ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14753, 8 August 1911, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

5 I I THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. > Though the audience which welcomed 1 "Tlio Scarlet Troubadours on their re- } appearance at His' Majesty's Theatre List 5 night was only moderate as to size, its 1 reception of the various artists of the combination, and their contributions, was a cordial one. The . only change in the, j personnel of the company sinco its previous visit is on the ladies' side, three r new performers replacing those seen here 3 before. Whilst thoy do not materially . strengthen the programme they provide ' the requisite vocal contrasts, and the standard of their work is very fair. The men j once more appeal to all lovers of good j singing, and their voices are as fino as , ever. The male quartettes and solos ren- ' dered last night were appreciated by all lin front. Mr. Sydney Mannering (tenor) mado his chief success in . tho second part, a quaintly . conr ceived cavalier scena, quito well cari ried out. His "Once I Loved a Maiden," " was sung with feeling, and was roundly • encored. Mr. Alfred Cunningham (baritone) was exceptionally well heard in j 'Lambert's beautiful soni:, " She is Far t,' "From the Land." This was given with 3 unusually expressive and sympathetic "treatment. In striking contrast was tho » encore number, the "Toreador" song from. - " Carmen," sung with dramatic force, and r resulting in a further recall. Mr. Cunt ningham, in response, sang "The Sweet- . est Flower that Blooms," again exhibit- > ing his talent for expression. In the , second part the baritone was equally successful in winning recognition for his solo, I Yeomen of England." Mr. Ford Wal--5 tham, tho popular basso, had no difficulty . in impressing his listeners with the fine .• quality of his voice in " Jonathan Jones." v His best effort, however, was in the rousI ing solo in which he opened the cavalier ? scena. This was almost worthy of a place ? in opera, both for the song and the singer, and tho audience was loud in its • enthusiasm. Mr. Leonard Griffiths, besides playing tasteful accompaniments and incidental selections, assisted, in the quartettes, choruses, and amusing finales. Sir. Edward Warwick, breezy as of old, was an excellent jester. His songs were humorous, and not lacking in refinement, but his monologues were on a lower plane. The story of the minstrel in the second part, for . instance, was far too slangy to merit a place in his repertoire. Misses Rita and Lilv Fitzgerald (soubrette 3 and soprano), and Winifred Birch (mezzo), I though not strongly equipped vocally, sang numbers both new and pretty, that ' were approved of- and encored. Mr. Claude Leplastrier filled two interludes by making sketches in chalk in a skilful ■ manner. The entertainment will be repeated to-night. ; - OPERA HOUSE. The new programme of vaudeville pre- . sented at the Opera House last night j served to introduce several new artists. Keldine and Klimo gave a clever trick cycling exhibition, one of the members ' of the trio enhancing the excellence of ■ his companion's feats with some eccentric ; • comedy tricks. ' Another clever " turn '' . was that provided by Joo Watts and ■ "Madge Lucas, billed as " contortionists, r dancers, and conversationalists."; In a , variety of ways they kept the' audience ) entertained, and had to respond to an , encore. Harland and Rollison, comedy I musicians, repeated their entertainment. , ida Roslyn and- Jack Kearns created . much amusement in a now sketch entitled A Good Time," in which they intro- • duced catchy songs and new witticisms. , A pleasing voice was disclosed by Miss ' Essie Jennings, who made her first appearance. The opening portion of the programme comprised vocal numbers by the members of the company, and the. , audience were provided with a fund of comedy , and melody. The entertainment will be repeated this evening. "THE ARCADIANS." After remarkably successful runs in England, America, and Australia, and tho Southern cities of the Dominion, ! " The • Arcadians" is to make its bow before Auckland theatre-goers at His Majesty's Theatre next Monday • night. According to all reports, there has perhaps never been a more popular musical production in the southern hemisphere. The, plot is said ,to bo a fantastic, one, the authors having taken a commonplace London caterer, James Smith, and dropped him in Arcadia. To the Arcadians leading the simple life, Smith is a species they have never seen before. Like George Washington, the Arcadians never lie, and when they find Smith tolling a " crammer" they dip him in the well of truth, from which he emerges an Arcadian. Later on Smith takes a, party of Arcadians to London in an airship, which, of course, produces more fun and humour. The cast is an interesting one, on account of the whole company being new to New Zealand. The company, which will include Tom Walls, Fred. Winn, Harold Thorley, Charles Stone, Wilfrid Hilary, Phil. Cory, Dutton Nicholls, Alico Moffat, Gertrude William, Nellie Kavanagh, Lena Denton, Hilda Edwards, Ethel Forsyth, Constance Lait, Flossie Dickenson, and Margarita Le> Roy, and a bevy of beautiful show girls, who introduce the Chantecler hat in the race scene. The blox plan will be opened at, Wildman and Arey's on Thursday next, August 10, at eight a.m., and parcel bookings will be limited to 15 seats. KING'S PICTURES. A fine moral drama, entitled "A Ticket in Tatt's.," was the star film in a wellvaried programme of pictures shown to a good audience at the King's Theatre last night. In addition, to providing a moral tho story is told amid brilliant scenes, several racing scenes (including an exciting steeplechase) being of absorbing interest. The recent manoeuvres at Spithead are presented in a picture entitled " Our Navy To-day." The great spectacle is shown 'in magnificent detail. A further series of Coronation pictures provide one of the best films in, the programme, the gay spectacle in London's streets arousing great enthusiasm. Other interesting pictures are "A Trip to Samoan Isles," "Police Dog Competitions in Paris," and the latest edition of the Pathe Gazette. The dramatic section of the " programme, is well, represented by some stirring pictures, while " comics punctuate the programme throughout. The pictures will be shown again this evening. CHILDREN'S HOME. - Arrangements have been made for an entertainment in aid vi tho Children's Home, Richmond Road, Ponsonby, which will be held in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, Albertstreet, to-morrow evening. A speciallyselected programme of films will ' boscreenec!. Tho homo is heavily in debt, and it is to be hoped that a good number will attend, as every help is needed by Sister Cecil to support the unfortunate children under her charge. Y.M.C.A. SOCIAL. A ramber of recently-arrived and new members of the Y.M.C.A. met the members of tha . association and lady friends by invitation at a social gathering in tho gymnasium on Saturday evening. Mr. R. McLeod and Mr. McFarlac.e, i general secretary, in the name of tho ho,sis and the association, . welcomed the newcomers. Games of all kinds were freely indulged in, some of tho ladies proving themselves adepts in rifle-shooting. During the even- ■ ing Mr, G. Adair, boys' work director, ' was introduced to the company, and gave 1 a short account of the work being done among the boys, which _ lias become so popular that accommodation for them is taxed to the utmost limit, and a readjustment made imperative. Mr. Tate gave a clever exhibition of juggling and balancing. Refreshments, which had been liberally provided by friends of both sexes, were served by the gentlemen in the re-freshment-room, which was decorated with flowers. Mr. G. Ludlow kept the company enlivened by records on his gramophone, and all too soon the happy evening sped.

WEST'S PICTURES. The excellence of .the current scries of West's Pictures is universally admitted. These, with the exception of the Coronation pictures, will be screened for the last time this evening. A change of programme will be presented at the matinee to-morrow afternoon. SKATING CARNIVAL. The Royal Rink was a scene of much brilliancy last. night, when a fancy drees carnival was held under the auspices of the Auckland Hockey Association, for the purpose of raising funds to send a representative hockey team South on tour. There was a very large attendance of both skaters and onlookers, and the fancy costumes were many and varied. One representing a ghost worn by Mr. Gonard, attracted great attention. A number of interesting competitions were held during the evening, and resulted as follows: —Lady's fancy costume (affiliated hockey . players): Miss Iva Norton. Most graceful couple, (all-comers): Miss C. Norton and Mr. W. Reed. Lady's fancy costume (all-comers): Mrs. Symonds 1, Miss E. Norton 2. Most graceful couple (hockey players): Miss Dawes and Mr. Porter. Best sustained character (allcomers) : Miss Mills and Mr. Dickie. Men's fancy dress (all-comers): Mr. Badham. Men's fancy dress (hockey players): MrJ Gunning. In addition to the competitions the lancers were danced on skates, and ladies' and gentlemen's hockey matches were played. A children's fancy dress carnival will be held on August 25. SKATING RINKS. There were good attendances at the Windsor and Prince's Rinks at all sessions yesterday. A complimentary send-off will be given _to ' Professor Irving at the Prince's Rink to-morrow and Thursday evening. Mr. Gonard has taken over the. management of the Prince's Rink, where arrangements are being made to hold a children's carnival at an early date.