ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 295, 7 September 1908, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

'•'THE LITTLE BREADWINNER." another performance 'of , "Tho Little Breadwinner" was given at '; tho 'Opera House on Saturday evening.: The interest of the drama was well sustained, and tho largo audieiico was unstinted in its 'appreciation. Tiny Queenie Williams; who fills the title ro!o, quietly found herself a great favourite. As Lord William Dorrington, a Quaker philanthropist, Mr. G. P. Carey was very- successful. Miss Beatrice .Holloway. was charmin tho part of Margaret, Daventy. The other members of the company also did well. Tho pieco will be repeated for tho last time, this evening. . To-morrow night will"bo presented Arthur Shirley's strong people's drama, "The Stepmother." The author has written many popular modern dramas, including the well-known success, "The Little Vagabonds." - The present play was specially written ' fqr Miss Beatrice Holloway, inasmuch as the'character of '"Danny," tho sadly ill-used'son'-of,,Cap-tain Bristotv, who in his second ; marriage finds much to regret, is one of those strong boy impersonations in'.Whicli this popular young actress excels. The' drama is iri foiir acts, and is l said to bo rich in incident, both pathetic and humorous,'built around a powerful plot. Tho run is limited to fotir nights, and will be followed,-'commencing-with 'a' matinee, 011 Saturday afternoon next; by a special revival of "The Fatal "Wedding.'.' Mr. Ernest Lcicoster will make' his' reappearance to-morrow night in "Tho Stepmother.";,-The box plan is at the Dresden.----THEATRE ROYAL.. To judge by tho house on Saturday night Messrs. Fuller's picture programmo ■is oVery bit as popular as their usual, vaudevillo entortainment, The: films. themselves aro remarkably freo from flicker, and all possess somo interesting and amusing features. Tho trick film ."Mysterious Flames" 1 delighted all, and roars of laughter greeted tho humorous scenes in "Diabolo," "A: Submarine Tragedy," "Doll-making ■ Industry," "Tho Pony Express," and Others wero equally svecessful in amusing and interesting tho audience. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. At both performances of the Royai Pictures on Saturday there were largo -audiences, especially in tho evening, when His Majesty's was packed. Tho now. additions to the programmo proved.very attractive, and loud applauso i was bestowed upon "Baby's Playmate," a highly dramatic picturo; " A Day in tho Life of a Sicilian Hermit,!' with its boautiful sconio efforts, "Tho Blue Bird," a splendidly coloured picture.. Tho programmo altogether is a. fine one, and provides a good ovening'.s diversion. It will bo repeated this and to-morroly evening, a change being mado on" Wednesday. THE MALLINSONS. : It will bo welcomo news to mtisic-lovers hero to learn that Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mailinsoit havo boeil persuaded to givo olio liioi'o of their delightful song-recitals beforo leaving Wellington. The recital will take place on Wednesday evening next ; iit the Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall. A very special feature attaches to this song-recital in that for the first time in New Zealand Mr." and Mrs. Mallinson .will render the former's now famous song-cyclc, "My. Garden," ; in its entirety. The words of this beautlful-'cyclo wel'o written by the blind poet, Philip Bourko Marston. Speaking of Mr.'MallinsonV music to theso words, tho Loudon, "Pall Mall GasieUo" says:—"lt is full 'of charm, and has

just tlio lyric quality which should always belong to tlio art of song-writing, oven as in proso it belongs to such dclicato poems as those written by Herrick and Horace." The Mallinsons have ccrtainly captured the hearts, of music-lovers in Wellington. The programme contains promises of enjoyment. Amongst other items being "Snowflakos, which the "London Standard" describes aa a "masterstroke." Tlio' box plan opens this morning at the Dresden Piano Co. ■ OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. Tlio attendances at the Olympia Skating Rink on Saturday were very satisfactory at all sessions.. At tlio evening session, a girls' race was won by Miss Doris Hill, with Miss Bertha Skipper second, and Miss Vera Aslier third, each of whom received prizes, presented by Mr. C. Pulley. The last week of the season commences to-day, and the attractions include a ladies' night and an impersonation and floral cat-nival, which takes placa' on Wednesday. ' THE BURNS-SQUIRES CONTEST. General interest may safely bo said to bo excited in tho advent to Wellington of the kincmatographic reproduction of the Burns-. Squires event so successfully sccurcd by tile enterprise of Messrs. Edwin Geach, Mac- - Million, and Carroll, and tho fortunate weather and other propitious conditions prevailing. The picture, which covers upwards of half•'a mile of film, and occupies ono hour in passing is said to bo realistic and exciting in tho last decree. It will arrivo in charge of a special operator, together, with tho necessary plant, direct from Sydney by tho s.s. Maheno on Wednesday next, anil tho first production in Now Zealand will ba given -at tho Theatre Royal on Thursdayevening, September 10. Tho bos plans for tho reservation of dress circle seats will bo opened at the Dresden this morning at 10 o clock. IRENE AINSLEY CONCERT. Wo are assured that a great vocal treat is in store, for us when Miss Ireno Ainsley, tho New Zealand contralto, gives her opening , concert in tho Town Hall on Thursday night, September 10. : It will be remembered. that this giftod young musician left Auckland four years ago to study in Europe, and whilst thero was heard by Madame Melba, who bocamo so enraptured with tho beauty of her' voice that she has since supervised tho wholo of Miss Ainsley's studies, imparting to her even tho secrets of her own wonderful production. It is now some eighteen nionths 'sinco Miss Ainsley's memorable debut concert in tho Bechstein Hall, London, when their Royal Highnesses, tho Prince and Princesses of Wales, were present, and tho young contralto, was accordod a most enthusiastic reception. Since that concert Miss Ainsley's career has been a brilliant one, and sho has appeared at various times with tho greatest artists of tho world, including Busoni, Bachauss, Ben Davies, Ella Russell, Donalda, and tho'great Madame Melba herself, who now sends her protegeo on this tour'of New Zealand, in order that tlio people of her native land might have tho opportunity of again hearing what some people doclaro to be tho most beautiful contralto voice in tho world. Miss Ainsley has brought a concert company with her, including Mr. Hamilton Hodges, tho favourito New Zealand baritone, so that a musical treat of considerable importance awaits us in this concert. The box plan will open this morning at tho Drosden.

SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT. That concerts on Sunday evenings prove attractive to a large section of the com- • nurnity was evidenced last night, when the first of a series, under the auspices of the Political Labour League, was held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. Shortly after tho doors were opened most of tho seata were occupied, and before tho programme was commenced the place was packed. Numbers of people who arrived later went away again, ■ as it was impossible to obtain even standing room. iThe-secretary of the league (Mr. C. IT. Chapman) made a few-remarks, in the course.of.which ho stated that it Was probable -the Town-Hall would be taken'on the occasion' ■ ' of the next concert. A.lengthy programme was submitted, and encores were the rule. Following is'a list of . the items:—Overture, "Faust"; song, "Tho First Palm Sunday," Mr. Dunn; clarionet solo, "Long, Long Ago"; song, "For all : Eternity," Mrs. Dunn; song, Dream of Paradise," Mr. G. Watkins; song, "Mono," Mr. J. Charles-; selection, orchestra; recitation, "Ostler Joe," Mr. Goodall; violin solo, "Life Let us Cherish," Mr. N. Oliver; song, "Let me Forget," Mr. Dunn; song, "O Restless Sea," Mrs. Durin; song, "Island of Dreams," Mr. J. Charles; and song;, "Marjoric," Mr.'G. Watkins. Tho musical conductor was Mr. A. J. Oliver.

' ... HOME OF COMPASSION. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert's concert, which will be held in the Town Hall this evening, should be specially attractive. In .addition to the part singing of the Glee and ■ Madrigal Choir and the Wellington Liedertafel, the vocal and instrumental items by leading artists should commend themselves to music lovers. Patrons are advised to take advantage of the booking facilities and securc their seats,, as a large attendance is ' anticipated. The box plan is on view at the Dresden Warehouse.