ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 4 November 1904, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY. If any evidence was wanting that physical culture has many devotees in this city, it' was amply given at the Opera House last night, when Mr. -J. W. M. Harrison's pupils gave their third annual display. Large as the Opera Housfe stage is it was barely sufficient to hold the large number of pupils who took part in the exhibition. That tho display reflected credit on Mr. Harri.son almost goes without saying, for he has in past years shown conclusively that he is a past-master in the art of teaching gymnastic exercises ; not only those phases of exercise that call for a show of agility, but those which must have a beneficial effect on the health of the pupil if carried out properly. The items most pleasing fco the eye last night were the running maze, grand parade, march of the Convent giris, and the effective tableaux with which most of the acts concluded. The final tableau, in which all the performers, set down at 500, took part, was especially good, and at the conclusion a flashlight photograph was taken of it. An exhibition of Ju-jitsu, the Japanese system of self-defence and physical culture, was given by ,two pupils, who showed the various holds, locks, and falls indulged in by the little brown man. The "muscle solo" and muscular poses by an advanced pupil showed to what perfection the human frame can be brought with the use of grip dumbbells, etc. Gymnasium exercise? on the flying rings, parallel bars, horizontal bar, vaulting horse, balancing beams, wand, sash (a pretty exercise), Indian clubs by the ladies, girls, men, and boys' squads were illustrations of the every-day work carried out under Mr. Harrison's direction. The instructor gave a display on a darkened stage of clubs electrically lighted, for which he was loudly applauded. In every respect the exhibition was entirely successful, and it will be repeated to-night. The musical accompaniments T-ere played by Trowell's Orchestra. PULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. The popularity of the Fuller entertainments stilJ continues. To-morrow evening the usual weekly change of programme will be made at His Majesty's Theatre. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. A change of programme will be given by Dixs Gaiety Company to-morrow evening, when a number of favourite artists will make their re-appearance. ELOCUTIONARY RECITAL. Miss Haxdinge-Maltby and her pupils | gave an elocutionary recital in the Syd-ney-street H&ll last evening. The building was full in all parts, and the audience showed its appreciation of the talent displayed by the instnuctress and her upuils by a liberal bestowal of applause The programme opened with a one-act comedy entitled "Kitty Clive, Actress," which was brightly presented. The name part was taken by Miss Hardinge-Maltby, and tha other roles were filled by Messrs. G. Goldie and C. H. Williams. Later in the evening Miss Hardinge-Maltby was heard in two recitations entitled "A Woman's Answer" and "The Sinners." Both of these were interpreted with artistic feeling and grace, which called forth hearty encores. Mr. S. S. Tingey recited "The Ballad of Splendid Silence," and the.item won a recall. Miss Lilla Gapes was similarly honomed for "My Shadow" and "Member." Mi. C. H. Williams recited "A Lesson in Humility, or The Bloater," and "The Rillad of the Green Old Man." He brought out the humor o£ the pieces, but his enunciation, was aefective. Two bracketed violin solos were nicely played by Herr Max Hoppe. Miss Lali Benbow recited a selection from the "Merchant of Venice,' and later in the evening an incident connected with fche Franco-Ger-man war. Mr. George Cooper~~won an encore for his dramatic rendering of "Philippe's Sacrifice," A musical duologue entitled "The Babes" was given in costume by Misses Madge Pollock and Ida O'Reilly. Their singing was somewhat weak, but their acting more than made iup for this deficiency. Mr. W. Harpei, sang "A Dream of Paradise," with a flute obligate, played by Mr. A. St. Clan*, and also contributed the popular ballad "There's a Land." Both items were well received, the former being encored. The accompaniments were played by Misses it Hurley b Leila Spiller, and E. Taylor. RICKA*RDS' VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. The members of Mr. Rickards'p combination arrived in Wellington this morning per s.s. Manuka, and will make their first appearance at the Opera House tomorrow night. Mr. Rickavds is said to pride himself that this is the strongest company of vaudeville artists that he has ever sent through this country. Madame Marzella, "the Queen of the Feathered Tribe," would be in herself a sufficiently attractive "star" for any company, but when there is added to her remarkable performance such artists as Will van Allen, "the Musical Tramp" ; Miss May Moore Duprez, "the Jolly Dutch Girl" ; Miss Maud Beatty; and upwards of a dozen more of Australia's best Vaudeville performers, the strength of the combination can. be guessed at. The lantern slides to be shown at the Navy League entertainment this evening in the Sydney-street Hall include pictures j of various types of warships from the old I Victory of Nelson's time to the up-to-date battleship Russell and the armoured cruiser Good Hope. Diagrams showing the pi ogress made in the construction of naval guns and of the method of armour plating are included; also illustrations of torpedo boats, submarines, and destroyers in action. Types of French, Russian, and German warships will conclude the list. A slide representing a scene of the deck of a fishing trawler has been specially obtained locally. His Excellency the Governor will take the^chair at 8 p.m. The "Mock Parliament" was repeated last night by the members of the Ladies' Literary Club of Trinity Wesleyan Church, Newtown, in the Victoria Hall, to a crowded audience, and was even more successful than on the previous evening. The Bazaar organised by the ladies of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in aid of the funds for lac erection of a new class-room closed last night. The bazaar was a success in every way, and the returns compiled last night indicate that the ladies will be able to hand over to the church managers about £120. The chief attraction last evening was an excellent programme of musical items contributed by Mrs. Rose, Misses N. Lambert, Misses N. Lambert, F. and 0. Arthur," Messrs. B. Fletcher, D. Lillicrap, and Donaldson, and the Church Choir. Mr. Pierard was musical conductor. The following ladies were in charge of the stalls at St. James's Presbyterian Church sale of work : — Plain Work Stall : Mesdames Burke, Glasgow, Wilson, Rand, M'Donald, and Srirer. Guild Stall : Mesdames Blythe and Bowie, Misses Wilson, Duck, Jaffray. Refreshment Stall : Mesdames M'fl wraith and Davies, Misses Wikon, Glasgow, Scott, and Gilchrist. Lollie Stall : Mrs. E. Wilson, Misses Clark, Middlemass, and R. Sidey. Children's Stall : Misses Rowe and Shirer. Flower and Produce Stall : Misses Hayes, E. Hayes, Davidson, and Lewis. Christian Endeavour Christmas Tree : Misses Henshillwood, Gilchrist, M'Kay, Marley, Messrs. Bibby, Smith, and members of Christian Endeavour. Rontgen Rays : Dr. Cameron. Art Gallery : Mr. Wright. The sale of work 1 proved most successful in every way.