ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE PICTURES MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12618, 1 December 1926, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE PICTURES MUSIC

UllllflllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllJ THE REGENT THEATRE TO OPEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10th, The official announcement is made to-day of the opening of Wellington’s latest and most beautiful theatre, The Regent, on Friday, December 10th, at a quarter to eight. The directors of J. C. Williamson’s claim this to he :ho most beautiful and comfortable theatre in New Zealand or Australia, ilie furnishings being on a most luxurious standard, whilst the lighting effects in three colours are said to he without equal, and will be a revelation to the public. The opening programme will consist of Paramount’s masterpiece, “Beau Geste,” from P. C. Wren's famous book, featuring Ronald Colman and Noah Beery, together with a strong vaudeville programme. The policy of the management will be to present twice daily at 2.15 and 7.45 a complete programme of pictures, and J. C. Williamson’s celebrity vaudeville with intermediate screenings, commence ng at 11 a.m. dailj\ Popular prices will prevail. Seats may bo booked throughout the day at the theatre (’phone 44-144) and at the Bristol. Box plans for the opening nights open at the theatre next Monday at 10 a.m. "THE GIRL BEfflNifrHE COUNTER” TO HELP StTmaRY’S HOME, KARORI. The people of Wellington will have something to interest them to-morrow night- when Mr D. Devitt produces his show entitled “The Girl Behind the Counter.” The cast is composed of Wellington amateurs who recognise their duty to assist those less favourably placed than themselves. Mr Devitt has had experience with the J. C. Williamson Company so the play should go with a swing. A feature of the comedy will be the work of the ballets and the specialty dancers. The ballet have been working together for some considerable time, their work being similar to that of the famous Tiller Girls. Ten clever girls comprise the ballet. They are Beryl Hunter, Margaret Hey worth, Gina Pedder, Alice Walker, Florence Walker, Joyce Hawkens, Nancy Williams, Roma Bitossi, and Leah Beadnall. The name part will be played by Alice Harris, as Winifred Willoughby, who falls in love with Charlie Chetwynd, just returned from West Africa. Both Mrs Harris and Air Byrne are the possessors of excellent voices, and will do ample justice to Harold Talbot’s tuneful music. The comedy is in the capable hands of Lillian Grey, Mollie Plimmer, Kathlyn Murie, Mabel Robertson, Robert Charlton, Jack Cameron, Joseph Hunt, Harold Abbot, James Mcßryde, and Leslie Anderson. In addition to Florence Hey-* worth and Philip Low, the specialty dancers include Joan Carter, Muriel Wilton, Gladys Smyth, Ireno Wilson, Iris Low, Zeena Holden, and Dot " heeler. Mr Len Barnes has charge of the music. The box plan is now open At the Bristol. HNG’ITHEATRE “THE SKY RAIDER.’’ “The Sky Raider,” which is the main attraction at the King’s Theatre this week, tells a story that centres round an air mail robbery, and it includes pictures of some remarkable air stunts. The location of the early scenes is in France, the Western Front, where a young American soldier, under an assumed name, is serving the Allies in the capacity of a pilot. There is in his squadron Captain Nungesser, a French flying ace. The leading feminine character is taken by Jacqueline Logan, who gives a dainty interpretation. The other feature of the programme is “Don’t,” starring Sally O’Neil. Miss O’Neil, as a college girl, provides plenty of fun, and the picture contains many laughs. She is supported by Bert Roach. There are choice musical selections played by the orchestra. “A TRIP TO C^ATOWN” AT THE DE LUXE THEATRE NEXT FRIDAY. A “Chop Suey” of laughs, a Chinese puzzle of screaming situations, describes “A Trip to Chinatown,” which commences screening at the Do Luxe Theatre on Friday night, with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30. The screen version of the world-famous comedy, from the pen of Charles Hoyt, is without doubt among the most laughable farces ever screened. Miles of smiles, with laughs all the wav through. Patrons will laugh their loudest, longest, and heartiest; in fact, they will all the way home after seeing it. If people want to laugh or want a change irom heavy screen drama, then arrange to attend the screening of this comedy. The fitory is of a frisky grandpa, \ merry widow, and a millionaire getting mixed up in a Chinese puzzle of screaming situations. The cast includes the screen’s best comedy artists, and includes J. Farrell MacDonald, Margaret Livingston, Earle Fox*, Anna May Wong, and Maire Astaire, many American beauties, and hundreds of Chinese, and the production was produced in a very elaborate fashion, and was screened under the personal supervision of George E. Marshall, comedy director-general. The interiors are gorgeous in the extreme, and the Chinatown exteriors are the best photographic reproductions ever attempted ny cameramen. “A Trip to Chinatown” should not be missed by anyone. The supporting programme will include a Fox News, Review, and a delightful musical programme. The box plans are now open at the Bristol Piano Company, Aitken’s Book Arcade, or ring theatro ’phone 23-080. ROWE-BENNEfr” PIANO RECITAL A dual pianoforte recital is to bo given this evening in the Art Gallery by two gifted pianoforte students, both pupils of Miss Valerie Corliss, at

8 o’clock. Tho programme provide® a good variety of music which calls for great executive ability and interpretative power of a high order.