ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13938, 21 December 1908, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MRS. WIGGS." > Mr. J. C. Williamson's American Comedy Company made a welcome reappearance at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night in "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch." The idiomatic humour, the quaint situations, and the human oddities in the comedy are just as enjoyable as over. Although, probably, three-fourths of the audience on Saturday night had seen, the play before, the laughter was throughout spontaneous and hearty. All the members of this capable company were accorded flattering receptions, and the performance went splendidly from start tto finish. The setting of the play calls for special mention, as it is a faithful reproduction of the Louisville cabbage patch, where the original of. Mrs. Wiggs is still living. Theatregoers will have their final opportunity of seeing "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" this evening, as the return season is, unfortunately, limited to two nights, owing to the departure of the company for America on Wednesday. OPERA HOUSE. It can be said without exaggeration that no finer display of living pictures than that which was presented at the Opera House on Saturday evening by the Wide-World Syndicate has yet been witnessed in Auckland. The management is evidently determined that the public shall be well catered for during the holidays, and they have arranged a decidedly attractive programme. A most varied display of subjects was touched upon, and the entire absence of the annoying " flicker" was a praiseworthy feature. One of the finest films was that depicting scenes in Scandinavia. The views were superb, considerable enhancement being lent by the beautiful colouring. "Training a Fighting Bull" was another interesting picture. This film gave one a good idea of the methods employed by the Spaniards in preparing an animal for the arena. Other instructive pictures wero "The Customhouse Official," "London Streets," "Peasant Life in Egypt," "Feeding a Snake," and "The Faun." There was a great profusion of comic pictures, one of the best being " Our "Village Marathon Race." The orchestra, consisting of seven players, under the direction of Mr. Stokes, rendered an interesting programme of musical items. Altogether the entertainment was 'most enjoyable, and should attract large audiences. It will be repeated this evening. MISS LANCASHIRE, LIMITED." The English comedienne, Miss Florence Raines, supported by her own talented comedy company, is announced to appear at the Opera House, commencing on Saturday night next, in the popular farce with music, " Miss Lancashire, Limited." The tour of Miss Baines throughout Australia has been very successful. In Melbourne "Miss Lancashire, Limited," was performed • for 12 consecutive weeks without a change of programme. Miss Baines is declared to be a very bright comedy star. A true Lancashire girl, born with a delightful native accent, a fine singing voice, and a aple'ndid comedienne, her appearance will be awaited with interest. The company supporting Miss Baines includes both English and Australian artists, also Mr. Bert Burton, an ingenuous player on a one-string violin. The box plan opens at Wildman and Arey's on Wednesday morning. The Opera House is being thoroughly renovated and . redecorated for the season. "SCARLET TROUBADOURS." , To-night Mr. Edward Branscombe's Scarlet Troubadours" open their return season at the Choral Hall, and will give performances thero during the week (with the exception of Christmas night), introducing entirely new programmes. They have a most extensive repertoire, to which they are constantly adding. Whilst the company were in Queensland Lardalli, the composer, who is now residing in that part of the world, wrote for them a series of most charming " smoking" quartettes, to be given in costume, representing the indolent idler with his cigarette, the Dutchman with his pipe, and the Indian with his "hubble-bubble." Some of these will be amongst the novelties presented during the Auckland season. Several very humorous musical sketches will be heard for the first time. •- ' ' MUSICAL COMEDY. On the Manuka, which arrived yesterday, were the-members of Mr. J. C. Williamson's Musical Comedy Company, who commence their Christmas season at His Majesty's. Theatre to-morrow evening. Since lest here, some 12 months ago, the company has been considerably altered in personnel, and strengthened in several respects. Amongst the principals are now included Mr. John Ford, an American comedian and dancer of high repute; Mr. Fred. Leslie, the wellknown comedian, so long attached to Mr. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company; Mr. Charles A.,Loder, another importation from America, who is regarded as one of the very best German dialect comedians on the stage at the present time; Mr. Arthur Sherras, said to be a fine baritone; Miss Ivy Scott, whose good work, with the Royal comics has always been heartily appreciated; and Miss Marie Eaton, a soprano. Amongst the old favourites are the charming soprano, Miss Olive Godwin, Miss Ada Stirling, Mr. Horald Parkes, Mr. Roland Hogue, Mr. Arthur Lissant, and Mr. P. B. Bathurst. The season will be • commenced by the presentation for the first time in New Zealand of the original and quaint Dutch musical comedy,' "The Red Mill," which has had a great run of success in the Australian cities. The setting-of the play is in Holland, and the "atmosphere" is essentially of that country. Like all plays which come under the category of musical comedy, the purpose of ''The Red Mill" is to provide in full all the elements of jollity, combined with pretty music, catchy refrains, clever dancing, handsome dressing, and striking ensembles, and in the aggregation of these it is said to fill the bill admirably, and provide just what is wanted during tne festive season. During their stav here r,ho company will put on another successful new musical play, "The Prince of Pilsen," and also revive the old favourite, " The Belie of New York." RECORD PIANO-PLAYING. Mr. Charles Parncll; New Zealand record pianist, is about to attempt a new world's record for continuous piano-playing. The ■ present record for this kind of endurance test, is 51 hours 10 minutes, established at Sydney a few months ago, by a Mr. Freeman. Mr. Parnell has contracted with the Royal Pictures Syndicate to make his attempt at the Royal Albert Hall, commencing on Tuesday, 29th inst., at 8 p.m. CHELTENHAM COLLEGE CONCERT. The pupils attending Cheltenham College, Devonport, held a concert in the Presbyterian schoolroom on Friday evening. An enjoyablo time was spent, and the manner in which the various items on the programme were given showed careful training on the part of the teachers. After supper progressive games were indulged in, Miss Bogan presenting the winners with prizes. . TIVOLI THEATRE. The new Tivoli Theatre (late St. George's Hall, Newtoi, was opened on Saturday evening, when Mr. Geo. Sayers (Mayor of Grey Lynn) gave a short, address. A living picture entertainment will be given in this building every evening by means of Gaumont's chronophone. This machine not only shows the pictures in a perfect manner, but makes the characters depicted talk, laugh and sing in realistic fashion. The opening entertainment attracted a large audience, every part of the house being filled. A great, variety of subjects was dealt with, "Scenes in- Sunny Madeira," "Lake Lucerne," and "The Banana Supply" being especially instructive pictures. Many humorous and dramatic films were also shown, while a first-class orchestra was in attendance. The programme will be repeated this evening, and with vaudeville turns interspersed there is every reason for believing that the new theatre will receive a large amount of patronage. EDWARD REEVES' RECITALS. The Adelaide 'elocutionist, Mr. Edward Reeves, has achieved with marked success, in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney a feat which few besides the Canadian, Locke Richardson, have attempted, viz., to givo an entertainment of short elocutionary recitals from popular authors. One of the best of the f-elections is-from Ralph Connor's "Sky Pilot." Mr. Reeves will appear in .Auckland next week., ->■.•• ; At the Hippodrome, corner.of Queen and Custom Streets, an open-air moving picture and vaudeville show is to open an Auckland season on Christmas Eve. The picture programme consists of. 10,000 ft of films.