ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12201, 28 July 1925, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE, PICTURES, MUSIC

“WEE” GEORGIE WOOD i ANOTHER DELIGHTED HOUSE ■‘THICKER THAN WATER.’’ • “Wee Georgia” had the house laughing in boisterou* outbursts soon after he started to argue with hia mother, after the curtain had risen for “Thicker than Water.” He did it after liig manner. He was Master Robinson, and he led his good mother, Mrs R,, a. lifb. • Cooning in froan school he complained ; daily of everything and anything; told the good woman as she'tried to get on with her work, many hard things. He wouldn’t stand any more of her nonsense, his pals and he had agreed to form a Union, for the express purpose of discounting mothers and stopping their bad ways and absurd inquisitions. When the patient, 1 hustling creature broke down under these threats and fears, and wept, he melted at once, threw; his arms round her neck, said he didn’t mean anything at all, — “wasn’t she the best and kindest?” And, his ucoent was of a wheedling sincerity irresistible. Tears were dried, there was peace, it was a pattern little’, affectionate household. Suddenly the boy threw out a biting joke, ■ causing . shouts of laughter ' all orvpt the audience and making his mother start in reproachful astonishment. There was much of these alternations, ’ dn the midst of them enters Mr Drew, a legal gentleman, announcing thejdeath of the hoy’s unole out in Australia. The boy refuses to weep. He never liked his uncle. His father, whom his uncle had .cheated badly, was a far bettor man his uncle. The - boy also received his mother’s remonstrances, intractably, for grousing at a great rate. Then Mr Drew announced that the uncle had left them much money. Tableau with change. But there was a condition—a promise: mother was to go to Australia and never see the boy again. Tableau with another change: the boy sobbing, that he would never be separated from mother, and mother. delighted. It was a charming scene, and' all the people, who had been- laughing uproariously were almost in tears, some quite. On this note the..little plot ended joyously and' everybody was happy,, while “Wee Georgie” ppt in whimsical detail*—till the curtain went down most pleasurably. Then “Wee Georgie” sang some ot his spngs. He was an Irish hoy ordered by a harsh father •to ■ drown a favourite puppie, , and everybody was >athetio including the puppy, who refused in the most oomicaJly obstinate manner to be dragged to the water. After that “Wee Georgie” was “The Wee Maogregor,” pawky, freaky, witty, full of sharp jeers and Scottish epigrams and dry stories. One thought that Harry jLauder must have been just such a boy aa this. Other songs in character followed, all punctuated, by sudden shouts of laughter. And then “Wee Georgie” made a speech, thanking his andienoe, and entertaining them with quips and cranks and all some of- wiles'. ; Thus ended a perfectly delicious entertainment; Miss Molly, Harmer had played up to the wee boy admirably, and Mr Blaoklocfc had been the unctuous man of lfiw to the life. For the rest,' the Aldor Trio gave us great aerobatics, Mafia Lawton pre sen ted a fine torn-La song (“Ye Banks and Braes”) with her own fine hafp accompaniment,, & fine example of bravura ringing'grandly accompanied by the orchestra. Frank’s Canine Statuary got milch applause, arid Billy Maloney sustained his reputation as the “Beau Brummel” of vaudeville; Jay Whidden was most elegant as the dancing violinist; and the orchestra was very bright .and crisp throughout.

VAUDEVILLE TRIALS STRAND THEATRE. That the glare of the footlights has lost none of its old power to attract was evidenced at the Strand Theatre last evening, when some twenty aspirants to the life of the green-room faced the audience at the trials for wouldbe vaudeville artists, conducted by the well-known entertainer, Mr Rud Petersen. The seekers after fame and for-' tune irieluded patter artists, comedians, dancers, moriologists, jugglers, and ballad singers,' the general standard of the performers being aurpri*ihgly high, so that, to paraphrase -a well-known line, “the audience who came to scoff, remained to applaud.” Mr Petersep is touring New Zealand : for the express purpose of finding vaudeville artists, arid has . already secured talent for the Australian and American circuits in various parts of the Dominion. ..Besides the chance - of taking the judge’s eye. as a possible vaudevillian, a further inducement is offered to aspirants in the forth of cash prizes, the winners being decided by the audience, whose applause is taken as the measure of their appreciation, Probably the best item of tho-evening was a “Salome” dance by a little girl of some ten summers, who gave promise of developing into a wonderful dancer. A further triad will be .held at the Strand Theatre pn Thursday evening next, arid aspirants may consult Mr Petersen at the theatre at any time during the day untjl that date, and also during the evening performance, when they will be given every opportunity of displaying their talent, and also receiving the benefit of his professional advice. A. considerable number of names has already been received for Thursday’s trials. The .usual picture programme was also submitted. , STRAND THEATRE A DOUBLE,FEATURE BILL. In the splendid programme which is being presented at the Strand Theatre this week the big pictures are “Dangerous Innocence,” a Universal Jewel production, and “In the Days of Daniel Boone,” a Universal serial. “Dangerous shows what youthful irinocenpe can do to even a man of tho world. After a romantic meeting on a steamer the two stand On deck, and romance steals aboard There is a kiss and—well youthful innoceuce wins. But just as the calmest voyage is often marred by storms so trouble breaks for the two. “In the Days of Daniel Boone” tells a; stirring tale of early American histprv when America was a British colony, The: picture is based on authentic history, and one sees such famous men as General Braddock, George Washington, James Monroe, and Daniel Boone in a! wonderful picture. Eileen Sedgwick and Jack Mower head a fine cagt.

OS RAJESTY’S ' BRILLIANT REVUE AND VILLEHawaii, glamorous and colourful, isle of mystic lurel With this enticing island as the background, with scenery and settings of gorgeous charm and beauty, and with a bevy of beautiful and grateful Hawaiian maidens to add a touch of still greater attraction to the proceedings, “On the Beach at Waikiki,” the revue, described ae a laughable collection of musical absurdities, presented by the Gayle Wyer Band Box Revue Company for the initial showing at His Majesty’s Theatre last evenwut, entirely captivated the large and appreciative audience. Mr Gayle Wyer. this week acts the part of Bob Worthington who, in quest Of a sweetheart, atrhlls out Honolulu way. Things would have gone swimmingly in this elyeium if it had riot been for the wily schemings of the Vaiter, who favours nothing short of a peer, and regards Barney’s advances as decidedly impertinent. Mother, however, backs a loser, and Barney is led afterwards at the conclusion of seventy minutea or so of fearsome encounters with the stubborn lady in question. The parts are excellently cast, and, as usual, the playlei is tastefully staged. A galaxy of oaptivatfrig musical numbers are submitted, including “Beauti. ful Hawaiian Love.” “Stealing to Vir. gmia,” “Barefoot Days,” “Crying For You.” and “Aloha Honolulu Baby Boy,” the latter beautifully rendered by Mr Wyer, and a chorus of entranting Hawaiian maidens. The wonderful dancing of the Syncopated Steppers is a specially delightful feature of this splendid revue. As the. heroine., Millie' Do Vourde, Miss Vera Benson immediately captured/ the hearts of the audience, and was heard to advantage in a variety of delightful musical numbers Of equal charm and is the ; splendid vaudeville programme submitted, Taylor and Summers appear in a delightfully droll sketch, “The Village Minister” proving an immensely popular turn. .Nick Morton, the talkative songster, is heard in a fresh repertoire of songs and decidedly funny and original stories. Those clever young English [performers, the Three Melfords, again prove an outstanding success in fm entirely new change Of novelty dancing specialties. New Zealand’s wonderful mimio, Keith Wilbur, presents an especially novel and clever turn. The performance will be repeated throughout the week, and there will be a-special matinee on Saturday.

KING’S THEATRE

UNUSUALLY GOOD PROGRAMME,

An unusually good, programme is being presented at the King’s Theatre this week. “The Top of the World” is the feature film and features Anna Q. Nilsson and- James Kirkwood. The story tolls of one Sylvia Ingleton, the proud and spirited daughter' of wealthy Englislv,parents. To escape a loveless marriage she runs away to South Africa fully determined to marry Guy Ranger, a childhooj sweetheart. On her arrival there she learns that he is a physical esnet moral wreck. Htlpless, and,thousands of miles from home, Sylvia is grateful to Guy-a Cousin, Burke, who makes her welcome a,t his farm. Shortly, afterwards, to avert malicious gossip Sylvia marries Burke upon the agreed understanding they are to be just pals. What happens when Guy tries to claim her, and she finds Herself torn between the old love and the new. apd how in the end husband: and’wife- are reunited is dramatically developed in a peries of tense, gripping situations that lead to/ a startling climax -before' the picture, cornea to a happy and satisfying dose. There wd excellent supports and the music supplied by the King’s orchestra is. quite ’a feature of the entertainment. A STUPENDOUS PRODUCTION. Once again the, stupendous production entitled the “Ten Commandments,” is drawing the Wellington picture : goers. The : management of the Queen’s Theatre are screening the film there until next' Thursday, lavish in the magnifioende of its settings, superb in photography, and stronk in the vital human interest of the theme, “The Ten Commandments” undoubtedly deserves recognition as being one of tne premier photo-plays :ever presented in the Dominion. The prologue vividly tells of the story ..of the-' children of Israel, from the time of their oppression ip the land of Pharoah to the time ! of Moses' receiving . the tablets of . stone -on -Mount Sinai.* Tben is strikingly dapicted this modern story of 1 a mother and Tier two sons one a stoffer at the Bible , and religion generally, and the otWr serious, and God fearing. Gradually ascending to immense heights of interest, .finally comes the cumax, gripping, and soul T stirring.in. the very inteiißity of its dramatic power. In the prologue, Theodore Roberts prets the role of Moses, while Charles DO Roche takes the part ot Pharoah. Coming to the modern version featured roles are portrayed by Jjeatrice Joy, Nita Noldu Chapman, Agnes Ayres, Richard Du. and’Rod La Roque.. The original musical score is submitted by a sP®? 1 " ally augmented orchestra, under Miss E. Dehnehy. The overture, Ratnoezy,” (Keler Bela), is a most delightful attraction. Performances will be held twice daily, at the 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. sessions. THEATRE DELUXE A WONDERFUL PICTURE. It is almost incredible that such a pioture as “The Lost World” could he produced. Those who have already seen it fully realise the wouderful capabilities of the First National Company, and- the memory of the great film will far ever remain fresh in th e * r minds. , “The Lost World,”, from the novel by Sir Arthur Conan -Doyle, will be shown at the Do Luxe until Thursday heVt only. There will be two screenings a day. It is one of the most amazing stories ever written, dealing as it does with prehistoric animals that roamed this earth centuries ago. The theme concerns a hand of adventurers who pierce the vast, unexplored regions of the upper Amazon, and there find thi* monsters who battled each other to death aa in the days of old. I “The'Lost World” is probably the most unusual story of love, adventure, drama, arid comedy ever put on the screen, and Sir A. Conan Doyle admits'that when he wrote it he hadn’t the slightest conception of its wonderful film possibilities, and for once the screen version of a popular printed book has measured up to the expectaI tions of its -millions of readers. For those who hanker after adventure, those who like romance and comedy as

well as the serious-minded, “The Lost World’’ can be described as the one picture of universal appeal. Every class of picture-goer will find a super thrill in it, and leave the theatre feeling that he or she has had an evening’s real entertainment. The sessions at the De Luxe have been packed to- the doors with interested patrons, young and old. An excellent supporting programme is screened, and the orchestra, as always, is a distinct feature of the entertainment.

The box plans for the limited season are at the Bristol Piano Company’s, Aitken’s Book Arcade, or reservations may be secured by ringing ’phone fid-080.