ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12094, 23 March 1925, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

VAUDEVILLE BE LUXE ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION GALAXY OF TALENT AT GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The drama, musical comedy, and the revue all have their devotees, but the infinite variety of vaudeville holds a potent lure which few theatre-goers can resist, and this accounts in large measure for the wide popularity this, form of entertainment enjoys in New Zealand. It was not surprising, therefore, that, a capacity house greeted the latest com-,, bination of vaudeville stars presented by, New Zealand Entertainers, Ltd., by arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night. An exceptionally high standard, was attained hv the first company that appeared under this management, but the aim has been ever higher, and that it has been attained in the successive companies that have visited Wellington in recent months has been demonstrated beyond question. To say that the latest combination in. many respects is the best the firm has given the theatre-going public to date, is hut to state a faot which will not be disputed by .all who have seen the previous companies. Many features new to, vaudeville in New Zealand are presented, while some of the acts provide many hair-raising thrills. “Nothing but the best,” is the slogan! of Mr A. R. Shepard, who is directingthe tour, and his enterprise is crowned; by a galaxy of talent representing the, very cream of, the world’s leading vaudeville theatres.

The performance of Felovis, aptly described as “the juggling marvel.”' created a sensation. Never in the his-, tory of stagecraft in Wellington has the astounding exhibition of this king of balance and dexterity been excelled —if equalled. Felovis is no illusionist; his turn is completely devoid of mystery or sleight of hand. What he does he does openly. He literally defies the law of gravitation, and throws into the air such articles aa heavy oil lamps (lighted), bowls, plates, and other odds and ends in a most alarming manner, catching each in turn in such- rapid fashion that one is apt to imagine he possesses three pairs of hands instead of one. Hie tricks with a large rubber hall, which he bounced off his forehead into the air only to catch it on the descent on the .paint of a stick where it remained balanced; his amazing feats with a cigar on which he caught and balanced various objects; and his many other achievements showed the true spark of genius. He also gave an exhibition of how to put on a silk hat in a hurry, andi ro matter how high he threw it it always earns to rest on his head. Felovis well merited the ovation he received. Harmony and jazz in exoelsis found peerless exponents in “The Versatile Three” (A. A. Haston. E. W. Mills, and A. Tuch), whose claim to versatility is more than justified. Whether in vocal harmony, solo items, or instrumental numbers they struck the popular 1 note every time, and demonstrated hovy jazz songs should be sung. Their ballads and negro spiritual item were faultlessly rendered, while as a trio of instrumentalists (piano, banjo, and saxophone) they displayed marked musical gifts. One of the most daring danger-defy-ing acts ever seen in Wellington was | that of the Daro®, comedy equilibrists, whose performance on the “dizzy ladder” was a ten minutes’ thrill of the first order. Balancing the ladder on his forehead the male member of the duo stood for quite ten minutes while his female partner performed the most astonishing feats on the topmost rungs, the while she kept up a running fire of patter with her partner below. With body taut and with foot grip- only she .hung suspended at right angles with the ladder in midair. This turn must be the biggest thrill in. vaudeville to-day. : Hayden and Nevard appeared successfully in a pleasing song scena. “Then and Now,” wliieh introduced the songs of to-day with those of 100 years ago. The syncopation of some of the old favourites was cleverly done, the performance generally striking an original note. Miss Violet Lester, the dual-voiced! vocalist, displayed her surprising vocal gifts in two pleasing numbers, the contrast in the two Voices, each distinct, being well brought out. Her second! item, a coon song, was the more pleasing item. Miss Lester also displayed remarkable ability as a quick-change artiste. Miss Ethel Newman appeared in a miniature musical comedy entitled “The Widow,” which she invested with much charm and subtle humour. A special feature of her performance was a novel solution of the eternal feminine uroblem of having nothing to wear for a special occasion. With nothing more than a table cloth and table centre with which tp design a frock Miss Newman got to work and, before tbc audience, draped the materials in such a manner that she appeared in the height of fashion. Fdr a bat she utilised the wreath procured for the tomb of her long since “late lamented.” .Tack Hooker and i Dorothv Seaward appeared in a quartette of character dances, the pair displaying faultless technique 'and rhythm. “Flash Jack” was perhaps the best, of the four, hut “On the Road to Gnndagai” was exceptionally well done, as also was Mi Hooker’s solo dance. “The Inebriate.” Last but by no means least was the performance of the Four Ortons, comedy artistes, who performed hair-raising feats on the tight rope. A novel and highly amusing feature was the introduction of a remarkably trained goose which, directed by the comedian of the troupe, played a conspicuous part in the performance. Roars of laughter greeted the appearance of the goose which is “some comedian.” Mention meet be made of the orchestra. under the direction of Mr A. G. Frost, which contributed largely to the success of the entertainment. Large crowds should he the nightly order during the present season of the company.

FULLERS’ VAUDEVILLE REVUE AND VAUDEVILLE. A thoroughly interesting and well I diversified bill, comprising vaudeville and revue, will be presented by . the Fuller Proprietary in the new programme to be staged at His Majesty’s Theatre this evening. Following the success achieved with “The Men in I Possession,” Mr George Storey and his ' Revue Company will produce an entire- j ly new musical ■ 'extravaganza entitled “The Blue Lagoon,” which is acclaimed an even morn certain ’ provoker of mirth than the first piece. The setting is one of 'the Pacific isles, with pretty native girls, palm groves, and the other musical comedy ingredients of tropical romance. To this island comes a ship, and the crew, with so mahj inducements, decide to stay. The fun of the piece is provided by two tars —Bill O’Sale, portrayed by Mr George Storey, and Bill O’ Lading, in the capable hands of Mr Frank Haining. They’ are an irresponsible pair, who do and say the drollest things. The brightest elements of a revue rich in colour and effective costumes are—next to the fun-making of the comedians—the singing and dancing, which are said to be extraordinarily good. Mr Storey is supported by a capable company, comprising Mr Mark Erickson, Sir Richard Butler, Sir Fred Monument., Miss Mabelle Morgan, Miss Dulcie Milner, a.nd Miss Ada Scadden. The; principals are supported by the “Delectable Six,/ who provide a chorus, which is opulent both in beauty and 1 the high calibre of its work. The change of programme in the vaudeville section is headed by the Foy 1 Brothers, horizontal bar acrobats,, whose turn is reported to be one of the! most exhilarating and original that! has been seen. The first appearance is; announced of Miss Anita Snawe, English comedienne and burlesque actress,, who, was specially engaged by Sir Benjamin Fuller in London, and who has completed a successful season at thei Opera House, Auckland, The Mullaney Bros., who are in such high favour with local audiences, will thisi evening stage a new act in which simultaneous dancing is made prominent. Maxwell Carew, the versatile entertainer, will provide further novelties,, and the bill will be completed by Mr Frank Perryn, the English light comedian. The new bill will he repeated; each evening during the week at S andi at a matinee on 'Saturday at 2.30. “THE GAIETY GlßL’'’ AT THEATRE DE LUXE. Mary Phil'bin, ever-oliarming, and iis pretty as ever, has .the title role in, “The, Gaiety Girl,” which is, showing at the De Luxe Theatre this, week This delightful photoplay tells a wonderful story of how a poverty-stricken but aristocratic maiden', of the great house of Tudor of Pen-, carrey, becomes a dancing girl at the. Gaiety Theatre, rises meteor-like from! just one of the chorus to he an. artist! of international fame, and is tricked! into marrying a man she does not love,: sacrificing herself for heT fine old grandfather, an aristocrat of the aristocrats.. But, impossible as it may seem. all! ends well, and true love comes into its! own. Tricked into marriage by- a man’s; lie—swept from the arras of the man she loved by a terrible plot—was she morally bound to be a wife? This is the problem that Irene Tudor, descendant of a line of kings, had to faceHer lover, returning,; from-a year'in a tropic exije for her sake., found her wedded to the man she hated; could lie be blamed for the cruel ivords that broke her heart? She sacrificed all for the only two persons in the world she loved—and both reviled her as faithless. The supports include a most interest! mg International News Budget, and a mirth-inspiring , Century comedy, “Broadway Beauties,” while the Orchesr tra De Luxe, under the able directorship of .Mr L. D. Austin, renders in very finished fashion an admirable selection of musical items. This most attractive programme will he repeated this evening, and nightly throughout the week. “THE NLY WOMAN.” Commencing next Friday the Theatre i Do Luxe will offer one. of the most dis- . tinctivo performance of filmdoom’s suiperior artiste. It. is only fitting that j after such efforts as “Secrets” and “Smilin’ Through” 'Norma Talmadge should again give an entertainment that is distinctly outstanding. Mins Talmadge in her latest photoplay, “The Only Woman,' ! does the finest work of her marvellous career. She married a man she hated to- save her father from disgrace, and it took a shipwreck to make /ier realise she loved him. And such a wreck, never has anything more vividly real and thrilling-been seen in motion pictures. Norma is supported by the screen’s greatest lover, * Eugene O’Brien. ' > b EMPRESS THEATRg SHOWING THE SCREEN TESTS. j The screening of the; film tests made by Mr Beaumont Smith in Wellington recently has been the means of providing a couple of hours’ excellent enjoyment at the Empress Theatre since the season commenced on Friday last. Ardent lovers whose amours were gently coaxed from behind the unromantic camera, in the full gtare of arc lights, saw themselves as those, people who attended the trials saw them. The results arc at times excruciatingly humorous, and the audienoeß who have so far crowded out the theatre have found that their, release provides as [good an entertainment as is to be found. The abduction scene was in some cases an absolute scream, and the audience were convulsed when one somewhat lightly-built young man chloroformed a sweet maiden (?) of about 18-stone weight, hut when faced with tho task of cnirying her off found it more than he could manage, and he had to give it up as a bad job. Then came the jilted husband or wife, who committed suicide upon finding out that thoir partners had gono astray. “How to Dio” was the screen title. Some ran a risk of dying front apoplexy through laughing so much. The drunken man with the crayfish on the tram was cleverly done. It is a big programme, the overture by the orchestra, conducted by Mr Dixon, being “Tho Lost Chord,” in which the solo was played by Mr IV. H. Bowman. The news film incluclos a review of 1924 great events, a comedy, “Two Too Many;” “Hodge-podge,'’ sense and nonsense, with Beaumont Smith’s new picture “Job” as tho grand finale. It is not a bush story all the way through, tor after tho bush portion the film was completed in Sydney, several of the incidents at the Sydney Ambassador, tho popular cafe. Arthur Tanchert, of “Sentimental Blotse” fame, is great in the rolo of the station hand, who marries the daughter of liis employer, and then gets entangled in city affairs. In view of the exceptional attraction early booking'is advised.

TIVOLI THE ALIi BLACKS’ RETURN AND STAR FILMS. A double feature bill is attracting large audiences to the Tivoli this week, and besides a special star film there is the picture of the arrival in Wellington of the famous All Blacks, who ; were accorded such a remarkable re- | caption last week. To those who | crowded the wharves and thoroughfares but were denied a view of the main events such as the Government reception, the civie welcome and othei functions, the present 'film will be eagerly sought. Besides this there is a First National feature film, “Tar. [ nish.” which features May McAvoy, Marie Prevost, Roland Colman, Norman Kerry and others. It is a dramatic story very finely arranged, in which the young lady, on the verge of matrimony, becomes acquainted with some past history of her intended husband which gives her furiously to think. However, further light places his cwiducti in a somewhat different aspect, the shadows flee away and—well, the climax is a particularly interesting one. Gloria Swanson is at the top rung of the ladder in “Her Love Story,” a Paramount special. Despite the fact that history often teaches otherwise, it shows that Cupid does jjpon occasions gain access to Royal households, and this is a beautiful story of love and motherlove, the love of a little Balkan Princess for the captain of the Royal Guards. There arc the usual supports, a coined}' and. topical news budget, and this big programme is to he. screened twice daily during the coining week. Seats may be booked at the Bristol or by telephoning the theatre. STRAND THEATRE A FINE PROGRAMME. Two excellent films are proving popular sources of amusement at the -Strand Theatre this week. Fred Thomson and his wonder horse Silver King are 1 versatile pair in “The Mask of Lopez,” a feature which is full of thrills, from one end to the other. In addition Rod. Ia Rocque* and' Dolores elli share honours in “Thoi Challenge.” Fred Thomson in his success takes the name of an ex-conviet andi ohtains a position as cowbov on a ranch owned by a beautiful girl, who is trying to carry on after her father’s death. A band of cattle thieves) threaten to ruin her by their raids on her herds, and to make matters worse her foreman in whom she trusts is the leader of the gang. The “ex-convict” comes to her aid, but the. bandits thwart his manoeuvres and lie is placed befor§ a firing party. Here Silver King plays a great part in a thrilling rescue, and the picture concludes with a fitting climax. “The Challenge” derives its title from the many sides of a man’s nature—the challenge of hate, the challenge of jealousy, of curiosity, resa* son, etc. The story has to do witli Barbara, hostess at a fashionable mountain hotel ~"and her two suitors, an artist and a banker. She marries the artist and lives in New York. But the hanker has not lost hope. Just Fere is the striking novelty of “The Challenge.” The banker does none of the things you would exnect of him, and the climax is unusual. The supports and the incidental music are of high standard.

MONSIEUR BEAUOAIRE

ATTRACTION AT KING’S. “Monsieur Beaucaire,” long awaited by Wellington audiences, is now proving a popular attraction at the King’s Theatre. The settings are magnificent, while Bebe Daniels and Rudolph Valentino, two famous stars, are responsible for some'■fine acting. The story tells of the Kin .gof France (Louis XV.), dominated by the crafty Richelieu, of Madame La Pompadour and the ignored Queen, and into tlieir lives comes the Due de Charles, who is affianced by the King to his cousin just released from a convent. La Pompadour is insulted in turn hr each. The Duke’s arrest is ordered, but he escapes and disappears., Shortly afterwards there appears in Bath a mysterious individual who is barker to the French Ambassador, yet acquiree a reputation for gambling for high stakes. He falls in love with the haughty belle of the town! and, attired in gergeous clothes, sets out to woo and win her. Success is near when lie is denounced as no gentleman. The lady leaves him in high dudgeon, but not before she lias witnessed the rout of the hirelings at the point of the barber’s rapier. He threatens that a week later he will . present himself at the assembly roams, slid despite every precaution he gains access : to the rooms disguised! under a woman’s cloak and hood. Just then the French Ambassador arrives, and on seeing the barber he makes obeisance and introduces him to the astounded company as the Duke of Chartres. The kumilatioit of the Belle of Bath follows, and Chartres, pardoned by the King, returns to France, and lays his fortunes at the feet of his old love. In addition to the feature film there i« an interesting picture showing the departure and the refurn of the All Blacks to New Zealand. , The orchestra, under “Mr A. H. Jerome, is as usual a pleasant feat”re of an excellent entertainment. The current programme will he shown throughout this week.

NEW EMPIRE THEATRE

SATURDAY’S OPENING AT ISLAND BAY. o The opening ceremony performed at the new Empire Thea.tre, Island Bay. on Saturday evening proved a great success, and the large attendant*, Bugnrs well for the future popularity of this addition" to the city’s amuseineift houses. 71ie new theatre is replete with the latest design for adequate ventilation, exit, and comfortable accommodation. The architecture is simple but is far from bordering on the plain, for its very simplicity gives it a charm usually 1 c -1 by orer-derora-tion. The Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.IL) performed the opening oeremony, and delivered a short address. The programme this week is headed hv Zane Grey’s great novel in pictuvised form, “The Last of the Duanes.” in which Tom Mix and the wonder horse, Tony, are two “stars” in their own particular class. A serie.v of thrilling incidents include a desperate battle against bandits, a kidnapping exccre and pursuit, crowd one another with almost bewildering rapidity. Marian Nixon, the feminine lead, is sweetness itself. There i? an excellent supporting programme, and there is. in addition, an exhibition of fanny dancing which is a delight to all who witness it. ;