ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1193, 31 July 1911, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE SCARLET TKOriiADOURS. When Edward Branscombo's Scarlet Troubadours last visited Wellington s'.mo sixteen months ago, they had already established themselves in Iho favour of (ho public as a very capable company of entertainers. That Ihe popularity then achieved. was of an enduring character was proved on Saturday evening, when after an extrusive lour through. Australia and {South Africa they appeared nt the Opera House with hong aud story in itio fru-sh and delightful manner which these clever people have made peculiarly (heir own. The audience was large, tlie reception lo (he company a cordial one, and each of tho old favourites as they .stepped forward received'that recognition <;> (fear to the heart of the performer— the sign which signifies remembrance. Tho personnel of the company is changed slightly since last year. .Miss Gertrude Parker is no longer one of the little red row, and Mi&s Maude. Fane is now with another of Mr. IJranscombe's coiupauies in Perth. In the place of the*o two clever girls there is Miss Lily Fitzgerald, a bright soprano, with a predilection for waltz songs, whose ingratiating manner and appearance suffers rather Irom a poor idea of "make-up/' and whoso pleasant vow I quality is a little discounted by her hard top-notes; Miss liifca Fitzgerald, an out and out soubretio with plenty of talent and an intimate .style < which, experience will polish); and Miss Winnie Birch (formerly of this city), neat of figure and vivacious in manner, whose style of song also tends to tho soubrette order. The Troubadours are strongest on the male side. Mr. Ford . ualtliaui, buffo and comedian, has a 1 line expansive talent which makes him a tower of strength in anything that's doing, be it quartet, duet, sketch, or ballad. He romjwd into favour once more in "Jonathan .Tones," a lugubriously humorous monody, to which ho added a swinging chorus sous:. Mr. Edgar Warwick, tho jester of the circle, gave a ('ocul disquisition on "Familiarity," as it is alleged to exist from tho viewpoint of the peerage,' and followed it with a comic bit of nonsense which took the form of a railway storv. An artist to admire is Mr. Alfred Cunningham, in whom budding vocalists are afforded an opportunity to loam something of tho possibilities of interpretation. On Saf.urday evening he sang most tenderly "She is Far From tho Land," tho Toreador song from "Carmen" (sung with fine dramatic intelligence and action), and. in striking contrast, "The Sweetest Flower that Blows," sung most artistically. Miss Lily Fitzgerald sang ".Tunotide," 'a pretty waltz refrain, uttractively, and was Miss Birch sans: about "The Little Girl from Nowhere," aud a tricky little song about her pet dog (in which -Mr. Warwick cavorted as tho coddled canine). Miss Rita Fitzgerald sang of growing domestic felicity iu "Cups and Saucers. In 110 line do tho Troubadours excel so much as in their unaccompanied ma.o quartets. They have been so long together, and each one is such a conscientious artist, that these quartets are almost perfectly sung. The tonal balouce is splendid, and is preserved in sustained pianissimo passages just as faithfully'as where (ho full voice is demanded. On Saturday, Messrs. Mannering, Griffiths, Waithain, and Cunningham sang "Calm is the Sea" (l'fiel) delightfully, and'added it lively plantation ditty arranged for the four voices. Variety was lent the pro gramme by the clever chalk work of Mr. Claude Le Plastrier, who did several clever sketches in brown and white, notably one of the Lion's Head and Table Mountain, and in colours (chalk) a capital view of Luke Kanieri and the Sound from Piclon. The first part terminated with a farmyard interlude, which was not fj wildly comic as intended owing to its length. ..A new second part discovered the Iroubadours as dice-shaking, sword-clink-mg, long-haired cavaliers of the Charles period,' with' songs and jests lo suit. Mr. Ford Waltliam, who struts most bravely 111 jerkin and top-boots, sings "Cavaliers and Roundheads" with line gtlslo; "Mr." Sydney Mnniieringfs tenor was heard to advantage in "Once I Loved a Maiden" and "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes"; Mr. Edgar Warwick, attired as a jester, told the veal origin of all tho musty old music-hall jokes in the recital, "JTow'thc Minstrel Nearly Lost His Job," and Mr. Cunningham sang in ringing style "The Yeomen of England" and "To Anthea" (Ilatton). Two of the catchiest items of this part were the choral arrangement of the Mel. B. Spurr song, "Tho AVorld Went Very Well Then," and that clever comic song, "When llichard the First Sat 011 the Throne." In these, as in other vocal 'sketches, the "business" of. the Troubadours was excellent.

The same programme will be repeated (his evening.'

THEATRE ROYAL. The audience at Fullers' vaudeville entertainment at the Theatre Rtvyal on Saturday night wero well rewarded with a very entertaining and amusing programme. The variety worked into the few hours' enjoyment shows that the management are able to draw upon some very Rood sources of supply. The laughterprovoking songs and skits, and the turns displaying lmnian dexterity, were welcomed by the audience, and loudly applauded. Fullers' present programme is one that merits applause, and the nightly audiences give it its due. Harry Sadler is still popular, and tho various other artists aro also in demand.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Both matinee and evening performances fit liis Majesty's Theatre ou Saturday were well patronised, ' Tho change of programme to be submitted to-night contains a film of special interest, "The Pageant of the Coronation." This picture, 'i i a -i vels 't ®' tra ctivc one, and gives in detail a lull record of the magnificent spectacle in Loudon during the Coronation. One part of this long lilm depicts tho colonial troops at St. Paul's, and tome excellent views of life Hoyal partv are also given.

THE KING'S THEATRE. To-night esl's and lioyal Pictures will screen a finished and comprehensive motion picture of London's gorgeous spectacle, "The .Pageant of Coronation." 'l'his picture is u very long one, running into -000 l'eet. and is a full and faithful record of tho proceedings. Thousands of pounds were paid by the manufacturers of these pictures for positions of vantage, so that the most elaborate ceremonies of this great pageant could be reproduced for tho benefit of tho millions of people, unable to take the journey Home. Tonight's programme will include the colonial troops at St. Paul's, the complete coronation procession to and from Westminster Abbey on June 22. The procession of the regalia, the illuminations of London, the lJoval progress and military pageant of June 22. In addition, the usual budget of new subjects arriving by to-day's mail. Appropriate selections will bo rendered by the King's Theatre orchestra. NEW THEATKE. Tho New Theatre was well patronised on Saturday, and had a crowded house in the evening. A programme of gocd pictures was put ou. Tho story of the salted mine was a geod West American yarn, and the West was again introduced' in a film called "Why lie Went West"—a love story. "'Daddy's Little Diditms and the Umbrella" was a splendid picture of tho fun-provoking kind, in which the work of jflineone with an eye for humorous absurdity was evident." An instructive s;-ries showing the eitv of Toronto was screened. A hair-raisin;,', but nianlv picture, entitled "A Test of Friendship" was or.o of the finest items on the programme. "Bumptious Plays Baseball" wa* the last number.

the Sydney boat which arrived at Auckland yesterday brought with it the first of the Coronation pictures, which will be shown ;1 f tlio New Theatre to. night from G. 30 to 11 o'clock. The film is a very elaborate ono, and is particularly attractive, containing some verv close views of the !?oyal party in (.lie profession. The programme will also include choice selection of other kinelnatograph pictures.

NICOLA, TUK MAGICIAN. Nicola, the niaeician, who is lu appear at the Opera House, commencing next .Saturday night. may be relied upon to present a very line cntertainmpiil. Nicola is accompanied by half a score nt' capable assistants and live variety artists, and carries a great'quantity of paraphernalia,

Aicolas chief assistant, "Dohflcv," is a man Who lias made awkwardness'an arl and lo tee him dropping and iiunlilini is oi \ amusing. Aicola, it is dialed, 'has 1.-een muled up ,n 1.0xe,, soldered up in • »h-, meted in hellers, and even hanged J l '] '» » I'llillPM! Ml-aHSnlaliuß case hi t never yet lias ativlhiiijj l-eon Score- f" 1 hni 'J l,i,n '' Prisonor. hccies u illusions and startling magical mm n iins lj.«i pi v.ujolv (urns make "I' " "'7 "° Oll ''iilerlainnieiit. The box the llrr I ° llon °i'\ 1 U cl,noMl;| y morniii',' at «-ill i '' (ll<> .'' arl - v ,IoOT <lay sales wilt he at (.hn&tosoii j\ OKG'AX RECITAL. eveilh ■' : 'V\!I P , Twn 'H 1 «« I'V' ,In included Bach's i kiiklc and I'liguo m (i Minor MendoU Kn!!rf^ a> - Ao - '' delicately! Uautihu hju-jiisj llu! Waldwohcn iroin Wagners opera "Seiglried," and the lamiliar overture to Hcruld's "Zampa." MUNICIPAL MUSIC, Those who appreciate orcliestra and organ music will he pleased to learn that Hie .Municipal Orchestra and Mr. Jtaughau Harnett will perform in the J. own Jlall to-morrow evening. T)io programme includes tho overture "Merry Hives of Windsor" (Njeolai), Handel's Seventh Concerto, by Mr. Harnett, with orchestral accompaniment under the leadership ol' Mr. Herbert JJlov, Beethoven's "Andante Con Moto," from (lie l'itth Symphony, and a valsc iroin tlie ballet "Darnrosclien" (Tsehaikowski), .Uio organ poriion of tho programme will include Boiidel's "Dornroschen." GAHKISON BAND CONCERT. In an endeavour to raise funds for tho expenses of Ihe Garrison Baud's visit to Gisborno (whore the next Ijisj brass band contest is to be held) a concert was given in the Town Hall last evening. The hall was fairly, well filled, and every sign of appreciation was manifested at the champion band's form, which is at present pretty well up lo contest standard. The cornets are a particularly Rood lot, and the solo work of Mr. J. Parker leaves nothing to 1)3 desired. This was particularly noticeable in \V. Williams's

"Faust." selection, which abounds in solos for the leading cornel:. Notable omissions from the selection were "E'en bravest Heart," "Tlio Calf of Gold," and the Rataplan lead np to the "Soldier's Chorus" (tlio chorus being really iinely play-

?!l>- A no) u..r charming selection was W. Kimmcrs intermezzo "Evening Bells," in in 11 i l ." tff 1 hdl f; ,ct is «'«« "»<•' <I s !° nis ', 11,0 I" 11 ' 1 '>'*> »f'\ ed v r tUm \ to i'ancwli" (R o .sMini, a lively march "Wein Bleit Wein" (Sillliiiuiiiol), itiirl, as a tribute (o tho memory oi (he late Mr. T. E Tavl'r the Dead .March in 'Sanl.' Tho.ssaioMa were: Mr. Keg. Blow,. and Madame Mind, lor. 1 lie former, m good voice, -aiii? "Tho Mar of BoUiMiem" (Adams), and as an encore, ilm Birth of Morn," and "Th«re is a Green 11 ill Far Away" (Gounod) and and 0 Divine Redeemer (Ciquh-<1). As v. ill Mn liotwl, Gounod was tho compossi most favoured in last evening's programme. Mr c. y. stoiijjhlon accompained Mr. iiliw, and .Air. Hollow acted in similar capacity for Madame Mueller.

,Mr. C. 11. Workman, who produced Sir W. ,S. Gilbert's last opera, "I'ulien dairies," tells a good story illustrative of the dramatist's wit. "Once," he said, "I was telling Lady Gilbert the old chestnut about the trombone player, who shut up a boo in his music-book. ' Next night, when lie got to tho place, lie ran down the scale, and then-'I don't know vot dat big note vos. butlblayed it!* At this point, Sir Wijiiam remarked drilv, 'It might have beim a bee, Hat, Workman ' " A tale IS also recalled by "The Telegraph which, if hardly flattering to Gilbert s sense of gallantry, testifies lo bin quickness of retort. A would-bo lady luleniewer had pestered him unceasingly with a demand that, she should be permit, ted lo call upon him and obtain his views upon some question of the day. At last sue contnvcd (o force her way into her victim S presence, and, with the utmost sanglroul and self-assurance, proceeded to cross-examine him. . She was rather a stout lady, and, like Hamlet, somewhat scant of breath. At last Gilbert, whoso patience in such circumstances was apt to bo easily oxhaiisted, abruptly brought uio coincmtioii to clos-c, Q))d detcrmiued to salisfy himself that lie had seen tho !n<t of Ins visitor, accompanied her lo the door. Just then in rushed a number of his tavourite dogs, who made a direct line for tho intruder, almost brineing her to the ground through their excessive ardour. "Dear, sweet, delightful creaturfs!" she contrived to gasp; "it is really wonderful how all dogs take to me." "Not at, all." replied Gilbert in his most biting manner, "it isn't often they got Jwuc lo pick with so much meat upon