ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17015, 31 January 1927, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STANLEY MCKAY'S COMPANY. “MY GEISHA GIRL.’’ Each year Mr Stanley McKay brings his Pantomime and Comic Opera Company to New Zealand, and has gained a reputation for providing an entcrlaining show —far more entertaining, indeed, than that given by many more pretentious companies. This year the company includes several old favourites, and there are some new faces, .Mr Walter George, well known for several years in ciN;tume comedy and revue work, is acting as producer. On Saturday afternoon the local season was inaugurated with the pantomime, “Old Mother Hubbard,” a large audience of children following the adventures of the funny old dame with glee. On Saturday night “My Geisha Girl” was presented, and the slender plot sufficed to string together some diverting comedy, clever dancing and delightful music. A particularly popular turn was that provided by the Four Little Kellys. These girls, the youngest of whom is only seven, proved themselves musicians of unusual ability, playing classical numbers, sweet old melodies, and jazz with equal success. Leone is an unusually talented violinist, and little Daisy introduced an exhilirating Charleston effectively. The turn aroused great enthusiasm, the youthful performers being recalled repeatedly. Miss Maudie Stuart is that rarity amongst women, a low comedienne, and kept the audience amused with her broad comedy. Miss Madolinc Knight sang “Poor Butterfly” and “A String of Pearls” sweetly, and Miss Laurie McLeod danced gracefully. Mr Will Raynor has a tenor voice of good quality and much volume, his singing of favourite old songs which are not often heard now, such as “The Deathless Army” and “The Death of Nelson” giving great pleasure. The comedy work of Messrs Arthur Meredith, Frank Perryn and Walter George created much merriment. A male quartette blended melody and humour delightfully. Miss Georgia Martin, Mr Jack Raymond, and a ballet helped to keep things moving. The company will bring its season to a close to-night with “Laughing Time of 1927,” a fine dancing show.

THEATRE ROYAL. “Behind the Front,” a comedy of the War, comes to lac Theatre Royal commencing to-morrow. Wallace Beery and- Raymond Hatton add new laurels to their comedy record in their uproarious characterisations. No funnier scenes have ever been pictured. STRAND AND FRANKTON THEATRES THE BARRIER. “The Barrier,” a stirring romance, will he shown for to-night and Tuesday night. Adapted from the romance of Rex Beach, a writer who always gives a thrill, “The Barrier” has a sweep and a power that carries the spectator along from the vigorous opening, when there is depicted a storm off Ihe Yukon, in which a ship is badly battered and is dismasted by lightning, to Ihe pleasant end, when an army officer and his bcautful halfbreed bride are returning to civilisation. The most exciting period of the story is the coming of Lieut. Meade, his light with, the skipper, his rescue of Nclcia and flight to the shore, just as the ship is overwhelmed. Norman Kerry 'and Marceline Day appear as Lieut. Meade and Nclcia, 1 and the acting of Lionel Barrymore as the brutal skipper is an outstanding performance.