HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 539, 17 December 1928, Page 15

HIS MAJESTY’S

“THE MIDNIGHT FROLICS” The return of Clem Dawe and his company to Auckland has proved one of the most popular of the recent theatrical ventures, and there is no slackening in the large audiences which are thoroughly enjoying the shows. Nothing quite so varied or so quick in action has been seen in Auckland for many a day. On Saturday evening the show lasted for almost three hours, and the company provided only two recalls, and these only after the utmost insistence on the part of the audience. It speaks volumes for the ability of the company that it can hold an audience for such a period and provide something quite new for every turn The show is made up of a number of extremely clever and funny playettes, the many scenes for which are changed during vocal and instrumental items of a splendid class and variety. Two items in particular will bo remembered by the audiences, one the stage jazz band, and the other a midnight ghost story, which, in spite of its occupying but a few minutes, is even more exciting than the - “Ghost Train.” The singing, dancing, foolery and scenery are ail excellent, and the show goes over with refreshing ease. * STRAND LAST DAYS OF “THE DOVE” With the current programme of music and romantic drama, with a prologue and brilliant supporting items, the Strand Theatre is again upholding its high reputation for first-class entertainment. From the opening bars of the orchestral overture to the final fade-out of the big picture, the programme is uniformly excellent. The short supporting films include an Aesop cartoon and a Strand magazine with the latest English, American and Australian news. Then comes the beautiful stage presentation in which the soloist is Miss Mary Cofield. Then is shown “The Dove,” a story of love and advepture in a romantic South American Republic. “The Dove” has been recognised as Norma Talmadge’s greatest screen triumph. The story tells of a cafe dancer in Costa Oja known as “The Dove,” who is loved by two men-—a young American and a blustering caballero, Don Jose Sandoval. In the jealously between the two men Johnnie Powell kills a cousin of the caballero and is in danger of execution until Sandoval bargains his safety for the love of Dolores, “The Dove.” At Sandoval’s magnificent hacienda a sort of wedding breakfast is laid for two, but while Don Jose himself is delightedly trying the champagne, Dolores is surreptitiously pouring something from a vial marked “poison” into her glass. Sandoval observes her, however, and knocks the glass from her hand. Just as he is crushing her in his arms, Powell, who has returned and trailed them, drops from the wall into the courtyard and confronts him with drawn gun. By pretending to take a glass of wine and flipping the contents swiftly into Powell’s face, Don Jose momentarily blinds the boy, only to find himself confronted with another gun held in the hands of Billy, who has just crawled over the wall. Dolores and Johnny make their escape, but are recaptured by Sandoval’s guards and Johnny is sentenced to be shot. Dolores’s pleading for his life is in vain, and as the firing squad prepares to do its work she rushes desperately to his side clinging to him and announcing that she will die with her lover. Eve Bentley’s Strand Symphony Orchestra plays a sympathetic musical accompaniment.