ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 458, 17 March 1909, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. ■ Tho charming romantic opera, "Rip Van Winkle," was repeated for tho last timo at tho Opera Houso last night, beforo a largo and delighted audience To-night will be staged the now musical comedy, "The Gay Hussar." This work is of special interest to playgoers, as it was written, composed, dressed, and mounted, in the Dominion. The music is well spoken of, and several of the numbers are recognised gems, ono especially, "Cbllnen Asthoro,'.' being a great favourite on the concert platforms of both Sydney and Melbourne. Tlicro are three comedy parts, so that laughter is the keynote of tho entire production. THEATRE ROYAL. The ucw series of pictures at the Theatre Royal lmvo quite attained the popularity of previous programmes, and last night saw another crowded and cheerful audience assembled. As on previous nights, tho brightness and variety of tho programme produced applause, which was both frequent and free. The same pictures will bo shown to-night. THE ROYAL PICTURES. The patronago of tho public at His Majesty's Theatre still keeps up, and last night the programme was again well received. To-night tho usual weekly change will be made, when a new collection of pictures will bo exhibited. A powerful dramatic subject, "Tho Miser," has been procured, and is sa:rl to be very sensational, while "A Jealous Husband" is a domestic drama with a moral. Tho coniic section will bo particularly strong, the principal subjects being "Dr. Right's Invention, "Dust v in His Eyes," and "Ghosts in This House." The scenic and industrial subjects will also be up to the Royal Picture standard. WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL. The Wellington Liedertafel gave one of its concerts last evening in the Concert Chamber, expanding a little in the way of variety for the occasion. Usually the Licdertafel's concerts consist of choruses and part songs, relieved by one or two soloists, but last evening thero was quite a number of soloists, including Mr. P. Hockley, and Miss Mina Caldow, both of whom are booked to depart from these shores to London in the near future. The Wellington Liedertafel seem to have somo difficulty in finding new members to charm the hours away. Its patrons would surely welcome something new in vocal harmony for male voices, and an infusion of fresh young voices, too, would add more spring to tho quality of the choral ensemhlo which displayed frayed edges here and thero (chiefly in the tenor division) last evening. The tenors of tho Liedertafel appear to bo weak and inconsequential, and not infrequently fall, short of pitch. On the other hand, tho basses usually do their part vigorously, although an individuality obtrudes now and again where it should not. Last evening tho chorus was happiest in "The Chapel" (Kreutzyer), the melodious "Thuringian Volklicd" (arranged by Abt), and "The Goslings" (Sir J. F. Bridge), a comic tragedy in song, humorously introducing phases of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March," and the "Dead March" in "Saul." "Lutzow's Wild Chase" (Weber) lacked the dramatic colour that illumines tho poem. Other part songs wero: "The Happiest Land" (Hatton) and "Tho Students' Parting Song," sung as a farewoll to Mr. Peter Hockley, one of tho most popular members of the Liedertafel. That gentleman, who was hampered by a bad throat, sang "Marching Along" (Stanford), in which he was assisted by a chorus, and Schumann's "Wanderer's Song." Mr. R. B. Williams, who has been heard in better form, sang, "When All Was Young," somewhat over deliberately, and "Drink to ■Mβ Only-With Thine -Eyes." Perhaps l tho-most enjoyablo items on'the programme ..were/, tho pianosoli>of Mrs. C.' ! M. Hector (nee Miss Janet Ross),'whose smooth playing almost amounts to brilliance, and the violin solo of Herr Max Hoppe, who was in fine form. Mrs. Hector played Chopin's "Etude in E Major," and "G Flat Major," intelligently, and played the "Fruhlingslied" (Spring Song), of Mendelssohn's, and Coleridge Taylor's brilliant "Papillon," delightfully. Herr Hoppe selected. the attractive "Ejifin Souk," by De Angelus, and played with a good deal of feeling. Mr. Jas. Searlo sang once moro "The Image of a Rose," and Mr. J. Carr treated an old success, "Passing By," with his usual good taste. Miss Nina Caldow, whoso full, freo vocalisrn compels an admiration that would be intensified by the infusion of a little more character or colour, gave particular pleasure in Willeby's "Cuttin' Rushes," and,' in a lesser degree, in "Lovo's Coronation" (Aylward). , A proper breeziness was given that rollicking ballad, "Lighterman Tom"'(Squire), by Mr. Hugh Wright, whoso effort was warmly applauded. Tho accompaniments were excellently played by Mr. Eric Waters, and Mr. Laurence Watkins. Mr., Robert Parker conducted. THE CINEPHONE. Messrs. Fuller will introduce to their patrons next Saturday night, at the. Theatre Royal, the latest development in talking and singing pictures, under tho style of the "cinephonc." The cmephone is said to be a perfect combination of the kinem.itoaraph and the phonograph, and is quite different from all other "singing picture machines." It is remarkable enough, in tho case of moving pictures, to hear tho song and see the singer, but the cinophono goes much further, for it enables onn to hear the song and see thr> incidents depicted on the screen with ■ life-liko realism. Every voice and action, it is claimed, are in \ perfect synchronisation with the movements of the actors or singers, as the case may be. A striking picture to be shown.next Patur'.iv is "Christmas Eve in the Barracks," which depicts a smoking concert in full swing: tfii> Regimental Band is jilayinc. and ono of the "Tommies" is singing to his comrades. Tho King is next toasted with musical honours, and one sees all tlio men departing in +, 'o night for their different quarters. The usual prices will be charged. THE KILTIES BAND. An open-air performance of the wellknown Canadian Kilties Band will bo given at Day's Bay to-morrow evening. A varied programme will be given, includins: Irish jigs, Scotch reels, sword dances, Hiehlaml flings. A malo choir of 20 voices, and instrumental items by 50 star nrvfWmo™. Special arrangements have been made with the Wellington Steam Ferry Company. to run extra steamers from town, commencing at 7 p.m.