ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18653, 3 June 1932, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES. theatre royal. The first appearance together ef the screen’s first actoi, Jol Hl t lo ' us more, and his equally Ulustrious brother, Lionel, In L p U ft_ is a cause for jubilee for those film goers Who have been looking for something different and above the average in the way of screen faie Here are two of the cinema s mo expert proponents of tho art dramatic acting, brilliantcharacterisation and sophisticated comedy “ \rsene Lupin,” the engrossin o , often intensely dramatic but aK ' h a J s tremely amusing story of the sua and debonair thief who P oses aa a French nobleman and leads an mfuu ated and bewildered detective a merry chase about the haunts of Paris, mas just those elements of rapid-action plot movement, romantic lovo )ntel '^ t and smart humour which the two celebrated Barrymore brothers are so well equipped to handle. rhe principal characters of the thiol, Arsene Lupin, and the detective, Guerchard, already familiar to readers of Maurice Le Blanc’s mystery sto -, in the portrayals of the Barrymore receive an added flesh-and-blood reality. The acting of both John _ a “ d Lionel Barrymore Is practically fl w less, and Karen Morley is charmin D and capable. CIVIC THEATRE. The intensely funny -‘frozen-faced London comedian Sydney Howard-, seen recently in ‘‘Tilly of Bloomsbury and “Splinters in the Navy, is at his funniest In “Up for the Cup, which was presented at the Civic Iheat . yesterday. Mr Howard revels in the part of a blundering Yorkshlreman on a visit to London to see the Cup Anal, his adventures keeping the audience in roars of laughter. This comedian deserves the high position he has gained in popular favour; his arc seems effortless, he is a great character actor, and he is always convincing, as well as amusing. In “Up for the Cup” he has full scope for the display of his gifts, and he makes the most of his role. Joan Wyndham adds to the funmaking as his quarrelsome wife, and the remainder of the characters are all well filled, so that there is nothing lacking to make the comedy entertaining from beginning to end. , i«„ The supporting programme is also very entertaining. To-night and to-morrow afternoon ge second chapter of the exciting srtal, “Danger Island” will he ,f*»eened. Last week the hero, played Kenneth Harlan, was left in a very precarious position, from which it will he interesting to see how he extricated himself. "THE MIRACLE WOMAN.” On Saturday night Barbara Stanwyck, one of the greatest actresses of stage and screen, will be seen in "The Miracle Woman,” a powerful drama in which she has full scope for the display of her many gifts. This Is a play that sets an audience thinking—what is religion ? What is the modern church? The result is an emotional drama of great power. A special feature of the supporting programme is a lesson .by the golf champion Bobby Jones, demonstrating the mashie and the niblick. In these times, when plays golf, tills should be very interesting and educational. STRAND THEATRK. “The Lovo Race," the stage version of which, by the way, was seen in Hamilton some time ago with Clem. Dawe in the principal comedy part, is amusing large audiences at the Strand Theatre. It is a refreshing farcical comedy in which slapstick situations are put over with great effect, and the fun is kept going fast and furiously by the popular. English comedian Stanley Lupino and his associates, Jack Hobbs, Dorothy Boyd, Dorothy Bartlam, Florence Vie, Wallace Arthur ind Arty Ashe. “The Love Race” contains a running fire of vvit, and the enthusiastic manner in which each member of the cleverly-constructed oast plays his part adds to the charm of the rollicking comedy. It isn’t what Stanley Lupino, the leading mirth-maker, says so much as what he does, and the marvellously funny way he does it, that makes him so entertaining. His lines in themselves are all laughter-provoking, but his quiet drolleries of action throughout this story of white lies and tangled relationships are the cream of the entertainment. “DR. JEKYLL AND MR lIYDE,” Following close upon the heels of “Frankenstein” comes the latest “shooker,” the soreen adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Dr. Jeykll and Mr Hyde," which will open at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. When Stevenson wrote this famous story of a man’s dual personality ho fashioned Into words the material of Ills neurotic dreams, but he never dreamed of the phenomenal success that would attend the presentation in play form. The picturo has won very favourable criticism from English critics. Frcderio March, who was chosen to playin “The Royal Family of Broadway” because of his resemblance to John Barrymore, plays the Jekyll-Hyde part in which Barrymore starred in the flLen-t version. ROXY THEATRE. “Devotion," starring Ann Harding, reproduces the famed and lovely Temple district of London. Against this exquisite background, in contrast ' with its air of history and tradition, there Is played an unusually pleasing story of modern romance, light comedy and drama. The star handles expertly a role demanding a wide emotional range. Perhaps never lias Miss Harding appeared to more advantage. She proves once again that sho Is an actress or line ability. Leslio Howard, who will he remembered for his fino work In “Outward Bound," is splendid in the leading role opposito Miss Harding.