ST. JAMES THEATRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 443, 27 August 1928, Page 15

ST. JAMES THEATRE

i MERRY AND BRIGHT SHOW The popular League of Notions Revue Company have achieved another success with their latest bunch of “notions,” now being presented at the St. James. The capacity audience on Saturday evening gave the company an extremely cordial welcome and enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining and diverting show The comedy element naturally is predominant, and with such genial jesters as Mike Connors, Syd Beck and Ernie Paulasto, the theatre rang repeatedly with riotous laughter. Miss Queenie Paul sang agreeably and was decidedly popular, several of her songs being encored. Mr. Connors and Miss Paul sang and danced with their usual versatility. Syd Beck, the popular comedian, was the life of the show and appeared in an entirely new series of sketches. This week he is first seen in nautical and then in clerical garb, and finally in a judge’s wig and gown in “The Trial of Maggy* Dooley.” One of the biggest laughs of the show is his appearance in a mock mind-reading demonstration. More syncopation is presented by Linn Smith and his capable jazz band. This week they present a selection from “Sunny,” then a selection from “Tannhaus'er,” played by the saxophones and tuba, and also “Asleep in the Deep,” another novelty In the form of a duet between the trumpet and tuba. One of the most enjoyable of the little playlets in the programme was “Tulip Time in Holland,” given in costume by members of the “League.” “Valerie Rougal and Bert Rayne presented a Dutch dance of unusual charm, and a delightful solo was sung by Les Pearce. Mr. Pearce also sang “Somewhere South of Shanghai” in costume. Dancing numbers were contributed by Phyllis Baker and Gladys Shaw, who led the popular Exquisite Six Ballet. ‘THE SHOWDOWN” AT CAPITOL “The Showdown." starring George Bancroft, wi!l be shown at the Capitol Theatre this evening. “The Showdown” is the story of a man whose footsteps have been dogged by spies from wealthy oil companies and who has seen success snatched from his grasp time after time by -these scheming interests. When, at length, he has outwitted them and is about to reap the reward of his toil, there comes a test of courage and honour such as has never confronted him before. His method of answering this test makes one of the most dramatic stories which has ever* been filmed. “The Pioneer second attraction, stars Bred Thomson in the role of a relay rider on the plains m the early days of the West “ON YOUR TOES” AT BRITANNIA

A moving panorama of the circus world, its loves, its hates, its romances and fascination, will be seen in “Life’s Circus,” the tremendously dramatic picture which will be shown this evening at the Britannia Theatre. In this production a frail girl is forced by her father to perform an act that is dangerous in the extreme. Strapped in a tiny she is released from the top of the auditorium to glide down a steep slipway, at the bottom of which is an upward curve. The story tells of two brothers, whose hate for one an- | other was forgotten in their fear for the 1 little girl. Reginald Denny’s latest picture, "On j Tour Toes," will also be shown. In j this picture Dennys plays the role of the son of a championship boxer, who is brought up as a dancing instructor. The picture contains many exciting tight scenes. - Lily Damita, “the Golden Girl from Paris,” who arrived in Hollywood last week to begin her American screen career under Mr. Goldwyn’s direction* will appear opposite Colman in the Conrad story. Mile. Damita gave up her musical career in which, at the age of nineteen, she was the star of the Casina de Paris, to appear in German ! pictures three years ago. Mr. Gold- ; wyn selected her as Colman’s new lead- | ing lady during his recent European j search for new screen talent.