ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 72, 28 March 1910, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. "PETER PAN." Within the busy maze Wherein our feet are stayed, There roam no g^eesome fays Like those which onoe repaid His sight who first essayed The stream of song' to span. Those spirits are all laid, Where are the pipes of Pan? — Oscar Fay Adams. Whispered and placarded warnings about the ''proper spirit" might have given some people a little nervousness while preparing to go to the Opera House on Saturday night, but it was very oovious at the outset of the pretty play that J. M. Barrie knew how to look after his own. The 'proper spirit" is not so important for the beginning as for the end of the dream, but is amply assured at both by the compelling' power of the drama. "The reality is more excellent than the report," must have been the heart-felt opinion of Satur day's very large congregation of the proper-spirited, and the reports have been glowing. It is the best dramatic work of the modern men produced here for many a long dey, and the company played it worthily. "Peter Pan" is essentially fare for adults, but has sweets in plenty for the little ones, an abundance of glad movement to hold the children's gaze. The author's message is impressed early, and all its lights and flights and the music make it stay fast in the memory. There is the house of a, typical modern married man, with two or three children, and not anxious for more. And suddenly the children have flown away through the open casement with "Peter Pan" — the type of eternal youth — to the Never Never Never land, where dwell the motherless and the children lost and the babes unborn. The scenes and sounds in a world of wonder give heartgripping thoughts of all the glad laughter that might have been on earth, if . What melody of a million mothers crooning over cradled innocence, if the cradles had been filled. The subtle idea, as daintily wafted as a violet's breath, makes one think of the Echoes in Shelly's "Prometheus Unbound." In the world unknown Sleeps a voice unspoken. People may ponder much about ■ that deeper meaning, and then may meditate- about the other — that the childrer should be allowed to reign in their kingdom, amid the marvels which lavish nature can give to those who love her. Barrie has v heart for che children and their thoughts and fancies. How many a grown mail in Saturday's house was suddenly earned back through the years with "the delight of a remembered dream !" How many a one, gazing at- Peter Pan with his attendant fairies, must have been a pitiable Augustus Caesar, sighing to some Varus to give him back his lost legions which he led through the fields and groves ;»f Avalon ! "Prosaic days of politics and trade" have intervened, and the chink of coin has blurred out all tinkle of the fairies. "The flowers jilt us, and we are old bachelors with our ridiculous tenderness," said Emerson sadly in a passage about flowers, the mates of the children. So memory may weep over a wreath of hope's faded flowers, but all is not regret. Peter Pan stirs chords forgotten or only dimly remembered in the hurly-burly, but leaves the people with a confidence that better things may be, and, perhaps, a determination in some to nobly assist. The play is full of . .glad • surprises, crowded with whimsical human sentiment, heart-deep, appealing to all. It is all good to see .and hear, good to carry away and treasure. The quaint world of fanciful childhood— the pirates, the Red Indians, the animals, the underground abode of ' the lost children j "mothered"' at last- by Wendy — was I beautifully presented. The stage carl penter — if it is respectful to call him a carpenter in this case — I had wrought marvels.. The flight of the children at the close ,of the first set was done with a- bird-like grace, and all the other scenes were a rich and varied banquet for the eyes. Then the music completed the enchantment — and all loved the fairies once more. Miss Lizette Parkes was a dearlyloved Peter Pan. She impressively had th© proper spirit, the fairy grace, the melody of voice, the lissome feet. She was a perpetual refreshment, glad in her power of gladdening.- Her voice, soft and caressing, made music like the prattle of baby waves op a golden strand. Gaiety and cleverness and tenderness were combined, naturally, to suggest soothingly that youth which remains youth for ever. An artist of an order seldom seen here. Miss Dolores Rovira was a very lovable Wendy, easily pleasing the eve and ear. The junior members of the company were all a delight that never failed. Their romps, and their questions, and their comments were a thrilling joy always. In that happy band, of which all had the roles well learned. Master Cyril French stood out as a boy of boys, full of mischief, with never a touch of staginess. A very tiny tot. Kitty Mason, was also a doughty performer. Miss Valentine Sydney, in the part of Mrs. Darling (mother df Wendy), gave a very agreeable study of a child-loving mother.' Mr. Thomas Kingston, who did duty as Mr. Darling and the Pirate Captain Hook, was not too happy. He was not an ideal "Pirate King," from children's viewpoint, but he will no doubt wear the lurid clothes more convincingly as the season goed on. "Peter Pan" will reappear to-night. THEATRE BOYAL. The excellent programme provided by Messrs. Fuller at the Theatre Royal weil merited the large attendance. Saturday night was, the first appearance of the Crottons. With no other apparatus than a shield and sword, they perform some wonderful feats of strength. They also give a splendid muscular display under the limelight. The Coleman Sisters made their first appearance, and the audience made them welcome. Miss Maud Hewson and Miss Gertie Johns were both recalled. On Saturday night Hassan made his last appearance in Wellington. Charles Throsby gave a number of clever imitations of' various classes at the theatre, and as an encore played pleasingly on the whistle. The Klimos performed some excellent work on the Roman rings, intermixed with much clever comedy tumbling. To-night a comedian who was very popular in Wellington many years ago, and who since has made a name for himself on the vaudeville circuits in England and America, Mr. Chas. Faning", will make his reappearance. The Lewis trio and Miss Georgie Devoe, and Charlotta, a child comedienne, vill also join the company. BESSES 0' TH' BARN. The performance ot the Besses o' th' Bain Band at the Athletic Park on Saturday nisrht was extremely disappointing from the box office- point of view. There were a few people round the band on the ground and a few people in the grandstand, with a chilly night wind blowing. The programme was skilfully compiled so us to meet most musical tastes ; tor example, the Merry Widow Waltz found a place in the bill equally with a selection from the principal features of Berlioz' 'Faust.' Opening with the march from "La F.eine d« Saba" (Gounod) the band next gave the overture from

"II Barbiere." "lolanthe" was down, but it was replaced by a fine arrangement of several of the better known airs from Lizst, which included brief movements from his Hungarian rhapsodies. This number was giv«n in response to an insistent call from the grandstand. The programme also included a cornet solo by Mr. A. Laycock, and entitled "Rule Britannia," in which th« well-known air was cunningly introduced with occasional embellishments by the full band. A duet "Excelsior," by Messrs. Weedall and Kerry (trombone and euphonium respectively) was a fine rendering of Balfe-s well-known piece. The performers i were warmly applauded. They did not repeat their performances, but instead j the full band played after each of the two numbers well-kn»wn| hytans ''Rock of Ages" and "Nearer, my God, to Thee." From beginning to end the band waa under the absolute control of its able conductor, Mr. A. Owen. As an example of perfect discipline- in music the performance on Saturday night was well worth going far to hear. In a natural amphitheatre of wooded slopes at Day's Bay the band played t<> a very large audience on Sunday afternoon. As the wind had- dropped and the afternoon was warm the- conditions wert almost perfect. The programme was much appreciated. This evening there will be another performance at the Athletic Park. KING'S THEATRE. The excellent programme of pictures now running at the King's Theatre enjoyed a large share of patronage on Saturday afternoon and evening, when the films were reeled off before crowded houses in each instance. This afternoon another matinee was held. HIS MAJESTY'S PICTURES. ' Two performances of. "His Majesty's pictures" were given on Saturday at the Town Hall, and both v?ere well attended. The Fuller proprietary is sparing j no expense in getting the very latest films, and the present programme is as enjoyable as it is instructive. The allround exceHence of the- "screening" of i the pictures is also a matter worthy of the best praise. Another performance will be given this evening. TOWN HALL, TO-NIGHT. To-night at the Town. Hall His Majesty's Pictures will be shown as well as at His Majesty's Theatre, but the two programmes- will be quite distinct. The pictures to be shown at the Town Hall will be all new to Wellington, some of the subjects being of a novel description. An interesting picture will be that- of the "Last .Muster of the Balaclava Light Brigade," showing the veterans of the famous brigade as they are at the present day. Arrangements have been made for accommodating a large audience, and as the admission money has been fixed at one shilling for circle and sixpence for back stalls, the hopes of the management should be fulfilled. STAR PICTURES. A special change of programme is promised by the Star Picture Proprietary at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, tonight. Some of the latest kinematographic novelties are announced. EASTER CARNIVAL. A very successful beginning was made at the Easter Carnival, "which was formally opened by Lady Ward, at the Syd-ney-street Schoolroom, on Saturday evening. The display of dancing by some sixty children was a feature of the entertainment, and the skill 'and "precision of "the young people reflect great credit on Miss Putnam, who trained them. The stallholders and their assistants did good business, the receipts amounting to over £100.' The object of the carnival is to raise funds for a Catholic school-chapel at Wadestown. The carnival will be continued all this week. BIBLE CLASS GIRLS. Over 300 members of the Presbyterian Young Women's Bibles Classes were present it a meeting of the united classes, held in St. John's Church yesterday afternoon. Evangelistic addresses were given by Dr. Elizabeth Macdonald and Sister Mabel, deaconess of St. John's. There were about 200 girls entertained at tea in St. John's schoolroom, and a very agreeable time was spent, Miss Eva Rash contributing solos, and two little Maori maidens from the Presbyterian Maori Girls' School, Turakina. also singing. Dr. Gibb, in his special address to the girls, dealt with the trusting faith of Mary Magdalen. He specially referred to the work accomplished by the Young Women's Bible Class movement, mentioning a number of its activities, which he sincerely hoped would be maintained and added to. To love Christ was the highest ideal that the members could form for their lives, and in proportion as they attained to that, they would help to realise their Master's, desive to bring the world in fellowship with God the Father through faith in the Son. Papers read before the convention have excited much interest, and among them were contributions by Miss Chappell on "The Best Way. to Persuade Outside Girls to Form Classes," by Mts. Falconer on "Organisation," by Miss Ross (Hastings) on "Co-operation," Miss Tremain (Auckland) on "How Bible Clases can Help Sunday Schools," and by Mr. H. W. Kersley on "Systematic Giving. ' ' "MISS CLEOPATRA." Members of the Eastbourne Dramatic Society deserve credit for their enterprise in producing from time to time plays for the entertainment of residents of the marine subuibs. The latest of their efforts, and one of the most successful, is ''Miss Cleopatra," staged in the Day's Bay Pavilion on Saturday night before a large audience. The piece is of the kind suited to amateur talent, as in itself it contains an abundance of humour, incident, and farcical situation. The action radiates from the personality of one Mr Vane, a philanderer of inveterate habit, whose flirtations with Miss Cleopatra Collins and Mips Hawkins, daughter of the retired pork butcher. Mr. Raw kins, place the ultimate fate of the parties long in doubt. Mr. Vane, whose character of flirt was ably suggested by Mr. Bourne, at last does the right thing and marries the right girl. Miss Carte played the part of the delectable arch "Miss Cleopatra" cleverly, while Miss Smith gave a spirited impersonation of her nval, Miss Rawkins. In the other roles, Mrs. -Carte and Messrs. Girdlestone and Millier were thoroughly competent. The piece was well stage managed by Mr. Keenan, who was assisted by Mr. E. B. Shoitt. An orchestra of some ten mii strumentalists, conducted by Mr. Morris, played incidental music. WONDERLAND. If the weather is suitable theie will be a repetition this evening of the fireworks display given at Wonderland on Saturday night, when hundreds of people forsook the city and its noises for the move peaceful atmosphere and pleasant distractions of Wonderland. All the side shows are in full working order. A peiformance in aid of the Karori Bowling Club's funds will be given at the Parochial Hall, Karori, by the Eastbourne Dramatic Society on Wednesday and Thursday next. A farcical comedy in three acts, entitled "Mi»i Cleopatra," . will be staged.