AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15968, 29 June 1912, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

KING'S THEATRE. MISS MARIAN WOODHOUSE. The large attendance at tho King's Theatre last night wae in itself a gratifying welcome to Miss Marian Woodhouse, who made her first public appearance since her return from the United Kingdom, where she has been studying. The audience was in a kindly mood, and it overlooked the faults in Miss Woodhouse's numbers, due in the main, probably, to nervousness. Miss Woodhousc has returned to the dominion vastly improved in technique, and her interpretations of the more ambitious songs last night were thoroughly satisfactory in phrasing and general treatment. Unfortunately, Miss Wocdhouse seemed tired, and the quality of her voice was thin, especially in the upper register, in which also there was noticeably a tendency to forcing. Her pronunciation was excellent, but the production of some notes was not at all satisfying. The treatment of her encore numbers, less exacting songs, was tasteful, and led to tho conclusion, that she would be heard to much greater advantage in light numbers, and in a hall of smaller proportions. It must be admitted that the King's Theatre is hopelessly unsuitable for concert purposes, and is a groat handicap to vocalists- "My Heart is Weary" (Goring Thomas), a magnificent dramatic song for contraltos, was much too heavy for Miss Woodhouse's voice. In the opening her intonation was uncertain, and at times there was a lack of cohesion. Her conception of the song, however, was artistic. The encore number, " I Heard a Whisper,", was sung with considerable feeling. " Nobil Signor," from "The Huguenots" (Meyerbeer) was correct in phrasing, but was lacking in brilliancy, and "Heimlich© Aufforderung " (Strauss) had the same fault, "Softly Awakes My Heart," from "Samson and Delilah" (SaintSaens) was remarkable for some excellent technical qualities, but it was lacking in breadth. Miss Woodhousc also sang two songs by Sir Edward Elgar. "Rondil" and " The Shepherd's Song." Mr Farquhar Young played a double role, appearing as a singer and a reciter. " Had a Horse," from Korbay's characteristic Hungarian songs, was taken rather too slowlv to fully realise its full dramatic effect, the result being ponderous. " Bridget " (M'Geoch) was much better, being artistic and quaintly humorous. "The Ringers" (Lohr) was well suited to Mr Young's resonant bass voice, and lie gave the song with a fine swing. "Long Ago in Alcala " . (Messnger) was too disjointed. The familiar recitation "Lasea" was powerfully given bv Air Young, and in humorous mood "Jim Bowker" was delightful. "The Judgment of the Worker." a dramatic recitation of considerable literarv merit, was treated forcefullv and effectively. Good tone antf depth of feelin<r characterised the violin solo* given bv Miss Irene Morris. Technically they were accurate, and the general treatment was highly creditable, especially in " Chanson" Napolitaine" fD'Ambrosio). Mrs Porcival Smith was enthusiastically applauded for tar .pianoforte solos, of'which Rachmaninoff's Prelude was the best, Mrs Smith also played, the accompaniments for Miss "vioodhouse.

HERREN ABEND. Tito Ren-en Abends of the Christchurch Liedertafel »to looked forward to with great pleasure, and the Society's hundred and fifty-third concert, given last night, before a large audience, fullv came up to exepetations. Mthouflch +-he programme did not contain any new music, it was none the less enjoyable, and the part songs were the more acceptable in that they were for the most part familiar to their hearers. The first number, Mendelssohn's "Vintage Song," was very pieasin" - . A charming bracketed number, Mohring's 'Slumber Soft' and Llovd's " Wet Sheet and flowing Sea, were well interpreted, Dr L. Manning beiiv heard to advantage in the dainty Kolo'in Mohring's number. Gounods "Eyrie," Kucken's "Loyal Song and Newton's quaint humorous glee "The Frog" were amongst the best of the lighter items. Strauss was represented bv tho somewhat meretricious '•'Joy Waltz." a vocal arrangement of the composer's " Blue Danube " waltz, which found much favour with the audience. Tho bic work of the evening was Wagner's "Pilgrims' Chorus,;' from " Tannhauser," a fine work, in which the choir was heard at its best, the massive theme given out in unison being particularly effective. The solo preceding the chorus was sung by Mr G March in his usual finished manner, and the work had to be repeated in response to an insistent demand. Tlio vocal excerpts were the weakest portion of the programme, and were not in keeping with the excellent work of the choir. Mr L. Fleming, a basso of much power, was not wise in tackling such a difficult work as Bizet's " Scnc of the Toreador." from "Carmen, though be acquitted himself very creditably T and was forced to respond with an encore. Mr J. F. Peake, who possesses a liuht tenor voice, sang Ellen Wright's "Didst Thou But Know" in a pleasing manner. Messrs C. D. Morris and G. March contributed Men-

delAs'phn's duet "Tho Happy Hnntsmanii' and found favour .with the audience* Mr T. B. Pike sang 1 the +*&■ worn Scotch ballad "Draw the Swora, Scotland. 7 ' and as an encore sang tk» equalM hackneyed "Let Me Lin a Soldier Vail." Mr B. S. Knox iw much overweighted in his choice, *' Tfca Rebel," and the dramatic force of tfce number sivrered in consequent. . Mrj Alfred Bunfc, who conducted, oontrib*> ted two pianoforte solos. Schuttfs " B»rerio " and Weber's " Moto Continue?' each of which, was played in an armtic manner. 'Xhe accompanist waa Mr A. Worsley. % | ' I PICTURES, i His Majesty's Theatre was well fill*' last night, when, besides the piotram, Dr Bradshaw gave.his weekly organ recital. He played. <he following numbers:—Prelude in C sharp minor let the pianoforte Larghetto from tho Clwinet Quintmt (Mozart), scena "Th< : Steersman'a Song." from the "Flying Dutchman'' (AVagner), scherzo in B Hoyte), scena pastorale "TEe / Distant Storm" overture \o the opera " Stradella " (FToVnr).. The pictures will be shown again l io-night. OPERA-HOUSE.: 1 The Brennnn-Fuller VaudeJrilft ComSaxiy attracted;a largo \f th« pera House last night, when/.the current week's programme was. repeated. All the performers were well receive/".. The same programme will be.presented to-night. GLOBE CONTINUOUS PIGTURE6. All the sessions at the Globe. Continuous Pictures were well: attendee' yesterday, there being a particularly large number present in M evening The same pictures will be screened to night. ■ . ' .' i FULLERS' PICTTTRBS. There was a large attendance at the Colosseum last night. wh«p Fullers' current programme was repeated. An exceptionally .interesting nun'was entitled " Otter Studief? fhe gramme will be given again to-night. OLYMPIA RINK. The Olympia Skating Rink was wel' patronised yesterday. In the evening » learners' class was held. The rink will be open fot th© usual sessions to-day. SYDENHAM PICTURES. There was-, a satisfactory attends**© at the Sydenham Pictures last night. There will be a complete change of pictures to-dav. The new pictures will be "Her Last Shot," ."A Soldier'a. Loyalty," "Scenes in Guernsey," "Diamond Earrings," ' Jim ana Tim," "St Francis of Asvisi." "Mackerel Fishing" and "Bobby and the Ballet Girl." The new programme will be shown at the matinee to-day, at 2.30. MR ALEXANDER WATSON. Mr Alexander Watson will make his farewell appearances in Chustchurch in the Choral Hall on Wednesday and Thursday. Tn-o entirely new - programmes will bo given. On Wednesday Mr Watson will interpret Shakespeare's fairy comedy " A Midsummer Night's Dream," and on Thursday he will give selections from Dickens's "David Copporfield," "Pickwick Papers," and ''Martin Alfred Noyes's "The Highwaymaft,'' Whitcomb Riley's "The Elf-Child," Adams's amusing " Leedle Yawbob Strauss" and "An Irish Cricket Match."

"MR PLASTER OF PARIS."] , *. Tho Wjfkeham and Nabel Musical Farce Comed.v Company will commence a season of eleven nights at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday. "Mr Plaster of Pans* will bo the first production and it will be staged for four nights. It will be followed by "The Belle of Newport'•' and " Who'a William?" The following well-known artists will be in tlw cast:—Misses Prossy Preston, Mand Chetwynd, Ida Ingersoll. Stella Cazalla and My'ra Bight, Messrs Reginald Wykeham, Edward Nable, Charles Throsby, Tristram Greene, Ernest Lashbrooke, Henry Burton and Harry Rayner. The box plan lis at the Dresden. MTSS LUCYiCOWAN'S CONCERT. ' On Tuesday night Miss Lucy Cowan and her pupils will give a concert in the West-End Hall. Besides musical' items'there will be several recitations, sketches and a humorous playlet.