ENTERTAINMENTS OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1909, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS OPERA HOUSE.

RICKAEDS'S COMPANY. The Opera House was crowded in all parts last evening, when Mr. Harry llickards's company gave another performance. (Jhung Ling Soo's remark able exhibition of "magic," or whatever other term may bo applied to it, was again watched with the utmost interest, and heartily applauded. The present will be repeated for the last lime 1 to-night. A great crowd assembled at the matinee this afternoon. On Monday evening an entirely new bill will be presented. Chung Ling Soo will further mystify his audience prior to packing up his outfit on Friday night for Auckland. CALIFORNIA BOYS. Eloquent testimony to the marvellously rational aud successful social work of the Columbia Park Boys' Club, San Francisco, was tendered last evening, when the Californian Boys, under the eye of Major Peixotto, made clean and fresh entertainment in tho Town ' Hall. The club preaches a gospel of j physical well-being, and as much refill- ! ing influence as a boy can assimilate without overbalancing, and last night's programme demonstrated that the training has been entirely successful. The boys, costumed appropriately, displayed a gymnastic ability of a high order, while tho musical portion of the entertainment x was surprisingly good. The entertainment is one to be &eon, and the audionc« at the Town Hall was most enthusiastic The initial item, a series of pyramidal designs, by a team of sixteen boys, admirably arranged and admirably carried out, indicated a thorough discipline and oxpertness born of long practice. Following this, 1 Maojr Peixotto explained the origin and growth of the Boys' Club, and described succinctly its ideals. A comic German sketch, "The Three Fritzes," was featured by Edward Ryan, Herbert Meanwell, and Sidney Rosenthal in excellent abandon. One of the more enjoyable numbers was a series of stirring American war-time melodies by a- quartet of cornetists. It was enthusiastically encored, a similar compliment being paid a amall boy, Sheridan Williams, for his solos, "A Friar of Orders Gray" and "School Days." Young Williams possesses a voice of great strength, aud uses it with vigour and vivacity. ,T,he "Sailor Boy Balladists," consisting of Charles Day, Robert Hayes, Young Williams, and Roy O'Connell, were associated in a medley of sea songs, effectively rendered. Emil -Hastings and Edmund Nelson, in a budget of American songs, and little Abe Schmall, alias "The Little Cannibal," contributed materially to tha brightness of things, while the song and dance of a sextette of boys roused the audience considerably. The evening's entertainment concluded with a series of selections by the fui. 1 band, whose work was excellent and spirited, one particularly stirring number being Sousa's "El Capitan." During the evening the Amokura boys wore present. The California Boys will appear again to-night, and should command a lot of patronage. FULLER'S SINGING PrCTUEES. To-night, at the Theatre Royal, another complete change of singing pictures wi}l be given, including the latest song craze, "Kate, Won't you Rollerskate," sang by Mr. Jack Charman (London). Miss Eleanore Jc-nes will sing and act "Dear Heart." The star lilm of the evening is to bo "Judas's Kiss," in which the story is said to be portrayed with remarkable realism, and to bo ono of Patho Frere3's masterpieces in film production. The nßw programme will contain other new pictures of much variety, so that regular patrons and others should witness a really, good picture entertainment this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A programme of entertaining variety invites the devotee of the moving picture nightly to His Majesty's Theatre. Many excellent films reel off the minutes pleasantly — views of the Rocky 'Mountains seen from a C.P.R. train ; "The Punehestown Steeplechase," and "The Bees' Eviction." Comedy has its part, and melodramatic tales, with deeds of darkness and derring-do, complete the cycle of filmic record. The screening of the pictures at the Courtenay-plaee house is known for its quality. LECTURE ON CHARLES LAMB. Mr. W. Gray, M.A., principal of the Wellington Training College, delivered an interesting lecture on Charles Lamb to the V.M.C.A. Literary and Debating Society last night. The lecturer covered much ground on tho life and work of the essayist. Though Lamb's readers had always been of the select few, said Mr. Gray, his works possessed undoubted charm. The Essays of Elia were largely a reflection of the fife of the author and his family. Mr. Gray was heartily thanked for his lecture. "MISS HOOK OF HOLLAND." The plans for tho season of "Miss Hook of Holland" will be opened at the Dresden on Tuesday morning next at nine. Already applications for seats have been received, and big booking is expected. The much-ta-lked-of Dutch musical play will commence its season at the Opera House on Saturday evening next, being interpreted by 'Messrs. Meynell and Gunn's English Comic Opera Company, whose popularity in Australia has already been heralded to New Zealand. The company concludes its Auckland season to-night, when the run of "Miss Hook of Holland" will have created a record for a single week's receipts for that city. The music of "Miss Hook" is described as charming and strikingly original, some of the choruses being particularly exqelleufc. Miss Ruth Lincoln has been highly praised by the Australian press for her roie as "Miss Hook," whilst Mr. Edwin Brett and Mr. William Cromwell, as "Mr. Hook" and "Slinks'* respectively, are said to be responsible for a great deal of the fun of the production. Mr. Harold Thorley has an excellent part as the bandmaster,' and some fine songs to sing, whilst the remainder of the parts are well filled. ALFRED HILL CONCERT. In recognition of Mr. Alfred Hill's work and position in the musical world, bis Wellington admirers have arranged a complimentary concert, which will be held in tha Town Hall on Monday, 28th June. Though not Wellingtonian born, Mr. HiD has been closely identified with musical culture in this city. As a composer, his reputation extends beyond the seas to Australia and Europe and Amenta. At tha forthcoming concert un orchestra will give selections from Mr. Hill's compositions, and several of his songs will also be rendered. Leading local -talent has been engaged for the event, the box plan for which opened at the Dresden this morning. WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY. Th» public of W-ellington will have the first opportunity of tho 1909 season of hearing the Wellington Choral Society at the Town Hall on Tuesday, 22nd inst. The works to be performed aie "Comala" (Gade; and "Song of Destiny" (Brahms), both of which nave received a great amount ot practice undor tho duettorsbip of Mr. J. Maughao Ba.cn.ett. The -.otyhftatra, wiU^ftpea &h§

programme with an* item, and Madame Wielaert, of Auckland, will sing "Hear ye, Israel," from "Elijah." Tho box plan is now open at tho Dresden. A very successful practice was held last evening, and the final practice will bo held on Monday evening, at the Town Hall, at 7.30 p.m. The^ box plan for next Wednesday's "Pop" opens at the Dresden on Monday morning. At the concert chamber of the Town Hall on Thursday and Friday next the Victoria College students are holding their annual cui'nival in honour of capping day. Seats may be reserved for j either night at the Dresden box office. Jupp's Brass Band is advertised to give a performance at the Kewtown Park to-morrow afternoon.