AMUSEMENTS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11989, 28 January 1920, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

MARTON—TO-NIGHT,

“ROSE OF PARADISE.”

The Paralta Company decided for ifcs first great play to take the wellknown story “Rose of Paradise,” and Bessie Barriscale was selected as leading lady. She scores a triumph in the role of the little country girl, who is all the time L an heiress, and manages to save a wrongfully accused man. in the nick of time. The cruel plot which is planned by her guardian is frustrated at length and all ends happily. The real strength of tho story lies, however, in the simple beauty and sterling appeal of the little heroine’s belief in the goodness 'of mankind. She wanders through a grim world and brings to its troubles a bubbling spirit of cheeriness. The rest of the cast are good, Norman Kerry as the handsome hero carrying off the honours. The supporting - items include ‘‘Bairusfather’s Cartoons,” a Topical Budget and Paths News. THE KIWIS.

At the Town Hall to-morrow evening that celebrated and most successful of Soldier Concert Parties, popularly known as The Kiwis, appear for one night only'. Judging by the interest already shown in the visit of the Kiwis to Marton a bumper house should reward the efforts of those Soldier Entertainers just returned from abroad by the Arawa. The Kiwis are “making their initial bow to a Marton audience, not any member of the party having appeared here previously, and like their comrades “The Diggers,” are being welcomed everywhere they appear. The Press of the North Island are unanimous in the praises of the Kiwis ; not one discordant note has yet been struck *in any town they have appeared. The Manawatu Times of last Tuesday, describing the Kiwis, states: — Cf soldier entertainers Palmerston North people have seen not a few, hut it is doubtful whether they have been any more versatile, amusing and entertaining than the troupe who style themselves the “Kiwig” andjgave the initial) performance in the Opera House last night of a twonights’ season- The “Kiwis” studiously avoid reference to the war except in a lightsome song “Good-bye Kbaki, ” and the only indication that is given of the troupe having once been real soldier entertainers lies in the fact that the combination is entirely male. But there are two female impersonators in the company; one a singer, hardly a winsome soubretfce, but nevertheless able to do a fairly convincing song and dance turn. The other restricts himself to dancing in female attire, which is his particular forte. The latter, Mr Wally Fnlford, is a clever •dancer, and his turn evoked rounds of applause. In facial expression and in the smallest gestures, which are really' the largest in effect, he would completely delude the unknowing. Reference to the programme is really necessary to assure oneself that the graceful airy dancing andNvinsome coquetry of Mr Fujford are not the work of a genuine female. The other psendo -female, who is in reality a rather well-built man, Mr 1 Wilfrid Thompson,was most successful in “Red Dawn,” when his voief developed into a contralto of sorts and was eiven an agreeable backin;, by Mr Eerie Skam. These two sup plied the novelty of the show, the other performers being of the usuaj concert company stamp. Chief j among them in popular favour was Mr Ernest Graham. Ho secured that happy position on his first appearance and maintained it throughout, for r his presence was always significant of a diverting item cleverly enacted. His first effort was a song, “Apple Dumplings, ’ ’ in which, as a Cornish yokel, in the enormity of hia appetite,'he hit off the dialect of the simpleton to perfection. The never-never-to-be-forgotten fat hoy of “Pickwick Papers” was strikingly impersonated. Another of his efforts was a burlesque of a village clergyman presiding at a scliool concert, which caused irrepressible glee among tho audience. “A Little Farm,” that bright 'ditty from th« tuneful “Miss Gibbs, ” was revived in a most agreeable manner by this performer, partnered by a winsome lass who was the Mr Wally Fulford of previous mention. /The ocher members acquitted themselves 1 capably as soloists, and with equal facility in concerted work. The performance closed with a wild extravaganza on stage effects, both dramatic and operatic. The box plan is now on view at Messrs. Mogrklga and Son’s,