ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9186, Issue 9186, 9 April 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE. LEAMINGTON CONCERT. There was not a particularly large ' audience at the Leamington concert at the Opera House last night, but, as the Mayor explained subsequently, it did not bv any means represent the number of tickets sold. The concert committee had • arranged an attractive programme, and those- who were present last night had the privilege of listening to several most entertaining items, both vocal and instrumental. The proceedings were opened by a selection by Haiiley's orchestra, comprised of Messrs Hanley, Kitchen, Edge. Whittaker, Woolhbusc, Pitt am and J. Jones, and they also played a second selection just before the pictures were screened. Both were played in excellent style, and the perfonncre were loudly applauded. Madame Grooms, was the first vocalist, choosing "When the heart is voung" for her first number. Madame was In good voice, and' in response to persistent applause she sang Alfred Hill's poi song, "Waiata Poi," in which she was equally successful. Later on Madame Groome sang "May Morning," and in response to the lavish applause that followed she sang "Annie Laurie." Mr Webb gave two recitations, "A putch Story" and "Ada's Serenade," in accomplished style, and he had to answer _ a decided encore in each case. Miss Follas, a vocalist n<?w to many of those present, selected Bluuienthal's "Sunshine and Rain" for her song, and got through the . ambitious number very creditably, albeit she was slightly nervous and prone to a certain exaggeration of pronunciation. Miss Follas has a pleasing voice, and will prove a pleasing addition to the local concert platform. She was recalled, and sang with much better effect "The Emblem." Mr J. Rogers followed with "I'll sing the songs of Araby," which was contributed in his well-known style. An undeniablo encore was the result, Mr Rogers responding with the spirited ' Carnival." Mr Smith was equally pleasing in his two songs, "Tho Grenadiers" and "If I could only tell thee," each song being rewarded with generous applause. Accompaniments were played by Miss Rawlins and Messrs Naylor and Hanley.

Tho second Dart of tho programme was provided by Thompson and Payne, who screened several of their star pictures for the occasion. They were scanned with the greatest attention and interest, and. it is not necessary to state, were loudly applauded. During the evening the Mayor expressed in appropriate terms the thanks of Mr Leamington and tho committee to the audience, the performers. Messrs Thompson-and Payne, and the press for assistance rendered the project, which, ho said, it was hoped would be quite successful. "PETER PAN." Gauged by tho booking which took place when the plans were opencd_ at the Dresden Agency this morning, "Peter Pan" is going to be heartily welcomed throughout its two nights' season in Palmerston next Wednesday and Thursday, for there was a big demand for each" of tho nights. The management is determined that patrons shall know exactly —or as far as is possible —what class of entertainment they are to expect, and tfs to the manner in which it should be approached, for a largo printed placard over the box office reads: — "If you do not witness this delightful fairy play in the proper spirit—the spirit of childhood —you will not appreciate it. That was the spirit in which it was written and in which it is played. But if you do possess tho faculty of being as a little child—and it is sincerely hoped for your own sake you do —then you will "witness the most quaint and beautiful fantasy over placed upon the stage." It is by its individual scenes —detached and fragmentary —but always ingenious, novel, unexpected, and beautifully presented that "Peter Pan" is said to hold tho appreciation of playgoers. Mere description is said to fail to convey the vividness, and subtlety, the strange blending of reality and unreality by which tho work is characterised. The laughable yet graphic preliminaries to tho "flying scene" in tho first act; the quaint woodland scenery, and child interest in the second act, representing the Never, Never, Never Land; the fairyliko effects of the last act, when lights sparkle from the tree-tops and the very air seems to kindle with things of life and beauty, these, and not any dramatic sequence, are said to constitute the wonderful and world-wide attractiveness of tne play. The fact of "Peter Pan , ' being played on each of the race nights will suggest to residents the necessity for securing their seats at G. H. Bennett's early.