ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 288, 29 August 1908, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MOTHER GOOSE." There is a sparkle and dash about the pantomimo " Mother Goose " that was never quito achieved in its rival of the present season " Humpty Dumpty," which leaned more to spectacular development than to the bright frivolity that permeates the feathery trille rovived at the Opera House last evening to tho joy of a delighted audience. Each cliaractcr as lie. or she (pantomimes have a predilection fcrr a. preponderance of the latter) was greeted as ail old friend, and tho moving scenes struck a similarly responsive chord in those whom they charmed a year ago. The children ' — those wonderfully-trained little nymphs—figuro prominently jn "Mother Goose," and theirs is a part that perhaps finds more favour with a pantomime audienco than all the rest put together. In tho "Toyland " scene they are dolls — efciff pinkcheelced soldiers and their dear, dainty, darling, dollie sweethearts, and as such execute a clever ballet with admirable finish. They aro prominent, too, in the beautiful hunting grand ensemble which ends the first act. Thcro aro many changes in tho caste since "Mother Goose" last moulted ill Wellington. Miss Mabello Morgan still appears as Colin, and lifts up her .tuneful soprano in "Ciupid is the Captain of tho Army" and "Moon Dear" with all her old charm, but her sweetheart Jill* formerly played by Miss Olivo Godwin, is now in tho hands of Miss Nance Mahcr, whose sweet voice and untheatrical manner have made her a warm favourite. Her one solo, ''Somebody's Sweetheart," was encored. Mother Gooso was played by Mr. Geo. Young (vico Mr. Bert Gilbert), who, while not exhausting the comedy latent in tho part, got through in a rough and roady manner, that was far from iinontcrtaining. Ho lisvd the grace to omit tho "Waiting at the Church" lilt, which has been worried into an early gravo since the pantomime was last seen ill Wellington. Mr. Harry Shino played Jack once more, with a wealth of dry Humour that depends on a judicious uso of more or less ■ up-to-dato slang. There was no part played better than Mr. Victor Loydall's foreigner llodericb, tho weird produot of n guilty conscience—in kilts. His accent was in fierce accord with his sporram, and trickled' like treaclo in _ porridgei through his vocal contribution, " Mary, ma Scotch Bluobell." Messrs. Queen and Le Brun, zoological artists, appeared as a ridiculous pair of donkeys, and afterwards divided an educated horse between them cleverly. Mr. Prosßy • Preston made a capital Gretehen, and sang, "Gretehen, my Gretehen," with liaivo effect. Miss Beatrico English was onco more Heartsease the good fairy, ■ and as hor rival spirit Malignnm, Mr. Chas. Howard was well-placed. During, the progress of tho palace Bccnoj Miss Olga Groy demonstrated her mimetic qualities with another batch of imitations, including one of Mr. Reginald Roberts in "Tho Girls of Gottenburg." Tho ballots were as spry and coloursomo as heretofore, the national flower effort being olio of tho prettiest ■ attempts at colour harmony imaginable. The electric swing effect, with its dazzling illuminations, and tho march in Gooseland. wore also features that merit mention. Thcro will bo tt matinee of " Mother Goose " this afternoon, commencing at 1.45 p.m. sharp, a performance this evening, and on Monday evening it will be performed for positively the last time in Wellington.

. THEATRE ROYAL. . , An appreciativo audionce ■ witnessed tho performance at tlio Theatre Royal last evening. The Levartos, comedy jugglers, re-'-nowcd previous Rood impressions, and tho same remarkapplies to Lerona, lady cyclist; tlio Swift Trio who put in a clever playlet; Lyndon and Wren, comedians, and othors. Thero is a new programme to-hight. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The present programme of the Royal Pictures at His Majesty's Theatre lias evidently caught the public fancy, for this now established homo of lcinematography has been crowded every night' this week. The programme has been well selected, and contains some fine dramatic studies, all well actod, notably, "Napoleon and the j British Sailor,". "A Husband's Revenge," and "Tlio, Poor Blind Woman." In "Carlo's Lucky Escape," "An Attractive Catch," "Tlio Harmless Bull Fight," and others, tlio company has some genuino laughter-makers. This afternoon a matinee for children will be held, when exactly tho samo programme which obtains at the evening performances will bo - given. • OLYMPIA RINK. """ . Rinking at tho Olympia shows no sign of waning popularity, morning,, afternoon, and evening witnessing ono busy throng of merrymaking patrons, enjoying to tho full tho health-giving enjoyment of roller-skating. Nothing is wanted to make this grand wintor enjoymont as it should be. In music, skates, and attention, the best are to bo found at the Olympia. This morning there will bo a matineo for children, with a race for a pair of skates, and in the afternoon and evening tho Olympia Band will bo in attendance. On Tuesday next a raco for boys will be held, and on September 9 tho final carnival of the season will take place. The rink closes on Soptenibor 12.

THE MALLINSONS;. ■ A notable musical event will" Be the song recitals of Mr. arid Mrs. Albert Mallinson, which havo been accorded the raro distinction of her Majesty Queen Alexandra's patronage. The first recital will be given in the Town Hall on Wednesday next, September 2. Mr. Albert Mallinson is acknowledged as a well-known composer of songs, and his wife, Madame Anna Stcinhauer, tho famous Danish soprano, is their ideal exponent. Professor H. Starcke, tho eminent. Dresden critic, says of Mr. Mallinson's songs: "The songs ring out born of deep feeling, beautified and characterised by accompaniments which are at, one with their poetic thoughts. . . . Songs which may be treasured as a veritable enrichment of modern solo song litoraturo." Tho box plan of,these artistic recitals will open at tho Dresden on Mondaynext.

SCOTTISH CONCERT. Tho Concert Chamber at tho Town Hall was fairly well filled- last. evening by the -friends and supporters of the Scottish Choral and Orchestral Society,, tho occasion being a miscellaneous concert and dance. . Of its kind, tho entertainment' was of very fair merit. Tho orchestra .contributed thrco items—a selection of Scottish airs, Hermann's "La Couronne d'Or," and the "Forget-Mo-Not" gavotto from "Macbeth." Tho work of the orchestra, which was obviously composed of amateurs, somo of whom Were quito young, was a trifle ragged. There was a preponderance of strings, and consequently a lack of "body." Tho choral items, "Caller Hcrrin'," "A Man's a Man for a' That," "Come O'er tho Stream, Charlio," and "Tho Standard on tho Braes o' Mar," were not of an exacting nature, and were '■ tunefully and pleasingly sung, the parts being fairly, well balanced; tho sopranos, if anything, preponderated. Of tho solo items, by far tho best wcro those contributed by Miss Mina Caldow, whoso singing was most enjoyable. Her numbers wcro "Angus Macdonald" (Roeckcl) and "A Woo Bit o' Heather" (Laura Lemon), ,each of which wcro encored. Miss Caldow adding "My. Ain Fold" and "Doon the Bum, Davie." Mr. A. Hobmaii, who has a pleasing basso, which should improve with judicious training and attention to enunciation, sang "Fiona" successfully,., and, with Mr. Twohill, gave a pleasing rendering of tho duet "Excelsior." Mr. William Brown gave an excellent recitation, choosing for his subject Bunis's well-known "Tamo' Sbantcr.," Other items were contributed by Mrs. Reynolds (song), Mr. John M'Glashan- (violin solo), and Mr. W. E. • Boyd (Highland dances). Mr. John M'Glashnn conducted tho choral and orchestral itonis, while Miss Paul and Mis 3 Gladys Watkins played tho accompaniments. An enjoyablo danco followed at tho conclusion of tho concert. ; BOYS' INSTITUTE ENTERTAINMENT. ■ With the worthy object- of raising funds for tho Boys' Institute, a musical and dramatic entertainment is to bo given in tho Town Hall (Concert Chamber) on September 7, when his .Worship the Mayor will preside.

Tho following gentlemen jvnlntler ; tho direction of Mr. Dykes, will provido the first part of the programme:—Messrs- Watts, T. Brown, Copko, Morris, Fox, BalMWfcey Kenny, Dykes. Widdop, Newton, and TkJss.; Tlio ladies will complete tho programme by: producing the "Wom.en's Election Court case, of -2025, A.n.," the idea bring that Miss-'Tubitlia Covey, the unsuccessful candidate for "the-Tuapekapek'a. electorate, seeks to unseat,., .tlio „ successful, candidate, Miss Olga 3jt,J,';.):;QU..tho. grounds of undue wibery, 'and cor-, ruption. Mr. James Dykcs-is.JiofcVKcreh ta T' ' " ;\r ; ' ' ' MISSIONS TO SI3ASIBN. if,.''' ■. ■ -!Tho • Missions to Searnen 'Institute was crowded to tho doors last'iiiglit, when a'niost delightful concert was provided ,by "Mr.VH. Richards, under tho diretitron" of Mrs.' J. HiWilliams. Mr. James Mtofle; *thi ! Wissipngr; 1 occupied tlio chair. A conundrum' competition, which caused a good-deal of'unutsement, was won by sailors ffbln 'ships'in'r.p'drt: : Several popular choruses l "■« ere sung by tho audience in grand style. ■ ,'VbcaLand elocutionary itorns were contributed to tho . programme by the following Phillips, Misses Mason, N. Mason, Mi'Jhonson j*Messrs. M. H. Richards, Jhonson, A. Jhonson aud'.H. Anker. Mr. R. Anker acted as accompanist., Tho performers were accorded' a', hearty :Vote. of thanks at the conclusion,-.and, light -refreshments were handed ,I'otln'd. j.j.; .o^,

"LITTLE BREADWINNER" COMPANY. On Wednesday night, at,,tho Opera- House, will be presented, under-the managements of. Messrs Meynell' and Gunn. the- ,colebra.tedi domestic play of child life.iJ'ThoJjittle Dreadwinner," by H. C. Campbell, probably onenE; the very strongest and"itK>st'>intens«''of all modern plays. The authoY'has'iiitbriiiTnglod his colours in varied, shades, and'ili''tho "ftt" mosphere of tho home "of a scion" of tho. British aristocracy, who is a Quaker and man of strong moral demeanour, has wovon a story of exceptional and thrilling human characteristics. Tho keynote: of' his work is not merely to produce the reflex ,of human naturo, but the very nature itself, bound up in the true tpyes of the*" environment in which he concentrates "Tho Little Breadwinner" is said to;:, be sutili a playthrobbing, pulsating nature* is the koystono of the edifice, and tho str.uSt'iireis built of all the flotsam and makes for human lives. Embracing many incidents and situations which arc said, to be exciting to an eminont degree, embellished with genuine comedy and natural scones,_ it shoojld afford immenso scope for the. company engaged by the management.' , The company includes Messrs. G. P. Carey, 0.; R: Stanfofd, E. G" Cpughlan, F. Co'ope, A, 'Reed, H.,Lewis; R. L. Lenton, and Beatnce j.'Holloway/ Ida Gresliam, Alice Deorwyn, " Mabel ..Russell, little Queenio Williams, and Magptio, Dickinson. Tho run.of the is limited, tofivo performances, the succeeding ~pieco being- '-'The, Stepmother,",liy Arthur Sh'irldy. This work is most highly, spoken ,of,. and,, is one of tlio most .thrilling, dramas of.,n ,re T nowned author. Mr. Ernest. Leicester; will make his reappearance in this play 4 ''' The entire productions are under the personal supervision of Mr. C. R. Stanford. The, box. plan opens at tho Dresden this morning. The. prices, 35., 25., and Is. are announced;., ..

organ recital,.;.; On Tuesday evening next,''' September"!, Mr. Maughan Barnett will'.give _his weekly, organ recital at tho 'Town >'-Hall'.' Th'e J programme is a special request'one, ■'selfccted from the programmes marked-by tho- audiences at tho preceding recitals, , and includes Guilmant's "Funeral March and' Hymn .'of Seraphs," specially comJ)o3cd'for the opening or the grand organ ! in'Notro Dame,' Paris ; "Revo Angeliquo" (Rubmsteiii)',? arranged by Lemaro from a pianoforte pjeoo by this noted composer; overture, "William Toll I .', (Rossini), which opens tranquiliy l arid ;; is-followed by a storm. The.,charming pastoral movement introducing :-.tha.._i'Ranz./ des. Vachcs," and the joyous - and exbilirating flnalo aro all expressed hero with such rare and consummate power as to stamp.the:overture as a masterpioce;.inL.ihe..dcparinlent of, purely instrumental music., cfliis: piejeq ; yas; rendered in last week'si'rfecitalf .and wasgreatly appreciated by tile,, audience;. ,Tlio prices aro thfc popular, an.es,jsixpenco and one, shilling.

WELLINGTON PROFESSIONAL -'" v ORCHESTRA;-- - The approaching of /.tHo' Wellihgtoii'! Professional Orchestra| is l * "lbejted'' i ward to by tlio .large number of nitfsic-lovers who enjoy hearing a Sunday' evening sacred concert. On this occfts!BR r 'lh"ey should not bo disappointed, as contains ;items of a nature to merit approval, especially whep conscientiously rehearsed and well rendered. As to the re'fi'ditibri, the former performances of the orclJdstra"poirit .to .this .being all that it ahould'"bs. 1 '.""Mfifitaiia," "Mignon" '(gavotte), and find' a place, and., are like the "Turkish Patrol"'arid "Pique.'Dalnei'T Tho programme will be^''mad6' l 'e.v<ih ; Wore 'j ■acceptablo by„a vocal solo 'by 'Mrt : E.-<l?arkes:l •("The First Palm Sunday") ■and- '*> f corrict' i solo by Mr. Len. King (''The',Lost Chofd").The band has hitherto prbfitbd 'nothing ijy its efforts, and proposes on 4his> b'ocasion-- to take up a voluntary colle'ctifin'm 'aid < of-'tlio music fund. - '

TERRACE CONGREGATION CLttß CON, CERT., ;:r j The concert which was\.givon. .with.-such •success on Thursday ,"by, I ,t.ho,,,Yd.uhg, Women's Club connected jhe Tqrrifte; Congregational Church, night, when there was a changei of .programme" for tho first part. Thq.;Mis.3P& and; Boot pjayed a pianoforte iljss;Remington gave a pianoforte solo, and.''Miss M s , Remington a violin solo", whflo'jMr.i Dalnri contributed a song. Mr. WarbHclc's' -singing, of tho "Waiata Poi" was .and;in;re--, sponse he gave the " Yeoman's ..Wedding, iMiss Aldcrson's humorous, recitation, lier at t' Squire's," also secured "an The second part of the programme consisted., of tho illustrated cantata-,', entitled ''New. Year's Eve," which was given with"the'lielp, of Sunday School scholars,''iand^uhder,"tho.' 'direction of' Mrs. Clay toff.' and .'MiSs "BvanA" ! It was a picturesque performance much/nfl-. predated by tho audience, and tlio Missos B.;. and M. Remington wero oncored for. their singing of tho ''Autumnjßohg."'

CONCERT. AT LOWER: 'HUTfcT^ Miss Arlino Thackeray, 'wijl; 'give'. , a .concert on Monday 'at the Town-BaM,;-Lower Hutt, for which an' excellent pragramme7iW. 'been arranged._ Miss Thackeray ,has proved, herself a brilliant' Violinist- -and first-class, musician - , and. should .draw a good house. Miss Thackeray will havo the -valuable assist-: anco of Miss Phoebe Parsons, Oachemaillo, Miss E. Allportj- Jliaß .Treadtvtll,, and Dr. Kingston EyfTo. The Garrison Band, -under--.'Lieutenant 1 Herd, wilKgivo a performance-at-the-Botani--cal Gardens to-morrow aftertioori. . The band gives a concert in tho Town Hall on Thtir's-, day in aid of the Church-of England build-' •ing fund at Eastbourne; •< Mr. -FyfTo-' will-'preside-at tho organ. ■ .t-.i The annual Social gathering of parishioners ill Connection with All Saints'- Church, Ivil< bimio, held on Thursday,evening, was most, successful Q.'Dounell's Hall'.being-well filled.'The ohief item of the evening's entertainment was thp staging of tlio fairy tale, Beauty and tho Beast,|" undor Jhe direction of Misses Easson and B.- M'Kenzie. Thp. leading parts were well sustained, by Miss "(jpmptqn and Miss Lonziiii, while Mr". tlio liiece and Mrs'. T. accompanied. ■ Altogether, about twenty, charac-' tors were represented. During the evening songs were given by Mrs. Higginson and- Mr. A, R. .Cattanacli. .., ~, , .Tlio staif of Kirkcaldio , and, Stains, Ltd., held their annual ball in-the, Sydney Street Schoolroom last night, > wheiv. in tion to members of the sta/fi.,a'']arge;«umber. of their friends were present, Tlio .decoration-, of the ballroom was particularly elfectiyt!. Festoons of muslin in whitelaii'd yellow dee - ratod;tlio roof, while nil, round tho walls larRQ mirrors were hung and drapc.d.Jn,; tlio, same, colours.' The stage was yory comfprtably..and. invitingly -arranged -for -.^tho;-non-dancers,-.' ;plenty of loiinges. and e;ijiy...,.phairs>,.'boingiplnced abbut, among : pnlnjs. ,_:,Tli(; Varjqu.s,| which were"" snugly ••funiisbed, were set aside for card players. It 'was "agreed that the decorations, which had been carried out by their own decorators, were among tho most offeotive that bad been seen this eeason.^