ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 495, 30 April 1909, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

,' i|; . .-'./"EAST LYNNE." , : "East Lynne." a dramatisation; of Mrs. Henry Wood's novel in five acts/ Cast:—. Archibald Carlyle ........v..„..'.Mr. Robert Inman Sir Francis Levison ....„ Sir. Kenneth Hunter Lord Mount Severn ...J.;...... Mr. Albert Lucas Justice Hare Mr. Stanley Kobinson Kichard Hare ......;.... Mr. Thomas Curran Bullock, P. 0.'.: «.; Mr. J. P. O'Neill Barbara Haro i/Miss'Leal Douglas Cornelia Carlyle ...........;... Miss Pattio Gourlay Afy Hallijohn ...;.............. Miss - , fithel,Buckley Joyce ......;... .....i .;..... Miss Brenda Burt Willie Carlyle Littlo Madge Rogers Lady Isabel and Madame Vine '■■ Miss Maud Appleton . That sheet anchor of dramatic companies "East Lynno," : was produced.by the Edwin Geach Dramatic:. Company, at the, -Theatre Royap last evening, '.[hough tattered and threadbare with frequent use, this play has more to commend it than 90 per cent, of tho melodramas that are , presented : ' under tho guise of the very thing that tho public dc'siro. Airs. Henry Woods's story is an eminently foaiible ..one, and, furthermore, is removed fr-oiia those extravagances .of .situation and sensationalism which make absurd demands upon the imagination. At the .outset last evening the audience were inclined to treat tho play a3 though it were a genteel comedy, but as the. interest deepened, and the capability of the players became manifest, an intelligent interest was displayed in what was really a very fair performance of the old play.', Mr. Robert Inman was excellently fitted as Archibald Carlyle, investing the part with a quiet geniality' and reserve that was quite effective. Mr. Kenneth Hunter made Sir Francis Levison the polished suave scoundrel he is. His habit of dropping his voice at the end of a sentence/ almost on occasions to inaudibility, was the one shortcoming in a finished characterisation'. Miss Maud Appleton, while not plumbing the full depths of tho emotionalism of Lady Isabel, did fairly.,well in the arduous rolq which makes,! such a strong appeal, to the weaker sex. Miss Leal Douglas' was a colourless Barbara Hare, and: Mr. Curran. was only semi-con-vincing as Richard Hare. The fine elocutionary attributes of Mr. Albert Lucas stood him in excellent stead as Lord Mount' Severn, and the scenes ho was concerned in were the most effective in the play. Miss Pattie Gourlay played Cornelia Carlyle on conventional lines, and little Madge. Rogers was parti-, cularly good as the infant consumptive, little Willie. ' -■■ . _ "East Lynne" will be played- for the last time this evening, when the season will end. . ■." ;l ■' "THE GIRLS OF GOTTENBERG." A laTge audience was present at the Opera House last night,' when "Tho Dairymaids" was played for the last time. ' . ■ "The Girls of Gottenb'erg" will mark the termination: of . the season of the Royal Comic o].era Company, a season which has been a record ono, for New Zealand in tho annals of tho company, which has now been in existence somo twenty years or more. It is some years since the company, in its entirety has' visited New. Zealand, but not only have all the old favourites como to sec us this time, but we have in addition Miss Fanny Dango and Mr. Andrew Higginson, both' new arrivals from England: New Zealand has always had a warm spot in tho hearts of its theatregoers for Miss Florence Young, Mr. Victor Gouriet, Mr. C. R. Bantock, Mr. W. S.; Percy, Mr. Reginald Roberts, and other old favourites, who have so often ontortained .and amused them. Tho "Girls of Gottenberg,"' with its quaint scenery, bright uniforms, sparkling music, and abundance of merriment, is one of the most appropriate pieces Mr. J. C. Williamson . could select for this organisation to make its farewell appearance in. "The Girls of Gottenborg" can only be played for two nights—to-night and to-morrow (Saturday)—as the company travel northwards.on Monday next . I: HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. V The Royal Pictures, enthroned at His Majesty's Theatre, continuo to exact homage nightly from admiring audiences. This week's prog/ammo is particularly good, and includes a line •assortment of interesting and instructive pictures. There are not so many films of the. humorous class as usual, but .this is compensated for by'the standard of

the descriptive pictures which 'replace-them. A Beries of Moscow'views' arc very 'interesting, the' scenes embracing; pictures of all portions of tho' city of minarets and towers, A film entitled "Shark-fishiiig in the North Sea" describes a little-known : industry.. The sharks, caught are not. of' the ■ size ' which surf-bathers are accustomed to dread}, but are diminutive;' members of the' sea tiger tribe, varying from one to three feet in length. ■ -, < ;■.'■; "TWO LITTLE : SAILOR BOYS." '"■■'.,' ; "Two Little Sailor. Boys" is the title of a very: successful drama, that is to be staged on Monday evening next by the Meynell and Gunh Company,• at the Opera House. MiES Beatrice Holloway, daughter of the late Charles Holloway, and Miss Lillian Meyeni, a charming and exceptionally, gifted young .actress/are the.-leading ladies. Mr. Herbert j; Bentley, thp eminent young English actor, is the leading juvenile.. "Two Little Sailor Boys," written by .Mr. Walter Howard, is said to be a. graphic and realistic stago story of the -life of an..adventuress. A large and -.specially selected company will take part in the presentation of the piece. Messrs. Meynell and Uunn's established reputation is sufficient at'all times to'ensure a, successful season whenever they cotno to Wellington. ■ It is further . announced that the initial piece will bo followed by another nov/,., and equally striking:drama,, particulars of which will be duly advertised. Mr. C. It. Stanford, of "Fatal Wedding" famo, will produce tho plays. The : plan .is on vieiy: at the Dresden;; arid early- door tickets are on sale at Abel's, opposite Opera House. FULLERS' SINGING ; PICTURES. ' Messrs. -Fullers' popular picture entertainment will be resumed at tho Theatre Royal to-morrow; evening, the star attraction being thb cmephone'items of the celebrated Scotch comedian, Mr. Harry Lauder — ,"I Love a Lassie," and "She's Ma Daisy." When these two items .were given in Christchurch recently,' the audience insisted on encores. Besides the singing 'picture,' a complete ontertainmont of new films.will be presented for the first time,. these having just arrived from London and. Paris. Mr. Collins's orchestra has been' engaged, and the pfjees''announced are certainly ■in tho reach of all. • -.'"' ' ; ROLLER SKATING. ;; ; Devotees of roller rinking will be able to indulge in their favourite pastime on ; and after Monday next, .'when the-winter Beason will bo inaugurated in the Ingestre Street rink.under .the direction of Mr. F. S.' Yates. Tho floor_ : is undergoing, extensive repairs, and promises to be in better condition than for some years past. A first-olass band will bo present, and,: in'the'interests of lady patrons, an instructress; has been engaged. A large stock of new skates ,is. available either for hire or purchase, ■: and the rink promises to "present a bright appearance on the opening night. . : ; ~. v ;: TOWNvHALL ORGAN. ;; ; •;•!' The organ recitals in tho Town' Hall will be resumed to-morrow night,. when Mr. Maughau Barnett, tho City Organist, will play : a "special request" 'programme Adam's overture, "Si fetais Roi," Schubert's Serenade,: Mendelssohn's Second Sonata, arid a fantasia on. Bizet's "Carmen" will be the ! principal items of the programme. ',;.- : , ■ SUNDAY CHARITY CONCERT. On Sunday evening the Wellington;' Professional Orchestra have arranged to givii a concert iu the Town Hall, in aid-of the funds of tho St; John Ambulance Association for nursing tho sick poor of Wellington. This is;not the first occasion on which the Professional Orchestra has given, its services in'tho cause,;of charity. " Besides a specially attractive instrumental programme. Mrs. Hyde-Woodward will contribute vocal items, as will-also Mr. Charles Read, tho well-known Christchurch tenor. Admission will be free, but a .contingent'of nurses will be stationed at the'doors to receive donations. Tho programme will 'bo published in tomorrow's issue. ' . •-, ■'■