ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1920, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE, THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. TO-NIGHT. _ The English Pierrots, under the direction of Will and Bob Thomas, will nikke their reappearance in the Empire Theatre to-night. All press reports agree on the fact that the English Pierrot entertainments are far above the average, special mention having been made on the excellent programmes presented by this sprightly and versatile combination of Pierrots and Pierrettes, who carry a delighted audience through a medley of musical numbers—grave and gay, but mostly gay—designed to banish dull care and raise the drooping spirits. The company includes Charles Lawrence, responsible for the clever comedy and burlesque; Mr. Roy Cooke, basso, who will be remembered by his fine voice, which gained him so much praise; Mr. David Lyle, the possessor of a very fine tenor voice, will be heard to advantage in varied selections; and Leslie Austin, light comedian. Each of the artists is in possession of an almost unlimited supply of new material to enable the company to retain the reputation of giving frequent and entirely new changes of programme. This, coupled with the desire of the Management to cater for audiences in the most up-to-date manner, means that patrons will have the opportunity of testing the versatility of the Pierrots, and enjoy the gems of unique and rare items—sentimental and otherwise—principally the latter, as comedy largely predominates. Referring to a previous visit of this clever combination, the Dominion says: "The English Pierrot combination is clean, clever, and refreshing, and whilst each member has his or her own particular forte, the ensemble, singing, and dancing, and sketch work, was bright and amazingly clever." They have carved out for themselves a reputation in this line of entertainment by always keeping their items up to a certain standard, and providing plenty of clean, healthy fun, judiciously intermingled with smart songs and vocalised harmony. The box plans ai'e at Collier's. EVERYBODY'S. THE LEE KIDDIES—MATINEE AND NIGHT. No hero or heroine of mature years has ever annexed the .interest of the screen patron as have diminutive Jane and Katherine Leo; certainly, aroundirio other screen personages have our heart strings twined as around these two. To book a Jane and Katherine Lee play is equivalent to arranging a public reception. No one would miss them unless it be a sporadic person here and there, in whose being the Creator had overlooked to put the well-spring of human kindness. In "Doing Their Bit," showing this afternoon and to-night at; Everybody's, these charming kiddies are exceptionally delightful. "Doing Their Bit" i 9 supported by a five-reel drama, "The Gray Horizon/'' starring Sessue Hayakawa. The full programme shows at the matinee this afternoon and finally to-nigiht. THE PEOPLE'S. THE FLAG LIEUTENANT, AND THE GREAT GAMBLE. To-day's big new bill, commencing at the matinee at 2 p.m., presents the famous English beauty actress, Ivy Close, in the big all-British film production, "The 5 lag Lieutenant." "The Flag Lie.utenant" is a film version of one of the most successful stage plays of the past decade. It was written by an officer of the Royal Marines—Major W. P. Drury —so the naval scenes are true to actualities, as well as the scenes of London society life. The play was an instant success, and had a remarkably long run in London with the popular actor, Cyril Maude, in the lead. Many will remember the-play when presented in New Zealand by Messrs. ,J. C. Williamson, Ltd., with one of the strongest casts possible, headed by Tom Kingston and Gaston Marvale. The film version, of course, is bigger than the play, for the art of the cinema makes possible an even more vivid presentation Of those fine effects which made the theatrical production so famous. The producers of the picture, the British Motion Picture ■ Company, were assisted in every way by the Admiralty, who placed every facility at the disposal of the company, for the taking of the film under active service conditions, resulting in a magnificent series of naval pictures, which will undoubtedly be one of the big attractions of the feature. The bill includes comedy, gazette, travel film, and the opening episode of "The Great Gamble," the biggest dare-devil picture that has yet /lit the screen.