AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14821, 12 November 1913, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

LIEDEIITAFEL CONCERT

The inclemency of the weather was responsible- for the smallest attendance on record at the carnival concert of the Liedertafel, held at the Choral Hall last night. Naturally there, was missing the festive atmosphere of former years; only the draughts remained. A carefully selected programme had been prepared, under the baton of Dr. Bradshaw, though with a prevalence of part-songs repeatedly performed. Most of these, however, belonged to the best of the repertoire. 'flic s>eat<s of the choir seemed to have been pushed back further than usual, causing a- loss of tone, noticeable already in the first number, Lachner's "Warrior's Prayer/ but the attack was more perfect, as it was almost throughout the evening, especially in Mendelssohn's "Sons of Art" and Buck's "The Signal Resounds.'' Much good and artistic work had been put into Lindblad's line partsong by way of the tone gradations not always attempted; but sometimes in the lightest shades the voices seemed to lose touch with each other and sang hesitatingly. Still there occurs here and there, in the quartet, even, and among the soloist*;, the ugly excessive stress on initial consonants, whereby the vowel tone, i.e.. the sounding tone, is reduced to a minimum without effect. Brisk enunciation of the- consonant may bo obtained without such violence. There is no need to comment in detail upon tho excellent selection of partsongs repeatedly reviewed, the Mendelssohn Cantata deserving pride of place in regard to execution. Mr Gurnsey sang feelingly, with good enunciation, supported by choral accompaniment. Reichardt's "Image of the Hose." "Sally in Our Alloy," arranged by Fletcher, and when "heard repeatedly one fancies too much arranged, was encored and partially repeated. Mr Poake King tastefully Amy WoodfordeFir.doirs "Open Thy Gate." Mr March was infected by the epidemic: raging at present respecting Bruno Huhn's "Invictus." which he sang meritoriously, although his voice is hardly weighty enough for the character of the song". Recalled, he sang with much taste, "It Was a Dream. ,, Mr Hollow gave with good expression his Handel aria, but could have accelerated the tempo to some extent with advantage. Mr Hawknr repeated "Honour and Arms" and "Simon the Cellarer" in his best stylo. The quartet party, consisting of Messrs Cookson. Vincent, March and Millar, were particularly good in Abt's "Sleep Thou Wild Rose!" Mr Worsley played his niano soli splendidly, and as accompanist earned again nothing but praise.

THEATRE ROYAL

Tho popularity of "The Quaker Girl" was evidenced last night, when, on the occasion of its second performance, the Theatre Royal was crowded in all parts. The bright action of the opera, the pretty melodies, notably the "Come to the Ball" song, and the entertaining comedy man, all made a big appeal to those present, and the performance was a most successful one. To-night "The Quaker Girl" will be staged again.

THE "SMART SET."

A new programme was put on by the "Smart at the King's Theatre last night. The entertainment was a most enjoyable one. and the. large audience present were well satisfied. In the first part Miss Goorgie Martin contributed three coon songs. Miss Gwen Evans gave "My Dear Soul," and Mr Ernest Pnrkes sang "Sea Road," "The Pagan," and "Because." A burlesque duet by Miss Georgia Martin and Mr Walter George went well, and the concerted numbers were also popular items. The second part consisted of a few specialty items, also a miniature musical comedy , , "The Bandits." This latter gave the company an opportunity of showing -what they could do in the way of comedy work, and also served to introduce several solo items. Mr Ernest Parkes sang" The.Bandalero," and Miss Monti Thomas introduced a naval number, "My Tiny Firefly." Mr Edward Elliott as a, tourist captured by brigands/ and Miss Georgic Martin as hie wife, were responsible for most of- the fun of the production. Tho specialty items consisted of α-dnet, "A Night Hymn at Sea," by Miss Evans and Mr Parkes, a ventriloquial act by Mr Elliott, and a piano solo, "Etude de ConI cert," by Mr Edgar Holland. Tonight the programme will be repeated.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Tho new programme of continuous pictures submitted at the Queen's Theatre yesterday was noteworthy for the variety of the subjects dealt with, and the general excellence of the films. "Black Beauty," the featured picture, was a drama of "Western American railway life, marked by many incidents of a thrilling character. The stationmlstress is a young woman who possesses a horse—Black Beauty—which has been taught many tricks. Some Mexican desperadoes, learning" that there is bullion on a train that is to pass the station, overpower tho girl and alter tho signal. The girl, whilst tied up in the station office, manages to blow a whistle, and the horse, hearting it, manages to get out of its stable, and to effect an entrance into the office. The intelligent animal, at its mistress's orders, puts tho signal right, the train robbers are frustrated, and ultimately are captured. "Tho Fighting Lieutenant" was a thrilling tale- of love and intrigue in which a United States cavalry officer, after many adventures, wins a Mexican princess. "The Handicap" was a drama of the 'turf, in which a girl takes her brother's place as jockey and wins the race. "Bunny's Dilemna" was a comedy incident in which the irrepressible John Bunny gets mixed up •over the marriage question. "Objections Overruled" and "The Wonderful Gamp" were two humorous Views in and about Kobe were interestingly pictured in "A Tour in Japan," and recent important events were depicted in the latest "Eclair Journal." Tho New Zealand Cup race picture was screened, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the large holiday audiences present during the day and evening exhibitions. The picture of tho Melbourne Cup race was blocked by tho late arrival of the mail, but it will be shown at to-night's sessions. To-day and this evening the same programme will be given. To-day and to-night a film showing incidents at yesterday's New Zealand Trotting Cup meeting will be screened.

OPERA HOUSE.

Another large holiday audience filled the Opera House last night, and the programme was much enjoyed. The Vardell Brothers, hand balancers and athletes; Delevale and Gilbert, sketch artists, and Desperado and La Rose, trapoze artists, were well received, and the remainder of the company were successful in their items. To-night the programme will be repeated.

SYDENHAM PICTURES.

Tho current programme at Sydenham Pictures, which is headed by "Wild Animals at Large," will be screened to-night for the last time.

, HAY WARD'S PICTURES.

The big comedy. "Wild Animals at Large," was the chief attraction at His Majesty's Theatre last nieht, when the new programme of Hayward's Pictures was repeated. To-night the same films will be screened.

FULLER'S PICTURES.

The splendid drama, "Les Miserables," Avas screened again at the Colosseum last night, boforo another crowded house. To-night, in addition to the big film, pictures will be shown of the Melbourne Cup race, and the trotting cup race decided yesterday.

GLOBE PICTURES. The Globe Picture Theatre was well attended at all sessions yesterday. Today the programme will be repeated.

GRAND THEATRE.

Excellent patronage was accorded the pictures at the Grand Theatre yes-' terday. The same films will be screened again to-day.

ORIENTAL CARNIVAL.

The Oriental Carnival in the Olympia Rink continues its successful career with a popularity quite unabated. Last night the rink building was thronged with a large crowd of interested spectators.' Tho dances made a big appeal to the eye, and the stall goods to tho purse. To-night the Carnival will bo continued, and a' wrestling match will be added to the programme.

WAINONI PARK.

On Show Day there will be a full programme of sports and amusements at Wainoni Park, including! married and single ladies' races, and children's events. The zoo and aquarium will he open all day, and there will be a Punch and Judy show. At night a gigantic fireworks display will be given; a- sot piece representing the bombardment of Adrianople .being first on the prpgramme. A picture programme will precede tho fireworks.

THE PASQUE PIERROTS.

Tho Pasque Pierrots, who are wellknown to local theatre-goers for their bright and attractive entertainments, will appear at the King's Theatre on Friday evening (Snow Night), when they will present' a special holiday programme, consisting of songs', comedy duos, trios, concerted.?, ragtime numbers, musical sketches, and local topical liits. The company is headed by Mr Sydney Brett, recently of London,- who has brought with him the latest London novelties, and these will be presented by the company. The box plan is now open at tho Dresden.

ALFRED BUNZ RECITAL.

The box plan for tho Alfred Bunz Recital will open on Monday next, November 17th, instead of Thursday, November 13th, as previously advertised.

GLEE AND MADRIGAL SOCIETY.

At the Choral Hall on Friday evening, at 8 o'clock, the Christchurch Glee and Madrigal Society will give a popular concert. In o varied programme of solos, glees, and choruses are sqmo of tho brightest examples of the high-class music which this young society always interprets. "The Bells I of St. Michael's Tower" (Stewnrt), t "Corydon Arise" (Stanford), "Orpheus j •with'his Lute" (German), for female J voices, "As Torrents in Summer." acd i "0 Happy Eyes" (Elgar), "The Long I Day Closes" (Sullivan), and "Tho. I Waterside" (Bainton) are <somo of the I favourite numbers. ;