THE REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 12

THE REGENT

MUSIC, PICTURES, VAUDEVILLE On the back of the printed programme given to patrons of the Regent Theatre last night there was this request, “What suggestions can you give to make our programme more entertaining?” After considering this seriously for a quarter of an hour, THE SUN reporter has decided to give it up, and he is confident enough in his own power of criticism to believe that the only man who will answer the query is the impossible person Who would like cocktails provided gratis in the lounge, after the show. Solution of the problem of an evening’s entertainment has been discovered by the Regent in a combination of the elemental cravings of man—comfort, beauty of surroundings, music, a tale that is told, and lastly, an exhibition of gymnastic skill. Men used to walk miles to see two splendid fellows pounding each'Other with a display of art; they have only to go to the Regent to see two splendid Swedes, with shoulders and chests like Atlas, performing miracles of balancing. The Stavanaays provide the exhibition of gymnastic skill. First of all they are gladiators in marble, holding difficult poses of battle. This is not new but it has rarely been done as well. Then they undertake feats requiring immense physical strength and a perfect sense of equilibrium and the act culminates in the taking of a hand-balance from a swinging trapese, no small requirement. Pictures fit in nicely between the vaudeville and the strong musical programme. In “The Marriage Clause” we have the charming creature, Billie Dove, and Francis X. Bushman, of the Burne-Jones face, in a story of the ‘•footlights which is commendably realistic. Stars rave and ramp and get hysteria at critical moments and directors behave like spoilt children. Sylvia Jordan was just the sweetest thing who ever walked into a producer’s office and Barry Townsend was clever enough to realise this from the start, but when the star began to glitter a little on her own account, trouble began. When a man finds himself in the shade he is usually piqued and Barry was no exception. His behaviour nearly wrecked everything. Dramatic scenes, and artistic, are features of “The Marriage Clause,” and stage settings are lavish. “A Snooltum’s Scream” is a vastly original comedy, well worth seeing. The melodious tumult of the mighty Wurlitzer, played by Mr. Eddie Horton, has rarely been heard so splendidly as it was in Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude.” This was one of the finest things of the evening; last night it thrilled the house. Delightful were the three numbers played by the Regent String quartette which made its first bow. The old English melody, “Dring to Me Only old English melody, “Drink to Me Only languishing swain, and Beethoven’s “Minuet,” a marvellous harmony. The Operatic Orchestra, under Mr. Maurice Guttridge, played “La Dame Blanche” as the overture, with the necessary fire of that glittering lady.