AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 262, 5 November 1928, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

ORGAN RECITAL.

In the Town H.t'l last night Mr. Mauglian Barnctt gave the usual municipal organ recital and was heard ;n wora by Bach, Wagner, Hollins. Tsehaikowsky, Gounod, Mendelssohn, and Xcv:n, a'.i of which were skiltuly performed. MUNICIPAL BAND'S CONCERT. An exceptionally attractive programme was submitted by Mr. Christopher Smith, director of the Municipal Band, a: Saturday evening's concert. The bandsmen were well prepared to display every feature of the music, and acquitted themselves in a distinctive manner. The pertormance opened with a stirring delivery of Graham's rn.r.vh. "Friend or Foe, ' which was followed with a richly chorded rendei ing of Aon Suppc s tine overture "Bandilen Strophe." Stretton s setting of excerpts from Bi...im:san themes proved very interesting, and were given with a nice feeling for contrast, a notable reading was secured of the tragic overture, effectively treated were the "Serenade" and '"Berceuse," and char--1 acteristically handled was the '"Hungarian j Dance."' and a fine weight of tone was felt during the unfolding of tiie Finale. Weber's "Invitation a la Danse' was performed in a style which d.splayed the elegant writing of this popular work, and gave much pleasure to the audience. Byrd's "Ancient Suite"' was unfurled in a manner which delightfully exhibited its contrapuntal writing and bell effects. Saint-Saens' "Marche Heroujue." dedicated to Henri Kegnault. the painter, to whom the French composer was deeplyattached, received an exposition which revealed the striking features of the Allegro Animate, and the delightful themes of the Andantino. Cornet, euphonium and flute tolos wen? given with telling success by Messrs. Bowes. Purchase j and McLennan respectively, and Miss K. Christie was hca:\l i:i Get man's "Cupid at the Ferry," and Verdi's "O Don Fatale." Mr. Christopher Smith conducted an enjoyable performance of the concerted pieces. and Mr. Whitiaker acted as pianist. A programme of Schubert's music will be given by the band on December 1, and the usual carol concert will take place on Saturday, December 22. "HIT THE DECK." "The Girl Friend" will be staged until Wednesday night. The plot of "Hit the Deck."' in which Annie Croft, May Beatty, Reginald Sharland, Gus Bluett, Leo Franklin and the other members of the popular J. C'. Williamson, Ltd.. musical comedy company will appear on Thursday next and four following evenings, is clever and original. The story is founded 011 Hubert Osborne's play "Shore Leave." Looloo Martin keeps a naval coffee house at Plymouth. She falls in love with Bill Smith, a Don Juan in bellbottom trousers. He is ordered abroad, and Looloo, by selling an heirloom, is able to follow him to China. However, she fails to find him there. Now a rich woman, 1 she comes back to the coffee house, where Bill turns up. There are many rousing choruses, a striking scene on the deck of a battleship, and Oriental settings. The music is by Mr. Vincent Youmans, a young man, who has produced reams of music of the "catchy" variety, including '"Tea For Two" "And I Want To Be Happy." In composing the principal musical number in "Hit the Deck," the well-known "Hallelujah." Youmans is said to have obtained his "inspiration" from a negro spiritual. It is said that the J. C. Williamson, Ltd.. management spent many thousands of pounds on the production, which is said to be most spectacular. It is said that Gus Bluett and Leo Franklin have exceptional opportunities for funmaking in '"Hit the Deck," and Annie Croft, May Beatty and Reginald Sharland are all happily cast in this naval musical play. Only live evening performances of "Hit the Deck' can be staged and there will fee a special matinee on Saturday afternoon. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. The Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, Limited, has generously decided to show its appreciation of Mr. Leon de Mauny's efforts in establishing the Wellington Symphony Orchestra by agreeing to broadcast the whole programme on what is usually the silent night at 2YA. The programme for next Wednesday night's concert includes such beautiful works as Tschaikowsky's Symphony in B Minor and Grieg's Concerto in A Minor for piano and orchestra. TABERNACLE CHORUS CHOIR. A varied programme of choral and organ works will be presented by the Tabernacle Chorus Choir and Mr. Arthur E. W i son, organist, in the Auckland - Baptist Tabernacle on Wednesday even- : ing. Mrs. T. Brame-C'larke will be the pianiste, and Miss Ruth Grey and Mr. Clinton Williams will contribute number*.