THE CIVIC THEATRE.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17971, 17 March 1930, Page 3

THE CIVIC THEATRE.

A BRILLIANT OPENING. “THE HOLLYWOOD REVUE.” The new Civic Theatre, in Hamilton, was opened most auspiciously on Saturday night. Not only was the buildign crowded, many people having to be turned away, but the programme wr>« interesting and thoroughly entertaining, while the reproduction was as near perfect as is possible, dialogue and music coming through as clear as a bell and with none of those distortions sometimes apparent in a talkie programme. The metamorphosis that has been brought about in the for-merly-neglected Town Hail delighted the audience; it is now a cosy, eomforlablc, well-appointed, thoroughly up-to-dale, “intimate" theatre. Prior lo ttie screening of the picture programme the .Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, congratulated the new management on the wonderful transformation in the appearance of the hall, and predicted that it would become v~->-popular. He said the plant was the best, available, while the theatre was noted for its splendid acoustic properties. The company was a local one, and lie was sure it would be well supported. The first part of the programme was of special interest A Movietone Gazette brought world happenings to those present in an intensely interesting manner; there is no doubt that the sound effects have made Gazettes even more popular than they were before. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in a delightfully chatty manner, told how that great character of fiction, Sherlnrv Holmes, was evolved, and also gave his reasons for his interest in psychic phenomena, saying that the rest of his life would probably be spent in spreading the result of his studies and experiences in this direction. “ The Hollywood Revue " is strictly a revue in that there is no connecting story, but simply a series of short acts, in which well-known stage and screen favourites appear linked up in very diverting fashion by the masters of ceremonies, Conrad Nagel and Jack Benny. Some of the turns were particularly good, some perhaps not, quite so good, but all entertaining. “ Hollywood Revue ’’ was a happy conception, 'inasmuch as it gave film fans an opportunity of seeing most of M-G-M’s stars in a pot-pourri of clever and humorous skits, individual, singing numbers, instrumental items, dances, vocal trios, burlesque bits, etc. Moreover, its ballets proved unusually unique, beautiful and wonderfully well performed. Song numbers there were, of an outstanding kind, particularly “ Singing in the Rain ” and “ Orange Blossom Time," the latter presented in beautiful colour sequence. Interpolated items included a wonderful adagio dance by a team whose members introduced, in the Human Skipping Pope, one of the most daring and original of stage novelties. There was a beautifully coloured excerpt from Shakespeare, the Balcony Scene from “ Romeo and Juliet,” by Norma Shearer and John Gilbert. It seemed almost like irreverence that the same players should burlesque this by giving a jazz version of the same scene; probably only Americans would do such a tiling ! “ I’m a Queen." by Marie Dressier, and a burlesque Egyptian dance by Busier Keaton were screamingly funny. In Hie continuity of individual and concerted items there was a series of pleasurable surprises —all contributing to the enjoyment of patrons. The cast of entertainers included Conrad Nagel, Norma Shearer, Bessie Love, Cliff Edwards, Charles King, John Gilbert, and other big favourites as seen, from time to time in M-C-.M production. Colour played an important part in several scenes, whilst the animated ballets were a revelation. Some people may have wondered why the National Anthem was not played at the finish. Unfortunately, this bit of film was broken in transit. The one or two pauses in continuity were caused bv the fact that a temporary gcncraor was being used; the permanent generator will lie installed to-morrow. These were only slight hitches which did not affect the enjoyment of the audience. Mr Sidney Tombs, the popular manager of the Civic Theatre, is to be congratulated upon the success of the initial screening.