AMUSEMENTS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16032, 24 January 1920, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

THE GRANT). To-night will be the last screening of Frank .Keenan in “Todd of the Times, also of the second chapter of “The Railroad Raiders," featuring Helen Holmes, and of the comedy “The Stranger.” On Monday, William Farnum appears in “True Blue.” THE COMING OF THE KIWIS.. OPERA HOUSE, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NEST. The third and last group of returned soldier entertainers, popularly known as the Kiwis, Brigade entertainers, late N.Z.E.F., will appear in the Opera House nest Friday and Saturday, January 30th and 31st. Just recently returned from England, this party commenced a tour of the Dominion at Auckland on Boxing Night, and have had a series of mstanetaneons successes ever since. Their unique and clever entertainment, entitled “Bran Pie,” will be staged here during the two nights’ season. No more diverting comedian than Mr Ernest Graham (the Now Zealand “lad from Yorkshire”) has been heard in the Dominion for a long time past, his ever ready wit and his clean and wholesome humour being a delight to ktdc&es, young and old folk alike. During Mr Graham’s presence on the stage the whole house simmers with laughter, both comedian and audience being like old friends from his initial entrance. Mr Graham’s work is a type entirely his own; he works on different lines altogether to other comedians, and mainly on this account gets away from the stereotyped methods of entertaining audiences. An admirable assistant is found in Mr Wilfrid Thompson, a well-known Wanganui hoy, who left with the Eighth Reinforcements. Possessing a charming contralto voice, Mr Thompson, as one of the “ladies” of th© party, wears delightful gowns, having been costumed in gowns by Ninette, Paris. Mir Thompson moves, sings, and acts with all the charm of lead in musical comedy. With the Kiwis is another wonder, a veritable Gaby Deslys in millinery, style, finish, and appearance. This entertaining young “lady,” otherwise Mr Wally Pulford, has been quite a mystery to all audiences throughout the tour, and not until the shedding of the beautiful wig at the final curtain is th© mystery cleared up and all doubt removed as to the identity of this artist. Rich m singers who sing, the Kiwis possess no less than three tenors, ail of a very high standard. Mr Harold Hill comes with a big reputation as a vocalist, having been, prior to leaving for the front, a well-known platform singer. Mr Will Cotterill, a well-known Auckland performer in pre-war days, and Mr Ernie Skam, formerly of the Lyric Pour, are sure to please Wanganui audiences. Mr Alfred North is credited with a fine plaifefor fenEpresence, and his baritone voice is of a quality that delights his hearers. Mr Leighton Barr is also prominent in the caste, and is largely instrumental in the success of “Bran Pie.” The Kiwis appear here under the direction of Captain A. J. C. Angus. The box plan opens on Tuesday morning next art Messrs H. I. Jones and Son’s. ORPHANAGE BENEFIT CONCERT. Our well-known local musician, Mr Van Heck, of His Orchestra, is at present interesting himself in the welfare of the Orphanage, and is arranging a sacred benefit concert to be held in His Majesty’s on Sunday evening, February 15th. Several wellknown local artists have promised to assist, and the Mayor is extending his patronage. All proceeds clear of actual expenses will be handed over to the institution. Full details will he published later, and in the meantime the sale of tickets is proceeding, a good demand being already evident. QUEEN ALEXANDRA BAND. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. On Sunday evening, the 25th inst, the Queen Alexandra Band will give another of their popular municipal concerts in th© Queen’s Park, commencing at 8.15 p.m. The Band will be under the conductorsbip of Bandmaster W. Shepley. Included in the programme is the everfavourite selection “Macbeth,” also a rendering of “Lucrezia Borgia” will he given.