ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1189, 11 December 1924, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE MESSIAH.” performance: by choral SOCIETY. A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS. Adverse weather conditions failed to deter a large number of lovers of oratorio from attending at the Opera House last night, when “The Messiah” was staged by the Palmerston North Choral Society, assisted by soloists from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Those who were privileged to attend the rendition of Handel’s rich and colourful work went away with a fresh conception of the composer’s spiritual emotion and depth of feeling with which he describes in music the coven great epochs in the coming, life, death and resurrection of the Messiah. Of the soloists it- may fairly he said that no better have been heard in oratorio here, while the volume of power aiid control of the chot'us ably supported their splendid work. Of necessity it is the concerted work which forms the body of the composition—its more majestic and inspirational passages—which convey to the auditors the magnificent power of Handel’s treatment of the account of the birth of ClirisTiunity. Perhaps the trinittphaiit “Hallelujah 1 chorus is the most impressive in a wealth of musical triumph, and last night’s treatment of it. satisfied to the full. The choral expression of such passages ns “Unto Us a Child in Born,” “Glory to God in the Highest,” “Lift Up Your Heads,’ “Behold the Lamb,” “Surely lie Hath Borne Our Griefs,” “Even So in Christ Shall All he Made Alive” and “Worthy is the Lamb.” showed that the choir possessed a full realisation of their possibilities in tone. The air of hope in “The prophecy of the coming,” the descriptive qualities in the birth and life and works, and in the death and passion of the Messiah were brought out with power and control which could not fail lo merit appreciation. The rendition of the joyous “Lift Up Your Heads,” depicting the resurrection and ascension of the Lord, the “Hallelujah.” marking His triumph, and the choruses which in the “heavenly vision” tell of the Messiah’s immortality and gift to man, was of an order seldom, if ever surpassed in a local performance of this character. The body and balance reflected credit upon tbe conductor. Mr J. Holmes Ruhnieles, and vocalists alike, und taken on tbe whole tbe chorus work was tbe best yet heard locally.

The solo work provided many moments of ecstatic delight. Those who have heard performances of “The Messiah” many times could not fail to find in many of last night’s airs and recitatives something new, some fresh notes of triumph, sorrow, hope, and inspiration such as Handel ’sought to express. Sweetness anu purity of tone are at once apparent in the beautiful contralto voice of Miss Mina CaldoW, of Auckland, i’erliaps it was in “He Was Despised” that she reached the pinnacle of vocal inspiration, the wonderful tenderness witii which she interpreted the sorrow at Christ’s crucifixion'; making a rare uppeal. “Ho Shall Feed His Floc-k,” “Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind be Opened,” and the recitative “Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive,” were all a musical delight. Hardly less gifted proved Mrs Woodward, the Wellington soprano, whose colourful rendition of the descriptive recitatives found instant favour. Her concluding air, “I Know That M.v Redeemer Liveth,” conveyed faithfully a conception of the heavenly vision, though “Rejoice Greatly,” “Glory to God,” and "There Were Shepherds,” were also outstanding renditions. A tenor whose high reputation is known to lovers of the best in music in ihahy quarters of tbe Dominion is Mr Sydney Butler, of Christchurch, and last night liis sincere renditions and technical accuracy confirmed the good reports of his vocal successes in the large centres. "Comfort Ye Aly People,” "Thy Rebuke Hath Broken liis Heart,” and “'Thou Shalt Break Them” wore especially pleasing - , though aft this artist's parts were interpreted in a finished manner. Air William Watters, of Palmerston North, whoso powerful bass voice has several times before been heard with appreciation by local music lovers, was not a Whit less satisfying on this occasion. “\\ by Do the Nations,” sung powerfully, and with great attention to intonation, was his greatest success, though “Tho People That Walked in Darkness,” and “But Who May Abide,” were almost equally excellent.

The orchestral work, in overture, accompaniment, and the pastoral symphony, was a strong contributing factor to the success of tho production. The instrumentalists were quite at homo with tho score and maintained good tone throughout and the players und their leader, Mr C. Alow-lc-ni, are deserving of congratulation. The capabilities of Airs W. 11. K. Gilmour, A.T.C.L., L.A.8., as piatiiste, are well known, and it suffices to say that last night Her sympathetic accompaniments wore in themselves a treat. Mr C. J. East ably presided at tho organ. To the society’s officials, whoso efforts have been crowned with such success, nil credit is due, but above all to Air J. Holmes Runmoles, whoso masterly conductorship and ability in training the performers were the mainspring of tho excellence of the production. NELLIE’S BRAAILEY’S RETURN. “IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE.” The well-known American comedy, “It Pays to Advertise,” will be staged by tbe Nellie Bramley Company at 'the Opera Louse this evening. “It Pays to Advertise.” is a side-splitting comedy of the go-u-heud order, with never a moment intone to be reflective, which, after all, is the essential of a true comedy. Alisa Nellie Bramley is said to give delicate poise and charm to the part of Mary Grayson, the typist, appealing by her blending of winsomeness and shrewdness. Air Carl Lawson, a newcomer to Palmerston North, will be seen in a delightfully light comedy role that he has made most effective, and the other members of the company will enact parts that should enhance their reputation for good all-round portrayals. The virtues ot advertising build up the plot of this story, and if anyone would know how to become a successful salesman, he should not miss seeing “it Pays to Advertise.” To-morrow evening the company will be seen in one of its strongest dramatic successes, “Paid in 1 nil,” with Aliss Bruinley in the role of Emma Brooks, a young wife who sacrifices all for a dissolute husband. Air George Bryant will enact his original character of the burly sea captain. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. WILLIAAI S. HART FILAI. A motion picture is no stronger than its story. This truth has always been adhered to in tbe case of William S. Hart productions, since Air Hart’s dramatic training convinced him of tho necessity of a powerful story for any stage or screen production. “Singer Jim AleKee,” his latest Paramount picture, opening tonight at the Paramount Theatre, is one of the strongest stories of any picture in which lie has appeared. Tbe story was written by Air Hart himself, and adapted to tbe screen by J. G. Hawks, of the best-known scenario writers. The story is a western, both modern and period " but it is a western of a. distinctive kind. Rather than a thrilling riding and shooting melodrama, it depends upon a story of peculiarly intriguing quality, both from the standpoint ot freshness of treatment and originality of twist. There are thrills in the picture, too, but the real punch of the thing is in tho story, tho strangely beautiful theme woven through the play. Tho story can only bo compared with those gems of 0. Henry, that deft master at portraying the little, poignant quirks of life flowing in the channel of everyday existence, which form the true drama of life. The supporting programme includes the Paramount comedy, “The Bill Collector,” starring Joe Rock, the latest Burton Holmes Travelogue and Paramount Gazette. A specially selected programme of incidental musio will be rendered by the Paramount select orohestra, under the direction of Mrs R, S. Law. The box plan is at C. G. Swallow’*.

ROSY. FINE ALASKAN DRAMA. Nell Shipman asks all to femember, ■whell seeing hot- in “Tho Grub-Stake” at the ICosy Theatre, that she. i.-i a star who never permits anyone to “double” for her in any of those scenes where her life is risked. Everyone remembers her in “The Girl from God’s Country”’ and “God’s Country and the Woman,” besides many other outdoor pictures iii which she dashed down i’aplds iii a canoe, jumped fl'oih a precipice into a roaring river and-climbed the swaying ladder of un airplane. Yet she declines she tievet- has sought the services of a double and never will. She candidly admits that: she is scared when it is all over. At the lime tho stunt is being played she is too busy wondering what she will do lo save herself if tile rope breaks, or if she strikes a rock in her plunge into tbe rapids. “Enemies of Children,” a 5-reel Universal, two good comedies and a neVvs are also showing. PALACE. CONNIE TALAIADGE IN “THE GOLDFISH.” Constance Talfnadge airs lifer views on matrimony in her latest comedy, “The Goldfish,” which Jerome Storm recentlydirected for producer Joseph AI. Sclienck. In the picture the star is married four times, is divorced twice, is a widow once and turns down two out of six proposals. “The Goldfish” which heads the bill iff the Palace this week, was adapted _bv C. Gardner Sullivan from Gladys Unger’s stage play. Connie Tahnadge is cast us a flapper who cannot resist a proposal of marriage. With such- a comedy part to play Aliss Tahnadge has made the most of her opportunities and has produced one of her best pictures. It is a satire on easy divorce in America, and is made for entertainment purposes only. Jack Alulhall is tbe star's leading man und others having prominent parts are Jean ITersholt and Za Su Pitts. A Tristone comedy, “Those College Girls,” a Budget and a novelty scenic, “Dark Timber,” will also be shown.

FAMOUS “DIXIE” JUBILEE SINGERS Direct from America, the “Dixies” will commence their Palmerston North two nights’ season at the Opera House on Saturday next, at 8 o’clock. This is all opportunity that no one will want to miss, lor of all entertainments, musical Or otherwise, it is impossible to imagine anything which is of such universal appeal aiid ns phasing to all as a genuine coloured company of Jubilee Singers. It is now over twentysix years since a visit liuS been paid to this Dominion by a company similar to the “Dixies.” In 1888, F. J. Loudin’s original Fisk Jubilee Singers appeared here; in 1899 AlcAdoo's Jubilee Singers and now, as previously stated, we have tbe famous “Dixie” Jubilee Singers under the direction of W. C. Buckner, touring New Zealand 1924-25. The “Dixies” are touring tbe world singing jubilees old and new, comic darkey songs. classics, negro melodies, songs of the plantation and tbe old slavery days us only ihe negro call sing them. Of tbe artists themselves they are all soloists and ure said to be a combination of the greatest singers ol their race. They present the most complete and fascinating ’ musical programme ever offered and ull who hear them leave with the knowledge and pleasure of an evening well spent. The box plan is atOates’ music stqre.