ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 262, 29 July 1908, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERAHOUSE. "Her Love Against tho. World" was produced by tho Meynell and Gunn Company before a largo audience last evening. The chief acting honours fell to Mr. Gaston Mervale, Mr. Harcourt Beatty, Miss Madgo M'lntosh, Miss Hilda Meado, and Miss Lyetto Parkes. There is plenty of life and colour in tho production which is given a bright setting. Tho attractive uniforms of tho military characters and tho charming costumes worn by Miss M'lntosh are features that call loudly for special mention. THEATRE ROYAL. . The star performers at the Theatre Royal this week are Scott and Boresford, sketch artists, tho Levartos, Lerona, a clever trick cyclist, and Albert Lucas, a stirring elocutionist of tho robust order. The last ances of Tod Calloway, Brightio Smith, the Zeala Sisters, Beatrice Butler, and Fred Bransgrovo are announced. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The Royal Pictures were ■ again well patronised last night, whoiv tho final presentation of the past week's programmo was made. There will be a change of bill to-night, when an assortment of'new pictures which have just arrived from London will be given. Theso iriclude a splendidly coloured' subject, "Samson," which is reported to bo as yet unequalled in this branch of cinematographic art. Other subjects : ncludo "A Mother's Crime," "Scenic Sicily," "The Dancing Legs," "The Pumpkin Raco," "Dumb Sagacity," "Turning tho Tables," "The Enchanted Guitar," "Dora,',' and "Aunt Maria on a Tight Rope." The usual matinee will be held on Saturday." ORGAN RECITAL. ■ One of tho most enjoyable of.the municipal organ recitals given by Mr. Maughan Barnett was that which took place. at tho Town Hall last evening. There was a' largo and appreciative audience, and several of the itmes received well-deserved encores. Smart's "Festive March" was the opening number, and - this .inspiring' and pretty melody gave the organist an oxcellent opportunity to show his control of - the instrument. Following this came a berceuse of Bernstein's, and-tho subdued "beauty of the piece was most pleasingly rendered, and ari ( encore was demanded. Then came the' " Gavotte," a movement .from the overture to " Otho" (Handel). . Bach's "Taccato in. F" was. next given, and - it called forth Mr.. Barnett's powers of delicate execution.; Tho ..most, striking fcaturo of ■ this. number, was tho sustained and effective pedal,work.' Then came that reposeful melody, Gounod's, "Le Soir." The performer entered into the', spirit of tho conception; and gave a most finished rendering. • Ho evoked the heartiest' approval of those present, and a'n encore-1 had ..to. ho given. After .tho interval, the;: organist opened with the overturo to "The! Caliph of Bagdad" (Boieldieu), which. was greeted' with loud applause. MascagniVi familiar and ever-popular . intermezzo _ from; "Gavalleria Rusticannwas beautifully ; rendered, and Mr. Barnett had to respond', to an emphatic encore. . Tho recital con-, eluded, with Wely's " Offortoire in'F." Tho next recital will:take place, on Tues-1 day', August 4. : CHAMBER MUSIC. Thoso who attended Miss Thackoray's Ch'ambor Concert in tho ; Sydney Street .Hall, last evening wore rewarded witli'a musical performance of distinct merit. Miss Arline .-Thackeray,, wlio, it will be remembered, was: .a member of Mr. Alfred Hill's Exhibition Orchestra (as a first violin), is a .capable young violinisto, and as she has now settled' in Wellington,, music-lovers will' no doubt hear more "of her. Miss Thackeray .was as- : sisted last evening by Miss May Newman, Mrs. E. D. Cachomailo, Dr. W. Kington Fyffo, and Messrs. Robert Parker and LeonCohen. . In her opening numuer'Miss Thackeray se-* lected Handel's violin "Sonata in "A Major," • .which rph(i? the, jfinp "allegretto" movement:whioh concludes: the' Sonata. . Later, she was;associated, with 1 : Mrs. .E. D. CacliD'maile in -Grieg's. " Sonata, for pianoforto and violin, in GMinor (Op. :13);" .a composition;which,.in the':"Allegro. Vivaei," and "Allegro Animato" movefnonts, calls for considerable dash and vervo in execution, and hero the player's treatment ..of. tho music seemed to suggest lack of animation. Tho " allegro tranquillo " movement of tho Sonata was; however, exquisitely'played., In the soli, "Canzoiietta" (A.'d'Ambrosio) 'Schubert's " L'Aboilli ""(The Bed), and a dainty " Gondoliera" of 'Hans Sitt's (an encoro number), Miss Thackeray's playing was very good indeed. She -was 'also admirable'in the concerted nuriiber (Gade's" fine "Trio in F Major"),.in which she was as-, soc.iated with Messrs.: Robert Parker (piano), and Leon Cohen ('cello). This was, .perhaps, the most enjoyable item of tlys evening. Miss May Newman, who sang " Open .Thy Blue Eyes " (Massenet), and " In the Wood " (Schumann), was in very'good voice, and was particularly successful in her singing of the Schumann air. Sho was accompanied by Miss Kirke. Dr. Fyffo contributed two songs —Brahms's "Remembrance," and the charming "Why Thanks't Thou Mo?" (Franz). Both were admirably sung, the latter number boing qtiite 'a treat;'ono,really regrets.that tho doctor cannot be more frequently tempted on to the concert platform.' THE MERRYMAKERS. . Tlio Merrymakers, whose season of three, nights comrocnccs at th'o Town Hall on Saturday, August 8, have established a big reputation sinco their initial berfornianco in Melbourne. 'In tho South Island tho Press has pronounced tho performances as", being unusually clever and. refined. :- "Bright, humorous, and clevor," are tho three cardinal points in Messrs. J. and N. Tait's new venture. Tho Merrymakers have been selected for this tour by Mr. G. P. Huntley,, the noted English comedian, and Mr. Herbert Clayton, of London musical , comedy . fame, the letter artist accompanying the party to Now Zealand. Mr. J. M. Campbell, a known London comedian, Messrs. Sam Walsh, nmsic sketch artist-, Gavin Wood,. Eric Blorc, Misses Bottv Ohls, Elsie Williams, and Doris Lind are all namos prominently associated with London vaudeville and musical comod.y. The latest English song, successes, bright sayings, burlesques on- modern plays, ballads and part singing,- quaint dances, and monologues form:a part of tho Merrymakers' attractive programme. This - new form ofontcrtainmcnt, consisting as-it does of highclass vaudeville, bids fair to become as popular in tho colonics as it is proving in Great Britain. Tho prices are popular, viz., 35., 25., Is., and seats may bo reserved at the Dresden next Monday.

: The . Wellington Liedertafel's second : concert of the season (ladies' night) is to bo given in the Concort-Chamber, of the Town Hall to-morrow evening. _ ' A, concort will be given, by the Good Templars from 11.M.5. Encounter this at 8 p.m., in St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown. Tho chair is to be occupied by Mr. Poole, M.P., and it is anticipated that there, will bo'a'larso attendance of;the public to greet this popular company. The charge for admission has been fixed at sixpence. A variety entertainment in aid of the picnic fund of tho South, Wellington School will bo given by the officers and- men - cf H.M.S. Pioneer, in St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, to-morrow evening, at 8' o'clock. ' Tho Missions to Seamen Rainbow Bazaar will be opened at 3 p.m.'to-day by Mrs. M. A. Williams. A concert is to bo. given in the evening. . „ • ' llie uairiEon Band will give a performance in the Town llall this evening at 8 p.m. ; _________