AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1926, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

PANTOMIME. SUCCESS OF “LITTLE 80-PEEP.” Tliere iviis a large and dcliglitod audience at the Princess Theatre last evening when Stanley McKay’s Australian Pantomime Company opened their ttvo-night season when “ Little 80-Peep” was produced with great success. The play throughout was bright and tuneful with not a dull moment and a full 2.7 hours of enjoyment was given patrons, who were lavish in their marks of approbation and approval. Tito dressing was of a distinctly bright and dainty nature. The opening scene was located in the home ol' the Fairies and served to give a promise of the excellent programme to come. The story of “ 80-Peep ” served to introduce some charming scenes and interesting situations. The comedy was capably supplied by the Widow Bumpkin (Mr Arthur Meredith') and Simple Simon (Miss Mandie Stewart). Both made great hits and the song and natter between the two in the second act was one of the best of its kind heard here for some time. Miss Laurie McLeod as Jack Straw was happily cast, while 80-Peep (".Miss Marjorie Abrahams, was a charming selection. An imposing figure was the Shah of Cashmere (Mr Frank Perryu) when the scene shifted in the second act to his Palace, while the Princess, his sister, was capably played by Miss Bulb Bucknall. On the peg of the fairy story, wore hung special turns of much merit. One of the chief favourites was Miss Bene Kicli, the girl with the winning smile and the ability almost to make her violin speak. She appeared twice during the evening, and was recalled four times on each occasion. Meanwhile, she gave valuable aid to the orchestra. In Miss Until Bucknall. the company possesses a '

lyric soprano extraordinary and her work last evening fully upheld her reputation as a wonderlul vocalist. Another line voice is the basso, of Mr A. E. Y. Bonham, and he used it to (good effect in “Blow, Blow, Thou TV inter ’Wind,” and “Shipmates o’ Mine.” A danseuso of infinite grace is Miss Laurie McLeod and her “ Dance of the Balloon ” was a very pretty one. A couple of good items “ Garden Suburb,’’ and “ Washing the Baby,” fairly brought down the house. One of the special features was the' turns given by the Pascals troupe of juvenile whirlwind acrobats and tumblers, who transform themselves into human Catherine wheels upon the slightest provocation. Their ladder act, too, was most meritorious, while the troupe also got through a lot of chorus work creditably. Altogether the entertainment was a bright and exceedingly enjoyable one, with not a dull moment, the marked and continued applause proving the audience wore entirely satisfied with the entertainment. TO-NICHT! TO-NIGHT! The Company gave a matinee this afternoon and to-night make their final appearance when “The Forty Thieves.” will he presented. The cast for to-night's production. “The Forty Thieves.’’ by Stanley McKay's Coy.. L “AH Baba’’ ( Frank I’erryn), ‘'The Pirate King” (A. E. X .Bonham). “Mrs Kplumps” (Arthur Meredith), “fitment” (Laurie McLeod). • •Mergiana” (Ruth Btteknall). “Tiulizzi” (Mandie Stewart). and “Pekoe - ' (Marjorie Abraham) Bene Bieh (wonder girl violinist) will play “Zephyr," "Mazurka. du Concert,” “Humoresque” and other favorite iioms. V. F. Y. Bonham will feature “The Toreador Sung - ’ (Carmen) and “The Bandolero.” The Australian Wonder Pascals (acrobats) will add new numbers to their amazing art and Mi.-s Path Bucknall will sing “My lien," (( herniate Soldier). “So Saran l’o-r" mid “A Dream "I Delight." The plan i> at McTlitush’ri where seats may he reserved without further charge. EVERYBODYS PICTURES. “GALLOPING CALLAO HEP.” - W EDNESDAV. “Galloping Gallagher,” flu? thrilling Master Picture, starring Fred Thomson, the newest western "stunt.” man, opens at the Princess Theatre on Wednesday. Here is a clean-cut, excitingly entertaining picture, unusually well produced, and with ;i lot of hard work, ing players, headed by the redoubtable Thomson, who does not miss an opportunity. “Galloping Gallagher” has a

strong story, and a theme which i, distinctly new in westerns. The star is a splendid athlete and horseman, and he has a horse. Silver King, that is a marvel. The product inn was carefully conceived, with every detail expertly handled. Hazel Keener finds admirable support as fhe- "female parson” v, ho almost causes a riot in lumbstono upon her arrival. The balance ol the east are competent, and include Frank Ilagney, Nelson McDowell, "Shorty’ Hendricks and Andy 'Morris. One or the many thrills in “Galloping Gallagher” is the fight between the star and Frank Ilagney, who plays the heavy. This is intensely realistic, and is one of the finest scraps ever shown on the screen.

A voting lady evangelist arrives in a small Spanish California town, bent on gaining its many converts as possible. The town's recently appointed sheriff. Bill Gallagher takes ii upon himself to guarantee the heroine’s safety during her slay among . Hie “rough-necksit has been predicted that Gallagher’s sheriffship would not last- more than one week, .because of the belligerent attitude towards him of the “rough-neck” element. Gallagher surprises everyone, however, by taming the “rough-necks” and winning them al! as converts for the evangelist. On Thursday House Peters and Patsy Ruth Miller in “Head Winds” a great sea stow.