Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 447, 31 August 1928, Page 15

Round The Shows

MAJESTIC “WHY SAILORS GO WRONG’' Another of the famous Majestic “laughter programmes” commences today at that popular rendezvous for all fun-seekers. In view of the popular demand for this type of entertainment, the Majestic management has been encouraged to present another of their inimitable programmes. A brilliant array of pictorial and musical attractions will be presented. The iirst laugh ter-making film on the programme is “Why Sailors Go Wrong,” with those two inimitable comedians, Ted McNamara and Sammy Cohen, in the leading roles. Sammy drives a broken-down taxicab and Mac a rattle-trap hansom with an old white nag for motive power. Business being slow, the boys decide to help two lovers in distress. This takes them on board a palatial yacht where they are shanghaied and made to swab decks and peel potatoes. These distasteful duties are interrupted when the craft is wrecked and the entire party cast on a desert island inhabited by cannibals, hula girls, monkeys and jungle animals. It is here that the fun begins, as one comic situation succeeds a.nother, from stepping on lions’ tails to being fought over by j the jungle beauties. Mr. Whiteford Waugh and his tal- i ented Majestic Orchestra will present another of their incomparable musical programmes. This week, lighter and more popular music will be played during the screening of the photo-play, while throughout the supporting pro- { gramme will be presented music of a very high standard. Wallace’s famous overture, “Maritana,” will be played. Last, but not least, on the programme is an outstanding musical attraction, when Miss Beatrice Elliott, the possessor of a rich dramatic soprano voice, will present a beautiful programme. Her numbers will include “Ecstasy” (Rummell) and “O mio Babbino Caro,” from “Gianni Schicci” (Puccini). Miss Elliott sings with a depth of passionate feeling, to the delight of all sections of the music-loving fraternity. Possessed of a fine stage presence and pleasing personality, Miss Elliott is a singer that New Zealand has reason to be proud of. and it is confidently expected that she will prove highly popular with Majestic patrons.

“THE LAUGHING OPTIMIST" BOX PLANS OPEN ON MONDAY The people of New Zealand have on various occasion shown their preference for goods manufactured in England and this preference extends to their taste in theatrical matters. This they displayed in a marked degree during the recent visit here of the J.C. Williamson Ltd., English Comedy Company, which produced “Rookery Nook” and “A Cuckoo in the Nest,” at His Majesty’s Theatre. The success achieved by that organisation has encouraged the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management to send to New Zealand Mr. Percy Hutchison, the distinguished London actor-manager, and his complete English comedy company, who have just finished a record season in Melbourne. The opening production will be the clever and original comedy, “The Laughing Optimist.” which ran for upwards of 18 months in London. During a season which must be limited to 12 nights will also be staged “Mr. What’s-His-Xame” and “The Luck of' the Navy.” The merit of Mr. Hutchison and his company’s performance in the three comedies mentioned may be gauged by the fact that record audiences were attracted by them, despite the fact that they were opposed throughout their season by the MelbaWilliamson Grand Opera Company, which was attracting large audiences to the other J. C. Williamson Ltd., j theatre in Melbourne. i Mr. Hutchison was accorded a wonI derful reception on his initial appear- | ance in Australia, and at the close j of the performance he and the other : artists were recalled again and again, i and a speech was demanded from the j leading artist. The critics were unj animous in declaring that never previ- ! ously had a comedy been so thoroughly j enjoyed by a Melbourne audience and ■( never before had an audience shown more spontaneous appreciation of a play than of “The Laughing Optimist,” which one critic declared was “the most entertaining play Melbourne had ever seen." The same critics went on to remark: “’The Laughing Optimist’ offers mental refreshment. Its sentiments are simple and homely, yet it has a most wholesome flavour. . . It

is full of bright quips and colourful comedy.” Owing to the brevity of the approaching season a limited number of performances will be staged of “The Laughing Optimist” which will be followed in rapid order by “Mr. What’s-His-Name” and “The Luck of the Navy.” The box plans will be opened at Lewis R. Eady’s on Alonday morning next.