AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, 4 February 1927, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

“IS ZAT SO?” The Box. Plan for the one night season of “Is Zat So?” opens tehis morning at the Arts and Crafts. Cleverly balanced so that there is not a character idle for any length of time, and constructed ‘so that everybody who appears fills important parts at some time in the bright and snappy progress of “Is Zat So?” You will chuckle and roar with mirth alternately at intervals for the whole of “Is Zat So?” “Chick” Cowan, whole intellect is slower than his pluck, as the down and out boxer, is marshalled by his .manager into the position of a footman in a Fifth Avenue house in order to bring its owner, an incipient “soak,” into the requisite physical condition to deal with his brother-in-law, the administrator of the family funds, whom he suspects of being a crook. Clinton Blackburn never did a better day’s work than when he took “Hap” Hurley (the manager) and “Chick” into the house, because 'they recognise Robert Parker, the brother-in-law, and expose his past. If anything were needed to insure their fidelity to Blllekburn, it is the discovery of their affinities in the “stenog,” and nurse, Mrs. Parker, averse to the admission of two such 1 ‘ rough-necks, ’ ’ ends by putting up the forfeit money for “Chick” when he wins the lightweight championship of the world, though, through Parker, he has then lost all his other friends. The bulk of the repartee is between Richard Taber and Hale Norcross, as boxer and manager respectively, and then as butler and footman, and also they provide a lively buresque of a “try-out” between “Chick” and “Duffy from the meat works.” Mr. Barry Livesay, as Blackburn,; is pleasantly gentlemanly. Miss Mary Hanley, as “Florence,” the nurse, represents, a well thought out counterpart to the slowly-ly-moving intellect of “Chick,” and the other parts are well taken up by Misses Daphne Bairn, Maude Caroil, and Virginia Norton, and Messrs. Claude Saunders, Douglas Vigors, and C. Green. “Is Zat So?” should draw a crowded house in Masterton next Tuesday.

“THE UNFAIR SEX.” Diana, Trevor is flirting with a man, Varvey Fane, (Mr. Norman Carter) ostensibly in order to wake up by means of jealously her listless husband, Geoffrey Trevor (Mr. Campbell Copelin) and the girl friend Joan Delisse (Miss Vera St. John) is taking a particularly warm interest in Geoff’ Trevor, in order to magnetise to herself the man whom she secretly loves, the aformentioned Fane. On the scene then comes Geoff’s uncle, a divorce Court K.C., Sir Henry Hesketh (Mr. Frank Bradley), with bachelor, doctrinaire views, and he discovers something within his own line of business when he discovers Fane kissing Diana. With avuncular anxiety Sir Henry approaches Geoffrey, but announces his shocking discovery in such general terms 'that he thinks that he, not his wife, has been detected, and makes a blundering confession of a little osculation, “quite harmless of course” with Joan. Thus apprised of the double plot, the Divorce Court expert gathers up the strings and with punitive purpose pulls the puppetes to his own tune, making each couple believe (wrongly) that divorce is the only remedy, and that the theory of love in one man by jealously in another is disastrous practice. The above outline of the plot will show the comedy-farce. opportunities in “The Unfair Sex.” The London Comedy Company, which opens its Masterton season on Monday next makes full use of the opportunities. The company has had a phenomenally successful tour of the North Island, 'and its Christchurch season was beyond comparison. The box plan for the one night season is now open at the Aits and Crafts for “The Unfair Sex.” As a big house is anticipated patrons are advised to book early for this sparkling and invigorating comedy.

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 rhe 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 sqjf-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 ‘ 1 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 with the more sombre vein of the main story. It is a pic'turo that leaves a lasting impression on the mind afid 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 are seen Lou Tellegen, Frank Keenan, Marjorie Daw, Belle Bennett, Lydia Knott, Leslie Fenton, Martha Mattax, Harry Seymour, Virginia Marshall and Richard Headrick. Reserves at Henderson’s, or theatre. ’Phon 1048 after 6.45.

COSY THEATRE. ‘‘Miss Brewster’s Millions ’ ’ is now showing at the 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 Brewster, another uncle, annoyed at the will of his late brother, 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. Instead of finding her sad, he is surprised that she welcomes 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 at Henderson’s, or theatre. ’Phone 12SS after 6.45.