ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12008, 10 December 1924, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

BRIGHT AND TUNEFUL *: “OUR REVEILLE” OPENS EXCELLENT AMATEUR' SHOW. There is much variety of theme and charm of action in “Reveille,” the re-, rue produced by Mr William Lints mi lid . of the funds of the Returned SoL liers’ Association, which opened its ten- , * night season at the Grand Opera House, last, evening. The* whole show is a gor-J geoua parade of girl. The men in “fib-'; voille” might be counted upon one! hand; but there are maidens a-many, in long, dance, and sketch. The ballets are full of the poetry of m,otion, and leveral (notably the “Scarecrow” ballet, tho “Calisthenic Eight;” who. perform with jingling bells, and The pier, rot ballet) reach a very high level of performance. ..... . Generally, however, 'the -girla do remarkably well, and are a fine testimony to: what hard work and intelligence .wul accomplish with. vt£e supple Tirol* of youth, evetr-when* the*' hfage ''has'- not claimed them from the earliest years.' Few professionals' coiild compete With Sony of them in grace and charm, any~w6urd~he tmtsimner by the keenness and vigour of those amateurs. Or - the artistic side, “Hevei}le’’>is*yery wel presented. The. twenty numbers of the thirty-pine- in,,- the, repertofr'e wbicl were 'presented last 'night showed e ver; evidence.’of. taste.. iYvelL frocked,’ hue utilising, tothe utmost- the-' scenery available,,! Ahe , ballets.-arid choruses achieved many fine effects in the limelight, and were remarkable in .the perfection -of their drilling. For a -first night performance, “Reveille” proved rertjarkably -free ■ from faults, which augurs well for the. productions to come. The, rabidity* with whichr the ; scenes. .we/e. /un through, - and the,immechate, moveof the succeeding number info position on. its completion, testified to the good schooling and efficient stage management; bud 03 the music ishrigbt.tbeeongs -amusing, .in. eluding a fair proportion of old favourites, the dancing is the Show’s' strongest feature, afid the general presentation very, good; theafregodiSraa/ arifTcipate something decidedly, above the,;Ordinary run of- apsateur productions. *, “Reveille” is strong in sofcists/ and Miss' Madge Wilson, a sprightly young comedienne. Miss E. Buckmaster. who has a really fine voice, and. Mrs C. Crarke, a good mezzo; make anattractive trio from every point of view. Mis# Leah Wilson last evening-had only one number, which was a pity. Miss Madge Wilson has hutch to do, and performs it well. She is always bright and attractive/ and owns a good, voice.' First Been in “By. the. Gay Seaside,” She pose9U-in JJiutcb -pictere».vish riff'W. Lint*. i/t the cheery miday’saong,' Whah. *: Deference the Made to Me”; .In » davey t/fo full of humour, being-astaidigted-here with Mira Edo?. Hawkins '"and Mrs BfmgeS;>,an<t tlm' ever - popular, “Maggie l Yes, Ma 1” with its'sketches of -high and low life. Miss Buckmaster sang first in “Gipsy Love,” with a gipsy charurr.ctmonsly bearing parasols; in an attaactive.Dutch number, “By the Sleepy Zuyder_-Zea.”; and, finally; in, # Hirivaifta munjhsr. In, all <»f*thes% sßie.v?as, eatlsf|irig. Mrs Clarke’s" appearance -whs •* notttory, hut - good/ hsupg. in f‘Hiawatha’s .Meldffy,” and Mias Xeah Wilson" was an int«esti(og peiaahality in “Annabelth,”' ' ■*. Similarly the revue is. fortunate' in its 'ode Idahcetr*. - Mha. hgtrtand dainty, performs we 11... brat with the virile. Jack. Morria in a “Danse Vraant,” and .latterly in a whirlwind' number. Miss Kitty.. Boyle, nothing,».if no* vigorous; Was’C-ohe of the hits ’ of the Apenin'g performance fwWb |betr RGieaiait <sanioe, , vgbite an amazingly good 'Salfdrs hornpipe la breoented s>y little Stanley .fibs, of the nature age of four. - Amo a song and rimultaneone dance “Doodle-Doo-Doo,” riven hi the two tiny tots, Phyllis Oliver and Peggy Welch, was well executed. Phyllis Oliver also in a cute little aoldist in “A PicanmnyV Para- - dise.” Also there are -several big scenes, which take hancHing hnd reveal great excellence of" drill. The hitman pock of cards ,is the.chief of these, and as the girls, file upon the ptage garbed to represent court cards of 'the various luite the effect is very telling. In )he finale also thb grand march reveals ballet after ballet at its’ 1 post, and when the scenery is whisked away behind and abovq it shows rertv on row of girls, girls from stage to flies, almoet. ' This is tha. epjtome of. “Reveille. ’’ ... -

As has been said the ballets are of high merit. The effects are novel and interesting, notably in' the chorus to the “Pieamnny's Paradise,’’ the; naval long, where the signalling squad semaphore “Our Reveille,” with calling, up lign all complete, in tbe ‘‘Scarecrow;’ lumber which was greeted by the andimce with high delight, ana tbe complicated and excellently performed Iteps of .he Spanish number.- In short the 200 performers are kept hard at work, and there are none too many 0! them. .

The proceeds from the revue are to bo devoted to the R.SLA. functe, the> object of which is threefotd: to continue the activities of the body in giving relief to necessitous cases, to tester a spirit of comradeship among returned men, and ultimately to furnish the. nucleus of a building, fund. The members of the various ballets and choruses are as- follow:

Spinning Top Ballet, Signalling Squid and Spanish Ballet: Hisses Jean. Buckloton. Kathleen Matthews, Lorna Chapman, Thelma. Andrews, Betty Bruges, Edna Hawkins, Violet •Stodman.-Jaroo-Poet, Marjorie Morton, Molly Plimmer, Noelino Bevan, Wainoni Ray-ward. “By the Gay Seaside,” and '“Annaibollo”: Misses Tiora Meadows, Elsie Tate, Edna Y/ylie, Kathleen- Wylie, Giace Beats, Me!da Meadows, Beta. Blackmoi-e, Gladys Shadboit. ‘ Iris Flower, Esther Hunter, Phyllis Fordhem, Marjorio’ Arndt, Olga Hazard, Judy Ross.

Hawaiian specialty number and boh bon ballet:—Misses Ina Maturing MaVlorie Vanse, Phyllis Linklater, Clarice Smith, Lorraine Melton, Nancy Rodder, Violet Owler, Doma D’Emdeo. Hazel Martin, Trixie Luke, Hadel Bayne, Florence Heyworth, Hilda Cowjan, AJma Redding, Violet Clementson, Hazel Shaw, Nancy Beere. Ethel Barter, Elsie Swanson. Amy Belhamin.

Scarecrow Ballet:—Misses Jocelyn Jollife, Tiora Meadows, Elsie Tate, Edna Wylie, Kathleen Wylie, Grace Pcath, Imclda Meadows, Zita Blackmore, Gladys Shadboit, Iris Flower, Either limiter. Phyllis Fordham, Marporie Arndt, Olga Lezard, Judy Rdss. “Hiawatha” :—Misses Gladys Linegar, Edith Yates. Nada Nichol, Rita Cunninghame, Mona Yates. Mavis Oiiatfiold. FJsie Phillips. Rita Mac Kay, Iris Nio'.iol, Lola Humphry, Doreen Frith, %'ivia Stark, Edna Mulhollond, May Lukc. - “Bv the Sleepv Zuyt’er Z»“” : Misses Amy Clark, Emily Dorset, Ida Dorset. Alice Dorset, Connie Pye, .Beryl 'Martin, Hazel Wallis. Claris Ouliffe, Gwen Sheppard, Rnsaleea McGrath,

Elsie Cooper, Mrs Clark, Eunice McCarthy, Faith Huskisson. - Calisthenic Eight: Misses Tiora Meadows, Iris Flower, Jocelyn Jollife, Esther Hunter, Imelda Meadows, Phyllis Fordham, Marjorie Arndt, Olga Leznrd. Pierrot-Ballet Misses M.* Lawson; : Y. Blackmore, M. 'Gillespie, K. Boyle, T (bwan, P. Tanner, J. Morton, K. Riddick, K. Everest, I. Searle. - Picaninnies’ Paradise:—Misses Nada Nicol, Jean Hill, Edith Yates, Gladys' (Linegar, Iris Niahol, Lulu, Morrison, . Gwen Oooke x Merlyh Clifton. Lola I Humphry, Rita Cunninghame, Doreen (Firth, Netty Owler, Mona Yates, Syl--1 via Stark, Edna Mulholland, Ruby Parker, Clarice Marter, Rita Mackay, May is f-hatficld, Elsie Phillips, Lola 1 Humphry, Eileen McFie. Human' Pack of Cards: —Court J Cards: Misses Gloria Garner, Winnie .Adams, Mavis Cowan, Ruby.Rqulston, (Rita Cunninghame, Mona Yates’, Sylvia [Stark, Florence Burton j "Alla’ Stanhope, i,Pearl McKenzie, Florence Hand, Rita 'Adams,' Eilden McFje, Gnice Stanton,' Other Cnrdsi,,*; Misses Jessie McDougal, Myee 800-cock, Nada- Nichol,.. Edith Yates, Gladys Linegar, * Iris Nichol, .Lulu Morrison, Gwen Copke, Merlyn Clifton, Lola Humphry, Doreen Frith, Ruby Parker, Elsie Swansea, Rita MecKny, Mona McGuire, Winnie SWWri, Edna Parfit, Zena Knopp,' Rita Sakey,. Florence. Matter, Bay Knopp, Amy Belhamin, Hilda .Williams. Thelma Wills, Nancy . Rddda, Dna Ray, Myra Crolljs. “Reveille” will be repeated for the next nine-nights. .. .

HIS MAJESTY’S THE ATRE-

MOOT' ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME. 1 Tho highly attractive . jrrogramme presented »tl H»' Stojerty’s.'Theatre : last night was , greatly enjoyed by. a largo and appreciative audience, the vatiooville i section is headed by Mr Harry Ciaff, who produces a now and oriiginai, song scena entitled “The Whit® Knight,” ah - elaborately staged . musical sketch,' in which Sir Claff appears as a knight of- a i thousand ijyearaago who has returned, to discuss itfi©,: affairs of the day with Miss 1924, . He. is ably assisted, in, tfiia -by.-. Miss Winnie, Wager. A vvolcom© reappearance-IS that made (by Mr Walter Vernon... a ventriloquist, who is particularly novel, m his methods of voice-throwing. A. pair of popular performers, Armitage and Hine, reappear after an abse-nceor about seven years in a . melange of high-class... vocalism and comedy sketches, and Jess and Tony present . a musical act which, affords a very enjoyable' entertainment. . The great feature of tbe bill, howl eyer, is the production of the third of their series of revues by tho George Storey Company. “Sign, Please,” or “Storey’s Stores, ” is line title of the merry extravaganza—a joyous mixture of song, vfance, ’and - ’ burlesque, 'The scene 'being fit -big departmental qtore. The business of ’•"Storey Stores” - iS run on such pleasant lines that curt, tamers, ' shdpwalkets; and junior salfert njetr seek- relief trdttr tbe ordinary trials: and - tribulations of • strenuous commeicial life by engaging in a litthri quiet wdgering; wline the lady customer? sqizo both tbe -opportunity - and , the garments, and become • fuU-fledgod tnanneqtuns. As P'yrkins, the- ■ chief salesman, George -Bborey is the 'focal point-of all tbe-; fun, and his anfcrcsvin completing a sale-are-a joy to witness. The embellishments of -the. piSpe include a galaxy Of pretty girls it? goi> .geo us costumes, .-and the work of the. ballot forms a salient and nttraotivp feature. The Delectable Six, a bevy -of comely ladies, figure-in a variety-of ensembles,- the -mannequin parade add- • ing- on .artistic -touch and- at ohromatfl: uotefe'tbe proceedings. The,musical: numbers are a special . feature,; ..new: songs apd concerted - numbers" beihg,: rendered by Ml® 'Mabdlo c Miss Dulcie Mflner, Miss- 'Ada- Seadd*m,. Mr Fred.- .Mark Erickpoh.v and FVank Hailing,*,-. > •Th«a most .enjoyable prograimmei will be repented nightly throughout -the week and at Saturday’,a -matinee. . .

DE LUXE, THEATRE .

COSTUME PI«A Y IN EXCELSIS. ' . “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,"?' whieh is- attracting delighted audiences to tho De Luxe Theatre this week, is-ono-.of-vile finestmoßtpme plays >we shave had here- anumgsb the - many’ presented *■ in tho past few months. The. film is .an' epic release of the most realistic type, and- the settings afe both ■ magnificent and lavish to-a degree.. These are.net tbe only assets to--make-this-film a masterpiece. The part of Quasimodo, the hunchback, is made immortal , by Lon Chaney, a character artist whom it is a trOat-fosee. The -stm-y centres-round this pathetic figure and Esmeralda, the firl, who is stolen . in' babyhood and rought up gipsy. When she is .captured wrongly she seeks the aid of the ‘ hunchback, and some’ ~ realistic scenes are produced when-the. captain of-the guard’ clears-the square, and the girl is . rescued, ut not by - Glopin, the “King of the Beggars,”.- who has brought .her . , up. , ’ The hunchback. 'Stabbed- in -the.back by the . villain' of the piecej whcm he discovers attacking Esmeralda, arfd- he hurls- ftom the cathedral tower, staggers to* the-bell-rope and tolls his own- death-knell on his-beloved bells; while -Esmeralda and her true love, reunited at long last, plight, their troth. ■ The title role is efiacted- by T.on Chaney with a wonderful realism . that' oxcela. all his previous efforts. -Viewing his dwarfed, distorted, most reputeiye ■ figure; one cquld- by .-no means; -realisj that, without his make-iip, Lon Chaney; is quite' passably good-looking, still lest that be is nearly ,’6ft in'height.' Tbe supporting cast is a -very strong one, inf eluding tlie beautiful .and- charming Patsv Miller as'Esmeralda, Ernest Torrence as Clopin,: and Norman Kerry aS the captain of the guard. The play Is .preceded by a mqet artistic prologue, showing Notre ' D.ame at'sunrise, in'broad daylight, at-sunset, and all-lighted up at night, while the hells are tollqd and the clergy chant tho evening hymn. The ! chantmg wa? beautifully, done' by the Lyric Quart tette; and Hie specially-arranged pro. gramme of incidental music was/Verjl finely rendered throughout by the Or, chCstra De Luxe, under-the able direction of Mr. L. D. Austin,

INVITATION RECITAL

STUDENTS OF,MR AND MADAMS, DE MAUNY. 4 ' An invitation recital of exceptional interest will be given on-Tuesday. December 16th, by., the students of Mr and Madame de Manny. The pro-; gramme should interest musip lovers in Wellington on account of its varied character; items being rendered by stirt dents of the violin, pianoforte, and wnging, assisted by - Mr Leon de Manny’s orchestral class which crested such a favourable impression at last vear’s recital. Owing to the length of. the programmp the recital will commence at .7.30 n.tn. Seats may he, reserved at the BriktoT Piano Company on payment of la. The box plan is now open. (

PERRY’S CIRCUS TO-NIGHT

FINE DISPLAY PROMISED. Perry Brothers' circus and menagerie will Open-a WellififetOh-jseasbn tonight, The citcus is described as being, the greatest ring-circus that has ever visited Australia. Included in the pro--1 gramme are such celebrities as The Aerial Dare-devils, the Famous Five Perrys, La fJelle Marie, the Delevante Sisters, the- Alberto, Wizard on the j Wires, Klento the Great, La Belle Maisie, the Mighty Mundoon, the Ish | mailio Arabs, La Belle Vera, the Great L©' Henri. The comedy part of the circus will be in tbe hands of Olio, Georgo, and Bobo, the continental clowns, who create an endless chain of fun. One of the outstanding features of the • programme, will be the exhibition of high jumping, by Lone Star, the' 14.6 pony holder of the record for Australia, Included in the many other animal acts are Bessie the. football pony, Dempsey and FTrpo,", the, boxing .ponies, and Jumbo, the great performing -elephant.The- zoo -includes liens, tigers, leopards,' pumas, jaguars, : chimpanzees, -baboons, goats, monkeys, camels, etc. A'big matinee will -be -given on Saturday afternoon at 2.30. Seats may he booked at the circus tent between 4 and S p.m. daily. Comfortable seating is promised for 3000- people. - -•

KING’S THEATRE

' “K—THE UNKNOWN.” • A-magnificent Universal -filih entitled “Kr-Tlie Unknown” is the feature at the' King’s Theatre this week. In ,thei picture Sydney Pago is a young woman whoso life has . been passed in a small tow-n .where she has - -become a social favourite of the younger 'residents Into her life comes tbe silent-and mysterious ‘iK,” and Tiis arrival at the small town is also of, vital Importance to others of this- fine -drama pt life. The etorv... mav L he said .to be’ one well off slie beaten track, ahd the climaff,. unusualj. swift and-intense, is a .fitting’ termination' to a great jpro-, duqtipU. . Two tragic scenes take place,’ one in 51 cafe, and the other-- in. the opmating theatre .of an hospital. There are also many - humorous situations, specially ■ that of a man who-has a disappointment in love. Virginia Valli, the. beautiful star, is the - living embodiment of Sydney, apd Percy Marmont plays the part of “K” convincingly. Marguerite 4 Fischer* also takes an important part. ■ .There is an excellent supporting programme, and the -musio by the King’s Select Orchestra ia splendid-. •

AT THE EMPRESS

.‘“ROB ROY.” A film.of the Scottish, Highlands, entitled-“ Rob Roy.’”is tne'film feature ,at„i£e. Empresa'Theatre. this Meek. From the; original story by Alice Ramsay the picture l is . Scotland’s own; ,cpio of rcinance and adventure,- filmed on the. very ground of Macgregpr’s ddring' ixploits: familiar-scenes of -the lronnie banks - and hraea will uia-ke a particularly” strong‘appeal: to Scots, hut everyone alike' will thoroughly enjoy every.' minute oftMs splendid picture, whieh is beautifully pioduced: What fnore thrilling-Than the. scene of takingi.tilie oath Qf geanee,. the wild-looking clansmen gathering round ther corpse-of-the lad and- swearing to avenge his murder. Then” an'exjubitiorf Of Highland' dancing is "jleen oh th'e screen:, followed by j a practical -demonstration. . ' The' feud between Rob Roy (and the Duke of Mpntrosa arose - kiss hestqwed by Helen Campbell, and :Montroae. waa, milcb. put-out/when.:the lady-.he admired was- takep by Hob-JRoy, ..who married, her, in ythe. Highlands.. The wedding' scene - a picturesque, qcca-, sioh, ■ buti’-there follow , qllickly the doring-J txpJoitß, 'of.-. the - historic -Roh Roy in wondrous fights* his capture, and releases ' There-, isiewt, excellent programme , of.. suppbrtihg pictures, and the musip .by the Symphony. Orchestra is delightful.