ENTERTAINIENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 9, 10 July 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINIENTS

MARGARET COOPER. Miss Margaret Cooper's season of six nights will commence to-night at the Opera House. The programme for the first three nights is published, in this issue. On Saturday there -will be & complete change. Miss Cooper cornea in the height of her career after six years at the Palace Theatre, London, whero she was the reigning star, and again in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney she has proved one of the greatest of the many attractions Messrs. J. and N. Tait have brought to Australia. The supporting company consiste of Mr. H. Scott* Leslie, raconteur; Signer Manzoni, mandolinjefc; Mr. Horace Wifcty, baritone; and Mr. Cha-rl«e Lawrence, pianist. The plans for the season are now open at ihe Dresden, and the day sales at Christenson's. His Excellency and Lady Islington will attend to-night's performance. THE DANDIES. The seating accommodation at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall', was again taxed to its utmost last evening, when the bright programme presented by the Dandies was greatly appreciated. This popular company of entertainers will only appear for four more nights, in Wellington. On Wednesday, 24th inst., tht, "Green Dandies" are due to make their first appearance at the Concert Chamber. "BEN HUR." The extraordinary success enjoyed by "Ben Hur" in Auckland is described as without parallel in the dramatic annals of the Northern city, and the booking in the various country towns has been remarkably heavy. On Friday morning next the plans will be opened at the Dresden for the first six nights of the Wellington season, which commences on Wednesday night next, and the number of country applications for seats which have been received, together with numerous local enquiries in reference to the booking aiTatfgements, indicate that thera will be an ■ unusually heavy demand for seats. The coming season is to bo a. limited one, and under no circumstances can it be lengthened. Although it is over ten ysears since "Ben Hur" Wasfirst staged in Australia, the sensation it created at that time in .Sydney still lives fresh in the memories of playgoers. The racecourse production in "The Whip" presented four galloping horses, engaged in a keen struggle, but that effect, it is stated, pales into comparative insignificance beside the ' chariot raoo, which is said to culminate in one of the finest spectacles yet witnessed on the stage. Altogether there are fourteen scenes in "Ben Hur." , MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. , Wellington's Municipal Orchestra gave another concert at the Town Hall last evening before a, good downstairs audience, and a mere sprinkling in tho gallery. The Wellington public have yet to learn that it possesses an orchestra capable of giving an insight into the best class of orchestral music. The programme was of an interesting nature, and contained many compositions already familiar to the Wellington public, including Rossini's beautiful overture "William Tell," and "Finlandia," the tone poem by Sibelius, a work representing a musical expression of national feeling. Both of these were admirably Slaved, with a precision and tone that elighted the audience. What was to many one of the most enjoyable items on the programme was Schubert's Symphony in B Minor (the unfinished). In this composition there is much delicate work for the strings and reeds, and the various beautiful melodies were most artistically interpreted. The " Cornelius Marche " and " Valse Triste " were also thoroughly enjoyable numbers. The orchestra also accompanied Mr." F. R. Johnstone's 'cello solo, " Sur le lac," for which the soloist was warmly applauded. Miss Muriel Bennett, who has a tuneful mezzo-soprano voice* { gave much pleasure by her artistic singing of "Aye Maria" and " Lovely Spring." Her encore numbers suited her better. They were "Summer in the Country," and one of the Lehmann bird songs, " The Pigeon." Music lovers will look forward eagerly to the Municipal Orchestra's next concert. PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS' CONCERT. The first annual concert of the Wellington Society of Professional Musicians will take place in the Town Hall Concert Chamber next Wednesday. For this concert a Toy Symphony has been specially composed by Messrs. Maughan Barnett, Lawrence Watkins, and Horace Hunt. This alone should attract a Luge audience, as it is very seldom that a Tot Symphony is heard. The following wellknown artists will also contribute items : Misses Phoebe Parsons, R. Richmond, May Donaldson ,Messrs. C. H. Stephens, Horace Hunt, and F. R. Johnston*. THEATRE ROYAL. The King's College Boys| a. tr6upe of songsters of merit, and Mieb Beaumont Collins and her London Dramatic Company are the headlines in the current bill at the Theatre Royal. Acceptable items are also provided by Mr. Laurence Barclay (English character comedian), and Albert and Hillier (comedy Bketch artists), while the remaining members of the company all contribute to the success of the entertainment. FULLERS' PICTURES. Full houses are the rule at the Vivianstreet Skating Rink, and the excellent programme of moving pictures is evidenuy appreciated. Among the most notable of the films are "Lieut Rose and Hidden Treasure," a piratical romance; "The Bandit Mask," and "An Arizona Escapade." There is also an, excellent variety of comic subjects. SHORTT'S THEATRE. In the generous variety of pictures now being shown at Shortt's Continuous Picture Show in Willis-street two dramatia subjects, "How States are Made" and ''The Diamond Rose," aie probably the moat noteworthy. Both these pictures, which have already been described, can be heartily commended. An entirely new «et of films will be screened to-morrow. THE ADELPHI. "Children who Labour," an Edison picture, which conveys a strong lesson, iB attracting considerable attention at the Adelphi Theatre. It is an exceptionally well-thought-out story, well acted and staged. Other good items on the programme are "The Banker't Daughter' and "Winter in the Upper Engadine." The Adelplii masked male quartette will again appear on Friday evening. STAR THEATRE. "Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy," a typical cowboy subject, is one of the most noteworthy films on the current programme at The Star Theatre. "The Boy of the Revolution," a story of the Amen, can Civil War, is also full of interest, as is the scenic subject, "Ancient Cities pf Germany." > KILBIRNIE RINK. The Kilbirnie Rink will be re-opened to the public tbia evening, when the fourth half-mile race for the ladies' silver presentation cup will be held. This event is creating a. large amount of in--terest, and is at present in a. very interesting stage. The race is opeu to all comers, entries dc*ing at the Rink. The next race k «jt down for Saturday evening.

THE NEW THEATRE. All sessions at The New Theatre in Manners-street yesterday were well attended. One of the chief attractions is undoubtedly the exciting drama, "The : Midnight Wedding," the chief incidents in which are portrayed by a. company of high-class artiste. Other good films are "Mrs. Carter's N*cklace,' V "The Turn-, ing Point," and "That Chicken Dinner." The management announce that the next star item will be "Th« Redemption," on Monday. THE KING'S THEATRE. An excellent series of films is at present being shown at The King's Theatre. Among the items submitted are the interesting dramatic sketches, "A Gipsy's Honour and "Fate's Buffeting. " The management announce that, commencing from Thursday, the programme-, with the exception of the exclusive film, will be changed twice weekly. To-morrow evening's star attraction is "The School Mann of Stoaey Creek," a Kalem production. ST. THOMAS'S HALL. A bright set ofpictures is being shown at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown. In the dramatic section, "Lieut. Rose and Hidden Treasure" and "A Bandit's Mask" carry off tho honours, the first-mentioned subject being a highly exciting story of pirates. . To-morrow evening the management, at the special request of Newtown patrons, will present Selig's masterpiece, ''The Two Orphans." This piece, which has already been described, is a real' sound and sensible drama.