ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 95, 19 October 1910, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. " TRILBY." Many people in the large audience a,t the Opera House were glad to renew their acquaintance with "Trilby," and many were glad to make it. As a. play, Dv Maurier's work is not quits in the first rank, but it breathes the charm of the Latin Qua-rter of Paris forty years ago, and, withal, it brings out at least two notable characters— -Trilby and Svieagali, both of whom will be remembered for many a year stiiJl. And the rest makes a sad sweet story thait has not lost- its appeal. The performance last night wa« quite good, comparing favourably with the original production of the play in New Zealand — and that is saying a great deal. The title role was well sustained by Miss Nellie Stewart, who displayed remarkable versatility in conquering a part exceedingly difficult to play convincingly. But the great achievement of the evening was undoubtedly that of Mr. Gaston Mervade as Svengali. It was simply admirable. The man lived for the audience the whole of the time he was on the stage. .The weird genius, the horrible magnetism of bis manner, the gradual waning of power with the weakening of the heart, until the final scene of the collapse — they w*r<* all shown as to th© life. Those who saw the performance will Icing remember it. The other parts were in excellent harmony. Nobody struck th© jarring note that may spoil the whole impression of a play. Mi". EardJey Turner made a perfectly satisfactory Taffy, and in the scene wdith the Rev. Thomas Bagot and Afrs. Bagot (Billee'-s mother) reached a very high level of acting. The other members of the trio, Little Billee and the Ladrd, were soundly portrayed by Mr. A, J. Pearce and Mt. Harcourt Beatfcy. The part of the Rev. T. Bagot was very effectively burlesqued by Mr. J. B. Athorwood, who provided a note of comedy needed to relieve the prevailing pathos. Calomel Kaw, the American theatrical manager, was also- wry well done by Mx. Norman Campbell, while the impersonation of the remaining characters was marked by thorough and axmsistent workmanship. "Trilby" will be pkyed again tonight. "THE PASSING OF THE THIRD FLOOR BACK." This play, which has been causing much controversy, has been well received in Auckland, under the management of Allan Hamilton, Harry Plimmer, and Reynolds Denniston. Most people have seen the_ "Message from Mars." "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" is 'on a similar footing. Everyone concerned, from base feelings and actions, are taught that finer feelings towards their fellows when their baser or other self is thrown off is the only happy aim of humanity. The admirable company that Messrs. Plimmer and Denniston have got together to interpret this mystic drama finished their Auckland season last night, and leave this afternoon from Onehunga to New Plymouth, playing there two nights, with Stratford Saturday, Hawea Monday, and Palmerston North Tuesday, and Wednesday next, arriving in Wellington on Thursday, 27th, and opening the same night. The box plan will open at Holliday's on Monday next. THEATRE ROYAL. Gray and Graham, the American musical duo, were enthusiastically received at the Theatre Royal last evening. Both artists are musicians of a. very high order, and as a comedian, Fred Gray ranks with the best that have appeared under the management of Messrs. Fuller. "Hanco" received two challenges last evening. One from a committee of pressmen was not proceeded with, as Hanco complained of stoppage of circulation after one knot had been tied. He, however, had little difficulty in freeing himself after the second test had been imposed. Miss Beryl Gilman, Scott Gibson, Norman Dentice, and Apollo Brothers all contributed pleasing items. THE KING'S THEATRE. West's and Royal Pictures current week's programme was' shown finally last evening, and attracted a large a-udience. The management announces another fine series for this evening's change, which will include the pantomime "Cinderella," the drama "The Way of the Red Man," "The Three Friends," "Our Darlings" (a subject in which a number of children are shown, in various attitudes and some delightful effects are introduced), "Pathe's Animated Gazette" showing Swynford's' victory in "The St. Leger," "The Great Lock-out in the North," "Fulham v. Birmingham" and "Tottenham v. Sheffield" football match, "The Naval Review at Dantzig," "Seaside Sporte at Lowestoft," "Paris Fashions," and other interesting subjects. The King's Orchestra will play new selections. J HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A complete change of programme is announced for to-night. The "star" picture is "The Highbinders," a sensational story of Chinatown. Among the other items are "A Call to Arms," by the American Biograph, in which Miss Dorothy Nicholson takes a prominent part, "The Way of the Red Man," "The Almighty Dollar." STAR PICTURES. The Star Pictures at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, continue to attract large attendances. The programme is well diversified, and contains the latest novelties. PIANO AND VIOLIN RECITAL. The .recital by Messrs. Horace Hunt and Herbert Bloy. originally .announced for 27th October, is now definitely advertised to take pla-ce on Thursday, 3rd November. An exceptionally fine programme is beikig prepared by both artists, and the concert promises to bo of even greater merit than the successful first recital given last June. On this occasion Miss Gertrude Hunt, a soprano vocalist, willmake her first public appearance. WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL. The third concert of the present sea--son will be held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Friday i evening. A fine programme has been in rehearsal, and some music new to Wellington audiences will be sung, including Dudley Buck's interesting arrangement of those well-known airs, "When Other Lips" and "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep," which are harmonised and sung in conjunction under the title of "In Vocal Combat." When this was sung in Auckland some time ago it roused much enthusiasm, and was accorded a triple encore. The fine cantata, "Cho--l'us of Spirits- and Hours," from Shelley's "Prometheus Unbound," will be sung, and this beautiful work alone is well worth hearing. In all, the Liedertafel items comprise eight songs, covering a varied range. The society will have the assistance of Miss Agnes Segrief and Mr. Herbert Bloy. Seats may be booked at the Dresden Piano Company. OLYMPIA RINK. Notwithstanding the approach of warmer weather and the end of the skating season, the atendances at the Olympia Rink are well maintained. The band will play every evening until the rink closes for the ataaon in tho next lew 4ay», A