ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14530, 18 November 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE G.A.V. ENTERTAINERS AND POTTER'S PUPILS. The Garrison Band and No. 3 G.A.V. Entertainers, • assisted by Professor Potter and' pupils, gave the first of a threenights' series of entertainments at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. The extremely clever and picturesque gymnasium exhibitions given by Professor Potter's pupils in the second part proved the backbone of the programme, the rest of which, with the exception of one or two items, was very amateurish. The gymnasium work was, however, by itself, worth the money, and deserved a better house; the only fault with it was that there was too little of it—Professor Potter's exhibitions might have been extended, and the rest of the programme might have been curtailed, also the interval. There were about 200 boys and young men on the stage, including about 70 Maori boys, and some acts were accomplished by Maoris in toto. Professor Potter's first exhibition showed a scene in the gymnasium, with horizontal bar and Roman ring work in progress, and a wrestling bout in the foreground, and come somersaulting thrown inso many, simultaneous scenes of action that there was almost too much to occupy the eye. All the work was good, and the wrestling was especially realistic. The next . act . was - Roman rings, with somersaillting, the small boys (in masks) doing a centipede performance at the tack of the stage. Some very clever work was done on the horizontal bars and parallel bars by Professor Potter and his leading pupils; meanwhile the small boys formed a pyramid, a clever acrobat somersaulted over a chair, and two clowns provided the comedy. The tableaux, by Maoris, were splendidly built up, the brown-skinned boys, bulkier than the white ones, proving very adept, though in some cases lacking in confidence. With two blazing clubs aswing. Professor Potter ringed himself with fire, and pro•vided one of the most effective performances of the series. The gem of the first part was the Highland dances of Miss Eva Reid and her still smaller sister. Other items,, most of which were encored, were: Sailor's hornpipe, Messrs.-Dare and Dare; song, " Maid of Athens," Mr. J. F. Robertson; song, "Rainbow," Mr. Chas. Skinner ; Irish jig, Mr. W. T. Chad wick; song, Bedouin's Love Song," very capably sung by Mr. T. McDowell; comic song, " While You're Sleeping," Mr. Geo. Tarr; song, " Davy Jones's Locker," Mr. R. C. Clark; whistling solo, Mr. T. Aylett; song, From Where The Shamrock Grows," Miss Ivy Goodwill; coon song, " Black Canary," Mr. Arthur Austin; Reel o' Tulloch, Chadwick troupe of Highland dancers; song, " The Whistling Bowery Boy," Mr. F. Bishop; song, " Rose of My Heart," Miss Walker. Mr. G. C. McMinn gave a clever exhibition on strange musical instruments. The 'Garrison Band Orchestra played the overtures, under the direction. of Mr. Will . Purcell. An altered and improved programme is promised for this evening, when Professor Potter's pupils will be allowed more elbow room. OPERA HOUSE. Fuller's Pictures were again screened before a large and " appreciative audience at the Opera House last night. The current programme will be given for the-last time this evening, the weekly change taking place at the matinee to-morrow afternoon. WEST'S PICTURES. The last of the current week's programme will bo screened to-night. The selection i& a very interesting one, and comprises some excellent subjects. Last evening "The Cowboy's Stratagem" was presented for the first time, and found great favour with a very large audience. It is a Wild West story splendidly told. A complete change will bo submitted at the. matinee to-morrow afternoon. WINDSOR RINK. The Windsor Rink is still well attended at the evening sessions. The usual sessions will be held to-day. TIVOLI THEATRE. , The Tivoli Theatre at Newton was attended by an appreciative audience last evening, who received the juggling turns of ! Levarto and Leon with loud applause. . The other members of the company were also well received. A _ comic singing competition will bo held this evening. AMERICAN THEATRE. Benwell's moving pictures were again presented at the American Theatre last night, the various films being well received by appreciative audiences. Owing to the fact that the hall had been engaged for this evening previous to its being leased to the American Theatre management, no performance can "be given by the management this evening. '' A complete change of programme will be submitted at the matinee to-morrow afternoon. v MISSION TO SEAMEN. A pleasant entertainment was given on Tuesday evening in. aid of the Mission to Seamen in St. Paul's Parish Hall. The programme was opened by an amusing play in one act called " Christmas Chimes," by Mr. Charles Thorp, who took one of the parts. - The other characters were well sustained by Miss Ivy Manning, Mrs. M. Reeve, and Mr. W. Wells. Mrs. Cowan then sang " Farewell to Summer " in a charming manner. Miss Miriam Waddell played a pianoforte solo with brilliant technique. Mr. Farr sang "The Yeoman's Wedding" in a spirited manner. This was followed by a short play, entitled "The Final Rehearsal." The roles were admiaably filled by Miss Ivy Manning, Miss N. Barry, Misses G. and F. Boulter, and Miss H. Nairn. The play caused great amusement. Mr. A. P. Cowie, the missioner, then gave a short address, and displayed the "Flying Angel" flag. He said that sinoe he had started his mission in Auckland he had moved seven times, each time to larger premises, and, in spite of uphill work, ho was happy to say that the mission was free from debt. Mr. Jenkins then gave a short speech, in which he expressed his appreciation of the work done by the mission. Madame Laura Daw rendered "The Promise of Life" with great feeling, and Mr. Pierce; a mission worker, gave "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep." accompanied by Mr. Cowie. Mrs. M. Williams, v who kindly played most of the accompaniments, sang the " Gleaner's Slumber Song," which evoked much applause. At the request of Air. Cowie, Mr. W. Brown, of the s.s. Arawa, sang " Tho Lads in Navy Blue," in the chorus of which • the audience heartily joined. Mr. Van Brake! recited "Lasca" (by request), followed by an amusing piece, entitled "Bill Sloggins's Recitation." Mr. Herapath then sang the favourite song "The Outlaw," and Madame Daw brought the programme to a close with a bright little song, " Tit for Tat," after which refreshments were handed round.

A special gramophone entertainment was (riven last night at the Seamen's Institute, O'Connell-street, through the kindness of Mr. Coldicutt, manager of the English and Foreign Piano Company. Miss Honeyman, of Northcote, also gave some charming ■selections on the violin, accompanied by Mr. Cowie on the organ. CHOIR FESTIVAL. A choir festival was held in St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, last evening. During the evening the choir, which was composed of about 105 voices, rendered special hymns and psalms, and ' the Rev. Canon Mac-Murray gave an address. There was a large congregation present. It is proposed to hold the gathering annually.

"THE SULTAN OF TREBIZOND." The pretty opera entitled "The Sultan of Trebifflond," was staged again at St. Benedict's Hall last evening before a highly pleased audience. ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. There was a large attendance at the Choral Hall last evening, when the Orchestral Society repeated their last programme for this season. «. As on Wednesday night the programme proved most enjoyable, and wins warmly received by the large, a&dj©us©i - •