MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 32, 30 April 1927, Page 15

MAJESTIC

BETTER TO BEST If variety is the keynote of successful entertainment, then the management of the Majestic Theatre can congratulate itself without fear of contradiction. From the overture to the final fadeout the programme is one succession of very pleasant surprises, for the entertainment grows better and better as the evening progresses. M. Coue himself could not have devised any better scheme for delighting theatre patrons. The honours of the evening waver between a brilliantly-coloured and melodious revue, “The Moulin Rouge,” and a splendidly-produced film “Upstage,” but finally the scales weigh in favour of the revue. Here, in a cabaret setting, Miss Bathie Stewart and the other members of the company make merry against a scintillating background of pretty maidens who do admirable work. Miss Stewart, supported by a chorus, opens the revue with a “Follow Me” number which is reminiscent of a scene from “The Belle of New York.” Mr. Haydn Murray then takes over and contributes his violin solos, and very pleasant they are. An acrobatic turn follows, which in turn gives place to Mr. George Tarr. who hands out the laughs to a delighted audience. Valeska, a, graceful dancer who scored a success in London and on the Continent, and her partner, Mr. Len Wilson, interpret “The Spirit of the Red Mill” with vivacity and grace. The dance ends with a whirling movement which shows that both are as accomplished as they claim to be. In a gown which caused a flutter among the feminine members of the audience Miss Stewart led the final number of the revue, Which is admirably arranged and beautifully staged. Norma Shearer and Oscar Shaw aie the stars of "Upstage which, as its title suggests, deals with life behind the scenes in the theatre. It is_ an excellent theme, treated with a simplicity which makes it all the more annealing. It also gives one an entirely new idea of stage life. Miss Shearer is called upon to show what she can do with her dramatic talent, though her beauty wins the day. Mr. Shaw, who plays the part of a vaudeville star, dances brilliantly in several scenes. In one of them his exhibit, n of a Russian dance must leave Hj® Russians green with envy. story tells how a young vaudeville performer (Mr. Shaw) takes the little typist (Miss Shearer) as his partnei in a dancing turn. She proves a success under his guidance and longs to become a star. Fortune does not favour her, but a dramatic interlude enables her to prove her worth and the l'ade-out comes with a hint or wedding bells. Like most good him stories, “Upstage” wins by .its simple and direct treatment, combined witn exquisite photography. But there are other features on this entertaining bill of fare. News or the world is flashed before the audience from all corners of the and there is one of those roof-raisin & comedies which only motion picture neoule can produce. . . Then there is the orchestra, which pi avs seductive melody for the whole of the evening, never obtruding itself except at special intervals, but alwajs there like a delicate thread in the dim of the theatre.