ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11737, 26 January 1924, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE OPERA HOUSE “AMBROSE APPLEJOHN *S ADVENTURE/’ GREAT COMEDY SFLENDIDLY PLAYED. “Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure/’ a great comedy greatly played by England’s famous comedy star, Mr Lawrence Gros* smith, drew an immonriet.v <leht;hl>d a large and most appreciative audience at the Grand Opera House Inst night. The Arabian Night story of adventure told by the clever playwright, Mr. Walton Hackott, is highly entertaining by reason of its startling contrasts and its varied but always most excellent humour; and a* tho hero of markedly artistic tendencies, Mr Lawrence Grossmith fairly exs-el.' himself. He is the modern. blo«e, respectable Ambrose Applejohn to the life; and ho plays equally convincingly tho part of Ambrose’s blustering, bloodthirsty, braudv-diinking, mutiny defying pirate ancestor, Captain-* Applejohn; while in the third act his sift alternations between two characters are wonderfully realistic, and screamingly funny. jVliss Dorothy Seacombe makes a most beautiful and charming Poppy Larne; Miss Diana Wilson plays with great histrionic power the dual role of Anna Valestia and of tho Portgue&o maiden on the pirate ship: Miss Adelaide Gunne makes a very good Mrs Agatha Whatcombe (Ambrose « aunt), and Miss Mabel Gower, an equally good Mrs Rongard; while the roles of Lush, (the butler), Horace Rengard, Palmer, Dennett and Johnny Yassan are most capably filled by Messrs Edmond Duggan, Leslie Victor, Ashton Jarry. Matte© Brown, Winnington Bagnos and Paul Plunket, respectively. This great comedy, which will be repeated this evening, and on Monday night, gives place on Tuesday to “The Silver Fox/' THE SILVER FOX. “Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure" will be repeated to-night and on Monday next. On Tuesday next and two foLowtu-r nights will be presented Cosmo Hamilton's highly entertaining play, “The Silver Fox”—a comedy which gives Lawrence Grossmith a further splendid opportunity for the display of his remarkable abilities as “Edmund Quilter." The play mounts from a clever first act to a fine second, and i* sustained by an altogether delicious third. It created a big impression when produced here by this versatile artist last year. It is possessed of much real wit and humour and ifc unfailing in comic attractions in which Mr Grossmith positively revels. Mi-ss Diana Wilson will be seen as Helen Quitter Miss Dorothy Seacombe as “Poppie” Turner, Mr Ashton Jarrv as Major Stanley and Mr Paul Plunket as Captain Belgrave. The .performances of '‘The Silver Fox" will terminate the season, which closes on Thursday next. The Box Plans are at the Bristol Piano Co.

WIRTHS’ CIRCUS

A WONDERFUL COLLECTION OF TALENT. The Wellington public have just two more opportunities of seeing many marvels at Wirths' world-famed circus and zoo, tho season of which ’ closes to-day with tho matinee this afternoon and tho evening performance. The three hours are full oi thrills and excitement, for such a great array of star performers has not made its appearance in Wellington at one time before, either under canvas or behind the footlights. In the annual tour of the States in search of new talent iMr Philip Wirth has met with several great successes. The Flying Lloyds will scarcely be forgotten by anyone who has seen thorn in action. Prince Guiseppi Bignaii, billed as the smallest jockey in the world, d<oe.3 not fail to evoke great applause, and his activity is stupendous for one of his stature. Evans and Perez, and the jockey act of Alfred Clarke, were likewise noteworthy performances, also those of tho Hughes Family of trick cyclists. Included on the programme are the Egochago troupe of bull-fighters from South America, who provide one of the most amazing turns ever presented; Big Alfredo, Spanish clown, and trained dogs from Cuba, Havana; Mimi Wharton and! Louie; Cormelle Duo, jugglers extraordinary, and many others; while Sir A, Christie with his wonderful trained animals provides many splendid acts.

KING’S THEATRE

“REMEMBRANCE," “Remembrance" is the title of the new feature at the King's Theatre, presented for the first time in Wellington to a large audience last evening. A United Artists special, and directed by the author, it features Rupert Hughes with an all-star cast. This is a companion picture to “Tho Old Nest," a feature that patrons voted 1 a pronounced success when it was screened in this city. The story is an old one, but the moral holds as good to-day os over it did. Father had to do all the work in order to keep his family in luxury. To say the least of it, hie efforts were not appreciated. One line day the attractive glittering bubble burst, and they then realised that their best friend in all the world was, after all ? their father. The supports are particularly good on this occasion, and include “Baby in “Carmen Junior," a comedy which convulsed the whole of the theatre in laughter. It •is a burlesque on Spanish life, and is entirely a picture of children for children. It cannot but cause many a laugh during tho season. The musical prologue was provided by Miss Elsie Kell, who rendered “La. Boheme" excerpt and "St. Nicholas's Day" with much effect. In this week's Topical Gazette are to 'ho seen a number of views of the exKaiser in his enforced habitat at Ameringon, also several views of the former Emperor, when he held oway in Potsdam. It forms an interesting contrast. Tho progiamme, from a musical point of vie*v, is also an interesting one, for the overture is Nicolai's “Merry Wives of Windsor." The other items are all •well selected, and of much interest. Mr L. D. Austin conducts the special orchestra, and the whole production is of the high standard for Which the King's is rightly famed.

PRINCESS THEATRE

DO-ROTHY DALTON IN “DARK SECRETS." Dorothy Dalton does some of iher finest work in her latest starring vehicle, “Dark Secrets." Tho picture gives ample opportunity for the display of Miss Dalton’s talent, and she is well supported by a strong cast. Ruth ‘Rutherford is tho spoilt daughter jf rich narents, who grant her every wish. Ruth falls in love with Lord Wellington, an army officer, who presents her with two magnificent horses, one bearing the name of “Untamable?' Among the guests is Dr Mohamcd AH, an E/gyption, who possesses remarkable healing powers and a hatred of the white races. Ruth determines to ride “Untamable," but tho horse resents her advances, and while endeavouring toi master liim, Ruth is thrown and injur-is her spine. She becomes a permanant cripple, her legs being paralysed. Her physician, Dr Case, enlists the aid of Dr Ali in trying to cure Ruth. Dr Ali agrees to take the case on condition that Ruth marries him. Through his marvellous knowledge Ruth is cured, hut then comes the most thrilling part of the picture, which would be robbed of its interest if told. The climax is worked up in a novel manner, and holds the interest of the picture patrons to the end. Tho supports are excellent, and include BilUo Dove and Noah Beery in “Youth to Youth," and two clever comedies, “Rented Trouble" and “Pretty Lady/'

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

ENJOYABLE TiEVUE ANT) FINE VAUDEVILLE. Always a popular resort, a visit to His Majesty’s Theatre is rendered particularly worth while this week by the excellent bill being presented, the chief attraction of which is the Con Moroni Comedy Comx>any. Their revue, “The Bandit/’ is, perhaps, the best of the pieces which this clever company has put on up-to-date, being bright and witty throughout, and being somewhat more compactly constructed than many of it» kind. Gon Moreni takes the leading part of Osca Late, and, as might” bo expected, makes it an uncomparablv humorous role as an Australian traveller who sells to tho President some thousands of guns that will not go off. makes love to the President’s beautiful daughter Rosa (Ida Leggat), and incidentally incurs the undying hatred of General Nuisance, the giddy old generalissimo of the Mexieaoa'forces (Alex. McAlister), and Jc.se Palmart her bandit lover (Dan Weldon). Winnie Edgerton is very sweet and winsome fSA\ 05 .- ,sEnsrlisl > friend ’ Mary Canoodle; Will Kenny makes o very fine President; Harry Moreni is great as the Big Chief Neverwash, “heap big fighter"; while Dollv Vnrni (as “Elizabeweth," Mary's maid), and Les Austin (as Lord Canoodle Mary's brothert contribute greatly to the mirth and jollity. Tn the supporting portion of the programme, Wart-on, the coon comedian is highly diverting in a song and patter turn; Resina Gordon is heard to advantage in a number of pretty songs charmingly rendered; Nat Hanley, with his clever impersonation, songs and L T P 3 <?y s > is Wholly delightful; while Will Hastings and Fred Bluett, two comertians of a high standard, round off a first-class offering. This programme will >be shown for the last time at the matinee this afternoon and this evening.

“LONG TACK SAM”

GREAT SHOW AT PARAMOUNT. One of the greatest shows ever introduced to a Wellington audience was .produced for tho first time at the Paramount A neatre last night, when Long Tack Sam and his Chinese wonders maae their aj>pearance. The houeo was packed, and the artists were given /a reception they should long remember. From tho rise of the curtain to its fall tho interest of the spectators was firmly gripped, and the performance was -punctuated by bursts of. the heartiest applause. The show goes with a fine swing all through, and the dull moment that is 60 difficult for producers to avoid cannot bo found. As conjurors, jugglers, etc., the members of the troupe are excellent. They spin plates on the end of while they somersault. This sounds simple, but it is a wonderful act, and it is a rare sight to see three of the artists doing it at the one time. Basins of water are juggled i with in remarkable fashion, and not a ; drop of water is spilled. The dancing of tho girls is tho finest over seen in the country, and their execution of a Scotch dance was delightful indeed; many might say it was easily the finest they had ever seen. One of .the clever little bits of by-play was done by a member of the company, who kept one stick in the air 0.9 long as he wanted to by tapping it with another. A storm of applause rewarded the member of the company who, standing on a pedestal, bent backward, picked a glass off a table and drank tho contents of tho glass. While performing this astonishing feat she held a glass of water in each hand. The horizontal bar artists were amazing. Their work was quick and crisp, and accurate to a degree. The lay mind cannot describe in technioal language the things | done on the bar, nor would the lay reader ! grasp the performance from technical teims; those men must be seen to be appreciated. It is safe to 6ay they do on the bar thing 3 that have never before been seen in New Zealand. Like all great | artists they do everything with' a precision and an apparent ease that makes everything look simplicity itself. It is a great show. Besides the Long Tack Sam two pictures aro shown, one an exciting episode of the Amorioan Weet, starring Tom Mix in a whirl of love and adventure, the other a pleasing comedy. The programme wilt be presented throughout tho coming wedh.

QUEEN’S THEATRE

“MERRY-GO-ROUND." The flash of many-coloured uniforms, the glitter of gold braid, tho scintillation of officers' sabres, and all the sparkle 1 and pomp of the military of Austria before tho war; this is the background for the new drama, “Merry-Go-Round/' 1 which was shown last night at the Theatre. It is truly a magnificent spectacle, and has, moreover, a plot that grips and holds the spectator from first to last. Count Franz Maxmillian von Hohenegg, handsome* reckless scion of a proud family, was Emperor Francis Josef's right-hand man, and his work was pompous idleness. Agnes Urban was an organ grinder of the merry-go-round on tho Prater, a slave of her employer. Count Franz, on pleasure lent, saw Agnes, and in spite of her cheap clothes, her .pretty- face attracted him, so he wooed her as a “necktie salesman " In a few Weeks the god of heaTts had done his work exceedingly well, although Agnes was told by friends that this handsome Jover was not what he claimod to be, but one of tho treacherous nobility. Agnes was in the hospital with her sick father when sfbe learned the truth of the warnings of her friends. The EmperoT and his staff came to make an inspection, and she recognised' Franz. * Hardest or all, she was liis wife. In the midst of her misery Franz came to her pleading that he loved her truly, and stated that he could not leave for tho front without some word of Jove from the one to whom he had really given his heart. But Agnes was cold-eyed, the mercy cut •out of her by the fate slhe had met. So he went to war heavy-hearted. War ruined the great diragon-houee of aristocracy, pulled down the high walls of nobility, and when tho peace came the noble-blooded returned to Vienna to sweep streets, to cry for bread and to envy tho workers who somehow got it. But each one still had tho power to love, whore love was sincere, as was Franz's love for Agnes. The climax brings a logical ending to one of the greatest love stories ever "old on the screen. A strong supporting programme includes scenic;*, travelogues, etc., of unusual merit. This programme will he shown this evening and during z ext week.

EMPRESS THEATRE

“GIRL GF THE GOLDEN WEST." The stage successes of “The Girl of the Golden West" have been followed by its screen i riumphs. The fiijst appearance of this old favourite in picture form took place at tbo Empress Theatre last evening before a very large audience, which ! voted it one of'tho best programmes this enterprising management has ever been able to secure for its patrons. With “The Girt of the Golden West" comes the incidental music, which the famous Puccini (who also provided U 9 with “Madame Butterfly," by the way) has given to the world of music lovers. .Sylvia Bnenrr.er leads in this absorbing 1 drama of the Wild West days of tho American people. Mien riotous saloons were popular in that portion of the States, and where wild men in search of gold, led MM lives. The period of the Golden West, with its boom times, days of romance and fighting, are all depicted in the ecreen ve-rriom. Tt is a gambling story ns well. Tho heroine, so ably portrayed by Miss Dreamer, plays cards with the sheriff for the lif© of her lover. The other principal roles are taken by Warren Kerrigan and Russell Simpson, and are adroitly portrayed. There are also scene* of the enm-n life and gambling in n -world that is now practicnlfv forgotten. An intem?tinrx musical interludo was provided by Mr Charles a nopular local ringer, with a decidedly pleasing baritone, whose ©vole of eongs was well received and applauded.

The supports include tho Empress News Film and a Mermaid comedy entitled “High Life." Included in tho musical programme provided by Mr M. Dixon's orchestra is Suppo's overture '‘Paragraph 8." There aro also a number of Puccini ©elections, while Massenet, Bizet, Wagner, Tschoi-ko-w*?ky and other celebrities aro represented in a varied and in every way enjoyable programme. 'The Girl rtf tho Golden West" will bo screened again to-night.