AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, 3 February 1927, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

■ “THE UNFAIR SEX.” “Tho Unfair Sex” departs from the usual triangle and becomes a quadrangle, in that both husband and wife are engaged in experimental philandering. The self-justification of each woman is a desire to provoke love in a man by flirting with another man, a dangerous moans to an uncertain end. “The Unfair Sex” is a diverting show and. provides a wonderful burlesque of human foibles. It is full of witty dialogue, and is in the hands of clever artists. Tho comedy itself is crisply written, humorously conceived, and deliciously modern. Mr Cunningham, the producer of “The Unfair Sex,” has

gathered round him a talented cast. In Miss Zillah Bateman the company has a (‘harming and gifted actress, who has many successes to her credit, both in London and New York. Miss Henrietta Cavendish has been specially included to portray the role of Helen Delisse, which she created in London; and other prominent artists are Messrs Carter, Bradley, M’Callum and Jack Phillips, also Misses Sylvia Clifton, Beryl Barraclough, and Vera St. John. The box plans for the opening performance are now open at Arts and Crafts. The sea- ; son is positively for one night only Monday, February 7. “The Unfair Sox” has been a phenomenal success htroughout the Dominion. Critics describe it as the most convincing comedy ever presented in New Zealand. “IS ZAT SO.” “Is Zat So;” which has been brought to Australia and New Zealand following its outstanding success in America and England, is likely to bo as popular here as it was in ‘New York and London. It is .genuine comedy built round an amusing story, and there are plenty of opportunities for characterisation. The novelty of a real prize fight on the stage should greatly appeal to New Zealand audienThere have been m-'ny burlesques of such incidents, including the amusing fooling in “Mr Battling Butler,” but tills is said to bo the real thing. It is he ued by the fact that one of the participants (Sammy Green), who has the role of John Duffy, has been in the “mg.” This is the big scene of the comedy, “Is Zat So?” was written by James Gleason and Richard Taber specially to suit the personalities of Taber and Hale Norcross, who .-hare the two principal roles of this brilliant comedy. They are comedy actors of genuine ability, and give perfect' character studies. Mr Taber plays the role of “Chick” Cowan, a boxer, and Mr Norcross is “Hap” Hurley, his trainer and manager. They work together throughout the action of <he play, and share most of the acting honours. The company comes partly Denn New York and partly from London, Daphne Baird, who plays the role of Mrs Parkerwell, is a well-known English actress. Good work is done by Mary EUen Hanley and Maude Carroll and Barrie Liversay, another of the English players, is a good juvenile lead. Virginia Norton acts with much charm, and Claude Saunders, one of the few Australians in the cast, is well placed as the villain. Douglas Vigor, Mary Nelson, Arthur Cornell Sammy Green, Herbert Leigh, and Bruce Walker (a son of Martin Walker) all do well. Mr George D. Parker produces the comedy. The box plan will be opened tomorrow at the Arts and Crafts. OPERA HOUSE. It is doubtful if any stage play ever has been shown to more people or in more cities and towns than “East Lynne,” which William Fox has put on the screen under the direction of Emmett Flynn, and which screens at the Opera House to-night. The story of “East Lynne” is based on intense love interest, on the devotion and self-sacrifice of a woman for her ideal—and what more universal and lasting appeal need a picture or a play have than those elements? True, there is a tragic note to “East Lynne.” But that is one of the reasons the play has lived these decades in the hearts of theatre-goers. Audiences like pathos; the most successful plays and books deal plentifully in the more serious, even tragic, sides of life. Yet there must be a leavening of humour to afford relief from what otherwise would be too depressing an atmosphere of gloom. So “East Lynne” is rounded out with its humorous siuations mingled appropriately' w r ith the more sombre vein of the main story. It is a picture that leaves a lasting impression on the mind and heart. Because such a story demanded the best available screen talent, William Fox selected the cast with elaborate care. Heading the players are Edmund Lowe and Alma Rubens, while in their support arc seen Lou Tellegen, Frank Kcenau, Marjorie Daw, Belle Bennett, Lydia Knott, Leslie Fenton, Martha Mattax, Harry Seymour, Virginia Marshall and Richard Headrick. Reserves at Henderson’s. COSY THEATRE. “Miss Brewster’s Millions” is now showing at tho Cosy Theatre. Polly ’Brewster, a penniless extra girl, in Hollywood, • finds herself heiress to a million dollars, but on one condition, she must invest it. Ned Brewst.er, another uncle, annoyed at the will of his late brothel, offers her his entire fortune, considerably more than that of his brother, if she should spend the ' entire million in three months. Then follows months of trying to get rid of the million. Crazy inventions and wild cat schemes offer avenues for investments with no hope of returns. And in the three months some of the schemes bear fruit, making it harder to get rid of the million. Finally she succeeds in spending the last few dollars by knocking down a man with her* car. Tom Hancock, her late uncle’s lawyer, who has been entrusted with the task of watching her invest the money, tells her that she is broke. In- 1 stead of finding her sad, he is surprised

that she welcoines the news. When she finds Uncle Ned, however, she finds that his fortune has been wiped out on the stock exchange and thus she has lost all. Splendid supports. Reserves ar Henderson’s, or theatre. ’Phone 1288 after 6.45.