ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22514, 24 November 1944, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMMES THEATRE ROYAL “Timber Queen” is an exciting romance of the lumberjacks, jvith Richard Arlen and Mary Beth Hughes in the romantic leads. “Smith of Minnesota” is another thrilling drama, featuring Bruce Smith and Arleen Judge. Tonight the first chapter of the new serial, “The Great Northern Mystery,” will be screened. There will I be a special matinee tomorrow morning, headed by “Pirates on Horseback.” a thrilling ITopalcng Cassidy adventure. CIVIC THEATRE I “King Arthur Was a Gentleman” is a I very funny comedy, with situations as ! unusual as they are amusing and witty dialogue. Arthur Askey. the clever EngI lish comedian who made such a hit in | “Charley’s Aunt” and other comedies on stage and in films, heads the cast. Whether the title of the film is fulfilled may be problematical, but there is no ' doubt that the audience is kept chuckling I throughout.' The latest war news and other interesting and entertaining “shorts” I add variety to the first part of the proj gramme. 1 STATE THEATRE Life in a small American town in 1906, with its lovely old homes, leisurely wide streets and old-fashioned gas-lamps, is : the setting for “Johnny Come Lately.” The Academy Award winner, James Cagney, scores another triumph as the tough, I lovable out-of-work reporter who cleans up the towm by a series of startling editorials and several exciting fist fights. “Frontier Fury,” an exciting Western drama featuring Charles Starrett, is also screened. REGENT THEATRE “The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek.” featuring Eddie Bracken and Betty Hutton, is a rollicking comedy that keeps an audience in hilarious mood throughout. There is no Morgan in it but there is a Private Ratzky Watzky. There is no Creek in it 1 but theer is a Miracle in it—and what a miracle! Scenes of the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups are included in the supporting programme, also incidents in the great drought in Australia. ROXY THEATRE Two entertaining films are included in the new programme. “So Proudly We Hail” is an inspiring tribute to the Red Cross, showing the splendid part that the women are playing in the world war. The cast includes such outstanding names as Claudette Colbert, Veronica Lake, Paulette Goddard. Walter Abel. George Reeves and Sonny Tufts. “Dudes are Pretty People” is a funny comedy, with a colotirful Western setting. There is plenty of action and the fun is fast and furious. “THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD “The Yeomen of the Guard.” which will be staged in the Frankton Town Hall on Monday and Tuesday nights by the boys of Southwell School, is recognised as one of the best of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. It tells a very dramatic and romantic story, and the music contkins some Of the gems of the series. Southwell School has gained a great, refutation for its presentation of these operas, and "The Yeomen of the Guard” should do much to strengthen that reputation. Box plans are now open. WILLIAMSON’S COMPANY Tomorrow evening J. C. Williamson's Comedy and Dramatic Company will make its re-appearance at the Theatre Royal in Rachel Crother’s brilliant comedy-drama “Susan and God,” and on Monday night j the latest London and New York dramatic 1 triumph, "The Two Mrs Carrolls,” is to be staged. The performances of “Susan and God” are particularly interesting to local playgoers because of the fact that the onerous role of Sally is to be portrayed by the locally born actress, Bett.ina Welch, who has achieved a distinct triumph in the part, both in New Zealand and Australia. Also interesting are the facts that Barrie is one of Lloyd Lamble’s favourite parts and that several artists who have not previously appeared in Hamilton will be presented in “Susan and God,” including Lesley Jackson, a very talented young Wellington ex-reper-tory actress, Diana Craig, who hails from the leading London theatres, and Ruth Montgomerie and June Mendoza, two delightful young Australians. “Susan and God”, is refreshing entertainment, the dramatic scenes being intermingled with genuine and wholesome comedy. Reports regarding the sensation created in Wellington by the presentation there recently of “The Two Mrs Carrolls” has created a large amount of interest in Monday night's production of this New York drama, and indications are that it will i be witnessed by a very large audience. Other popular members of the company are John Tate, Lily Moore, Frank Bradley, Ethel Gabriel, Allen Christie, Sam Stern, Alan Rankin. John Gray and Fred Fullbrook. Features of both plays are the gorgeous costumes and the distinctive i stage settings. BOROVANSKY BALLET There was a great demand for seats when the box plans for the Borovansky Ballet season opened this morning. The Russian Ballet with its skill and precision of dancing, its colourful costumes, its variety of decor and its deep aesthetic, pleasure has been brought to life for theatre-goers of New Zealand by the advent of the Borovansky Company. Besides “Facade” and “Sigrid,” seen for the first time here, the company has in its repertoire the well-known romantic ballets “Les Sylphides” and “Swan Lake.” A highlight on the first programme, which will be presented in Hamilton on Wednesday next is Borovansky’s fantasy on Grieg’s piano concerto in A Minor. At the pianos Anna Jacobovitch and Estelle Cody, two brilliant young Australian pianists, display their excellent musicianship. The three leading dancers with the company. Laurel Martyn, Dorothy Stevenson and Edna Bussie, are all seen in convincing portrayals in this ballet.