AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 12865, 14 July 1906, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

FULLERS' ENTERTAINERS.

To-night there will be a change of programme at the Aihambra Theatre. There was a packed house last evening, when the Gibson GirJa made their final appearance. To-night the Rowell sisters and Miss Vi Frawley will make a welcome reappearance.

THE OPERA COMPANY

■^; ver y lajge audience were present at His Majesty s 1 heatro last evening, vh in tie Williamson Company brought a -ucccrditl season to a close with an excellent representation of Gilbert and Sullivan j • (lie ieomen of the Guard.’ This ojvera oar not compete in popularity with the more famous productions of the Savoy combination, and by itself would possibly Lave long since ceased to hold a place on the stage. The first quarter - of an hour is rather dreary work, and the opportunities for action are few. But the music is structurally of a high typo and full of beautiful melody, and from an acting point of v -ew the piece improves as it progresses, aid several of the single .and part songs aid concerted pieces last night were rendered with a swing and verve and appreciation that gained hearty and prolonged applause. One of the best numbers was Miss Them’s sir>~ing of ‘Were I your bride,’the encore foi which was as genuine as it was deserved. Mr C. Kenningham sang well, though once or twice he seemed dangerously near a collapse. A word of praise is due to Mr Wallace for his energetic work as Jack Point—a sort of operatic Touchstone —but the performance as a whole depends chiefly upon the chorus, nnl : u the hands of Mr Williamson’s company this left little room for criticism. We nopj Kt a speedy return of this or a similar company now that it has been demonstrated beyond question that Dunedin audie-rceS have a warm welcome for good music bright costumes, capable singing, and competent management.

CONCERT.

An entertainment was given in All Saints' Schoolroom last evening in ai • < f the general church fund. There was a \>ry good attendance. A well-selected programme was submitted, and included st'hctions both instrumental and vojal hy M p s Ivory, Misses Thompson and On at, t|.. Rev. H. H. Bedford, Messrs Hooper, Schacht, Frank Hendry, Theo. Schacht, F. Blandford, Salter, and Master 11. «ira:;J Miss Frances Grant acted as icoivp:unst. The farce ' Freezing a Mother-in-law' was capably interpreted by Misses M. Marryatt and Watson, and Messrs H. Mar.yas, Isaacson, and R. Moore.

LESLIE HARRIS.

The Dunedin season of Mr Leslie Harris will be begun at the Garrison Hall on Tuesday night. Speaking of him, the ' Sydney» Morning Herald ' said : "Mr Leslie Harris proved himself a particularly bright and versatile artist at the Palace Theatre on Saturday, when he gave the first series of society entertainments under Mr Allan Hamilton's direction. Whilst hi 3 platform scheme necessarily follows to some extent the lines that have been laid down by his predecessors—Parry German Reed, Corney Grain, Grossmith, and Mel. Spurr—individual distinction is given to it by his talent as a pianist, and by his special gifts as a character actor in suggesting a genial old age. The late Mel. Spurr was the last English artist to give this particular kind of drawing-room entertainment in Sydney, so that it may be said at once that tha new artist, owing to his comparative youthfulness, and to a natural buoyancy and smiling self-confidence, entirely opposed to Spurr's artistic diffidence of manner, offers no common ground for comparison. He pleases in a different way, but the responsive laughter is just a<? hearty, and the applause as spontaneous. . . . His pathos was so con-

vincing in the dialect scene between two little ragamuffins starving in the snow that it must be placed amongst those novel features in the entertainment by which the artist ail] ha remembered ia

years to come." The same paper speaking of Miss Rosina Buckmann said : " Sliss Buckmann introduced Parker's aria, ' A Moorish Maid,' a melodious number in operatic style, suggesting Wallace or Balfe, with a descriptive opening, an air of a sustained character, and a final allegro, suggesting the rapture of the union between long, separated lovers. The rich and vibrant tones of the singer throughout, and the brilliancy exhibited at the close, delighted the audience, who exhibited rapturous applause." The box plan is now open at the Dresden.

'THE FATAL WEDDING.'

The company who are to present the already famous musical drama, ' The Fatal Wedding,' at His Majesty's this evening, for positively seven nights only, under the management of that well-known English directorate, Messrs Meynell and Gunn, arrived in town to-day. They include the two English stars (Mr Charles Vane and Miss May Congdon) and a number of familiar favorites in the Misses Dina Coper, Amy Singleton, Messrs Herbert Leigh, C. R. Stanford, Tom Cannam, Oily Deering, Harry M'Lennan, etc., in addition to over thirty children. ' The Fatal Wedding' holds a record for popularity perhaps uneclipsed throughout the worid. In England, America, and now in Australasia the fiat of public opinion has gone forth in its favor, and nightly for the past four months thousands of theatre-goers have rushed to witness this successful musical drama. Musical interludes are said to be a leading feature of the production, which is claimed to contain such a natural element of childlife in the widely-spoken-of children's scenes and the unique martial company known as the famous "Tin Can Band." Songs, dances, sensational incidents, and strong dramatic situations are claimed to be salient attributes of this drama, redolent of intense huinan interest and natural pathos. The demand for seats at the Dresden during the past few days has been very heavy, and everything points to a successful season. The scenery arrived yesterday, and a full staff of mechanics and electricians have been assiduously making ready for the opening. The company have just concluded a phenomenally successful Christchurch season, the takings easily beating all previous records in the City of the Plains. The management announce that the curtain will rise at 7.50 punctually each evening. The plans are now open at the Dresden, where a large sale of seats has already been recorded. After 1 p.m. to-day the plan for this evening will be on view at Jacob *s, tobacconist. A full orchestra of sixteen "instruments, under the baton of Mr Wynne Jones, will give account of the music which plays such an important part in the play, whilst the piece will be staged under the direction of Mr C. R. Stanford. The train to Port Chalmers will be delayed each evening until 11.15 o'clock.

THE OPERA COMPANY'S' CONCERT.

That there will be a full house at the Garrison Hall to-night gees without saying. It is a to find the members of Mr Williamson's popular organisation, i who have just completed a fortnight's successful operatic season in this City, amearing on the concert platform, and Dunedin has been the only town in the colony to which tJh&s ODoortunity has been extended. The programme is one which cannot fail to v satisfy the meet exacting, and in this connection we have onlv to refer our readers to the many gems announced in our advertising columns. Popular prices are being charged.

MR SIDNEY WOLF'S CONCERT. Sir Edward Elgar's 'Banner of St. George' will form Dart of the programme at Mr Sidney WolFs choral and orchestral concert to be held on Wednesday week. This oonroceiticn is full of strength and individuality, and is characterised by that wonderful orchestration which has made Sir Edward Elgar famous. In addition to this work, the last Te Deum written by Sir Arthur Snllivan for performance at the thanksgiving service in St. Paul's Cathedral at the close of the Sooth Aid-

can War will be rendered. This, together with an arrangement of *God save the King,' by Sir Edward. Elgar,. constitutes the choral part of the.concert. Hia Excellency the Governor has promised to be present. The gipsy suite of four characteristic dances for the orchestra,- written by another English musician', Edward Gern*m, will be given for the first time in Dnnedin.

BASKET SOCIAL AT GREEN ISLAND.

The Green Idaad Eiflea held their anrraal Social in tne Volunteer Hall last night, when about forty couples took the floor. Messrs John Marshall and John M'Lean supplied the music, and the ladies provided the refreshmeota. Co'.or-sergeant Buchanan and Private Ross and Corporal M'Allan, acted as M.C.s. Advantage wee fcken of the occasion to present the prizes won by J the members of the company at shooting. J The prize list is as follows:—Private Leece, j handbig and greenstone pendant; Private ' Alexander, walking stick; Private S. P.,j Crimp, medal, a wind gauge, and a gladstone bag; Private W. J. Crimp, Stewart, j Dawson'B cup, and gold medal • Sergeant A. C. Crimp, a portmanteau; Sergeant Miller, an umibrelh; Corporal M'Allan, pair of boots ; Corporal W. Sloan, pocket book: Private F. T. Crimp, silver cup (presented by Mr G\ C. Stead for competitors under '' 21) and sight protectors ; Sergeant W. H T. Crimp, shooting bag, case of pipes and gladstone bag, medal for champion shot of the company, and the champion belt (won by him twice in succession. The Ladies' Challenge Shield was also on view, it havine been won this year by the Green Island Company for the first time. Sereeanta W. H. T. Crimp and A. C. Crimp, Corporal Gedd«s, and Privates Leece and W. J. Crimp were aW presented with £2 each as winners of the Challenge Shield. Captain Aitcheson presented the x prizes. Each rerip'ent was heartily applauded, especially Sergeant W. H. T. Crimp, the winner of the belt. Apologies were received from the mayor and Captains Barclay and MTDonald.

ILLUSTRATED LECTURE.

An illustrated lecture on the thermal wonderland at Rotorua was given at North : east Valley Wesley Church last evening. The lecturer was Mr C. E. Roseveare, who paid a visit to the district in question some two or three years ago, and is au fait with the subject. The lecture occupied about two hours, and one of its features was the 6plendid series of views which were screened —something like 130 altogether. In order to make the series ,as complete as possible Mr Roseveare has, from time to time, acquired the best pictures taken by photographers at Rotorua, Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch. Even the book on the eruption of 1886, compiled- by Mr Percy Smith for the "New Zealand Institnto, was drawn on for its contribution—a representation of the volcanic fissures at Tarawera. Mr A. C. Stevens manipulated the lantern, and the pastor of the congregation, Rev. A. Allen, presided. The lecture was given under the auspices of the literary society connected with the church. At its conclusion Mr Roseveare was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

The Management Committee of Otago's senior club—the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club—decided to celebrate the attainment of the club's majority by holding a ball, which took place last evening at the Victoria Hall. Over seventy couples were present, and the function was a decided success. In addition to members and supporters of the D.A.A.C., representatives were present from the University, Civil Service, Port Chalmers, St. Andrew's Harrier, and Y.M.C.A. Clubs. The hall was tastefully decorated) the colors of the club (cardinal and white) helping to form a pleasing and tasteful display. The arrangements for the evening were in the hands of Messrs P. S K Macassey (president), S. Jacobs (vicepresident), W. J. O'Kane, L. M'Donald, T r\^ R -, G ° rdon > V. S. Jacobs, W. L. M Cordy (hon. treas.), and J. T. Hamann (bon. sec). Mr Yates's band supplied the music, and the catering was entrusted to Mr Kroon. Many wishes were expressed that the D.A.A.C. ball will become an annual social event.