AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15920, 4 May 1912, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

GEMISCHTER ABEND

I •It is a cause for regret that nuisiclovors in Christchurch are so seldom able to hear such excellent concerts as the " Gemisohter Abends," or ladies concerts, given at rare intervals by the Christchurch Liedertafel. Of tlic six concerts given annually by the society, only two may be attended by Indies, and the loss is theirs. l" e fifty-fourth ladies' concert, given m the Choral Hall last evening, was amongst the best yet given by the Liedertafel. The programme was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. The male, choir opened with " The l*ay Pilgrim." a part-song composed by Mangold. The work is a brightly-col-oured tone picture, and was rendered in a highly-polished manner by the choir. Abt's "Ave Maria" was also rendered with a due regard to the beauties of the work, and in the charming tenor solo passage* Mr C. H. Schwartz was heard at bis best. Bold Turpin," ,ono of Dr Bridge's best efforts in part-song writing, was insistently encored, and had to be repeated. The. first wart closed with the rococo scena "Finale dell 'Opera," an ingenious medlev of musical terms set to music, and in which Mr F. G. Gurnsey gave an excellent rendering of the alto solo. The second half of the programme contained the two best, selections of the evening. The " Pilgrims' Chorus from Wagner's " Tannhauser and the familiar "Soldiers' Chorus" from Gounod's "Faust." In both of these items the choir was heard to splendid advantage. Mr G. March rendered Wolfram's solo in the " Pilgrims' Chorus " with rare taste and masterly skill, and the movement was deservedly encored. Mr A. L. Cropp m Alhtsen's " The Lute Player' T gave evidence of careful training, and Mr K. Vincent creditably rendered Blumenthal's " The Requital." Mr A. Millar gave a vigorous interpretation of Handel's " Arm, Arm, ye Brave," and Mr A. Worsley followed, his recent successes as a* solo pianist by a masterly interpretation of two of Schumann s masterpieces, " Grillen " and _ Romanze." Mr Worsley was insistently recalled, and had to respond with a third number. Mr E. Hollow- was forced to respond to an encore to his rendering of Bishop's "My Pretty Jane," and the Cathedral Quartette Party in two charming little part-songs helped to make up a thoroughly successful programme.

THEATRE ROYAL "Evervwoman" was played at the Theatre 'Royal last evening before a very large audience, and it was again very highly appreciated. It will be repeated for the last time to-night. On Monday night Mr Haddon Chambers s play, "Passers-by," will be staged for the first time in Christchurch. It is said to be a most interesting play, and the originals of some of the characters will be seen in the presentation. Mr Haddon Chambers is now one of the foremost dramatists in London, and " Passers By" is mentioned as one ot his very best works. Of it one of the London papors said: "It has a kernel of real drama, is exquisitely written, contains some wonderful characterisations, and is a fascinating and absorbing entertainment." The cast will include Miss Hilda Spong as MargaretSummers, Miss Emma Temple as Lady Hurley, Miss Elsie Clarens as Beatrice Dainton, Mr Robert Whyte as Samuel Burns (his original impersonation), Mr George Miller as Highty, Mr A. J. Patrich as William Pine, and Mr William Desmond as Peter Waverton. SPDENHAM PICTURES.

The attendance at the Sydenham Picture Palace last night was very satisfactory. A very good programme is announced for to-day. The principal feature will bo an Italian dramatic production 2600 ft in length, entitled " The Rose -Rouge," or " His Life for a Flower." ' The balance of the programme will comprise "The Younger Brother," "His Girl is Coming," " Dupin and the Stolen Necklace," " A Sister's Love," "In the Clutches of a Vapour Bath," " Gaumont Graphic," "Whaling Industry of Natal." The new programme will bo shown at the matinee performance to-day, at 2.30.

FULLER'S PICTURES.. Another large audience witnessed the current week's programme at the Colosseum last night. . The series was full of interest and was well received. Tho same pictures will be shown this afternoon and evening. OPERA HOUSE. The Fuller-Brennan Vaudeville Company appeared before a fairly large audience at the Opera House last night. The mystifying turn of Wong Toy Sun was again the main feature of the programme, and the clever conjurer came in for much applause. The same programme will be given this evening. WEST-HAYWARD PICTURES. In addition to the picture programme at His Majesty's Theatre last ovening, an organ recital by Dr Bradshaw was much appreciated. The recital programme included the following numbers:—!. Moroeau Symphonique, "Hommage a Mozart" (Op.' 65) (J. B. Calkin). 2. Fantasia Bustique fUn ; Souvenir Nuptial (Wolstenholme). ' 3. Overture to the Opera " Euryanthe" (Weber). 4. Legende Valaque—»" La Serenata" (Braga). 5. Gavotte de Louis Quinzo (Maurice Lee). 6. Military March in D. Major, Op. 51, No. 1 (Schubert). OLYMPIA RINK. Skating provided enjoyment for a large number of people at the Olympic Rink yesterday. Last evening considerable interest was aroused by a hockey match • between teams representing Christehurch and the Olynrpia Rink. After a close game the' Christehurch team won in the last few minutes by four goals to two. Tho usual sessions are announced for to-day.

" JANSEN THE GREAT." Next Saturday Messrs Portus and Talbat will introduce to Christehurch Jansen, who has recently been highly successful in Australia. Jansen has toured the East extensively, and it is stated that in China he was known as ■" The Magic Man." while in India the sobriquet he gained by his conjuring was ''The Devil Sahib." He is an American, and during his joumeyings about the world ho has observed keenly, which, it is stated, makes him an interesting figure both on and off the stage, as a conjuror and as a traveller. In New Zealand. Jansen has already visited Wellington, Auckland. Palmerston North and Wanganui, and in each town he has appeared before crowded houses. Jansen will be supported by a vaudeville company, including:—De Hoilis and VaJara, eccentric comedians: Nelson Story, a rag-time pianist: Me. Him and I, a noveltv turn: Edna Herr, an escape expert" : and Alvin. '[ The Straw Mail " The box Jjlan will be opened at the Dresden Piano Comnany. Cathedral Square, on Wednesday mornnig.

MISS COWAN'S PUPILS. \n entertainment bv pupils is usually regarded with misgivings by uncharitable strangers, who have no reason to fbrcive tho shortcomings of those apS on the stase, but Mm Lucy fWnn's puoi s f kd not ' need any apologv U evening and the audience 3 tlifl Alexandra Kail was not called oS to tiko oxcusrs. The major porJih n S"it£d themselves -ith credit. M Is Eilee" Ferguson and Miss Geralv \r'Grnth were associated in a " ine ri+ta "Three JolK- Bachelors." C T IC i, was invested with much humour, Wl j °JrS "plnved intelligently. Miss and «as v - t , rt „ a story «Ul with 'Miss Elsie Wocdmti Mr Frank Ward, in •■ Sydney

Carton s Farewell to the World," made a great deal of the dramatic soliloquy, and with Miss Cowan, he was very good uia dialoguo from " Romola " Misses Muriel and Irene Brodie appeared in a story without words entitled 'Mistaken Identity," which was cleverly handled. Miss Vera Hanna and Miss Mavis Richie also provided very enjoyable recitations. A humorous monologue, dealing with the telling of a story under difficult circumstances gave Mr F. M. Cordery an opportunity tor a display of considerable ability. Variety was lent to the entertainment by Mr W. J. Salkeld, who sang "The bong of the. Torrent" (Mallineon), "Mine Enemy" (Rudd). and "Will 0' the Wisp" (Cherry), "by Miss Vera Mitchell, who played two enjoyable 'cello solos, and Mr R. L. Clarke, whose violin solos, "Cavatina" (Raff), a madrigal by Sinionetti, and "Slumber Song" (Schumann), were heartily encored. Misses Monica Davenport and Ethel Mitchell and Mr Raymond Lawry played the accompaniments. christchurch"orchestral SOCIETY. The Christchurch Orchestral Society will give its first concert of the 1912 season in the Theatre Royal on Friday evening, and will play the following programme: Overtures, "William Tell" (Rossini), and "Egmont" (Beethoven), "Spring Song" Mendelssohn), "Venetian Love Song" (Nevin), "Feto Boheme" (Massenet). " Liebcstraum" (Czibulka). In addition, Mr Frank Hutehens, A.R.A.M., will play (with the orchestra) Grieg's' " Concerto in A minor " (opus 167) ft nd Miss Rita Lyons will sing the "Jewel Song," from- Gounod's " Faust," and "Bel'Raggio" from " Semiramde " (Rossini). Mrs 0. Percival Smith will be the accompanist, and Mr Alfred Bunz will conduct the orchestra.