The Show's the Thing

NZ Truth, Issue 1151, 22 December 1927, Page 2

The Show's the Thing

At Fuller's WITH the approach of Xmas and its consequent gift buying, the theatre business shows only mediocre l-esults, but, although it is now only one .week till Xmas, the Gayle Wyer Company, at His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington, Is attracting- a.bigr number of people. This speaks for itself and the Band Box revues are generally conceded to be of an unusually bright and entertaining nature. A matinee will be given on Boxing Day, December 26, and also the following day, the latter, on account of Xmas Day this year falling on a Sunday, being a general holiday. # . # . # Xmas on the Wurlitzer PESTIVE MEDLEY, " "—"Savoy I Christmas Medley," played by Reginald Foort on the Wurlitzer organ. H.M.V., 82380. Reginald Foort lias woven into his attractive "Medley" a number of the jolliest tunes In existence, interspersed -with tunes equally well known, but of a more "homely" cast.

Who opens at Christchurch Opera House on Boxing Day.

Dropping Low Brow ACCORDING to Marageret Lawrence, the brilliant American comedy star now delighting Melbourne audiences with her piquant performance m "Our Wife," at the Theatre Royal, America has grown tired of the mediocre, play, and while American writers and composers are turning out attractive series of musical comedies, the British playwright is supplying the best m drama and comedy. "Almost every British playwright, enjoying (anything 'of a vogue, is writing with one eye on New York," said Miss Lawrence. "When he brings his play to America the reception it gets justifies his action. Undoubtedly the big- comedies and dramas of the*, better class are being written by English men and women, and the reception m America is of a flattering- nature. * * * Before Royalty PjAN FLOOD, who recently was doing ** musical monologues with the Humphrey Bishop Company, was a New Zealand addition to this bright show. It is not so many years since Dan was a Government official m Nukualofa, Tonga, and m that sunburned patch of ooral In the Pacific he was acclaimed "the goods" as an entertainer. He can justly claim to have i performed before Royalty, for the late King George of Tonga and the present Queen have laughed many a time at his quaint foolery. He made the hit of a life-time when one night during anIsland carnival, arrayed m pink fleshings and a flowing wig, he mounted a horse and rode through the palmehaded streets as the Lady Godiva. The natives looked on m wonderment at the spectacle, and when they had time to draw breath cheered him to a standstill. Just now Dan is immensely popular m Auckland theatrical circles. • • • For Christmas Season AS might be expected, the new His Master's Voice list for January, to be released earlier on account of the festive season, has a strong Christmas flavor. Christmas giving, when one says it with music, however, need not necessarily be confined to records conveying a special Christmas note. Any good record, when it comes to that, is a good present. Nevertheless, there are many people who like to hear real Christmas music when the season of "peace on earth, good-will towards men" come round. Here are a few of the best.

The Chocolate Soldier JUDGING by the enthusiasm with * Trtiich "The Chocolate . Soldier" (coming to the Wellington Grand Opera House on December 26), one of the wittiest and most tuneful of Strauss musical comedies, was received m Australia, time has not staled it. Th«at it will be ably interpreted by the company whfeh has been delightIng large audiences with Gilbert and Sullivan creations is a surety, for seldom has such a large number of operatic stars appeared m New Zealand. There is sparkling music, color, and gaiety m "The Chocolate Soldier," and this musical comedy, the work of a master composer of light and joyous pieces, should prove a most pleasing presentation. •' • • "Rose Marie " ILfANY beautiful dresses are worn m *'* "Rose Marie," due In New Zealand early m the New Year, and the colorful blending of the frocks with the magnificent stage settings is a marked feature of this production. Reginald Dandy, the handsome juvenile lead, is a London favorite. He made his debut m "Snap" and immediately after was offered one of the highest salaried engagements ever made to a musical comedy juvenile. The Totem Pole ballet m the produci tion lifts the dancing girls to the ranks of stardom. On a recent evening they took no fewer than four oalls — that was, after the encores. Never before has J. C. Williamson, Ltd., presented such a magnificent ballet. • • • Johann Strauss 111. COLUMBIA 9218— Blue Danube (Morgenblatter): Johann Strauss conducting the Symphony Orchestra. — One of the most interesting of recent records, and one that is assured of a wide popularity, is this of two of the most famous Viennese waltzes, from the baton of Johann Strauss the Third, the son of the famous waltz composer. This conductor has recently toured England, with conspicuous success, particularly m- London at the Royal Albert Hall. His mission was to revive the waltz music of his illustrious father. How far he has succeeded this record will tell. The seductive strains of the "Blue Danube" he reproduces with unforgettable charm, and he makes the Morgenblatter something remarkably rhythmic and vivacious Two authoritative productions, and well recorded.

"Service For Ladies " SNOW scenes, which for sheer beauty have rarely, if ever, been equalled on the screen, are said to be a dominant feature of Adolphe Menjou's latest Paramount comedy-drama, "Service for Ladles," which opens at the Regent Theatre to-morrow (Friday). Winter sports m the Swiss Alps afford the background for an intensely human story of the romance of a head waiter and his love for an American heiress. Supporting the star m this glamorous tale of back stage, hotel life and alpine sports, is a strong cast, headed by Kathryn Carver. An excellent supporting programme with vaudeville will also be presented. *# . # A Stirring Record CTUDENTS' Songs Selection (m two " parts), played by the band of H.M. Grenadier Guards (Columbia 9202), is a record that is likely to be highly popular with all classes .of musiclovers. On two sides of a 12-inch disc it gives about a dozen of the most popular "students' choruses," and makes a most intriguing hotch-potch Of such fine songs as "There is a. Tavern m the Town," "Duke Domum," "My Bonnie is over the Ocean," etc.

Leading player m "Sailors' Wives," a picture to be screened m the principal N.Z. theatres m the near future.