ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 10, 12 July 1909, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. There was another crowded audience at the Opera House on Saturday night, when the Rupert Clarke, Meynell and CJuun Company produced "Cinderella." By special request, a *natince perfomiance of the piece will be given on \\ etlnesday. "THE BELLE OF MAYFAIR." This evening "The Belle of Mayfair" will be staged for the first time in Wellington, ilie musical comedy has had long runs in Great Britain and -AiiMrulia. The book was written by Chailes Bvookfield and Cosmo Hamilton, and the music is by Lpslic Stuart, who composed "Floradora. " Mr. Edwin Brett will appear as Sir John Chaldicott, Mr. William Cromwell as Hugh Meredith, Mr. Harold Thorley as Raymond Finchley, Tom Payne, etc., Miss Ruth Lincoln as the Princess Carl Khrenbreitstein, Miss limmaline Orford as Lady Chaldicott, Miss Alice Bennetto (her first appearance this season) as Julia Chaldicott, Miss Essie Perrin as Pincolt (Julia's maid), Miss Daisy Belmore as Countess Mount Highgate, and Miss llelene Rose. Among the featuies of the production will be the famous Gibson Girls, and a burlesque on the "Merry Widow Waltz," danced by Mr. Cromwell and Miss Dickenson. The opera will be staged under the direction of the London producer (Mr. Charles F. Wenman). » LUCKY DURHAM. By the Moeraki from Sydney, on Wednesday, will arrive Messrs. Meynell and Guim's new English company, of which the leading star is Mr. Harcourfc Beatty, a favourite with New Zealand audiences. This company will make its first appearance here in Wilson Barrett's powerful play, "Lucky Durham." This piece is said to be Mr. Barrett's best effort, and it is full of strong dramatic incident. Few people on the stage knew every move of the theatrical chessboard as well as Wilson Barrett did, and "Lucky Durham" is claimed to be a striking example of the famous actor's skill in this direction. There are six English artists in the company, who will make their first appearance. Miss Gladys Harvey is said to be the youngest actress on the English dramatic plage. She is described as "charming and beautiful, and of conspicuous ability." Miss Emily Fitzroy is another actress with a notable English reputation, though she first graduated under the banner of Mr. George Rignold in Australia, some years ago. The plans for "Lucky , Durham" open at the Dresden to-morrow morning. WEST'S PICTURES. First and foremost in interest among the films of the new programme of West's Pictures now showing at the ToWn Hall is a series giving a condensation of Sardou's famous play "JLa Tosca," with Madame Sarah Bernhardt in the chief role. It is as though we saw the "divine Sarah" herself Only one thing is lacking — the glorious,speaking voice that has been the wonder* of two generations. Certainly this picture marks a decided advance in the art of cinematography. The story of Ulysses is of much artistic importance. There are no anomalies. Of its kind, it is a fii v 6t-tlass work, with a fine cast of performers. "Toy-Making in Paris" was watched with great interest. "Raised from the Ranks" is a story of the "ragging of a ranker." The foolish bullies are forced to recognise that the plebeian is really one with themselves, for "he saves the colours," much to the edification of the audience. "Scenes in Bombay," and a trip on the Darjeeling railway, through . and rip the Himalayas, are of particular interest. There are several clever comic pictures which cannot" fail to provoke .amusement. New numbers by D,e Groen's Orchestra received much applaitse.FULLER/S PICTURES. The list of films submitted by the Fuller management at the Theatre Royal on Saliudily evening was both inteieating and instructive. The programme opened with various panoramic views of the old harbour and city of Marseilles. "The Telepathic Warning" was a picture portraying how .messages ' can be convoyed through the medium of Hie sub-conscious mind, from one person to another, between whom a strong attachment exists. The first scene of "Behind the Scenes at Punch and Judy" showed the stars of the company being dressed preparatory lo making their tleont. The next scene shows tho exteiior of the miniature theatre, with the forms of the "stars"' careering tip and down the platform. In scene ntunber three is beheld the varying expiessiolis on the faces of the juvelitle audience, as they watch with breathless anxiety the antics of the antiquated and yet ever-haw "Punch and Judy." Among the cinephone items were "The Bedouin Love Song" and "My Little Wooden Hut." Interesting and amusing was a film entitled "Mouthful Britons," which recorded pictoiially a boxing contest between the two small 6cms of Eugene Corrie, the referee of the National Sporting Club. One of the finest films of its kind was that showing the city of 'Vereaiiies, ancient and modern. "When ' fhe Stormy Winds do Blow" was a series depicting some very fine seascapes of the well-known 'seaside resort of Biarritz ("The Two Rocks"). Included in the humorous items were "Ma-iu-law's Hard Life," "Mother Mitchell's Cat," and "Regimental Barber." The same pi-o-gramme will be submitted to-night. HIE ROYAL PICTURES The young patrons of the Rtfjrtl Pictures weic presented with toys at the matinee on Saturday. There w;is a crowded house at Ilie evening exhibifion. The programme will be repeated Until Wednesday, when a complete I'b.uiye will be made. Y.W.C.A.— CHILDREN'S MATINEE. On Saturday afternoon the Y.W.C.A. Rooms were filled with bright young faces, the occasion being a grand children's matinee, arranged by Mifc'ses Cathie, Allender, Caverhill, and Fitzgerald, to provide funds for the beautifying of the rooms, and to give them a home-like appearance. Home-made sweets were on sale. The first part of a musical programme opened with an overture by Miss L. Caddick, followed by a recitation, "Miss Millington's Girls, ' by Mis-s B. Water*, and illustrated in pantomime by the Misses M. Iteid, D. Drydpii, B. Burns, S. Burns, M. Hart, and G. Newtombe. A poi dance by Miss Connie Williams, to a Maori song accompaniment by unseen singers, was an unusual and plea-siug item. A recitation, "The Freckle-faced Girl," was commendably given by Miss Dora Pope. •"The Sweeping Brush Brigade," an action song in character, by the Misses A. Evans, M. Payne, E. Hart, and E. Cnthie, was most effective. During the interval a vigorous commercial campaign Was carried on, and all the sweets quickly found buyer's. An illustrated fairy tale, "Cinderella," admirably presented by various youthful mimes dressed in. the gi'acef ul* powder and patches era of otu* Georgian grandmothers, fdi'med the second part. Misses V. Peg^ D. Bull, I Gooder, V. Vial, B. Mackenzie, K. Caverhill, nlid E. Fitzgerald took part. The reading was given by Miss May Mhsoii, and the mu&ic supplied by Miss Cassie Fitznuiurice. A substantial sum has been realised. x BOYS' INSTITUTE. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, F.R.G.S., Minister for Agriculture, will lecture in tho Town Hall tomorrow "evening on

"New Zealand: Our Own Land, Brightest and Best." The lecture is on behalf of the Boys' Institute, and lantern and moving pictures will be shown in il-hifct-ration of the "Wonderland' 1 which is to be deftiibed. 'ihe Thermal District, the Wanganui River, the Southern Alpp, find the Western Sounds will all be refie.sented. Mo\ing pkfuieh of the Webb Ainpt Puulling match will aleo be shown. The Hon. T. Mackenzie has made a special practical study of tlia viiiied physical features of New Zealand, and a most enjoyable evening is promised to the_ audience. Much interesting information, es^>ecially regarding the less well-known parts of the country adjacent to the Sounds of the West Coast, is assured. The Hon. A. T. Ngata will recite his "Scenes from the Past." The Garrison Band will also contribute programme numbers. The box plan is at the Dresden, where children's seats will be booked without extra charge. The committee of the Boys' Institute are grateful to the management of West's Pictures for their courteous resignation of the main Town Hall for the function. On Saturday evening the Maranui Social Club held n meeting for the appointment of officers, and a programme of meetings was drawn -up. Future evenings will be occupied by debating, essay reading, and v mnsical and social gatherings. Mr. H. M. Hayward has kindly placed, free of charge, the Maranui Hall at the disposal of the club, which will meet there every Thursday evening. The following officers . were elected: — Patron, Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P. ; hon, president, Mr. W. H. Morrah ; president, Mr. Bono ; vicepresidents, Messrs. Carman and Younger ; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. S. Bruce : committee, Messrs. Raven, Sinclair, Nickerson, Sendall and Stutters.