AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 95, 21 April 1904, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE DAMPIER SEASON. The romantic fascination that the wild bush life has for those who don't live in it wins for such plays as "The Bush King" a sympathetic audience whenever and wherever they are enacted. Last night the playgoers at the Opera House were very enthusiastic in their appreciation of this play, revived for one night by special request. Mr Alfred Dampier's claim to distinction is based on his splendid perception of the characteristics of the denizens of the bush—in the pourtrayal of bushmen he never fail 3 to be interesting, and in most of the plays his present company has presented it is his strong personality that has lifted them beyond the common ruck of melodrama. In this piece Mr Dampier takes the character of Ned Harling, the hard-drinking ne'er-do-well who is such a faithful comrade, and he plays it extremely well—there is no weak spot in the interpretation. His son, Mr Alfred Dampier, junior, certainly does better in his fine aboriginal character studies — there are few equal him in them —but as the bush larrikin, Ginger Joe, he gives a consistent and very humorous study of this distinctive Australian type. The company produces "The Green Lanes of England" for the last two evenings of the season, to-morrow being the last night. This standard play, which was faithfully staged during the last season, should draw good audiences. "HONOUR THY FATHER," ■ The filial virtues inculcated by the domestic drama, "Honour Thy Father," now being produced by the Anderson Dramatic Company at His Majesty's, continue to draw to the theatre, and there interest and excite, considerable audiences. It is in its la9t nights now, and will be replaced on Saturday night by a revival of the exciting drama known as "The 10.30 Down Express," in which the main sensation is caused by the narrow escape of one of the virtuous characters from destruction in sight of the audience by the aforesaid express, SHAKESPEARIAN RECITAL. The first of two Shakespearian recitals by Mr. Francis Holworthy, a London elocutionist, was given in the V.M.C.A. Lecture Hall last evening before a large audience- "The Taming of the Shrew" was the comedy chosen, and Mr. Holworthy gave it an exceedingly interesting interpretation. The educative influence of such a recital is great, for the elocutionist entered so thoroughly into the spirit of the comedy that the student of the sweet "Swan of Avon" could not but have a more thorough, appreciation of the famous comedy and of its construction. Mr. Holworthy is a cultured and scholarly elocutionist, and is endowed with an exceedingly flexible voice of great penetrating power, so that every word was distinctly heard. Throughout the comedy the elocutionist carefully repressed his powers, knowing just how far to go. Without attempting any mimicry or extravagance of gesture, he modulated his voice just sufficiently to mark the difference in age, sex. and station of the various characters. The contracts between the fiery Katharina and the dutiftd Bianca, between the youthful Lucentior and the aged Gremio were very nicely shaded, as was the gradual subduing of the shrewish wife to Petrnchio. The exquisite humour of the comedy could not have been better brought out, the elocutionist being possessed of the "saving grace" to no small degree. In the induction, particularly the drollery of the situation when Sly awakes to find himself a lord was remarkably cleverly shown. Altogether the recital was highly interesting, and would help lovers of Shakesepare— and who is not of the number—to bridge the long gap between Shakespeanian productions in Auckland. The concluding recital will be given on Saturday evening, when excerpts from Henry IV. and V. will be given to illustrate the life of Sir John Falstaff. ABBOTT'S MUSICAL COMEDY CO. Mr. Geo. Abbott's Musical Comedy season, which commences at the Opera House on Saturday evening next, proi mises to be most successful. '-"In Town," the initial production, bubbles with catchy strains and haunting melodies, and is staged on an elaborate scile. During the season Sidney Jones' masterpiece, "The Gaiety Girl," will be staged, along with an entirely new and recent American success, "The Chicago Girl," also one of the greatest of English successes, entitled "Morocco Bound." Each of the productions will ba presented on a scale of unusual scenic wealth and splendour, with brilliant casts and wardrobe of a most elaborate description. The box plan is now open at Wildman, Lyell, and Arey's.