ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1281, 9 November 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"A fool Tin;in; was. ,. Only two morn nights mid then rwxlliyn lo tho "Woman in Dio Case," which lin.-> been to slril'.iiiK n MieceftS ;it tlio Opera Mouse. niiMiß iU initinl performftiH.'ii. On Satiirdny niglil next Miss Jlabol Trevor will Ixt sow as tlio 'Viimpiro Woiikiii in "A Fool Theru W.is," a cnarnctor mi entirely different from' that of Margaret Holfn in tlio present produclion as to n«:d cxcnpliiiiKil versatility in tlio 'Mar" who tnkes liotli parts. "A Fool 'J'liern Was" will a.Ni give, Miopn for a. further display of Mim Elinor .Foster's dr.im.if.in ability, tvliicli h.u )>M:ii so conspicuous in her (lashing prwiitalion of Claim Knr.vler in the current piece. Mr. lliirli Bm.kler lias shown playgw>rs morn than oiiwi (ho cxlent. of his powers a? a rha.raetiT actor. In the production of "A Fool Them Was," h" will play Iho IlusIjanil, who comes under the. influence of tlie subtle wiles of tho Vampire Woman with disastrous effect. Mr. Jiuckler lias Koino powerful and tragic scenes nn/1 ill parts tho character rises to tragic, heights of emotionalism. "A Too! There Was" will bo produced with every completeness of detail. One of tho features of "A Fool There Was" will ho. a great ship scene. The promenade deck of a hu~o Atlantic liner is shown with boats , funnels and all top-hamper comSlete. Tho box plan is now opened at the ircsden for this remarkable play, .and as the sea.son is limited to five nights only intending patrons should secure their teats early as no charge for reserving is made. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The fine and varied programme at His Majesty's Theatre drew another (rood house last night. The elaborately-mount-ed historical picture drama, "Clios and Phyletes," was much applauded. The naval disaster in Toulon Jarbour provided scenes of interest, and there were manv other films, all going to provide an excellent entertainment. To-night there will Vw a new programme screened, showing a selection of the latest star productions arriving by the 'Frisco mail. THE KING'S THEATRE. Last night there was a good attendance at the King's Theatre to MO the finopiogramme which the management screened. The scenes from Italy and Turkey were apain of great interest, and the views a China were welcomed for their toxical value. The dramatic sea story, Tho Doomed Ship," pleased tho audience, and the various other numbers were appreciated. There will be a fresh programme tonight, and it is announced that a kinemafograph production of Victor Hugo's famous work "Notre Dame de Paris, in. 30 scenes and 60 tableaux, will arrive shortly. THE NEW THEATRE. Crowded audiences wero the. rule at yesterday afternoon ; nnd evening's sessions ■of the New Theatre continuous picture entertainment. Commencing today and to-night will be shown for tho first time in New Zealand two impressive "feature" dramagraphs, "Judas Maccabeus" (an elaborate ancient picture story) and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" (an American historical enactment by tho Vitagraph Company). The story of Judas Maccabeus is given a delightful air of romance in the inov-. ing-picture version. Hundreds _of theatricals take part in this production, which is presented with Oriental ' magnificence. "The Battle Hymn of tho Republic" is of a different type. This patriotic and historic picture portrays the writing of the famous National HvniD by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, in the early part of the Americar Civil War President Lincoln was very, much ■ discouraged at the lack of enthusiasm when volanteers wero required. Mrs. Howe, one night, conceived tho idea of writing "The Battle Hymn." She rose from iier bed, and penned the immortal words that made history. They tired the enthusiasm of the people, and volunteers poured in. President Lincoln expressed his own and the nations gratitude, to Mrs. Howe. The film illustrates . the meaning of the different stanzas of this poem in the allegorical

' NOTEE 'DAME. ' West's nnd Koyal Pictures will screen shortly an luicunailcd kinematograph production o£ Victor Hugo's famous work, "iNotro Damo oi Pans," comprised of two parts, in thirty scenes, with sixty tableaux. Tho picture is faithful 111 spirit ill atmosphere, aJid in detail. J.no principal characters are by 11. Garry, ot the Comedie Fraiicaise, as Claudo Iracco, M. Henri Krauss, of tho Sarah Bernliavdt Theatre,' as Puasunado, ilr. W. Aloxandre, of tho Comcdio V™wm&, Paris as Captain Phoebus, and Mdlle. iNaiiierowski, of the Paris Opera, as La Esmeralda." The thousands of readers of Victor Hugo's great work should welcome so true a dramatisation ot, UlO scenes which liavo thrilled and fascinated them. THE COMPETITIONS. ]n a notice appearing elsewhere in this issue it is announced that (be first "demonstration night," under, tho auspices of tho Competitions Society, takes place this evening. All tho elite of tho competitors will contribute aud the judges (Mr. C. N. Bacycrtz and Mr. Barold Gregsoii), an<l the popular stage n anasei-: Mr. Alan M'E warn, will also appear as performers. Mr. Gregson will p ay an organ solo, "Tho Storm," and Mr. Baeyerlz will tell a humorous American story. Mr. fEhvain wi 1 also eivo some American dialect sketches. Indcations seem to bo that the Town Hall will be taxed as to capacity to-night, as fte bill provided is both novel to Wellington and extremely interesting. Early doors to back stalls open at O.JO.

OLD ENGLISH MUSIC. It was -a deiißiiUui entertainment that the choir 01 01. l'aul s uiuren, cureetect oy Mr. Kouert I'arKcr, gave in tuo syun'ey Street acUooaooui last nigut. • me ouicct was to raise luuas lor tho reiiiumiJiinij oi tue stock, ot cuoir music, it lias Ucen reicrre--l to as 11 clioir concert but tuo euiertammeut was 111 grt'Slt pare iir. i'wiiers. lie nad cnoien tiie iwuis alter lainy deep dclviuf in tuo wor&s ol old iiUglisli musical- compasDl'S, and n« told « l'" lt: ot tnu slor * ul . tuo indiriaual items aud their autuors in a lecture, or running wmineuury. AnU ins lecture was by no meaus ttie- least cnnrmin;; 'iart oi the entcriamnient. Jir. 1-arker said that the linglish Had a Heritage of music of wliicli Uicy hud a ngnt 10 bo proud, but tucy wero ignorant 01 that music. Though young peopic ciin taik glibly of ttie Germau composers— liaydn Bach, Mendelssohn, Svuubcrt, tjcuuuiann and others—they knew uothing oi the talented 'Jiutjlisn composers. Singing in harmony, they learned lrom old uuthors, was practised in bnglauu long beibre it was general on the Continent. l'Tom Chaucer, Urusmus, and others, thoy learned the part that sing--111" ulaved in tho liie of the community. Henry \ ; 1I1, belore his Bluebeard days, was .1 clever composer aud musician, and Ins talent was inherited by I}is daughter, ljuecu Elizabeth, in those days music was so general an accomplishment that it was looked upon as a disgrace for a gentleman not to be able to lake his part in a madrigal, and tins accomplishment was shared by all olasses alike. The prot'ramme kus 100 lonn tu admit of its being particularised here, but Mr. Parker gave all the items a real meaning to tho uudienccj by his introduction of t.\ein. They comprised mostly glees aud part songs, some h'no old songs, ninl a few folk songs, some of them dating back to the beginning of the sixteenth century, while there wero others tho origin of which was lost in antiquity. Part soiiks wore rendered by the choir, foino of Hie filccs by <« tlioif ol boys, andy solos wero rendered by Miss Farmer, Miss E. Mnrtiii, Messrs. Farmer, Searlc, Clarkson, Warren, and Master C. linker. Tho Inst item of all was tho National Anthem, which, Mr. Parker declared, was written in tho reign of Queen Elizabeth by <a man named John Bull.

The weekly practice of (ho Municipal Orchestra was hold on Tuesday. It was well attended, and (he work done was of such character as to call for wellmerited praise from the conductor. Owing to the many engagements for Hip Town Hall, there is some doubt as to the date of the concert, but it will bo arranged for before November 20. The programme will bo specially attractive, and contain a wide range of music from Von Sunno's dainty "Foot and Peasant" to Beethoven's grand piano concerto in C Minor (with Mr. Horace Hunt at the piauo). At this couocrt the now departure decided upon will bo inaugurated, there being a vocal solo in both parts, and this should help greatly to M the Tom Hall, .