her first appearance in Auckland by a large audience— enormously large for the opening of a (dramatic season. The reputation of the famous English actress had preceded her, but it had scarcely prepared those present for the magnificent performance they witnessed. - " During the Wellington season thrqe other productions, "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife, a Frenoh comedy, "Smilin' Through, a comedy drama of romance, and ‘Enter, Madame/' a Continental farce, will be staged. Tlie box plans for "Woman To Woman" open on Friday at the Bristol.

PRINCESB THEATRE TRIPLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. Bright and varied is the splendid triple feature programme being screened at the Princess this week. Jack Holt scores a distinct hit in his latest production, ''The Man Unconquerable.” The pearl fisheries of Bintang had been divided between two shrewd fiery tracers, Einaldo, a Spaniard, and Silas Ladd, a hot-tempored American. At length Ladd dies and his nephew, Robert Kendall, comes out to look after the’ interest of his late uncle's pearl fisheries. Rinaldo and Ladd had been good friends, but when the latter died his gong, no longer kept in hand, commenced to poach in Rinaldo’s waters. Nilsoon. the rascally chief of tlio gang, is the leader, and soon falls out with Rendall when the latter arrives to take over the interests. Rendall falls in love with Rinaldo’s daughter, and the audience is hold breathless with suspense as the plot slowly unravels. A special feature is "Ducks and Drakes.” featuring Bebe Doniells. This is on extremely humorous picture with a strong love interest. Harold Llovd in a screamingly funny comedy, “I Do,” and a Burton Holmes travelogue, complete a first-class evening's entertainment.