AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 1 July 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

MUSGROYE VAUDEVILLE ’ COM RAN Y. A SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT. There was a largo attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening, wneh t nigh-class vaudeville entertainment, suoimciecl by tne iUusgrovo oeieonty vauaeiille Company, met with an enthusiastic and appreciative reception. J he programme was not only comprised of items of outstanding merit, but the diversity of the turns presented held the audience in a state of keen appreciation from curtain to curtain Principal interest was attached, perhaps, to the re-appcarance of Signor Bruno Sarti, whose local success with the Sistine Choir Soloists was acknowledged with a hearty lt.und of applause. Previously outstanding for the artistic treatment accorded to lus numbers, this gifted and temperamental artist has it anything, considerably improved. Signor Sarti is the possessor of a tenor voice of operatic range and flexibility, while the tonal quality, especially in the upper register, is of a splendid purity and intensely melodious. To him singing is apparently no effort, and on the highest ringing note liis splendid production enables him to sing with that artistic- effect characteristic of the best Italian methods.'He opened with ‘.‘Je-pleure, by Tosti, a dainty number sung in French with true artistic appreciation. The audience marked their approval in no uncertain manner. ‘Tcleale,’ also by Tosti, was commenced with commendable restraint appropriate to its rather plaintive air. “O Sole Mio” (Beneath Thy "Window) proved a popular favourite, and an insistent recall was responded to by “Conime la Nuit ’ by Bhous. At the conclusion of his last item curtain calls had to be taken before the applause died away. For the “Ideale” a special pianoforte accompaniment was played by Mr Edgar; for 'the other numbers the orchestra accompanied. A combined turn of a most artistic nature was provided by Messrs Windsor, Edgar, and Kellaway. Mr Windsor. who is the possessor of a tunelul baritone, sang several solos, mostly of a comedy nature, in which he was well supported by Messrs Edgar and Kellaway. who played violins with both alternate comic and. artistic effect. On several occasions Mr Edgar was also at the piano. The representations by the two violins of bagpipes, .scout calls, a German band, and a church organ were exceptionally good, while their final item the “Alcoholic Blues” was a cleverly worked up skit productive of much humour.

Miss Renie Riano, who was a star performer in the New York production of the Music Box Revue, quickly established lierself a warm favourite with the audience. A commedienno of no mean order, Miss Riano also gave some splendid characterisations, her first appearance as a gilded youth sowing his “Wild, Wild Oats” creating a decided demand for mors. The most popular numbers were: “I Thoiiglit I’-d Die,” and “Why Worry.” In between times, this active and exceptionally versatile little lady also execut q*l several eccentric dances that met with enthusiastic approval. Miss Claire Solly, who possesses a remarkably even contralto voice, made a decided hit in her opening song, “Garden of My Heart,” and added 10 her laurels with the encore number, the very tuneful and melodious air. “Can Von Forget,” which earned for her still another recall.

Exponents of the tight wire turns are apt to follow closely in each other's footsteps, and as a rule their work is generally confined to the blazed trail. '•This.' however, cannot be said of the Alton Sisters, who introduce quite a number of charming novelties and who are responsible for a really artistic turn. Sligbt-of-liand, juggling, and card tricks are apparently Mr Don Stuart’s sole aim in life, Although occupying the stage for some time he kept the audience aroused to a pitch of keen curiosity and amusement by Jiis clever tricks and whimsical patter A neat turn was also provided by Mr ,!./ J. Collins, who performed some really astounding juggling feats, Whirling knives, heavy' iron balls, umbrellas, and wash basins were all ihe same to this wizard, who went through his exciting performance with the detatched air of one out for a quiet stroll. Guilly and Jeanny, two young people from Alhambra, Paris, concluded the entertainment with an acrobatic turn entitled, “Moving Models.” From the top of a model of the Eiffel Tower the acrobats performed a number < t thrilling and difficult tricks, which excited well merited applause. Under the\ capable direction of Midi aides Windsor, a well balanced orchestra added greatly to the general efficiency of the performance, and cap ped an interesting and exceptional!--.-eniovable entertainment.

Tlie programme will be repeated this evening.

THE GRAND THEATRE,

Another fine double-feature programme at the Grand pictures is headed by "Tne World's applause,” with the popular and talented actress, Bebe JJameis, in the, lead. The story is of a dancer, who has a passion for publicity, and leaves nothing undone to keep herself in the public eye. "When Itobert Townsend, a wealthy artist, offers to paint her portrait and hang it in the French salon, she consents to the arrangement. When the painting is completed Townsend invites a number of guests to celebrate the completion oi the work, and while they are gathered in an adjoining room iilrs Townsend, unable to control her fury, slashes the portrait to ribbons. Jn attempting to prevent the vandalism, Townsend is stabbed to death by his infuriated wife, who llees, . and the dancer, Corinne d’Alys, is detained by the police. From this point onwards the spectators are held spell bound by a succession of thrills.

Justine Johnstone is the captivating star of the second feature, “A Heart to Let.” As a perplexed young aristocrat, who has inherited a mansion but no money, she is a charming heroine. Deciding to take a few boarders to support her young brother and a spinster cousin, she disguises herself as an old lady of appropriate dignity and unattractiveness, calculated to keep the boarders in awe of her, but even the blindest one, impersonated by that popular actor, Harrison Ford, pierces her disguise and marries hei U spite of her protest. |

FULLERS’ PICTURES

An intensely thrilling story of life in the Far East is told in “Thundergate,'' a new First" National production, stai-ring Owen Moore, and Virginia Brown Faire. From beginning to end there is not a dull moment in the whole picture, scene following upon scene, with never failing interest and gripping situation. 'lhe story tells of a young American engineer, Robert Weils, who finds himself, through force of circumstances, masquerading as a Chinese mandarin. He is forced to take this disguise as a result of the duplicity of a former associate who has plotted with Chinese reactionaries to ham per the construction of bridges and roads by a company he represents. As the mandarin, Wells finds a white girl, a slave in the palace, in which for a time ho rules. Then comes love and a blood-stirring conflict to release the girl from her predicament and at the same time to expose the evil plot of the enemies of progress. Owen Moore, one of tho screen’s most noted actors, appears in the double role of the American engineer, and the Chinese mandarin. Other favourite screen personalities in the brilliant cast are , Sylvia Breamer, Tully Marshall, Virginia Brown Faire, and Robert Mc-Kirn. Supporting films include the English Gazette-, an industrial picture “Canning Salmon,” “Polo,” and a comedy “Plus and Minus.”

“LONG ODDS.”Many racing pictures have been produced in the past, but “Long Odds,” a British Master picture, is in a class by itself. There is a villain in tile story, but he is a company promoter, and contrary to custom fie does not try ! to dope or injuro the horses in any way. And the big surprise—which is also the big sensation of the film —is associated with one of the little known rules of the turf, instead of with an impossible circumstance, such as the beautiful heroine riding to win. There are several novel effects in the film and one of them will probably create considerable comment and some speculation as to how it was accomplished. It occurs at the first water jump in the big steeplechase, and to all appearances, the horses leap into the camera. -“Long Odds,” will be the main feature at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening.