The Show's The Thing

NZ Truth, Issue 1208, 24 January 1929, Page 10

The Show's The Thing

.AMONG the many comedians who ™ have travelled i over the Fuller circuit Syd\ Beck, tlie genial "League of Notions" funny man, stands out. Syd. has floated on the crest of a wave of enthusiasm during his tour of New Zealand so far and his bright and original work should cause Dunedin folk to take him m as one of themselves. Syd. is no mean sport and he has many fine accomplishments as a swimmer. A few years ago he was the star breast-stroke exponent of Australia a^nd the Manly Live-Saving Club. • ' '' »■'.-■ • * ' MEW P.D.C. productions for 1929, disV tributed by the British Film Service, promise to provide the public with some "real" entertainment. ( The first 1929 "The Skyscraper," had its premier screening at Wellington last week. If this high standard production is a sample of what is to .follow then - the muchvaunted "special" which has so often been applied indiscriminately to pictures m the past ,can deservedly be said of P.D.C. products. '.; . Some of the more important releases to follow are "The Girl m the Pullman," "The Main Event," "The Forbidden Woman" and "The Red Mark."

rTHAT clever young actor, Ronald Ward, who made such a favorable impression during his last visit to New Zealand, is back m tne Dominion as a member \of the Irene Vanbrugh — Dion Boucicault company, and will be seen m some of the productions. In Sydney, Ward appeared m "Mr. Piin Passes By," that delightful A. A. Milne play; "Mis' Nell o' Now Orleans," that com"edy of moonshine madness and makebelieve; and m "Aren't We All." For his characterization he was awarded high praise by the Sydney critics. Ward is a very apt student, and he is looked upon as one of the most promising young actors m, the Commonwealth and the Dominion. The Vanbrugh — Boucicault season will conclude at Easter time m Wellington. # ' # * ALBERT HAIGH, who left "The Girl "^ Friend" company after the final performance of "Hit the Deck" m Wellington, returned to his home m Christchurch. Haigh had been with the firm for four years, during which he had acted as understudy to both Arthur Stigant and Gus. Bluett. Albert is a son of Claude Haigh, the well-known picture showman of Christchurch, who is now publicity officer for Christchurch Cinemas, Ltd. «■ # * "QN APPROVAL," the farcical comedy to be played m New Zealand by the Vanbrugh-Boucicault* company, has been described as one of the most remarkable plays ever staged. "On Approval" is liberally furnished with epigrams and witty sSllies of a kind to move the dullest listener to effusive merriment. The characters, also, are of a highly amusing type, however far removed from reality they may appear to the strictly critical observer. One critic says significantly: "There is no butler. There are no superfluous windows or doors. And there is no bedroom scene!"