ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT. A MUSICAL TREAT A good orchestra is always appreciated, and judging by the interest taken in the above concert to bo held 1 in the Majestic Theatre, a large audi- ’ once is to be expected. No doubt Wanganui appreciates the good work Mr Trussell’s orchestra is doing for the town besides giving much pleasure from its artistic performances. Those assisting include Mr S. Kendall, a vocalist of outstanding ability, Messrs Sperring, Buchan, Williamsun ana Whelan, four clever artists of the Lyric Quartette. Mrs T. L. Sperring, our gifted elocutionist, will be heard in a musical monologue, while Airs Trussell, who has had the advantage 1 of tuition in the leading 'colleges in London, will play a violin solo. Mr J. ' Trussell is sure of a warm reception for a cornet solo, and lastly, the Bridges Trie will contribute numbers. This trio has delighted hundreds of thousands throughout Australasia and it is interesting to know that they have again been engaged to broadcast . from Wellington in the near futile. ( We trust patrons will contribute liber- I ally. ' WANGANUI WELCOME WEEK. The activities in connection with the “Welcome Week” festivities are drawing to a close, and the final curtain will descend upon a most successful week to-night. The committee has every reason to bo pleased with the results achieved, and at least two of its efforts will remain in the memory of some residents of Wanganui for many years, namely, the childrens’ birthday party and the early settlers’ reception. Today will see the last of the children's functions when the winners of the primary school pupils’ writing competition , will be presented with souvenir badges at “Miss Wanganui's” bachelor party at the Show Grounds. Those children who were unable to show' their pets at the birthday party are invited to parade at the show grounds at, 1.30 p.m. Many businessmen have signified their intention to enter the competition for the best trade vehicle in the monster parade which will leave the Avenue for the Show Grounds at 1 p.m. The finish of the Harrier race will take place at the Racecourse, and the club is entertaining the Masterton Harriers at a , monster “Joy Night,” particulars oi. which are advertised. The final items on the “Welcome Week” programme will take place to-morrow when the Queen Alexandra’s Own Band will give a concert in the Opera House, and Air H. J. Trussell’s orchestra and asisting artists will appear at the Afajestic Theatre. HAWERA WINTER SHOW. AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL TRAVEL ASSOCIATION. ! The South Taranaki Winter Show has always been known for its new and distinctive features and this year I is no exception to the rule. Arrangements have been made villi Air Stilling the newly appointed Federal representative in New Zealand to make a comprehensive display, consist mg of all matters relative to travel and tourists. Air Stilling was in Hawera over the, week-end completing his plan.-. A special room 40ft by 30ft. and a corridor 30ft. long have been set aside ' for the display, which will include some hundreds of beautiful ■dews of Australia and a gieat many art posters. Air Stilling will be in attcndaiie? ' most of the time, and xi.-.tors to the show will have an opportunity of g.u ing much useful information concerning <»ur Sister

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE. '•LAUGH THAT OFF ” - At the conclusion of the performance of “Laugh That Off” last Tuesday evening. His Worship the Alayor, Air N. G. Armstrong, asked if it were possible to give a further presentation of the brilliant comedy. .It was believed that, owing to the unsettled weather and so many counter-attractions that many who desired to witness the performance were unable to do so, and further, that the unqualified success of the play and the unbounded enthusiasm of all those who attended the Opera House on Alonday and Tuesday last, would be powerful factors in assuring a packed house at a third performance. This performance will be given at the Opera House on Saturday night next, and the same prices of admission, viz., Is, 2s and 3s. will be charged. The whole of the proceeds will go to the Mayor’s fund for the relief of local distress. MAORI ENTERTAINERS A TALENTED PARTY. There are few people who are not interested in Alaori music, and ou Monday night next, a specially-tal-euted programme is being given by the ! popular New Zealand Alaori Choir and J entertainers. The items include oratory, hymns, pois, hakas, and ancient Alaori games. The party recently gave excellent performances at the Town Hall, Wellington, during Radio Week, and appeared on four succcs- 1 sivo nights before an attendance aggregating 12,000 people. Hemi Rikihana, the gifted Alaori violinist, comes from Levin, and was acclaimed by the Wellington audiences for what he is—a line musician. Dave Nicholls, 1 tenor, late of the, Pioneer Entertainers. is said to be equally as versatile and his numbers are rendered with perfect voice range. Aliss Eileen Grenne I ', L.A.8., is a well-known Mauri soprano soloist of Christchurch, and Hcnare -ohiwi, late of the Tohiwi Trio, so popular in gramophone recordings, is the Otaki baritone soloist. Other members of the company include Riria Wallis and T. Ropita (Port Levy), Lovie Kemara (Hamilton), Hone Wcreta (Ratani Pa) and To Mahauaraki (Hawke’s Bay . The producers of the play entitled “Yesterday, To-day ami To-morrow” to be given during the evening are Wi Nikora (Fox. on) and Hone Wcreta ( Ratana Pa), two members of the late Methodist Maori Mission Party which toured New' Zealand a few years ago. Wi Nikora h'-nself is a talented tenor soloist; and the “wag” of the party, ami will lead the opening welcome song ami dance. Excellent reports precede this company of talented Maori artists, and a large audience is assured their local appearance al. the Opera House on Monday evening. HARRIERS' JOY NIGHT. Tlio Wanganui Harriers’ Club is on t.-rlni ning I he Masterton Harriers at a dance and social to be hel l to-night; in the National Mutual building, Lower Avenue. Music, fur dancing will bo supplied by lhe River City Syncopators and Stodart’s combined orchestras, and Mrs Partridge and Miss Hilda Crysell will render \<)cal solos and Alessrs JWatson and J. Farrell will contribute a cornet duo. The committee is indebted to the members of lhe. I'nion Boat Chi ' for their action in postponing their

OPERA HOUSE WELCOME AV EEK CONCERT. Excellent entertainmeut will be presented at the Upcra. House tomorrow evening at 8.15 when the Queen Alexandra's Own Band and the New Zealand Broadcasting Entertaining Party, of Otaki, will give a first-class concert. All lovers of good music should not miss this convert for not only will they listen to one of the best bands in the Dominion but they will also have tho opportunity of hearing the marvellous singing of the Maoris, who are so well known for their splendid voices. Mr Rikihana, who is one of the foremost violinists in this country, will give several items. The Queen Alexandra Band will be under the baton of Mr Ernest Webb and will play a programme of new music. On account of the expensive staging for the coiicen!*. patrons are asking to give not less than a shilling. GRAND THEATRE. “EVIDENCE.” Never has the talking, living screen ever done so great •. service to drama lovers! Never has a great play on stage or screen, been as brilliantly acted by so splendid a cast. Teeming with emotion, vibrant with the fires of strife and mental conflict, “Evidence” now’ showing at tho Grand Theatre is a great play made greater through its artistic interpretation. A tremendous story of divorce, mother-love and sacrifice presenting a new angle of a vital human problem. What becomes of the children, of divorce? . . You’ll find the graphic answer vividly told in this stirring drama. Swept with resistless force in the vortex of three great loves —this mother sacrificed her reputation in the futile hope of holding her child. She loses child and husband, through the decree of “blind justice.” Then fate takes a hand with startling results. A superb contribution to tho talking screen that you’ll want to see and hear. Here is the perfect play and the perfect cast! A surging drama of heart-tugging emotions brought to the living screen by the. greatest feminine star of cinema of stage. Three great leading men head the cast opposite Pauline Frederick, including Lowell Sherman, William Courtenay, Conway Tcarle, Myrna Loy and Alec B. Francis. REGENT THEATRE. “SHE COULDN’T SAY NO.” With a single exception, all the leading members of the cast of “She Couldn’t Say No,” the Warner Bros, production which comes to the Regent Theatre to-day have had extended experience on the stage. Winnie Lightner, one of the stars of the screen drama, has for a long time been recognised as one of the few funny feminine artists appearing before the public. She has been in vaudeville for many years, appeared opposite W. C. Fields in “The Scandals,” and was also seen in “Gay Paree.” Chester Atorris, sharing starring honour with Alis* Lightner, is the son of a theatrical family, went on the stage when he was fifteen years old, and his roles con stantly increased jn importance until he was the star in “Fast Life,” his latest stage play before his recent entry into motion pictures . Johnny Arthur’s stage experience belies his appearance of youth, since he has spent more than twenty-five years behind the footlights, supporting various wellknown stars as well as appearing us a star in his own right. Ho is also known as a stage producer and direc tor. Tully Marshall is one of the true theatrical veterans of the present generation, having made his first professional appearance in 1883. Ho has spent many years in stock companies, as player, star or director, and has also appeared in support of many wellknown actors. He has been in motion pictures for the past ten years. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ••JUST IMAGINE” De Sylvia, Brown and Henderson and David Butler have done it again. Their new Fox Alovietone musical comedy romance, “Just Imagine,” which opens at the Majestivj Theatre to-day at 2.30 p.m., is a worthy successor to their masterpiece uf yesteryear, ‘‘Sunny Side Up.” “Just Imagine” is moved in theme and treatment, has a brilliant cast beaded by the inimitable El Brendel and has a number of songs of the calibre which has made DeSylvia, Brown and Henderson the greatest song writing team in the world. These young men, who also wrote the story and dialog ic, have projected their picture fifty years into the future. The love interest, which centres about Maureen O’Sullivan and John Garrick, tells of the romance of the “Lindbergh of 1980” in a gripping- and, sustained fashion. Brendel has one of the greatest roles of his career and scores repeatedly. In fact he is now our favourite comedian. Miss O’Sullivan is everything that her enthusiastic friends have said of her, and that is plenty. Garrick reveals a charming singing voice and is hand some and manly in the leading male role. His acting is above reproach Marjorie White, who all but scampered awav with the hilarious honours in “Sunny Side Up,” does almost the same thing in this picture, although she has much less to do. Her vivacious personality completely dominates every scene in which she appears. Frank Albertson, in a light comedy role, is a riot in hiiurfelf. He makes a perfect team mate for Miss White, ana the way they put over their song num ber, “Never Swat a Fly,” is a revelation. Joyzelle is effective as tho Martian slave, and other roles are capably handled by Kenneth Thomson, Hobart Bosworth, Wilfred Lucas and Alisha Auer. The song numbers, of course, are outstanding and we believe that Director David Butler has scored an other triumph which outshines his previous brilliant effort, of “Sunny Side Up. ” MICKEY THE MOUSE MATINEE. A NOTH IJI SPLENDID PROGRAMM K. (GM LIH, CARTOONS. ADVENTURE PICTU RUS. Another picture programme speci ally chosen for its suitability for children audiences opens at. the Alajcstic Theatre at the “Mickey the Mouse” matinee this morning at 10.30 a.m. sharp. Tin- main feaiuir of tlii> week's matinee will be limit Gibson's lalesi

and most thrilling picture, “The Mounted Stranger.” ‘‘The Mounted Stranger” is another out-door action picture and .includes as the next most important character to Hoot Gibson himself his wonderful horse Silver King. The eleventh episode of the popular serial, “The Indians Are Coming” will also be screened. The other items of this excellent programme are the latest “Mickey the Mouse” car toon, an Aesop fable cartoon, and the adventures of “Oswald the Rabbit.” As a further attraction “Sporting Courage,” of the Collegians series, will also be screened. The usual prizes will bo given for holders of tho lucky seats, and photos of four boys and girls will be screened. If they are at the matinee they will receive prizes. In all the eleventh “Mickey th Mouse” matinee promises to be a very popular one for the younger geffi'ation.