ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11738, 28 January 1924, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

FINE COMEDY “AMBROSE APPLBJOHN.” LAWRENCE GROSSMITH DRAW. The comedy of “Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure" is splendid, comeuy. it sweeps the audience otf their ieet, leaves them making a last desperate clutch at their dignity 'before they topple over the brink ot mirth into great depths of laughter. This play, which is partly "Peter Pan," partly “beven Keys to Baldpate,” but mostly just itself, is a rare find in the field of humour. Technically it possesses a remarkably wellwritten third act in days when, playwrights were not voted lor their anility to finish their plays strongly. "Ambrose Applejohn" is pure comedy; now and then Mr Grossmith carries it to the edge of farce, but always it is vital, interesting, intriguing. There could scarcely be anything more clever than the inversion which takes place in the second act, when Ambrose dreams of the old pirate days, and all the characters, like the serpent, shed their skins for tne occasion. That is scarcely 60, unless it is the way in which the swaggering pirate chief is imported into the final act, when Ambrose of the atavistic tendencies, occasionally lapses into the “wild man and timid" who bloodily governed the cut-throat crew of a pirate ship, and who founded the Applejohn family. There is sheer genius in some of the situations here displayed, and in the hand 6of such a producer as Mr Grossmith they are duly uisplayed in all their glory. The famous English comedian has embroidered upon the part of Ambrose since we 6aw him last. There is more byplay, some of it excellent, some of it adding little and approaching the burlesque. The cream of the play lies in the conversion of tlie staid Englishman, approaching grey hairs, who longs for romance, to the blustering bullying of a rascal of centuries ogone, and the flashes of that inherited fierceness which shame him so in the final act. Mr Groesmith’s work is done with a deftness, an evident relish, which bespeak a favourite part, and Ambrose is one of his best. Miss Dorothy Seacombe is charming in the youthful part of Poppy Faire, and Miss Diana Wilson has a role cut to her favourite measure as the dashing (but bogus) Anna Yaleska. Mr Ashton Jerry’s work as Boralsky,' the Bolshevik, is a splendid piece of acting, and the others in the cast—Misses Adelaide Gunn, Mabel Gower, Messrs Edmund'Duggan, Leslie Victor, Winnington Barnes, and Paul Plunkett —give satisfactory interpretations. The excellent play will be repeated this evening. “THE SILVER FOX,” TO-MORROW. To-morrow, and Wednesday and Thursday next will be presented a welcome revival of Cosmo Hamilton’s brilliant play, “The Silver Fox," with Mr Lawrence Grossmith in his delightful impersonation of “Edmond Quitter." An Australian critic, -commenting; on Mr Grossmith’s performance, writes: —"Lawrence Grossmith was seen at his best. He has been heard to remark that' Edmond Quilter is his favourite part, and he certainly plays it as though it were. He is Edmond Quilter, and an such he makes a tremendous appeal to his audience. His work is at all times of a particularly high standard, and his performance was a veritable triumph of all that is w'orth while in skilful eomedy." “The Silver Fox" will be played till Thursday next, after which performance the season will terminate. It is safe ta say that never for man yyears have Wellington playgoers had the opportunity of witnessing the performances of so brilliant ana cultured an actor as Mr Lawrence Grossmith.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

"LONG TACK SAM." Long Tack Sam and his band of Chinamen were given a tremendous reception when they made their appearance on the stage at the Paramount Theatre. The big theatre was scarcely large enough to hold the big crowd of people who thronged about the theatre. There was not an. uninteresting moment in the whole performance. The show goes with a fine swing all through, and -the dull moment that is so difficult for producers to avoid cannot bo found. As conjurors, jugglers, etc., the members of the troupe are excellent. Basins of water are juggled with in remarkable fashion, 1 and not a drop of water is spilled. The dancing of the girls .is the finest ever 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 as long-as he wanted to by tapping it with another. A storm of applause rewarded the lady member of the company who. standing on a pedestal, bent backward, nicked a glass off o table and drank the contents of the glass. While performing this astonishing feat she held a glass of water in each. hand. The horizontal bar artists were amazing. It is safe to say they do the bar things that have never before teen seen in Now 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. Resides the Long Tack Son net, two pictures are shown, one. "The Lone Star Ranger," an exciting episode of the American West, starring Tom Mix in a whirl of love and adventure, the other a pleasing comedy. The programme will he presented throughout this week. Mr Shepherd (representative of Musgrove’s Tivoli Theatres, Sydney), who Is associated with the special feature, and the management of the Paramount are t> be congratulated on the enterprise shown and success attained.

“MERRY-GO-ROUND”

SPARKLING PRODUCTION AT QUEEN’S. Set in a background of luxury and of untold wealth, “Merry-Go-Round,” which commenced a run at the Queen’s last week, is a photoplay which has cost the (producers a fortune, and which Is attracting huge audiences daily. Count Franz Maxmillian von Hohonogg, handsome, reckless scion of a proud family, was Emperor Francis Josef’s right-hand man, and bis work was pompous idleness. Agnes Urban was an organ, grinder of the merry-go-round on the Prater. Count Franz saw Agnes and her pretty face attracted him, so he wooed her as a "necktie salesman " In a fen •weeks the pod of hcaris had done his work exceedingly well, although Agnes was told b.v friends that this haiftsomc loverwas not what he claimed to be. Agnes was in hospital with her sick father when she learned the truth of the warnings of her friends. The Emperor and his staff came to make aii inspection, and she recognised Franz. Hardest ol all, she was his wife. In the midst of her misery Frnnz came to her pleading that he loved her truly, and stated that, he could not leave for the front without some word of love from the one to whom ho had really given his heart. But Acnes was cold-eyed. "War ruined the great, dragon-liouFe of aristocracy, pul led down the high walls of nobility, nn:l when the pence Came the noble-blooded returned to Vienna to*, sweep streets, to cry for bread and to I pnvy the workers whr> somehow got it. But each one still had the power to love, where love was pineere, ns was Franz’s love for Agnes, The climax brings a logical ending to one of the greatest love stories ever "old on the serpen. A s+i-ong supporting programme 'nclndcs seetdes. I travelogues, etc., of unusual merit.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

BRIGHT NEW PROGRAMME. A bright entertainment of revue and *, vaudeville is promised by the Fuller management in the nerv programme to bo presented at His Majesty's Theatre \ this evening. The new revue, which is to he staged by the Moreni Company# is entitled, “Caught in Cairo," and this is said to be one of their most mirhprovokine productions—-in fact it is ytatcd by the northern to be the brightest and funniest revue in the company's repertoire. Many new songs will be interpolated, and the favourite revue girls will furnish several new and novel dance divertissements. As usual, Mr Con Moreni will be equipped with the principal comedy part, and he will be ably supported by the favourite baritone, Will Kenny, the versatile Alex. McAlister, Miss Ida Legffat. Miss Winnie Edgerton, Miss Dolly Varni, Harry Moreni, lues Austin, and Dan Weldon, all of whom are provided with roles suitable to their particular talent. tie scenic embellishments and also the dressing are stated to be somewhat out of vhe ordinary, and it is anticipated that *he revue will meet with the approval of* vaudeville habituees. In the vaudeville section there will only be one change in personnel as from last week, this being the reappearance of the McKinnon Bros., who have toured Australia and Africa most successfully since appearing in Wellington last. Mr Nat Hanley, who has become such an established favourite, will be seen in a budget of new humorous items at the piano. Les Warton will appear in a repertoire of new coon songs, and fresh musical specialities will be displayed by Mr Will Hastings, whilst the gifted soprano, Miss Rosina Gordon, will be heard in new songs and piano solos. The new programme will be repeated nightly during the week, and at the customary Saturday matinee.

KINC’B THEATRE

"REMEMBRANCE." A United Artists' release is "Remembrance," showing at the King's this week. This release is a companion picture to the "Old Nest," and has been a pronounced success. Father had to do all the work in order to beep his family in luxury. One fine day the attractive glittering bubble burst, and they then realised that their best friend in all the world was, after ell, their father. The supports are particularly good on this occasion, and iuclude "Baby Peggy" in, "Carmen Junior," a comedy whicn convulsed the whole of the theatro in laughter. It as-a burlesque on Spanish life, and is entirely a picture or children for children. It cannot but cause many a laugh during the season. The musical prologue was provided bv Miss Elsie Kell, who rendered "La Boheme" excerpt and "St. Nicholas's Day" with much effect. In this week's Topical Gazette are to •be seen a number of views of the exKaiser in his enforced habitat at Ameringen, also several views of the former Emperor, when he held rnvay in Potsdam. It forms an interesting contrast. I The progi sumne, from a musical point iof vie.v, is also an interesting one, for | the overture is Nicolai's "Merry Wivee iof Windsor." The other items are all | well selected, and of much interest. Mr L. D. Austin oonducts the special orchestra. and Uie whole production is of the high standard for which the King's is rightly famed.

EMPREBB THEATRE

"GIRL OF THE GOLDEN IYEST." The programme at the Empress Theatre this week is headed by "Girl of the Golden West," one of the greatest stage successes of recent times. A large and an appreciative audience on Saturday night witnessed its second screening, and judging by the reception the great picture received, it will have a successful season in Wellington. With "The Girl of the Golden West” comes the incidental music, which the famous Puccini (who also provided us with "Madame Butterfly,” t>y the way) has given to the world of music lovers. Sylvia Breair.er leads in this absorbing drama of the Wild West days of the American people, when riotous saloons -were popular in that portion of the States, and where wild men in search of gold led wild lives. The period of the Golden West, with its boom times, days of. romance and fghting, are all depicted in the screen version. It is a gambling story as well. The heroine, so ably portrayed by Miss Breamer, plays cards with the sheriff for the life of her lover. The other principal roles are taken by Warren Kerrigan and Russell Simpson, and are adroitly portrayed. There are also scenes of the camp life and gambling episodes in a world that is now practically forgotten. An interesting musical interlude was provided by Mr Charles Moore, a popular , local singer, with a decidedly pleasing baritone, whose cycle of songs was well received and applauded.

WIRTHB’ CIRCUB

LOCAL SEASON CLOSES. The advent of Wii-ths’s big circus is always an event, and the latest 6how which this famous firm has sent to Wellington, and which closed a successful season on Saturday, was well up to the high standard of its forerunners. Three houra full of thrills and a great array of star performers only mildly describes this combination, which is the result of the indefatigable efforts of Mr P. Philip Wirth. The Flying Lloyds will scarcely be forgotten by anyono who has seen them in action, nor will Prince Guiseppi Bignali, billed as the smallest jockey in the world, whoso activity is stupendous for one of his stature. Evans and Perez, and tho jockey act of Alfred Clarke, were likewise noteworthy performances, also those of tho Hughes Family of trick cyclists. Included on tho programme are tho Egochago troupe of bull-fightere from South America, who provided one of the most amazing turns ever presented; Big Alfredo, Spanish clown, and trained dogs from Cuba, Havana; Mimi Wharton and Louise; Carii-cllo Duo, jugglers extraordinary, and many others; while Mr A. Christie with his wondorful trained animals gives many splendid nets The circus loft yesterday after its final performances for a tour in tho north '