ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 September 1926, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE—TO-NIGHT. Remember the story by Gene Stratton Porter, “A Girl of the Limberlost. ” The story of a girl of the Michigan woods; a buoyant, lovable type of self-reliant American. _ Her philosophy is one of love and kindness towards all'things; her hope is never dimmed. And by the sheer, beauty of her soul, and the purity of her vision, she wins from barren and unpromising surroundings those rewards of high courage. You have never forgotten the story and you’ll never forget the photoplay, to be screened finally at the Opera House to-night. A splendid cast has been chosen 1 , including such well-known favourites as Gloria Grey, Emily Eitzroy, Raymond McKee, Cullen Landis, Gertrude Olmstead, Virginia True Boardmfia.n, 'Ruth Stonehouse and many others. There is an excellent programme of supports.

THE GONDOLIERS

TO-MORROW NIGHT

To-morrow evening .at the. Opera House at 8 o’clock the J. C. Wiilhftraeon, Ltd., management will present their specially organised' Gilbert and Sullivan, company, of over 80 artists, including .som-e of London’is best known comic opera, artists, in a magnificent and stupendous production of the delightfully whimsical 1 , and tuneful opera ‘‘The Gondoliers,’ which is, unquestionably, the most popular of the works in the repertoire of the famous collaborators. “The Gondoliers” will be staged with the new and magnificent scenery and dresses which were created 'for the recent Melbourne representation. Tills opera, was the last they prepared before the disagreement which, parted them, for a few years. There are- good points in their two- later operas, but none of them has the quality of the -chief works of the period which ended with “The Gondoliers.” While variety gives this play a. special charm, gaiety is its pPevai'Hng note. Amitonio strikes- it i lithe opening scene with his sono “For the merriest fellows are we.’’ “Many,” wrote a Melbourne critic, “in the huge audience in His Majesty’® Theatre on Saturday night remember Gilbert and Sullivaim’-s- opera® as part of their lives, and still find them a refreshing experience. A younger generation, to whom the old songs were new, were just- as appreciative and even more hearty. Tliev heard with evident pleasure why the celebrated, cultivated, underrated Duke of Plaza-Tor© -led his regiment from behind: —he found it Jess exciting, and they .laughed at hearing that Duke's were three a penny. Unfortunately they found they could have too much of a. good thing. There- was such -a ready response to applause -that a. double encore was sometimes -allowed, and once there was a triple.” Seats in central positions for to-morrow night’s -performance- a.re still available at the box office.

“A -RUNAWAY GIRL.”

To-morrow morning the plans for the whole season, of Hawera Operatic Society’s production, of “A; Runaway Girl,” will open at Miss Blalre’s Opera House confectionery, and patrons are strongly advised to ibook their seats, to avoid being unable to gain l admission to the best amateur opera, ever staged in Hawera. _ The musical score, of “A, Runaway Girl,” it will bo of interest to know, has for the various [instruments been orchestrated in the town. The work is very fine indeed, and has entailed an infinite amount of attention, labour, and technical knowledge. Encomiums on the work have been made by all who have been privileged to hear it. Professor J. Higha.m, (Hawera) was solely responsible for 'this work and- the Operatic Society fully recognises and appreciate his fine achievement. Full value has been given to, the musical weight in the score, both, in the choruses and numbers, and musical people will be delighted when they hear the very fine work of Professor Highiam. This is another exemplification of Hawera’® musical talent.