ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8780, 22 January 1909, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MADAME CROSSLEY.

Though there was not a particularly large audience present at the Opera House last night it was immeasurable in it lavish appreciation of the musical feast provided for its delectation. Palmerston has experienced the pleasure of ibeing visited by many stare, but last night's entertainment was unique in that there was a galaxy of talent, each performer a bright star in the particular firmament graced. It was a night ot genuine pleasure, one that will linger pleasantly with those who were privileged to be present. There is no need to refer to the cordial nature of the welcome extended to Madame Crossley after her' absence from Palmerston for five years, suffice to state that it was spontaneous and hearty to a degree. The gifted singer's first number was Handel's recitative "Fronde tenere with the air following, "Ombra mai fui. The delightful music appealed intensely to the audience- whilst the number gave Madame full, scope to display the brilliant qualities of her voice. The conclusion of the number was the signal for beautiful bouquets to, pass to the stage in rapid succession, Madame smiling her acknowledgements. An encore followed as a matter of course, Madame responding with "On the Banks of Allan Water," with which she further delighted the house and was again recalled. On the third occasion a pretty and dainty coon song "Mighty like a Rose was sang again with charming effect. In the second part of the programme Madam© Crossley commenced with .Cuthbert Wynne's "Through love to. light, and for the inevitable encore numbers ehe sang "Oh that we two were mayin°-" and "Love the Pedlar." Each song was remarkable for not only purity of tone but wealth of expression and soulful appreciation of the theme. . Rapturous applause followed and continued till Mr Bracy, manager, stepped on to the stage and remarked with the singers regrets that she was much top fatigued to sing further. As previously indicated Madame Urosaley is supported by a wealth of talent seldom seen in the one combination. Mr Jno. Harrison, who is making his first trip to the Dominion, is probably the best tenor heard in Australasia and- he completely took the house by storm, completely overwhelming them with the purity and beauty of his voice, as robust as it was pure- and sweet. His first number was the recit. and aira "0 Vision Entrancing" (Esmeralda) and in response to a vociferous encore he sang "Because" (Guy D'Hartelot). In the second portion he sang (a) to Mary and (b) "Love's Mastery," in each of which his 6uperb voice was heard to signal advantage. Hie encore number was "Myrra" (Clutsam). Mr Jay Ryan is one of the- best baritones we have heard in Palmerston and h© also was encored in all his numbers. In part one he sang "The Lord is my Light" (Frances Allitsen). For an enco.re he sang "My Fairest Child" and in the second part hie singing of the "Colleen Bawn" was doubly encored. He responded with '"Off to Philadelphia" and "Molly Bawn" the latter perhaps being the best of his series. In Messrs Percy Grainger and Leon Sametini those present heard acknowledged virtuosos, each being masters of their respective professions, the piano and the violin. Mr Grainger delighted his hearers with his selcetione, the first being "Polonaise in A Flat (Chopin) and as an encore number he played a Norwegian Wedding March lighte dhie hearers with his selections, was the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12, a portion of which he repeated for an encore. Mr Sametini played in the first part (a) Nocturine (Chopin—Sarasatej and (b) Minuet (Mozart). As an encore ho played the "Valse Bluette" (Rigo) and in the second part a Polonaise in A. Major, which was followed by "L'Abeille," each piece displaying perfect tone and technique. Mr Harold Whittle played the accompaniments in masterly style and with delicate conception.

"THE THIEF." To-night this novel and original play will be produced by Mr J. C. Williamson's new dramatic combination. The story affords many intense situations, and allows scope for the highest class of emotional acting. The light heartedness of. the opening of the first act turning to deepest consternation, as the accusation of theft against his son, crushes Mr Le Garde and breaks his heart. The sustained and tense scene of the second .act in which an honest gentleman sees in his idolised wife the guilty culprit—for, , which the misguided boy is suffering such fearful disgrace —the maddening suspicions with which the discovery fills hie mind, work up to a finale which simply towers above the ordinary drama of to-day in its supreme and majestic intensity and tragic suggestion. While thj3 confession in the third act ■ produces a thrill of surprise calculated to galvanise even the most jaded of playgoers. To interpret this trenchant play a specially strong cast has been selected. Mr George Titheradge, the most popular artist that possibly we have ever had in Australasia, will appear as Raymond Legardee, a very strong part, and one that this consummate artist has made his own. The guilty wife—the thief--will doubtless receive an excellent interpretation at the hands of Miss Ola Humphrey, whilst Mr Henry Kolker,. an American actor of high reputation, will enact Richard Voysin, the heart-broken husband. These clever artists will be supported by a very adequate company, amongst which Miss Susie Vaughan, Miss Alma Vaughan. Mr Dion Titheradge, Mr Sydney Stirling and Mr Cyril Mackay are well remembered. To-morrow night the season will close with the production of "Zira," another remarkable success in this better class of drama, which has become so popular of late veoirs. Founded on the thrilling and beautiful story of "The New Magdalen" this great play proved a revelation when firet produced in New York in 1905. Miss Ola Humphrey as Hester Trent (Zira )is said to find the highest scope of her remarkable talent, Mr G. S. Titheradge as Sir Frederick Knowles, F.R.C.S., and Mr Henry Kolker as Rev. Gordon Clavoring, give worthy examples of their genius and of the best class of acting. While the brilliant company supporting them has Avon golden opinions by the artistic excellence displayed in this fine performance of a fine play. Box plans for both .productions are now open at Park's.