ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12547, 14 April 1904, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" FROM CLUE TO CAPTURE." ; At the Opera House last evening the Dam- ] pier Dramatic Company produced one oi: the strongest pieces in then repertoire, "From Clue to Capture." The house was not as full as the play merited, but this will probably be set right to-night, when a second and the final performance of this reallystrong drama will bo given. Mr. Alfred Dumpier, as Kenneth Keith, a famous detective, with a genius for following up slender clues, was at his best. Hit disguises were many and all convincing. Indeed,, more versatile acting has seldom been seen in this city, If a second title were wanted for tho play it might very well be Ihe Gaps in the Grange," for the worthy magistrate, who runs the establishment, manages to lose from his estate £500,000 worth of diamonds, to say nothing of a wife, a daughter, and a son If it had not been for Kenneth Keith ho would have been absent-minded enough to lose the lot, more especially as Captain Ducllev Warner (Mr. Alfred lvolfe), who, in his capacity of the count of thieves quarters, had been responsible for most of the losses, had a greedy eye. Tho interest of the play lie- in' the cunning of tho count, and the superior cunning of the detective. feu John Grcv (Mr. John Bruce), a test}' old baronet (who certainly deserved a lesson), came to his own in the end. The piece was capitally mounted, and was briskly acted. Miss Lily Dumpier, as Lady Kate Grey, and -Nurse Browne (a well-conceived double role), succeeded in capturing tho sympathies of the home in her varied misfortunes. Mr. A. Neville was a capital Fred. Hordern, a private secretary of Sir John's (another gap in the Grange, by the- way), who, wrongfully accused of forgery, found refuge in mutton's Scouts, winning the .0. at Krugcrsdorp, and generally distinguishing himself. Mr. Sidney Everett (Hanao Lee), Mr. Urattan Coughlan (Bill Hubbard), Mr. i.dmond Hollouay (Beresford Eliort), ami Mr. Henry Beaumont (Sergeant Simms), were one and all admirable in their respective parts. Mr. Alfred Dampier, juu., a true chip off the old block, well sustained his already big reputation for clever character studies in tho part of Julian Grey, Sir John's long-lost son, who, as the London East End Jimmy, develops a, Cockney humour, not to be despised. Young Mr. Dampiers make-up as a flower girl, and the accompanying song and dance, proved him to be a comedian of a distinctly high order. Miss Rose Dampier (Minnie Grey) sang a capital ballad, and gave a satisfactory interpretation of her part. Miss Emily Lambton was fitted with a not exactly enviable role as Old Mother Hubbard, but her drolleries were, enthusistically received by the audience. The other parts were all in good hands. "From Clue to Capture" was splendidly received last night, and should attract a large house to-night. To-morrow tiiere will be a change programme.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "In the Shadow of Night," with which the Anderson Dramatic Company hold the boards at His Majesty's Theatre, has proved to be one of the most successful pieces of tho company's extensive repertoire. The theatre was again filled last evening, and the thrilling situations of the play met with a most appreciative reception. "In the Shadow of Night." will be repeated to-night and tomorrow.

" FAUST" AT THE CHORAL HALL. The first of the opera-in-carnera series of concerts under the management of Madame Lilian Tree and Hen* Louis Blitz was given at the Choral Hall last night, when 51 crowded attendance was present to listen to Gounod's evergreen "Faust." it will be readily recognised that, in pursuance of their praiseworthy efforts to provide the publics with grand opera at popular prices, thy promoters have a difficult and maybe a little thankless task. Consequently the budding of the scheme, exemplified by last night's work, commends itself to the kindliest criticism on the part of all true lovers of music. From any point of view it was an interesting experiment, deserving of success, and, because of the earnest endeavours of all the artistes, it must be credited, to a reasonable degree, with being a successful one. There were naturally shortcomings in the performance, but the recompense lay in the singing of the Marguerite music by Madame Lilian Tree. This gifted ( lady completely raised the concert out of the j groove of the commonplace. Site has given no more emphatically fine display of her talents since she came to this city. Her vocalisation was a rare musical treat, beauty of voice, rich, full, round of tone, added to most artistic' phrasing and expression, Walking her entire interpretation of the music. " Madame Tree, moreover, sang with the intuitive confidence born of experience, and gave each one of her vocal numbers an eloquent, expressive reading. _It was evident all through that familiarity with the role has not, for her, staled its infinite charm, and she spared none of the vocal arts j. at her command to infect her audience with i the delight of listening to the songs of Mar- | guerite." Her inflection was intensely tender j in the garden scene duets with Faust,, and she put real fervour into the passionate passages of the finale to the scena. Her skilful control of her voice was especially noticeable in a magnificent rendering of the "Jewel Song," after which the audience clamoured for a repeat. In her other solos, recitatives, and in the concerted numbers, Madame Tree maintained ail equally high standard—one very seldom attained in local musical eventsand a fitting finish to her brilliant work was her rendering of the concluding prison scene music. With such an artiste in our midst it can only be regretted that we do not hear her ofi:ener. Mr. Walter Whyte, in the title role, sang carefully and with intelligence. He was aided considerably by his art of expressiveness, and, on the whole, acquitted himself meritoriously of a difficult task. In the air, "0 Hail, Thou Dwelling Pure and Holy," the tenor; was heard to special advantage. Mr. Reginald Marie showed a knowledge of his music in the role of Mephistopheles, but his voice was not at its best. His vocalisation was strained at times, and some of the passages were not mastered without effort. This had the effect of imparting a thinness of tone to his singing, and of tiring the voice. It struck 0110 as an earnest performance of a role, frankly, too heavy for the singer. In the duel and prison trios, and in the other concerted numbers, Air. Marie did his best work, and he certainly imbued the vole with character. Miss Maude Tobias sang the Martha role satisfactorily up to a certain point. A lack of confidence prevented her from doing herself conplete justice, but hex voice was sweet and mellow, and blendud nicely with the others in the garden scene quartette. She gave a sympathetic rendering of the ballad, " When All Was Young." •Miss Lilian Aulsebrook was the Siebel, and, apart from the effect of nervousness, sang the role intelligently. The music of the Flower Song" was not calculated to best display the quality of her voice, feeing unsuitably high in range. Her upper register, in comparison with the velvety quality of her low notes, rang a little shrilly at times, but otherwise she must be credited with a performance of much promise. Mr. H. Lloyd Brett also deserves commendation for his singing in the role of Valontine. He, too, displayed some nervousness at first, but sang decidedly better later, particularly in the duel scene. The artistes were fortunate indeed in their pianist. Mr. T. E. Midgley, who played the piano score, did so thoroughly well. Indeed, his share in the performance was distinctly valuable. Mr. Horace Hunt also rendered excellent service lit the organ, and Herr liouis Blitz conducted with judgment. _ At the next concert of the series "Carmen" will be the opera presented. LIMELIGHT ENTERTAINMENTS. The first of a series of weekly limelight entertainments, which will last over four months, was given at the Church of Christ, West-street, Newton, last evening, when there was a- large audience present. A reading, entitled, "Tha Story of Oatterina" was given by Mr. G. Aldridge, the pastor, and numerous lantern slides were shown in illustration. Several hymns were sung, Mr. Charles Aldridge x>residit»g at the organ. I