AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, 7 February 1927, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

I ‘THE UNFAIR SEX.” English stage successes visit New Zealand at intervals that are all too rare, and thus the advent of “The New English Comedy Company,” which will open its season at the Opera House to-night, will key local theatregoers up to a pitch of expectation. Mr. Joseph Cunningham who has been responsible for the organisation of the company has with him a number of the ; most famous players of the present generations, and in addition has been able to secure the rights of some of the ; great works of recent years. The production, “The Unfair Sex,” is a brilliant example of the type of new comedy that is creating greater interest than other typo of modern play. It is a happy combination of farce and satire. “There is no doubt,” says the Wellington “Evening Post,” “that tilt’ New English Comedy Company has fust attained the popularity it deserves. It is a rattling good company, each and every aftist n star in his or her own particular line. Eric Hudson’s clever comedy with its witty dialogue, and its complications of actions is a thing well worth seeing. Its reference to such debateable subjects at the birthrate, divorce, and philandering between married couples could easily be made farcical, but in the hands of these clever players it is purely good comedy.” Miss Zillah Bateman, a charming actress is outstanding in the role of the young wife, and Mr. Copelin as the husband does some very fine work. Mr. Norman Carter and Mr. Frank Bradley are also prominent in the cast, and dainty Vera St. John is a flapper of the greatest charms, suitably exhibited in modern fashion. Masterton theatre-goers are fortunate in having this opportunity of seeing this famous London comedy, “The Unfair Sex,” and the box plan at the Arts and Crafts is showing every indication of a bumper house being present tomight to welcome this talented company to Masterton.. “IS ZAT SO?” The fight scene in “Is Zat So?” is one of tho features of the play, and one night in the New York production it was more realistic than intended. Mr. Richard Taber, part-author, takes the role cf a prize-fighter, one of whose duties is to punch the villain on the jaw. The villain, after an« encounter with the dentist, had come to the theatre with a swollen and tender mouth. Mr Taber, unaware of the other actor’s suffering, caught him a blow on the inflated spot. There was a moan of anguish, and tho audience, impressed by its startling sincerity, heartily applauded the too faithful bit of acting. Mr. Taber tells this story before the fight scene, but now his punishment is so carefully directed that there is no need for any villain to feel depected. There is a real prize-fighter in the play. His name is Sammy Green. All the people are carefully selected types, and most of them appeared in the original New York production. The chief characters are a light-weight boxer and his manager, who are “down on their luck.” Chance brings them into Fifth Avenue household as butler and footman. The new servants teach the young master to CGpo with’the villainy of his brother-in-law, and are surprised to firy* themselves heroes, and to have made a special appeal to the nursemaid and stenographer. The box plans are at the Arts and Crafts. OPERA HOUSE. “The Son of the Sheik,” commences a three-night’s season at the Opera House on Wednesday The plot has been founded on the story by E. M. Hull, the author of “The Sheik.” It deals with a love affair between thb son of the Sheik (hero of “The Sheik”), and a desert dancer, one of a company of entertainers and thieves. The heroine’s father is angered at the presumptiousness of the young hero. His men capture him and torture him. But he escapes by aid of his men. Tho hero is made to believe that the heroine did not love him, and. that she had decoyed him just as she had decoyed ethers. He is angered and seeks revenge. Later he learns that the heroine had been true to him and decides to find her and beg her forgiveness. His mother eventually persuades 1 his father not to oppose their marriage, reminding him of the fact that he himself had married her under similar circumstances. Plans at Henderson’s. Be wise and book early. COSY THEATRE. “Battling Butler,” the famous musical comedy that kept London and NewYork roaring with laughter for months, is now presented as a screen comedy by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It opened a season of three nights at the Cosy Theatre on Saturday. Buster Keaton, the distiguished comedian of “The Navigator,” “Seven Chances,” and “Go. West,” ha,s the starring role. The main feminine star is vivacious Sally ONcil, the delightful comedienne of “Mike,” “Sally, Irene and Mary” and “Don’t.” The story of “Battling Butler” is a succession of convulsing, ludicrous incidents. It concerns the adventures of a rich weakling who poses as a famous pugilist, in order to win the girl of his heart. When the real champion puts in an unexpected appearance, it marks the beginning of a. month of physical and mental torture for the unhappy imposter, who is compelled to train in anticipation of a fight with “The Alabama Murderer,” a notoriously vicious bruiser. A splendid comedy is also on this programme, as well as other supports. Reserves at Henderson’s.