ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1570, 14 October 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE ASCHE-BRAYTON SEASON.

"Kismet," the brilliant Oriental play, in which Mr. Oscar Asclie, Miss Lily Hrnyton, ami their supporting company, havo earned the enthusiastic admiration of Wellington pi ay-goo rp, came to tho , cml of an unprccedenteiKy successful sea- ( son ■ at tho Opera Houso oil Saturday, when both matinee and evening perform- ' anccs were given. On each occasion the building was crowded to its utmost limit, ( and, judging by tho plaudits, the story of the beggar Hajj was found no less entertaining thnn in its previous presentations. Tho matinee performance in tho afternoon .was attended . by. Lady Islington. Among those who witnessed the evening performance were: The Hon. W. r. Massey (Prime Minister), the Hon. A. L. Herdmnn, the Hon. H. 1). Bell, the Hon. Dr. Pomare, and numerous members of Parliament. / To-night an exact replica of Mr.' Oscar Asolie's London representation of "lbe Taming of tho Shrew" will bo presented. It was iu this famous Shakespearean comedy that Mr. Asche and Miss Brayton first becamo famous amongst the world s greatest dramatic stars, and as Petruchio and ICatharina they created a furore of enthusiasm in their initial appearance in Australia over two years ago. In Mr. Oscar Asche's representation of -the Taming of the Shrew" he retains the induction, which is very seldom done, but the fact that the part of Christopher Siy is one of Mr. Asche's best characterisations sufficient justifications of its retention. Miss Brayton is given the necessary opportunisms ICatharina tor the display of those'histrionic powers which have won her a name second to none amongst the greatest exponents of Shakespearean roles the stago has produced. . The members of tho company have been selected with an eye to their fitness for the interpretation of Shakespearean roles. Only three representations of "The Taming of the Shrew can be staged. On Thursday Friday, and Saturday nights, and on Saturday afternoon, "The Merchant of Venice" will be pre'sented, 011 Monday and Tuesday Ihe Merry Wives of "Windsor" will bo produced, and the last four nights of the season, and the last Saturday afternoon will be devoted to performances of "Othello." Tho plans for tho season are now open at tho Dresden, where seats in central positions for this evenings production can be selected; 250 back stalls and 500 gallery tickets can be purchased to-day at Christeson's or at tho theatre doors this evening. THE THEATRE ROYAL. Several new artists will bo introduced at the Theatre Royal this evening, conspicuous among whom will be Mr; George Collins, a character comedian of Mglisn reputation. Other artists will be iliss Grace Compton (English singer of catchy chorus songs), and Morley and Bates (vocalists and sketch artists).' The artists already showing will contribute new items. The popular comedian, Mr. Leonard Nelson, will introduce a number of new songs, of his own composition, Mr. Roy Rene, comedian, has a bunch of new "hits" to spring on Theatre - Royal patrons, and the refined and clever Euglish comedienne, Miss Florence Wix, is to contribute some of her latest English successes. A very fine dance will be staged by the Cliffe Quartet.. With a view to encouraging local artists, tho management have decided to hold a grand singing competition. A gold medal, valued at three guineas, will be given for the most original rendition of a ver.se and chorus of Mr.'. Leonard Nelson's popular - song, "Mr. Booze." LAST OF THE DANDIES. TIIO Dandies could probably havo filled a hall twice as largo as the Concert Chamber on Saturday evening, when they appeared for the last tirao in Wellington this season. This compact little crescent of talent have become vastly popular in Wellington during the two long seasons that thev havo played, and have demonstrated that there is room for a perman-

cnt show of the class in our midst. There are those who do not care for tho cold and formal concert, and who have still less regard for vaudeville, but who find their tasto splendidly catered for in a bright'blending of tho two in a refilled manner. This Tho Dandies have done with perfect success,, and Wellington will no doubt be sorry to see tho last of them, even if only for the summer months. Thero was a packed "goodbye" audience, and every member of the /little company received those little marks and. tokens of appreciation which gratify and, encourage. ■ Mr. 'Bumpier was in capital form, and never let tho flow of fun slacken from the opening to tho close. Misses Lane, "Ward, ana Vero all received good-bye flowers and mysterious packets from admirers, and the male members were accorded tho warmest "bis" from the friendliest o£ audiences. Tho Bandies depart for Picton, Blenheim, and Nelson to-day, and will leave Wellington, for Sydney, "en routo to Adelaide on Friday next. ORGAN RECITAL. Wellington should for the next few weeks show a tendency to wake up in their appreciation of the organ recitals given by Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, now that the City Organist's days in Wellington are numbered. Week after week ono sees the same faces at these recitals— thero is quite a band of "regulars"—but the audiences do not grow as they should

It is, perhaps, because Saturday is a i bad night—a night when a third of the people are engaged in the- shops either on one side of the counter or the other, yet incongruously enough,, if anyone , wishes to engage tho hall it is more cost- : ly to do so on a Saturday than on any ■ o'thcr day of the week. : That apparently ■ is one of the City Council's littlo jokes. ' Mr. Barnett's recitals are always worth i attending, for tho simple reason that not only is he a finished player, but his i tasjto is cosmopolitan, and he has tho [ tact and blend in his programmes some of : the best of classical organ music, with j purely concert items, which cflntain a > certain appeal to the popular tafte. In 1 this matter, Mr. Barnett ha" led the pub--5 lie gently on a gradually ascending scale, s until now (as the plebiscite programmes . show) they have learned to love the very 1 best in both classes. Mr. Barnett's prot gramme on Saturday included tho Bach : "Fuguo in R Minor," a work of intris cate elaborateness, with intervals of nl--7 most airy melodiousness,- which only - servo to emphasise the weight and circumf stance of the thunderous fugal passages. In charming relief came Schubert's de- ■ lightful air "Am Meer"—a treasure in r pure melody, and Pierne's "Serenade," cool and dainty in character. Striking a higher note were the two movementsallegro cantabilo, and toccata—from . Widor's Fifth Symphony for tho organ, If with tlio oboe stop singing the pon.f? with a piorciiig plaintiveness; Guilmant's "Chant o dn Matin" and Meyerbeer's "Marclie aux j Flambeaux."

Miss Gertrude Hunt, who is improving steadily, sang F., B. Wekerlin's pretty ¥oni;, "C'otnit nn point tin jour," Lasson's "All Souls' Day," and her brother's pretty "Lullaby." Mr. Horace Hunt; accompanied. Another recital will bo given on Saturday evening nest. BAND CONCERT. The enjoyable concert (riven by the Wellington City Tramways Band at tlio Town Hall last evening was attended by a very large audionce. The programme included items by the full band under Conductor T. Goodall. while the soloists were Mr. Hamilton Hodges (baritone), and Mr. 11. Mosebdni (clarinet player). In addition to two rousing inarches—"liig Guns" Selim Avolo),and "The King's Guard" (J. H. Keith) the band played a difficult Chopin suite very creditably. The 6uite included a sprightly mazurka, a tuneful nocturne, and the well-known polonaise in A. It was an ambitious effort, but such shortcomings as might be expected from the playing of a Chopin suite by ft brass band were not serious enough to detract from the enjoyment of the music, which' was highly appreciated by the nudience. Another enjoyable item was the popular fantasia, "The Smithy in the Woods" (Micliaeljs). Mr. Hamilton Hedges sans: Handel's spirited' recitative and aria "Arm, Arm, Ye Brave" (Judns Maccabacus") and "Calvary" (Rodney), and added, as encores, "The Rosary" (Nev.ins) and Babette's song, "Once at tho Angelns." Mr. Moschini's contribution was a masterly rendition of Weber's "Concertino." for his instrument, loudly applauded by tho audience, which demanded and was conceded an encore. Airs. Queree and Mr. R. C. Hollow played the accoin-, . jmumenth