ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11739, 29 January 1924, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

“AMBROSE APPLEJACK” AND MR LAWRENCE GROSSMITH* A DELIGHTFUL ENTERTAINMENT The welcome revival of /‘Applejack” by Mr Lawrence Grossniith and the members of his English comedy company at the Grand Opera House, was terminated last evening before another crowded attendance. One of the most delightful roles assumed by the talented actor during his visits to Wellington, it lias very naturally proved to be ono of the most popular. Mr Grossniith plays the part of the bored and thoroughly oonvential Englishman bordering on the extremely dangerous age of forty, just as convincingly as he swaggers about the dock in tho role of his pirato ancestors, who had laid the foundations of the family fortunes by robbery and piracy on tho hitfh seas. Able support was given last night by the members of this specially selected combinations. Miss Diana Wilson, otatoly and picturesque, was equally captivating as the adventurous Russian and later ns the captured Spanish maiden on the bold bad galleon of the pirato chief; Mi.ss Seacombe, as tho shin’s boy, played with ease; while Mr Asmton Jarry again ffave an excellent representation of tho Bolshevik agent. The piece was produced with much effect, the lighting arrangements being admirably presented, and pdded much to the success of one of the most enjoyable comedies seen in this city for a very lon# time.

•THE SILVER FOX" TO-NIGHT.

The last three nights of the J. C. Wil-liamson-Lawrence Grossfith Company are announced. To-night and two following evenings, at the Grand Opera House, at fi o’clook. will be presented Cosmo Hamilton’s daring three-act play, "The Silver Fox," with Mr Lawrence Grossmith in his especially great creation of "Edmund Quilter." The story of the play U ts follows. Edward Quilter, writer of "best seller's,/’ finds, as many another successful noveltist has found before him, that his work claims too much of his time to allow him to give his wife the attention tahe should get. At the same time, However, he is not worried about the matter and leaves her to go her way, making her own friend", masculine as well as feminine, without in the least considering his wishes regarding their propriety or otherwise. Quitter's dearest friend is Major Pierre Cliristophe Stanley, a poet, who is in love with the former’s wife, Put although the essentials are here ior the subject of the eternal triangular intrigue, there is this difference considered besides the usual case of this type —the poet is true to his friend and loves the wife only from a distance. The lady who all the time is aware of Stanley’s regard for her, does not care whether her husband V nows the position or not.. She comes into a room just after the two men have been engaged in an argument concerning a recent Paris fashion, Stanley bolding that only a flighty lonian could bring herself to wear the 3tyle of stockings which are the subject of the discussion. He is an idealist and when his friend smiles at 'his views he is annoyed. When he learns a litt‘e later that his friend’s wife, whom he regarded as a woman of modesty ♦nd chastity and who has in fact inspired many of his poems, is wearing a pair , of the hose under discussion, he is frankly shocked. When ho learns that she has been in the rooms of a notorious ladies’ man, whose record as co-respondent *a three divorce suits since the war, speaks for itself, he is crushed. The discovery in fact causes hip* to lose all his faith in the sex. To do him justice, the man in whose room the wife had gone, was keenly desirous of making her .his wife, and receives an unexpected blow when she tells him that it is not he whose fove she wants but the love of another. In a moment of tehee dramatic interest, she tells her husband in the presence of his poet friend that she has been unfaithful to him, and then quietly leaves the house.. The next time she goes into it her divorced husband is married to a younger woman and she herself, as tho result of the visit, gains the happiness «he has yearned for. It is said that as "Edmund Quilter/’ Mr Lawrence Grossmith, is seen in the best and most entertaining of his many admirable creations. Mr Grossmith was the original of the part, during the phenomenal run of the play in New York. He will be supported by the strength of the company, including Mi.ss Diana Wilson. Ihe season finishes after the performance of "T*e Silver Fox" on Thursday night next.

HIS MAJESTY’3 THEATRE

ATTRACTIVE NEW BILL. The new bill which was presented at His Majesty’s last night is well up to the standard of Fuller revue and vaudeville. Tho programme opened with a turn by 'Will Hastings, described as an English musical comedian. Hastings knocks music out of a variety of instruments, and gives his items c'arefuhv chosen titles, such as : "It’s a stiff nock that has no turning when the short skirts go by." Hastings’s instruments range from a trumpet to something that looks like a cornet about four feet long Leg Warton i- back again, and vita favourite coon comedian is as welcome as ever. He sings about cannibal love, cracks good jokes, and the audience is with him all the while. Rosina Gordon again scored an undoubted success. She hast a pleasing m<?zzo-soprano voice, and her songs are well chosen. Nat Hanley entertains as airily as ever. All his work was well received, and he wa» heartily applauded for his impersonation of the larrikin, the Sunday-chool teachtr, and the "Starvation Army Captain," singing "Who were you with Last Night?" The turn of the MacKinnon Brothers was highly popular. Their dancing was a very fine feature of the show. Neater footwork than that of one of tho brothers would be difficult to imagine. The second part of the evening was oevoted to the Con Moreni Musical Comodv Company’s revue, "Caught in Cairo. Brighter and better than most of the revues which come round, it went with a breezy swing and brought In its train catchy song? and snappy patter. The songs included "The Best in the World (sung by Les Austin 1 ), "Cow Bells (Dollv Varni), "I Wonder if Love Is a Dream (Ida Leggat), "The Girl T Left Behind" (Con Moreni), "Sands of tho Desort" (Will KeDny), "If Winter Comes’’ (Trixie Ireland). "Jonah" (Harry Moreni), "The Murray Moon" (Ida- Leffgat And Dan Weldon), "Hot and Bothered" (Alex. McAllister). For a laugh: Fullers’.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

"LONG TACK SAM." Another crowded© house greeted Long Tack Sam and his troupe of wonderful Chinese acrobats, contortionists, magicians, and jugglers at the Paramount Theatre last night. As each remarkable feat followed close upon the other, the enthusiasm of the audience was raised to the highest pitch, culminating in a demonstration at the close of the act that is seldom seen in a Wellington theatre. The dancing of tlie girls is the finest ever seen in the country, and their execution of a Scotch dance wag delightful. One of the clever little bits of by-play was done by a member of the company, wbo kept one stick in the air as long as he wanted to by tapping it with another. Loud: applauee reworded the lady member of the company who, etanding on a pedestal, bent KncK yard, picked a glass off a table and drank

tho contents of the glass. While performing this astonishing feat eh© held a glass of water .in each hand. The horizontal bar artiste were amazing. It is safe to say they do the bar things that havo never before been seen in New Zealand. Besides tho Long Tack Sam act, 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 be presented throughout this week. Long Tack Sam and his Chinamen appear twice daily until further notice, and the opportunity of seeing this remarkable performance should not be missed.

KINC’B THEATRE

"REMEMBRANCE." "Remembrance," a United Artists’ 10lease, which is being screened at the King’s this week, is a film depicting the life of a hardworked father who has l o do all the work in order to receive tlio satisfaction of merely keeping his good-for-nothing family in luxury. For ais efforts he receives no recompense, but the slights of his children, and the thoughtless way his good work m received. The film is a companion picture to the "Old Nest/’ and has been adjudged a decided success in every country where it has been shown. One fine however, the family bubble literally bursts, and the children 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 Spanisfti lire, and is entirely a picture of children for children. It cannot but cause many a laugh during the sposon. 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 bo seen a number of views of the exKaiser in his enforced habitat at Aineringen, also several views of the former Emperor, when he held away in Potsdam. It forms an interesting contrast. The progiamme, from a musical point of view, is also an interesting one, for the overture is Nicolai’s "Merry Wives of Windsor." Tho other items are all well selected, and of much interest. Mr L. D. Austin conducts the special orchestra. and tho whole production is of the high standard for Vhich the King’s is rightly famed.

PRINCESS THEATRE

DOROTHY DALTON IN “DARK SECRETS." Dorothy Dalton docs some splendid work in her latest starring vehicle, “Dark Secrets.” The picture gives ample opportunity for the display of Miss Dalton's talent, and she is well supported by a strong cast. Ruth Rutherford is the spoilt daughter of rich parents, w-ho 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 Mohamed Ali, an Egyptian, who ‘Possesses remarkable healing powers and a hatred of the white races. Ruth determines to ride “Untamable," fiat the horse, resents her advances, and while endeavouring to master him, Ruth is thrown and injures her spine. She becomes a permanent 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, but 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. The supports are excellent, and include Billie iDove and Noah Beery in "Youth to Youth,” and two clever comedies. “Rented Trouble” and "Pretty Lady."