ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 12, 15 January 1909, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. In the diama of "Zira" Mr. George S. Titheradge atiords an enjoyable study of the part of Sir Frederick Knowleb, F.R.U.S. By do means a star role the player's magnetic presence and "nvti'ui artlessness" give the minor pait a spies oi his own distinction. Auss Ola J. Humplney's eltorts are ah usual most successful in her tearful moments. Her "Zira" carried the sympathy of the audience in her emotional scenes ; her defiance of hor accuser is her happiest point. Miss (Susie Vaughaii chained everyone as Lady Constance Cia voting. Mr. Henry Kolker uses his beaatiiu lspeaking voice to great advantage as the Rev. Gordon Ulavering. 'Zira" will be presented this evening for the last time. ROYAL PICTURES. Though the Royal Pictures have been running, at His Majesty's Theatre foinearly twelve months now, the audiences were never larger and the entertainment better. Last night was chai^cteristic. In spite of a blustering wind and a suspicion of rain the theatre was filled to the doors. Of the scenic and descriptive category of films are pictures illustrating life in Zanzibar, rice-growing, and among the other dramatic and sensational scenes are many incidental views of interesting places. The programme will be repeated to-night, and to monow there will be a matinee performance. WEST'S PICTURES. Pictures illustrative of a trip from Paris to London were amongst the new items on the programme gone through at the Town Hall last night. A coloured film depicting the life of Samson was another interesting series, and so, too, was "Sicily before the earthquake." Appropriate musical accompaniments were played by De Groen's Orchestra. THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. Another large audience the concert chamber of the Town Hall last night. The entertainment from start to finish was clever and entertaining. Miss Maude Fane delighted the audience with ''The Caterpillar and the Rose," wjiich was encored. Her singing o£ "The little boy next door" was also redemanded. The quartettes by Messrs. Mannering, Griffiths, Cunningham, and Walt Ham were a feature of the entertainment, and Mr Edgar Warwick's humour was refreshing Mr. Percival Mackenzie not only played the banjo in a finished style, hut illustrated "The Venetian Song" in coloured chalks The programme will be repeated to-night. THE TITTELL BRUNE SEASON. "The Girl of the Golden West" will be staged here for the first time tomorrow night at the Opera Housu, wheii Miss Tittel! Brune and Mr. J. C. Williamson's combined dramatic company make their reappearance in this city. The play is a large piece out of the history of California in '49— the golden age. It tells in vivid terms the interesting circumstances of the wild life of those rlays^ Miss Tittell Brune appears as "The Girl." The second production of the season will be Cicely Hamilton's romantic comedy, "Diana of Dobson's," written on an episode in the life of a London shopgirl. This will be followed by revivals of "Sunday" and "Romeo and Juliet." The box-plans for all productions are on view at the Dresden. SUNDAY CONCERT. ' The second of a series of sacred Sunday night concerts will he given by the Wellington Professional Orchestra in the ' Town Hal) on Sunday. The management of the orchestra is determined to make these sacred concerts popular, they having imported music specially for them. The orchestra will be assisted on this occasion by Mr. D. A. Kenny, organist. The vocalists will be Miss Driscoll (contralto) and Mr. Claude Allan, of Christchurch (baritone). Tho concert is advertised to commence at 8.20, a silver collection being made at the door. BURNS-JOHNSON PICTURES. The biograph pictures of the heavyweight championship of the world, which took place on Boxing Day, at the Sydney Stadium, will be exhibited for the first time in Wellington on Monday next, under the management of Messrs. John Fuller and Sons, at the Theatre Royal. The plan for the reserved seats is on view at the Dresden. The pictures, according to reports received, have been most successful in Melbourne and Sydney, wheie they have been shown at the Town Halls. The entertainment was patronised by Lord and Lady Dudley in Melbourne. THE CHERNIAVSKIS. The members of the Cherniavski concert party arrived in Wellington last night from, a successful series of concerts in the Nelson district They will give a farewell matinee, performance at the j lown Hall to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, for which occasion an interesting programme has been prepared. It includes Grieg's suite, "Peer Gynl," for violin, 'cello, and piano; Liszt's ' Rigoletto " transcription for piano; Schubert's "Aye Maria" and Bazzini's "Witches' Dance" for violin; Sultzer's "Summer Night," and Van- Goen's " Scherzo for violoncello. In addition, Madame Marie Hooton and Mr. Percival Driver will contribute vocal numbers.