ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13602, 22 November 1907, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

1 '■■■'', ■. ALLAN HAMILTON COMPANY.

'' A MESSAGE FROM MARS." T«E remarkable'hold which " A Message From Mais'* has upon the public was illustrated last night on the occasion of its revival by the . Allan Hamilton Dramatic Company. Not only was His Majesty's Theatre crowded, but quite demonstrative appreciation was bestowed upon the performance as it progressed. In the light of a dramatic homily upon the fault of selfishness "A Message From Mars" has quite a claim upon serious attention; but,' apart from what it teaches, it makes, a thoroughly interesting experience for the playgoer. Previous productions of the piece have made it too familiar hero for it to need any reintroduction, further than that given to it upon the stage. It is well put on by the present company, and the various per' formers seem to have a good conception of their parts, though all may not reach traditional standard. Mr. Robert Inman is the Horace Parker, and his enactment of the part is.one of judgment, the contrasts being well delineated. As the messenger from Mars Mr. Geo. E. Bryant is aweinspiring and guttural of voice, retaining consistently the. weird element that surrounds the character. Mr. S. A. Fitzgerald is a. pathetic tramp. His work shows a keen regard for the deeper touches of the old fellow's nature, with, perhaps., a shade too little attention to. the droller possibilities that attach to it. Similarly Miss Fanny Erris, in the role of Minnie -Templet, accentuates the sub-tragic side of it, and neglects its brighter "phases somewhat. There is such a-thing its being too much in earnest. On the other hand Miss Erris was evidently in sympathy with the audience last night. 'Miss Khadijah Cooper, too, won rounds of applause for her vigorous work in the part of Aunt Martha, She is, none the less, inclined to lessen the value of; her study artistically by lack of self-restraint in the first act, Miss. Hilda Eraser, as Bella, the maid, makes the lady hugely popular, by means of a shade of low-comedy vivacity, Which lilts the part out of the ordinary ruck. The servant, with a few lines to speak, seldom manages to get a. laugh, and that Miss Eraser does it may not be in accord with the author's purpose, hut it relieves the tension of a lengthy scene. Miss Beatrice Usher is a satisfactory Mrs. Clarence, and Baby Watson, an appealing little figure as Minnie. -Mr. Augustus Neville is just a trifle stiff as Arthur Dicey. Wbiechanical effects and staging generally are thoroughly adequate. . . '■■ "A Message From Mars" will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night (the final production of the season). To-morrow afternoon "Little Lord Fauntleroy" will be staged, with Baby Watson in the title role. ,

MISS STEVENSON'S PUPILS' CONCERT.

The .St. Andrew's Hall was crowded last evening by a pleased and enthusiastic audience when a concert was given by the pupils of Mirs Amy Stevenson, The programme submitted was. an attractive one. It was rather ambitious in some respects for some of the pupils, but. speaking gene-, rally, they acquitted themselves"with credit. Some good talent was. displayed- A wellbalanced orchestra opened the programme, in both parts, rendering during the evening '•Martha," "Vulso et Reverie."; "Serenade," " Intermezzo" from "Cavalleria Rustieana," and "Morris Dance.'' Violin items were much iu evidence. The duet " Barcarolle," by Masters B. Cox and K. Chambers, was creditably given, and the former later rendered the solo " Castanets." Miss Ada Kempe and Miss Meta Burr were heard in the respective piano .solos, "Allegro con Moto" and " Novellette," and Miss Eileen Oakden in " Buds and Blossoms." Three violin solos were also given ? Plainte d'Amduf," by' Miss' Doris Barr, th/s bracketed numbers, (a) "Plainle" and (b). " Deuxieme Mazurka," by Miss Dorothy Nicol,, and "Andante from Concerto" by Mr., B. l.aseroii. Misses D. Nathan, J)." Barr, It. Creig, and A. Kempe gave a pleasing rendition of "Graceful Dance" on the violin. Vocal numbers were given by Miss .Annie Taylor and Mrs. Noel Burgess', and both acquitted themselves well. The former sang " Guinevere" and the latter the bracketed mmibeis (a) "1. Love Thee" ana (b) "My Gentle Child." The accompaniments were capably played by Miss Evelyn Wymau, while.Miss Stevenson was conductor. , - ■ > .

OPERA HOUSE. " ; Another; (joikl house witneswd the performance fast- night, of Fuller's Vaudeville Company. . The Buins-Siiuires tight was watched with great interest throughout, and the descriptive leeturette. by Mr. Forrest enhanced.the pleasure of witnessing it. Tomorrow night Mr. Bob Lloyd will make hi/* reappearance in a. budget of new songs, and the film depicting Apologue winning' the Melbourne Guy will be shown.. PEOPLE'S MISSION SOCIAL. A social was held in the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, tinder the auspices of the People's' Mission, and a selected programme, consisting of songs and recitals, was contributed by the following: Uooch, Barclay, "Campbell, Carlaw, and Mrs. Black, Messrs. Conway, Fannin, Seed, Tayler, Paine, Macdermott," and Black. Mr. A. J. Black, the missioner, explained the purpose of the social functions as bringing people together, and providing profitable and pleasing entertainment. Refreshments were provided at the' close of the evening. ■ "■-•*'.-.•_., SALVATION ARMY BAND CONCERT. The Salvation Army Hall, Albert-street, was.crowded on "Wednesday evening, when the Army band held a musical evening under the auspices of the Honorary Members' League, Brigadier Albiston presiding. The function, which took the. form of a concert, proved moat successful in every respect and many of the performers were recalled.