ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1253, 9 October 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

'OUR MISS GIBBS,

The music ot' "Our Miss Gibbs." to Ijo presented liere for «. thirtcon-nights season by the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company, commencing Wednesdoy next, is said to be well written, sparkling, and catching, and is described as music of a kind that will bear hearing a second or any number of times even by (ho classically inclined. "Mary," which is suns by Miss Blanche Browne, is claimed to be a real gem set in an exquisitely dainty framework of orchestration. "Yip-kuldy-i-ay." we are. told, is one of the finest examples of riotous nonsense which has l>een heard for many a riav. "Mv Yorkshire' Lassie" (Mr. Andrew Higginson). "Hughie" (Mr. Leslie Holland), "Arms and the Man" (Miss Connie Milne), and "Hats" (Miss: Nellie Wilson) are bright numbers. "Country Cousins" and "Our Farm" arc diverting duets sung with vivacity by Miss Blanche Browne and Sir. Bertie 'Wright, as is also "Not That Sort of I'ersou," by Miss Browne and Mr. Leslie Holland. Tlrere are two fine numbers for the male chorus, "Correct" and "-An English Gentleman," and two equallv stirring choruses for the ladies, "We Must Do Our Shopping" and "The White City." The popular "Moonstruck" specialty occurs towards the end of the plav, and would appear to be a. befitting lini'sh for what has the reputation of being a most satisfying musical comedy. Another prominent" specialty is the "Danse du Vaurien," by Mr.-Fred. Leslie and Mjss Ivy Schilling. For the adequate rendering of the music, Mr. J. C. Williamson has- considerably increased the Eoyal Comic Opera Orchestra, which is under the conductorship of Mr. Fritz Hart. Ihe stage direction is under the supervision of Mr. Fred Young. The box plans for tho first six nights arc now open at the Dresden.

"IK THE GRIP OF ALCOHOL." "In' the Grip of Alcohol," one of Patho Frews' latest social dramas, is proving a great success at the Opera House. ilio matinee on Saturday afternoon and the evening performance were both well attended, and the "house" showed its approval in no uncertain manner. The whole action of this photo-play hinges on the miserv which a drunkard causes his wife and'family, but, apart from • the moral conveyed, the picture is a success by reason of the setting and mounting— nbt to mention the splendid acting. 'I he prograpime also includes several other items, both grave and gay. ' THEATRE EOYAL. There was a crowded house at the Theatre Eoyal on Saturday night, when Signor S. Martinengo,' from tho London a/id provincial music balls, made his first appearance in'.New'Zealand. The new arrival has a nice baritone voice, and in addition is a 'cellist of no mean calibre. His turn consisted of a pathetic scona entitled "The Unemployed Musician," in which he delighted the audience with a number of selections on the-'cello. Ho ivas recalled several times. A welcome reappearance was-made by Lucy Lavinia, a dainty soubrette, whose songs are always pleasing. The Rhodesbiirys also reappeared, while first appearances wero made by Vernon Mack, juvenile comedian, anil the Livingstone Sisters, a song and dance duo. To-night's programme will include the National Duo, clever juveniles, whose turn' is said to compare with that c-f the Australian Dartos; also the Musical Sheppards;'who produce music from sundry sc-urces. Miss May Dahlberg and Rupert Cuthbert will also reappear. '

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The matinee and the evening 'performance at His Majesty's ..Theatre on Saturday were both well attended, and the items screened earned theapproval of the largo houses. The star items were an adaptation of Fergus Hume's story. "The Mvstery of a Hansom Cab" and "A Kfondyke Steal." Other pictures screened anil worthv 0: special mention in--elurio "Little Soldiers of 'G4," "Cupid's Chauffeur," and "Estereux." A change'of programme is announced for to-night, which will include some capital pictures arriving from London by the mail to-day. Among these are "Barriers Burned Away, a stirring dramatic story by the Vitagraph Company of America. There are also "Th.3 Rauge Pals," a sensational film with a cowboy theme, and "Always a Wav," a 'dainty comedy sketch. "Pathe's Gazette" will give the .world's news up to date, and a number of other pictures are also promised. THE KING'S THEATRE. West's and Royal Pictures' performances wero well attended on Saturday. To-night thero will be the usual change of programme, when a lino series of dramatic, scenic, educational, and humorous subjects, together with the latest topical events arriving by to-day's niail will : be screened. On Wednesday; evening next the management will- screen a _ special series of views in and around Napier This picture is said to-be a very fine one ot Napier's most important industries—»tlib trawling—also shows good views of. Hastings, Napier's principal' streets, the Botanical Uardn.is, and the breakwater, with a heavy ■ swell breaking over it. The King's Theatre orchestra will again add to the enjoyment of the entertainment by rendering new selections. THE NEW THEATRE. A photo-play which comes to New Zealand' with a reputation—"Tho Price of Beauty"—is to make its appearance at the New Theatre to-day. Messrs. MacMahon and Donncliy gave a special exhibition of this picture-story on Saturday, when it was shown that its success is duo to its marked superiority in photographic quality, artistic acting, magnificent dresses, elaborate mountings, all these features being associated with' . a plot which teems with human interest. The story is of a .wealthy widow, scarcely middle-aged, beautiful and fascinating, whoso charm captivates all. She captures her- own daughter's lover, and marries him. The heart-broken girl leaves -her mother's palatial home-to seek her living as a lady'* companion. Events pass with kaleidoscopic variety, until at last the society beauty begs forgiveness of her daughter and husband on her death-bed. On'o of the incidents, a banquet scene, is in itself a wonderful picture. There is alio a refinement associated with the entire production which will leave a pleasant recollection. . "Tho Price of Beauty" will be shown throughout to-day, and every day this week at the NewTheatre, in addition to the current series of photo-plays. THE BIJOU THEATRE. The new picture theatre, the Bijou, received liberal patronage at tho matinee on Saturday afternoon and on Saturday evening as 'well. One of the most popular pictures is a representation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." The programme also includes "The Colour-Sergeant," "Scientific Billiards," "Bill as a Jockey," "The Bewitched Restaurant," and several scenic studies. ' ST. THOMAS'S HALL. This cosy little hall was well filled on Saturday at both performances. To-night West's 'Pictures, Ltd., will present an entirely new programme, at which some exceptionally iiue studies will bo shown. The pictures will, be of a varied character, running from farcical comedy to pathetic or sensational' drama, and- calculated fo gratify divers tastes. New music will be rendered by West's Pictures'' orchestra. ORGAN RECITAL. Another fine programme was presented on Saturday evening to patrons of_ tho municipal organ recitals at the Town Hall, when Mr. Mauglian Harnett (CityOrganist) presided at tho grand organ. Tho items included two magnificent choral preludes from Bach, a spirited Norwegian dance (Grieg), Uhoinberger's' "Intermezzo and Finale," from the 20th sonata, a charming serenade of Schubert's (by request). Wolstenholmo's idyllic "Question and Answer;" and, as a grand finale, Wagner's celebrated "Rido of the Valkyries."

IN AFD OF HOSPITAL SUNDAY. The Bijou Theatre was crowded to its utmost capacity last night, when the performance given bv the proprietors in aid of the Hospital 'Saturday and Sunday fund too place. It is stated that about ■100 persons had to be turned away from the doors. In the collection boxes there were found after the performance 4S coppers, ' halfpennies, I wax matches, a postage stamp, and about .£4 in threepenny bits. A capital entertainment was givcii, a good variety of films depicting Scriptural, subjects being .shown. The success of the performance wa« ma.terjally contributed.to by an. orchestra, under Mr, Philip Palmer.