AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 12067, 12 December 1903, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

It was a pity—almost a misfortune—:hafc such a play as 'ln Miz/.ouri' should have been restricted to a single performance in the present season. By the same author as 'Arizona,' it allows more scope for the abilities of the strong company beaded by Mr Frawley, and la«t night's performance at Uis Majesty's Theatre was an undoubted success in all respects. At the end of the first act it had gained sui'ricieut favor to compel the raising of the curtain twice, and the other three acts were similarly complimented The story deals principally with the love, of Sheriff Jim Radburn ~\lr Frawley) for Kate Vernon (Miss Van Buren). Unknown to the girl, Radbuni has defrayed the expenses of her city education, and whep s+m: return-? to her humble home the somewhat sordid surroaudirgs grate upon her, and she can only feel a friendly interest, in Jim. and falls in love with a city visitor, who turns out to be an. ordinary- train robbber. Jim discovers the latteT's identity, and for Kate's sake, instead of arresting him, helps him to escape. The end, however, is satisfactory. Cleverly written, this somewhat simple theme affords opportunity for some abl" character sketches. In the first place. Mr Frawley was admirably suited, and on this character alone he might well elect to be judged. His acting deserved nothing but praise. Miss Van Buren, too, did all she was called upon gracefully and naturally. There, were several _ other characters of great importance, which were most capably performed. Mr Jeffrey Williams, as Kate's father, gave another sketch, from the life: and Miss Christine Hill, as his wife, confirmed the opinion that, .is an elderly woman delineator, she ranks with the best. Really funny comedy was supplied by Mr Amorv and Miss Den-fib-on ; and Miss- Douglas. Mr Reynolds, Mr Shaw. Mr Herbert. Mr and Mr M'Lennan completed n strong cast. Dealing with people in humble circumstances, there was no display of lavish appointments, but the mounting was complete, and in the second act—the scene a blacksmith's shop--a workman-like- job was made of the welding of a damaged coach-wheel tyre, and the operation was watched with interest. 'T n Mizzouri' was a good play well Performed.

The umul weekly change- of pronrnmnvwill!," snbnvUed n't the Alhambra Theatre to-riirht. 'Hi,, compnuy is now a one. inrbding as it dons the Misros Mad-re Lur-ns. Ruby Hare, and Ada Duval. Mess"rs Will Watkins. Ted Herberte, and T-d r 'uUy. and the M'Kissons. A new finale. "Ihe Bold Militia.' and n new farce. 'The Automatons,' will be features of the programme.

The pupils attending the Convent School at Port Chalmers grve their annual entertainment in thi> Foresters' HaJl km. evening. There was a larga aadiencj. and tbc pri gramme wa= carried nut in a most: commendable manner. The opening chorus. 'The harp,'was followed by a duet play.-d on three, pianos and an organ by Misses Cox, Borlase (2), Hart. S. Anderson. and A. Anderson. The infant class gave the action song 'Pretty Kit.' and Mi<« Dunsmuir sing as a solo 'The carnival.' The action song 'Little soldiers' was given by the junior bov.s. A comedietta entitled 'Mrs Willis's- Will' wo* plavd bv ;he Misses Hart. M. Borlase. L. Salter. J. Cox, pnd A. Borlase. Miss X. Drake sang the 'Rose of Lucerne.' A canKita, 'Soot and the Fairies.' in which the parts were taken by-Misses M. Har? and A. Andersen, with Masters M'Cann. Kin-_-. W. Ha.it. E. Hind. J. Connolly, and C. Alhertf-on. brought the first part to a The second part cf the programme also proved successful. The character song 'Jolly old m?n,' by the Misses Earl, Anderson, Borlase. Cox. and Hart, was the closing item. NORTH-EAST Y.ALL FA" SCHOOL CONCERT. Now that the annual break-up of the schools is at hand, and school entertainments are being organised and carried oat. those concerned could put in an hour or so at the North-east Valley with some advantage. The pupils attending this school, under the immediate direction of their instructors, gave an entertainment in the new Town Hall at the Valley last evening in aid of a piano fund, and the manner in which the children acquitted themselves reflects considerable credit both upon their instructors and the little performers. The large Town Hall wn.s packed to the doors with relatives and friends of the scholars, and the whole of the first part of the programme was allotted to act'on songs, dialogues, and choruses, in which the pupils from the infant department upwards all took part. The it-ems included in this part, of the entertainment were "Die garland song,' 'The flower-girl's song,' 'Ten little nigger boys,' ' The handkerchief song,' ' The robin and the wren.' 'The dance of the fairies.' ' The soldier's song.' ' List to the convent bells.' ' The toy duet,' ' The song of the fairies,' and similar items. The effect of the singing in the bulk of these items was enhanced by the appropriate action of the little performers, who moved arms and feet and waved garlands of flowers and flags to the time of the music supplied. ' The garland song,' ' The flower-girl's song,' and ' The handkerchief song,' sung in chorus with the accompaniment of flowers, handkerchiefs, and flags, was a pretty and picturesque performance, and the action and singing of the children showed careful and intelligent training. An amusing duet between two pupils in the infant department, 'Wanted, a housemaid,' created some amusement, and ' The ten little nigger boys' chorus, with the little nigger bovs romping round the stage and dropping off one by one afs their turns came, was heartily applauded. 'The rob ; n and the wren,' ' The toy duet,' and ' The soldier s song' were also first-class items, the costuming of the performers being artistic and appropriate. The dancing and singing of the fairies and the duet 'List to the convent bells' also deserve mention. The children's portion of the entertainment throughout, indeed, may be said to be the bestarranged and most successful concert out of anything hitherto attempted in the same ,\ray ja thia pari of the -colons, and \h&

teachers concerned—Jlisses Bowling, Paterson, and Yorston, and Messrs Booth and Johnston—deserve a special word of praise for their individual and united efforts. The second part of the. concert programme was allotted to adult performers, comprising the Drake family, Messrs White, Carter, and .Mist. Drake. This part of the entertainment was also much appreciated by the audience. Misses Yorston, Clothier. Humphrey, Marjory, Bagnell, and Ward acted as accompanists during the evening. At the conclusion of the performance it was intimated thai, by request, it would be repeated again on the following Monday