PRINCESS THEATRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 15

PRINCESS THEATRE

SOMETHING NEW A new departure in the entertainment for patrons of the Princess and Tivoli Theatres began last evening, when a programme of motion pictures and vaudeville items was presented to an appreciative house. The management is fortunate in securing the services of the Asquiths, two versatile artists who recently arrived from London. They enjoy a highly-merited reputation for the quality and originality if their items. They are heard first in a delightful duet entitled “A Flower From an Old Bouquet.” Miss Lulu Asquith is the possessor of a soprano voice of genuine quality and effective power, and her partner is a pleasing baritone. The voices combine happily, the result being a particularly attractive rendering of the piece. Then follows an equally charming soubrette number named “Ida.” Mr. Stanley Asquith’s mimicry of farmyard animals and other subjects is remarkably well done. He proved himself a master in the art and his representations are faithful imitations of the voices and cries of the animals portrayed. The Asquiths’ programme concludes with a pretty duet, “There Never was a Love Like Ours.” Unquestionably these twins were the most successful of the vaudeville section of the show. Next in order of merit should be placed Delroy and Delaney’s rhythmical dance numbers. These clever people are seen in some e/ntertaining step dances and witty local hits. A little Italian girl found favour by her full-throated rendering of “O Sole Mio” and “When You and I Were Seventeen.” Hats McKay’s impersonation of a Chinaman was quite good, and his interpretation of Celestial music was well received. However, his patter and jokes in general were poor stuff, as was his characterisation of a parson. Taking the vaude»Ville as a whole it should prove a popular and successful innovation. The Asquiths undoubtedly are the making of the show, and their wholesome witticisms, entirely unencumbered with suggestive or doubtful joking, should ensure their continued success. The picture section of the programme is headed by a comedydrama, “The Denver Dude,” featuring Hoot Gibson and Blanche Mehaffey. This is a story of the West, full of action and thrill, a story of love on the great open plains, of bad men and good, of foppish young men and daring horsemen. The tale, in short, relates the adventures of a champion rough-rider named Rodeo Randall, who impersonates a “dude” of the spats and gloves variety in order to win the girl of his heart, who, incidentally, is the daughter of his father’s enemy. Just how he achieves his purpose, a strong man under the guise of a fop, makes a thoroughly entertaining and exciting drama. Blanche Mehaffey is as captivating as ever, while Hoot Gibson needs no introduction tq picturegoers.