THE SHOW'S THE THING

NZ Truth, Issue 1150, 15 December 1927, Page 2

THE SHOW'S THE THING

FOR TIGHTS. j | 'THE ibar© .logs of the ballet | 1 '•'.•* have become so prominent § | in musical comedy shows and | I -)/revues 8f late that one wonders § ■=i .just •wherV, the innovation was § i-p'brought-,about. The craze has | i a hol.d nowadays that the s ,«l; "ladies;, df the chorus" always | I !f 'Substitute talcum for tights, and •= :'§:, mostly'! audiences prefer the | | sweetly powdered sirens to i = their sisters in imitation silk. i

THEATRES THERE is a period . of calm in the theatres preceding Christmas attractions. "The Chocolate Soldier" is due in Wellington a t the festive season, while "Rose Marie" will hold pride of place in Auckland at Christmas time. Theatregoers i n these centres; therefore, will be attractively catered for in the entertainment line. The" G. and S. Co. will be responsible for the "Soldier," whi 1 e "Rose" will be interpreted by an entirely new company. ■ • *

Toiler Ted AS an example of achievement due to " hard work and persistent effort, consider B. (Ted) J. Tait, a director of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. He started out in. Melbourne by earning 5/- a week with Allan and Co., the music people, and supplemented his income by working in the front of the house at concerts. The. business side of music gradually got into his blood and he scented money m it. For his first venture in the concert field, itv conjunction with his brother, he picked on Dame Gl&ra Butt—and what, a winner she proved. Since then E.Jf. lias mostly looked forward and steadily on amassing a 'tremendous bank balance. Anyhow, he has worked for it.

Band Box Revue THE Gayle that has been raging in ■;,:„. Wellington .amusement circles lately is in accordance with theatricalatmospheric forecast. Gayle Wyer and his Band Box Revue is a cyclone of life and laughter. Needless to say, so' neat and capable an ensemble obviates the necessity of particularizing. Sufficient ,f or the night is the good thereof, and,,Gayle .Wyer's sparkling little shows at His Majesty's Theatre nightly jiist now are their own testimonial. Slip along and look—see for--yourself.•'■

The Gayle Wyer Company is looked upon" as a bright, sparkling entertainment, clever and . amusing, with an abundance of' comedy guaranteed to keep one thoroughly light-hearted for at-least two and a-half hours. •,' The season, which promisas to !be a long one* should be equally satisfactory to the box office management and patrons alike. . • i

EACH successive costume is an additional triumph of color and design, and the sub'tle art of "frocking reaches a climax '' .whe'n Wanda completes her weird dahce just before the bridal' scene at the close of the second act. ; ; '/..:: In a typical Indian dancing dress, elaborated and beautified to meet stage requirements, Miss Weste gradually sinks to the floor, in graceful posture, unfolding a gorgeous fan in shaded red and gold rainbow effect, untii it completely envelopes her. In the "Totem. Tom Tom" number,

A New One WANTED— a title for the newest Emil " Jannings picture. First it was called "The General," then It was changed to "The Hoa'd to Glory." That has been abandoned now and around the Paramount studio it is designated as "production, No. 112," ,' x iFay Wray and. William Powell are in the.cast, and Josef von Sternberg is directing. , i . ' .

Popular Plays COME of the London plays familiar ~ . to New Zealand, theatregoers that have' broken records as box office attractions in recent years, are: "Chu Chin Chow," 2238 consecutive performances; • "Charley's Aunt" (1466);, "Our Boys", (1362), "Maid of the Mountains" (1352), ."A Little, Bit of Fluff" (1241), "Chinese Honeymoon" (1046), and "Romance" beat : the thousand, mark. Seventeen pieces, have more.than 600 runs, to their .credit and *6 reached 500. The only thing the, statistician neglects to' mention is the amount of money paid to see these shows.

An Audience Thrilled THERE were no singers on the stage nor any instrumentalists; yet-an ' audience Ailing the Cardiff Empire recently was thrilled with the magic of melodious music. An unseen nightingale trolled its throbbing'song from an H.M.Vi disc, and the audience, conveyed by the magic carpet of imagination, traS'elled to an enchanted glade, in a wood where the leaves were rustling under t'ho stat-g. The nightingales sang in" exultant chorus, and then fused into music played by J»uman hand in a symphony of sweetness.

theatregoers will be given an opportunity of seeing costumes which are absolutely novel so far as the stage in New Zealand is concerned. - The grotesque figures on the suits worn by the ; graceful -young dancers* taken in conjunction'with huge neck-frills and the highpeaked .caps, present a most striking effect, which is enhanced by the background representing the fern and ■ flower-filled Kootenay Pass in the Canadian Rockies.

JIMMY GODDEN and ELSIE PRINCE, well known to New Zealand theatregoers, are now revelling in "Archie," the new English comedy at St. James' Theatre, Sydney. Above are studies from the piece.

PICTURES ATTRACTIVE picture programmes are an- |, nounced for screenU ing in the main ji, centres during 1? Christmas week. **1 N The principal ex- | ?. changes are well '/• represented in the selection and some fine fare should be on offer. Among the leading pictures are "Miracle of Life," "The DemiBr i d e," "Special Delivery," "Bardelys ie the Magnificent" ce and "Ritzy."

"Rose Marie" is a Triumph in Frocking

. Fro eking honors as regards distinctive creations-in "Rose Marie" go to Stephanie Deste, who gives a remarkable interpretation of Waiida, the Indian girl, in J. C. Williamson's greatest musical comedy production, which New Zealand playgoers are awaiting with eager anticipation

Harriet Bennet's charming personality is admirably suited by the simple frocks she wears, which blend happily with their wearer's quaint, placid type of beauty. Miss Bennet well understands the charm of pale blue and rose, so much favored by our Early Victorian grandmothers, who certainly knew how to dress to advantage. The star's first appearance is made in a; frock-charming in its simplicity of ciel blue crepe de chine, made perfectly straight, except for; the. slightly flared skirt, which is edged with nar-

row rose ribbon, and finished with sash to match. Miss Bennet, in the wedding scene, is an ideal bride, such as ,• was pictured in the old story books we read as children. Looped with ivory ribbons, the.frock is, composed" of lovely lace,' and she pins her faith to a bandeau for her veil, in place of - the-more conventional orange blossoms.

| PLAYER PIRIE | 1 DIRIE BUSH, now playing in 1 | Australia, started his stage = | career with Fred Niblo when | = that American mummer toured 1 1 N.Z.-in the distant past. After § I a turn in the States Pirie I 1 homed" a few years, ago, and | = now seems to have a perpetual I | contract with J.C.W. Ltd. His | = hobbies are,, wearing "plus i i fours" and swinging "mashies," 5 | "irons" and "drivers." f Christmas Week AS Nadina in "The Chodolate Soldier," rx coming to New Zealand on December 26, Strella Wilson has some of the finest numbers ever written for a lyric soprano—and. sings them as the splendid artiste she iq. This comic opera, has been aptly described as "a wonderfully attractive and melodious setting by Oscar Straus of Shaw's splendid comedy "Arms and the Man," Straus and Shaw at their very best. It is, full of good music, color, and gaiety, and is still, as sweet as ever. Time'has not staled'the confectionery, and this delectable offering will bring satisfaction to even jaded palates. * # * "Rough House Rosie " nYNAMIC Clara Bow comes to the ** Regent Theatre to-morrow (Friday) in another of her sensational and riotous comeaies,.. "Rough House Rosie."

This,new Paramount picture relates the loves and laughs of a Tenth Avenue belle who suddenly starts "stepping: in society." Clara Bow's work as "Rough House Rosie" with her Six Roughnecks in this production shows some clever screening in the work of a cabaret ballet and their dancing. Another star artiste featuring with Miss BoaV is Doris Hill, leading feminine role opposite Syd. Chaplin in "The Better 'Ole." Her first work for Paramount was in the Wallace Beery starring vehicle, "Casey at the Bat." This picture of hard knocks and high adventure, "Rough House Rosie," brings these two favorite screen artistes out at their best. ** • # The Male Star THERE are very few male New Zealand and Australian ■ mummers whose names are big enough to "star" in local theatres. Overseas, however, it is different. Harry Plimmer, Billy Percy, Oscar Asche, O. P. Heggie, Cyril Keightley and Ernest Brinkman are well in the electric lights over the box office. * # # "Cradle Snatchers " IN the presentation of a farce-comedy such as "The Cradle Snatchers" (which has just concluded very successful seasons at Auckland and Wellington, and is now holding the (boards at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch), the principal factors towards success are the discernment, dramatic ability, good sense, and refinement of the artists engaged. It has been contended by the hyper-critical or overprudish—\yhat you will —that there are situations in this modern comedy that, they opine, are tQO.risque. * * * Dora Labbette IT is pleasing to note how more and more singers of first rank .are responding- to the call for Interpretations of tho best English ballad music There are two charming old songs which make a beautiful record, especially as sung by the clear and delicately pure soprano of Dora Labbette. Miss Labbette's rendering of Arne's 'fainous tune "The Lass With the Delicate Air," while preserving the classic form of the melody, is enhanced by a subtlety of phrasing and A beauty of tone that lifts it far out of the common. She sings "Cherry Ripe" in more orthodox style, but it is none the less appealing. Columbia D 1477 (The Lass With the Delicate Air), and (Cherry Ripe).