AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

“THE DIPLOMATS,” TO-NIGHT. TO-NIGHT. The Diplomats appear at Princess Theatre to-night for one night , only. Referring to their appearance ,at Greymouth the “Argus” states: —Mr Ed. Warrington presented his talented company of artists at the Town Hall on Saturday evening last. At the head of the list were the Harris Sisters, who are without doubt the mosi versatile ladies who have yet appeared before a local audience. They play all the musical instruments that were ever invented, and the writer was assured that they did not exhaust their repertoire in this direction on Saturday. Beginning with ..trumpets, they played cornets, banjos, trombones, piano, violin, concertina, harp, etc. In addition, the young sister—the one with the “Eton crop,” or may it be a “ semi-Eton ” —contributed a good deal of clever comedy, chiefly with songs rendered in a most amusing manner. These two girls received a rreat reception on every appearance. Another great turn was that of the veutriloquist, Charles Valentine, and he and and his dummy indulged in a witty dialogue which brought down the house. Many ventriloquists have been seen here, but Valentine is the “daddy” elf the lot. Franklyn Brown is another talented artist, who played his own accompaniments, gave musical monologues, and also two clever characterisations in the company s sketches. He was very entertaining. Jack Hylton possesses a rich baritone voice, and gave two excellent numbers. The principal comedian, Ed. Warrington, is a host in himself; the many comic sketches which he put on, with the help of the other members of the combination, were heartily applauded. Ed. Warrington has a quaint style of Ids own, and kept the house in roarsof laughter.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES. “THE STRONG MAN” WEDNESDAY. Harry Langdou, the comedian whose new feature length comedy for First National, “The Strong Man” will l>e screened at the' Princess Theatre cn Wednesday, Was some interesting ideas on the psychology of the laugh. In nn interview ho said: “ u the first place the laugh is the reflection of one s frailties —of everyone’s weakness. We think that we are laughing at the screen character, but it seems to me that we are laughing at ourselves. All children at heart, we know subconsciously that when we laugh at a poor boob, the victim of circumstances, ve put ourselves in the posit'on of the pool* boob. To be successful in winning laughs, one must be sincere. 1 can’t fool my audience and say. ‘I am funny and I’m going to make yen kiugli at me.’ I must feel mv part. I must be wretched, and consequently ridiculous. Above all things, 1 must be q supreme optimist; suffering dumbly, any harsh fate that may conic my way. My ontimsm must be so allembracing though pit ful. that nothing can ever rock it.’ Vlbon 100 a part in a film I must really suffer. Moreover, I. like to have the audience in on what I am not on. Things rmi-t be spontaneous during the making of a comedy. I write my own comedies, and. so far as possible, the scenario D complete, but sixty per cent, of th" laughs are, nevertheless, built on the set.” The supports include a topical, scenic and comedy. On Friday next: “The Lone Fagle.”