ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. "' "MISS LANCASHIRE, LTD." Notwithstanding the wretched weather a largo number of people assembled in the Opera House last evening to see Mies Marie Baines in "Mies Lancashire, Ltd. -As on the previous night, Mies Baines thorouglily captivated her hearers with her broad and jolly comedy, hei 1 , quaint dialect, and her winsome ways. Her imitations and mock drama were delightfully amusing. There was no doubt about the genuineness -of the laughter it provoked or the spontaneity of the applause. Indeed it would be a sad heart that could not carry away some pleasurable recollection of a wellspent evening. To-night the public will have another opportunity to drive away dull care at the Opera House. 1 CAPTAIN ROALD AMUNDSEN. •The Town Hall should prove all too small to-night when the hero of the Antarctic, Captain Roald Amundsen, will tell the graphic story of his struggles across the bottom of the world to the South Pole. The thrilling narrative will be illustrated by one hundred striking pictures which should graphically visualise the journey to the minds of all. Lord Islington presided at the Auckland lecture. His Excellency . congratulated the explorer on behalf of the Dominion, and called upon the audience to give three cheers for the "victor of the SoutK Pole." The lecture was a huge success. Only one lecture can be. given in each of the four large centres. Captain Amundsen is due to arrive in Wellington by the I express this afternoon. ' SONG RECITAL. On Friday next, in th« Town Hall Concert Chamber, Mr. Hamilton Hodges will give his song recital, assisted by Mr. Baxter Buckley, Mr. Herbert Bloy, and Mrs. E. Queree. Mr. Hodges us introducing at this recital a group of American Indian songs and six songs by New Zealand composers. By special request Mr. Hodges is including in the group of songs by English composers Mallinson's "Four by the Clock" and "Gloriana," and also Schubert's "D©r Wanderer." Patrons are advised to" reserve their seats at the Dresden before Friday, as no seats caa be booked after 5 p.m. that day. j •' A SHAKESPEARE READING. j Last evening the Wellington • ShakeI speareClub commemorated the supposed anniversary of the great Shakespeare's birth by giving a public reading of that charming comedy, "The Merry Wives of Windsor." , The club was certainly unfortunate in the weather conditions' that obtained, the attendance being consider ably affected by the heavy downpour which prevailed up to a late hour. NeTertheless, quite a number braved th© elements, and these were rewarded by an excellent and entertaining interpretation of .the characters.- It was evident that the principals had devoted both care and time to rehearsal, and the result may , be considered as eminently satisfactory. . The comedy was stage j managed and rehearsed under the direction of Mr. H. E. Nicholls, while Miss Hardinge-Maltby rendered experienced service as director. In practically every instance, the readers demonstrated a good conception of their roles and an admirable sympathy with the characterisations. The ca6t was as follows :— Sir John Falstaff, Mr. W. R. Bock j Fen ton, Mr. F. A. Morris; Shallow 1 , Mr. E. D. Cachemaille; Slender, Mr. K. E. Shorney; Ford, Mr. W. Godfrey age Mr. W. D. Gorhanv; Sir Hugh Evans, Mr. L. Buckeridge; Dr. Caius, Mr.,E. S. Baldwin; Host of the Garter Inn, Mr. H. Breakspeare; Bardolph, Mr. T. Di Kendall"; Pistol, Mr. C W. Tanner; Nym, Mr. W. Lewis; Bobm, Miss : T. Reading; Simple, Mr. R. Rex; Rugby, Mr. W. Lewis; Mistress Ford, Miss Van Staveren; Mistress Page, Mrs. J. Darling; Anne Page, Miss Reading; Mistress Quickly, Miss Holmes. The reading took place in the Sydney, etreet Schoolroom. THEATRE ROYAL. I The "star" vaudeville turns at the Theatre Royal last evening included Athos in hie great rinking spectacle, "A Carnival on the Ice." ' Rowe and Mora's "Act of Mystery" was again well received. The rest of the company— the Driacolls,' Flo D'Orville, May Nealy, Florrie arid Stella Ranger — were well up to the Fuller standard. The Theatre Royal programme will be repeated this evening. FULLER'S PICTURES. Films of exceptional attractiveness are being shown by the Fuller Proprietary at the Skating Rink this week. The items include sketches of Seville, a motor race on the frozen Hudson River, the wreck of a echooner, Labrador Eskimos at home, etc. 'KING'S THEATRE. An impulsive girl's love story is the theme of the chief attraction in'the current programme at The King's Theatre, which is drawing crowded . audiences nightly. Other good films are :— "The Little Organist," "Tommy asToreador," "Pathe Gazette," etc. PARIS PICTURES. The popularity of the Paris Picture Theatre in Ingeetre-fitreet continues unabated. " The Fairy Sword " and "The Turn of the Balance" are two of the most popular pictures yet shown at the Paris. The rest of the programmeis a careful selection by the -latest and best, including comic, dramatic, and educational subject, with some very tine incidental scenic pictures. The pictures begin showing at 6.30 p.m. onwards, and the price of admission for adults is 6d. • ' THE NEW THEATRE. ' Tho new programme «at the Manners street 'picture house proved a big draw for Messrs. . MacMahon and Donnelly yesterday. The rain, too, was not altogether a disadvantage to the firm, many people being glad to find a place of Totreat where they could while away a pleasant and instructive half hour. In the evening the theatre was packed. The programme contains one j very fine picture, " A Sister's Love Story,"' which embodies a romantic story of the type which appeals to women folk in particular. It is that of a young woman who leaves her lover in order that she may take care of a young and delicate sister. In time the latter marries a millionaire, and in the delights of her new position and easily-achieved affluence forgets the former kindness of { her eister. After suffering many hardships the elder girl is reunited to her more fortunate sister under very happy circumstances. A picture showing a detachment of tho United States Army at drill grfes a good idea, of the officiency of that country's military service. " Bar Z New Cook," " A Vapour Bath " (comic), and other pictures make up an excellent programme. ' THE STa'rTHEATRE. There was a. large attendance at the Star Theatre last evening. "A Sudden Impulse," a drama built upon the French saying "Cherchez la femme" was much enjoyed, as was also a coloured 'dirama entitled "Indian Pride." The comic element was well sustained in "Won by Energy" and "Totb as Doorkeeper." Tho programme will be- repeated thk evening.

"A GIRL'S TEMPTATION." " Whab is folly in. a man is sin in a woman" is a quotation from "A Girl's Temptation," the new drama to be staged by George Marlow's Dramatic Company in |,he Opera House on Saturday next. Many moralists have preached that the woman in many cases is the sufferer, while the real criminal, the man, goes free, and it is upon this text i that Mrs. Morton Powell, the authoress of "A Girl's Temptation," has built her drama, which has been variously described as a remarkable production, and the drama with a purpose 1 . The opening act shows the- exterior of a large mill where the manager, because he cannot get. his own way, resorts £b many nefarious practises, and has one of the girls driven from the mill, penniless and friendless. There is also shown the millionaire's son, who is prepared to give up family and fortune for the girl ho loves, though she bo only a workgirl. The second act shows the betrayal of tha girl by the machinations ot the Villain, and there is enacted a. remark able scene in the girl's - bedchamber. The third act shows where tho girl is deserted and driven into a sweater's chop, of which there is an exact facsimile to those in London, while the fourth and final acts show how tho authoress has woven together her great moral with a unique ending to the drama. The cast of interpreters includes threo English artists, who are making their first appearance here, and a number of the most popular of Australia's favour ites. Entirely new scenery and mechanical effects will be seen here. The box plan for th© season opened at the 1 Dresden, this morning. ' "THE SCHOOLMISTRESS." The Hutt Valley Dramatic Club, which successfully staged "The Magistrate" 6ome months &g_o, intends, to-morrow and Friday evenings, producing at The Palace Theatre, Petone, Pinero's threeact comedy, "The Schoolmistress." The club has oeen busy for some time re* hearsing the piece, and the 6tage management is said to be in capable hands. The comedy abounds in intensely humor* ous situations, and those who saw tho club produce "The Magistrate" are assured that they can confidently look forward to this piece aa being every bit as good. Special scenery is being painted, and' a good orchestra will add to the evening's enjoyment. MUNICIPAL MUSIC. The Municipal Orchestra will give on* of ite enjoyable concerts in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening next, under the baton of the City Organist, . Mr. Maughan Barnett. As usual, the pra gramme has been chosen with considerable care, and is attractive in every item. Some 'of the items are Rossini's overture "Tancridi," Beethoven's First Symphony, Sibelius's "Valse Triste," Brahms "Hungarian Dances," and others I equally attractive. Miss Phoebo Parsons is the singer for Tuesday, and should prove an additional attraction. Mr. Herbert. J. Bloy will lead the orchestra-. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "A Dark Deception^" a rollicking comedy, is making a big hit at Shortt'e Theatre. If th© maker has drawn on his imagination in the plot the plot is all the better for that. "A Florentine Drama," also a good picture, tells of the stormy and stirring days in Italian history. Yesterday a special benefit was given in aid of the Boys' Institute funds, and that institution should be considerably pleased with the result. The current programme will ,be screened again 1 to night. ST. THOMAS'S. HALL. • The current programme at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, attracted another good house last evening. The usual change takes place to-morrow. T"HE KILBIRNIBi RINK. C•< ■ .The approach of the- colder'' and therefore more suitable' rinking weather sees a great increase in the numbers of skaterts attending the Kilbirnie Rink. The usual sessions are held daily, and the band in attendance, tho good floor and skates, tend to make the Rink a suitable ' I place for an- afternoon or evening's eni tertainment. '