ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11960, 15 October 1924, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

FULLERS' VAUDEVILLE , JIM GERALD’S NEW REVUE. CLEVER SKETCH AND VERSATILE DANCERS. Jim Gerald’s new revue at His Majesty’s Theatre “It’s All Yours,” made a pronounced hit from the first, for it is chookful of fun from start to finish, and wheezy old chestnuts are conspicuous by their absence. Sometimes it is lamented that there is not a new joke under the sun. Jim Gerald has managed to unearth a few, and good ones at that. The house was not serious for a minute when he was on the stage, for either his attitudes or his repartee were so funny that laughter was rippling all the time. Ernest Crawford, in the role of Reggie Mason, a penniless young man, aspires to the band of a wealthy banker’s daughter, and is set the task of proving his. worth by buy ing a business and making it pay. The scene opens in Madaune Velvette's emporium, where an opening chorus is sung by the Twinklera as Billy Burton, a porter (Jim Gerald), comes on tbe scene, and the quips and iokes keep the audienoe delighted until Reggie, getting the worst of the exchanges chases Bill off the stage. The second scene is outside the magnificent mansions, and the final scene is in Reggie’s shop, which is to demonstrate his worthliness of his lady love. The usual happy ending is arrived at, hut the fun waxes fast and furious before the final curtain. Jim Gerald is irresistibly funny as the comedian, Reg. Hawthorn making an excellent foil for him. Lanoe Vane achieves success in the character of Mr Banks, the rich banker. A coupie of roles do not come amiss to Howard Hall. Mabel Banks, heiress to the banker, is capably portrayed by Mona Thomas, and excellent support is given by Sophie Vivian, Polly McLaren, and Essie Jennings. The Six Twinklers also add to the attractiveness of the revue. The musical portion of the revue was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. The revue was written by Jim Gerald, the wardrobe iby, Ethel Moar, and the ballets by Polly McLaren. The vaudeville opens with the Avalons, a pair of exceedingly clever lady dancers on roller skates, which they manipulate very skilfully, and the turn received very "cordial applause. The Dudleys—Jack and Evelyn—were a talented pair of sketch artiste, their songs and humorous dialogue giving them a good deal of applause. McJKinnon Brothers have considerably changed the fare they placed: before the public on their previous visit. With a concertina and saxophone they play a number of Scottish airs, and they also are most accomplished danoens. Howard and Wyndham were a delightful entertaining pair of vocalists and dancerß, and gave a Tory daring dance duo. Jock Mills took off Sir Harry Lauder to a„“t”; his medley of Scottish songs and natter were thoroughlv enjoyable, while his make-believe pathos towards the close simply brought down the house. j This popular programme will he continued for the rest of the week. The orchestra plays ably, under the direction of Mr Frank Crowther. THE TIVOLI “SEVEN KEYS TO BALDCPATE.” _ Clever dialogue and humorous situations abound in the American comedy “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” written.by GeorgeM. Cohan, and for many years a firm favourite with theatregoers throughout the Englishspeaking world. _ Nor does the play lose anything of its charm when played by' the Robert Greig and Beatrioe Holloway Company which is now producing it at the Tivoli Theatre, where, last night, there was a highly appreciative audienoe to enjoy and applaud their efforts. As .Walter _ McGee, the storywriter, Mr Greia scores a big success. His comedy work is faultless, while his hearty and spontaneous _ laugh never fails to bring an answering echo fraan the audienoe. Miss Holloway gives a clever interpretation of the lady journalist, her style being restrained but artistically correct, and always pleasing. Mr Barry Lock appeared as the old innkeeper, and' was a fertile source of merriment. As Mrs Rhodes, Miss Josephine Strachan gave a very good interpretation of the part. Mr P. L. Julien, took the part of Peter the Hermit, his acting being convincing, and hiß character work particularly effective. A difficult part, that of Myra, the lady “crook,” was taken by Miss Barbara Birch, who emerged from the trial with honour. Mr Richard Webster ployed Lou Max ; John Bland was played by Mr Maurice Dudley; Jim, Oargan by Mr Fred Francis; the police inspector, by Mr Charles Lawrence, while Mr Douglas Calderwood took the part of the owner of Baldpate. “A MESSAGE FROM MARS” GREAT PLAY FOR SATURDAY. Richard Ganthony’g masterpiece, “A Message from Mars,” which is to be revived 4at the Tivoli Theatre, beginning at the matinee at 2.30 on Saturday next, by Miss Beatrice Holloway, Mr Robert Greig, and their admirable company, should prove very acceptable to playgoers, for it is conceded to be ihe most popular play since “The Silver King.” The Australian Press has written in terms of high piaise of the high-grade presentation of the piece given toy the HollowayGreig Company. Concerning “A Message from Mars,” at Adelaide, the South Australian “Register” wrote: “Record houses greeted the play, and the production was one of the flneßt ever staged here.” The special efforts lately made by scientists to communicate with the people in Mars directs special interest at the moment to Ganthony’s great story. Box plans will open at tho Bristol, on Thursday n.oming. EMPRESS THEATRE “GEORGE WASHINGTON, JNR” The feature at the Empress Theatre this week is a hilarious comedy entitled ‘SGeorge Washington, Jnr.,” with tho famous Wesley Barry in the leading role. In the midst of the whirl of modern life in the States, the young screen favourite resolves always to speak the truth fearlessly; and the high ideal which he sets before himself, although it has its drawbacks, wins in tbe end. The story is the film version of the stage comedy by George M. Cohan. A comedy, a beautiful picture of a canoeing trip on the river Thames, and am in teresting gazette of recent world happenings, are included in the programme. The Empress Symphony Orchestra contribute a number of delightful musical rmmh*r.flk i

CHERNIAVSKY TRIO

BRILLIANT CONCERT AT TOWN HALL.

Although is is nearly four years since the Cherniavsky Brothers tvere here before, the wonder of their genius had not faded from the memory of those who were privileged to hear them on that occasion, and an enthusiastic reception awaited them upon their reappearance in the Town Hall last night. The ground: floor of the hall was filled with a varied assortment of music-lovers, united, however, in their anticipation of a feast of harmony, and unanimous in their enjoyment of it. The fame of the Oherniavskys is world-wide, and has been growing steadily ever since the trio burst as prodigies upon the musical world in 1901. but still, at each hearing one is struck afresh with a kind of amazed delight at the greatness of their skill, their versatility, and their unrivalled powers of interpretation. The programme presented was of a direrse nature, varied so as to bring into prominence, at one time or another, the many facets of the performers’ art. The ensemble work was perfect in such numbers as the opening Beethoven trio for pianoforte, violin, and violoncello, while the special arrangement of the Bach-Gounod “Ave Maria” was exquisitely rendered, the solemn beauty of the composition being brought out with full effect. A persittent recall was replied to with “By the Waters of Minnetonka,” and a beautiful little Slav Dance by Dvorak. The Boccherini “Minuet,” one of the happiest of the contributions, was played delightfully. In the solo department, the honours were evenly distributed, and would probably be awarded by each critic according to his favourite instrument. Jan Cherniavsky is not entirely free from those mannerisms of style that seem to fix themselves on most notable pianists, but despite these, he completely dazzled hia hearers in searching expositions of Chopin’s workß, which included the poetio “Nocturne in E Major,” two Etudes—irreproachably given—and the brilliant Scherzo in B Minor. As an encore number he gave one of Chopin's expressive “Vaises.” The 'cellist, Misehel Cherniavsky, is a consummate master of his instrument. He possesses, almost to a unique degree, the power of making it express reeling, from deep, vibrating emotion to the lightest and most airy fancy that makes one smile with irresponsible pleasure. He played with the utmost finesse such numbers as Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei,” a fine example of broad cantabile, Moszkowski’s piotuiesque “Guitarre,” and Popper’s expressive "Spinning Wheel,” with its dainty figuration. Perhaps the most popular of the trio on the evening’s offering was Leo Cherniavsky, the violinist, who exhibits keen musical perception and mature technical power, yzhioh enables him to produce tone faultless in, its absolute purity. His is a broader type of humanity, and he gets on closer terms with his audience than do either of his brothers. He was superb in his modernised version of Nardini’s Violin Sonata, the Larghetto, especially, being a thing of sheer delight. The audience were clamorous for more, and lie was generous with his numbers, additional ones including Paderewski’s “Minuet,” “Canebrake” (Gardner), and a “Mazurka” (Chopin-Kreisler). The next recital will be given tomorrow (Thursday) evening. " FIBK JUBILEE SINGERS CONCERT "CHAMBER ON MONDAY. ' At present the oldest touring company in the world is the Risk Jubilee Singers. Originally starting in 1863, they have toured every clime, and have sung before audiences composed of the leading representatives of the nations of the world. It is estimated that the favourite “Steal Away” has been sung by them 16,000 times- Of course, the old personnel has changed considerably, although Miss Belle Gibbons is still with the troupe, and Miss Marjorie Alwyne, Mr Harry Penn, and Mr HuntLv Spencer have toured with the company on a previous occasion. The new artists in the company consist of Miss Alice Baptiste, mezzo-soprapo: Mr. Harrio Franklin, baritone: Miss Davina Morrison. coloratura soprano; and Miss Thompson, soprano. Mr Huntly Spencer is said to be one of the finest coloured singers in Australia, and his quaint sense of humour adds the necessary piquancy to a programme laden with good things. The “New York Tribune” says: “They came, they conquered; they sang to us, and such harmony, such blending of voices, such execution we never heard before. Without doubt, the Fisk Jubilee Singers stand alone.” The Fisks have an appeal to all classes. Their simple, heartreaching melodies are acceptable to the most close critics as well as the less musically educated portion of the audience. It is but natural that these coloured folk, whose ancestors were fervent members of the Baptist and Episcopalian Churches of the Southern States, of America, should mix hymns with the light ragtime melodies, humorous choruses and plantation songs, but they do either well. The company opens a short season m the Town Hail Concert Chamber on Monday next. The box i>lan was opened at the Bristol this morning. KING'S THEATRE ‘ THE WOMAN ON THE JURY.** The experience of a woman who is. conscientious enough to serve on a jury during her holidays are unfolded in “Tho Woman On The Jury” at the King’s Theatre this week. The film, which has a decided snap in it, and which never lacks movement and interest, tells of a young woman who gives a promise of marriage. Her fiance sends her a cheque for a trip round the world, but after two years have passed, and the young girl is married and successful in business, she and her husband are serving on a jury at a murder trial. It is not until the case is nearly completed that the wife learns that the murdered man is George Montgomery, to whom she was engaged to be married. After a prolonged retirement the jury is influenced into seeing matters from Betty’s point of view, and a verdict of not guilty is returned. The programme includes a topical and a comedy. The orchestral selections include “Rakcczy” (Liszt), and “The Erl-King” (Schubert). WELLINGTON GIRLS' COLLEGE A gymnastio display will be given in tho Opera House on Wednesday and Thursday, October 15th and 16th, at 8 p.m. It is hoped that everybody interested in the physical education of girls will make a point of attending. Other details are given in the advertisement which appears in this issue.