ENTERTAINMENTS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 27 November 1926, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOULE, “The Still Alarm” will be shown this afternoon at the Cosy Theatre and ,to-night at the Opera House only. William Russell and Helene Chadwick are in the leading roles. You cam hear the clang and clamour of the fire-bells the hoarse cries of the trapped and stricken people in the burning building. You can feel the strangling black smoke clutch your throat and the terror in the hearts of the waiting, watching, praying crowds as the heroic boys in blue perform miracles of daring deeds, and you will feel your breath coming quick and your heart beating fast as Dick Fay —torn between Jove and duty staggers into view with the mail he hates on his arm; while his daiigntei locked in the blazing room by this very man —waits. It is a Stirring, giipping, heart-throb fire drama a thousand times more thrilling than the play which has been seen and enjoyed over and over again by millions of people. Reserves at Henderson’s. COSY THEATRE. Screen figures of immense popularity and proven brilliance are the four principals of “His Secretary,” the new Metro-Goldwyn-Maver picture, coming to the Cosy Theatre to-night. These are Norma Shearer, dazzlingly beautiful star of “He Who Gets Slapped,” “The Devil’s Circus,” and “A Slave of Fashion,” Lew Cody, inimitable light comedian, W illiam Louis and Karl Dane. A plain business girl is in love with her employer, to whom she is secretary, but it i.s all too clear to both girl and the other employees that her affection is not returned. The manner in which she wins his regard, astounding her little world by a sudden transformation from an unattractive dowd to a surpassingly beautiful woman, makes an excellent picture of high quality. Few other stars would be brave enough to bury their beauty under make-up as Miss Shearer does in the early part of -this attraction. However, when she is later revealed in all her real charm, her loveliness nrqkcs her earlier appearances but a very indefinite memory. She is shown as a comedienne of great ability, a claim that few stars of equal dramatic talent can make. Lew Cody, recognised as the screen’s foremost light comedian, has full opportunity to demonstrate his comedy talent. He has an individual style that- has firmly entrenched him in the very first rank of artists, and his popularity is ever -on the increase. Wonderful supporting programme. Reserves at Henderson’s.

WILLIAMSON’S OPERA COMPANY. I “THE GONDOLIERS.” ■ The success achieved by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Gilbert and Sullivan I' Opera Company in “The Gondoliers,” I which is to be staged at the Opera | House on Monday, December 13th, is I unprecedented in the theatrical history | of New Zealand. When the- plans were | opened for the recent Wellington seaI son a queue nearly a mile long assemb- | led outside the- Bristol Piano Co. at 7 i a.m., and during the day over 5000 | seats were booked. This result also I happened in the other large centres, i and in the provincial towns the whole I of the various theatres were booked out I a. few hours after the plans were openI ed. “The Gondoliers” is unquestionI ably the most popular of the Gilbert I and Sullivan operas, and in it the latest ] J. C. Williamson organisation is seen I at its very best. For the recent MelI bourne revival new and magnificent I scenery was painted, and the costumes j cost, over £SOOO to produce. It has j been generally conceded that n:\er I previously has a better all-round comI bination of singers, comedians and danI cers been enjoyed in New Zealand. J.n j addition to some popular favourites j who have on previous occasions appeared in Masterton, a number of famous ■London artists will make their first appearance here on Monday, December 13th. Of the former, perhaps, Mr Charles Walenn, the well known Gilbcrtian comedian, Mr James Hay, the brilliant young lyric tenor, and Mr John Ralston, the popular baritone, Patti Russell (soprano), Mabel Gibson (contralto), and Lance Fairfax (baritone), are best known to local playgoers. Of the newcomers, Miss Strella Wilson, the leading lady, comes with a wonderful reputation. Miss Wilson is said to be the best soprano who has ever appeared in the - works of tlie beloved collaborators, and in “The Gondoliers” -she is seen and heard at her very best. Miss Winifred Williamson will make her first and only appearance here as the Duchess of Plaza-Toro, a character she has played very successfully in London. Mr Leo Darnton will take the role of Luiz, in which he scored his best success in England. Altogether there are over 80 people in the company, including a magnificent chorus and a full operatic orchestra, under the direction of Gustave Slapoffski. The box plans will ■ be opened at the Bristol Piano Co. on Friday, December 10th.