Round the Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 236, 24 December 1927, Page 14

Round the Shows

DIXIELAND ARRANGEMENTS FOR XMAS Dixieland, Kew Zealand's premier cabaret, has undergone a wonderful transformation during the past fortnight. Alterations and redecorations have been carried out under the personal supervision of the manager, air. X. W. Loveridge, and the interior of the cabaret is now redolent of the Far East. Eastern scenes adorn the walls while overhead the eye is arrested by a wonderful canopy of futuristic wisteria of "breath-taking beauty.” The arrangement of the sliding windows allows the delightful breeze from

the sea to be wafted across the floor. This will be greatly appreciated by all dancers during the warm summer months. Clyde Howley’s Famous Internationals are in better form than ever, and during the festive season will present all the very latest dance hits direct from England and America. All in all, the delightful and artistic blending of rich colours, the soft beauty of the lighting effects, and the pleasing decoration of the cubicles, combining with the rhythmic and tuneful music of the Internationals, make Dixieland a veritable fulfilment of the dancers’ Ideal. One cannot speak of Dixieland without a word on the delicious suppers and soft drinks obtainable by dancers and it is truly said that visitors to Auckland have not seen its brighter side until they have seen Dixieland, the cabaret by the sea.

EMPIRE “FOOTLOOSE WIDOWS” Roles for Douise Fazenda seem to move in cycles. The comedienne, except for the comedy she always offers, has been in so many varying characterisations during the past three years since she has been playing ‘‘straight,’ that anticipation of what she will do next is difficult. Of late she has been portraying roles of various types of maid-servants and now she comes in an entirely different part altogether in Warner Brothers' production of Beatrice Burton’s newspaper serial, "Footloose Widows,” a Master Picture release, which is being shown at the Empire Theatre. A year ago she enacted a number of exotic roles which called for so sumptuous a wardrobe that she created a veritable sensation. There was a run of pleasant humour in a number of pictures produced by Warner Brothers featuring the popular comedienne with her most effective comedy in “Bobbed Hair.” ‘‘On Ze Boulevard,” featuring Renee Adoree and Dew Cody, will also be screened to-night. A complete change of programme takes place on Monday.

SACRED CONCERT CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME A Christmas sacred concert will be given in Albert Park by the City Salvation Army Band on Sunday evening at eight o’clock. A fine programme of carols and Christmas music has been arranged, including “Gloria in Excelsis,” selections from the “Messiah,” and the “Hallelujah Chorus,” and lovers of band music can be assured of a Christmas treat.

Because it does not rain in Californii during the summer, Mary Pickford had to build a new house. Not a houa* to live in, but just to (picture) P l *? j®; The story of the new United Artistr picture, “My Best Girl,” called for scenes of a big Colonial mansion dunns a rainstorm. Colonial mansions are plentiful around Hollywood, but rainstorms in summer are not. It wai necessary, therefore, to build the front elevation of a Colonial house on one of the big stages, where adequate raipmaking facilities were available.