AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 15174, 3 May 1913, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

THE QUFEN’S THEATRE. At all sessions to-day the Queen’s Theatre was liberally patronised. The pictures of the present programme axe of good quality, and their popularity can readily be judged by the hearty applause with which they axe greeted. The programme will be shown for the lost time to-night. THE KING'S THEATRE. Nightly large numbers of theatregoers are attracted to the King’s Theatre, where a vaudeville entertainment of all-round merit is staged. The chief performers this week are the Slagpooles (four gymnasts of more than ordinary ability), Bondo (contortionist),. and Henry and. May (trick cyclists). In addition, several pictures are screened. The same programme will be presented to-night. FULLERS’ PICTURES. The programme to be screened for the last time at the Princess Theatre to-night includes ‘ At the Foot of the Scaffold ’ and ‘ The Secret of the Safe,' two dramatic productions which arc intensely interesting. A scenic film of more than ordinary interest at the present time is ‘ Around Montenegro.’ The other pictures are all of excellent quality. • THE KAIKORAI BAND. Judging from the advertised programme of the Kaikorai Band, a musical treat is in store for those who visit the Gardens to-morrow afternoon. The grand selection ‘ Bohemian Girl ’ (arranged by Alex, j Owen) is by far the best arrangement of I this popular music the band have ever played, including as it does melodies which j never before were introduced into brass band selections. The programme also includes Schubert’s 1 Serenade,’ a cornet solo, which will be played by Mr E. Schnack. DRIVERS’ UNION BALL. This function was held in the Art Gallery Hall last night, between 70 and 80 1 couples braving the Ixhsterous weather. : Music was supplied by Barnett's band, and Mr Kroon catered. The hall was nicely decorated by Mr J. M’Laughlau, who succeeded in making a pretty, though not profuse, setting for the dancing. It is the / intention of the anion, to malm tb-°- Junction * m annual osa-

ALLEN DOO3JE. A full measure of appiedoiko was accorded Mr Ailea Doope' lest night by the very large audknoe that . witnessed Iris reappearance at His Majesty’s Theatre hi a comedy-drama entitled ‘The Weaning of the Green.’ Tho Irish comedian’s peculiar and amassaikhlo gifts made him the most engaging figure in a bright and heartening play, whose fault© can be lightly weighed in view of its gaiety and the spirited tale it envisages, offering ampie drainatargio opportunities, and yet irradiated by hnmot of a kindly nature. The period is,:d course, that picturesque, one of Irish per secution, but the outworn' machinery ot the evicting bailiff, the traitor,; the brnfcaj I English officer, and the rest of the galkq (well known to all older playgoers) ixu been, consigned.- to the scrap Heap,” and .re placed by something .which; if conventional » is pleasingly conventional, engendering expectancy in the spectator at tb© outset, and keeping him in suspense to the eqd. 1 hilip Fitzgerald and Kitty Adair have been destined _ for each other from childhood by the joint direction of those two old cronies Squire Fitzgerald and Captain 4 dal i’ w hotly in love with N orah M Namara, the daughter of an impoverished Irish gentleman, and an artist by profession. He has been sent to America,, but returns still her lover, thouzh tacitly engaged to Kitty Adair. The'labter, a wilful little minx, has meantime become enamored of an adventurer masquerading under the name of Gill MTkmgall, who under another name had seduced • a young girl Carson in America, driving her to suicide. Tho father, whom Philip befriended in his trouble, has traced MDougall to Ireland, and pursues him there, intent upon summary vengeance. He is turned from his purpose by Philip, who, however, uses the avenger’s presence to send the spineless philanderer M‘Dougall flying for life on the eve of his praposel elopement with Kitty Adair, who i# an heiress in her own right, a ripe prey for such an adventurer. Philip himaeU will not marry Kitty, and is cast adrift by . s T u,re - The second act disclose* i nihp and Norah as lovers, but hand pressed to eke cut a living. Moreover, -U Uougall has a hold upon Norah, having witnessed an affray many years before in which her father had killed a relation of the present Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Linking at Philip through the girl, be demands £SOO as the price of continued silence. Ihe lovers are in despair, until i. hihp obtains an engagement to sing at the Dublin Hall of Harmony in place o-f Miles O’Regan, who has quarrelled with the manager. The big scene of the play U a splendidly-contrived one. in which the audience see what happened in the Dublin Had as from the wings of tho stage. M Dougall and O’Regan pack the hall M>d prepare to spoil the new ringer’s chance, 'the Lord Lieutenant and his suite are in attendance, and twice the curtain has to be lowered owing to the hostile reception given to the singer. On. the third oocasion Philip makes a tumultuous success, appealing, to the patriotism ox his auditors by singing the proscribed seng ‘The Wear, ing of the Green.’ This is ao. offence panishable by death, and Philip has -V: fly, bat at the end, in a scene fertile in comedy and drama, justice is done and the rovers united. Mr Allen Doone drew with vigorous brush tie portrait of Philip, a picturesque character, compact of resolution and irresponsibility. His comedy was deft and spontaneous, his more. scenes natuxally and yet spiritedly exploited, and his singing unexceptionable. In fine, he made an immediate personal success. Mi*, Edna Kieley played Norah very prettily, a part demanding little more than experience and a gracious presence. The portraiture of the minor characters, though of necessity conventional, was in all cases excellent—notably the representation of M'Ginnis (the gardener) by Mr Maurice Lynch, which was characterised by great bounce and. loudness and considerable skill. Tho sartorial investiture was a4> mirablc, and, in fact, tho entertainment can be cordially recommended. It will be repeated to-night. HAYWARDS’ PICTURES. The current series of film subjects ana proving attractive, as witness the capital house at The Octagon last evening and this afternoon. The programme will be finally displayed to-night. On Monday the new list will include the latest dramatic production of Pathe, which is said to be superbly colored. ‘ THE BLUE BIRD.’ In order to give playgoers of New Zealand an opportunity of witnessing a production of the world-famous fairy play ‘i he Blue Bird,’ the J. C. Williamson, Limited, management have organised a special company of over 100 artists, and .Maeterlinck’s master work will be staged at His Majesty’s Theatre for a season of six nights, commencing on May 16. It was at first thought impossible to send this really wonderful representation on tour, but all the difficulties regarding tho staging and lighting effects have now been overcome, and we are to witness a promised replica of the famous London Haymarket Theatre production. ‘ The- Blue Bird ’ was first produced at the Theatre des Arts, Moscow, somewhat over four years ago. It took Russia by storm, and was an instant success, to the surprise of Maeterlinck, who bad written it more or less for his own pleasure. The rest of the world waited long to eee the play, until it vas mounted in London. Tb© universal appeal of the play at tb© Haymarkct Theatre opened the way for its production iiriAmerica and France, and its instantaneous success in all the four countries ini which it has so far been seen baa been remarkable. Here was a new work of genius, which, like all great works of art, made its appeal to all classes. Rich and poor, gentle and simple, old and young, the learned as well as ill© untaught, all were spellbound under tho charm of tho play. .All came away, feeling better for having seen it, and went again and again to listen, to its message of hope and. comfort. The box plans for the .season, including the matino© to be staged on Saturday, May 17, will be opened on Tuesday, May 15. ORGAN RECITAL. On, Tuesday evening Mr W. Paget Gale will give an organ reciial in First Church, and will render a selection of music in the first part from the works of Wagner (m commemoration of the centenary of his birth), including the two colossal overtures ‘ Tannhauscr ’ and ‘ The Ride of tho Valkyries.’ Oilier items include two compositions entirely new to a New Zealand audience—‘The "Hymn to the Sun,’ by Mascagni, and the great Tragic Overture by Brahms. The programme is one of special interest, and a large audience is fully anticipated in the assurance that Mr Gale will repeat bis previous successes as a recitalist. CHURCH CHOIRS’ UNION. The Dunedin Church Choirs’ Union hold their next festival in First Church on the 20th inst. Hymns and anthems and several choruses from ‘The Messiah’ will bo presented. Mr David Cooke is tho conductor for this festival, and Mr W. Paget Gale organist. THE 1 DANDIES. At His Majesty’s on Monday, tb© 12th, “Red” Dandies will appear, under tn© direction of Mr Edward Brans com be. The “Dandies” have become quite.the vogue in the Commonwealth and in New Zealand, no fewer than five companies being controlled by this management aonc. Throe of these companies are now wintering in New Zealand, and it » Mr Braneoombo’s boast that he so arranges his companies that each one is on an. artistic level This prevents invidious distinctions, and as there are no “stars” there is a lack ol that professional jealousy that exists in so 'many of the "featured people” companies, 'Jlie personnel of the company to appear in Dune-din is as follows:—Mir CSaurie Dampier, character comedian; Mr George Morxran, light comedian; Mr Gavin Wood, base; Mr Oliver Peacock, baritone; Mr Leonard Griffiths, pianist; Miss Evelyn Ward, contralto; Miss Hilda Lane, soprano ; Miss Irene Vere, eoubrette. The box plan is at the Dresden.