ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 8, 9 July 1909, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

"CINDERELLA." There was a crowded audience at the Opera House last night at the second performance of the operatic pantomime, "Cinderella," by Messrs. Meynell and Gunn's English Opera Company. The piece went with a delightful swing from start to finish, and the frequent peals ( 1 laughter and hearty encores showed how thoroughly it was appreciated. The dresses are charming, the scenery is teally splendid, the humour is sparkling and refreshingly new, the songs are of more than average quality, and the piece is performed in a manner that reflects the higliesb credit on all concerned. Particularly attractive is the scene wheL-e Cinderella enters the gorgeous glittering car, attended by her dainty page-, to go to the ball ; and the curtain Ivrl to be raised several times in iespo-.-.e to the enthusiastic plaudits of the audience. The "Drinking" chorus, in which the well-blended male voices are heard with particularly fine effect, was one of the most successful of the concerted offorts, but the desire of the audience fir more of it was not gratified. "Cinderella" will be. repeated to-night and tomorrow night, and at a matinee to-jnoi-row afternoon. On Monday the company will produce "The Belle of May Fair," which will occupy the boards for the last four nights of the season "LUCKY DURHAM." The late Mr. Wilson Barrett is credited, as a playwright, with having achieved several notably popular successes. His "Sign of the Cross" made the fortune not only of himself, but of a host of theatrical managers. Mr. Barrett himself was personally of the opin-,! ion that he struck the very highest note in his last play, "Lucky' Durham," anJ from its enthusiastic reception in Aus tralia the assumption is probably correct. The piece will serve to introduce Messrs. Clarke, Meynell, and Gunn's New English Company for the first time in New Zealand. Mr. Harcourt Beatty, ever a favourite with New Zealand audiences, will sustain the leading rolf of John Durham, whilst several English actors and actresses will make their New Zealand debut. The season of eight nights only commences at the Opera House on Friday next, and the plans are Announced to open on Tuesday next. WEST'S PICTURES. •- Last night's wet weather had no appreciable effect on the attendance at the Town Hall to view West's pictures. The wonderfully impressive "Drink" series was -shown for the last time, and a change of programme is announced. The new art study to be presented this evening and during next week will be a pictorial condensation of the famous tragedy, "La Tosca." Every scene in the drama has been carefully studied, and is portrayed .by skilled artistes, headed by Madame Sarah Bernhardt and M. le Bayr. The scene between Scarpia and Floria Tosca, ending in the death of the former, is described as being equal to anything ever previously presented in a picture drama. For tomorrow evening the management announce a complete change of programme, including "The Return of Ulysses." FULLERS' PICTURES. The Webb-Arust boatmce pictures aro proving a powerful attraction at the Theatre Royal. The Fuller Proprietary are also exhibiting other pictures, and some with cinephone accompanimezrt, which are exceedingly well received. The programme will be repeated this evening, and a change will be made tomorrow, all new pictures being introduced. ROYAL PICTURES. The Royal Picture Syndicate, notwithstanding the bad weather of late, is doing extremely well. The present programme contains the 1909 Derby, showing scenes on the course and the running of the great race, which was won by King Edward's horse Minoru. There will be a matinee at 2.30 to-mor-row, and every child will receive a gift. OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. Twelve skaters engaged in a game of pushball at the Olympia Rink last night, and their efforts caused much diversion amongst the lookers-on. A blaclwoulwhito carnival is announced foi VJ-i-nesday of next week. All who participate are to wear black, white, or biaik and white combined.