ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 329, 16 October 1908, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE BLAND HOLT SEASON. Old Jo Galloway's selection will scorch and burn; his son will go to tho dogs'; and tho drought will break for tho last time at tho Opera Houso this evening. To-morrow evening will bo staged for the first time in Wellington a dramatisation of Hall Caine's tragic novel, "Tho Bondman," a strong story, which made a deep impression when published, and which still holds a high place in modern fiction. The play is said to 'have been skilfully dramatised, and is rich in thrilling pictures and dramatic' situations. Mr. John Brunton's scenery will bo a feature of the new production. THEATRE ROYAL. Kinematograph pictures aro still tho attraction at the Theatre Royal, whore a scries of up-to-date films is Being exhibited nightly. Of tho moro notable pictures, ".Macbeth," "Mid Southern Seas, "The Chinese Imperial Canal," stand out as exceptionally interesting, but there are others varying in character quite as good in their several ways. ROYAL PICTURES. Especially good are the pictures that aro being exhibited at His Majesty's Theatre this week. A notable film is "The Talo the Searchlight- Told," a remarkable panoramic view, of Coney Island, New York, showing on what a vast scale the amusement business is arranged in that city. • There is also a capital assortment of story and conuc pictures to please all tastes. WEST'S PICTURES. The management of West's Pictures announces that tho season at the Town Hall will positively close on Monday ovening, a notification which should be noted by those who have not already witnessed the splendid kinematograph views that have attracted crowded houses during the past fortnight. Tho final matinee will be given to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 2.30 o'clock. It should be mentioned that all the pictures are skilfully orchestrated by De.Groen's capable band. MISS IRENE AINSLEY. ! Wellington has not done justice, to Miss Irene Ainsley. Hero is a New Zealand girl, gifted by nature with a gloriously rich contralto, who has already achieved'vocal fame in, England, coming back to her native country to. meet (in Wellington); —what P . Small iudiences and a cold reception. It is a sad commentary oil what passes for musical enthusiasm in this city. Miss Ainsley has not yet fully developed her powers; she is just a little automatic, but tho voice, fulj-powered and finely-timbred, is there, and with study the future holds everything for her in its coaxing hand. Last evening Miss Ainsley sang the aria, " Divinites-du Styx," by Gluck, (encored), " Love is a Bird " (Del Riego), and, in responso to an encore, Chamiriado's pretty ballad "Tho Silver. Ring," and two lots of bracketed ■ songs of varying interest, including " The ISightingale and the Rose," a pretty triflo by Mrs. Howie (To Rangi Tai). As in her other ■ concerts, Miss Ainsley was assisted by Mr. Hamilton Hodges. Mrs. E. H. Queree, and Mr. Alfred .'Hill. . • WELLINGTON PROFESSIONAL '.ORCHESTRA,,,: The programme to be rendered at the concert '6u Sunday evening next by tho Wellington Professional Orchestra will bo a further improvement on those already presented. The orchestra has obtained the services of a Melbourno violinist of reputation, Mr. Claude Solomon, whoso selected number will bo the "Allegr?" from Mendelssohn's Concerto—a piece which will £'vo the performer ample opportunity of displaying his ability. Mr. E. Parkes will render (by reqtfest) "Nazareth," and as a trombone duet Messrs. Oakcs and.E- Affdrews.jyill play "Excelsior." Most' of--the ! - orchestral 'items will bo 'entirely new. A., most wclcomo liutuber will be the overture to "Tancredi." . : ! WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL. Members of. the Wellington- : Li<;dertafel held their second smoke concert of the year in the Masonic Hall, Boulcott, Street, last evening. There was a good attendance of members and their friends, and the programme was of the usually high standard. The abilities of individuaj members were adequately demonstrated, .while with regard to the chorus-work, Mr. Parker, the conductor, is to be congratulated on the style and finish which characterises the society's undertakings. .Spring was tho theme, of two or three of the items,, and,such was the.fresh-,;ness-and vim instilled .into, the singing-tha.t the listeners repeatedly clamoured for ; an encore. It was not possible, however,,-to, grant;any recalls. The programme comprised:—. Part songs, "Spring's Delights" and "Glorious May" ; ■ tenor - solo, with chorus -by request, "Imago, of the Rose," Mr. James Searle; song, "My Friend," Mr. Hugh Wright; part song, "The Spring is Come"; song, "Only You," Mr. Jamep Searle j part, song, "The Long Day Closes"; a, vintage song, "On Stave and Hoop, the -Long Year Through"; part song, "A Turkish Drink-, ing Song," Messrs. B. Hoar, R. H. Wedde, F. Laycock, and G. Parsons; songs, "My Lovelie Layde" and "Out of the Darkness," Mr. J. F. Carr; part song, "Spin - Spin"; 'piano solo, "Spiiinliod," Mr. Eric Waters; quartet, "In Absence," Messrs.. James Searle, J. W. Carr, W. Warren, and G. Parsons; and chorus, "Comrades in Arms." MARK HAMBOURG REOITALS. Of the various great artists who have delighted New Zealand audiences Mark Hambourg perhaps holds the longest acquaintance with tho musical public, it being now 14 years since the famous Russian pianist made his first tour, being then but a mere boy. In the interim Mark Hambourg has assidiously raised himself to the - highest pinnacle, and besides being • called tho "Rubinstein of To-Day" ho shares with Padorewski the honour of being the world's greatest pianist. Tho first Wellington recital will take place.at tho Town Hall:next Tuesday evening, when amongst other fino numbers Mark Hambourg will play Beethoven's exquisite "Moonlight" sonata. Other .recitals are set down for Wednesday and Friday. The box plans for tho season are at the Dresden. WEST COASTER'S ASSOCIATION. West Coasters young and old to the number of about 200 rallied at the Druids' Hall last night in answer to the 'call of -the West Coasters' Association to tho second annual social and reunion. The gathering was pronouncod a great success on all hands. Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon read apologios for non-attend-ance from the Hons. Dr. Findlay, R. Reeves, Marshall, and Mr. F. M'Parland, senior. Mr. Fitzgibbon referred to tho fact that the call to arms had brought both the pioneers and the youth of the coast together, and dwelt on the energy and grit of the product of the brightest spot in the Dominion, tho home of the most generous hearts and tho abode of the most innocent pleasures. Tho association was not exceptionally strong numerically, but whenever there was a gathering of tho prosent kind members and their friends turned out in force, and wcro treated to tho best that was to bo procured. Tho Hon. A. R-. Guinness referred to tho manner in which West Coasters held together and put out tho hand of friendship to each other, and dwelt ,on tho staunch friendship of the old pioneers. Speeches were also delivered by the Mayor (the Hon. T. W. Hislop), Messrs. T. Y. Seddon, and R. M'Kenzic, M.P.'s, and Mr, Martin Kennedy. The balance of the evening was passed in dancing and singing. ENTERTAINMENT AT KILBIRNIE. The versatile children of the Salvation Army Girls' Orphanage, who have just sent a party of 12 singers and danccrs round tho Dominion, sent another party of 24 to K ilbirnio last evening, for the purpose of giving an entertainment in O'Donnell's Hall. The youngest of the performers were only two and three years old. Songs, recitations, dumb-bell drill, staff-drill, poi dances, and a "dialoguo" were given ill a manner which delighted the large audience; ■ ' '