GRAND THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17220, 11 December 1923, Page 5

GRAND THEATRE.

Mr T. Meighan needs no introduction to movie picture patrons. The hero of “Thfc' Miracle Man.” “Male and Female,” “Civilian Clothes.” and “Why Change Your Wife?” would grace any picture story. In his latest success “ The Frontier of the Stars,” shown to the Grand Theatre, Mr Meighan appears in a story that admirably suits his appearance and his talents. As Buck Leslie, a New York gangster, he has the same class of work as he did so well in “The Miracle Man," the character of a “crook” who is regenerated. This change in Buck Leslie’s life is brought about by a little crippled girl. Escaping from a detective Buck climbs on the roof of a tenement. There he sees Hilda Hoyt, who never has been on the streets of a . city, who knows nothing of “crooks” or of evil of any kind. She hides him behind the chimney, and he makes good his escape. He pays several visits to her, is first surprised and then influenced by her views,- and turns over the proverbial new leaf. “My Lady Friends,” the main support of “The Frontier of the Stars,” is notable for the appearance in it of Mr and Mrs Carter De Haven, who find a suitable opportunity to display their talents as humourists in this First National comedy. There are, aiso, another comedy, featuring Snub Pollard, a cartoon, a chapter of “ The Social Buccaneer ,” and a Pa the Gazette, making a varied and highly interesting programme. a

FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE. BRIGHT VAUDEVILLE AND REVUE. The new' programme presented to a large audience at the Opera House last evening is easily the best that has been given at that theatre for some considerable time past. The four vaudeville turns which precede the revue were very much enjoyed. Les Mai tin opened the bill and astonished everybody by playing six different instruments in a most tunefol manner. Commencing with a pianoforte number he next gave a xylophone ®olo “Vamping Rose.” Then, lie played a violin solo “Coal lilack Mammy” in which he gave an imitation of a ukelele, and then played “ Cottage of Dreams” as a bell solo. Next he played “Yarrawonga” on a set of bottles, and in response to an encore he played “Leave Me With a Smile” on the trombone. Bertram and Raymond presented a double turn in which the male members of the duo sang a comedy number entitled “I’m Twenty-one.” The pair then made some good jokes, after which the lady performed a skirt dance very gracefully. Their turn concluded with a duet “The Art of Making Love.” The popularity of Jack Trent and Sadie is increasing week by week. Last night their offering was “The Parson and the Girl.” Sadie sang a laughable comedy number entitled “I’m in Love • With the Prince of Wales.” The pair indulged in a good deal of bright patter in wWich Sadie obtained many laughs, and they sang a humorous ditty about a piece of orange peel- As a finale to a very en- ■ joyable turn they gave some comI positions of Limerick verses which cre--1 ated much merriment. Fred Keeley ! and Ivy Aldous were greeted with | hearty applause as they stepped on to I the stage. Miss Aldous was dressed I in a pretty apricot coloured frock of marocain silk- Their first number was j “If You Want to Keep Your Wife,” ‘ which they followed with a good deal

of clever patter, in which Mr Keeley worked off some fresh and entertaining jokes. Miss Aldous earned hearty applause for an excellently played pianoforte solo. The couple next sang “The Isle of Yokomoko.” In response to an insivStent demand for an encore Mr Keeley gave an eccentric dance, his partner accompanying him on the piano. The artists left the stage amidst a storm of applause. The failure of the. electric light interfered a good deal with the presentation of the new revue by the Sunbeam Revue Co. However, the artists stuck to their tasks and went through the performance under the greatest of difficulties. Doddy Hurl and Harry Evans worked off some clever gags concerning the failure of the lights and the audience laughed heartily. They fully appreciated the position the performers were placed in and they bestowed liberal applause on all the singers. The new production is entitled “The Mummy,” and staged under ordinary conditions it would be a fine entertainment. As it was the audience enjoyed it quite as much as they have done any revue for a long time. Doddy Hurl as the mummy ’is the principal fun maker, and he receives good assistance from Harry Evans as “Dr Doit,” A 1 Mack as the doctor’s servant, and Victor Dyer as the aching man. Vernon Sellars was in excellent voice, and he was loudly applauded for his singing of a well-known favourite “Because.” He also sang with Patsic Hill a pretty duet “Can You Forget?” Patsie Hill, who was charming as the doctor’s daughter, sang “I’m Just Wild About Harry,” which was very popularly received. A 1 Mack gave a couple of numbers, “Shufflin ” and “Give it a Smile,” in pleasing fashion. He happened to be doing one of these numbers when the lights failed and he led a “community sing” in which the audience joined in a number of wellknown choruses. “Ten Ten Tennessee” was given by Billie Jones and girls, and Madeline Dormer sang “Oh Dear,” while Doddy Hurl contributed a comedy item entitled “Egyptian Mummy-” The work of the ballet girls was almost entirely spoiled by the failure of the lights. SThe whole company, however, can take’ credit for going through with the show under such adverse circumstances.

A word of praise' is also due to the orchestra who played the yarious numbers under great difficulties.