ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12362, 29 August 1903, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

WOODS-WILLIAMSON DRAMATIC' CO. ' • ■;.& AT the Opera House to-night the Wc J*. Williamson Dramatic Company will produce for the ill it ■ iimi in Auckland " The Gates of Bondage,',' an original dramatisation by Mis« •','" ■ -~ Mand Williamson -. of' Haiti Caine's "The ; Deemster." This' play was the coir./sanys opening piece in Sydney at the Criterion, add ' '>' m Melbourne at the Bijou, in, both of which cities it ran several weeks, and was a- remark,able success, being highly eulogised by th« press. "The dates .of Bondage" abounds.' with striking situations and offers every ay--, portunity for scenic display. The story is one of human interest such, as:appeals to all '■ classes. There five acts, the first open- - ing at Bishopseourt, Isle.of Man, where all the principal characters are introduced, incidentally developing the .lives and castors* of the, people of this romantic isle intimately ' • ,"; connected with Hall Caite. .The' second ait snows the fishing village at Peel Beach, a beautiful and picturesque; seascape . scene Here a series of big rftaations take place, in* eluding the murder by Dan Mylrea cfJßwan, ' ' * i and the former's escapei; from the soldiery to ■:4?<?S<M sea. In the third act ; is shown the Md'napping:r of Ban,-';and-subsequently in.the second scene the great trial of the hero by the' Deemster and the Bishop, : culminating to Dan exile for. life. The fourth act introduces what is confidently claimed to be one 7 of the most powerful s scenes ever written, showing the solitary exile of Dan 'on the ' ' island of Craigneesh. , Here he retrospects upon his life, goes mad, breaks the bonds .oi his exile, and returns to civilisation. la the last act is- shown; the interior of the church at. Bishopscourt, and the trial of ■' ;Mona,-Dan's i sweetheart: The sentence on; -Dan is annulled f upon ?the; undertaking thai. he leaves the Isle" with Mona, new his Wife : I Prom beginning to end the play is a *eriPß • ot thrilling;and .dramatic scenes calling for the highest perfection in histrionic art, witte - ; equal; opportunities for each of the characters. - Pew (dramas .'in the /English language ' *' have, it is said, more interest,' excitement; 01S" - : ' '", more strongly drawn characters. The curtain to-night will 5 rise punctually at five - * minutes to eight. - ■ ■ , .■ -,'. ' ; •MUSOKOTB .COMIC, OPEKA' CO. IV is pleasing to note the increasing rx>vii, ■laxity of "The Fortune Teller," which pro* mises ;to ho ~ one of the most successful operatic ventures known in this city for many years. . Again last evening the opera vrnti witnessed : by , an enthusiastic audience, who demonstrated their enthusiasm in repeated; recalls. ■;-..{ Miss May Beatty and Mr. temprierc -, ' 7 Bringle carried off the vocal honours; whilst; v ■ Messrs. j Lanri,r:Courtehay, • and Shirley were responsible for much, clever fooling and fun, ', Mr. J. 0. Piddock .was notably successful in the spirited martial air. "Hungarian Hussars." Certainly one of the? gems of the opera is Mr., Pringle's. delightful rendition of r Slumber On,- My Little Gipsy [Sweetheart V< . .with invisible chorus. The chorus, ensem;bles, and ballets are excellent, and redound ' greatly, to the credit of Mr. Edvard Laud, the stage manager. The scenery and dresses ,called unbounded applause,, whilst .the ' stirring march finale to the second act aroused the large audience to. the ghesfi . ■• pitch of enthusiasm. ■ ■■ -. y.m.ca. . : ; The B.ev. Gray Dixon gave a most entertain-. .'••'•' mg; lecture last evening •at 'the T.M.C.A., on "Scottish Life and »Character." , There wai a crowded audience, and the chair was occauned by Mr. C. E. Button. Mr. McDougall orchestra gave a very well-rendered fauitasia on Scottish airs by way of an overture, and Miss Gilmour sang very sweetly the old favourite, "Robin Adair." The rev. lecturer toul a'great many stories, in which weive displayed: the characteristics of the Scot lis distinct', from other subjects of the three Idngdoms, and; at times, especially in dealing with the many well-known proverbs, he liberally; ttsedi the vernacular, to the henete:i confusion ,; of the Sassenach. The Rev. Gray Dixon's description of the country - wits so accurate, and couched withal in such brilliant , language,; that the more imaginative of rsp , hearers could almost.realise for themselves'. ■ the beauties of Perthshire and +}?-? vugged grandeur of the highlands, arid the is] es. The ■' lecturer was the recipient of most hearty, an* pi ause throughout the evening. . , , , ■•' TECIIOTCAL EDUCAInON. -■;:■••' ;_ An. appreciative audience assembled at the Foresters' Hall, Newton, last evening, to heatMr. T. H. Mathison ■deliver; his lecture- on the advantages and general forking of the Ameri- , can ..School - of Correspondence. ; 'Mr.' Jl.ise&eM ■' Vi occupied the,chair. The lecturer spoke of ' • the great educational advantages offered (--' the American school. A number of views were thrown upon the screen, showing pictures *of s leading, educationalists and inven- . tors, the buildings of Armour, New Zealand graduates .of the. American school, etc.-,,'At ■. i,. ' the close a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chairman. In reply, Mr. Masefleld mentioned the fact that technical education' was greatly neglected, and that those desir'tis: such education- in electricity, steam, matine, sanitary, and civil engineeri-Wi, and , ' architecture, could not do better than take advantage of the faculties offered by the. - American School of Correspondence. , Mr. ' '■ i Haaefldd also stated that :he know of several 'Vj students of the school holding diploma* v.u« had ' obtained responsible and remunerativr •.'■ /.i positions. ;,, ; _ ■;,..,.■-;.•;/.,./ ~§ .BQS-t-"P- - - ... ■ t i TEMPERANCE ENTERTAINMENT. , . it « : The Church of Christ, West-street, Newton, ' ■ : ' ,, was ■ well-filled last ' night, when, a miscellaneous entertainment of an all-round meritorious description was given. Mr. C. Gar- ' : . ratt- occupied the chair, The "programme, V'. comprised selections oh the gramophone, Mr, , J. Kent superintending operatic.) sonaj o;r Mrs. Coulane and Mr. H. King;'", re rotation by- Mies- H. Aldridge; a debate on rights and wrongs of:temperance; and a series!.el . . .J ,' readings-- -with limelight illustrations. "It was altogether-a: most rnjoyabl, evening; ■ . ,5 , tf , FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. * I,' Jl Again last, evening the iCity; Hall was' well' ' '■;':; attended, when the Jones Brothers and Dr.■' >i Rowe; were accorded a hearty • send-off. ;; Mr. '•" Fuller introduces to the 'Auckland. publio '. ■ 'C'i today the Driscoll Boys, Irish, comedians anil r , sketch artists. An entirely shew <progrmhini« , , will be presented at the nsual weekly matinee --;-'.. -') to-day. . •• x *m,********w'm**.*>*i#**<*m**lmm>it#*iMmmimi(S* l ~ i , , ~ , Mil A , :'■■)'•■'.■;'■;■': -VACCINATION. „ J '° -.-.*«** *u i. * »,«.,.< -i ~.fK . tin Mr. Edwin Cox gave an interesting, lecture on? "'Vaccination ;a. Delusion," at the 3S«W i.[ ' ■' Church Hall, Ponsonby, last > evening, there * , \ being some 20 to 30 people present.: The' lee- " turer, in openings gave i.tho history,: of •< the /• .'V,v'j movement, and Went on to say that statistic* : ■■■ regarding the disease were unreliable. He ,' quoted ,the opinions of three, eminent physi- - : cians .against: the practice, and contended- ...S that doctors f>\ the present day depended•' '."■']?> on what they learnt from the school of medi- ' -> cine rather than their own research. They , •• were not qualified to judge unless, from per*' , v* sonal experience. He contended - that ■ coin-.' v }■ ; pelling men to have their offspring l vaccina* ted was cruelty. A vote of thanks, to the , , \ lecturer for his address was carried. MrCox will deliver another lecture, entitled "Sanitation the True ''Safeguard a?*aiits* , Small-pox,"* on-Friday next,. „ - ' ,' fl -' , t . ' : UEDEBTAFEL' SMOKE CONCERT. ' The Auckland-Liedertaiel held an enjoyable ~ ,', ' ;l ; smoke coneeit last night at the Freemasons' ' Hall, Princes-street. ' The attendance waif : so as to leave little «pwm» in the tooth. '• u* I unoccupied. .The singing members of th« . - I society save excellent renderings the part I .-'■■ |'4oufia* '" March of the Regiment," ,' Hymn to , i.Cynthia,", and Dudley Buck's clever ■■" Vocal I Combat,"" Mi - . R. Leslie Hunt providing the piano accompaadmeni to the io«tnamed, i These items were vigorously applauded. Mr. S..Ne;iie;i created an interlude:,of merriment! ■ '- - 1 in a ; series. of "well-told * humorous stories* which fewer©' heartily laaehed i at. An encore recitation was insisted upon. > Mr. Poor* rendered :a. s flute-solo acceptably, and Mr. Macky gave a good delivery of a bass nautical r song. f Several sleight-of-hand' tricks, « ska!- *" , ■performed by Mt. Wynu Gray." proved entertaining - and - mystifying. 7 f The baritone, ;'/";.;* siji '■■".Time and Tide," was exprcssiveb' sung! : "': .' by Mr. Pountenay. Mr. "VVhittlO; contributed a euphonium, solo; artistically, and -w&t warmly applauded. Sonie gramophone ael*e< tions proved interesting, the'machine manipulated by .Mr. Beale. An excellent vocal , number was ' rendered by Mr. HootODt, Mr. Arthur.Towseyi" the: society's popular co)> ductor',' acted, "»s acosmpaniet, and wielded the baton in the part-tongs.- The c&iUffcrS J ".' was a, very i succes)s£wiiunct,i<in. .: ';'■■, .J^ 1 < 1 .m k »"■. s. n'* !, >Vi.rs Last evening in' St. Benedict's Hall the ■' - ; pupils and musical friends :ol Mr. KdmmocV ■,' H. Buckingham tendered that gentleman• 1* .... :■%y; complimentary',- concert :in the preeence of • .■>.'; a very fait audience. . A. diversified *jwl - decidedly attractive programßae— embracing; •< ;■ no less tlian nineteen items— been pre-...'- < pared j lot .'.the occasion, arid. the , frequent „% 1 demonstrations "of . approval . indicated ; that - 1 - ; ;•' the entertainment was one that afforded: much pleasure to. those present, widle ihs - efforts of the pupils showed that their musical education had been well attendee! ' 10. The programme" was as follows:—Glee, -' ,- v«!Hail,.vSmilina Morn," by •.company; songs, "Yeoman's -Wedding," Mr. H, B. Lusk;, "There's a Land" ami *'Dawn," Mr. T. Trebilco; "Why Must We Say Good-bye," Miss Lizzie Oats; "Life's Lullaby" and "Bide a;■ Wee," Miss Nellie Campbell; " Only Once More," Mr. E. Buckingham ; f •■V,Sunshine and Rain," Miss Lily Thompson;."Ths Toilers," Mr. M. Peterson; "By lie Fountain," Mr. W. ■■ ■ Aspiual?; 'dm.-;, ■"■At:-Eventide," Misses Gates; piano -solo*. -\ ,' Chopin's "Scherzo, B flat minor," ' ;' Heller's " ; Sleepless Night," Miss' Olivia ': ' ' Frisftrom; -"recitatioha;, 1 "Molly," Mr. P. A. ' ■ ■ I?. Burnett; "Smiting the Back,' Mr. Mon- , " tttgue Peterson; "Karl the Martyr," Mr. H. Jordan; humorous recitation, -Mr. W. , , Steel. The -whole concluded with Sheri- ■:':'■■. dan'si dramatic scene, "The School for •Scandal- in which Miss Melville and Mr. Buckingham appeared, libs Lily Thomp- r «J son ; and Mr. Alf. Bivtlc;- were (ha kooonir;^i?> Tao fortnightly meebing of she NortLoclw ' Athenreuiu, which vas held in the Bay View ■ ; - l Hair on Thursdav evening, was: well attend-..,,.;.;.;;. Ed, Mr. Horace "H. Hunt-presiding.,; Mr. ' .■.,..•! Bruce Lloyd gave a very interesting *m«ttnt - ;, of hi? recent trip to.Aroarica, wtoJli was «, greatly appreciated. Mr. iivans . con r. ; ~ _ biucd a humorous paper on Epitaphs .. ,J aud songs were, rendered, by Miss Brown «J ;; >■/.., Mr. Artb«r-Pottcr.-'«nd-»,pi«nofortd Mdu , - .i by Mrs; Ek«..j,' ' ''. ,;. >' > jl^^|ij