AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14405, 12 July 1912, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

MISS BREXDA GUTHIUE'S KECITAL.

The task of entertaining an audience single-handed is one which professional entertainers rany be excused for shrinking from, and the number of those who can successfully accomplish it is not large. When an amateur proposes to emulate tho example- of the successful few. ono may be pardoned for feeling a little dubious as to the result. Yet for an hour and a half last evening Miss Brenda Guthrie, a younf Christchurch lady, held the undivided attention and won the unstinted apolauso of a large audience in the Choral Hall. .She gave an entertainment, described as a "drawing-room recital." in aid "t the recently-established Presbyterian Orphanago in Bligh's road. It was rather remarkable to sco suc-i a bumper houso on such a wet night as lastnight, and the size of the audience argued either a very lively interest in tho orphanage or an equally lively in- ! terest in Miss Guthrie's first public recital. It may be said at once that tho audience was treated to a recital that was in many respects an excellent ono. Miss Guthrie is an intelligent and accomplished reciter, and her treatment of her various numbers showed that each had received that sympathetic study which is so essential ifan artistic interpretation is to be given. Her voice control is satisfactory, and her ideas of emphasis, inflection, and tonecolouring, are very good indeed. Sho has the happy faculty of being able to visualise a scene for the audience. For instance, in the story of "The Higliwayman" tho wholo tragedy was vividly presented, and the tale of love, faithful unto death, was splendidly told. The same might be said of "The Ballad of Lorraine" (Ringsley) and '-Taking bis Chanco" (Lawson). Misa Guthrie was less pleasing in tbo sleep-walking scene from "ilacbeth-" It would havo been better if she had simply confined herself to Lady Macbeth's consciencestricken soliloquy, without introducing tho "asides" of the doctor of physio and . tho lady attendant. "At tho Opera" (Owen Meredith) and "In tho Month when Sings the Cuckoo" (Austin) were both capitally done. In lighter stylo -wore "Little Orphaut Annie," the "North-West Passage," and "Tlio Night Wind," three littlo pieces which wero recited as stories related by children. Miss Guthrie was particularly good in this class of work, and the audience heartily enjoyed her portrayal of tho childish fear of "the goblins that will get you if you don't watch out," tho terrors of negotiating tho long dark passage leading to the little bedroom, and tho accusing whistling and moaning of tho night wind. There were three amusing character sketches, all of which were cleverly done. The best perhaps was that of a Teutonic lady, whoso command of English was not too complete, speaking over a telephone. Her efforts to explain her English wero most laughable. "The Lady Orator" (of course a suffragist) and ""Mrs Green" (a garrulous and aitchless lady) wero both amusing, and each was capitally portrayed. Miss Guthrie, who had delighted tho audience from beginning to end, was tho recipient of an. astonishing number of bouquets, as well as of a hearty vote of thanks, moved by tho Rev. T. Tait in a viery complimentary and appropriate little speech. EJERSLAJS'D'S MINSTRELS. Tho King's Theatre was well filled last night, despite tho inclement weather, and Kersland's Minstrels, who opened their season in this city, received a hearty welcome, and, in turn, tho Minstrels sent the audience away greatly delighted and thoroughly entertained. It was like being transported back very many years, when such entertainments .were commoner than they are now, when tho curtain rose on a stage occupied by almost tho full strength of the company, which consists chiefly of males. Tho cyo could not help being struck with the colour scheme of tho evening dresses worn by the.performers, the ordinary black being set off by the scarlet with green facings of some of the other performers. The end men—Messrs H. Quallie Clark, Ed. Tolliver, Will C. Washington, aud Billy 0. Brown—contributed a great deal to the lularity of the first part, and their songs and jokes met with instant and warm applause. Mr F. B. Poole, who has a well-trained bass voice, sang very pleasingly, Mr W. Huuley Spencer gave a tenor song very acceptably, and Mr H. Morgan Prince, who is an entertaining interlocutor, also sang successfully. 'The special feature of the first part, in addition to tho concerted pieces, was tho turn given by "the daddy of them all," Billy Kersland, assisted by Mrs Kersland. They wore so appreciatively received that they were recalled three times. Tho finale. "Lady Dixie," was well and vigorously given. In the olio, which comprised the second part, an outstanding turn was tho clever feats with hoops performed by Miss Pearl Mappin, who was heartily applauded. Another popular turn was tho trick cycling by Mr Arthur Maxwell. Alexander's ragtimo band gavo an excellent performance, and tho other items on tho programme were very successfully given. Tho entertainment throughout was free from anything that tho most fastidious could tako exception to, and the singing, both concerted and individual, was of a high standard. Last night the performance was somewhat lato in starting, but flip management will probably see to it tbat to-night's audience will not bo kept so long waiting for the good things in store for them. " THEATRE ROYAL. Tho last of Messrs Wykeham and Nable's laughter plays, "Tho Belle of Newport." was produced at tho Theatre Royal last evening, and was well received by a fairly iargo audience. The play is a particularly bright one, and is interspersed. with numerous songs and dances, including the famous Apaoho dance, introduced in the second act by Miss Maud Chetwynd and Mr Edward Nable. Tho dialogue is also witty and I sparkling, and interest never Hags for a moment. Mr "Reginald Yv'ykehani was excellently cast as the choleric old Colonel, and was a tower of strength to the company, while Mr Ernest Lashbrook, as the vacuous idiot Derby Dashwood, made the most- of his part. A feature of the performance was the first appearance tinder this management of Miss Alice Moffatt, whose singing was very acceptable. Miss Pressy Preston, "as Nellie Goldcngato. the Belle of Newport, was dainty and vivacious, but Miss Maud Chetwynd's part hardly gav/> her sufficient scop., in which to display to advantage Her undoubtedly Inch talent as a comedienne. Messrs Nable and Montesole helped to provide the merry-making element, and Miss Stella Cszalla was pleasing a* Doris Dent. " Tho other members of the company assisted in ensuring a very successful "performance. The story is woven round the inevitable misunderstanding, which gradually straightens itself out till tbe curtain rings down on an offecj tive denouement. "The Belle of Newport" will be.*.presented again to-night. GLOBE PICTURES. Tlio Globe continuous Pictures wero well patronised yesterday when a chance of programme was submitted. Tho A.B. drama. "Tho Female of tho Species," told a thrilling story of a deserted western mining camp, and the incidents depicted wore .followed with breathless interest. Other dramatic studies were: —"The Legend of tho Mill" and 'The Cowboy's Adventures" "The Australian Gazette." p.s usual, depicted recent interesting events, and an educational film of great interest dealt graphically with tho French porcelain industry. The comedy pictures wero well-selected, and "Blanche's

Wedding" and "Littlo Moritz Shoots Big Game" wero thoroughly enjoyed. To-day and this evening tho same films will bo screened. WEST-HAY WARD PICTURES. At His Majesty's Theatre last night tho current programme of West-Hay - ward Pictures were appreciatively received by a largo audience. Tho samo films will l>e exhibited to-night. olymfETrlyk. Largo numbers thoroughly enjoyed tho skating at the Olympia'Riuk yesterday. Tho rink will bo open at the customary times to-day, and this evening tho prizes won at tho children's carnival will be presented. The management of tho Rink haTO engaged Professor Athos and Madam Reado to give exhibitions of fancy nnd trick roller skating, their season commencing next Monday. The ordinary charges of admission "to the Rink will bo made. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The excellent programme at present being screened at the Empire Theatre continues to draw largo audiences. Tho star subjects, entitled "Sicilian Wood, and a fascinating story by the A. B. Company, entitled, "Just Like a Woman." met with special favour. Tho usual change will take placo to-mor-row, and among the films to bo screened will be the. following: —"Mrs Carter's Necklace,"' "Wi'lio Dislikes His Governess." "The Warwick Chronicle." "Adventures of Henry 1V.." "An Official Mission." "His Last Cont. On Monday next Siirnor Martinengo, an Italian 'cellist, will appear for six nichts only iv a sketch, '-The Unemployed Musician." FTnJLERvTpiCTUIIES. Tho current programme of Fuller's Pictures was thoroughly enjoyed by tho large audienco at tho Colosseum last night. Tho samo films will bo screened to-nit;ht. OPERA~HOUSE. The Brennan-Fuller Vauuevillo Company appeared to :v largo audience at tho Opera House last night. _ nnd the programme was successfully given. Tonight tho samo bill will be repeated. ORGAN~RECITAL. At, His Majesty's to-night an organ recital will bo given by the city organist. Dr. Bradshaw, who will givo a "Lohengrin" programme, consisting of:—lntroduction to tho Third Act; "Elsa's Dream" (soprano solo); Prelude to tho First Act (for full orchestra); Lohengrin's song, "Dost Thou Not Breathe, as I, that Wealth of Sweetness?" (tenor solo); Bridal Music from the Third Act (for chorus, harp, and orchestra); Grand Finale to the First Act. MISS MARGARET COOPER. A rare treat is promised the Christchurch public ou Thursday next, when Miss Margaret Cooper and her piano will bo heard for tho first timo hero. Speaking of Miss Cooper tho Melbourne "Argus" said-.—"Miss Cooper plays her own accompaniments, turning to the audience as ehe Her voico is wonderfully flexible, and of tho serviceable range required by tho nature of her songs. They aro all songs of character. Mostly they aro of a humorous character, but nt- odd times are tinctured with a sudden note of sadness or tenderness, as the ease may be. Miss Cooper is first of all an actress, playing a part all the time—playing it with laughter, and occasionally—only occasionally, so as not to leave moro than a thought of sadness —with weeping." Miss Cooper will be supported by Mr H. Scott Leslie, a humorist and rancontour: Mi* Horace Witty, a baritone vocalist*. Signor Manzoni, a mandolinist, and Mr Charles Lawrence, pianist. Tho hex plans aro to open at tho Dresden oii Monday next. MR ALEXANDER WATSON. . Mr Alexander Watson, who is paying a farewell flying visit to Christchurch, will appear at the..Theatre Royal on Tuesday eyening, and on Wednesday and Thursday nights at tlio Choral Hall. Tlio programmes selected for his farewell nights in Chr'i;tchurch contain the best achievements in his repertory, and should bo much enjoyed. The plans aro now open at Milner and Thompson's. AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS SOCIETY. The third annual festival under tho auspices of tbo Auckland Competitions Society will bo held in tho Town Hail, Auckland, from August 10th till tho 3Lst. and the syllabus prepared is claimed by tho organisers to* bo tlio most comprehensive and complete yet offered in tho Dominion, every branch of music, elocution literature, art and physical culture being well catered for. The society has chosen judges from outside New Zealand. The musical adjudicator, Mr W. Arundel Orchard, of Sydney, possesses all the qualifications required for a judge of these competitions, being a musician of very high standing in Australia, and one whoso judgment and advice are always sought by students. Tho same may l>e said of Mr W. L. Paine, of Melbourne, who controls the elocution section. He is a man with a wide and varied, experience of competitions and the tuition of elocution, and he has also been associated with iho theatrical profession as a performer for many years. Tho Auckland Society are very 'liberal with their prize money and trophies. Competitors travelling from a distance will be- entitled to excursion rates on the New Zealand railways, and entries for aa events close on Saturday, July 20th.