ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1573, 17 October 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE ASCHE-BRATTON SEASON. ' The Opera House was filled to capacity again last evening, when the thiru performance of "The Taming of the Shrew" was given. The breezy comedy, which went with a swing from first to last, was thoroughly enjoyed. To-night and on the following two nights, with a special matinee on Saturday, "The Merchant of Venice" will be presented, with Mr. Ascho as Shylock and Miss Bray ton as Portia. Shakespeare derived his inspiration for this ploy from several sources. Ho took the principal incidents from a collection of teles written by Sir Giovanni Horentino, a Florentine notary, about 1378, and first published at Milan in 1558. Mr. Asche is said to'give a splendid portrayal of "Shylock," bringing out his mercenary greed, his hatred of Antonio, and his love of his daughter, in ' wonderful fashion. In Shakespeare's superb gallery of women, there is no more delightful character than Portia, (Miss Brayton); The play will be staged in the same lavish manner as has been so'strikingly evident in the previous productions. FULLERS' PICTURES. The Ambrosia circus drama, "Nellie tho Lion Tamer," and the various supporting items which made up a very pleasing programme, were, screened for the last time last evening. To-night the star item is called "Beetles," and is described as a weird film. A complete change of supporting items will also be screened to"nignf THE KING'S THEATRE. This week's programme at' the King's Theatre is enjoying popularity. The'premier item is entitled "The Governor's Daughter," and may bo described as an exciting drama of Eastern Europe. Among tho supporting items, "The Troublesomo Daughter," "Kuala Lumpur," and "The Extension Table" are the best. Tomorrow night a series of pictures depicting the visit to Wanganui of members of Parliament, and incidents which happened whilst there, and also views of the town will bo shown. THE NEW THEATRE. Tho. New Theatre continuous pictures drew crowds all yesterday, when "The Sins of the Fathers" was shown for tho last time. .. To-day and to-night only the Nordisk Company's latest dramatic success, "An ;Artist's Model," will , be presented.. This-picture can bo shown only lor this day and night, owing to other important engagements, but it will bo revived later. It relates an appealing love story, with a talented young artist and his model as tho principals. The enactment is said to be realistic, and the performers givo a brilliant interpretation of their roles. To-morrow there will be a complete change, headed by the Vitascope Company's drama "Tho Black Cat"—a work of unusual interest, and ono which will bo popular with the fair sex.

SHORTT'S PICTURES. ' . The programmo announced for to-day at Messrs. Shortt's Picture Theatre promises to be an exceptional one. The star item is the "Triumph, of Right," and is paid to be an excellent drama with a special appeal. The supporting items are "Tho Nurse and the Knight," "The Stolen Ring," "Washing for Mother" (comic), and, by special request, "The , Wreck of the Star of Canada." The foremost scenic gives views from Ranco to Dinan, winch tiro very picturesque. ART SHOW. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Islington paid a visit to the Academy of Fine Arts show on Tuesday morning. "The attendances havo not been as good as the Council would have liked, but they hope that they will improve for the remainder of the week. So far the only sales recorded have ' been:—(ssa) "Wanganui River," by M. Izett; (75) "Second-hand Shop, Paris," by Owen Merton; and (110) "Hcrctaunga," by Greta Owen. PIANOFORTE RECITAL. The coming of Mr. Baxter Buckley to Wellington was an accident—a very fortu-nate-accident for the music-lovers of this city. In the recitals he has given during the past winter he has done nmen to encourage a taste for the highest class of pianoforte music. Mr. Buckley relies almost solely on his technique and astonishing industry. His. programmes are colossal, his execution untiringly brilliant, but—there is usually a but—he cannot be said to be highly temperamental. If he could infuse into his playing that illusive 'element of romance and poetry —tho divine emotional feeling which one encounters but rarely it is safe to conclude tllat ho would not be in New Zealand at all, for the possession of those f;races would assuredly call him to a arger field of endeavour. His recitnl at the Concert Chamber last evening was every bit as satisfying; and interesting as its predecessors. The programme contained the names of Bach, Tan«i R . Ttdff. Mendelssohn, Snint-Snens, Radmaninoft, Oluck, Debussy, MacDowell, and Cesar Franck. What more could the lover of classical pianoforte music demand? What more could an educated audience expect? That they were pleased with the performance the liberal applause bore testimony indisputable. Ho opened with the D'Albert. adaptation of Bach's "Prelude and Fugue in I) Major," and at once commanded admiration for the strength and clarity with which he played the brilliantly, elaborated »ork. in happj contrast came a fcarlatti— Tansig "Pastorale" and "Capriccio"—blazing sunshine after tho Bach storm. A Raff

"Gigue," with variations, was a number I which only appealed by reason of its technical intricacies, and it. was rather a relief to hear once more three of Mendelssohn's "Songs without Words"—those in B minor, F. and C—cnol, grateful, melodious airs, played with commendable feeling. Tho Saint Saens "Concerto in G Minor" (with Miss Phyllis Hanify playing a diluted orchestra part on a second piano) was an amazingly fino effort. The andante is compellingly rich and sonorous in theme and construction, and is punctuated throughout by amazing chords of Cyclopian nobility, the "scherzo" is the daintiest of lilts, which glitters and sparkles in irresistible rythm; and the "presto" is impressive in Ihe tumult of glorious melody that flows from a maze of exhaustive runs on the first pianoforte. Tho concerto .is magnificent, and its performance wns a genuine treat. Other numbers were a Radmininoff "ITnmoreslra," a ennrice by Saint-Snons, based on the ballet music from Gluek's opprn. "Alceste," a. sketch entitled "Poissons d'Or" from the somewhat incomprehensible Debussy, and the captivating "Etude de Concert of MacDowell. Another item of importance was the spnata in A major of Cesar Franek, for pianoforte and violin, a very beoutifnl work, instinct with romance, which was delightfully plavod by Mr. Buckley and.Mr. Herbert Bloy. Mr. Bloy was not at his beH in Wieniawski's "Souvenir de Moscow."-' There was an inclination (o roughness, and his harmonics wore not at nil times responsive. Tie made ample amends, howovcr, in a highly emotional reading of Leoncavallo's charming c cre . nadc. Mr. T. O. Collins, the. possessor of a lishl tenor, sang "Onaway. Awn lie," from Coleridge-Taylor's cantata "Hinwatha." pleasingly, and Tefchemacher's song. "T.Wnnt Your Sympathy." Among those present were Lady Mhislnni Mhs FtniiicUin-Cnttmi, and' Captain ■ Mac.dousalli A.D.Gi