ENTERTAINMENTS. OPERA HOUSE. JANSEN TO-NIGHT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 74, 27 March 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS. OPERA HOUSE. JANSEN TO-NIGHT.

Jansen, the American illusionist and ' transformist, who has scored a success during his three weeks' Sydney engagement, commences his Wellington season at the Opera House to-night. Jansen j will present to-night what his manager claims to be a sensational programme of mystifying features. His programme tonight will include "The Phantom Princess," "The Devil's Own Trick," "Perplexity,'" "Down on the Farm," "The Triple Mystery," "The Death .Chamber," "The Invisible Flight," "The Prisoner." and "Undo Sam." The vaudeville features include De Hollis and Valora, Amei'ican eccentrics-; Nelson .Story (musical artist), Edna Herr (escape Alvin (the straw man), "Me, Him, and I," and Ethel Jones (illusionist). Plan at the Dresden and day salea and early doors at Christeson's. "A MESSAGE FROM MARS." "A Message from Mars" was revived at the Opera House last evening at, a farewell piece by the Allan Hamilton Coirfpany: Ganthony's comedy, familiar to all Wellington theatregoers, wears well, and capably acted, as it was last evening, is always sure of a hearty welcome. _ Horace Parker, ' the selfish and inconsiderate young gentleman, ' who in subsequently led a cold and chastening dance by the Messenger, was well interpreted by Mr. Kenneth Brampton. Mr. Hilliard Vox made the most of the part of Arthur Decey, and Miss Beatrice Holloway was a winsome and quite admirable Minnie Templar. ' Mr. John Forde played the Tramp, and Mr. Robert Greig succeeded in making' the part of the Messenger a sufficiently imposing "study for the purposes of the piece. The other {(arts in the Message, 'which was decidedy well staged^ were also capably played, MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. There can bo no doubt but that the Municipal Orchestra is doing a good work in cultivating a faculty for the appreciation of the better' class of music. Attendances are both.' .large and ap-i preciative, and while*, there were many empty seats in tjie Town Hall last evening, the performance was warmly received. Under Mr. Maughan Barnett, who conducted, and with such an able leader as Mr. Herbert Bloy, the orchestra submitted 'a diversified programme to the evident enjoyment of tlra audience, who, on occasion, demanded encores. The opening number, " The Caliph of Bagdad" (Boieldieu), an old and popular favourite, received excellent treatment, as did an Adagietto from Bizet's ' 'L'Ariesienne." But it was in the Jarnefeldt " Berceuse," with Messrs. Bloy and F. •R. Johnstone, as the solo violin and 'cello, that' the orchestra particularly excelled. Tho "Berceuse" carries a charming theme, and the slumbrous accompaniment, really beautiful in its shades of drowsy suggestion, was generously and sympathetically provided. This " Berceuse " should prove one of the most popular items in future performances. Coleridge-Taylor's " Ballade in A Minor," a much more ambitious number,' k notable for its striking contaste of tone and ( its barbaric tone colour. "At times itV ; intricacies had the orchestra in trouble, nevertheless this number more than pleased. Miss Adelaide Brace, who appeared at a previous concert, sang Giordani's" "Caro Mio Ben" a little placidly, perhaps, and with not a great deal of individuality." Her other programme numbers were 1 "Thou'rt like' a Tender' Flower" (Rubenstein), and Florence" Aylward'a "Three." , Mjiss Bruce was more' successful oh -her reappearance' after, the in. terval. The orchestra-ateo 1 contributed the "Karelia 1 ' suite (Sibelius), the ever popular " Blue Danube," and a Tschaikowsky item, " Danse • Russe," from ' Nutcracker Suite." The next rirchebtral concert will be give* towards the end of April. THEATRE ROYAL. Judgine by the attendances at the Theatre Royal each evening, there is no doubt about the popularity of vaudeville. The current programme was again witnessed by a crowned audience last evening. Tho Hebrew impersonations of Roy Rene were an amusing' feature of the bill, and Hugo and Olga, King a.nd William, and Miss Elsie Knowles and Miss Nellie LovelJ were all heard in parts which met with hearty acceptance. FULLERS' PICTURES. There was a large attendance at the Vivian-street Skating Rink last evening, and much interest was shown in the current programme, which includes •many attractive pictures of a high order. "A Tale of the Wilderness," a story of pioneer American life, was a popular picture, full of exciting incident, and "A Noble Enemy," depicting life on an English man-o'-war, wae another . rooq study. ".Who's Who in Doggie Land" presented dogs of every breed and of every country. Many other goo.d pictures went to the making of an attractjve programme Th^ usual change of programme will take place to-morrow evening. KING'S THEATRE. There are several ■ excellent dramatic fitadies included in the current \,<-ogramme screened at The King's Theatre. " Gipsy Blood," a drama, of interest, is well thought out, and- capitally acted. Other pictures included in the programme are "The Sacred Scarab," an interesting nature study, the Path© Gazette, and " Who'a 1 Who in Doggie Land." THE NEW THEATRE. Packed houses greeted the change of programme at Messrs. l MaoMahon and Donnelly's continuous picture show in Mannere-street yesterday. Tin- chief feature of the programme is a dramatic study by the Reliance Company, entitled "Her Mother's Love," Avhich found . great favour with tho audience. A young woman marries the man of her father's choice instead of the man she loves. Twenty years pass, and she and her daughter are in poverty. The daughter meets her mother s Tornier lover, who falls in love with her, and the rnothex*, for the 6ake of her child, conceals herself, and eventually leaves home, leaving the two lovers to be married "Falsely Accused/ a Bison Company's film, is a stirring picture of Western life, and a fine military turnout is depicted -in "Field Day at Fort Eiley." An interesting picture is i"A Visit to the Meteors," giving excellent viows of some gigantic rocks in Greece. There are also eoina very amusing comic films. The programme is being repeated to-day. - , SHORTT'S THEATRE. Full houses are the rule at Shortt's Continuous Picture Theatre in Willisstreet. To-nigSb is the last night of thepresent programme, which includes the splendidly pourtrayed drama, "The Lyons Mail, ' and other exclusive masterpieces. To-morrow's change will include the gorgeously-mounted Roman drama, "The Vengeance of Lvcinius," a copy of which was burnt last^ Thursday mght. Another copy hns since been procured from Australia. A new &ttir item will be Charles Dickenb's "Tale of Two Citieb," which should prove an attiaction to lovers of the great novelist's works. There will also be a good seleu^ turn of scenic, agd; humorous, pictures. ■

SONG RECITAL. A s-ong recital will be <?ivcn this even ing by Mr. Hamilton Hodges, at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall — th« first of a series to be given by Mr. Hqdges. Mr. Hodges, in a recent visit to Australia, came into touch with such well-known composers as Benjamin Whelpley, Clayton Johns, Arthur Foote, and Margaret Ruthven-Lang, all of whom have written songs that enjoy popularity in America and which Mr. Hodges hopes to make popular in New Zealand. This evening lie will sing Schubert's " Ihr Bild " and " WohhV "Morgen" and "Dv Meines Herzens Kroneulein" (by Strauss), "L'Oiseau l'envole" (from" tho opera "Paul et Virginie"),. and "Le -"Voyageur" (Godard). The English words 'of each item ■will be printed on the programme. Mr. Hodges will be assisted by Mr. Baxter Buckley, the talon ted .pianist, who will play "Scherzo" (Godard), I " Polonaise " (MacDowell), and " Menia (by Sgambati). The recital promises to be a rare musical treat to music-lovers. PARIsTriiATRE. Good business was done at the Paris Theatre last night, and the programme* was evidently greatly appreciated/while tho incidental music supplied by the orchestra is a feature of the proceedings. The prize of three guineas for the best answer to the question, ""How the management may give a prize at each performance without infringing the law?" was awarded to G. H. Veale, Supreme Court, Wellington, who suggested : "By asking conundrums or questions." There will be a change of' programme to-nignt, all the pictures being new to Wellington, and another prize,' value threo guineas will be presented to the member of the audiencewho gives the best answer in a competition that will be announced' from the stage. A matinee will be given on Saturday, when every child present will receive a prize. THE •? THEATRE, The "directors of the newest picture theatre in Wellington (Adelp'hi Company) are offering prizes of £17 10s, £7 10s, and £5 to the persons who nominate tho most original name for their theatre. Suggestions are coming in fast, and it can already be seen that the judges are going to have no easy task in front of them in making the final, selection. Tickets are to be obtained ! from several of the large business houses in town. , i • j j 'STAR THEATRE. " Gipsy Blood," the cliief attraction at rhe Star Theatre, Newtown, was shown again last night to a large assemblage of picture lovers. Many other fine films wer« also shown. The Pipe Band will play a programme or music at Lyall Bay this evening.