NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 395, 2 July 1928, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“THE LAST WALTZ” The Old World and the New World rub shoulders on the programme of the New Regent Theatre this week. Of the two big pictures being presented this evening the first is an Old World romance of royalty in the Balkan countries, while the second tells the very modern tale of the search for oil in Mexico. “The Last Waltz” is a story of love and life in the golden days of the Balkan countries. It tells of a little country, where, according to custom, the Crown Prince is betrothed to a princess of royal blood at birth. In this story the Crown Prince wants to know more of his wife-to-be, and sends his aide, Dimitri, to her. Arrived at the castle, Dimitri sends in the letter from the Crown Prince. He is presented to two girls, one a blonde and the other a brunette. The brunette is the one with whom he tried to flirt in the forest, and she is announced as the Princess Elena. Her blonde firend is the Countess Vera Anuscheff. Dimitri feels that he is fallirv in love with the officially announced bride of the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince arrives and they hold an informal dance. Dimitri sweeps the Princess off her feet with an impassioned declaration of his love. The Prince, who has been dancing with the little blonde, has seen nothing of what has occurred, and he suggests a sleigh ride. He makes Dimitri drive the blonde while he takes as his partner, the little brunette. A terrific snow storm arises and the Prince’s sled overturns. As they are quite close to the inn, the Prince takes the brimette there. From then on, the story tells of the conflict between love and duty and also between the Prince and his aide. While the second feature, “The Showdown,” is so entirely different, it is nevertheless equally enjoyable—and powerful. An enjoyable musical accompaniment is provided by the Regent Operatic Orchestra under the baton of Maurice Guttridge.