ENTERTAINMENTS OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 72, 25 March 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS OPERA HOUSE.

"WHY MEN LOVE WOMEN." Tho evrr-pojpnlar vaiiety of melodrama once* again held the boards at tho Opera House on Saturday evening, when Allan Hamilton's Company levived Walter Howard's well-known play "Why Men Lovo Women." Walter Howard lias been v; prolific playwright, and of the many pieces which have come from bis pen "Why Men Love Women" is generally acknowledged to be probably the bust. It certainly lacks nothing fiom a sensational point of view. It is brimful of incident; coincidence plays no unimportant part; aud occasionally the story breaks Iho bounds of probability. Hut it is ingredients such as these which nowadays go to make up the succesiff ul melodrama. Again, there is plenty of good, wholesome cornedy — another important factor — sandwiched between the relays of dramatic events. Thei story of the play is laid in the North of India, around the lives of the inhabitants of a bungalow at the foot of the Himalayas. In the end the efforts of the "bad man" ar© frustrated., aud as the curtain falls finally tho success of the hero and> the death of tho villku are jointly applauded. The piece is in decided contrast to tho previous play staged by the company, but- the members are none tho less successful in their 'interpretation. Tho various roles were all well allotted, and on th© whole "the production was very satisfactory. Miss Beatrice Hollo way played th© part of the patient and loving heroine with much sympathy and grace, and Mr. Hilliafd 'Vox was a manly hero, imparting plenty of life and vigour' into his study. 1 Mr. Kichard Beilairs was equally successful as the villainous Russian. The greater part of tho t comedy was in tho safe hands of Mr: Charles Brown, who appeared as the proprietor of a broken-down theatrical company. Messrs. Robert Greig, Kenneth Brampton, Wilton Welch, and Misses Kate' ToWort., Lilian Lloyd, und the remaining members of th© company filled. the minor roles satisfactorily. Th© piece will be staged again this evening. To-morrow night, th© end of the season, "A Message from Mars>" will b© produced. JANSEN. Jansen, the transformist, will appear here at the Opera House for a short season, commencing on Wednesday. Jansen's entertainment is said to sparkle with originality, and his transformations awakon the keen interest 'of his audiences. His billiard ball manipulations are described as remarkable, and he produces at tho tips of his lingers and palms in one hand six balls. His tricks with cards and his many works of magic are, the management state, of a nature that cannot help but pleaso as well as mystify. The climax of the performance comes when a living breathing woman floats apparently into mid-air, and disappears before the eyes. The box plan is now open at tho Dresden. The sale for tho . opening nigbt is stated to bo very large. ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. Tho concert given by the Wellington Professional Orchestra at the Town Hall on Sunday evening, before a very large audience, was successful in every respect. The orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. Herbert Bloy, gave much picas uro by its interpretation of -many well known and popular numbers. "The Turkish Patrol, by Michaelis was given with spirit and -artistic effect, and was warmly applauded. Another item which evidently appealed to tho audience was a Hungarian dance by Brahms, which breathed tho very spirit of the dance, and the Overture io "Raymond" (Thomas) was exceedingly well played. The programme aleo included Overture to "Tho Bohemian Girl," "Loin dv Bal" (by Gillet), and "The Mill," a tuneful number, given with dainty charm. Mr. B. Bishop contributed Allitzen's "Song of Thanksgiving" and was obliged to respond to an' encore. THEATRE ROYAL. Every part of th© Theatre Royal was packed on Saturday_night on tho occasion of the weekly cnange of programme, and th© various items in the bill seemed to meet with hearty approval. Elsie Kiiowles contributed several ballads in a pleasing manner, and Mr. Mark Erick6en had to respond to a, number of encores for hi& descriptive vocal numbers. The second part of thf> programme opened with the first appearance of Hugo and Olga. who juggled with balls, swords, clubs, and other articles. They were also successful in a number of balancing acts, in which they practically ignored the force of gravity. Roy Rene, now an established favourite, went through a number of Hebrew impersonations in a clever manner, liis comic song, "Paper-bag Cooking" being • ©specially good. A first appearance in New Zealand was made by. King and Millard, ulevor sketch artists, who were introduced to Wellington audiences in" a humorous playlet, ©ntitltd "A Pair of Liars." A feature of this performance was the originality of tho sketch, which concerned tho many complications re suiting from a wife's purchase of a li© indicator — a very annoying instrument, as it proved. Both husband and wifo wero continually being caught in tho trap. The artists wero accorded a hearty ■reception. Barry and Bracey, in "Sidewalk Conversations," kept up th© merriment with a budget of jokes and gags, concluding with some lively singing and dancing. Tho performance was brought to a clos© with a sketch entitled "An Actor's Dilemma," in which Miss Nellio Lovell and Mr. Alf. Nolan appeared. The programme will bo repeated tonight. PARIS THEATRE. The special attractions announced for th© inauguration of the Paris Prize Pictures in the Paris i Theatre, Inijeelrcstreet, on Saturday night drew a- iaige attendance. Tko interior of the theutie, has been renovated, the colour echctno being a rich, warm red. Tho programme was well -selected, the historical studies being especially representative. Tho projection ot tho pictures was clear and bright. An, orchestra, of more than usual talent gavo a plca&iug musical accompaniment to the running picture*. The bill for tho evening included "An Electric Spark," "La Jacquerie," "Conquering Carrie," "Ingenious Domostics," and "The Soul of Venice" The feature of the evening for most people, however, lay in the prize competition. A special prizo,,a lady' 6 watch and chain, valued at £7 10e, wae offered 'for the best answer to the following : "How may tho management of the Paris Theatre give a priz© at every performance without infringement of tliß Gaming and Lotteries Act?" The winner was announced in Mr. W. L. Rutlledge, 54. Kilbirnie-crus-cent, who duly wont up to tho etago. and received the priw. His answer wivs read out as follows : ~~ "Tho best way to award a_ priz© at ea-ch performance without infringing the law would be to givo it to the person who on entering the Paris Theati© hands in the best essay on tho education and amusement derived from your pictures ; or else, tho moot original four linos of prose connected with the Paris Pictures." Tho management announced that on every evening this week till th© correct answer to the problem or tho nearest answer is Mibiuitl€d, a £5 5s pmu will bi> awarded i for the best euggestion.