AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 228, 23 September 1908, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The second production of "The Bondman" by Bland Holt's Co. at His Majesty's Theatre was witnessed by another crowded audience, who gave every manifestation of their entire approval. The various characters were more than well sustained, and the scenic effects call for nothing but the highest praise. "The Bondman" will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night, and on Friday it will be replaced by "The Great Rescue."

COLIX MUSTON* CONCERT.

The Auckland Orphans' Club tendered a complimentary concert to Air J. Colin Muston, L.R.A.M., the popular conductor of its orchestra and male choir, last night at the Royal Albert Hall, which was largely attended. A lengthy programme was submitted, and capital interpretations were secured of the pieces. Mr Muston received a very hearty welcome when he appeared to conduct the first orchestral selection, and at the conclusion of his violin solos was enthusiastically recalled. He gave a masterly performance of Sinding's "Rhapsodic Hongroise," tho intricacies of the music offering no obstacle to his well-trained fingers and command of the bow. He received a demonstrative recall at its termination, when he played De Beriot's "Tremolo" with facility and purity of intonation. Ernst's "Elegie" received a very expres-1 sivc and broad delivery, and a light and free rendering was secured of Alard's "Aragonesa." The orchestra—a capable body of players—were heard most successfully in Thomas' overture "Raymond"; the strings played their music with distinction, and the wind performers made their music stand out in a way that gave evidence of careful preparation. This performance was so much liked that an extra piece was demanded, which resulted in the band giving a praiseworthy rendering of Gounod's "Mirella." Some excellent tonal shadings were obtained in the reading of Kl- ' gar's "Salut d'Amour," and a descriptive and interesting performance was secured of Rubinstein's "Trot de Cavalerie," wherein the brasses appeared to special effect, and the tone of the strings was most satisfying, whiie the rhythm, phrasing, tempo and climaxes were intelligently attended to. The orchestra was also set in the programme for Mozart's '"Twelfth Symphony," but owing to the lateness of the hour that the concert terminated- this was omitted. Mr Muston conducted the orchestra, and kept his foTces under fine control, and gained all the effects he wished. Mrs Abel Rowe was warmly recalled after her tasteful performance of Willeby's "The Birds go North," to which she accompanied herself on the zitiier. Mis-s P. Dean gave effective renderings of "Less than the Dust" and "Kashmiri Song." Mr A. Ford wns heartily applauded for his singing of "Come into the Garden, Maud," and Mr Abel Rowe gave a descriptive rendering of Brahms "The Death of Kelson," with orchestral accompaniment, receiving merited applause ot ite conclusion. Mr O. K. Knrrow secured an encore for his capital delivery of "King Charles," and Mr .las. Loncrgan was called back after his rendering of "The Bedouin's Love Song." Mr A. Carbines gave a clever musical sketch on airs from several well-known works, and the humorous recital "Foil , the \oo," by Mr J. M. Connell, proved highly amusiug. The programme also contained a bass clarinet solo, well played by Mr J. C. Little, Sullivan's ■'The Long Day Closes." odmirably sung by the male choir, and '"Come, Ri.se the Lark" and "Beware," decisively rendered by the Unique Quartet. Messrs T. E. Midgley and G. Alien acted as accompanists: Mr L. Logan ably led the band, and Mr Abel Rowe was musical director.

THE BURXS-SQUIRES FIGHT. The Opera House was well filled in every part last evening, when Messrs. McMahon and Carrol again presented the exceptionally fine series of pictures of the Burus-Squires fight. The pictures are as near perfection as possible, and the various rounds could be followed as well as if sitting at the ringside. In addition to tbe fight, a number of other pictures are shown, which include a number of the rewnt Olympic games in Kngland, and which come out remarkably clear. The picture of Dorando finishing the great Marathon race aroused a lot of enthusiasm. The performance will be repeated this evening and following evenings.

"TRUE STORY OF IRELAND."

The second of the series of lectures under tne auspices of the Eden Institute was given last evening by Mr Hall Skelton. It was entitled "The Tnie Story of Ireland,"' and dealt with the subject in a masterly manner, evidencing thorough acquaintance with it. Mr Skelton dealt exhaustively with the early civilisation of Ireland, the persecution of the Irish from the time of Queen Elizabeth and the relationship between England and Ireland till \~aO. acts antecedent and immediately preceding the Irish Parliamentary period. 1782-1800, Treland under the Irish Parliament, the Act of Union and its consequences, and Ireland tinder English rule. Mr Rkelton also recited with telling effect the famous speech of Robert Emmet. Tlie lecture was listened to with the keenest interest by a large audience, and Mr Skelton was "enthusiastically applauded during the progress of tbe lecture and at its conclusion. Items were contributed as follows:—Song. "Meeting of the Waters." Mr Harry Bullen; song, "The Trish Emigrant." Air Pritchard; recitation, "Fontenoy," Mr Beecher Bullen; song. "Last Rose of Bummer," Miss 0. Lorrigan (encored) : song. "Father O'Flynn," Mr P. Metgp (encored). The accompaniments were played by Misses Sheehan and Lowrie.

I FRENCH CLUB. The French Club held a very successful concert evening in St. Paul's schoolroom last night, members being- present in fair force. An interesting programme had been arranged by the committee, and a thoroughly enjoyable reunion was spent. The following items were concluded by bars from the "Marseillaise" and "God Save the King":—Piano duet, "Bolero" (Tschaikowsky), Mrs and Miss* ■Ralph; song. "Lascia eh' io Pianga (Handel). Miss Blanche Garland; song, "Lc Val'on" (Gounod), Mr AuJsebrook ; song "Salvo Regina" (Winter), Miss Knight; duet, "Campana." Mr Dobbs and Miss Ralph; violin, ''Romance" (Beethoven), and "Aye Maria" (Schubert Wilhelmy), Mr L. Fristrom; zither and song, Mrs Abel Howe; song, "La Donna c mobile" (Verdi), Mr A. Rowo; dnet from Tl Trovatore" (Verdi), Dγ Keith and Mis» Garland.

"BESIDE THE BRIAR BUSH."

Miss Jean Howison, the talented Scottish elocutionist, gave her third lecture at the V.M.C.A. Hall last night before a good audience, who were kept thoroughly interested. The subject of her remarks was, "Beside the Bonnie Briar Bush." Miss Howison was thoroughly in sympathy with her subject, and gave a finished exposition. She introduced a number of amusing anecdotes, and her audience left the hall thoroughly pleased with the evening they had spent.