ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 12870, 20 July 1906, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE. In the midst of many entertainments, vaudeville, which has its permanent abodo at. Fullers' Alhambra Theatre, continues to hold up ite end. The present company put forward by the firm are a strong and versatile combination. In the ranks are Lovdall and Berry, Graydon, Barton, and Little Jackscn, A. L. Cropp (a particularly nice baritone), Sam Wilson, Nellie Leslie, and Lucy Lavinnia. The same programme will be diqewsed this evening. To-morrow night that talented and brilliant comedienne Mme Lydia makes her first appearaat-e. She is one of the firm's most important engagements. CHURCH SOCIAL. The annual social union of the Mornington Presbyterian., Charch .was held in the Church Hall last evening, and was largely attended. The Rev. W. Scorgie presided. The report for the year ended June 30, 1906, read by Mr A. Watson, session clerk, stated inter alia: The largest attendance at the Lord's Supper was at, the March communion. The statistics were : For the September quarter, 165; for the December quarter, 188; for the March, quarter, 205; and for the June quarter, 200; giving an average of 189. In August the Session found it necessary to purge the roll, the consequence being that 42 names were struck off, leaving a total membership of 288. Among those struck oft' were many who had_ left the district without asking for their certificates. During the year 37 had been added to the membership—by certificate 21, by profession 10. by request 2. and- 4 had "returned. There had been 12 removal and 2 deaths, making a gain for the year of 23, and the roll now stood at 311. The Session had suffered a severe loss through the death of Messrs R. Bagrie and W, Wilson. The week-night prayer meeting' had been .much better attended during the winter, the average attendance being about 40. In April Messrs E. E. Nicolson, J. B. Brugh, W. Widdowson, R. W. Barr. and D. Bain had been ordained to the eldership. In March Mr Sunderland resigned his position as choirmaster, and the vacancy has been filled by Mr Hartley, the organist, who now performed the double duty. The eboir continued to render valuable service. During the winter the minister had commenced a series of lectures on the Covenanters of Scotland. The Sunday school, under Mr Caldow and his staff of teachers, continued its good work among Hie young-. The Band of Hope was well attended, and was as popular as ever; while the junior and .venior Bible classes, under the leadership of Messrs Webb and Grinling, were doing good work among the young men, and the young women's Bible class, under Miss Jeffrey, had now 49 members. During the year a sale of work was held by the combined classes to raise funds for building a class room for the young women, and it realised £125. It was intended to hold another sale of work in September to clear off £4O of debt and help to provide funds for the furnishing of the young men's class room. ( The Treasurer's report showed a- shrinkage in last year's receipts, but (here was a credit balance of £ls 3s 6d. The church door collection for the year was £261. During the evening Mr Scorgie. on behalf of the office-bearers, presented Mr R. A. Farquharson with a travelling rug and strap bag, and he was presented by Mr Grinlinfe, on behalf of the young men's Bible class, with a greenstone pendant. Mr Farquharson suitably acknowledged the gifts. A musical programme was contributed to by Mrs Nicolson, Misses M. MM>oric, J. M*Nee, Caldow, Morrison, RutherfoTd, Messrs W. W. M'Donald, M'Crorie, Xapier. and Austing, and by the members of the choir. THE LESLIE HARRIS SEASON. A big audience attended tbe Garrison Hall last night, and it is quite safe to say that they enjoyed tl>e new programme put before them by Mr Leslie Harris quite as much as that of his opening night in this City—which is saving a good deal. Versatility Mr Harris possesses to a degree. He is a natural-born laughtermaker. And it is laughter of the pleasantest and most healthy type. Mr Harris compels laughter in every one of his audience by whatever channel he chooses to reach them. When the night's entertainment is. over there is quite a little sigh of regret from the audience that they have to part with him. That is their only regret, for they have been made to laragh at nothing which on after reflection they might feel- just a shade ashamed about. Mr Harris steers clear of anything like vulgarity. His humor is of the best. Among the new numbers last niTht were a musical monologne, 'The Fallen Star;' 'The Peregrinations of a Melody,' 'Tick Took,' 'How to Compose,' and a platform " speech " given in dumb show.. Besides enjoying Music used as a handmaid to Humor, the audience were treated to some excellent examples of pure art itself.- Miss Rosina Buckmann sang the ' Je*rel song' from Gounod's ' Faust,' and ' H Bacio,'. in splendid style, besides giving several other numbers. The same programme will be repeated {o-night. ■Mr Leslie-Harris wul make his last appearance in Dunfldin to-morrow evening, vribeo a programme specially selected from his repertoire will be submitted. The performance will be under the patronage and in the presence of the members of the Dnnedin Liedertafel and the preadent and members of the Dnnedin Orphans' Club. It should be added that Mr Harris will not revisit Duoedin during- his nseswnt-New Zeabod torn,- • ; - ■-. .•' . j

•THE FATAL WEDDED.* Messrs Moynell and Gunn, in bringinl this drama to Dunedin, accurately ganged the taste of a large section of, the public, and good business is the nightly result. The children's scene appears to be an unfailing' attraction, and no doubt many agree wit a the lady who on emerging from His Majesty's Theatre "a night or two ago declared that the church service did her quite M much good as one of the Rev. Amm&dah Sleok's sermons. This lady; needless t4 say, was a visitor to Dnnedin. We hav« no clergyman here of that name. The last performance but one of ' The Fatal Wedding' k announced for to-night. EDISON'S POPULAR PICTURES. The ' America at Work * Company open in His Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday next. Of'the earthquake picteres a .Nort&ern contemporary says: "The effect upon the mind is distressful, but it is perhaps none the less to be desired on that account. The thinker seeks to get behind the moving picture to the master mind that conceived the mechanism which enables soenes which happened far away in Amenfca to be faithfully and accurately reproduced m Wellington or in Palmerston. In another , direction the camera has been used with drill and enterprise, and that is in taking a series of records of flie most mmute things in life. A caterpillar is transformed into a beautiful butterfly before the wondering gaze of spectators. The pranks of a bevj of schoolgirls at Coney Island (Amerioa'i most noted pleasure resort) are faithfully "reproduced. The bird's-eyo view of New York City in this, picture .is unique and faithful. Mr Andrews has . secured absolutely the choicest thangs in moving pictures that America, has to present, and the machinery and appliances with whico. the photographs are reproduced are also ironi the land of the latest-" DTJNEDDJ CHORAL SOCIETY. The second concert of the season wul bt given in His Majesty's Theatre on Tnesdav, August 14, for which occasion Gounocn ' Gallia' and Sterndalc Bennett's ' Maj Queen * will be given. The society bra been fortunate in being able to secure *2m services of Mrs R. Hudson, jun., to take the soprano solos in these works. The tenor solos are to be taken by Mr A. R. Thompson (of Inveroargfll), who has been beard on a previousoccasionin Dnnedin, and, judging by the manner in which he then acquitted himself, it is safe to predict he will carry out hia part with every satisfaction. The bass solos will be entrusted to Mr William. Thomson, well known to Dnnedin. The chorus and orchestra are practising their parts assiduously at the rehearsals each week under the baton of their conductor, Mr Paget Gale. In connection with the visit of Madame Dolores, which event takes place early nest year, the horu secretary is in communication with Messrs J. and N. Tait re a concert with the society. . If possible, of course a performance of the ' Creation' will be given, which work, it will be remembered, was given with Madame Dolores about six years ago, and which still cootinnes to hold the record of being the most successful oratorio concert ever given in Dnnedin. The ' America at Work' picture entertainment is drawing large audiences in Christchurch. It will be shown here at His Majesty's on Tuesday evening,