ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 332, 20 October 1908, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE BLAND HOLT SEASON. Hall Caine's powerful-piny "The Bondman" was produced again last evoiiing at the Opera Houso boforo an audience that occupied every seat ond most of the standing room. Tho play is a considerable 'improvement'on theavorago melodrama, and is strongly acted by a capablo cast. Mr. Arthur Styan gives an air of breezy ruggedness to • tho part of Jasoli, to which his style : is 1 admirably suited. Another good porformanco is Miss Harrie 'Ireland's Greeba. Mr. Holt is excol'ent in tli'o rolo of an aged shellback, whose langiiago smacks of' ships and ' the sea. Tho Sensation of tho play, ft volcanic eruption at Stromboli, is a masterpiece of stagecraft! "The Bondman" will bo played throughout tho week.

WIDE WORLD PICTURES. The pictures being exhibited at the Theatre Royal this week aro made particularly interesting by a number 'of iilms illustrating attempts by ; Zeppelin, Farman, .. ana tho Wright Bros, to conquer tho air. One particularly fascinating picture is Paris taken from a height of 2600 feet, in which tho general lay-out of the great city and its picturesque environments aro admirably represented. Another excellent travel picturo is the one descriptive of a trip up tho Nile.

THE ROYAL PICTURES. Strong ' dramatic, stories—notably "Tho Face on the Bar-room Floor," "Tho Sailor's Dog," and "Tho Dumb Horo"—aro a feature of tho programmo of pictures at His Majesty's Theatre, and never fail to win loud applause. Tho programme, which is l an especially good ono, will bo shown for the last timo to-night, as tho usual complete change will be made to-morrow evening. .

MARK HAMBOURG RECITALS. . Mark ilambourg, the great Russian pianist, who has been creating such an impression 'in Auckland, 'arrived hero last evening, and gives tho first of his three recitals in the Town Hall this evening, commencing at 8.15 o'clock. It is almost six years since the great virtuoso was -last in New Zealand, and doubtless a groat difference will bo hoard in his playing. At to-night's recital Mr. Hanibourg' has chosen a most interesting as well as educative programme. It will commence with "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" (Bach) and Beethoven's, well-known "Moonlight Sonata." Next in order is a group of Chopin—his Nocturne in F sharp major, Etudes E major and G flat, Preludes B and F flat, Mazurka 1} minor, and the wellknown Polonaise in A flat, called the " Drucn Polonaise." The last group will be position of Mr. Ilambourg's, "Gavotte Moderne," "Lii Source" (Leschetizky), and finally "The Midsummer Night's Dream" music of Mendelssohn, transcribed by the great Liszt. This latter number is ono of tho artist's tours-de-force, and is a magnificent opportunity of conceiving his immense technique. Tho management announco that tho doors will be opened at-an early hour, so that tho.public may find their seats with as little trouble as possible.. The second recital is to-morrow evening, and tho third and last on Friday.

SAILORS' REST. Last night's concert at the Sailors' Rest was provided by lliss D. Manning, assisted by Mesdames Tolan, Perkins, and Anderson; the Misses Anderson, Pioraru, Clyde, Horrol, Dix, and Wnrmington; the Messrs. Schmidt, Lamson, Mackenzie, Tolan, Harrop, M'Kenzio, and Barrett. It was enthusiastically received by tlio audience, and the encores were numerous. Sir. and Mrs. Tolan, with tlio Misses Manning and Warmington, brought the performance to a close by singing "Sweet and Low," the audience joining 'in tho National Anthem.

Madame Muollor, pupils and friends linvo kindly undertaken to provido a concert entertainment for Monday next.

Wost's Pictures and De Groen's Vice-Regal Orchestra concluded a highly successful season at tho Town Hall last evening.