ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 91, 10 January 1908, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Me&agerV. "The Little -Michus" fras! performed ' for the second time' before , a large audiorice ; l>y the : Williamson Musical Comedy Company last evening! Its dainty music, alive with French verve and ■ romance,: grows' on acquaintance. Misses Amy Murphy and Alma Barber are extraordinarily '.well suited to tho "twin" roles, and,, as time ensures .confidence, their creations are'likely to be notably excellent. One. cannot help lnughing at the smart repartee of General des Ifs (Mr.. Victor Gouriet), bnt the ."gagging"-, is somewhat overdone, and tlia occasions are altogether lacking tliat would indicate • that the General' is 'in reality a -Marquis and an aristocrat of aristocrats. But it is vain to worry ovor such.trifling inconsistencies. in .musical comedy. Among those- whose' performances aro really • meritorious . are Miss Celia Ghiloni, Mr..- Myles Clifton, , and .Mr". Reginald: Kenneth... .The orchestra has some solid work to do, and acquits itself splendidly. "The Little Michus". will be played'until,, and including,' Monday night. The last three' nights of the season commence on Tuesday, when "Three Little Maids" ,will be staged. . The box. plans for this, piece will open at the Dresden on: Saturday-morning. ; CLARA BUTT-RUMFORD' CONCERTS. 1 Whenever, one speaks of the'world's best Singers the mind invariably seizes, the name; of Madame' Clara '.Biittj andV.by'.virtuo'. of, association; Mr. • Kennorley Rumford. -These - celebrated singers, to give :a ; series •of : two cobcerts at' the .- 'Town.- Hall on- Tuesday and Thul-sday; January 21.' and 23.' - Remarkable as, their success-has been on-'English and .American Concert '.platform's, ■ it Is distinctly gratifying- for "colonial 'readers- to : leant ■' liow' sincerely Madame. Butt ,and Mr. Rumford appreciate the-'warmth of; their reception under Southern skies. -Apart -from the fact, that, Madanic Clara Butt's great vocal genius l has given her a wide command in the realm of, (song, 'the. great contralto is said' to possess that; distinctive gift of, .instantly, making friends, with her The ,box plans for' both concerts open 'neit.Tuesday,at the'-Dros-tlenj meanwhile, country-residents may secure reserved seats ; advantageously by post. ..THEATRE ROYAL.. Further attractions were introduced at tho Theatre Royal last evening, when the Musical Grumes made their welcome -reappearance, succeeding Armstrong and Verne, who wero given a great send-off; preparatory, to leaving for America, via Sydney. The present programme is .a strong .one, but further attractions are announced for tonight,, when, quite a 'number of new faces will be seen-,, including Messrs. : Stewart'; and- Stirling-, sketch . artists;' Miss Ida-Ingersole, soubretto;-Mr.; R. H; Collins, tenor; aud"' ; Messrs:. Pastor -and MeHe> comedy acrobats..- To-morrow ..night, ..MisSrNbl-' lie P6we'r, serio. comic; Mr. .Lloyd;,comedian; and> Mr., A. Cropp, lmsso, will make tlieir appearance. ' ' -r 1 ' ■ "WEST'S PICTURES. .'"y The Town Hall -was again ■ crowded last night,' when West's Pictures presented''a new programme. The Company certainly has an exceptionally fine- repertoiro of. films for nothing 1 hat was shown on previous, evenings during, the present ■ extended season was . repeated last evening. From beginning to. end, too,, the pictures were of excellent quality, and were remarkably free .from the distressing flicker that so otteu makes moving picture shows' a doubtful pleasure to. eyes already wearied by; a.day's work. The-great motor race was particularly realistic,, and the ears certainly seemed to be travelling, quite 100 'miles an hour.- Another series, "The Advantages, of- .Jiu-Jitsu," was convincing-.'enough to...start a boom m that 'special form 'of- physical culture.. , ."A Rido. over-the Australian, Alps':' was a journey by ,- train % through- ruggeil,'.mountain . , scenery, from, tho forests' of the foothills through ..the regions of. bare rock, and eternal' snow, and down-, again :on.. the .other side to :a peopled, plain, with a white spire- ;-railway-.sta-' 'tion, : .where • the train • comes to a quite uncomfortably . sudden stop. The ' humorous . picture stories were a strong ': feature of . the evening. Among- these were "A Diabolo Nightmare" and "Liquid' Electricity," which created much laughter. .The.same programme will be repeated to-night.