ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES. MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12196, 22 July 1925, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES. MUSIC

“WEE” GEORGIE WOOD GRAND OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. To-night at the Grand Opera House the seventh company of international vaudeville inaugurates a season with matinees on Saturday and "Wednesday next. When the firm of J. C. Williamson staged its first company of talented vaudeville artists, headed ty Bransbv Williams, the,result was a great show. The companies following kept up to the original high standard or presenting only the best in vaudeville. The new combination, opening to-night, is headed by London’s greatest “little” comedian. ‘‘Wee” Georgie Wood, the Peter Pan of vaudeville. “Wee” Georgie Wood is the highest paid vaudeville artist to visit the Dominion. “Wee” Georgie is supported by his own company, including Dolly Harmer and Tom Blacklock, who have been associated with the star in his English. American and Continental triumphs. In London “Wee” Georgie Wood is the most popular pantomime comedian of recent years. The sketch selected for the opening night is “Black Hand George” made popular all the world over by this diminutive artist. Mr Tom Blacklock appears ae P.C. 88. and Dolly Harmer as the “mother.” Other sketches to be played during the season being “Nooody Loves Me,” “Daddy,” “His First Love,” and “Thicker Than Water.” The return visit to Australia of Georgie’ is reported as being a series of big successes. One critic savs: “The drama, musical comedy, and the revue all have their devotees, but the infinite variety of vaudeville holds a . potent lure that is universal and which few theatregoers can resist. To say that “Wee” Georgie Wood is the best vaudeville turn seen in Melbourne is but to state a fact that will not be disputed hy all who have seen this delightful and brilliant comedian. His impressions of a 'small boy increase in their appeal, for his ability to range over the emotions of childhood will never stale.” The company of J.. C. Williamson acts supporting the star include the “Beau Brummel” of vaudeville, Billy Maloney, up to date song 9 and steps. Frank’s canine statuary present some delightful tableaux, “The Long Trail,” “The Wounded Paw,” “The Mourner,” and “Auld Lang Syne.” From the Moes-Stoll -circuit are the surprising trapezists, “The Aldor Trio.” A star from* the most exclusive theatrical circles is Marie Lawton with her songs at the piano and harp. Direct from English successes is the versatile violinist. Jay Whidden, entertainer and composer, who presents everything original. The orchestra is under the baton of Mr A. G. Frost. The dav sales are at the Grand Opera House confectionery, and the box -dan for the season is at the Bristol.

.FAMOUS LADIES’ BAND AT TOWN HALL TO-NIGHT. One is ofttimes reminded of a famous advertisement of a well-known firm of choc»late-makers, showing the various stages of a youngster anticipating the “choc!’ until the final realisation. The analogy between the youngsters and our readers is a good one, for they have been going through the various stages, until to-night the realisation will he an accomplished fact. Never before in the history of the world has such a tour been undertaken, and the fact that Wellington is included in’ the itinerary of the ■ Australian Scottish Lady Pipers’ Band should make us glad. The "programme to be given provides for all tastes, with a natural leaning to the land of the heather. Among its members are champions and winners of prizes in dancing and elocution at the leading competitions of Australia. One could quote at length from Australian papers of the , wonderful combination now in our midst, hut suffice it to say that the Auckland “Star” and Waikato “Times” speak in glowing terms of the band’s efforts. The latter says, inter alia, “every •item on the programme was encored, and in several instances the performers were twice recalled.” Patrons are requested to be in their seats early. The hand will parade to the Town Hall at 7.30. QUEEN’S THEATRE “AS MAN DESIRES.” The above picture* which is the big attraction at the Queen’s this week, features Milton Sills and Viola Dana. Milton Sills established himself as a screen star of the first magnitude by his work in “The Sea Hawk,” and he easily lives up to this reputation here. He leaves nothing undone to complete the realism of his transition from gentleman to brute, then back to the sphere of gentleman again. Miss Dana’s work is equally as vivid and sure. There is a strong supporting programme. The box plan is now open at tho Bristol. A REMARKABLE PRODUCTION “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS'.' ’ “The Ten Commandments,” Paramount's .remarkable production returns to the Queen’s Theatre for its third season, commencing Friday next. This massive picture has broken records all over New Zealand and Australia. A celebration was held recently in Sydney at the Prince Edward Theatre, wlien “The Ten Commandments” reached its 400th screening there, thus marking the advent of the picture to the first rank in +he world’s long-run race. It is interesting to note the other number of performances, stage and screen, which have established theatrical history. The stage production of “Sally” ran for 208 performances at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, during 1923. “Our Miss Gibbs” was in the same theatre for 256 performances several years prior to that. “The Sheik" stayed in the Globe Theatre, Sydney, for 33 screenings during 1922, and this held the palm until the advent of “The Ten. Commandments.” Owing to the tremendfius business that is assured, intending patrons would be well-advised to reserve at the Bristol, the plans now being open for the entire season. Performances iyill be held daily at 2.dl> and 8 o’clock. “MEPHISTOPHELES” CESAItONI IN GRAND OPERA. Operatio companies so very seldom \isit these distant lands that it will be welcome news to music lovers to hear that Signor Ccsaroni, tho well-known basso, will give the second act- from Boito's opera, “Mepliistophcles, in costume, on Saturday next, July 25th,

at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall. He will be assisted by chorus and ballot. Tho first concert, to-mor-row night (Thursday), will be devoted to the works of Italian and Russian composers, and the second part of the programme of Beethoven and Mozart. Signor Cesaroni will be assisted by Miss Reg. Foster (solo pianist), Mr Leon deMauny (violinist), and Mr Harold Whit to (accompanist). The box plan is now open at the Bristol for Both recitals.

HIS MAJESTY’S VAUDEYII.E AND JtEVUB. This week's programme comprising as it docs vaudeville and revue is one of the best seen at Fuller’s, and those present last evening showed their appreciation in no uncertain manner. Gayle Wyer and his brilliant Band Box Revue Company presented one of the most hilarious comedies seen for a long time in “When the Cat’s Away.” Gayle Wyer is seen in the part of Beg Worthington, obviously one cf the “bhovs,” and his flirtations with two Jewesses, Mrs Izzy Short and Mrs Wczzi Long, are of a very audacious character. The two husbands come on the scene, and seeing how their wayward partners are smitten they lay low for a while, and their antics during the eavesdropping and spying are too funny for anything. The leading parts were taken by Mr Gayle Wyer, Messrs Sam Ward, and Walter Cornook, the two Jews, and Miss Elisa Scott and Miss Vera Benson, as the Jewesses. Miss Dixon’s dancing was particularly charming, but all the ballet girls were deserving of mention. The Uiusical numbers were bright and racy, the most popular being Gayle Wyer’s “The Dream I had Last Night,” and Miss Benson in ‘‘A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody” (with chorus). In the vaudeville, Arthur and Helena Buckley give a splendid exhibition of card manipulation and mental telepathy, while Keith Wilbur, with his clever impersonation of animals, birds, and musical instruments received a hearty round of applause. ~ The Three Melfords, a trio of dancers from the Old Country, did first a quickstep and then an eccentric dance, which, was a combination of quickstep and wait* time, both neatly and perfectly done. Nick Morton, the talkative songster from the Old Country, gave a couple of enjoyable songs, one being 4‘Captains of Industry,” a take-off of commercial men fond of the lighter side of life. This programme will be repeated nightly and at a special matinee on Saturday. THEATRE DELUXE “FORBIDDEN PARADISE.’-’ Pola Negri is featured in the abov# intensely stirring picture, which tells a story of romance and intrigue, .as the Czarina, with an iron will, meeting all the intrigues of the court with masterful assurance. Adolphe Menjou, the chancellor, is her faithful ally; Bod la Kooque, as Alexei, is a young officer in the army. He discovers a plot to overthrow the Czarina, and rides to warn her. The conspirators are sent to prison, and Alexei she rewards with her favour and advancement. They fall in love, but difficulties ensue. Alexei is thrown into prison and is a doomed man. The solution of the difficulty comes suddenly, dramatically, and Alexei is pardoned, restored to the army, and united to Anna again. In addition, there is a strong supporting programme. The De Luxe orchestra undeT Mr L. D. Austin renders most enjoyable music ‘THE LOST WORLD” A WONDERFUL FILM. In the picturisation of Sit Arthur Conan Doyle’s stupendous story, “The Lo6t World.” which commences a season on Friday, July 24th, at .the De Luxe Theatre, First National has produced the greatest romantic venture ever screened. While a tense love story, designed strictly as screen entertainment, runs through its fourteen thousand feet, “The Lost World” presents a picture of highly scientific value. The prehistoric monsters reincarnated for the film are exactly the same as ijhose reconstructed by scientists from the discoveries among the remains of these monsters. “The Lost World” is unquestionably the biggest picture ever made, and First National are to be Congratulated on the faithful picturisation of the most sensational hook in literature, the book that aroused the comment of the civi* lised world. The cast of over three thousand is beaded by Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, Bessie Love, and Lloyd Hughes. Earl Hudson, supervised the production, therefore picture-goers can rest assured of the whole forming the most fascinating production ever released in the Dominion. The box plans for the season are now on view at the Bristol Piano Company, Aitken’s Book Arcade, or reservations can be made by ringing theatre, ’phone . 23-080. A NOVEL ILLUSTRATION A crowd round Begg’s music shoff window yesterday indicated that something unusual was afoot. Closer inquiry revealed that it was not an ac* cident or broken window, but- a novel illustration apropos of the film story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous story “The Lost World.” The furore created oy the publication of the book is only equalled by the marvellous, film production, which is a First National triumph. Whoever is doing the publicity work is doing it well. In Messrs Begg and Co.’s window is a scene.from the story. In the background is a volcano belching forth lava, and m the foreground are the great pre--1 historic animals fleeing through the forest before the awful stream threatening them with annihilation. Those who have read the boqk of the amazing discoveries attributed to the irascible old Professor Challenger will look forward with real pleasure to seeing the film, and when they are assured' that the picture will afford an even more thrilling interest than the book itself, no further inducement will be required to make them see the first release at the De Luxe Theatre on Fridav evening. The working model in I Messrs Begg’s window is ingenious i and well constructed, and the licrhting j arrangements make it additionally at- [ tractive.