ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1924, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY’S. “JAVA HEAD” TO-NIGHT. A big double-feature Paramount programme opened a three-night season last night at Everybody’s “Java Head,” George Melford’s latest production, heads he programme. It is a spectacular production adapted from the novel by Joseph Hergesheimer. It is a love story with the eternal triangle again in evidence, but this ime it is employed so peculiarly as to nake the picture most unusual. Appearing in this picture are some very fine artists, including Beatrice Joy, Jacqueline Logan, Raymond Hatton, George Fawcett and Albert Roscoe. A picture of high entertainment value is ‘‘A Virginia Romance,” the second attraction on the programme. Miss May McAvoy, the star, is seen in the early part of the story as a romboyish girl. She draws a gradually developing characterisation, which at the climax reaches the heights of emotion. The background of the story is in the mountains of Virginia. The programme screens again to-night and finally to-morrow night. The orchestra plays suitable selections. The box plans are at Collier’s. EMPIRE THEATRE—TO-NIGHT. ODIVA AND HER SEALS. The Odiva act to appear at the Empire Theatre to-night is unique; it stands alone, far any other single novelty the world has produced. o -' t amongst rocks with its frontage of plate-gla.?s, tb' huge tank, containing over 5000 gallons o' water, in which the seals are seen disport ing, makes of itself a picture that is r masterpiece, but far transcending the wonderful settings, is the reasoning power dis played by the seals who obey all com mands accurately and without hesitation and go through their evolutions with Odiva with a grace that is only equalled by that talented little artiste herself. In this act the audience will find moments for laughter and astonishment, and tense moments when misgiving gives place to alarm for the safety of the fascinating Odiva, who remains under water for such unbelievable lengths of time, with her wonderful seals playing round her. Odiva and her seals are supported by a brilliant new company of star artists, including the famus Jubilee Trio, harmonisers of plantation melodies; Verna Bain, in dainty dance creations; Eric Harrison, entertainer; Tom Te Puni, the Maori comedian; Jack Birchley, the india-rubber man; Haynes and Greig, two men and a piano; the Hilo Duo, Hawaiian instrumentalists; Adelaide Taylor, singer of sweet songs; Claude de Car, the mile-a-minute waiter; and Valentini, in a ventriloqual interlude. Box plans for the season are at Collier’s. The booking has been very heavy, but there are still some good seats left for those who come early. There is a special matinee tomorrow at 2 p.m. THE PEOPLE’S. “TRIFLING WITH HONOUR.” Owing to the non-arrival of “Snowdrop” programme, the big Universal-Jewel special production, “Trifling With Honour,” will be screened at the People’s to-night. “Trifling With Honour” is the story of a man who, after escaping from prison and joining up with a gang of betting sharps, determines to run straight, and becomes famous as a baseball player. Efforts to make him sell his team fail through the influence of a boy who can see no wrong in his hero. The struggle between right and wrong is powerfully worked out. Excitement is to be had in abundance and the picture is full of thrills. The cast is an exceptionally good one, and includes the juvenile comedian, Buddy Messenger. Admission prices at the People’s are 9d and Is 3d, children 6d. To-morrow’s change of programme is advertised. HUMPHREY BISHOP COMPANY. COMING TO NEW PLYMOUTH. The announcement that the famous English Humphrey Bishop Comedy and Operatic Company will be paying a visit to New Plymouth for a season of three nights commencing Friday next, Feb. Ist,, is of more than ordinary interest, as apart from this company being one of the, if not the most travelled of all theatrical companies, the extraordinary and immediate success of their recent Auckland season has stamped the show as being something quite different from anything seen this way before. Composed of all London star artists on a tour of the world, they left London about seven years ago, and have reached New Zealand via East and South Africa, India. Burma, China, Japan, Malay States, Mesopotamia, and for the past three years in Australia, where they have played long seasons in all the centres under the direction of J. C. Wil- ' liamson and J. and N. Tait. They are

now on their way to play a season at J. C. Williamson’s Opera House, Wellington, and this will be the only chance of seeing this remarkable company, as their stay in New Zealand is only to be a short one. All the artists are new to the Dominion with the exception of Edward Elliott, who made a tremendous success some years ago here both with his topical songs and with “Sunshine James.” He returns with everything new. Amongst the vocalists one of the finest is Walter Kingsley, an eminent London baritone who ha<j had the honour of three command performances before Their Majesties the King and Queen. Humphrey Bishop himself, although also a very well-known London vocalist, in the present production takes sole and personal charge of the orchestra, an orchestra that is alone one of the big features of an exceptional show. It is without doubt the biggest company of its kind that has ever appeared here, having full ballet and beauty chorus, and in fact everything in every way exactly as presented at the Theatre Royal and Criterion Theatre,. Sydney, a short while ago. The name of the Humphrey Bishop Company has preceded them, and there is certain to be a rush on the box plans which are at Collier’s, and as this tour is being conducted at popular prices, another innovation for a full Sydney show, early booking is certainly advisable. The plans open on Tuesday next, February 5.