ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 July 1909, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. MEYNELL AND GUNN'S COMPANIES. "Cinderella" continues to draw packed huuses at the Opera House, alod general satisfaction pervades the audience during the brilliant progress of the fairy tale, which will be played for the last time this evening. On Monday next "The Belle of Mayfair," for wlnich the box plans are now open, will be produced. The charm of "The Belle of Mayfair," it ia stated, lies quite as much in its superb mounting and cosiiuming as it does in its wit and haunting melodies. The music is by the famons composer, Leslie Stuart, who was also responsible for the music of "Floradora." The book is by Charles E. Broolcfield and Cosmo Hamilton. The plot is a modern edition of "Romeo and JrnKet," and it is redolent of bright inci&wnts of unique situations. They, however, do things better than in the time of -which Shakespeare wrote, for the love, which laughs at locksmiths, finally wears down the opposition of Sir John Chaldicot (proud of his £90,000 a year),, and the Earl of Mount Highgate (ejpially proud of his ancestral ties). Amongst the many, features of "The Bellte of Mayfair" is the famous Gibson Girls, and a burlesque of "The Merry Widow Waltz." It was in "The Belle of Hayfair" that the famous Camille Clrfford first made her appearance, and cusused a mild sensation in London, as the Gibson Girl. The run of "The Belle" is for four nights only, and will conclude the season of the Opera Company on Thursday I next, when Messrs. Meynell and Gram's New English Company, headed by Harcourt Beatty, will commence a brief season of eight nights. "LUCKY DURHAM." "Lucky Durham," the company's opening piece, is from che pen of the famous actor-author-manager, the late Wilson Barrett, in which he is said to have reached the highest points of his dramatic ability. "Lucky Durham" is a play with a purpose. The company, which includes several popular favonri ites, also comprises a number of English newcomers of high reputation on the London stage. They include Misses Gladys Harvey, Emily Fitzroy, Edith Deverell, Messrs. J. W. Deverell, Frank Randell, and L. G. Gardiner. The plans for "Lucky Durham" will open at the Dresden on Tuesday next. THEATE'B ROYAL. "The Taximeter Car" is the title of tho latest singing pictnrc. It will be presented by Messrs. Fuller this evening, along with many others. Several i cinematographic gems, direct from London, will also bo shown for the first time. Included is a novel picture entitled "Youthful Britons," also "Neptune's 'Playground" (showing the Atlantic Ocean during a frightful but gloriously grand storm). Many other •new pictures of story, industry and travel are announced, so that patrons of the cosy Theatre Royal can depend on witnessing a first-class entertainment. ROYAL PICTURES. The Royal Pictures to be exhibited .at His Majesty's Theatre this evening will include some very fine travel scenes., including "Logging in Canada in the Winter," "The Resin Industry," "The Gota Canal and Trolhatten Falls," and "In Mysterious Africa."' There will be plenty of dramatic and comic subjects in the programme, which is calculated to be both amusing and instructive. WEST'S 'PICTURES. In a long series of cinematographic subjects, being shown at the Town Hal\ under the West management, "La Tosca," tho renowned work of the great Sardou, is pre-emine-nt. The representation depicts Sarah Bernhardt in the part, ■a famous player in a famous role. One realises tho importance of the up-to-date pictured entertainment while observing the impression upon the audience, which last evening followed the tragedy with breathless interest. "Hardly could the spectators have .been move carried out of themselves if tho scenes had been really ena-cted by living persons on an actual stage. '"La, Tosca" will be presented again to-night with this exception, there will be a complete chango of subjects. Another art study, called "The Return of 'Ulysses," will bo shown, together with "Scenes in and (Around Bombay," "Paper-making in Pubriano," "Toy-making in Paris, ''Raised from the Ranks," "Tho Puritan Maid," "The Human Wheel," "Fools.hea<l Pays His Debts," and "The Ragman's (Bargain." The popular vice-regal orchestra will supply all accompaniments, and will also introduce a musical burlesque called "An Eventful Motor .Ride." MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. The weekly ambulance meeting was neld at the Missions to Seamen building last evening, there being a large number present. Several useful hints relating to first aid and health matters were jjivcli by Mr. J. Moore (Missicmer) — who «emorustiated methods of rescuing unconscious persons from a burning building, and restoring patients overcome by gas. Sailors from various ships now in port were successful in the competition in connection with the treatment of various accadtents and othei ''ambulance work. The enjoyable musical programme arranged by Miss Blanchard was contributed to by the following: — Mlisses Blanchard, Upham, Gensen, and M'Lean, and Mr. Gardiner. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the performers. | ORANIG-E ANNIVERSARY. The annual social gathering of ih» Loyal Orange Institution was held in •St. Peter's Schoolroom last evening, and proved a great success. Music for the dances was supplied by .Miss Murphy's .'String 'Band. Bros. J. R. Purdy and Boyde acted as directors of ceremonies. During the evening Bro. G. Petherick was presented with a past grandmaster's certificate in a handf-ome frame, the presentation being made by Bro. Aston, the worshipful grandmaster. Bro. Petherick acknow ledged the compliment in appropriats terms. TO HELP THE RELIEF FUND. The Victoria College Students' Association has decided^ to give a special entertainment on Saturday, the 17th inst., on behalf of the Mayor's Unemployed Fund. The first part of the programme will be contributed by leading Wellington artists, and the second part will consist of the amusing carnival farce, "Shackleton Outshacked." The College hits will be largely replaced by local allusions, of a more general type, and it may be predicted that our most I depressed citizens will be constrained to throw aside their gloom should they de cide to follow the motor expedition to the South Pole. BOYS' INSTITUTE NIGHT. Attention is' called to the lectme by the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, in aid of the Boys' Institute, to be given on Tuesday night in the Town Hall, on "New Zealand, Our Own Land." No one in the country should be better able to deal with the subject, for he is one of our most intiepicl explorers, and has done fine work in Fjordlnnd, some particulars of which have boen published in a pamphlet, now .very scarce. In the

course of the lecture, Mr. Mackenzie will narrate the career of his old friend and fellow-explorer, Quintin M'Kinnon, the discoverer of the pass that bears his name, which gives access from the Te Anau side to Milford Sound. In January, 1893. M'Kinnon set out on an expedition for the West. Nothing having been heard of him for a month, a search party was sent out, and returned unsuccessful. At the instance of the late Premier, Mr. went out with a party of six Permanent Artillerymen. They found the missing man's boat on Lake Te Anau, and tokens indicating that ho had accidentally fallen overboard. The lecture, which is to be illustrated, will give an idea of the < hazardous and toilsome work by which the wonders of the lake and sounds have been opened to the world. A kinematographic view of the Arnst-Webb boatrace will be shown, and the Hon. A. T. Ngata will recite an original poem. WEDNESDAY "POPS." ■The Wellington Professional Orchestra will present another attractive programme on Wednesday next. Those appearing will include, among others, Miss Estelle Beere's pupils, who have ■always presented items that have evoked applause ; -Mr. Harry 'Phipps, tenor, who ■has already proved himself a capable artist; and Mr, Charles Proctor, monologist. Particulars will be announced on iMonday next. The orchestra will present some new items. The management are completing details for another series of competitions for children, as the last proved so enjoyable and interesting, and they intend making an announcement during the coming week. The Wednesday "Pops" have now become a form of amusement looked forward to by the public. The orchestra's enterprise in supplying good orchestral and vocal music at a price to suit all deserves support.