AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14428, 19 July 1907, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The second concert of the Mario Hall season was given at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening before a fairly numerous audience. The young violinisto again excelled in the refinement of her interpretations, and proved conclusively that she is an exponent of the lyric art. Her most notable achievement, probably, was in the unaccompanied “Chaconne” by Bach. The ease with which Miss Hall overcame the technical difficulties of the intricate composition was quite a remarkable feature of tho performance. She has, however, repeatedly demonstrated that difficulties are to her but inconsequential. Tho octave intonations were perfect, and the chordal intricacies and widely-extended harmonies were played with marked facility. There was a want of breadth of tone, but the quality was tenderly expressive. Miss Hall’s manipulation of harmonics has not been excelled by any player heard in Christchurch. Her other programme numbers were tho first movement from Vieuxtempe’ “Concerto in E major,” an “Aria” by Penaglia, a “Minuet” and “ Gigue, and Ernst’s “ Otello Fantasie.” The audience probably derived most pleasure from an encore number, Dvorak’s “ Humoreske. Miss Louie Baecbe, the solo pianiete, placed Schubert’s “ Impromptus,” Op. 90/Nos. 3 and 2, and tho MendelssohnLiszt “ Wedding March and Fairy Dance.” Miss Basche was deservedly encored for her very clever playing of the second number. The concert originally fixed for to-, morrow evening lias been, cancelled so as to enable Miss Hall to leave for "Wellington to-morrow. This evening she will give her last concert in Christchurch. She will play Mendelssohn's “ Concerto in E minor,” tho popular “ Souvenir di Moscow-” (Wiemawski), and a group of well-known solos. Miss Basche’s contributions will include “The Military ' March” (SchubertTausig). operalhousb. Despite the counter attractions last evening, the Opera House was well filled, and tho programme was received with marks of appreciation. The sketch given by Miss Verne and Mr Armstrong evoked much laughter, and the two artists were encored. The programme will be presented again this evening, and "to-morrow tfi 0 usual change of programme will he made. FANCY DRESS CARNIVAL. It is a “sine qua uon ” of a successful rinking season that several fancy dresu carnivals should be held, to give the skaters an opportunity of displaying their originality or of proving their lack of that saving grace. One of those indispensable and interesting entertainments was held at tho Colosseum last evening, and besides attracting an unusual number of skaters in and out of fancy costumes, it brought together a large gathering of spectators. The floor was very well filled with tho wearers of dresses of all periods, all nations, and all walks of life Some of the masqueraders did not hesitate to go beyond this life, and one of the most impressive and, ns talas its nature would permit, tasteful dresses was a renresentation of a skeleton. I'll ore followed closely in merit a red-garbed Mephistopheles, and other personages from the fairy world of imagination were represented. From the earliest civilisations and the latest superstitions there came ideas. Two “ golly-wogs ” met a vivandiere and a brigand in a fair speed contest; “Ruination ” collided with a “Confirmed Smoker” and cammed off against a purveyor of rags and bones, ending ins career in close contact with one who wore prison garb. There were over a hundred costumes, and in nearly all cases they were new and based upon ideas new to the rink. A hockey match was played in the evening by the fancy dress skaters. Prizes won by the fancy dress wearers, to bo awarded by vot© of lost evenings spectators, will bo di&~ tributed on Thursday. MADAME OARRENO. A season will bo opened at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening by

Madame Oarreno, the celebrated pianist, who is touring Australasia. She had a great success in Australia, and has been described ns a most extraordinary player and one of the best pianists of the present day. MISS JESSIE MACLACHLAN. On Wednesday evening Miss Jessie Maclachlan will inaugurate at His Majesty’s Theatre a series of farewell concerts extending over four nights. Miss Maclachlan has added fresh laurels to these she won before her first visit to Christchurch, and her return will bo welcomed. Mr John M’Linden, a 'cello player, and Mr Douglas Young, a tenor singer, will assist Miss Maclachlan, PERRY’S TIIOIIAMA. Mr Perry’s Biorama Company will open a short season at the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening. The apparatus brought by Mr Perry is said to embody all the latest appliances for the presentation of animated pictures. The films are all new, including a series showing incidents connected with the women's suffrage movement .in England. A vaudeville company will contribute to the programme.