AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, 9 February 1927, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

HUMPHREY BISHOP COMPANY, This popular musical company is due to commence a season of two nights at the Opera House on Monday, February 14. It is just a little over two and a half years since the company left here for Australia, where they have played several long seasons—notably 21 weeks at the J. C. Williamson Garden Theatre Adelaide; 14 weeks at the Theatre Royal, Perth; 22 weeks at Manly, Sydney, and 8 weeks at Crain orne Theatre, Brisbane. Several new members have joined the company, of which more anon. Nevertheless there are several old favourites, including Humphrey Bishop, Walter Kingsley, Hilda Beaux, Frank Egan, and George “Scratcher” Ross. Among the new artists is Mr. Dan Flood, the piano humorist, who is a native of Auckland, and who is very well known here. The season is limited to two nights, and there will be a complete change of programme on Tuesday. , February 15. Every item in the forthcoming productions will be entirely now from start to finish, and will include: “In Already,” a screaming burlesque on the Arcadians. This gives “Scatcher” Ross ample opportunity for his clever comedy work. Box plans will open at Arts and Crafts on Thursday, February 10, and early reservation is strongly recommended as there is sure to be a bumper house to welcome these old favourites.

OPERA HOUSE. “The Son of the Sheik,” commences a three-night’s season at the Opera House to-night. 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 pre Bumptiousness of the young hero. His men capture him and torture him. But he escapes by aid of his men. The hero is made to believe that the heroine did not love him, and that she had decoyed him just as she had decoyed others. 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 his father not to oppose their marriage, reminding him of the fact that he himself had married her under similar circumstances. Plans at Hendexson’s. Be wise and book early.

COSY THEATRE. At last a comedy star has made a “different” picture. It is “Battling Butler,” the new Buster Keaton mirthprovoker, now showing at the Cosy Theatre for the last time to-night. Keaton can always be depended upon to provide good entertainment; in “Battling Butler” he excels himself, for the pictflrc has a real plot, is replete with love interest in addition to the kind of screen farce that has made the frozenfaced comedian and is clean and wholesome. Buster has surrounded himself with an unusually capable Cast, Sally O’Neil, Walter James, Tom Wilson, Francis McDonald and Mary O’Brien give excellent performances. The story of “Battling Butler,” a successful musical comedy before it was adapted to the screen, is a scream from start to finish. Keaton, wearing his traditional frozen-face, portrays the part of a rich, pampered youth who goes to the country for an outing—and finds adventure. He falls in love, masquerades as a famous boxer to win the lady of his choice, and suddenly discovers himself hailed as a hero—the world’s champion pugilist. Reserves at Hendersons.