ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12555, 22 April 1904, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"GREEN LANES OP ENGLAND." Henry Pkttit's powerful drama, ■"The Green Lanes of England," was produced at the Opera House last evening by the Dampier Dramatic Company in the presence of a fairly large audience. Pathos and humour are admirably blended, and the characters arc boldly and skilfully drawn. Especially is this the case as regards Gentleman George, who has drifted downhill through a woman's infidelity and his own attachment, to strong liquors. Though not a white-soulcd hero, he declines to take a hand in robbery and murder as a means of rehabilitating his fallen fortunes. He "may be bad, but not bad enough for that," us ho himself expresses it, and eventually he is instrumental in bringing a really blood thirsty scoundrel to his deserts. Mr. Alf. Dampier did justice to the part, evincing a breezy humour at times that .was in fine contrast to the mor*. sombre elements in his character study, and his interference in the cause of virtue was, needless to say, very cordially approved by the audience. Mr. K. Holloway gave a most pleasing study of the warmhearted old farmer, Martin Wheatstonc. In his tender moments with his daughter, Margaret, (Miss Lily Dampier), ho was thoroughly natural, and when evil fortune came in his path, and his anger was aroused at the villainy besetting him and his, he displayed great reserve of strength. Captain Selby (Mr. Alfred Rolfe), though a captain in the Royal navy and a scion of a wealthy country family, is tarred with not a little pitch, in the moral sense, being far too impressionable in his relations to the fair sex. Among other things, he is guilty of a particularly mean seduction, twice he avoids the crime of bigamy through no fault of his own, and ends by rendering himself liable to an action for breach of promise of marriage. The one sailor-like trait he displays is a courageous action when Hearing the end of his tether. Mr. Rolfe makes the part a very satisfactory one. Mr. Augustus Neville, who was capitally made up a la Hooligan, "slogged" all and sundry in his capacity of Bad Bill, in a way to put the gallery boys in the best of humours with him, themselves, and all their surroundings. Mr. Gratton Coughlan was the ninth part of a man; that is to say, he was for the nonce a tailor, but he caused enough broad smiles for a dozen manipulators of the goose iron. Mr. John Bruce appeared in the role of a blackmailer, and as such showed a fine contempt for all the articles in the decalogue. Miss Lily Dampier had a very pathetic role to enact, and she succeeded in making an excellent impression on the houseparticularly the female part of it. Miss Rose Dampier (Clara Sol by) took a rise out of the villain, and Miss Emily Lambton did good work as Martha Flint. The other characters were adequately represented. file piece, which will be repeated to-night, is brightly mounted, and deserves to draw a good house. This will be the closing performance of the season, and to mark the occasion a souvenir will be presented to each member of the audience.

ANDERSON DRAMATIC COMPANY.

A successful repetition of " Honour Thy Fathei" was given by tho Anderson Dramatic Company at His Majesty's Theatre last night. This popular piece will be staged again for the last time to-night. To-morrow night the company will produce for the first time in this city the sensational drama, "The 10.30 Down Express," the exciting incidents in which are certain to prove attractive to Mr. Anderson's many patrons.

AUCKLAND MEDERTAFEL.

The Auckland Liedertafcl were unfortunate in the weather last night, when they gave their first concert of the season at the Choral Hall. Despite the rain, however, the hall contained a large audience. Moreover, humid as the atmosphere was, the vocal organs of the performing members showed no corresponding or consequent weakness. Indeed, in the majority of the numbers Sy the combined voices there was fine quality and tone, their contributions having for the most part the true musical ring. Evidence was not wanting of tinspared efforts in their efficient training on the part of the society's able conductor {Mr. Arthur Towsey), nor of an answering intelligence on the singers' parts in imparting the full musical value to their part-songs. Sullivan's "The Beleaguered" was the opening number, and this received an excellent delivery. "A Song of Autumn" (Mann), a beautifully harmonised love song, was given most sympathetically, and there was fervency in the expression with which the choristers imbued Kucken'a "My Heart's Loved Queen." A remarkable and rather intricate composition by Paiiard, entitled "The Sea Fight," was the most ambitious effort of tha society. The music was varied and melodious,, its harmonies well illuminating the idea conveyed in the verse. Its difficulties were overcome nicely, save that the basses were occasionally uncertain of their notes, and the item was heartily applauded. " Necken's Polska" (Lindbad), a plaintive part-song, very taking in effect, was rendered with artistic expression. Stern's martial "Comrades, We March," was vigorously sung as the final number, and was, like its predecessors, heartily appreciated. Miss Maud Howard, who was in excellent voice, gave a most expressive rendering of Tosti's " My Dream," the ballad euiting the artiste admirably. In response to an insistent encore she sang "The Carnival" with taste and brightness. Later Miss Howard sang very sympathetically Arditi's "Beauty Sleep," the lilting waltz refrain being sustained with ability. Mr. T. B. Rowe was roundly encored for his rendering of Russell's "The Newfoundland Dog." and Mr. W. Aspinall, in response to a similar compliment for his' solo, The Message" (Blumenthal), submitted "My Pretty .lane" as an extra number. Ilerr A. L. Ki-eutzer, Messrs. Wallett (2), Savers, and C. B. Plum met provided agreeable interludes in the shape of instrumental quartettes. Their two programme numbers, Boccherini's " Minuet" and Latann's pizzicato gavotte, "Heart to Heart," were both encored. Mr. Arthur Towsey, besides wielding the baton with his accustomed ability, played the soloists' accompaniments. Artistically the concert formed an auspicious commencement of the society's season. GEO. ABBOTT'S MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY. Abbott's Musical Comedy Company, which will stage the delightful comedy " In Town" at the Opera House to-morrow (Saturday) evening, comprises 42 members. A full operatic chorus and orchestra, with a specially engaged ballet of lady dancers, will contribute to the evening's entertainment. The plan is now open at Wildman, Lyell, and Arey's.