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Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1924, Page 1

(in Monday next at the Princess Theatre :i special AYillium Pox melodrama entitled “The Fast ’Mail’’ starring Charles Jones and Eileen Percy will he presented tor one night only. It is a wonder melodrama of love and thrills founded on the famous play by Lincoln .1. Carter. Nothing quite so sensational as “The Fast Mail” has been seen for a long time. Pacing—fighting—thrills of every description—follow one antohor in quick succession, until one almost gasps. Ironi the moment of the first hurdle in the Dixieland Steeplechase through the series of racing railroad i rains, leaps for life to automobiles, lights, fires, explosions, rseeues by the human chain—to •lie very last minute speed counts! If you like excitement, if you like an honest melodrama, volt will like Lincoln .1. Carter’s American thriller, •The Fast Mail." A specially good series of supports wdl also he shown and the prices for this special are circle is 2d. stalls L Bd. children (Id. The orchestra will play a specially selected programme. Deserve Seats at Mclntosh's shop, next to Theatre.

PEE It LESS PICTURES TO-NIGHT

At. the. AVestland Opera House this Fiiday evening tin* Peerless Pictures will p resell L Antonio Moreno who makes his debut in Paramount- pictures a; leading man for Gloria Swanson in “My Anieiiean ’Wife.” This role is said to give this sterling actor excellent opportunities of which he makes tin: most. The story deals with the love lomaueo of an American girl in Argentine and is said' to bo most colourful.

A grand supporting programme will lie shown, including a further instalment of the Beauty competition.

Til E TOREADOR. On Wednesday and Thursday no:;! at the Princess Theatre the Greymout’i Amateurs will present the comic opera “Toreador,” after a highly successful season at Greymouth. “The Toreador” as a spectacle is most effective, the Spanish dresses in the second act presenting a scene of kaleidoscopic brilliance at Crcviiimilh. Miss Madge Wilson, made a charming Susan, the proprietress of a (lower shop at ‘Biarritz, and was associated mostly with the sham toreador. Tier vivacious personality got across splendidly, and she made the most of her comedy work. Miss Nita Hopkins, as Donna Theresa, was one of the outstanding members ot the east. She has n line, rich speaking voice, and was responsible for a wellconceived representation of a hotblooded. impulsive Spaniard. Her r inging of “My Toreador,” was well done. Mrs Clarence Moss as the rich widow, Mrs Malton Hoppings, handled a comedy part in good style, her infections being divided between Pel I iter, a wild animal dealer, and the genuine toreador. ’Miss K. Hannan, as Dora Selliv. a ward in Chancery, showed great confidence in her work, and her acting and singing were pleasing. The part of Nancy .Staunton, her friend, Was splendidly taken bv Miss N. McCarthy. who made a hit as the scllelfacing “husband.’ Mr Robinson. Sim also has a sweet singing voice. Mi Flo Eraser, who headed the eight bridesmaids, showed *-imsh.tc-ruble skill its a ilanccr. The Spanish dance by ’lie bridesmaids was particularly effective. The “fat” part is. td' course, that M Sammy Gigg. a “tiger” or flunkey, who is unfortunate enough to be liiisfakep for Cnrnjolo, the real ioreadoi. -Mr Lett MoGkisliaii. as Sammy. up held his reputation as a comedian, and was particularly good in the second act, as the sham ioreadoi- i raining • n Spanish wine for iiis encounter with six wild hull-. Mr McGlaslinii certainly made the most- of his opportunities for Comedy. Mi Isos. Skoglum!, as Bellifor. was excellent, and his Mings were put across well. Mr T). Douglas as Carniolo, made a sufficiently imposing toreador, who arrived in time to solve Sammy’s difficulties. Mr Douglas 1m: ihe hesi male voice and used it well m his solos. Messrs T. O’llallaliail Augustus Trail, of the British Consulate! ami TV. Met Ira ih (Sir Archibald Slack it!) portrayed well two love-lorn swains, the latter acting a “dude very effectively. Mr N. AY. .Tones as the toreador’s friend Moreno, made (lie most of a speaking part, while Master R. Nash caused much fun as ih ■ Asylum bandmaster and a French waiter. Mr AY. McCarthy made the part of Rinaldo, -a Carlisi revolutionarv. sufficiently bloodthirsty. As the Governor of Yillaya. Mr I. Nelson carried his part well, but was not at home in his songs. Mr A. \\ antes took the minor part of tin- solicitor, Probiil

'' <* churns was wo als at first, but appeared to vain eonlidonoo as tb e performance progressed. Last evening tbo >pera wont with n boiler -wing and much of 1 1:0 awkwardiio.ss ol the openin:x night was eliminated. A word i f praise i- duo to trio musical director :Mr I-'rod Kcstioaiix) and his orchestra : tlior' wore never unduly prominent, and never format that tlieir part was to accompany the performers. The injr ofleets controlled by Air A. Hlocksaee added greatly to the effectiveness of the various scenes.