ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 133, 12 June 1909, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. The last performanc3 of "A King of Crime " was given by the Allan Hamilton Dramatic Company in the Opera House last evening. To-night " A Mess- ' age from Mars " will be staged, and ■with this the company's season will close. I THEATRE ROYAL. That "singing pictures" have come to stay seems evident, judging by tha excellent reception nightly accorded this novelty, which forms an outstanding feature <pf the entertainment presented by the Messrs. Fuller. To-night several new singing pictures, which havo just arrived from England, will be presented for the first time at the Theatre Royal. The "star" picture of the programme will be a representation of "The Buffoon," one of Eclairs series of art films, described as a story of intense dramatic interest. Its presentation to- \ night will be the first occasion on which it has been shown in New Zealand. THE ROYAL PICTURES. The constant chronicling of crowded houses at His Majesty's Theatre is apt to pall, but the fact remains. The popularity of this picture house is unquestionable, and the pictures screened are varied with ' discrimination. This week's programme is an excellent one, and contains much that instructs, amuses, and interests. There is little doubt that its quality will fill the Courtenay-place theatre until Wednesday, when another change will be made. OLYMPIA RINK. The present seasonable weather makes roller skating a very pleasant pastime, and the attendance at the Olympic continue satisfactory. A matinee was held this morning and. largely attended by ladies and children. A couple of races were a source of joy to the spectators and winners. Next week a couples' race trill eventuate, and during the following week it is expected to play the first game of pushball. 'MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. A good audience assembled at the Seamen's Institute last night, when Mr. J. Moore, missioner, gave his usual weekly chat on "First-aid and Ambulance Work." He dealt chiefly with the best method of bandaging up a broken jaw and a broken arm ; the proper way of using the eyes so as to avoid defective eyesight; and the safest way to pull a man off a live wire. The musical arrangements were in the hands of Mrs. Hugo, \rho gave an enjoyable concert, the following contributing items :—Musical selection, Miss Z. Hugo ; songs, I Misses Z. Hugo and OF. Ward, and 'Mr., •Lambert. Miss Hugo played th© accompaniments. In the conundrum competition, connected with first-aid, prizes went to sailors from ships in port. ELOCUTIONARY AND MUSICAL i RECITAL. | An elocutionary and musical recital by j I Mies May Harvey, assisted by Misses I M. and F. Dix. Miss Vera Teasdale, and | Mr. C. Mlntyre in the elocutionary items, and by Mliss Pringle, and Messrs. E. J. Hill, Hugh Wright, and H. iombp, in the musical portion of the programme, will be given in the Wesley Hall, Taranaki-street, on Thursday evening next at 8 o'clock in connection with the Wesleyan Literary and Debating Society. An excellent selection of literary and musical items has been made, which, combined with, the merits of the individual performers, . should provide a most enjoyable evening, and ensure a largo attendance of the general public. The j price of -admission is one shilling, and tickets may be purchased and seats reserved at the Dresden, where the booking plan is now open. Full particulars of the entertainment appear in our advertising columns. ORGAN RECITAL. A programme of "special request" numbers will be given by Mr. Maughan Burnett on the Town Hall organ ihis evening. Among the selected pieces are the fantasia on airs from Gounod's "Faust," ''Spring Song," by Hollins, pieces by Bach and Mendelssohn, "Serenade" by Pieerue, and Chopin's "Nocturne" in G minor. | DR. BORANOFFS LECTURE. Dr. Boranoff will give the second .and ; l?et of his lectures on Russia in the Opoiyi House to-morrow evening. Tho topic of his discourse will be "The Social Movement." The exiled lecturer gives at first hand interesting information, by him only too painfully acquired, and those who attend the lecture may rely upon learning a good deal about Russia I and her distressed people. WEDNESDAY "POPS." The third "Pop" of the series under the auspices of the Wellington Professional Orchestra will be given in the Town Hall on Wednesday night next. The management has decided to give £1 to each five hundredth person purchasing a one shilling ticket at the doors. The programme will contain items by new vocalists, and Mrs. OrrLoriug will contribute "request songs." Miss Baker (contralto) will again appear. The services of Miss Estelle Beere and her dancing pupils have also been secured. The orchestra will play Lacombes'a entr'acte, "Auba'de Printaniere" for two oboes, and in additiou to other pieces a dainty intermezzo, "The Dawn of Love," by Theo. Bendix, and a characteristic novelty, "The VirI ginian Skidaddje," by Rosenfeld. Mr. Borneo Gardiner, siffleur, will also contribute. The box-plan will open at the Dresden on Monday morning. WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY. The first performance of the Wellington Choral Society for the 1909 season will be held on Tuesday, 22nd inst., at the Town Hall, when two cantatas, viz., Gade's "Comala" and Brahms "Song of Destiny," will be performed. Mr. Barnett, the musical director, held another full rehearsal last night, and every- , thing points to a very successful perform- 1 Mice. A special practice for orchestra will be held on Monday evening. The soloists taking part will be Madame Wielaert, of Auckland (first soprano), Mrs. A. Slack (second soprano), Miss J. ' Driscoll (contralto), and Mr. W. A. Robyns (baritone), all of whom are well known on the concert platform. The box plan will open at the Dresden on Tuesday next. "MISS HOOK OF HOLLAND." "Miss Hook of Holland," which has met with such remarkable success, will bo presented for the first time in Wellington at the Opeia House on the 26th inst. London has watched this merry little party at tho Prince of Wales Theatre for the past four years, and "Miss Hook" seems likely to be very popular there for some time to come. New Yoi-k was fascinated for five hundred odd nights, whilst Melbourne and Sydney applauded her £ov nearly a century of performances. "Miss Hook" is described as a real Dutc 1 * comic opera, cud the atmosphere is essentially Dutch, and the characters the embodiment of the happy folk of the Netherlands. " Miss Hook" is said to be possessed of some haunting musical numbers, and the scenic effects and costuming are typical of the country. All the principals of the company are newcomers, and include amongst others Messra. William, Cromwell, Edwin Brett, Tom

Payne, Harold Thorley, Phil Carlton, .Misses Ruth Lincoln, Emmaline Orford, Essie Perrin, Helene Rose, Dora Denton and Tina Lincoln. Already numerous enquiries -for seats are being receded at the Dresden. .The opening of the plans will be duly announced. CHUNG LING SOO. This extremely adroit gentleman, who conceals his identity under the title of Chung Ling Soo, contributes the chief attraction of Mr. Harry Rickards's Vaudeville Company, opening a season at the Opera House on Monday evening. In Australia, Dunedin, and Christchurch he has succeeded in mystifying huge audiences in what for him has come to be accepted a? quits the tra traditional manner. "Tradition" is used in the senso that the inscrutable Chung is indelibly associated in the public mind with "ways that are dark and tricks that are vain," all done on quite a largo scale. The days have gone by when rabbits evolved from an apparently empty hat were a certain sensation. Conjurers must now do great things to win favour. This singular man, with an impassive^ face and deliberate manner, is said to do them. The supporting company is very strong. The booking at the Dresden is big, and it is advisable to book seats in advance. A matinee will he given on Wednesday, at 2.30. Early doors open -on Monday, at 7 o'clock till 7.45, and day tickets" can be purchased at Christeson's. Rehearsals of " Niobe " are proceeding apace, and every effort is being made to secure for the performances of this i play the best possible success, so that the charitable efforts of Miss Ilardino-e-Maltby and her pupils shall bear fruit ' during the coming winter. The suggestion has been thrown out that these efforts of charity might be aimed at ameliorating some of the prevalent distress, and some scheme is beini* • considered for best achieving this. A sacred concert was given by the Kilbirnie Presbyterian Church choir last evening, and was most successful. Sacred songs _ were sung by Mesdames Weller, Peddle, «ud Rowntree, and the Misses Capper, Gilpin, and Scott; recitations were- given by Miss M'Donald, j Messrs. Kearney and Brooker ; songs by Messrs. Worboys, Perrin, M'Laren, and Littlejohn; duet* by Messrs. Smith (2), Mrs. Pcddie, and Miss Gilpin. The annual choir report was read by the secretary (Miss M'Donald), and the balance-sheet by Mr. Shelley, the treasurer. Those showed that the organ was half paid for, and that a credit balance of £1 3s had been carried forward. A hearty vote of thanks to the choir was moved by Mr. George, and a hope expressed that it would be, heard more frequently in the future. Tho motion was seconded by Mr. Gerlatly, and carried unanimously. A collection in aid of the choir funds realised a very satisfactory sum, and will be utilised for the choir library. Miss Douglas, the organist, and Mr. A. Perrin, the choirmaster, were heartily congratulated on the success of their efforts. An extended night in connection the Carnation Assembly will be held on 16th June.