ENTERTAINMENTS OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 84, 6 October 1909, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS OPERA HOUSE.

Slight as it is in structure and story, the farcical comedy of "A Bachelor's Honeymoon/ played at the Opera House nightly, affords, as it were, a full career open to the talents of Mr. Hugh Ward and his company. And talents they have in comedy to a high degree. Mr. Ward is simply inimitable as Benjamin Bachelor, who has taken an actress for a second wife for better or for worse — mottly for worse at the beginning, but, of course, all's well that ends' well, and tho curtain falls on a happy company. There was a packed house again last night. In an excellent all-round company the performances of Misa Grace Palotta, as Miss Arbuckle, alias Juno Joyce, Miss Celia Ghiloni as Minerva Bachelor, and Miss Rose Musgrove as Marianne, are worthy of special mention. The performance will be repeated to-night. FULLERS' PICTURES. Moving pictures in this city never fail to attract good audiences, and such is proving the case with respect to those being shown at the Theatre Royal. The films are of much variety, and meet with tho approval of the patrons, HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho attractive programme ot pictures which proved so popular at His Majesty's Theatre during the week, was concluded last evening. This evening a complete change will be made, and the new programme will include the following : — The dramatic studies: ' "A Child's Faith," "An Old Bachelor's Fair" fPathe art), "The Vulture of Syria" (The Usurer), and the mythological story "The Legend of Orpheus" (coloured). The scenic studies: "The Banks of the Ganges" (coloured), "Naval Review on the Thames" (new series). PRESBYTERIAN CONVERSAZIONE Last evening the annual conversazione was held in connection with the Kentterrace Presbyterian Church. The large hall was crowded. The Rev. J. K. Elliott, 8.A., pastor of the church, presided. The Rev. R. J. Porter, in a lengthy address, said that it was neces-sai-y for the success of the church that it should be aggressive against the various evils of the world. The speaker dwelt on| the need of appreciation. Did those of the congregation evet think it necessary to say a word of personal thanks to teachers, choir, or minister? Appreciation was necessary to the happiness and encouragement of these valued officers. Mr. Yung Liang Hwang (Chinese Consul) expressed his gratitude for the active /part that the Presbyterian Church had taken in the service of his people. The nations of the earth wers becoming more Travelling facilities, electric communication, literature and missionary work were all assisting the different peoples to a better knowledge of each other. Personally, he was deeply grateful to them for their practical interest in the Chinese mission in this city. The following musical programme was given — Part songs by the choir, under the direction of Mr. M. 0. Meadows, L.A.8. ; musical monologue by Miss Coote; songs by Mrs. Kennedy, Miss Barnard, Miss Mitchell, Miss M'Donald, Mr. Chartres, Mr. G. Williamson, Mr. Hugh Wright, and a duet by Messrs. Porteous and Goudi'e. Miss Allan recited, and Mr. M'Farlane contributed a delightful 'cello solo. Refreshments were dispensed by the ladies connected with the 1 church. BENGOUGH. Mr. Bengough had another enthusiastic reception last night in the Concert Room ofi the Town Hall, and showed again his versatility in sketch, story, and song. His characteristic crayons, of which he sketched eight during the evening, occupied, including commentary, from fifty seconds to two minutes in execution, and were full of character and humour — but Bengough is philosopher as well as humorist. Miss Dora Carroll played some graceful piano solos, and supplied the accompaniments ; Mr. Borneo Gardiner, in "Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark," "The Moc'ung Bird, ' and other selections, whistled with an artistic expression and purity of note that a songbird might have envied, and Mr. Claude Allen sang baritone ballads. There were many encores. The season closes this evening-, when the performance will be under the auspices of the New Zealand Alliance. WELLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY. On Friday week the Wellington Choral Society will give its second subscription concert The work selected for this occasion is "The Black Knight," which has not previously been performed in the Southern Hemisphere. The words, by Uhland, translated by Longfellow, and set to music by Sir Edward Elgar, the foremost English composer of the day. The composer in a note to the second edition of the vocal score published in 1898, thus describes the work : "This cantata is symphonic in design. The poem is divided into four sections, which are musically illustrated ; where a 'picture' is suggested the words are repeated; at the dramatic points, the action is correspondingly rapid. The work may be described as a 'Symphony for chorus and orchestra,' founded upon Uhland's poem 'Der Schwarze Hitler' (The Black Knight). The choral ?nd orchestral work is difficult, but wonderfully dramatic, and abounds in striking melody and original orchestral effects. ' The box plan will be open at the Dresden on Friday morning at 10 o'clock. A meeting oi St. Anne's Literary and Debating Society was held last evening, Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon presiding. The evening was devoted to Shakespeare reading, the play chosen being "Julius Caesar." An able introduction to the play, and a discourse on the plot-, were given by tho Rev. Father M'Donald, S.M. The more important passages in the play were welt rendeVed by the R«v. F. Herring, Messrs. E. J. Fitzgibbon, D. Butler, D. Moriarty, and V llenry v It was decided during the evening that Mr. D. Butler 'should represent the club in the annual oratorical competition, and that Messrs. R. Collins, D. Moriarty, C. M'Eilear, and E. J. Fitzgibbon should represent the club in the final of the essay competition. I.ODGE MEETINGS. The Pioneer Lodge, No. 11, 1.0. G.T., held its weekly meeting in the Rechabite Hall, Manners-street, Bro. R. Coulter, C.T., presiding ovor a good attendance of members and friends. One candidate waa initiated and one admitted on clearance card. A "Dialogue Night" by Sis. Trbtt and M. Potheriok was much appreciated. In one dialogue, "Sil ence under Difficulties," the various characters were enacted by the following members:— Sis. Kelly, Trott, Richards and M. Potherick, and Bros. Reid, Coulter, and Muirhead., A short humorous dialogue, "Gone with a Handsome Man," was contributed by Sis. Kelly and Bro. Allan. Other items were contributed as follows : — Song, Bro. Cresswell ; recitation, Bro. Croome ; song, Sis. Murphy ; recitation, Bro. Muirhead ; pianoforte solo, Sis. Larkin ; song, Bro. Boyd ; recitation, Bro. W. Lambert. Bro. Allan kindly acted as stage manager. A hearty vole of thanks to all who had assisted in making the evening so enipyable was carried by acclamation.