ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 49, 26 August 1904, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

THE WATKIN MILLS SEASON 1 ,, A CONCERT RECITAL. On the concert platform, Mr. WatkinMills makes a far deeper and greater impression than in oratorio. Judged upon his two appearances in Wellington, the concert platform is his realm. Had ho opened his season with the programme* pre.sent«d last night, instead of with an oratorio, Wellington would have flocked to hear the basso again and again. A* it was, there were niore empty seats than Mr. Mills deserved last night, but the enthusiasm which prevailed made up fop numerical shortcomings. Wellington audiences, as a rule, are cold and unresponBive, but Mr. Mills hod not completed! his first item, "She Alone Charmeth My Sadness," a reoitative and aria, from Gounod's "La Reine do Saba," before hio Riidience was satisfied that it was in tlm presence of an artist. Mr. Mills displayed' another side of. his musical character m his rondition of Handel's merry quip, "0, Ruddier than the Cherry,** from "Acis and Galatea," an item th« enjoyment of which was considerably added to by Mons. Parlovitz's artist iai accompaniment on the piano. The aiit of this fine song has frequently beea heard in Wellington, but never have ita florid passages been givun with such ease and brilliancy as in the Opera House lost night The following item was "f. am a Roainer, Bold and Gay," the song of Kauf, the pedlar, in Mendelssohn's operetta, "The Son and Stranger." Mr. Mills entered into the spirit of the jovia* pedlar, and gave the rollicking ditty is such high glee and great good humow that hLs listeners cheered him at ita finish. The "little" extra which followed was in keeping with the preceding itoms, being a laughter-compelling old English melody, "The Pretty Creature,"' with the emphasis on tho pretty. Mr] Mills's next bracket of son^s served to show more of his versatility, being Abt'» "Still is the Night," Monk Gould's "Th« Curfew," and Schumann's "The Two Grenadiers," the latter item concludingwith the introduction of the air of thp "Marseillaise." In response to another vociferous demand for " more," the basso sang a humorous twelve-stanza Somerset-shire-dialect ditty concerning tihe courtship of Richard of Taunton Dene. Th« vocalist's final bracket comprised Willeby's " Crossing the Bar," J,ady Barretti Leonard's fine pathetic song, "Plymouth Hoe" ("Drake's Drum"), Hatktfi'a petting of Buchanan's lively tale of "Tho Wedding of Shon M'Lean," and Robert; Eden's setting of Elkin's philosophic "What's the Use of Being Wise? I'd rather far bo merry !" Demands for encores came bo thick upon the singer that ho expressed fear that some of those people in front of him. might miss their grains. But his audience wasn'iJ thinking of going homo just yet, so Mr. Mills sang as extras Hatton's "Here's a Health unto His Majesty," and S. Howley's '-'The Sweetest Flower that Blows."Mr. Milla proved himself not only ai singer of rare ability, of wide range, clear in his top notes, and rich and full in hi* lower register, but he has a sympathy, which he easily' conveys to his audience, has a comedian's power of mimicry and facial expression, and, with all *the»» qualities, an enunciation which makes a* book of words superfluous. The members of the Wellington Musi, cal Union, conducted by Mr. Robert Parker, contributed two choruses. Both items were excellently sung. Associated with Mr. Mills ■as accom. panist and as pianoforte soloist was M.ons. Eduard Parlovitz, a young Polish .player who improves with acquaintance. He opened last night's concert with Beethoven's familiar "Moonlight Sonata," but did not give an impressive interpretation of the classic. Subsequently, however, M. Parlovitz proved himself an in. strumentalist of more than ordinary ability, and he was paid the compliment — which k an uncommon one in Wellington — of being encored on each appear* ance, and even aroused enthusiasm ia the_ encore demands. His second contribution was a bracket comprising Chopin* "Berceuse," Laralles's "Le Papillou," and a mazurka by Olson. The latter composer's "Butterflies" was given as an encoro piece. In tho second part of rhd programmo the pianist displayed his ability as an executant in Chopin's "Grand Polonaise in E flat," and hi«» encore item was Liszt's '-Rhapsodic, No, 4." M. Parlovitz is not a showy player. It is the poetry of the realm of inusio that appeals to him, rather than tha warring elements that find expression in a. clattering and banging of the keys. Consequently M. Parlovitz is a pianistl who gives much pleasure to his audience. Last evening he wed a Bluthner piano. The concert concluded at a model hour, 10 o'clock. This evening ilr. Watkin Mills is t« close his season in Wellington. He will be associated with the Musical Union in the production of "The Messiah," tha most jopular of all oratorios. The othe* soloists will be Madame Kveleen Carlton (soprano), Miss L. Lloyd Hassell (contralto), and Mr. J. Searlo (tenor). "THE MARRIAGE OF KITTY." Lady Plunket and a. large party from Government. House will be present at t»* morrow night's performance of "TJie Mwv riage of Kitty" by Mr. J. C. Williamson's new comedy company. The production of this comedy, which hus been, ingeniously advertised" by the distribution of dainty boxes of wedding c«k*» marriage certificates, etc., is .being looked! forward to with keen interest, as is shown by the splendid booking for the* six nights on which it is to be played. It has had a great run of success in* thai Australian cities, and more recently in Auckland, where it was played* for seven nights, whilst the country tour of tha principal towns en rouie> from Auckland is being signalised by ov? rtlowing houses. In addition to "The Mairhvge of ' Kitty,'* three other pieces will be produced aa follows : — Saturday, .Monday, and Tuesday, September 3, 5, 6, "His Excellency ■ the Governor" ; Wednesday and Thursday, September 7, 8, 'JThe Duke, of Killiecrankie" ; and Friday and Saturday. September 9 and 10, "Cousin Kute." The box plan for theso three pieces, which complete the season, will be open* ed on Monday morning next. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY., Tho excellent company appearing at) the Theatre Royal under Mr. Dix'a man* agement keeps the vaudeville ball rolling at a merry pace. Of «. number of interesting "turns" the work of Mr. F. H. Grahanf aud Miss Dent is probably the best. The amateur cake-walk still looma large on tic programme. A special performance is being arranged for Monday night, when His Excellency thd Governor and Lady Plunket will be present. FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. Tho foremost attraction at His Majes-i ty's just now is Professor Parker, a specialist in locks and bolts, who gets out ot what look to be helplessly tied up positions with apparent case. The programme also included entertaining itemii by the Swifts, Miss Kitty Lenton, and Mr. Dennis Carney. SKATING RINK. During tho ten weeks tho Skatingi -Rink has been open the average weekly attendance has been close on 5006. Tha boom is still at its height, *s is proved by the eager crowd which has been- A* l 'wheel ev^ry night this wrecks