HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11784, 21 March 1924, Page 7

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

i SPARKLING REVUE AND BRIGHT VAUDEVILLE. The sprightly and sparkling Sunbeam revue, "Special .Mixtures/'’ starring the favourite London comedians, Doddy Hurl and Harry Evans, was again played to a large and most appreciative audience at His Majesty's Theatre last night. The revue comprises three "rays' 4 —(1) "The Rehearsal Room/' (2) '‘Tabland," and (3) "Roseland"—the first two uproariously comic, full of fun and frolic; while the third cfpens with a beautiful transformation scene, a charming love duet, "Missisippi/' by Patsie Hill and Vernon Sellars, and dance and chorus by the Sunbeam Six; followed by the burlesque spiritualist seance, "The Lost Purse/' by Madeline Dormer, Doddy Hurl, Billie Jones, A 1 Mack, and Harry Evans; and the closing song, "Mary Jane/' by A 1 Mack and the entire company. In the first "ray'' Doddv Hurl greatlv distinguishes himself as the "sweets" boy turned comedian; Harry Evans is most amusing as the author; Patsy Hill makes a very fascinating leading lady; and Madeline Dormer and Billie Jones are particularly good as "Peggy" and ''Poppy" respectively. In "Ta-bland," Al Mack sings with fine effect "Too Many Girls/' while the farcical sketch, "Fancy Getting Annoyed/' is most breezily enacted by Harry Evanß, Doddy Hurl, Victor Dyer, and Al Mack. The Sunbeam Six wear some gorgeous dresses, and score strongly in both the ballets and the chorus. The vaudeville part of the programme is also very bright and breezy. Leo. Stirling, the versatile wandering musician; Lloyd and Raymond greatly delighted the audience in song, patter and dance; Harry North, "the "concertina swaggie/' met with a very hearty reception; Charles Lawrence excelled himself as a patter and song entertainer at the piano. Mr Frank Crow£her and his talented orchestra also deserve a special meed of praise. STAR ATTRACTION TO-NIGHT. Durno, the intrepid trick cyclist, concluded a successful season at His Majesty's Theatre last night. His place in the vaudeville programme will be taken by the Littlejohns, who will make their local debut. These artistes, who are described as diamond jueglers, come direct from Melbourne, where they have recently concluded a starring engagement at the Princess Theatre with the Hugh J. Ward pantomime "Mother Goose," in which they were, one of the leading features. They will 6tage *what is stated to be an act of the most spectacular nature and to be fairly dazzling in its brilliance. These performers' offering largely consists of juggling, in which they are stated to be experts. Their turn is done whilst each artiste propels a sphere sparkling with jewels, the effect being said be decidedly beautiful. Their concluding item, in which they juggle three sharp axes whilst poised on and propelling spheres round the stage, is reported to'be most exciting. There will be a special matinee tomorrow at 2.30 p.m. A FINISHED PIANIST TANNER BROTHERS’ KBGITAi. A nianist of recognised brilliance. Mr Edwin Tanner, shortly leaving New Zealand for London, gave a reoital last evening, the memory of which will endure. Mr Tanner is not an intellectual player par excellence, but he has much Of the intellectual in him. Wedded to a technique riper than is warranted by his years, this makes his performance somewhat surprising, to one unprepared for it; so that one is inclined to concentrate upon his virtuosity and forget the keen intelligence which he brings to bear upon his music. Mr Tanner, it can he said safely, is as sound and promising a young pianist as New Zealand will send abroad again, in a number of decades. The most popular item upon his programme last evening was the "Moonlight" Sonata (opus 27, No. 2) of Beethoven, take the most popular of the other big Beethoven works, the Fifth and Seventh .Symphonies, -the "Emperorr" Concerto, it is an eternal example of the fact tiiat a work need not he cheap to he popular. The "Moonlight" has been played so often of late that it has afforded a study in styles. Mr Tanner's notion of It was less coloured by the warm fires of romanticism, but satisfying and whole. The other big work which he essayed has the Rubinstein. Oomoerto in 1) Minor. Its Impressions as yet are somewhat unrelated, and the hearing of a Concerto without the orchestral setting makes it (even in the old style work) a skeleton at best. Rubinstein is remembered in more than one role, hut his concerto shows him as definitely a composer and •worthly. A group of Chopin Bonnes Bouche also were played, the familtary noturne in F Sharp Minor, the unforgettable Rohervo from the "B Flat Minor Sonata," the finest movement of a fine work; the beautiful little "Berceuse" and the "Ballade in G. Minor." Mr Claude Tanner played works bj Griev and Popper, and the "Concerto in A Minor" by Glermaun, showing himself an able and musioianly master of his instrument, the 'cello, and Mr Harold (Whittle played idle accompaniments. The audience was large and. enthusiastic. LYNCH BELLRINGERS TOURING THE COUNTRY. The Lynch family of bellringers, after a successful Wellington season, are now entering upon a oountry tour. Last night they wore at Upper Hutt, to-night they entertain the people of Martinborough, while to-morrow they will doubtless get a good reception at FeatherstcSf. On Monday they are due at Carterton, and on Tuesday the Wairarapa tour finishes at Masterton. They return to Wellington in about three months time.