ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 78, 28 September 1907, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MOTHER GOOSE." High revels wore held at the court of King Goose oa the Opera House stage last evening, in the presence of a large number of spectators, including His Excellency the Governor. The joys and sorrows of Mother Goose, her poverty and affluence, her equine adventures, her search for the much-need-ed youth and beauty, were followed with much interest by the audiencej who heartily applauded all the good things provided by the management. Singing and dancing are conspicuous features of the performance, notably the tuneful "Swing Song," and the charming Floral "Ballet ; and Little Dartos twirl one another around with lightning rapidity. A featuro interpolated in the play was the tableau showing Britannia presenting the charter of nationhood to New Zealand, which was accompanied by the singing .of "Dominion of Beauty," set to a capital tune by Mr. G. H. Hall, musical conductor of the company. Over three hours of good acting, bright music, exquisite foolery, in a beautiful setting, sent the audience away in a happy frame of mind. There was a matinee performance of "Mother Goose" this afternoon, and the piece will be repeated to-night. The children taking part in tho Mother Goose pantomime are the objects of the solicitude on the part of the management. Air. R. I). Stewart directs their education. They have two hours of school, and "after rehearsal visit! the principal features of the city or town, and writs essays on the subject of each littlft tour. Auckland was the last city so dealt with, and yesterday Mr. Stewart announced to tho sixteen children who entered the competition the names of the winners as follows: — Hilda Boati, 1; Madge HeSernan, 2 ; Irene Jones and Mona Ferguson, 3. THE ALBANI FAREWELL CONCERT. There was not a very large gallery audience last night at Madame Albani's farewell concert, but the lower floor made a good show, and there was no lack of dnthusiasm, the programme, though on the usual liberal scale, being extended by eight encores. Madame's favourite- Mozart this time gave place to Weber, her first solo being " Softly Sighs," from " Der Freischutz," finely interpreted, and given with characteristically sympathetic expression. A Largo by Handel was equally well received ; but the audience wero further charmed by two popular ballads, which she had not previously sung in Wellington — " Yo Banks and Braes " and Whyte-Melville's pathetic " Good-bye, ' which Tosti's beautiful air has made so familiar. Willeby's " Crossing the Bar' 1 (included by special request) was her other item, given, as before, with organ obligato by Mr. Maughan Barnett. Miss Mildred Jones sang a German ballad, and also a special sotting of a favourite evening hymn, " Through the day Thy love hath spared us." An interesting feature was that the piano accompaniment was played by the composer, Miss Angela Medley, of this city. Mr. Barnett played an organ obligato to this item also. Mr. William Green's itwna included " Salve Dimora." Tvtiss Myrtle Meggy's pianoforte solos and Mr. Hnydn Woods's violin selections were superb as usual. WELLINGTON GIRLS' COLLEGE. A delightful entertainment was given by the pupils of the VVellington Girls' College to a largo audience of friends in the college hall last evening. The fir6t part of the evening w&s devoted to the production of a one-act comedy, entitled "A Terrible Journey " being the adventures in a raihvay tram of ona Jemima Spriggs, spinster, of uncertain but advanced age. The part of the old maiden lady ./as vivaciously taken by Miss 'M. Gavin. Tho tribulations of "an unprotected woman in one of those awful machines," as Miss Jemima had it, were watched with mingled anxiety and amusement by her nieco. Nellie Fane (Miss M. Henderson), and her friend, Doris Grant (Mies D. Wilson), both of whom were at homo hi their respective roles. As the harassed serv-ing-maid, Betsy, Miss D. Hannay thoroughly enjoyed her part. The second part of the entertainment consisted of a cantata — an allegorical representation of the Hpurs in the absence of old Tim& (Miss V. Hayes). The dresses were particularly tasteful, Morning (Miss MGibb) and her attendant hours being robeq. in p?le blue, with a diadem of the daystar. Day ('Miss M. Mandel), in gold, with an omblem of the sun, Evening (Miss E. East), in a sober livery of mauve, and Night •Miss E. Nicol), in. black, with a tiara of the crescent moon. The procession of the hours, with the music and the singing, and tho dancing of the dryads (Misses O'Sullivan, Kerr. Wilson, and Norton), formed a pretty picture. "SWEET LAVENDER." On 30th September and lsi October performances of tho comedy "SweBt Lavender" will be given in the concert chamber of tho Town Hall, in aid of tho District Nurses' Fund and tho Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. Thrt performance will bo under the direction of Miss Hardingo-Mnltby, and a Btron^' cast has boen arranged. WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY. Tho second 1 concert of the J. 907 sea son will be hold in tho Town Hall on Tuesday, 15th prox., when Gounod's "Redemption" will be performed under tho condnctorshjp of Mr. J. Maughan Barnett. This oratorio, which is looked upon as Gounod's greatest sacred work, was completed in the year 1882, and has boon yeceived with great favour at Birmingham festivals. One feature in connection with tho coming porformanco will be tho engagement of Mr. Andrew Black, The other boloists will be Mrs. R. Hudson, of Dunedin (soprano), Miss Mina Caldow (contralto), Mr. E. J. Hill (tenor), Mr. John Prouse (baritone), Tho hon. secretary has received advice that the Governor and Lady Plunks will bo present. LIVING PICTURE SUBJECT. Tho success of tho animated picture is stimplating enterprise and tho exercisa of ingenuity. One of the latost conceptions is announced by Mr. Chn_s, MacMahon, who has been in Australia for some weeks past. This is the roproduction by means of tho cinematograph of tho .stirring scenes of Rolfo Boldrewood's famous Australian story of real life, "Robbery Under Aram." Elaborate details were involved. A dramatic company of twonty-fivo persons was organised, together with all tho necessary horses, riders, bushmen, coaches, etc requisito to the delineation of tho varied incidents and episodes of the story. Theso were re-enacted in detail on tho historic spots throughout New South Wales. Tho New Zeulnnd tour, for which it has been specially designed, will commence nt His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, on 14th October, and will opon at tho Opera House, Wellington, on 2nd November. FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. An entirely new programme will bo given by fuller's Entertainers this cyouing. Post Mason, tho American singer, is oieating a favourable impression in liis latest eoii^s. New biograph films -v\ ill bo shown, and JarvU and Mortyn, Hie ski'ful ; uggleis J will vary