AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20169, 11 June 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS.

MUNICIPAL PICTURES Crowded houses at both sessions at the Opera House on {Saturday is more than ample evidence to show that the film adaption by Earamount of Oscar btrauss’ world larnous musical comedy •‘The Last Waltz,” is one of the finest productions of the screen thut lias been shown to a Wanganui audience for a long time past, many were turned away irom the theatre, while those who were fortunate enougn to secure seats, speak in superlatives of what they saw. An excellent musical programme submitted by the “Lyric” Orcnestra to harmonise with this moving tale, which has the Balkans for a setting, and a pleasing novelty introduced an entr’ act. “The Last Waltz,” renidered by two dancers of high repute, Alisaes Evelyn and Auiu Wright, served to accentuate the high quality of the entertainment. All of the actors in the cast arc from some country in the oid world, and there are many countries represented, ft is a delightful tale that is spun about a duke and his aidje and a Princess and her lady in waiting. The Duke von Schlettow, has ordered that his aid Willy Fritsch bo put to death for having offered to duel his superior officer. The aide is given one hour in which to make his adieus to his sweetheart. To the tunc of an old 'cello they are having their last waltz together, bhe urges him to leave the country. This he says he will do, but what he actually idjoes do cannot bo stated here. To tell would be spoling it for those who don’t know. The locale for “The Last Waltz” is the snow-clad St. Moritz where the entire company of “The Last Waltz” was transported for the production of the picture and all of the outdoor action took place among the natural beauties of that lovely little town. A Bulgarian gi*l Elsie Vanya, who plays the part of the maid to the duchess, does one of the prettiest bits of vamping that has ever been shown on any screen. In a scene with the station agent she manages to win him over to flagging the train so that her mistress’ lover may make a hasty getaway. Miss \ anya is one of uhe cast that is really the most international that has made any picture. The picture was directed l by Arthur Robison, an American, aii»d Charles A. Whittaker, an Englishman, supervised it. Liane Haid, who plays the princess, is very known in Austria. In that country she is the outstanding female star, and has earned an enviable reputation for herself. “The Last Waltz” will be shown to-night and again tomorrow night. A RECEPTION A reception, un/ler the auspices of the Wangani/ branch of the Women’s Division of the Harmers’ Union will be tendered to the Misses Houghton on Monday, June 11, at 2.30 p.m., at the Victoria League’s rooms. All members of the Victoria League and others cordially invited.

SWIMMERS’ CONCERT AT GONVILLE

There is quite a brisk demand for tickets for the concert to be held ai the Gonville Town Hall to-morrow night, the reason being that the object to which the proceeds will be devoted is such a deserving one, namely the extension of the Gonville Swimming Baths. But in addition the programme to be submitted by Mr A. L. Griffiths will be the best put on at Gonville for many a day. Among the contributors of items will be the Harmonic Quartette, whose work is too well known to require any praising at this stage. Present indications point to a packed house greeting the talented performers to-morrow night.

“THE STUDENT PRINCE” AND “MADAME POMPADOUR”

The J. C. Williamson Koya! Comic Opera Company, identical in regard to principals and chorus an>d orchestra, with that which created such a furore at His Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne for 20 weeks recently, will appear at the Opera House on Thursday and Friday next and will present two of the most successful comic operas of recent years, “The Student Prince” and “Madame Pompadour.” The company is head>l by the continental favourite Beppie de Vries. Other prominent overseas artists are James Liddy, Frank Webster and Hedley Hall. Well-known artists also appearing are Arthur Stigant, John Fonde, Herbert Browne, Millie Englen, Vera Spaull and Adele Crane. “The Student Prince’’ is a musical adaptation of the old romantic drama “Old Heidelberg.” The story lends itself to elaborate costuming and settings. Not alone for the beauty of its score does “The Student Prince” obtain for itself a position among the musical classics of the comic opera world but in the simplicity and charm of its tender love story. It is a romantic play elaborately staged; the men are dressed in glittering uniforms and the ladies in the gorgeous gowns of the period. “Madame Pompadour,” the company’s second production, is a comic opera written around the life of France’s most beautiful woman. The opera is full of colour and melody, and; it also has a genuine strain of humour. To add to its other merits the piece has a plot that would do credit to romantic drama. The box plans open this morning at H. I. Jones and Son’s.