ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 314, 29 September 1908, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE MOUNTEBANK DRAMATIC CLUB. " OUR REGIMENT." '/Our Regiment," a comedy in three acta. Mr. Dobbinson Mr. W. P. Bastin Mr. Ellaby (his friend) ... Dr. D. N. Isaacs Captain tfetherstene ... Mr. Dunbar Sloana Mr. Guv Warrener Mr. Frank Lampen Rev. John Talbot Mr. Middleton Scott Batters Mr. Horace Graves Mrs. Dobbiuson ... Miss Evelyn Culvorwell Olive Dobbinson ... Miss Kathleen Evensen . Enid Thurston Miss Olive Moore • Maud Ellaby ...... Miss Lottie Oglwrne The Mountebank Dramatic Club, tlie constitution of which has purely an amateur status, appeared at the Opera House last evening in the bright and clever military comedy_ " Our Regiment," a performance which is to bo repeated this and to-morrow evenings in aid of that very deserving institution the St. John Ambulance Association. The club has appeared heretofore before Wellington audiences giving plenty of promise of histrionic efficiency, and last evening's performance was admirable in many respects. What should be impressed upon some' of last evening's players is rather to anticipate than to wait for the dead cue in order to obliterate little waits which so easily resolve themselves into embarrassing awkwardness. .If this were dono, and the dialogue were delivered a trifle mo'ro crisply (and more audibly in some cases), "Our Regiment", would bo a capital performance in-every respect. The comedy ia of the lightest order, depending for its. humour on the arrival m . a provincial towfi of the Bth - Lancers, and .the confusing love affairs of its officers, and three very- charming' girls, Miss Olive Dobbinson, iOss Enid Thurston,-and-Miss Maud Ellaby; who aro pursued in the first two in- . stances-by precisely tho officers they do not' favour, and 'to* make matters worse have to combat an' irritable old man, who is father to,the ono" and'guardian.to the other, andwlio loathes" the sight of a uniform. He, however, 1 is under the thumb of liis militaryloving spouse, who is sympathetic until mat-, ters aro finally straightened out to everyone's satisfaction. Miss Ellaby is more fortunate in one sense. She becomes enamoured of a gay young curate, the Rev. John Talbot, and lie with her, but in this case old Ellaby is all for the army man and dead nuts on what he terms namby-pamby curates. Lovo is a first-rate disentangler, and after three acts of the jolliest nonsense all ends as tho characters and the audience would have it. , The outstandingly excellent performances were those of Miss Kathleen Evensen as Olive Dobbinson and Mr. Frank Lampen as Lieut. Guy 'Warrener. Miss Evensen has. graco and self-possession, a sweet manner, and almost faultless enunciation, a combination of attributes which quickly. established their owner in the good graces, of the audi- . once. She enhanced her performance by a really charming singing of "The Sweetest Flower that Blows'." Mr. Lampen is an admirable comedian'. - As a military dude of af-. fectod manners—sustained throughout with much naturalness—he gave a polished character study of a. difficult part. -Miss;, Olive Moore as Enid -v Thurston and Miss ■ Lott'io . Ogborne as Maud Ellaby..' were also quite at homo in their lovo affairs, exhibiting nothing savouring of amateurishness. Both young ladies were handsomely frocked, which served to enhance their pleas- ; ant personalities. ■ Mr. W. I\ Bastin delighted his audience with one of his clever old-man studies as Mr. Dobbinson, to whom a scarlet uniform was as a red rag to a bull, and- Miss Evelyn Culverwell was fairly sue- . cessfnl as his wife, a part that calls for ainoro domineering personality. Mr. Ellaby was played by Dr. D. N. Isaacs on rather stodgy lines, and Mr. Dunbar Sloane, as Captain. Fetherstone, requires a touch of- that theatrical element commonly called "ginger." Mr! Middleton Scott played the Rev. John Talbot brightly, and will dp bettor as the result of last' evening's experience. Tho comedy -was really well mounted, and..thai,..; fancy dress-ball scone, with its electrical'illuminations, pretty fountain, and-f;ay drosses, .fcio would not disgrace an expensive musical - comedy. The music was supplied by an orchestra under the able direction of Mr. D. Kenny. The Garrison Band also assisted. "Our Regiment" will be repeated this evening and to-morrow. THEATRE ROYAL. Thero was again a large attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening to witness tha new programme of pictures. The entertainment was attractive and enjoyable in every way, and the audience was duly appreciative. Among the films run off were Sicilian Types," "The Kentuckian," "The Prodigal Son," and "A Poetical Serenade." Tho programmo will be' repeated this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ' Tho constant recording of "full houso" at • tho Royal Pictures is becoming'monotonous, but the fact remains that this popular amusement resort is constantly crowded. The present programnio is an extremely good one, < and has accounted for the splendid business - of the past week. It will be exhibited for . tho last timo' this evening,, and to-morrow : night a complete changc will bo made. WEST'S PICTURES. , Intending patrons of West's Pictures and De Grocn's Band aro reminded that the bos plans will bo on view at the Dresden tomorrow morning. The reputation achieved by West's Pictures throughout tho Dominior should ensure largo houses, and as the subjects- to bo displayed aro all new, the public may expcct an entertainment equal in every respcct to thrive previous visits of the combination. Tho programme will, wo are assured, be equal to those now being presented with the greatest success throughout Australia, SAILORS' REST. Tho conoert at the Sailors' \ Rest last night given to the sailors in port by the Misses Bcngo and Brown met with the usual hearty reception that gr« t the ladies and gentlemen who so kindly assist at these entertainments. Items wero contributed by the Misses Benge, Brown, Ivy Elm, Rosie Dodds, Foster, IMdhouse, and B. Luke. Messrs. Lyons, Brown, Guise, Bengo, G. Hayes, Foughertr, and Turner. The entertainment concluded at a late hour with a comedy sketch by members of tho company, entitled "Advertising for a Wife." ' THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. No better, "hallmark" could stamp the eredontials of the "Scarlet Troubadours" than the fact that these English vccalists are introduced to New Zealand by Mr. Edward Brauscombe, whose name is sufficient guarantee to ensuro a high standard of musical excellence,. and a further surety that tho per- ' forivuuices will bo both artistic and refined. The "Scarlet Troubadours" announce a season of niiio nights in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, commencing on Thursday evening next, during which constant changes of programma will be given. The "Troubadours" aro a comedy costume company, and although a strong element of humour pervades, it ia essentially musical throughout. Choruses, solos, male quartets, duos, etc., arc given in costume, in many cases grouped together to constitute short scenes, into which are introduced clever witticisms and smart patter "quite free from vulgarity. ■ This class of musical entertainment is much in voguo and most popular in England at the present timo. ANNIVERSARY CONVERSAZIONE. An attractive programmo has I teen drawn iip for -a conversazione to bo held this oven, iug. to commomorate the twenty-first anniversary of the Kent Terraco Presbyterian ChUroh. The vocalists will include Misses Corrick and Bouttoll, Mossrs. Roy Minifie and Goudie; recitations will be given by Misses Ruby Scott and May Harvey and Mrs, Margaret Sutcliffo; several part-Bongs will bo sung by tho choir; and a diverting dia. logue will conclude tho entertainment. ' ORGAN RECITAL. Tho "Hallelujah Chorus," Sordormann'a - Swodish "Wedding March," and tho overture to "Tannliauser" will bo included in tho programme of Mr; Maughan Barnett'a organ recital to bo given, at tho' Town Hall this evening.