ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 10, 11 July 1912, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

MARGARET COOPER AND HER PIANO. Perhaps the first best thing that one with a mind detached from sentiment could say truthfully of Miss Margaret Cooper, the brilliant and cultured society entertainer, is that the lady realises as • near as is humanly possible what the puff paragraphs -have said of her. This is, indeed, . high praise,, but a conscientious declaration, nevertheless. The second proper assertion that can be made' of her is that she is an excellent artist, and that she and her' piano are on wonderfully intimate terms. ' Last night Miss Codger and her little company opened at the ftpera House. They did more : they sfeht 9 very large audience aVray in splendid tißVite^ to face the uncertain weather- oSl^^le, ■ Miss Cooper leaped into favour! at once. She should be at once the delight and ' despair of a competitions candidate lusting « for fame., Of graceful presence 'and charming personality, ,the artist, - seated at the piano, 1 sings and acts her numbers with such an easy confidence' and familiarity that each and every member of the audience decides that he or she has established the bond telepathic, and that no * one { else matters. It was soon evident that ! Miss Cooper knew not only how to sing, ! but what to sing. Her opening number, "My Moon" (Pelissier), is somewhafi undistinguished. But a rollicking ballad of aviation, with an exhilarating and descriptively dashing accompaniment, entitled "Agatha Green," set the 'patentleather and e very-day boot's tapping. The audience insisted on an encore — and' got 'it. "Heaps o' Lickin'a" (RConingsbv Clarke) is a mock plaintive melody that, as given by Miss Cooper, would ■ make 'her queen of a thousand schoolboy hearts. This song is a little "gem, and concludes with a homely'riioral which, unlike most morals, did not jar. "Peter" received excellent treatment • from the artist, the accompaniment once again being of an alluringly descriptive order. Miss Cooper's flexible and. tuneful voice was heard to especial advantage in "Janie" (who was brainy), "What Rot.'" and "Hullo, Tv Tu." . All three are comedy Bongs of the best type, and Miss -Cooper acted them- with| a vivacity, sparkle, and abandon undeniably infectious. Much ink and paper could be utilised to show what an artist this talented and cheerful lady really yis,' but it has all been said before.' - Any way, • her performances speak ,for her ' most eloquently. .Undoubtedly, Miss Cooper and her company can be recommended. ' Concerning "the company": Signor) Manzoni played several mandolin solos. The mandolin is not exactly an ecetacy outside ite native hauntß, but Signor Manzoni exhibited a technique that was. not acquired in a week. He wag encored several times. Mr. Horace Whitty, the baritone, sang several numbers with feeling and spirit. Mr. H. Scott Leslie, who appeared to be suffering from a cold, made a first appearance with that somewhat plaintive (sic) monologue) '"* Nothing New." Of more appeal was a tense coster sketch, "Don't Know, Don't Care." His "stories," some familiar, and a few not so familiar, were, all well told. Miss Margaret Cooper and her company will entertain at the Opera House until further notice, "BEN HUR." The box plans will be opened at the Dresden to-morrow morning at nine o'clock for the first six representations of the famous religious drama -t'Ben Hur" which, is ' to be staged at the Opera House for a br-ief season commencing on Wednesday night next. As there is likely to be a large demand for seats the management will have a staff of ushers in attendance from an eaily hour to form a queue which will ensure that the earliest arrivals shall have first choice of seats. "Ben Hur" makes extremely heavy demands upon the resources of the scenic artist and mechanician. From the prelude to the last chapter on Mount Olivet, the play proceeds through a succession of dramatic episodes, the character of which is enriched by gorgeous colours, realistic tableaux, and sensational climax (including the chariot race). No stage spectacle previously firesented, it is stated, arouses the onookers 1 to such enthusiasm as the realistic chariot race. Altogether there aa'e over 300 people concerned in the production of "Ben Hur" which is the most expensive attraction yet sent to the Dominion by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. THE DANDD3S. The clever company of artiste, known' as "The Dandies (Red)," again at-, tracted (another large audience at the Concert Chambe,r of. the Town Hall last evening. ' Recalls were , frequent, . and the bright little entertainment Went with a swing from beginning to end. A number of new items will be given ' this evening, and the programme will also include several "request" items, such as *'The Scarecrow," "The Curate," and. "Rufu6 Rastus.? The season will conclude on Saturday night. On 24th July 'The Dandies (Green)" .will open at the Concert Chamber. ■ ' • THEATRE ROYAL. . : The King's College boys, in their society entertainments, met with another enthusiastic, reception at the Theatre Royal last evening. Miss "Beaumont Collins and her London, company, in their comedy items, were as popular aa ever, and Maisie Ellis, Albert, and HelHer all met with appreciation^ The audiences this week have been large. FULLER'S PICTURES. "An Arizona Escapade" and "Eieut. Rose and Hidden Treasure" were thrillt ing attractions at Fuller's Pictures • at the Skating Rink last* evening. Some splendid films are promised for this evening's change. THE KING'S THEATRE. M A Gipsy'B Honour" and many other attractions kept a large audience interested at The King's Theatre last night. At to-night's change of programme the outstanding film will be a good Wild West sketch, entitled "School Mann of Stoney Gulch." NEW THEATRE. All day yesterday continuous' crowds assembled at the New Theatre, Mannersstreet, " The Midnight Wedding " being the great draw. This film is of an unusually interesting character, and should not be missed. On Monday; "The Redemption," an exclusive film of high quality, will be shown. SHORTT'S PICTURES. Very large attendances of the pictureloving public attended Shortt's Theatre yesterday and were rewarded by a splendid programme. THE ADELPHL Large audiences are assembling at the Adelpni Theatre, where some splendid programmes, are being submitted. Heaters nave been installed 111 the theatre. owing to the coolness of the weather. " The I Adelphi Masked Male Quartette " will appear again on Friday. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A complete change ot programme is announced for to-night at the Star Theatre. The dramas to be screened include "In tho Commission Rank," "Children who Labour." "The Banker's Dnugh1 W an.4 * "Bgcond Hofley.mgoa,.'i

ST. THOMAS'S HALL. Some excellent dims are being shown at St. Thomas's Hall, thero being a large attendance last evening. To-night the management will submit, by special request,. Selig's masterpiece, "The Two Orphans." KILBIRNIE RINK. "* - The races for the ladies' silver presentation,' cup were advanced another stage last evening at the Kilbirnie Rink, when five faced tho starter. Miss V. Asher led until half a lap from home, when she was overhauled by Mise M. to/Oabe, who eventually won by about two yards after a good race. The position now is — Miss M'Cabe, ,three wins ; Miss Asher, one. Tho next race will be held on Saturday evening.