ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 274, 12 August 1908, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE MERRYMAKERS.'' Tho clever entertainment provided by tho "Merrymakers" drew another appreciative audience to the Town Hall last evening. The company reappears at tho Opera Houso on Friday and Saturday next, when an entirely now programme will bo presented. OPERA HOUSE. Sardou's powerful tragedy "Fedora" was played again last evening at the Opera House by tho Moyncll and Gunn Company. Miss Madge M'lntosh again proved her sterling worth as an actress of the natural school, never for an instant losing her hold on tho character in all its violent changes. Messrs. Beatty and Mervale were satisfactory in tho roles allotted to them. "A Beggar on Horseback" will bo presented iu Wellington for tho first time this ovening, constituting the farewell night of those popular artists Mr. Harcourt Beatty and Miss Madge M'lntosh, and the close of a successful season. "Set a beggar on horseback." This was the reckless course that Marley Due do Touniay set out to ride because, forsooth, a .woman had played him false. But an angel in tho form of another woman blocks his path, and presumably the ride ; a never finished. This in brief is the motive of the new play by Edward Ferris, and which has achieved considerable success in tho colonies and elsewhere. Tho play is to bo of the romantic order, brimful of incident of the sword and cloak period, crowded with the historic figures of the time when George the First was King of England, and Charles Stuart was contemplating his dash for the throne. And the atmosphere is said to be fascinating, whilst the play is prolific in' ingenious imaginative incident and circumstance. _ It is clothed, says one critic, in an appropriate stage setting, and the costumes true to the period and strikingly, handsome. .

THEATRE ROYAL. Fuller's Entertainers appeared before a bumper, house at the Theatre Royal last evening, when the current week's programmo was given, a hearty reception, the various members of the company being in capital form. Alb'qrfo's feats of. legerdemain, and striking illusions' were'* one of the star turns of the even'irigj equalled only by Vernon and Mac. whose acrobatic, feats are unique and thrilling. " The, programme will be repeated this' evening. HIS' MAJESTY'S THEATRE. /' ' •,A new programme of pictures will be shown at His Majesty's Theatre to-night, comprising 10,000; feet of film. There will be : a matinee exhibition on Saturday.' THE OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. There was a large attendance at the Olympia Skating Rink last evening. The Old English Fair will bo held to-night, the programme including a grand march in fancy costume, a hockey match, a half-mile backwards race, mile race, ladies' championship race, and teams' relay race. THIS AFTERNOON'S ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Maughan Barnett will give, the usual weekly organ recital in the Town Hall at four o'clock this afternoon, when ho will play works by Wagner, Rubinstein, Bach, and Mailly. GRAND BALLET. An excellent programme of diversified songs, dances, and old English pastimes, together with a grand ballet, has been arranged, for the entertainment to be held in the Opera House to-morrow night. WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY.

The interests of the music-loving people o£ Wellington are bqing roused, owing to the presence in our midst of Mr. Charles Saunders, one of England's greatest tenors. This great artist has been specially engaged by. the Wellington Choral Society, and will take the principal tenor part in "Judas Maccabaeus" to-morrow evening at the Town Hall, and m Rossini's "Stabat Mater" on Friday evening. Mr. Saunders is touring New Zealand, and has_ already appeared in' Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invorcargill, where he lias received great receptions. The Hutt train will be delayed until after the performance. The box plan is open at tho Town Hall.

"HUMPTY DUMPTY." King Solium, as impersonated by Mr. Bert Gilbert, will begin his reign at the Opera House next Monday evening, when- J. C. Williamson's pantomime, "Hunipty Dumpty" will make its first appearance in Wellington. The extravaganza is heralded as a wonderful medley of bright colours, catchy music, lively dancing and mirth moving quips. For three months in Sydney and three months in Melbourne it commanded large audiences, and in Auckland it soon became apparent that it was suited to the New Zealand palate. The songs of "Humpty Dumpty" alone would appear to be sufficient to commend it to public favour. "The Regimental Pet" is a dashing number sung by the principal boy (Miss Mabelle Morgan), > who is accompanied by a full 'marching chorus. Miss Morgan also has a languorous coon song into which a picturesque "surprise" offect is introduced. "Moonbeams, sung by Miss Irone Dillon, is another dreamy number, and the singer rouses herself at the end of each verse aud does a whirlwind danco to an accelerated tempo of the refrain. A comic number is a duet between • the King and Queen in the diving bell. A burlesque of the startling sounds of a motor car is quaintly incorporated into it. "When I was in the chorus of tho gaiety" is Mr Loydall's best contribution. Ho appears as a ballet girl, supported by tho chorus and tells of the conquests made in pit and stalls. Mr. Bert Gilbert has several amusing numbers, one being a smart parody that has never yet failed to score. The imitations of popular artists by Miss Olga Grey aro also a bright vocal featuro. Miss Beatrico English has, as the fairy queen, a song that shows her technique to advantage, and Miss Naneo Maher has also •scope for brilliant vocalisation, Tho demon king is Mr. Howard, who is the possessor of an excellent basso voice. The concerted numbers are also' tuneful and there are plenty of them. The box plans for the first 'eight performances, includnig two matinees will open at the. Dresden "to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.

T. Kennedy Macdonald, Ltd., insert particulars _in our auction columns of an extensive auction sale of very superior household furnishings, Singer sewing machine, writing table, etc.. contents of two woll-fumished houses, comprising over 4-50 lots, to be sold at thoir rooms to-day, commencing at 11 o'clock sharp. Their rooms are full of really good furniture, and everything is for absolute sale. The goods are now on .view, and they invito inspection.