AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 305, 21 December 1912, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE GIRL IN THE TKAUfJ" The "Girl in the Train," the comic opera version- of tbe GS«rman "Geschiedene Fran," Is due here on Monday evening next, at A o'clock, and wai be pertorme* by tbe 3.C. Williamson Xew Comic Opera Company. ■Brightfulness, tunefulness, and mirth are said to be- the salient, points of- -'The Girl in th cTrain," which comes with the reputation of being more than ordinarily amusing, and possessed with all the charm and grace musically that one is accustomed in a soore- written by Dr. accustomed -in a score written by Doctor Leo Fall, with lyrics by Adrian Ross. , The librettist, Victor Leon, has, it is Raid, made from the German story an intensely funny play. To the product of his labours the composer baa added music wbich cannot fail of popularity. As in other works. Dr. Eall reveals his liking? for the • waits form. A melody which has 'an enthralling snavity arrJ it graceful rhythm, furnishes one of tne most haunting and delightful solos. "A Sleeping Car" is' sung, by Miss Sybil Arundale, as Gonda van der Loo, in the first act. ?o admirably is this rendered, and so admirably, is It. worked up by the full chorus, that it demands encore after encore. The opera is full of airs of a subtly attractive quality, most of which are likely to dwell in the memory, and get themselves whistled and snug most persistently. Xot only is the work fascinating vocally, but the. artistic and graceful scoring for the orchestra is a prominently outstanding feature. As a witty and amusing com dy, the work, it is said, finds favour in an equal degree, the representation from every point of view, it is claimed, doing lull justice to the merits and picturesque possibilities of tbe opera. The bos plan for the first sis nights are now open. ST. JIICHAEL'S FATK. The St. Michael's Fair in fie Royal Blnk, Kbyber Pass, was well patronised yesterday, and good business was done. . This afternoon was a children's afternoon, every child present being presented by 'Fatter Christmas witn a toy. OPERA HOX;SE. The large audience at the Opera House last night thoroughly enjoyed the entertaining programme. Tc-aislit the; bill will be presented for tbe last time, and on Monday evening an entirpiy new programme will be given. PICXTJCEB E^TEin'AIXMEXTS. <?ontinnoug pictures at the Queen's Theatre have lost none of their popularity. Last evening and to-day the sessions were all largely attended. <md the frequent appiause indicated that thoes present appreciated tbe excellent series of pictures. Tie two prizes of £5 each in the estimating competition na*e been won by Mr J Efaimpson and Mr. B. J. Bromley. 'Tbe Cowboy's , Mother." n dramatic 'nclnded in the programme nt Qic King's Theatre, proved especially popular last evening. The programme throughout is one of 'high, merit. "A Feud in the Kentucky Hills," now bemg shown at the King Oearge "Theatre tells a stirring tale of family warfare in the West. "Arabian Trca-caery" is a thriving dramatic story of tlie Vlesert. West's Pictures attracted a large attendance last evening-, and tiae excellent series or pictures met with general approbation •Tlie Better Way" is an exclusive drama of a very sensatiohal'hature. ' . . The Globe, the new addition to tjie pte ture theatres, fras welt «stahlished itself in popularity. The current programme ie attracting large crowds. " The popularity of lie Lyric. Pictures remains unoiminlsbed. \ This ..afternoon i Christmas cift metinee was held.' ao,t tonight the present programme wIU i>e shown for tte laef.Ume. ■„';. iZ" {''"'■'-' • 1 CHRISTMAS TKEE AT BIKKEWHEAD, At most snccessfnl Christmjis tree in connection with Courts Exeeisjor and Btrkenhead A.0.F.. was held Inst evening in the Foresters' HalL Tbe tree was in charge of sisters H. Day, H. T. DoDnelly, P.C.R., V ! Patterson, H. Davidson, West, C. Eose, Bros J. Kelly. P.C.R., W. rblOips, F. Foote, E. Swindall, T. Austin, and W. Wallace, secretary. The bnildinjj was packed with a happy throng of children, and each received a prize, there being no blanks. During the latter part of theeveninjj, musical items were rendered by Messrs. R.- Blackie, SI Paul, F. O'Cs-inor, G. Brown, Master N. Charteris, an' >Uss Elder, who play.od the accoinpanime "UN a THE PALMS." There wae t larce audience in- the Parish Hall, _t Northeote, when Dr. F. Boot's celebrated cantata, "Under the Palms," was performed last evening by the combined choirs of the Northcote. Birkenhead, and Birkdale Anglican" chnrclies, and . the Birkenhead and Northcote Sunday Schools. Mr Horace H. Hunt conducted. The principal solo .parts were entrusted to' Misses Isabel Hunt; 3 oil, and .Mrs Tan Teen (sopranos), Mr C. E. Cotton (tenor), Miss White (alto), and Dr. Neil Keith (bass): Cver a hundred voices took part, and the. different chorus and part songs were well executed, the accompaniments being played by Mr. Arthur H. Hunt. Tbe cantata wjll bo repeated at Birkenhead next Sunday afternoon in the Foresters' HalL