AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 13090, 24 October 1908, Page 6

AMUSEMENT S.

HIS'MAJESTY'S ‘ THe fine series .of; films 'depleting Living Ireland drew, a large house to His Majesty’s, Theatre last night. Apart from the star subject there are projected ‘ very many excellent pictures, including views from the Pranco-British Exhibition. Mr J. M. Campbell is -thA other side of the show. A new picture programme will be given to-night. ... > ST. KILDA BAND ROTUNDA BAZAAR. The Committee. of the above are well satisfied with the support they are receiving. -The.bad weather;has to a certain extent spoiled the attendance, but they are confident that before closing they will realise the sum they desire for further improving the rotunda enclosure. Last night good business was done, and there is still a good and varied assortment of articles on all the stalls. A special effort will be made to dispose of these this evening, and patrons may depend upon receiving every inducement to purchase. The Orr brothers, comedians of no mean ability, provided good entertainment last night, and will appear again this evening. Mr. A. Allen, a dever conjurer and - illusionist, is being better appreciated the more he is seen, and his side shows is a-feature of the bazaar. The competitions for children were well patronised last night, and provoked much mirth and merriment. The excellence of the bazaar itii?lf, and the worthiness of the object aimed at, should ensure a good house this evening. BURNS-SQUIRES PICTURES. The Burns-Sqnires pictures being shown at the Princess are without doubt the most exciting and the most realistic yet shown in Dunedin, and for a mixed audience the pictures in ore respect are better than the actual contest, as women will not have their feelings harrowed by seeing black eyes or hearing sickening thuds. The entertainment is an excellent one, and free of that monotony which some find in picture exhibitions. For those who do not like hosing there are the Marathon race and the Stadium sports at the FrancoBritisb Exhibition, including a fine display of gymnastics and drill by the Danish ladies’ team, a swimming match, high diving, water polo (Belgium v. Holland), vaulting, and a series of humorous films. 'THE MIKADO.’ The _ revival of - ‘ The Mikado ’ by the Dunedin Operatic Society at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday evening next promises to be a welcome event with local playgoers. The final rehearsals now being held suggest the witnessing of faithful representations, a constant flow of delightful melody, rich dresses, pretty Japanese ballets, ■ a finely-balanced chorus of sixty voices, an orchestra of twenty performers, and exquisite scenery. The cast—a strong one—appears in another column. Popular prices are being charged. The box plan is fast filling up, and so far indications point to good houses. MARK HAMBOURG RECITALS. On Thursday morning at the Dresden the Mark Hambourg box plans, will be opened to enable.the admirers of this distinguished pianist to reserve seats for the three recitals to bo given at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday, 4th November, and two succeeding nights. The enthusiasm displayed by music-lovers in the return of Mark Hambourg is hardly surprising, coining as he does after three previous visits with a greatly-increased reputation. Speaking to an interviewer in Auckland, Mark Hambourg expressed delight at the vastly improved tastes of colonial audiences. The pianist spoke in terms of warm approval of the increasing desire for the world’s best music, instancing the large audiences which had gathered to hear a Beethoven recital in Melbourne recently He said it spoke' volumes for the musical taste of that city, as, on reflection, he thought no greater compliment had been paid him in the art centres of Europe. In the intervals, which are rare, between his journeyings, Mark Hambourg is constantly improving his art, and also equipping himself for his artistic wanderings by becoming an Expert linguist. ■ Ho speaks five languages already, but he has an ambition to speak the tongues of ten countries. IRENE AINSLEY. On Monday night at His Majesty’s Theatre local concert-goers will be given! an opportunity of hearing this gifted 1 young singer, about whom so much has been heard within the past four years. Coming to us with the laurels of many triumphant concerts in other towns and cities still fresh upon her, it is small wonder that her opening concert should be awaited with considerable eagerness, and there is no doubt that one of the largest audiences yet seen ‘ within our theatre will greet Madame Melba’s protegee when she appears on the platform. Everywhere Miss Ainsley has won the eulogies of Press and public, and she has indeed justified the high hopes of her many friends in New Zealand. That Miss Ainsley is fulfilling by this tour a promise made four years ago when leaving Auckland to pursue her musical studies abroad, our readers are doubtless aware, and that she relinquished many ,important engagements in England that she might do so is not exaggerating the truth, numbered amongst those engagements being the contralto roles in the Birmingham and Norwich Festivals. Miss Ainsley’s triumphs have been so numerous and so recent that they need not bo enumerated here; suffice to say that no artist has come to us of recent years with better credentials. A strong company will support Miss Ainsley, including Mr Hamilton Hodges, the favorite New Zealand baritone. The box plans at the Dresden Company’s warehouse indicate that well-filled houses will greet Miss Ainsley at each of her two concerts. HALLOWEEN. Considerable interest is being taken in the forthcoming Scottish gathering, known to Scotsmen all the world over as Halloween. What Scotsman coining from the Land o’ Cakes does not carry with him happy memories of these festal occasions. The celebration this year will take the form of a night of Scottish song and story, and will be held in Burns Hall next Friday evening. The well-known Scottish lecturer, Rev. J. Aitken, will deliver a lecture, ‘The Love Songs of Scotland,’ which is brimful of humor. Those who have heard this lecture before declare it to be the finest Scottish lecture yet heard in Dunedin. It will be interspersed with the finest examples of Scotia’s love songs, so dear to the hearts of Scotsmen.