ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14235, 4 December 1909, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. THE performance of the " Great World of London was repeated at His Majesty's Theatre last night, and will be played for the last time this evening:. On Monday evening will bo produced, on Mr. Anderson's usual lavish scale, and for the first ame in Auckland, Walter Melville's great Drury Lane success, The Female Swindler," OPERA HOUSE. The weekly programme of Puller's Pictures, which included "The Mended Lute" and 'The.Dash for the North Pole," was repeated for the last time at the Opera House last night. A complete change of pictures is announced for this afternoon. The principal film is one depicting Dickens' " Cricket on tho Hearth," others being, "How Jack Helped His Sister," " The Detective's Bag, " Conquering the Jungfrau," " The Lion Tamer," " Farmer Giles Visits London," " Calcutta," "A Father's Crime," " The Making of a Sailor," " They would Elope," " The Ugly Girl," and " The Rendezvous.' ROYAL ALBERT HALL. The natural study subjects and educational films in this week's programme of Hayward's Pictures at the Royal Albert Hall are particularly good, and include "The Sights of Venice," 'British Agricultural Pursuits," " Fishing in Sweden," and a fascinating picture embracing tame pet rats. The star subject, " Merciless Margaret," is being well received nightly by the large audiences. A matinee will be given to-day at 2.30. THE TIVOLI THEATRE. The usual crowded house attended the competitions last evening at the Tivoli Theatre, and much interest was manifected in the contest for the gold medal for the best humorous recital, won by Dick Healey, and also in a singing competition for boys and trirls under 15 years, won by L. Ross. The picture programme was also well received. A matinee will be given to-day, at 2.50. The competition for next Friday will be devoted to variety specialities. MUSICAL CRUISE. Another very successful cruise was made last night by the s.s. Condor, with a large crowd of happy excursionists aboard, the entertainment provided meeting with the warmest approval. The electric pictures were interspersed with vocal and instrumental items, and the whole performance went without drag or intermission for two hours. Miss Louie Fisher sang " Idle Words," and the two illustrated ballads. " Brown Eyes" and "Dearest;" Mr. Neville Blackmore. " Simon, the Cellarer," " I Like Yon in Velvet," "The Little Irish Girl," and The Jolly Sailor;" Mr. Hunter played a spirited cornet solo, and the Meredith Orchestra rendered suitable selections. The cruise will eventuate asrain to-night, starting at eight p.m. Next week further cruises are announced, together with a complete change of music and pictures. • "THE PICTURE GARDEN." Auckland pleasure-seekers will shortly be enabled to find fresh distractions at what will quickly become known as " The Picture. Garden." By the enterprise of the proprietors large ornamental grounds on Queen's Parade, Devonport, facing the harbour, have been beautifully laid out and planted with shrubs, palms, and ferns, and illuminated by hundreds of coloured electric lights, whilst the building has been artistically decorated. Amid those ideal surroundings an open-air entertainment will be given each evening, commencing on Wednesday next, and consisting of the latest and beat animated pictures, together with excellent orchestral and vocal concerts. This enterprise is stated to fill a long-felt want in Auckland, viz., a popular open-air pleasure resort, conducted on the best lines. There will be an excellent service of summer, delicacies at small f tables in the open- air, which will lend quite a Continental air to the proceedings. Smoking will be allowed, and facilities for promenading provided. The Auckland Garrison Band will lie in attendance. By special arrangement with the Ferry Company a special Picture Garden ticket will be issued by them, which includes admission and return ferry fare without extra charge, but it" will be necessary to secure through Picture Garden tickets when booking to secure this concession. One of the proprietors is Mr. A. L. Baird. late managing director of " Wonderland" at the New Zealand International Exhibition.

ROLLER SKATING, n ? Quito a number of skating enthusiasts are taking advantage of the skating school opened at the Royal Albert "Hall.

ONEHUNGA LADIES' GUILD.

The annual wind-up social in connection with St. Peter's Ladies' Guild, Onehunga, was held at the Parish Hall on Thursday night, when a most enjoyable function resulted. An excellent programme wa*. contributed by Misses V. Burden, Stokes, Coldham, Gillingham, and Carson, Mrs. H. Northern, and, Mr. Rennie. The Rev. P. S. SmaUfleld, on behalf of the parishioners, handed the Rev. Canon Haselden a purse of sovereigns, and Mrs. Haselden a peggy bae. Canon Haselden feelingly acknowledged the kindness of the parishioners. ;

BACH SOCIETY'S CHRISTMAS CONCERT The church cantata. " Sleepers Wake" (Waohet auf) is one of the best-known of all Bach's works of this class, and was specially composed for the Sunday before Advent. It has only once been performed in Auckland, and that was ln» St. Paul's Church, oy this society, about four years ago. The society's chorus has now more than doubled its number?, and should give a much finer rend*r'ng. The appointment of the solo work« is somewhat unusual for «Bach. Two most tuneful duets occur for soprano and bass (Madame Chambers and Mr. Farrow), and the tenor (Mr. Irving) has a flue recitative. The work occupies 30m. in performance. Mr. BouH has selected two very old carols, which ihe Bach Society will sing unaccompanied. .