AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1927, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

THE DONATO COMPANY. The theatre-goers of Hokitilca are showing keen interest in the appearance at the Princess Theatre to-night (Saturday) of the International Vaudeville Entertainers, direct from J. C. Williamson circuit of theatres, embinoing all the principal towns throughout Australasia. The Company, which AT. M. Renee presents is headed by probably the foremost magician, conjuror and gymnast seen in this country for years. Donato the Great, whose wonderful feats recall the famous Cinfjuevalli. with the addition that he is an athlete, his magic ring trick puzzling everybody. His egg and stick trick is done quite as expertly as it was by Cinqucvalli. The other outstanding performer in a brilliant combination is the dainty French girl Yvette with her saxophone, of which instrument she is an exponent who can show it at its host. The system iff scene changing is the up-to-date Williamson innovation, not a second being wasted. Speaking of the Company. the “Poverty Bay Herald’) says: “The lavish and beautiful oriental costumes and setting of the Groat- Donato Company wore much admired at the Opera House last night, when the Company made its first • appearance before the Gisborne public. The attendance to see this novel and fascin-

ating entertainment was very large and for almost three hours (he audience received with awe and wonder a series of spectacular items. It was indeed a night of mystery, and seldom if ever, have the Gisborne public boon

privileged to view such a versatile expositions of the mysteries of the East. The entertainment provided by the other members of the Company was much enjoyed and the musical and vocal numbers were heartily encored. Millie Yvette added charm with a number of catchy songs, her pleasing voice being to splendid advantage and her Parisian n:oent took on well with a delightful Sudioncie. Her saxophone solos brought a storm of applause and the audience was loth to let, the performer off the stage.

EVERYBODYS’ PICTURES “WIFE OF CENTAUR.” MONDAY. The ,eternal conflict between love and passion is the theme of King Vidor’s latest Metro-Goldw.vn-Mayer picture, which opens on Monday at the Princess Theatre for an engagement iff one night. “Wife of Die Centaur” was written hv Cvril Hume upon the theory that every man is halt idealist and half sensualist, and that one -half or the other half, conquers over the other. Hume, in his sensational nmol, depicted the struggle between these emotions in his character of Jeffrey Dwyer. King Vidor has translated this story to the screen with the utmost. fidelity and won hearty congratulations from the author lor the manner in which his work was filmed. In the romantic role of .Jeffrey Dwyer, the “centaur” of the story. John Gilbert is reported to have done some of the finest work in his screen career. Ihe character of Jeffrey is likened to tin? fabled centaur, as being "half man and half beast.”—a poet and a sensualist at the same time. In the leading feminine roles, equally important to the story, are Eleanor Boardmau and Aileen Pringle. The former is cast as an innocent girl with whom Dwyer’s idealistic half is in love, and Miss Pringle portrays a sophisticated, voluptuous woman who stirs the poet’s more material instinct. The large supporting cast includes "William Haines, Philo McCullough, Jacqueline Gadsdon, Petty Francisco. Kate Pester, Kate Price, Lincoln Stcdman and others. Vidor filmed Hume’s novel from an adaptation by Douglas Doty, as a special production oil the Metro-Gold-wyti-Mnver program for the year. The latest in Topioals and a good comedy will also be shown. Miss "Williams’ Orchestra will play the inei-

dental score