AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 14525, 29 November 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

FULLERS' PICTURES. The fact that another complete change .of pictures is to bo made in the Princess 1 Theatre to-night proves that Messrs John Fuller and Sons must have in stock much excellent material. The series which Mr Hamer presented on Saturday night and last night comprised so many good films that ono is tempted to suggest a repetition of one or two of them. 'The Cowboy's Stratagem,' for instance, could stand reshowing. The spirit of tho age, however, is all for change, and possibly thonew lot to-night will be welcomed for their freshness. The management appear to be aiming at showing simultaneously the same series in different towns. They also desiro to present immediately a large supply of films brought by the" English mail, and thus keep at the Al standard the firm's reputation for up-to-dateness. The programme for to-nignt includes several very promising films. "The Revolution in Por- » tugal,' for instance, is up to date. Altogether 10,000 ft of film will bo screened, yards being devoted to dramatic, scenic, industrial, and comic subjects. The series will bo shown nightly for the remainder of this week, and it 'is probablo that the next change will be mado on Monday night. t . HAYWARDS' PICTL'RES. In the Burns Hall to-night a new programme of pictures will be presented by Messrs Hayward, whose reputation for keeping to the highest standard is beyond question. The programme includes ' Ine Spectre,' a thrilling drama, introducing marvellous quick changes by a great detective; 'The Phoenix,' describing a heroic rescue from a burning building. ihe twelfth edition of ' Pathe's Animated Gazette' includes tho autumn manoeuvres, horse artillery in action, charge of the Scots Greys, Lord Roberts reviews the Canadians, London Rugby football, and others. The following gems of genuine joy—' Tilly the Tomboy,' ' The Rival,' A .Smoker's Martyrdom,' ' Foolshead as a j Policeman,' ' Mr Le Black Learns to Fly'— will also be screened. The whole programme is one that is sure to satisfy. ALHAMBRA THEATRE. A change of programme at tho Alhambra and tho appearance for the first time of the Flving Pedrc* (ring experts) attracted a ; big audience last night. Both the Pedros are skilled performers, and one of them is besides, something of a humorist. They perform a variety of difficult and picturesque evolutions, a doufie somersault being a litting finale to an undoubtedly bright and interesting turn. Nat Clifford has now entered on his fourth week at the Alhambra, and his popularity shows no sign of waning. Last night he sang ' The Widow' ("a most distressful -song ), 'Pierpont Morgan No. 2' (a travesty), "E loves 'er' (a coster romance), and 'At the gate' (a coon comicality). ' Dartmoor,' a descriptive convict scena, is billed as Nat Clifford's dramatic masterpiece. The moral is expressed in lines quoted from Burns: "Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn." The story is about an innocent man who was sentenced to imprisonment for life in Dartmoor. After serving part of the sentence he went mad. The story, it will be seen, is a sad one, and the representation of it on the stage is harrowing—painful rather than tragic. All the other performers were seen in new turns. Jessie Lee gave expression to some excellent precepts in ' Don't, tell the world ■vour troubles'; Tim Howard has lost none of his steam-engine qualities; Nellie Leslie, serio and dancer, sang 'Flower of Singapore'; Mr E. R. Martin, tho fine basso sang 'The wreck,' and in response to an encore ' Old blind Joe'; the Gibson Girls sang and danced with characteristic vivacity and abandon ('Won't you be my honey' and 'Bewitching eyes'); George 1 :ott appeared in new acrobatic songs and dances, and Les Scott in new comic turns, the dancing of both of them being very clever; Jack Knowles sang coon ditties. The same entertainment will he given tonight. MR BROWNING'S PUPILS. Invitations sent out by Mr Harold E. S. Browning brought a largo number of people to the Early Settlers' Hall last nignt—so many that at the close of tho concert it took fully ten minutes to clear the hall. We mention this fact as the reason for a suggestion to those concerned that it would be as well to open another exit next time the hall is let, or at any rate fasten wide the doors that are used. The occasion of the gathering last night was the introduction to the guests of several of Mr Browning's pupils in singing. It is always interesting to hear new singers, especially when they can do something, and Mr Browning evidently takes care that those whom ho brings out can sing agreeably—so one may judge from what this programme produced. After carefully listening tp the nine debutantes who came forward last, night, it is safe to say that Mr Browning trains specially for breathing. Novices often have to resort to false phrasing because they have not the necessary lung management, hence we get the breaking of runs that ought to be taken in a breath, and in song 6 that are without runs a detached, panting style that is distressing to the listener and injurious to the performer. Mr Browning's pupils all make a fair attempt to avoid this vicious error. They are not afraid to open up tho bellows. Another matter concerning which the tuition is obviously sound is that of enunciation. The words were consistently clear and well-pronounced, even in tho caso of the two pupils who apparently have somo difficulty with tongue and lip. In this connection we may further mention that Mr Browning wisely had the songs sung in their original language, and that tho German of the ' Tannhauser' song and tho Italian of the 'Roberto' air had evidently been well studied, also in a lesser degree the French of Bizet's song. These are important matters, and, to be frank, tho recital proved uncommonly satisfactory in all respects. The voices of the pupils, of course,' are of varying value. All who were introduced may not become distinguished concert singers, but, without exception, they aro evidently in a fair way to at least sing intelligently in private—a great thing if properly appreciated—also to get an acquaintance with standard works ana the way to treat them. It would be impertinent and out of place to attempt to grade these beginners, but it may be recorded as a, fact that all were recalled, and that Mr E. W. Drake and Mr G. W. Johnstone had a job to beg off from encores. Mr W. Watters sang ' I triumph' (Carissimi), Mr Popplowell ' lake a pair of sparkling eyes,' Miss Mary Mitchell the test soprano air from 'Roberto il Diavolo,' Mr C. R. Allen 'On wings of song' (Mendelssohn) and 'The trumpeter,' Mi? 6 M. Carey-Wallace 'Adieu de l'hotesso Arabe' (Bizet), Mr Russell ' 0 star of eve,' Mr E. W. Drake 'A May morning,' Mr G. W. Johnstone 'The glory of God in nature' (Beethoven) and 'Arise, ye subterranean winds (Purcell), Mr E. J. Mee 'Kashmiri song (Finden) and 'From rushy beds' (BaSe). Mr Drake's boyish tenor is of nice quality, Miss Mitchell evidently possesses a singularly true ear, and there is much promise in all the others. Alter tho pupils' songs Mr Browning and Miss Mary Mitchell sang Any Woodforde Findcn's 'On Jhelum River.' Here we had the advantage of temperament as well as vocal knowledge, and that opened up a vast mine of thought. How few of our young singers know anything about temperament. And those who do not ought to leave Amy Finden alone. Mr Browning has this knowledge, and it sufficed for both himself and Miss Mitchell, with the happiest results. All the pianoforte accompaniments save one were played by Miss CareyWallace. When this young lady came oa to sing her accompaniment was played by Mrs Woods. A recitation by Mr T". Brickell gave _ variety to the entertainment. When it was all over the audience heartily thanked Mr Browning.