“SPRING WEEK” AT REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 17

“SPRING WEEK” AT REGENT

USHERED IN TO-MORROW With its bounteous offerings from the realms of pictures, music, vaudeville and dancing, “Spring Week” will be ifshered in at the New Regent Theatre. It has had a wonderfully successful predecessor in “Joy and Jazz Week,” which ends to-night, and will be a complete contrast; to this week’s entertainment, although the same spirit of light-hearted fun will be present. For its novel “Spring Week,” which should be one of the most attractive local theatrical seasons ever presented here, the Regent has arranged a host of splendid offerings. Reading the picture portion of the bill will be the Paramount comedy drama, “Bet It Rain,” starring the inimitable comedian Douglas Mac Lean, supported by Shirley Mason and other well-known players. A film with a more appropriate title for “Spring Week” could not have been found, and the story itself is a wonderful tonic for those who feel the present wet weather spell “getting them down.” Macßean has the role of a marine on an American battle-cruiser, who falls very deeply' in love with a beautiful girl—the blame being attachable to that spring feeling that turns; young men’s; fancies to thoughts of romance when they should be doing other things. It is most unfortunate for our hero that another sailor on the ship should also covet the same young miss. Trouble naturally arises;, and the pair are having a battle royal, when an officer appears on the scene and. as punishment, orders the combatants to shake hands on every occasion upon which they meet —a niice thing, it will be admitted, for a couple of sworn enemies. One of the most hilarious scenes in the film comes when, just as the hero is about to propose to the girl, the rival appears on the scene and insists on shaking hands for a solid 20 minutes. The fun is fast and furious from beginning to end, and a great deal of charm is added to the film by the inclusion of a number of technicolour scenes.

With her harp and beautiful voice, Marie Bawton, who presents one of the most charming musical acts on the J. O. Williamson Celebrity Vaudeville Circuit, will appear in selections from her repertoire, including “Blue S.kies.” A big musical feature will be the playing by Eddie Horton at the Mighty VVurlitzer and the Operatic Orchestra combined, of “The Storm,” with a realistic battle of the elements presented on the stage with full lighting and mechanical Effects. This will be followed by a. Spring Fantasy, with Miss Bettina Edwards, Auckland’s premiere danseuse, in a delightful solo dance, and Miss Cecil Hall’s prize ballet in

a beautiful offering. Spring music has been arranged by Maurice Guttridge for the Operatic Orchestra, and the selections will include Sinding’s “Rustle of Spring,” to which Miss Edwards will dance, Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song,” and the “Faust” ballet music as accompaniment to the ballet.

Already exceptional interest is being taken in this wonderful programme. The plan for the season has therefore been made available at the theatre. Phone 46-SSS.