AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 226, 24 September 1929, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

"RIO RITA."

"Rio Rita" has had a wonderfully successful season at St. James' Theatre and the farewell words will be spoken on Thursday night, when the last performance will take place. Auckland has been deliehted with the splendid singing of Miss Gladys Moncrieff, charmed with the dancing of Miss Janette Gilmore, fascinated with the beautiful ballets, and intrigued by the colourful dressings and gettimrs of a corner of Mexico. Wherever the company has appeared there has been record business, and Auckland is no exception to the rule despite the "talkie"' attractions that have been concurrent. -There will be a' matinee tomorrow, at 2.15. EMPRESS THEATRE. Two screenings a day at the Empress Theatre, Karangahape Road, is the new order of things since talking pictures supplanted the silent screen. There is a double feature programme' at present; the headline attraction being "Strange a mystery drama that thrills and' excites throughout the presentation. It concerns a murder on a yacht, and suspicion falls on all and sundry. There are many weird happenings, and the interest is maintained until the last moment, when the guilty person is discovered. The second atraction is "The Office Scandal," which features Phyllis Haver. It is part talkie with a synchronised music score. The programme is good entertainment. The supports are all of an interesting natrrre. CRYSTAL PALACE. "The Canary Murder Case," which had such a successful season at the Strand Theatre some weeks ago is the main attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road. The leading role is played by William Powell, and other prominent members of the large cast are James Hall, Louise Brooks, Jean Arthur, Gustav Von Seyffertitz, Charles Lane and Eugene Pallette. The story concerns the murder of Margaret Odell, known as "The Canary," one of the most unscrupulous Broadway actresses, who is found strangled in her apartment. Heath, a police detective, immediately a-rests two suspects, but his theory is refuted bv Philo Vance, a brilliant amateur detective, who solves the mystery in an ingenious manner. A full programme of supports is also screening. NICOLA THE MAGICIAN. Nicola, heralded as "the Emperor of Magic," will commence a season at St. James' Theatre next Friday night. He has his own company, and promises something out of the ordinary. One of his acts is a trunk mystery which keeps the audience thrilled and guessing. Nicola is said to amuse, astound, and puzzle with weird and strange operations. In the Far East he is regarded as the only white man who has been able to beat the fakirs at their own game. Nicola has been here before and created a great sensation, but his present programme will out-rival anything he previously attempted. JASPER'S CONCERT.

When a good concert is held in a good cause the Auckland public is generous m their patronage, and as to-night's concert in the Town Hall is in aid of the funds of the City Mission there is no douht as to the genuineness of the appeal. Social welfare societies which do a vast amount of good work cannot keep going without the° necessary funds, and if the Rev. Jasper Calder does make numerous appeals they are all in the name of the sick, suffering or distressed. It is on account of the mission's good work that so manv ready helpers come to his assistance when programmes are being drawn up, and the public will be given a concert and entertainment this evening that should eclipse anything previously held on behalf of the mission. Songs, choruses, juggling, gymnasium stunts, comedy, drama, instrumental music, and a play, "Sherlock Holmes, together with the playing of a toe orchestra, will be included. The Key. Jasper appeals to the supporters ot his movement not to stay away on account of "fright" that there will not be sufficient room. He hopes to see the hall crowded. Popular prices are announced. PIANO STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION.

The fortnightly meeting of the Auckland Piano Students' Association, held last night, was an unusually interesting one. Dr. Trevor de Clive Lowe and Mr. Leo Whittaker, gave a recital of chamber music, and the audience keenly appreciated Grieg's "'Cello Sonata' and the Saint Saen "Concerto iii A Minor. The earlier part of the evening was devoted to Bach. A paper on the composer's life was read by Miss Doris Binns, and practical illustrations of his works were given'by the following: Miss Pearl Wallace, Miss Mary Mitchell, Miss Mavis Hewson, and Miss Erica Blamires. A competition was won by Miss Marie Jagusch.