ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12452, 23 December 1903, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

D'ARC'S MARIONETTES. D'Abo's Marionettes gave an excellent performance at the Opera House last night. The " Bluebeard" pantomime was much appreciated. This afternoon there will bo a matinee for children, commencing at halfpast two. There will also be a performance in the evening. The Marionettes will vacate the Opera House after to-morrow, opening at the Federal Hall on Boxing Night. CITY HALL. To-morrow night (Christmas Eve) the City Hall will re-open with almost an entire change of company. Octavia and Warne, two sketch artists, appear for the first time, as does Mr. Ted Tutley, a comedian -and end man. Keilderson, the great facial mimic, also makes his first appearance with Puller's Entertainers. ' Mr. _ Herberte and Mr. Bell also reappear, each with a number of fresh items. During the short recess the place has been thoroughly cleansed and repainted. On . Christmas Night Air. John Puller will give one of his sacred Myrioramic Entertainments, " The Land of the Cross" and "The Passion Play" at Oberammergau, by the aid of his powerful optical apparatus. Beautiful dissolving views will be thrown on the screen, and a number of sacred songs and duets, all illustrated, will be sung. , HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A musical gathering will take'place at His Majesty's Theatre on Christmas night, when a special sacred and classical concert will be presented. A most unique programme has been arranged, and will be contributed to by' Mr. Prank Graham (the wellknown tenor), Madam Chambers, Mr. MHamilton Hodges, Miss Maud Tobias, Mr. Gerald Ralph, Miss Freda Hunter, and the Unique Quartette (Messrs. Abel Rowo, A. As-' bury, V. Atkinson, C. P. Bennett), full particulars 'of which are set forth in our advertising columns. The box plan is now on view at Messrs. Wildman, Lyell, and Arey's. " MISTAKES WILL HAPPEN." Much interest will centre upon the appearance at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening of the farcical combination under the management of Willoughby and Geach. It is now some twelve months since that popular London comedian, Mr. George Willoughby, last appeared in our midst, and as be returns with a very recent laughing success, a large audience is assured, since no class of entertainment appeals so strongly to local playgoers as bright, entertaining farce-comedy. "Mistakes Will Happen" is to be the attraction, and, judging from its success elsewhere, must prove a very strong one. The plan is now on view at Messrs. Wildman, Lyell, and Arey's, where seats may be secured for the first six nights. Mr. Willoughby and company are due to arrive from the South to-morrow morning. THE FITZMAURICE GILL COMPANY. The members of the Fitzmaurice Gill Company are busily engaged in rehearsing the final scenes and situations for the coming production at the Opera House on Boxing Night of the great London dramatic success, "The Bank of England." THE SLAPOFFSKI CONCERT. The complete programme for the Christmas Night concert by Madame Slapoffski and the artistes supporting her appears in our advertising columns this morning, and refer-' once to it will show that it is of a most interesting and attractive character. Madame's principal numbers will be " The Song of Thanksgiving" (Allitson), " Elizabeth's Prayer" ("Taifnbauser"), aria from "A.Nozzi del Figuro" (Mozart), and "The Holy City" (Stephen Adams). Miss Maude Fitzstubhs will contribute two piano solos and take part with Air. E. Stevenson in a duet with violin. Mr. Stevenson, in his violin numbers, will use for the first time in New Zealand the new and much-taiKed-of instrument, the Sti-oh violin. The tenor soles set down for Mr. Walter White are " The Star of Bethelehem" and " Come Into the Garden, Maud." Herr Slapoffski is musical director.

PYROTECHNICS. The Crystal Palace Fireworks Company announce two displays during the holidays. Several new and novel features have been added to the programme, and special arrangements have been made for the rapid firing of the various devices. The performance is timed to finish at a-quarter past nine, so that spectators from the country and suburbs may have no difficulty in catching trams, trains, eto. _, , .%-.' -• " H..M.S. PINAFORE." The Foresters' Hall, Devonport, was crowded to the doors last evening, when a numbei of ladies, and geatlemon produced the well-known opera, "H.M.s. Pinafore," in aid of. the funds of the district band. It was .an exceedingly good performance for amateurs. Some nervousness was noticeable, and to that failing may, porhaps, be attributable some of the weakness displayed in several of the characters. The audience was evidently pleased, with the performance, and applauded heartily at different intervals. Tho defects mentioned will probably be avoided at the repetition to-night. Nothing but praise can be given to the chorus singing, which was exceptionally good. It was quite evident that great pains had been taken by the conductor (Mr. Alf. Bart-ley) in training the performers. Between the acts Stephen Adams' song, "The Midshipmite," was well sung by Masters H. Woolley and L. Lauder, the voices sounding very sweetly. Of the individual parts the palm must bo given to Mr. A. 31. Orpwood as Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.8., and to Mr. E. Glenistcr as Dick Deacleye, whoso conception of their parts was really good. Miss Ivy Alison gave satisfaction in the role of the captain's daughter, Josephine.. The rest of the cast was as follows: Miss Elsie Oliver, Little Buttercup; Miss Amy Grinnims. Hebe; Mr. J. Wliclan, Captain Corcoran; Mr. W. Feltharn, Ralph "Rack-straw; Mr. S. Walker, boatswain; Mr. S. Harvey;'- boatswain's mate; and Masters H. Woolley and -L. Lauder, midshipmen. The scenery, as painted by Mr. A. McMurtrio, was a work of art, and a full orchestra under the leadership of Mr. A. Eady did yeoman's service. Mr. V. Atkinson capably filled the duties of stage manager. Another performance will be given this evening.