AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 53, 4 March 1925, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

■"4 * ETHEL OSBORN CONCERT. ~/ in the Town Hall last evening: the girted Australian soprano. Miss Ethel Osborn, supported by a competent company or musicians, gave the initial performance or inree farewell concerts uerore sue leaves ior £urope. a spienuid prutrruiuuit: or musical feeius was suunuueu, aad every item received a nulsued deuvery. Madame Mane Borinim aim Mr. T. vVllliams tipeaeu wan an intelligent penurnitince or tlie llrst movement of ones s pianoforte ana violin sonata, anu were warmly accidimed at ua termination. Miss usboru next appeared, auu was warmly received, ueneuict's "The Wren" was her open.ng- song-, winch sue gave wtUi rare vocal faciitiy ana aJanuuli, Wlllist or exceptional interest was mc spiendid way tne llauttst, Mr. ueorge Poorc, ana tile cantaime executed mc iiandel s exquisite ana, "Rend 'll bereno,' , received a broad and beautiful renuenng, DeiiiK a line example of true bei-eanto styie of performance. After mis line cuspiay the soioist was enthusiastically recaued, when she gave, with freedom of voice and in captivating: styie, Bishop's "Lo! Hear the Gentle Lark," Mr. poore adding: much to Us success with Ins adiniraoly played flute ouligato. In Rimsky-BorsakofT's "An Eastern Romance," tne singer succeeded admirably in securing- the necessary colouring: lor its adequate display. Keallsticaliy treated was tne opening, and cleverly modulated was the voice in the closing refrain. Granville Bantock's "Dream Merchandise" was graphically rendered, and exquisitely sung: was Rubinstein's "I Feel Thy Breath." Donizetti's cavatina, "Hegnava nel silenzio," from "Lucia di Lammermoor," was sung with charm and expression, the ornamental work being specially delicately treated. A warm encore was awarded the singer at its conclusion. Miss Osborn also greatly pleased in her admirable singing- of Besley's "Grey Clouds," Jalowicz's "The Little Men," and Saars' "The Dove." At the conclusion or the performance the artist was warmly ovated. Mr. T. Williams, a young violinist or promise and ability, distinguished himseir in Sarasate's "Ziguener"LiebesTreud," and Sarasate's "Zanavelsen," Kreisler's ."' Liebestied" and teado." He reveals a nice tone Trom his Instrument, phrases distinction and grace, in tender parts he produces a good cantabile, and in bravura his technique is enough to enable him to conquer most difficulties. He was encored arter every appearance. Mr. A. Stanley Warwick, a clever elocutionist, gave a brilliant display or his powers in Kipling's "The Secret or the. Machines," and Jacobs' "Five Act Play," arter which he was enthusiastically encored. Madame Marie Borman played with marked success Chopin's Prelude, opus. 28, No. 20, and Phillip Bach's "Toireggietto," and made an admirable accompanist. Tomorrow evening and Friday night other concerts will be given. NATIONAL AND LYRIC THEATRES.

Described as the supreme picture novelty or the year, "The Story Without a Name," a Paramount production, starring Agnea Ay res and Antonio Moreno, will form one of two star attractions coming to the National and Lyric Theatres with, the change or programme to-morrow. The picture has the unusual title because, when it was made no title had been selected for the story from which it was adapted. It is up to the picture public to decide what name would best suit it. The film is a modern drama, bearing on the radio craze. In the story, Moreno has the role or Alan Holt, young scientist and radio expert, who is kidnapped by a gang or plotters and whisked away to a desert isle where he is forced to rebuild a "death ray" machine which he had just completed Tor the U.S. Government and which had been destroyed by his llancee (Miss Ayres) when a band or thugs attacked Holt in an effort to get the invention ror themselves and learn its secret for their own cornify. The second feature is "The Broadway Madonna," with Dorothy Rivier and Jack Connolly in the leading roles. The story is that or a wit'e who is dominated by her husband, and who is forced to act as a decoy in his scheme to prey on a wealthy man. The supports are "The Punch of the Irish," a new comedy, and a Topical Gazette.

"THE O'BRIEN GIRL." The most talked of musical comedy Australasia has had is to be presented to Auckland playg-oers commencing; next Friday at the Opera House, by Hugh J. Ward Theatres, Ltd. The box plana are at Messrs. Lewis R. Eady and Son. Ltd., for mc first six nights or the season and the Saturday and Wednesday matinees, or this novel and charming: musical comedy, the Sydney "Daily Telegraph" wrote: "She does not embellish her conversation with such antiquated, asides as 'All, sure! , and 'Aisy, now,' nor does she in exciting- moments stalk about the stag-e letting- the audience into tin; secret or what might happen 'if mc Denis was only here.' That's the type that died a natural death during , the war period, and its passing , will not be mourned. The new O'Brien g-irl is different; tall, slender, graceful and comely, she speaks in a low musical tone, and sing-s several simple but haunting- little molodies in an appealing manner. Mamie Watson has begrun well: she is already an established favourite, by reason of the very excellence or her work, aided as it is by a sweet personality. Moreover, she dances beautirully and Introduces novelty and orig-inaltty into her terpischorean evolutions, or the production which gives her abundant opportunity, one can only speak in terms of the highest praise. Mr. Ward obviously had his finger on the theatrical pulse when he selected 'The O'Brien Girl, , lor it contains all the ingredients necessary to the successful musical comedy. The dressing- and mounting: are lavish beyond words. Some of the costumes are amazing- creations in texture, in make, and in the weaving- into the whole or the most delicate tints and colour combinations, and the company, Trom the principals to the chorus, knows how to wear these smart creations. A scene or bewildering- animation that sets the house boisterously applauding- is the picturesque 'Indian Prance.' The solo dancing- 13 exceptionally g-ood; in Tact, the dancingof the whole company is brilliant, and it is well named 'The Dancing Extravaganza or 1925.' and nothing- further can be said than this to set the hall mark on this brilliant entertainment." SHORTLAND CONCERT. The Sltortland Concert will be held to-nigrht in the Concert Chamber at the Town Hall. An attractive and varied pro-8-ramme has been arranged. Tickets are on sale at Messrs. Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., and the Town Hall doors. MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITALS. The Municipal Organ Recitals in the Town Hall will be resumed on Saturday evening next. An attractive programme has been prepared, which, in addition to the org-an solos by the city organist, will include numbers by Miss Margaret stoddart, violinist, and Mr. Jean Dellore, vocalist.

AMUSEMENTS GUIDE. (For Entertainment Announcements, aza Back Page.) TOWN HALL—Shortland Concert. OPERA HOUSE—Seymour Hicks Company in '-The Man in Dress Clothes." KING'S THEATRE —George Storey's Revue Company and. Vaudeville. PICTURE THEATRES. '* NATIONAL AND LYRlC—Constance Talmadse in "Her Nig-lit or Romance," and Lewis Stone in "Husbands and Lovers." BTRAND—Australian Cast in "The Dlg-ger Earl." and The Savoy Havana Band. TIVOLI —Mabel IS'ormand in "Tlie Extra Girl" and Jack Hoxie in "Figrhting Fury. - ' EVERYBODY'S—Thomas Melgfban in "The Alaskan." PRlNCESS—Virginia Vain In "The Signal Tower," and Estelle Taylor in "My Lady's Dress." QUEEN'S — "wtien the Devil Drives," and "The Bohemian Girl." CAPITOL—Tom Mix in "The Last or the Duanes," ana "A Western Muskeveer." grand —"Honour Among: Men." BROADWAY—" Beau Brummel" and Ladles to Board." HIPPODROME— "Triumph." REGENT —"The Thief of Bag-dad."