ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 12647, 30 October 1905, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE “MILO” SEASON, lit piling their faith in their latest tea* ten to the”artistic and tile beautiful, tha Fuller firm, as vaudeville managers, might havs appeared to many to he veryraßß folk. A critic, pointing out the PhUistmUna of the usual vaudeville aadunoe, has •aid that there ia no play-going public who can so little about the charm of whether of motion or spoken word, as the let Invited to attend tne music halls In eegaging the “Modern Milo,” however, the New Zealand firm seem to have nicely gmage<l the dtetire* of their public. They relied, of course, in the first instance, on the sheer audacity of the act to arouse a profitable first-night cariosity ; and, secure in that, they depended, not without legitimate cause, on the artistic nature of the performance to keep the exchequer filled. Nor were their hopes stultified. The Prinreaa Theatre was nightly tilled last week, and that by audiences who, aa it was not hard to discern, wore not used to vaudeville entertainment. Saturday night's home was a splendid one, which left not a seat to be occupied by the chance late-comer. “ The Modem Milo” appeared in a number of new poees, representing ‘ Gems from the Galleries.’ Those are perhaps even more striking representations than the first set. They represent warmer, more living types—. ‘The Chained Virgin* (Andromeda), CEnone, the hemless, deserted wife of Paris, Canova’s ‘Venus,’ and Bacchante, the spirit of the wine. This last wus a splendid .picture, in which every exquisite line of body and limb, to the upraised arm with goblet held on high and the frenzied exaltation in the poise of the head, expressed the wiki oravfor “ The grape that can with logic absolute, the two-and-eevenfcy jarring sects confute; the subtle alchemist that in a trice, life’s leaden mstal into gold transmute.” The ililo’s last six performances are announced, and her act may be recommended to those who have not yet been to the Princess during the season. Ouiksbank, during his short stay, has gathered quite a gallery of caricatures ct local people. Hie work is exceptionally clever and true, and for the most part his sketches would Ik- at once recognised without penning the names after them. His work caused great amusement on Saturday evening. The only new performer was Miss Mabel Lynne, a bright, daehing scrio, who enlivened the first part with a couple of songs, which gained her a great ovation from the “ boys.” The popular and clever Fred Rivonha.ll might apparently do the whole programme himself without tiring a large section of his admirers, if only hv voice coukl bold out. Mr Rivenhall gets hold of some very good new songs, and he knows how to work them, too. The Driscoll Boys are really clever, and dispense laughter with unsparing hands. Miss Lavinia Tyson, in contralto songs, ia making a genuine hit. She is one of the best singers the firm have bad on the circuit. Then there are Frank King, the Diamond Doo, Kitty Stanley, Nelly Rivfir, George Pagden, and Will Stevens, all of whom have to be reckoned with. The company appear again this evening.

THE It is pleasing to note that arrangements have been completed, despite the necessarily short Australian tour, for the appearance for a brief season of the Strand Theatre fomedy Company, the successful cornfiliation who have been appearing at HT» Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, and Princess Ilieatre Melbourne, under arrangement with Mr J. C Williamson. in a noted London farce-comedy success entitled ‘ Tbe J.P.’ The advent of (Ms popular combination at His Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday, November 9, ha/s an additional attraction in tbo first appearance ot two famous Engfah Gaiety stars, in the persons of Miss Florence Lloyd anti Mr J. J. Dallas. Ibe latter's fame as a comedian has penetrated every comer of the earth. He marches in the front ranks of Gaiety comedians, and is said to be one of the most popular men on the English stage to-day. Mr Dallas has already won a high place In the favor of Melbourne and Sydnev audiences. Miss Florence Lloyd is on old favorite with Australians, by reason of her popularity some years ago with the second Englidi Gaiety Company, as Lord Clansijo in ‘ln Town,' Amongst tbo company ,-ue included several other English stars of importance, whilst a well-known favorite of Mr J. O. William son’s Roval Comic Opera Company. Mbs Maude Ohetwynd, is indndedi amongst the players. The-company are at present meeting with phenomenal success throughout the colony, and the seasons everywhere have eclipsed all records. This stay of Use company is limited to twenty weeks, in consequence of their forthcoming American engagements, and playgoers are particularly fortunate-in securing the company for these few nights. The advent of the Strand Theatre Comedy Company is due to the enterprise of Messrs Clyde Maynell and John Gunn, whose association with the K night-Jeffries Company is well known throughout Australia.

CONCERT AT ST. CLAIR. There was a bright little concert at St. Oair on Friday night. The cheerful atmosphere of the gymnasium, hall contrasted pleasantly with • the gloom outside, and an entertaining evening was passed. Amusement, however, was not the primary object of the concert, but a desire on the port of the local School Committee to augment their funds. That the promoters of the entertainment had the sympathy and support of local residents was proved by the fact that the hall was nearly full. Messrs J. J. Kingston and W. R. Piddington, who comprised the Entertainment Commit tec, are to bo congratulated on the programme arranged by them. The fare ■was much better than that usually supplied to those who. attend similar functions in Suburbia. The performers, too, are to be commended for all turning up an so vile a night, thus enabling the programme to be carried through in its entirety. It is rather frequently found, when the psychological moment arrives, that someone has to be numbered with the musing. A feature of the entertainment was the concerted singing by pupils of the school, selected from the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Standards. These rounds, as they are called, were six in number, and were entitled ‘Twelve o’clock.’ ‘Tho British Grenadiers,’ ‘ The Christchurch Bells,’ ‘ Sweet home,’ ‘ Peter White,’ ‘My grandfather's clock,’ ‘ The Indian warrior’s grave.’ and ‘ Good-night to you all.’ Tune ami time were excellent. ;md showed that oonaidcriblc pains had been taken by their conductor (Mr Langley Pope, head-master ofthe school). Mrs Forbes Williams was in jood voice, and. gave a. pleasing rendering si Tostfs ‘VorroL’ In response to an encore she sang ‘ The slave song.’ Mrs Williams toi also recalled for th? bracketed songs ‘My gantJo child’ and ‘The rosary ‘ Rosa of my life ’ and ‘ Sound of the dmm ’ were the numbers selected by Mr G. H. Ajpfrews. and be received an encore for each. Miss Fraser sang 4 1 know a lovely garden’ (encored), Mr J. Hislop ‘The nighUess land’ (with violin obligato by Mr Hunter), and Mr J. T. Praia 1 Off to thd Rio Grande ’ (encored). Mr W. R. Hunter's violin solos were ‘Angels guard thee’ and ‘Bolero,’ and he was heartily applauded fqr hds sympathetic and correct playing. Mr Hmrtcr was also down for a recitation, ‘My First Recital.’ This met with unanimous and enthusiastic approval, and Mr Hunter bad to give another item. Miss Fraser acted as accompanist. The concert was brought to a close in excellent time by the singing of the National Anthem.

BOWIdNO-TENNIS JAPANESE FANCY FAIR. A meeting of the Executive of the above wsa held last Thursday evening, when reports dealing with the various branches of the arrangements were received. The mammoth cheese was reported to have turned not exceedingly well, which is very satisfactory, there being considerable difficulty m handling such an enormous moss of cord. Over 11,0001b of milk were used in Ha construction. Subcommittees were formed to take charge of details. It was reported that the immense consignment of Japanese goods which has been imported direct for the fair would arrive in Dunedin next week Some of the goods included are beautiful Japanese teasets and handpainted porcelain ware, silk goods of every description, swords of fine Japanese steel, animals and ornaments and wooden van and fancy goods in endless

variety. Country friends will have an opportunity of attending; the fair, which will be held doling show week and the week following. PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY. On Friday next the Society will perform, for the first time in New Zealand, Peter L Tschaikowsky’s great work the symphony ‘Pathetique.’ To fully understand the meaning of this work one must know the condition and the time when it was written. It was m 1893 Tacbaakowaky was a true Russian, and in listening to the descriptive music in the. ‘Pathetique* one can feel the sam-Astatw iwmn temperament interchanged with the despairing and hopeless gloom of a ehtve mdw No Russian composer so far has so masterly os Tschaikowaky portrayed aide by side moments of almost maidenly delicacy and sentiment of the most refined construction with a wild and barbaric strain, both essentially Bauman. All this is felt on hearing the ‘ Pathetique.* As in previous concerts, the other items in the programme are light and sparkling. Miss G. Meenan will make her debut as a solo violinist, and will' play W:eniawsky*s Second Polonaise. Mrs W. Evans and Mr J. Hendrv are the other soloists.