ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 116, 18 May 1910, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GRAND OPERA IN ENGLISH. ARRIVAL OF ~TKE COMPANY. Arrived to-day from Sydney, the Grand Opera Company. To "arrive" to-morrow at the Opera House, "Madam Butterfly," with Bel Sorel in the leading role of Cho Cho San. Elaborate preparations have been made for the representation of Puccini's opera, and no pains or expense have been spared, the management states, to make the production a success. The music of the opera is especially fine, and Puccini himself considers that, it gives expression to his own temperament and sentiment in a fuller measure than any of his other compositions. The oaTt of Madam Butterfly is recognised as being most exacting, and Bel Sorel and Amy Castles, who will alt6rnat& tho role nightly, are called upon to meet a more than ordinary task in the interpretation of the sympathetic and tragic Cho Cho San. The principals to-morrow evening will be — Bel Sorel, Frederick Blarney, Arthur Crane. There will be no performance on Friday. Saturday's principals are announced as Amy Castles, John Zerga, Antonio Zanelli. The score of "Madam Butterfly" is written distinctly in the modern manner, and the orchestra plays a very important part in illustrating and portraying the romantic situations. The stage direction is m the hands of Mr. Henry Bra«y. There will be a late train to the Hutt to-morrow night after the opera. The box-plans for the first five nights are now open at the Dresden. Day sale tickets can be obtained at Christeson's. OPERA HOUSE. "East Lynne" was staged last night at the Opera House by the George Marlow Dramatic Company, and attracted a large audience. The dramatisation of Mrs. Henry Woods's novel seldom fails to please. Thongh the play is essentially pathetic, still, there is plenty of life and movement in the piece, and through all a well-defined current of humour is supplied by Miss Coi-delia Carlyle, the maiden sister of Archibald Carlyle. Mr. Herbert Bentley invested the part of Archibald Carlyle, the wronged husband, with considerable interest, and Lady Isabel was well placed in Miss Essie Clay's hands. Mr. Hilliard Vox as Fr;micis Levison was a convincing villain, and Barbara Hare was attractively represented by Miss Lillian Booth The principals were well supported, and the dressing and mounting was excellent. "East Lynne" will be staged again to-nighb. THE KING'S THEATRE. Of Jie three scenic films shown at the King's Theatre during the pasfc week, it is difficult to 6ay which takes first place, but that showing Switzerland under snow was perhaps che most popular. The other two, "Falls of Potomac" and "Land of Eternal Summer" (the latter a Pathe series), were al&o well received. Among the new pictures to be presented to-night will be another Pathe Freres coloured study, entitled "Old Delhi Ruins." THEATRE ROYAL. Vaudeville at the Theatre Royal is having a smooth, clear run of popularity, and the newly-arrived artists have considerably strengthened the current bill. "Ranee Smith, "who gets up steam like a locomotive," presents a turn at once novel and attractive, and encores were insistent. Warwick Lumley, a singer of comic songs and a patter expert, scored heavily last evening, while the serios, balladists, and comiques generally lend willing and successful (from a management point of view at any rate) voices and feet. Yesterday evening the theatre was comfortably | filled. The current bill will be repeated till further notice. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The pictures that have been presented at, His Majesty's Theatre for the past week were well selected, among the most popular being' "Notable Incidents in the Life of King Edward V 11.," and that sshowing the champion sculler, Barry, training, preparatory to meeting Amst. The usual change of programme will be made to-night when, among 'otliei films |lo be submitted, will be one showing Mount Etna in eruption. The new programme this evening also contains some very strong numbers. "The Victim of Bridge" is a striking example of the evil consequences of allowing tho "bridge germ" to get too firm a hold A film of great topical interest is one entitled "The Flight of the Dalai Lama," showing the arrival of the fugitive Tibetan potentate at Darjeeling. The "Newlyweds" is an Americaii biograph comedy, "The Girl and the Judge" is a drama, and the comic section is well sustained with "Foolshead — Am I mad," and "A Poet at Any Cost." STAR PICTURES. The popularity of the StaT Pictures, which are being shown at St. Thomas's Hall, continues. The latest programme is wall up to tha standard. WELCOME "SOCIAL." The' Tsland Bay Methodist Schoolroom was crowded last evening when a welcome "social" was tendered to the Revs. J. Ward and Richards, who ha,ve recently arrived to labour in the Wellington South circuit. Mr. J. W. Copithorne presided, and addresses were delivered by the rievs. J. Crewes, J. Ward, and Richards. Mr. John Alien played organ solos, and accompaniments, vocal items were rendered by Messrs C. Crawford and R. T. Sando, a recitation by Master Andrews / and refreshments were provided by the ladies of the cnurch. The probabilities are that Mr. J. C. Williamson will have no less than three attractions in the Dominion next Christmas, namely, the Julius KnightGray Dramatic Company in Christchurch, the Royal Comic Opera Company in Wellington, and the Brass Bottle Comedy Company in Dunedin. The Lilac Dancing Assembly will not be held this week.