ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18875, 20 February 1933, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

DAME SYBIL THORNDIKE. MADAM PLAYS NAP.

THEATRE R'OYAL TO-NIGHT. I l I i | It is a happy inspiration on the part of Messrs J. C. Williamson to introi duce, and incidentally farewell, the 1 queen of the English stage, Dame Sybil Thorndike, to Hamilton play1, goers at the Theatre Royal to-night at [ 8 o'clock in comedy, for it is a domain •| In which this singularly gifted and i uniquely versatile aotress has had few • equals, and it offers the sole opi portunity of seeing many facets of a i talent that amounts to genius, i “Madame Plays Nap,” says a Christ- . church critic, is rich in comedy and i witty dialogue. The excellent humour of the play is kept at a higlT - pitch by Dame Sybil Thorndike, who . exercises a talent that dazzles us with Its facets. The whole performance is rich in the experience of a very ■ clever woman—a 'flash of almost springtime frivolity. The story opens In a Paris pawnshop, where a dancing master and his wife are trying to support themselves during the revolution, and that humble spot attracts many visitors. Included among them are the Royalist poet, Lavalle, whom the pawnbroker’s wife saves from the revolutionaries. Then comes the young artillery captain, -Napoleon Bonaparte, whose mind and soul are filled with future world conquests. While Napoleon is pawning his watch, he hears a tap at the window, and, thinking it is one of his creditors, he flees to the garret. Those kindnesses of the pawnbroker’s wife, Henrlette, become olosely entwined when, their fortunes restored, ’Henrlette and her husband are at the Court of St. Cloud, wilh Napoleon as Emperor. Neither the latter nor Lavalle recognise their old friends, and Henrlette will not divulgß their Identities until the jealous Princess and court ladles attempt to destroy her happiness by a vile trick, Henriette refutes the charges, and triumphs in the end. Dame Sybil will be supported by Lewis Casson, and a company of London dramatlo artists, including Bruce Winston, Athol Flemming, Norman Shelley, Mlohael Martin-Har-vey, Zillah Carter, Hilda Davies, Donald Eccles, Albert Chevaii&r, Christopher Casson, and Phyllis Best. CIVIC THEATRE.

At the Civio Theatre on Saturday “ The Tenderfoot ’’ was screened. It it a rollicking laugh feast with Joe E. Brown, Ginger Rogers and Lew Cody starring. The fun-was kept going in a manner which kept the audience chuckling, and there was not a dull moment. Joe Brown, the “ bigmouthed ’’ comedian, is always funny, and in " The Tenderfoot ” he is seen at his best. Dialogue and situations are very amusing, and there are touches of romance to provide the heart interest. Ginger Rogers gives good support in one of his " snappy characterisations."'' ’ i :! ‘ ' V: ‘ The supporting programme oontains much that is entertaining and interest- ' ing. To-morrow, “ Lord Babs," an amusing British comedy, will be screened.

STRAND THEATRE. Marlene Dietrich, the talented actress of " Shanghai Express," gains fresh aotlng laurels in “Blonde Venus,” which is enjoying a successful season at the Strand Theatre. Josef von Sternberg was the producer, and not a little of the success of the production Is due to his genius. The photography is unique. Marlene Dietrich portrays the role of a mother whose one object in life is to cherish her little son. . Herbert Marshall, the English actor, ts seen as the husband, and he excels his performances in “Michael and Mary” and “The Faithful Heart.” As the son, Dickie Moore gives one of ■the best juvenile characterisations seen on the screen. THEATRE ROYAL.

A comedy that moves with bewildering rapidity from one absurdity to the next and boldly presents the most impossible situations without the suggestion of an apology, Is almost certain to delight modern audiences by its very audacity. Such a picture Is ‘"Hold ’Em Jail,” at the Theatre Royal. The film Js entirely devoid of plot, unless a succession of disconnected but highly amusing pranks can be thus described, and depends for its immediate success solely on the brilliant work of a skilled cast. The two principals are Wheeler and Woolsey, a comedy “team” that never fails to please. Lesser parts are played by other artists of repute, including Edna May Oliver, Rosco Ates, Edgar Kennedy and Betty Gamble. The plaintiff rendering of "Chopsticks” by Wheeler and Edna May Oliver on the warden’s grand piano, and the convicts’ football match, are among the funniest moments of a film that Js rich in comedy. The supporting programme is also of a high order.