AMUSEMENTS

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1927, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

AND BRINGS MANY LAUGHS. GOOD FUN AT THE OPERA HOUSE Some of the heartiest laughts that have shaken dust from the rafters ot the Opera House for many a long day Yere enjoyed by the large audience Which saw u Eliza Conics to Stay” presented by the Joseph Cunningham Co medy' Coy., last night. The play was pure farce, not the product of a’ subtle wit, but well-spiced with funny lines and irresistible situations. Ihe Hon. Sandy Verrail, a rare free bachelor who rubs along very nicely on a thousand a year has “little” Eliza left him as a legacy by an old friend. Imagining her as a dear little blue-eyed golden-haired child he promises tG -‘cherish’’ her. It proves-something of a shock to find that his legacy is a nearly grown-up and quite impossible young woman.

Poor Eliza! She had been taught that men were “ravening wolves” and that to be “safe” it was necessary to make one’s sell as unattractive as possible That her efforts in this direction had been almost too successful was an nounced by the shout of laughter that greeted her first appearance. To make matters worse Eliza quickly develops a most inconvenient partiality for the llo>i.] Sandy and complications arise with Miss Vera Lawrence, the actress to whom Sandy is engaged. Sandy takes flight to the Continent. In his absence Eliza—now called Dorothy--develops from a angularly unprepossessing grub into a charming butterfly. Monty Jordan, an ineffectual friend of Sandy’s speedily becomes smitten and

with the aid of Sandy’s aunt. Lady Pennybroke, persuades rlorothy to marry him. Dorothy doesn’t want to bur she is convinced that Sandy wants to get her off his hands. At this moment Sandy unexpectedly returns and will not hear of the match. Dorothy, in a fit of temper, changes back into her former frumpish self and when Monty sens her in the old frock and with the old manner he abrupty breaks oft: the < ngagenieiit. Sandy decided that, he wants to see Dorothy in one of the new dresses and when he does the play comes to the inevitable conclusion.

The by no means easy part of Eliza was well carried off by Miss Zillah Bateman, who displayed considerable versatility. Taking into accovnt the extravagance of the character her acting was most natural and her poses and expressions continually brought, down the bouse. She delighted the audience also with her appealing rendering of “Annie Laurie” in the second act. She was seconded by Miss Henrietta Cavendish as the cast-iron old Lady Pennybroke. with her masculine voice and decided manner. Lady Pennybroke s arc not ua common in plays but tney are also oc casionally found in real life. Miss Sylvia Clifton had not a heavy part as Miss Lawrence but she carried it gracefully and with verisimiltude. A large meed of praise must be accorded to 'Mr. Frank Bradley as Montague Jordan, “that dear old lady” who thinks be is in love with Dorthy. lie was a h-reat fun maker. Other parts were abl\ taken by Mr. Norman Carter (Sandy’s Lucie); Mr. Monchieff McCallum (Sandy’s valet); Miss Beryl Barra clough, (Dorothy’s nurse) and Air. Jack Phillips (a porter). The production was excellently stag ed and costumed. To-night “The Sport of Kings’ • will be reproduced. OPERA TWO OUTSTANDING SUCCESSES’. BY ENGLISH COAIEDY COAfPANY. The favourite Joseph Cunningham’s English Comedy Company will afford Greymouth Theatregoers the opportunity of seeing Mr. Joseph Cunningham plays the part of Algernon Spriggs, one of the “sports” in lan Hay’s clevei

'racing comedy, “The Sport of Kings which will be played at the Opera House to-night. He captivates the audience right from the outset. Mr. Cun ningham is a splendid comedian admirably suited to the clear type of comedr to which “The Sport of Kings’" belongs. Algernon Spriggs and Sir Begina,ld Toothill are two “sports” who, after arriving at Nowstcad Grange as paying guests, find in Amos Imdii J.P.,' one who looks with horror upon anything appertaining to the turf, until he. absorbs Spriggs’s story of how a certain man was enabled by backing a winner at long odds, to pay not only bis debts, but his income tax. T !11S appeals strongly to the parsimonious Purdie, and from that, moment he slips, beginning by backing a winner, an 1 ending by becoming an “outside bookie” in order to retrieve his losses. “OUTWARD BOUND.” “ Oufevard Bound” is a play of a most unusual type, and its utter originality achieved a triumph for it when it. was staged in London while almost simultaneously no fewer than eighteen companies toured with it in various parts of the world. The author, Sutton Vane, has presented an entirely new theme embodied in a drama of sheer force, and at the same time has rendered his play delightfully entertaining. The action takes place on an ocean liner a veritable “mystery ship” which has no captain, no officers and no crew. There are only seven passengers. A strangeness about his fellow-passengers arouses the curiosity of Prior (a passenger) who is not Jong in discovering that all aboard the vessel arc actually dead, including himself. The. play is com pletely convincing in its stirring portrayal of moving humanity. “Outward "Bound” will be played on Friday. TOWN HALL TO-NIGHT. “STING OF THEJ.ASH.” At the Town Hall to-night, the William Fox production “Sting, of the Lash,” starring Pauline Frederick, will be screened again for the final time. OPEBA HOUSE—WEDNESDAY. “THE NEW COMMANDMENT.” Robert T. Kane has a rare cinema treat for patrons of the Opera. House on Wednesday, matinee and night, when his initial production for First National, “The New Commandment,” will be featured. Kane made sure to select a vehicle abounding in thrills and novelties and then to make success certain he signed up the most marvellous film talent that money could tempt. The, cast includes Ben Lyon, in the greatest

role of his career; Blanche Sweet. Holbrook Blinn, Pedro, De Cordova, Diana Kane, Dorothy Cummings, George Cooper, Effie Shannon, and many others. “The New Commandment” is a screen adaptation by Sada Cowan and Howard Higgin of Colonel'Frederick Palmer ’< celebrated novel. “Invisible Wounds.” Howard Higgin is also responsible for the direction. THURSDAY. “.JOHNSTOW.t FLOOD.” Smiling George O’Brien and Florence Gilbert in Leading Roles. “The Johnstown Flood,” Fox Films stirring picture story of one of the greatest disasters of the world, which, comes to the Opera House on Thursday is one of the finest things in screen history. It was directed by Irving Cummings, who has scores of successful and entertaining productions to his credit. It has a cast that can be catalogued in no other manner than brilliant. George O’Brien, star of “The Iron Hors rt , ” “The Roughneck,” “The Dancers,” “The Alan Who Came Back” and “3 Bad Men,” is seen in the leading role. Florence Gilbert and Janet J Gilbert are cast in the principal feminine portrayals. Paul Nicholson and Paul Panzer interpret the menacing influences with Anders Randolf, Max Davidson. Walter Perry, Georgie Harris. and Elmo Billings in feature roles. The photography adds new laurels to the brow of George Sclineidermann, veteran Fox Films cinematographer, who has “The Iron Horse,” “The Ancent Mariner,” and ot her photographic masterpieces to his credit. The dramatic action is of the swiftest moving variety ever witnessed in a production, due to the powerfulness of the story, immense settings, remarkable acting, I sterling direction, and a great 'wealth of production value.