ENTERTAINMENTS,

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 330, 17 October 1908, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS,

THE BLAND HOLT SEASON. , "Tho Breaking of the Drought" was produced finally at tho Opora Houso last evening boforo on audience which filled every seat in tho building. To-night playgoers are offered a dramatisation of Hall Caine's "The Bondman," which affords i 6cope f«r strong character drawing and real acting. Speaking of this play, tko_' "Arena" said:—"'The Bondman' ii no flimsy pretext for a series of stngo pictures. It is a play of purpo3o Itrded with strong human interest.'- Tho "Ago" said: "Tho great explosion sensation depicting Stromboli in eruption is worthy to rank with anv triumph of stago realism which Mr. Bland Jlolt has given us." WORLD WIDE PICTURES. i The kincmatograph craze which has seized on Wellington to some purposo is not without justification. The splendid scries of pictures that is being exhibited ftt the Theatre Royal arc well worth seeing. The usual change of programme will bo presented this evening, when will be shown for tho first timo in Wellington 2600 ft. of film illustrating tho air-conquering efforts of Zeppelin, tho Wright Bros., and Farman. THE ROYAL PICTURES. A very stirring picture amongst the excellent selection being shown at His Majesty's Theatre is " A Dumb Hero," and last night its sensational ending was loudly applauded. There is also plenty of realism in "A Romah. Idyll," and "Tho'Faco on the Bar-room Floor." The coloured pantomime pictures and the comic subjects are also of high standard. Tho usual matinee mil be held this afternoon, and tho programmo will bo repeated in the evening. WEST'S PICTURES. Only three more opportunities offer themselves of seeing West's Pictures at the Town Hall. There is a matinee at 2.30 this afternoon, and the season closes on Monday evening. Specially arranged programmes aro announced for these last nights, such as cannot fail to attract, those who have so far missed seeing the latest in tho moving-pioture line. ' ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Norman C.ollio, who is shortly proceeding to England to further his musical education, gave 'a farewell" organ recital at the Trinity Methodist Church, Newtown, last' evoning, before a largo and appreciative audience. Tho organist oponed with Babista's "Grand Offertoire," followed by Hollin's charming "Spring Song." A fine "Festive March" (Smart), succeeded, after which,' in quiet contrast, Saint Saens's "Lo Cygne" was played. Of tho more imposing items, might bo mentioned \Bach's "Prelude and Fugue, in C Minor," a florid "Toccata," by Dr. Arne, and a brilliant "Offertoire, in G" (Wely), which concluded tho programme. In lighter and dreamier vein, were Schubert's "Serenade," tho Wagnerian romanco "0 Star of. Eve" ("Tannhauser"), and Chopin's "Second Nocturne." Other items wore Turpin's fantasia on "Tho Vesper Hymn," and. the Batishe "Offertoire, in G." Miss M. Bennett contributed two soli —Mallinson's "Snowflakes," and "The Last Milestone" (Pontet), her items being very successful, and well appreciated. ' i • ■ | • ELOCUTIONARY AND • MUSICAL RECITAL. Yesterday evening a private elocutionary and musical recital was given ,by Miss Har-dinge-Maltby and Mr.. Leo Buckeridge, assisted by several of their pupils. Every seat was filled, and many people had to stahd throughout tho entertainment, so overtaxed was tho accommodation. Mr. Buckeridge and o ,Miss ,;.Hardinge r Jfa)tby , ,fKiok .on their own shoulders the- burden of tho programme, and iay;ariabkvUigi.r, item? were,en-, cored. . Mr; Buokeridge sang. Noel"Johns'On'6 "If Thou Wert Blind" and "To-morrow will bo Friday," and ho also-sang a duet with Miss Nora Natusch, who has a clear, swoet voice. • The recitations given by Miss Maltby displayed admirably the versatility of her talent.. The first she gavo was one of Mrs. Browning's poems, and this was followed by Eugeno Field's quaint littlo monologue by the "Boy Who Daren't," and another by a sentimental Dutchman. For hor last two recitations Miss Maltby had; arranged effective musical" accompaniments, which were played by. Miss Muriel Pringle, L.A.B. Mr. Reginald Blow displayed his fino voice to advantage in one of . Stephen Adams's songs, and Miss Nora Natusch'sang a Norwegian song. Blumenthal's "Evening Song" was given by another of Mr. Buckeridge's pupils, Mr. G.- H. Mayer, and Mr. Cyril Blundell sang "Bois Epais" very well. Mr. Stewart Maclean's 'cello selections woro much enjoyed by the audience, who wanted tlicm to bo repeated, and so were-the clever recitations of Mr. Eric Lyon, ono of Miss Maltby'a pupils. ,-' SACRED CONCERT. An oxccllcnt programme for the sacred concert to bo given to-morrow night by tho Wellington Professional Orchestra in tho Town Hall is advertised elsewhere. Tho Salvation Army Band is to give a special musical performance ftt tho Basin Reserve to-morrow afternoon. v - The Tramways Band will give a performance in Newtown Park to-morrow afternoon. BENEFITS FOR A SINGER, Two concerts were held last evoning to establish a fund in tho interests of Mr. H. J. M'Gregor, labourer, who has contracted consumption, and is now in the sanatorium at Cambridge. Mr. M'Gregor was prominent as a baritone singer in local Scottish concerts, and his friends have determined te assist in defraying his expenses. Messrs; G. W. Piatt'and J. R. M'Lean are the joint secretaries to tho fund. HOCKEY SOCIAL. Ono of tho most enjoyable gatherings held in tho rooms of the Gregg Shorthand Institute was riven on Thursday evening by the Gregg Ladies' Hookey Club, as * wind-up of its first hockey season. Over one hundred guests were present, and evening was plcaantly passed with_ competitions, interspersed with musical items contributed 'by members and friends. During the evening Mr. H. A. Fox (vice-president) presented the medals given by Nurso Sexton and Mrs. Wpi Irwin for excellence of play, tho recipients being Miss E. Ward and Miss B. Halley. Miss Sexton, the club captain, presented the teams' coacnes, Messrs. Wyn Irwin • and Wilkie, with small mementos in recognition of their services during the past season. It was proposed to form a Ladies' Cricket Club during the coming season. MARK HAMBOURG RECITALS. Mark Hambourg, the famous Russian pianist, commences a series of thrfio recitals at the Town Hall on Tuesday, evening next; He will also play on Wednesday and Friday nights noxt. Speaking to an intcrviower in Australia recently, Mr. Hambourg said that since ho was hero last ho has travelled twice through South Africa, three times to America, and all over the Continent and in England, and that he made hosts of frjends everywhere. Of his own work, ho said: — " I always prefer to play my recitals without any help whatever from vocalists, for the reason that I do not like to soo the attention of tho people disturbed by other influences. If a singer, however talented, appears, the understanding and sympathy I have tried to bring about between myself and tho audionco is interfered with. My concerts are progressive, or at least, I try to make them so. 1 iiko to begin with tho classic music of Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, and Chopin, and ' finish with the moro modern works of Rubinstein, Lizst, and others. Unreserved tickets are now available at Ab&l's for all three recitals. Box plans aro on view at tho Dresden Piano Company.

A social was hold at' Day's Bay on Thursday night,- when the ladies of Eastbourne district entertained the members of the Eastbourne Lodge of Druids, which was a yreat succoss. During Iho evening, songs, etc., wore given by Misses Tyler, Fuller, ami Jones, and Messrs Ilusso, Sharp, Roberts, Mooney, and Christie. Bro.. H. W. Leppcs, l'.A", acted as M.G., and Mi. C. 11. •lioberts's string band suppliod tho muaio.