ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12095, 24 March 1925, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

SUPER-VAUDEVILLE ALL STAR COMPANY AT GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Without doubt the best vaudeville company which New. Zealand Entertainers’, Ltd. (by arrangement with J. G. 'Williamson, Ltd.), have presented, to Dominion audiences is that which opened its Wellington season at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night. A capacity house again greeted the incomparable galaxy of stars last night, the whole entertainment being enthusiastically received. il’he company represents the very best artistes from the world’s leading vaudeville theatres, and many novel and unusual features are introduced which strike a new and original note. Felovis, than whom no better juggler has ever previously been seen locally, provides an amazing exhibition. The king of balance and dextoritv, he defies all laws of gravitation, performing the most reckless feats. He juggles with lamps and top hats, and balances a variety of objects in such a manner as leaves the audience bewildered and amazed. He was accorded a great reception. The Versatile Three are in a class by themselves. Possessors of well trained, voices, marked' musical gifts, which, they da monstrate by their playing of piano, banjo and saxophone, and a flair for singing the latest aongs in" a mannen •which is a delight, they hold the anu.ence from the moment they enter the stage until they bow their exit. How jazz songs should be sung is the main theme of their entertainment, but in the ballads and negro items they were equally pleasing. The audience was loath to part with the gifted trio, who present an entertainment whioh is in every respect versatile and wholly acceptable. One of the best and most thrilling f acts of its kind ever witnessed locally is that of The Dares, who perform the most hair-raising feats with the aid of a fifteen foot ladder„ Hayden and Nevard appeared successfully in a pleasing song scena. “Then and Now,” which, introduced the songs of to-day an’ v those of 100 years ago. Miss Violet Lester, the dual-yoiced vocalist, displayed her surprising vocal gifts in two pleasing numbers. Miss Ethel Newman gave a miniature musical comedy “turn” entitled “The Widow,” which found immediate favour. This is a most original turn. Jack Hooker and Dorothy Seaward appeared in a quartette cf character dances. Special mention must be made of the performance of the Four Ortons, comedy artistes, who performed hair-raising feats on the tight _ rope. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr A. G. Frost, contributed largely to the success of Die entertainment, being a pleasing feature.

TIVOLI

THE ALL 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 reception last week. Besides this there js a First National feature film, “Tarnish.” 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 <jf matrimony, becomes acquainted with some pist history of her intended husband which gives her furiously to thinki However, further light places bis conduct 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. This is a benutiful story of love and mother-love, the love, of a little Balkan Princess for the captain of the Royal Guards. There are the usual supports, a .comedy and topical news budget,, aud this big programme is to be screened twice daily" during this week.

“BORN RICH” AT THE QUEEN’S THEATRE. The story of how two young people, who were happily married lived the fast life of their, set till the inevitable happened, and how the crash over which all their friends were gloating - was averted because they lost all their "money and .ived happily ever afterWards, is well told in “Born Rich,” screening at the Queen’s Theatre each day this week. It was quite inexplicable to all their friends that after the first year of married life the couple in question should Btill be sweethearts. The husband arid wife are played by Claire Windsor and Bert Lyttell, and other stars in the cast are Cullen Landis. Frank Morgan, J. Barney Sherry and William Burton. The supports are excellent, , “MANHATTAN.” Playing ill/ support of Richard Dix in his first Paramount picture, “Manhattan,” coming to the Queen’s Theatre on Friday, is Jacqueline Logan. “Manhattan’! was adapted from. Jeffry Famol’s novel, “The - Definite Object.” The story is a gripping tale of New York’s gang life, by one who know what lie was talking about. Farnol ate and slept right in the surroundings ' cf' which he. writes, and everything about the picture is authentic. / STRAND THEATRE A FENB PROGRAMME., Two excellent films are proving pppular sources of artiusement at the Strand Theatre this’ week. Fred Thomson and his wonder horse Silver King are t versatile pair in “Thd Mask of Lopez,” a feature which is full of thrills from one end to the other. In addition Rod la Rocque and Dolores Cassinelli share honours " in “The 'Challenge.” Fred Thomson takes the name of trn ex-convict and obtains a position as cowbov on a ranch owned by a heautiful girl, who i» trying to carry on after her father’s death. Cattle thieves threaten to ruin her. The “ex-convict” comes to her aid, but the bandits thwart his manoeuvres and he is placed before a firing party. Silver King plays a great part in a thrilling rescue, and the picture concludes with a fitting climax. “The Challenge” story has to do with Barbara, hostess at a fashionable mountain hotel ""and lier two suitors, an artist and a banker. She marries the artist and lives in New York. But the banker has not lost hope. ."lust here is the striking novelty of ‘‘The Challenge.” The banker does none of the things you would expect of him, and the climax is unusual. The supports and the incidental music are of high standard.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE REVUE'AND VALDEVJLLE. I In George Storey and.his revue company, Wellington audiences, from past experience, have learned to expect the best of comedy, arid that they are not disappointed is manifest in the capacity audience that assembles nightly at His Majesty’s whenever the company is in the bill. > -In the latest, programme ‘presented bv the popular Fuller management George Storey and his band appear in vliat must rank as lue best revue they have so far, presented. “The Blue j Lagoon,” the name of the new piece, i is a medley of humour (to the point of farce). colourful settings and costumes, sparkling musical numbers and graceful dancing, all of which combine in a delightful production. As the title implies, tropical scenes abound, 'as also do beautiful girls garbed in the picturesque dress of the isles of sunlit seas. To the island comes the s.s. Firefly, in command of Captain Brown, in search of a wife, and two worthy members of the ciew are Bill O’Sale (George Storey) and Bill O’Ladin (Frank Haining). Needless to say, when these two worthies land on the island the fun becomes fast and furious, and all kinds of complications ensue. There are many highly-amusing situations, which give . George Storey ample opportunity to show his capacity as a comedian. Last night he had! the audience laughing all the time he was on the stage. He was ably supported by Mr Haining, who is a fun-maker of the first order; Mark Erickson, as Captain Broom, gave a finished performance, and, as Leonidas, Fred Monument was excellent. Miss Dulcie Milner and Miss Mabelle Morgan, as Asa and Unita (island girls), were seen to excellent advantage in their parts, their acting ability being well brought out, and they sang with much charm and fine effect. Ada Scaddon, as the captain’s daughter, gave a pleasing performance, as also did Rich Butler, the officer of the Firefly. Mention must be made of the dancing and ballet work of the Delectable Six, whose efforts were a feature of an excellent entertainment. They appeared in some pleasing dance numbers whioh" were faultlessly executed. The latest Storey revue is alone well worth the price of admission. The supporting vaudeville programme is on the high plane usually attained by performers under the Fuller maangement. The Foy Brothers appear in a sensational acrobatic act, performing daring feats which leave the audience marvelling at their dexterity and nerve. Maxwell Garew, entertainer, displays surprising versatility in a series of diverting and wholly enjoyable items which quickly established him in his audience’s favour. • Anita Shawe, a charming soubrette, wore some : becoming gowns and sang songs which made an immediate “hit.” As a comedian Frank Perryn strikes a new vein of humour. He has an inexhaustible store of patter, his play upon the dictionary and his songs being exceptionally good. The Mullaney Brothers, a droll pair of merrymakers, scored a decided success with their items, the duet, “The Broadway Girl,” being the best of the varied repertoire presented, x _ The orchestra, under the direction of Mr Frnnk Crowther, is,' as usual, a pleasing feature of the entertainment. The present programme will be presented nightly until Saturday.

“THE GAIETY GIRL”

AT THEATRE DE LUXE. Mary Phil'bin, ever-charming, and is pretty as ever,, has the title role in “The Gaiety Girl,” ' which is showing at the ’De Luxe Theatre this week. It is a wonderful story of how a poverty-stricken but aristocratci maiden of the great house of Tudor of Penearrey, becomes a dancing girl at the Gaiety Theatre, rises to he an artist of international fame, and is tricked into marrying a man she does not love. This is the problem that Irene Tudor descendant of a line of kings, had to face. Her lover, returning from a year in a tropic exile for her sake, found her wedded to the man she hated; could he be blamed for the cruel words 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 interesting International News Budget, and a mirth-inspiring .Century comedy, “Broadway Beauties,” while the Orchestra De Luxe, under the able directorship of Mr 1. D. -Austin, renders an admirable selection of musical items. This most attractive programme will be repeated this evening, and nightly throughout' the week. ; , “THE ONLY. WOMAN.” i Commencing, next Friday the Theatre De Luxe will offer one. of the most distinctive performances of fihndom’s superior artiste. Miss 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 her realise she loved him. And such a wreck, never has' anything move vividly real and thrilling been seen in motion pictures. Norma is supported by the screen’s greatest lover, Eugene O’Brien. I KING’S THEATRE

“MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE.’’ The Court of Louis XV. in all its pomp anl ceremony, ; intrigue, duels, and a charming love romance are the features of “Monsieur Beaucaire.” the latest attraction at the King’s Theatre. The picture is a triumph of the photographer’s art, and the dressing and mounting are a delight to behold. Rudolph . Valentino and Belie Daniels, who head the cast, have seldom been seen to better advantage. The King of France, the crafty Richelieu, and the ignored Queen. are the central characters into whose lives comes the Duke de Chartres, the first peer of the realm and the idol of the court ladies. The King affiances him to bis cousin, just released from the convent, and La Pompadour is insulted in turn by each. The Duke’s arrest is ordered, hut he escapes and disappears. Shortly afterwards there appears in Bath a mysterious individual who is barber to the French Ambassador, yet acquires a reputation for gambling for high stakes. He falls in love with the haughty belle of the town. and. attired in gorgeous clothes, sets out to woo and win her. Subsequently he is intro, duced to the astounded company as the Duke of Chart-vs. The liupiilntioit of the Belle of Bath follows and Chartres, Hardened bv the King, returns to France, and lays his fortunes at the feet of his old love. The orchestra, under "Mr A. H. Jerome, is , ns usual a pleasant feat”“> of an excellent enterf" : ” r ”env T , » ftr*«nl r>—,. gramme will bo shown throughout this week,

MISS ETHEL OSBORN

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CONCERT. Success again attended the efforts of : Mica Ethel Osborn at the Town Hall last night when she gave her second concert. Happily this is not to be her last, as another has been promised for Saturday night, last night Miss .Of barn accomplished in magnificent style the aria from “Tancredi,” by Rossini, “O Patria di Tanti Paipiti.” It is a difficult song to do justice to, but Miss Osflom not only displayed fruitless technique bub added charm ! to the performance by her interpretation and artistry. The quaint “Shadow Song” was enthusiastically encored, and the Puccini number, “In-Those Soft Silken Curtains,” nas sung most pleasingly; also Herbert Oliver’s; “The Moon is my Sister” and “The Jolly Old Song,” and both come-well within the powers of Miss Osborn. RimskyKorsakoff seems to be rather a favourj ite with this singer, and liis “Hymn : to the Sun” was finely • sung, and her 1 bold treatment of it merited the great applause it received.- Mendelssohn’s “Sonata” (andante and finale) was sym pathetically ployed by Mr Tom Williams, a gifted young violinist and Madame Marie Borman, Miss Osborn’s accompanist, and Mr (Williams also gave a Kreisler bracket. “Liebeslied” and “Liebesfreud,” and Sarasate’s two pieces, “Zauateado” and weisen.” Madame Borman played in addition, “To a Wandering Iceberg” “From an Indian Lodge”' (McDowell). Mr Stanley Warwick’s recital of “The Secret of the Machines” (Kip- , ling) was a finished performance, and greatly pleased the audience., i Miss Eithel Osborn - anil give her final concert next Saturday.

EMPRESS THEATRE SHOWING THE SCREEN TESTS.The screening of the film tests made by Mr Beaumont Smith in Wellington recently has been providing excellent enjoyment at the Empress Theatre since the season commenced on Friday last. The results are at times excruciatingly humorous, and the audiences who have so far crowded out the theatre have found that their release provides as good an entertainment asis to be found. The abduction scene was in some cases an absolute scream. Then came the jilted husband or wife who committed suicide upon finding out that their partners had gone astray. “How to Die” was the screen title. Some ran a risk of dying • from apoplexy through laughing so much. The drunken man with the crayfish on the tram was cleverly done. The news film includes a review of 1P24 great events, a comedy, “Two Too Many;” “Hodge-podge,” sense and’ nonsense, with Beaumont Smith’s new picture “Joe” as the grand finale. Arthur Tanchert, of “Sentimental J’.Vve” fnme, is great in the role of the station hand, who marries the daughter of his employer, and then gets entangled in city affairs. In view of the exceptional attraction enrly bocking is advised.