AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16654, 15 October 1919, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

w THEATRE ROYAL. ALLAN WILKIE SEASON. The thrilling drama, "Trilby," was staged for tho last time by Mr Allan Wilkie and his <k>mpany, at the Theatre Royal last night, when there wps a good attendance. To-night "David Garrick," one of the moat, popular of English comedies will bo produced. Although tho play is actually an adaptation from the French, written round an ac'.or called Sullivan, the main incident of the comedy which supplies a tho theme of the plot is based on an episode in Gnrrick's own life. Tho older Sothern _ was the first actor to "David Garrick,". <<ome forty years ago at tho Haymaxket Theatre, where it created an absolute furore, and it has since held a place in tho repertoire of all the loading comedi-ns, including the late Sir Charles Wyndham, with whom it wjis an ospecialy favourite. "Blind Man's Buff," the ono-act Russian play, which will precede "David Garrick," is an exceptionally powerful drama by Cosmo Hamilton, and was originally produced by H. B. Irving in London, where it ran for over two yours—the record run _ for a oneact play. Mr .Wilkie and Miss HunterWatts will appear in both plays. _ Tho sea/son will conclude on Saturday night with a farewell performance of "The Silver King." LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT. Tho Liedortafel, at their conceit last night, gave evidence, of wholesome activity under tho leadership of Mr Alfred Worsley. No less than three of their part songs, were new and valuable introductions. Sibelius furnished another . proof of his originality in '"Hail, O Moon," Edward German's graceful style was illustrated in "0 Peaceful Night," and "The Leo Shore," by Cyril Jenkins proved a highly effective piece of work. With so many choirs now in existence, the almost entirely negleoted male part songs should be well worth greater attention from English composers in the Tho Liedortafel again carried on last night the tradition of good, painstaking work, accurate in tune and time in all 'the part songo presented. Their harmony in full force of tone is rich, well-ba.'anoed, and impressive. In the slower ' movements, :as in Goes's fine five-part glee, and "T° the Stars," by tho tone also attains to desirable flexibility and variety. But, on the whole, tone-gradations _• upwards from the lightest, should be practised habitually by every choir, apart from the work-ing-up of the chosen pieces. The differ* entMs in. tone-production would benefit thereby greatly. A quartet combination, consisting of Messrs Matheson, Joll, Beveridgo, and Hawker, gave good promise; when they had afrived at "Simple Simon' 1 they had fairly recovered from their rather nervous first start. Mr G. Lucas headed the soloists. Whether it be owing to the physical _ training of the war or to the Germans, his .voioe and mode of singing has gained remarkably since he was hjsard before. He sang "The uoat Song" and "The Dawn Song," with much success. To Mr George March we owed again the revival of Edward Elgar's most beautiful song, "Was it a Golden Star?" sung with fine emotion, with -the Song" as encore. Another .lovely song of Elgar's, "In Moonlight,", was introduced by Mr Matheson, and with very fair effect, but with a rather, excessive strain -upon tho voioe. But he bracketed Elgar with a song out of proportion, inferior in merit, an offence only partly ro-. deemed by using McDowell's "The Beaming Eyes," as encore. Finally Mr Hawker brought in "The Coming of the King" in his good, solid style. Very smartly and forcefully were played two characteristic •'Slavonic Dances," by Mr Alfred Worsley and Dr. Leslie- 1 Crooke, the latter also act; ing as accompanist with his usual capability. . • : The Scottish Society s rooms were, crowded with an army of smokers, who were very active with their palms all the evening.. OPERA HOUSE. The laughable revue, "Zig-Zag," ■■ as presented by Mr Paul Stanhope and his company, received a - hearty reception from .a big audience at the Opera House last, night. In the vaudeville section of the bill,. Fred. Bluett scored a big success, while Harrington Reynolds, Brull and Hemsley, the Falvey Sistera, and Ernest Barraclough oil proved hignly popular. _ The same programme will be given to-night. . CRYSTAL PALACE. "The Kiddies in the R\ijns," a story of child life in.the w?r zone; "The 4moricano, a picturesque drama; and "Straight and Narrow," a King Bee comedy, featuring Billy West, are the chief attractions at Crystal Palace this week. The. programme will be repeated at to-day's sessions. QUEEN'S- THEATRE. \ Margarita Fisher is at her best in "The Primitive Woman," now being the Queen's Theatre. "The Whip and numerous other fine films ase included in the programme,' which will be repeated to-day. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. * "The Forbidden City," starring Norma Talmadge, and the various other items on this week's programme at Everybody's Theatre, were appreciated by good attendances yesterday. The same pictueis will be shown to-day. LIBERTY THEATRE. The Liberty Theatre continues to . attract good houses With "A "Midnight Romance," in which Anita Stewart heads the cast. With its supports it will be shown again to-day. * STRAND THEATRE. There is a good programme at the Strand Theatre this week, headed by a laughable comedy, "Happy Though. Married," featuring Enid Bennett. The present programme wul be repeated to-day. GRAND THEATRE. The Grand Theatre has a big attraction this week in "The Soul of Kura San," in which the Japanese actor, Sessue Haykawa is starred. Gail Kane a.'so is to be Been in "Her Great Match." There is a very strong supporting programme, tho whole of which will bo repeated at to-day's sessions. "THE LAND WE LIVE IN." A commendable effort to distract the attention of all, for at any rate a little space, from the sensational type of film, and direct their thoughts towards a more educative type, has been made by the Educational Film Co., in their new series, "The Land We Live In." This film is convincing the leaders in educational circles of the -value of the cinematograph as an instructions! force. It comprises a collection of moving pictures, cleverljr assembled, which reveal the man? potentialities of the Dominion. In an exhaustive tour through the country, from the far north to the uttermost regions ot the south, the film takes the spectator to, and places him in, intimate communion with many of the most faroour beauty spots in the Dominion. To mention no othera, the scenes depicting the lovely stretches of the Wanganni river, the marvels of Rotorua, and the grandeur of the mountain scenery ■and graceful waterfalls ore a revelation. All the. 1«k« cities and towns are also shown on the screen (Christchiirch being well featured). Artistically interwoven into the scheme are several industrial sections. The season will commence on Monday next, ,at the Theatre Royal, and the box plan is now open at The Bristol. MRS GOWER-BURNS'S CONCERT. LoveTß of music and aH'others interested m the singing of the rising generation should derive much pleasure from the students' concert, to be given by. Madame Gower-Burns, at the Choral Hall on Saturday evening, October ,35th. The following students will make their first appearance: —Meadames Bischlager, Bailey, and Glover, Misses Ibbotson, Lane. Cotterill, Lewington, and Fairhftim«