ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18406, 13 August 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. ALLAN WILKIE TO-NIGHT. Few Shakespearean actor-managers have had a wider experience than Mr Allan Wilkie, his activities in this Acid embracing four continents, and he Is j now convinced that in presenting, in , conjunction with Miss Hunter Watts, , excerpts from their enormous reper- j tolre. he has hit upon the most popular method of presenting Shakespeare | and classic English comedy. The num- ] ber of people who can, and do, enjoy j a Ove-act Shakespearean tragedy It has : to be realised are in these days com- i paratively few, but ten or fifteen min- i ates concentrated upon the great scenes of ‘ Hamlet,” “Macbeth," etc., ilternated with the sparkling comedy of Sheridan's “ The Shool for Scandal " or the rollicking humour of Goldsmith s " She Stoops to Conquer,” provide a most enthralling entertainment which has a universal appeal,and Is enjoyed equally by the Shakespearean enthusiast and the casual playgoer. And in all the years that they have presented Shakespeare these | popular artists have never had a more eulogistic press or such enthusiastic audiences as during their present tour of the Dominion. Mr and Mrs Wilkie will open at the Civic Theatre to-night. To-morrow night.they will present a complete change of programme. STRAND THEATRE. “ Going Wild ” is a farce built around an airplane race. Joe E. Brown is a newspaper reporter, broke and out of a Job, who is en route to Florida with a companion, Lawrence Gray. Brown, because of similar initials, Is mistaken for the author of a famous book on aviation, and the whole town i Is at the station to greet him. As may be Imagined, Brown takes It very big. the only fly in the ointment being that he Is eventually challenged to a race by a real pilot (Walter Pidgeon) and because of a crush on a girl, Laura Lee, he Is unable to back out. " Man to Man,” is one of the finest studies of father and son love ever screened. A father returning after a long prison term, finds his son estranged on account of insults he has been made the butt of on that account. Many obstacles arise, but a girl finally clears them away and reunites the two. The cast includes Grant Mitchell, Lucille Powers, Philip Holmes, George Marlon, Otis Harlan, Russell Simpson, Dwight Frye and Bill Banker. THEATRE ROYAL. “ Temptation." is a comedy-drama built about the ever absorbing subject | of the regenerative power of love. It I Is treated from a novel angle. Leading | roles are enacted by Lois Wilson and Lawrence Gray. In " A Natorious Affair,” Billie Dove portrays a sefl-willed English giri who marries a poor violinist, builds him up to a popular Idol and then spends the rest of her married life trying to hold him against his public, other women, and his temperament. Basil Rathbone was. engaged to play opposite her as Paul Gherardl. Gherardi is a convincing person In the play, one of the type often met on the concert stage. He Is a man of supreme egoism, of deep sincerity, of petulant childishness—in other words, a genius. Kay Francis as " the other woman" is .another perfect choice. She plays a woman who tries to gel every man she sees, and who Is generally successful. Falling In love with Gherardl, It seems only natural to her to charm him, despite the fact he is married to one of her friends. She helps Gherardi to rise, by being one of bls patronesses, and demands his attentions thereafter until she tires of him. ROXY THEATRE. " The W Plan " is the title of the new film to be screened at the Roxy Theatre to-night. This is a British production, and tells a very exciting story of an International scheme to obtain possession of important plans. Intermingled with the sensational main theme are a charming romance and muoh humour. An excellent cast of British players is engaged. CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT. An entertainment that will make a wide appeal will be given in St. Peter's Hall on Saturday afternoon and on Monday evening. The programme, which will be given by the children and teachers of St. Peter's Sunday School, will Include ballets, recitations, tableaux, nursery rhymes, piano and vocal solos. The proceeds are to form the nucleus Of a fund for a Children's Home. “THE WHISPERING WOOD.’’ The Hamilton Technical High School pupils have been rehearsing the operetta, “The Whispering Wood” for some time, and the public performances will take place on Wednesday and Thursday next. The operetta is founded on the story of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," and will include some melodious musical numbers, beautiful ballets, and dramatic and humorous dialogue. An excellent cast is engaged, with a strong chorus. The production is under the direction of Miss Isa Duff.

The box plan will open on Saturday morning.