ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 71, 22 September 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

"HINEMOA." ( Another enthusiastic reception was given to "Hinemoa" last evening at the Grand Opera House. The beautiful staging, every scene being correct in detail, and typical of the actual 6cenes in which' the story took place, the artistic dressing, many of the costumes being extremely old and rare, and the 6weet singing of the company, all combined to make one of the most attractive entertainments of the kind yeL seen in Wellington. The village scenes were < particularly effective, and that which included the wedding festivities of Hinemoa and Tutanekai fairly brought down the house, the performers having to repeat the hakas and the poi< dances again and again before the audience was satisfied. Mr. T. Mahima was particularly successful in the role of Tiki. v Hc is not only an excellent comedian, but possesses a robust and musical baritone voice, which hs knows how to use with good j effect. He, was ably seconded by Miss Mere Amohau, who made a dainty Tupa. Miss Tirita Butt, as Hinemoa, and Mr. Tiawhi Rodgera, as Tutanekai, also came in for a share of warm applause. "Hinemoa" will be repeated for the last time this evening, when it is hoped that there will be a large attendance. "IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS." MISS SPINNEY IN GREEK DRAMA. _ Miss Dorothea, Spinney's second recital of iJreek drama was given in the Masonic Hall, 'Boulcott-street. last evening, before a large audience. The piece was Euripides' "Iphigenia in Taurus," a class of matter entirely different from the unreHevedly sombre "Trojan Women," which she delivered last week. The story of Iphigenia in Tauris is a fit subject for noble verse. Iphigenia, the daughter of King Agamemnon, is serving in the savage country of Tauris as priestess to Artemis, and her duty is to prepare for sacrifice to a holy wooden figure of Artemis all strangers who reach that country. Her own position. tlieCC is dua to Artemis herself, who rescued her miraculously from being sacrificed in Greece. Tphigenia, having been spared from the death which her own father had prepared for her, is determined that bfciora she leaves Tauris she will see a Greek slain at the altar of which she has charge. The first to arrive" is her own brother, Orestes, who, with his friend Pylades, has come to steal ,'tho wooden Artemis in oi'der to purge himself for the murder of his mother, committed in vengeance for her having slain Agamemnon. The play itself deals chiefly with the strange meeting of brother and sister, their recognition of each other, md their ingenious escape. Miss Spinney uses Professor Gilbert Murray's translations, and her delivery of -the picturesque lines brought out the full flavour of his poetic writing. She has a remarkable stall in characterisation, and the respective parts of Iphigenia, Orestes, Pylades, the Taurian king Troas, Pallas Athene, the excited goatherd, and the conventional chorus were clearly separated and equally admirable This play abounds hi vigorous passages, all of which were emphasised by welljudged gesture. Miss Spinney dresses as a Greek, and usee a severely simplfc setting of plain curtains, which help to concentrate attention on the drama. Miss Spinney's next recital will be "Hippolytus," also translated from Euripides by Professor Murray. "LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE." The Wellington Amateur Operatic Society for some time past has been busy rehearsing this melodious opera, the coming production of which will_ recall many pleasant memories. For this season, there is an entirely new cast. Mr. Frank Charlton, who possesses a baritone voice of exceptional range, should do full justice to the music allotted to the Marquis of Corneville. Mr. H. Dunn will play the fisher lad, Greni- ] cheux, Mr. Dave Kenney should be most happily cast as the pompous Baillie, and Mr. Alva Shaw, who has had Australasian experience, will play that eccentric j character Gobo. Mr. H. G. Shakes, a young member of the society, is given a great chance as Gaspard. Miss Isabel Wilford will play the exacting role of Serpolette. Her father, Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., was himself a very successful amateur. The leading soprano part will be in the hands of Miss Anne Sullivan, who, understudied Miss Helen Gardner last year in 'Taul Jones." Miss Sullivan is said to possess a very sweet soprano of good range. Mrs. : James Hannah, whose work for the society gained such encomiums last year, has again designed the costumes. The whole of the profits of the sevennights' season are to be devoted to the Wounded Soldiers and Sailors Fund. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. Full houses every session have witnessed the representation of the first instalment of "The Million Dollar Mystery" at Everybody's Pictures. It is entitled "Tat Airship in the Night,'* and it has become deservedly popular, besides giving a good idea of the series. Included in some really excellent supporting films are " Saints and Sinners " fdrama), "A Question of Clothes" (comedyj, the Gaumont Graphic, and a laughable Keystone comedy, "For Better — But Worse."

EMPKESS THEATRE. " The Frame-Up," a sensational drama of the underworld of New York, is the chief item in the current programme at the Empres% Theatre. The central figures are a girl of the slums and her two rival admirers. The rejected one bribes a third man to decoy his. rival into a safebreaking venture, at the same time warning the police, and the result is a series of adventures •which keeps the interest afc full pitch. "The Topical Budget " is well" up to date, and other items include a sparkling Keystone comedy, "He Wouldn't Stay Down," "Pure 1 Gold" (Vitagraph drama), and "The Wily Widow" (Ambrosio comedy). MACMAHON'S THEATRE. The Eensational drama, "A Wireless Rescue," will be shown for the last time at Macroahon's Theatre to-night, and simultaneously the 10th chapter of "The Master Key" "will be -withdrawn, with the leading characters still in pitiable plight. Comedy is provided by "The New Butler" and "The Sport of Circumstance," two breezy farces, and topical and interest subjects complete an excellent programme- To-morrow will see the presentation of a big six-act drama, "The Avenging Conscience," or "Thou Shalt Not Kill," a story based upon two of Edgar Allen Poe's mystery poems. THE BRITANNIA. " The Wishing Bing," a World's Film Corporation photoplay in five big acts, is the feature attraction of the present programme at the Britannia Theatre. This idyllic' story of youth and charm has Vivian Martin, the latest picture star of America, in the title role. Her acting and winsome manner instantly captivate everyone, and her rendering of the part of the wild, yet charming, daughter of the forest is excellent. The plot shows how Sally gradually wins th« affection of t)he grumpy old Earl of Annesley, and reconciles him to h?s eoru The plot is enacted amidst the most charming of old English homes. The supporting pictures are good, and a word of pvake is due to . th* Britannia Qrdieait*.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. May Erne and He continue to delight large audiences at His Majesty's Theatre. Their act is marked by a quaint turn of wit and pleasant humour. "He" is the possessor of a sweet alto voice, which he uses with excellent effect, and May Erne is also possessed of consider-able-.musical talent. The # great Lutes continues to amaze the audience with his wonderful prehensile toes, and Edwards and Parkes present a bright, attractive turn. Other performers include The Caselli Sisters, Orphea, Miss Violet Trevenyon, Jennets, and the Rhodesburys. ANNETTE KELLERMAN. That picture-taking need not be confined to studio walls, but that nature offers a richer background, has been recogni6ed by the producers of "^N&ptune'a Daughter," the film-play wlncn is announced to open at the People's Picture Palace next Monday. Annette Kellerman, the Australian girl, who has won fame and fortune abroad, plays the lea-ding role. In addition to her wonder, ful water feats, Miss Kellerman is said not only to dance superbly and fenc<» with a master hand, but to display remarkable ability as an acto\366, ana ha* succeeded in making the character of Annette, the old eea-god'a daughter, a, living personality. A company of 200 selected artists was lm*povfced by a special liner from New York to the Bermuda Islands, wher% "Neptune's Daughter " wab filmed. " PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. A drama which is full of intense human interest heads a first-class programme at the People's Picture Palace. It is entitled ' The Unwelcome Mrs. Hatch," and relates the story of a divorced woman who, after a long absence, returns to her former home under an assumed name to see her daughter married. Her former husband objects to her presence, but she wins her way despite his efforts, and gains affection everywhere. There are a number of highly interesting situations, and the staging and acting are first-class. The supporting items include- the comedy, "Hearts and Flowers." THE KING'S THEATRE. "Alone in London," a, photo-play in which Miss Florence Turner takes the leading part, is the chief attraction this week at The King's Theatre. It is an interesting story of London's underworld, and there are some splendid scenes of the big city, including one of Trafalgar Square by night. The supporting pictures include a very clever Vitagraph comedy, "The Right Girl," the Pathe Gazette, which is even more than usually interesting, "'The Problem," and "A Trip to Luxor." SHORTTS THEATRE. • The feature of to-day's new programme at Shortt's Theatre is a picture production of the famous comedy, "Our Boys," by the Standard Company. "Our Boys 1 ' is one of the best-known comedies ever placed on the English 1 stage, and as a picture it hag. achieved an equal success. Other items on a* first-class programme include : "Golden Link " (S. and A. drama), "Greatest Surprise of My Life" (another S. and A. drama), " War Chronicle," and a, real good S. and A. comedy, "Two 1 Hearts that Beat as Ten." STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWK., A sensational drama, "Alone in London." is the chief item on the bill of fare at the Star Theatre. ■ THE SAILORS' FRIEND SOCIETY. A numerous audience gathered afc tbe Sailors' Friend Society last night to hear musical items by the Victoria College Glee Club. The missioner (Mr. Moore) invited friends of the mission to send in discarded books and magazines for the use of seamen. At the close of the concert, which was greatly appreciated, a hearty vote of thanks to the performers was carried. " The following were the contributors: Misses Lonsdale, Leitch, and Henry, ' Messrs. Martin, Evans, Luxford, and the Glee Club was under the leadership of Miss M.Clacton.