AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16664, 27 October 1919, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

MRS GOWER-BURNS'S CONCERT. On Saturday night, at 'he Choral Hall, Mrs Gower-Burns submitted a etrcr.g section ot her lady pupils to the judgment of a very largo audience. A\"c may readily assume so accomplished a. sincer to bo a good guidff and «. model to her etucen*.?. And, indeed, with hardly a single csception, her pupild exhibit prominently the features that go far ia mailing he-r o'.vi artistic performances *"0 oiten delightful. Among these traits may bo counted tbo vivid interpretation and facial . expression, good conception of the character | and atmosphere of the songs chosen, a well- 1 j devc'-iped sense for the charm of tho finer I tone-grades, and flowing delivery. The words ; iiiso como mcsi'.y v;cll forward on. the lips. | Hut a daring uso of nasal resonance proveo i ho-.v thin is the dividing line between it and' i the production of ;i. tone, as not infrequently occurs. If it is favoured by tho Italian school, with its predisposition for operatic iines. the preponderance oi clear, unmixed vowels of their tongue minimises ; the danger which, on tbo other hand, is ac< , ccntuated in French owing to the many nasal rounds peculiar to the language. But tho ■risk for English sincere is great enough, the little gain in Tcsonanco is often dearly l bought, and the writer cordially agrees •with a high vocal authority who dismisses tho problem with tho short sentence: "As tor I nasal resonance, it had best be left alone.'' ( The programme presented may claim to | set up a record as to numbers, of which mora j than forty were forthcoming during » sitting relentlessly without interval. Great credit i 9 due to Mrs Gowor-Burns for a wise abstin« once from mero show pieces, her desire ovi-i dontly being that her students should dis* tinguish themselves by tho expressive forca of their interpretations. That is exactly what should bo dono in a song-recital oS | modern type, and what they succeeded in doing. Some errors wero committed in selection. An abundance of- pretty voices, to be ornaments of the home circle, may readijy bo found! here, but voices fit for big tone-volumes are rare. When e lyric voice attempts passionate, fierce, and forceful demonstration, beauty of tono, which it i 3 rarely justifiable to eacriliec, is almost invariably lost under thestrain. In several cases tho true element of tho singer was only revealed in the encore number. a hard tono then giving way to charm of th© natural voice. -Some of the low voiced have not yet acquired the equalisation ofi ■their compass. Whilst a general criticism, with so many good points acknowledged, can, well be borno by tho fair debutantes andf their inspiring teacher, individual haulingf over the coals is, as usual, not attempted here. All Will doubtless still surpass tho standard of their first appearanco in thd future, when the ordeal has grown less fearsome. •In the front rank of Mrs Gower-Bums'a pupils may be placed Miss Betty Cotterill, Mrs I.illv Glover, Mrs Bischloger, bud tha Misses Slancho Ibbotson, Edna Johnson, Frances Fairbairn, Sylvia Fox, and Elsie Macleodsmith, followed by the Misses Kitty; Lane, Alma Lewington May Maclean, Boryl ifsrsden, and Mrs Bailoy. Under the smart) direction of Mrs W. Wilson several parU ■songs wero prettily given, except that the sopranos jn. places produced: tho shrillness of tone on high notes that ecems to bo thel ideal of many choral singers here. To Mrs Osmond-Smith fell tho heavy task of accompanying tho many songs, which was dona most sympathetically and in her artistically finished style. Tho young ladies .were laden with bouquets and boxes of chocolates enough to eneuro all-round indigestion. Profusely decorated with flowers, the stage looked verjl charming, except for tho sombre material in tho background, intended to hide the ugliness of the set scono already commented on. "POT PQURRI." AT THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. Tho finishing touches have boen r.ut on the extravaganza, "Pot Pourri," which is to bo produced.by Mr A. C. Rendla in- the Tiieatre Royal to-night, , and' th© performance promises to bo something quite distinctive. Tho chief attraction of tho evening's programme will -be ■ Liza Lchmann's' magnifioont ecng cycle, "In u. Persian Garden," i;y iUdnme Gower Burns ajtd other artists, v.jio will bo ■attired in Persian costumcs. Mr R. S. Moloney (lato of -tho popular Divisional Pierrota in France), and Mr Syd. Phillips (the comedian of tha N.Z. Rifio Brigade concert parties) aro two of tho performers,, who have given their '' services ' iu tho cause ot .the I'Junkci Socioty, which. will teap .uie bonefit of tho week's season. Many of tho newest'and wittiest'songs froru. iho current rcvucsi it# London. will bo sang during the week, and an efficient chorus ond ballet of 50 performers will assist, the principals. T.ho week's programme x>romisea to be a mtmorable ono, OPERA HOUSE. Seneral entirely now turns are promised for the weekly dhango of programme to-night. Frank J. Sidney will ho soen in a eleven exposition of athletio feats, and will also introduce his famous novelty "Zillah," a< einging dog. Tho Crackaells are also due foil a first appearanco in a combination) of whip* cracking and shaxpshooiinfr, while -the Astona specialise in hand-balancing feata of a, novel type. Tho 'last six nights are announced ofl Fred Bluett, the favourite comedian, antC Doody end Wright, popular comedy couple. Paul • Stanhopo and his company of merrymakcrs will present another fun-making ievue, ( in which the inimitabla Spike Murphy again has innumerable humorous adventures. Th<\ dressing, scenery, andi music a> foaturo. of tho show, J\j special holiday matinee given thkt afternoon. Tho plan will bo opon all dsy al tho Opera House. • . STRAND THEATRE. • L <^l l,CC c'. 03 11417 Lonnos '>' takes "tbo lead Tho Secret Garden," which heads tho bill in the now programme'showing at tho Strand Theatre. Mary lives in India, but a scourge robs her of both parents, resulting m her being sent to England to bo placed under tho.chargo of a guardian, a man of wealth, named Archibald Craven. Colin, hi 3 son, is a sufferer from spinal trouble, and is being treated by his uncle, Dr. Craven, who forces tho invalid to wear a torturing brace with a view to ridding himself of Colin, and thus becoming heir to his brother's riches. Mary Ims not been* long iu' Iter new homo when her guardian goes away to Egypt to spend tho winter there. Feeling tho "loneliness of her surroundings, Mary becomes friendly with Martha, a housemaid, who tells her of a secret garden which lies behind the manor and which has been closed since the doath of Archibald Craven's wife. Impelled by curiosity, Mary visits tho garden and subsequently learns how bad i 9 the treatment given ■ to Colin by his uncle. - Colin, is induced ■ to dispense. with tho braco and on doing -this ho is agreeably surprised to learn that he can walk without its aissistance. It is made, clear to him that tho -brace ia not what ii was represented to'-be-, and eo ho determines to havo nothing to do with it; When-Dr. Craven learns that Colin will have no more of this treatment ha resolves to achieve his sinister ends by poisoning the invalid's drinking water. Unfortunately for his eehemo ho is detected in this by Colin himself and Mary. ~Tho picture has a. satisfactory ending, Colin gaining complete health and being ablo to servo ,1113 country at the front, happy in tho promise of Mary to becomo hi? wifo. In the second picture, "Venus in the East." Bryant Washburn fills the loading part. Buddy McNair, seeing- in a New York nowepapcr a photograph of Mr 3

Pat, Dyvenot, a society divorcee, straight away falls in love with her, naming her his ' Venus at tho East." He proceeds to New, York to make her acquaintance, but find® to his disappointment tbat the money ehe spends so lavishly is unable to gain him access to the society in which the lady moves. Buddy is in a quandary when, as luck would hare it, a newspaper reports that'the lady has lost her jewels. This gives Buddy an idee and purchasing a duplicate eet he is given, the opportunity he hia been seeking of an introduction. Subsequent happenings ae screened are most' interesting. Supporting tho two big pictures are "Bereford of the Baboons" (comedy) and American and an Australian Gazette. LIBERTY THEATRE. Tho bill cf faro being presented at the Liberty Theatre should delight lovers of tho lyric art aa well as the patrons oi tho 6ilent drama. The chief screen, attraction ia tho problem play "Wives of Men," starring the beautiful Florence Reed. The 6tory i 3 built on the eternal triangle—two women and a man—but it is told in an -unusual T.ay, and the clever 'acting of Florence Reed ae LuciUe, the wife, who after twelve years of suffering and eacrifice, finds it has all been an unnecessary martyrdom, Frank Mills, as tho husband, and Grac-a Davidson ae tho other woman, lift the ptay -to a high pinnacle. There ia a e-plezidiri supporting film programme. In conjunction with iho new picture programme tbe I/yric Conoert Party opeoed their season at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday afternoon. Mr "Walter "Whyte, the New Zealand opera-tic tenor, eomg "PH Sing Thee Songs of Arabv" and "I Passed by Your Window" in a way to fulfil all that was expected of him after his performances as principal tenor with the Williamson Opera Co. In tbe duet "Miserere," from "U Trovatore," which he sang with Hiss Belle Pollard, the tenor aaid the soprano sounded to perfection. Miss Pollard was well received in her eoli "The Ejss" and "Alma,'' and Miss Bathie Stuart, the vivacious comedienne, proved her versatility and__gift of humour, as well aa displaying fine vocal accomplishments. On Saturday she Bang the lullaby "Fat lil* Fellow," tho haunting Maori eoog "Pokarekare/ 1 and "Oui Marie," while she wa« equally good in the monolulraby "Fat Lil Fellow" and the haunting loguo "Before and After." The Liberty orchestra "and Mr Kennedy Black supplied the accompaniments. The Liberty orchestra, is playing an attractive programme of special music this week. The boz plan will be all day at tlus Liberty Theatre to-day. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A remarkably fine selection of films will be screened at Tho Queen's this week. A really j novel plot will " be eeen in tho star film, i "Life's Greatest Problem.'' The story is | founded on the "work or fight" law mtroj duced by tho United States Government, and it tells how four loafers in different walks of lifo were made to do their duty to their country. Dick Craig, slacker and ne'er do well, son of a ship-builder, whoso yards are working for the. Government, decides to marry in the hope of escaping service, and induces Alice Webster, a stenographer in his father's office,, to marry him. Later Dick learns that the marriage does not sooure him exemption, and lie forthwith plunges into the gayest lifj, and incidentally makes his wife's existence a misery. She leaves their home ono night, and meets Steve Ecardon, a happy-go-lucky tramp, who succeeds in inducing her to take brighter outlook of life. Then eomca a raid under the "work or fight" law, and amongst thoeo gathered in ore Dick Craig, Steve Reardon, and his pal, Little Lefty, a dwarf and Oraig'e butler, Wilkins, and all four are sent to work in tho shipyards of Craig, eenior. By degrees they settle down to their new conditions, and Steve becomes a foreman. Agents oi the I.W.W. get busy in the yards, and with tho .aid of Craig's pro-German eecrctary, plot to blow nr>. tho works. Lefty is largely instrumental in frustrating the conspiracy, and the common danger produces a general reconciliation, which, terminates a etory of fascinating variety and great strength, and well balanced with an abundance of comedy of a nenrol and refreshing naturo. The supporting films are "Tho GoodBad Man" (a Douglas Fairbanks piece), "Turtle* of Every J and" (a Patho educational film), and a Pictorial Budget. CRYSTAL PALACE. Tho new programme for this week at tho Crystal Palaoe is a double star, ono which will appeal to all tastes. "False Evidence,'' in which Violet Dana ia starred, is a story full of pathos, humour, and dramatic situations. It ia finely acted and 1 superbly staged. In "Love" we find Fatty Arbuckle engaged te a country girl named whose father wishes her to marry tho son ot a neighbour. Winnie objects and is pacted off to her aunts in the city. The aunt is in want of a cook, and Fatty, in v tho disguise of an Irish woman, applies for"' the situation and gets it. Thus thrown together the lovers mako tho most of tho opportunity. The other lover is now sent for, and Winnie is told that tho wedding will tako placo forthwith. She insists upon a rehearsal before the minister, with tho Irish cook to represent tho bridegroom. Consequently. Fatty and Winnie are married, to the confusion of those who plotted to separate them. With these ingredients to work upon Fatty Ar- ! buckle finds ample measure to provid« a wealth of humorous situations in his own inimitable manner. A second comedy entitled "The Pest," features tho evergreen Billy West, and, to complete this excellent programme, the popular. young lyrio tenor, Mr Harold Preeeott, has_ been, engaged, and will render nightly selections from his extensive repertoire, including "Tata a Pair o£ Sparkling Eyes" (Sullivan), "Nirvana." (Adams), "The Bloojn is on tho Rye" ; (Bishop), "Lolita'* (Leoncavallo), etc. GRAND THEATRE. English and Irish films will' be the welcome features of tho new programme at tho Grand Theatre this week, and those productions are said to rival some of tho much boomed transatlantic productions. ,Tho Englislipicture is entitled '"Broken Threads, produced by the foremost producing company in England, tbe Hqpworth Company, and portrays tho beautiful and talented Chrissie White and Edwards, the famous playwright and acfcrr, besides & powerful cast of English artists. Charming scenes of old Devonshiro and glimpees of exquisite rural England are pictured in a beautiful etory founded on the famous linoe by Edwin, Arnold, "Somewhere there waitefh in this world of ours for one lono eoul another lonely eoul." Tho picture tells in vivid, realistic, and wonderfully artistic manner tho story of two lives tragically separated, but finally finding their way back through many strange> paths to happiness. "For Ireland's Sake," as its namo eignifieo, is purely an Irish film, and pourtrays tho famous Miss Gene Gauntier in the burning topio of Homo Rule for Ireland. Tho picture was produced in County Kerry (Ireland), ia the beautiful Sillamey district. The Gap of Dunloe, the Black Valley, Muckroas Abbey, Sweet Inniafallen, and the La&ea are shown among many other pretty .spots famed in song and etory. Tho supporting films on the programme will be of a varied and interesting character, and will include comedies, topicals, and educational subjects. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Constanco Talmadgo goes from ono sparkling success to another. Her latest release,. "A Pair of Silk Stockings," is to bo soreenod throughout this week at Everybody's Theatre. Thero ia also a big and varied supporting .programme. Reserved seats may be obtained at The Bristol" or by ringing telephone. 4325. THE BLACK AND WHITE TROUBADOURS. On Wednesday evening tho Eiack and White Troubadours will give a, concert in the Choral- Hall under tho direction cf Mr Alfred Fenton, in. aid of four uvmilies of Spreydon who avo in straitened circumstances. _ Mr Fenton has beeqj successful in enlisting the services of Miss Jessie Du£ (soprano), Mr Stanley Rankin (entertainer at tho pia.no,) and Mr Eric Bell's Salon Orchestra. Thi« j® -the first appearance in this city of the Troubadours, but individually they are well known Ohristchurch artists, who have adopted assumed names. For soma time past they iiave boetri rehearsing seriously to present to th® Chrietchurch people something out of the ordinary, end have euocecded in drawing up _Utejr programme to present work that is entirely new in every respect to a Christ church, audience. Apart from their own entertainment, Miss Jessie Du2, a delightful soprano, will contribute come solo items, Mr Stanley Rankin, a past master with his mor.ologues and songs at the piano, should bo another treat, and Mr Bell's orchestra is too woll known to need an introduction—it 3 work under- its efficient conductor speaks for iteelf. The Troubadours are offering a prize of £2 to tho member of tho 'audience who guesses their correct names. Tho box plans are at Milncr and Thompson's. To-night holiday-makers will be we'l catered for at the King's Theatre, ■ where tho Highland Pipe Band will proeent a splendid programme of eongs, dances, sjid instrumental items by the leading performers ot the city. Characteristic Scottish items will I>3 given by Master Grieve and Jock Mac Lean, who have a high reputation to maintain, and tho Band' will contribute several selections. Holiday priccs L-avo boon fixed for the conoert, which is to help the Band to close their account for citra kilt 3 for returned pipers. That racking; cough can be by •'XAZOL." Thousands have proved the soothing, curative properties cf this scientific preparation. GO doses., Is 6d. 2