ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15055, 26 July 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MRS. BRIDGET MeSWEENEr,"

The amusing musical force-comedy, "Mrs., Bridget McSweeney," drew ' another large audience to His Majesty's Theatre : last evening. The piece will be repeated again .to-night. ■ ' • .' ;

The "always merry and bright" entertainment provided by the Dandies at the Town Hall was responsible for another full house last night, the various artists all. being warmly applauded. * .

This week's vaudeville entertainment at the Opera House is . partieuilarlv enjoyable,; and large audiences attend nightly.:

The organ in St. Mary's Cathedral, ! Parnell, has recently been much improved by the addition of vox, humaua and tremulant stops. t A recital of sacred music was given in the cathedral last, evening, and several organ solos played by Dr. W. E. Thomas showed to the full: the extent of the improvement resulting from the' new stops. 7 The organ solos played were: "Introduction and Prayer" (Lefebure-Wely);';" "0 Star 'of ■ : Eve " (Wagner), "Concerto in G minor (Handel), " Ave Maria" Schubert),. "■' Prelude and Fugue " (Bach), and a voluntary march from "Abraham"' (Molique). The vocal contributions were: ; Angels Ever Bright and Fair" (Handel) £. sung by Miss IT. Boulton; a double quartette by ladies Of the choir, "The Lord is My Shepherd " (Schubert), and the anthems "Ye that Stand in tlie House ? (Spinney), and ".There is a Green Hill" (Gounod), Mrs- Arehdale Taylor singing the solo, and "I am Alpha and Omega' :(Stainer). ..■• ■' ■/ . ■;. \- s '/ , -. '

A very pleasant evening was spent by the inmates of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind and their friends when Mr. Horace Hunt, who has an unviable understanding of the art of reading, delivered the story of "A Christmas Carol" in a very pleasant fashion. His audience enjoyed "its grim humour and its pathos to the utmost. : The weather was decidedly against the success of onteriainnients, and there were few present from beyond the institute walls; 'bat nearly all the' inia'ateV' were ' present, and Mr. Hunt had the satisfaction of addressing a keenly interested, ;if not a. very, numerous, audience. - .

The usual change of programme was made at the Queen's Theatre yesterday, and large numbers of patrons attended the session , throughout the day and evening. The popular drama, " Redemption," was once more, by special request, included in the programme, and proved as great an attraction as ever.: Among the other films are two fine dramas, entitled, " Foiled by a Girl'' .and '* The Lesser Evil.'*- The former, in particular, proved' a strong favourite. Very popular also is " The. Lesser Evil," which depicts how a girl comes across a gang of smugglers in the pursuit of their nefarious practices. Lest she should inform the revenue officers, she is abducted, and placed on board the smugglers' vessel. An exciting race ensues between the smuggling craft and the revenue launch, the girl being eventually rescued from the clutches of the enraged crew. Interwoven in the exciting drama is the inevitable love story. An amusing comedy is presented in "The Painter's Ruse. Another picture which was much appreciated was a fine scenic film, en? titled. "In and Around Llandudno." Tof day an addition will be made to the pro- j gramme in the shape of a sensational and elaborate dramograph entitled, " The Midnight Wedding," Which has been specially J imported by Messrs. MacMahon anil Lodder.

The magnitude of the labours by which a new waterway for the commerce of the world is being hewn across the Panama Isthmus is illustrated in a' inpst f insuressiva fashion in a picture ' which forms the principal item in the new programme presented ,at the King's Theatre 'last ' evening. The picture gives a most vigorous, narrative or.the huge army of hwtnatt and, 1 mechanical power that is engaged in'the colossal task of dividing the American Continent. The cunning of a miser and the r remorse of the instrument of his crime are the essential features of -a tragic story I entitled "Arson at Sea; " the burning of | the doomed vessel forms a striking scene in the story. "A New Beginning" is a dramatic story in which the parental instinct unites "a couple estranged by the conflict of their interests. Another fine picture was that entitled "Nemesis," the title role being performed by a physician, into whoso power fate throws tile man responsible for,- the misery and death of the doctor's affianced wife. Some characteristic teener; in Detroit, and inaiiv beautiful waterscapes in Sweden were, well illustrated. The humorous films were of high standard, .the most amusing being those entitled "The Little Delicatessen Store," and "The Bear Hunt." Boisterous weather prevented the gathering of a large audience, but the house was appreciative. The programme will bo shown until theend of the week.

A new and interesting programme was screened at the King George Theatre yesterday, the various sessions being attended by largo numbers of patrons. The two most popular pictures on the programme were, " Lorna Boone " and " Foraging." The latter in particular is an especially fine drama, the scene of the story being South Africa at the time of the Boer war. Two splendid dramas are also presented in " A Stranger in the Camp "and "By the Aid of the Lariat." Both of these films deal with the "Western States of America, and detail, the many exciting events -which enter into the life of the cowboy. The j humorous section of the profframme is well I

represented by the three , pictures, "Th» Question Mark," "The Second Honeymoon," and "The Living Peach," all of which were mnch appreciated. Other pic-, lures on the programme are, "Who's Who at the Zijo, -an interesting nature ' study, .. " Jumping Feats by Mr. Mcreland," a film depicting, some novel and interesting ~ feats* and the latest Pathe Gazette, with '<.:!; its budget' of topical views. The pro- • " "'t gramme will be repeated as usual through- .' out to-day and this evening.

PALACE THEATRE.

Many people visited the Palace Theatre yesterday and viewed the new selection of pictures. The programme was one of varied interest, and uniform merit, probably, the besti yet presented by the management. A dramatic story entitled " Home." was the leading item of the pro- ■ gramme; it portrayed the memories re-/ vived by a, simple* newspaper advertisemerit, and concluded with a Christmas gathering, which reached its climax in the - v-n ir " ° f a P rodial eon. "Th» Electric villa was an excellent specimen of camera trickery, .and a clever burlesque of the modem tendency to the use- of laboursaving devices in. the domestic arrangement. The scenic pictures were highly : interesting, and there was a judicious selection of humorous pictures. The programme ; will bo shown again throughout to-day. :^

PONSOXBY SHAKESPERE CLUB. -.!

■■■■'■ OLD COLONISTS' CHORAL ' , - ASSOCIATION. *

THE DANDIES.

OPERA HOUSE.

ORGAN RECITAL.

KINGSIiANB MISSION CONCERT. | '

A DICKENS READING.

! TENNIS CLUB'S CONCERT.

1 QUEEN'S THEATRE.

■».,.,1,...1ll i f11U.|,1M.»..... ■ PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS:

■' -■ ■ ■■■ '■'■'•:'■■■■■:■ -:\^%-4l SKATING RINKS. " $ .. ' ■ ~ _• , • ,

KING'S' THEATRE.

KING GEORGE THEATRE. '

The members of the Ponsonby Sheke- ■'■'...■ spere and Rhetoric Club gave a reading last evening, the play chosen 'being - , 4 i Buhver Lytton's "Lady of Lyons." There was a large attendance', and every indica- ; i tion was given that the efforts of the readers were appreciated. The parts of Monsieur■'• " Descha-ppelle's and Madame Deschapples were taken by Mr. F. J. Thompson and Miss Blandford, that of Pauline being entrusted to Miss Kalman.- . Mr. Thomas Harris appeared as Beauseant, . while tile part of Colonel , Damas was characteristically rendered by Mr. H. Hcmus. Th« remaining, parts were under- , taken by various members of the society, the standard attained being uniforraiy high.; ■..';■ •.-, ■■< ■:■ ". -■■ '.--.'. ..- : ",...; -A H py^kiH^ltl '■■■.'■'. : - ''■■'. .•■'■i -.;■'■•" ■■■■■^.'■'■>-.SV!:' ; Ste'. ; ;rSj!!

! -' The 'first' bi-annual 'concert ,was' {riven I by the New Zealand Old Colonists* Cnora! •' ■ I Association in fit. James's Hall. Welling- • .w ton-street, last evening. The attendance was smaller than the real excellence of the programme merited, a long list of 'Tm enjoyable musical items being presented. , The association rendered a number a? , T part songs, ably conducted by Mr. J. H. Phillpot, the fnumbers including " Old ; Towler," "Eldorado" (Pinsutj). "The ' House that Jack Built," for which they received an' emphatic recall, "Oh, xnv ,-* Love • has an Eye •of the Softest Blue/* "Among the Lillies,'.*.'' "Waiting {or y; ' the , Spring." A part song' for i ' voices only, "Stars of the Summer Night.' 1 I was i given -by' six members of the choir, , and met with an enthusiastic round of ap- r> ; plaice, the performers bciing tailed upon, i , ' to repeat a portion of it- Miss Winifred Cooke and Mr. W. Waller sang a duet, „ ;; " Maying," while vocal solos we» rendered by. Mr. George Howe, "The Maid of -Malabar," Mr. William Walter "Thora," Miss W." Cooke "Beloved, It . ■", is Morn," Mies McNab "The Spanish . \f; Gypsies," and Mi&i Kate Bestj, Tost)'a \ > " Good-bye." leister Frank Parsorr, m ' played a violin solo "Polacca" (T-.ou- ' , eelle), while together with Master Engol he contributed a duet "F-renade" >: (Schubert). .The accompaniments were' "j played by Misis: Fanny Graham and Mr. J. H. Phillpot. - ■ • I ; — . . ...' r'i*

A very successful tea and concert in aid of th* llingsland Mission » was held last,' ' ensuing in St. Sepulchre's Parish, Hall, y. and a large number of members, of the'^u; I congregation and friends were- present at • ' both gatherings. The large nail was filled for the concert, when vocal and instrumental items were rendered by the fol- - -. lowing ;?~ Mrs.' WUite, Mrs.; Rennie, Misses A. and D. duller, Messrs.'' Pjrifcchard, Sheffield, 'Hoars, Heron,"Pierce. White, and Hvris. , Clever juggling was given . by Mr. Tate. ' ■ . ■ - ■.-■■., .■'.,:■; r■ ,-■ ... ■.■'.'".' .-,■ ''■'.. '.'. "• , ■ '■'..':■" '.'.'.■ "■■ '■' ','f'M f

j The, West End Tennis Club chose, in un- ■; ! fortunate evening for its grand concert,- * .which was held in St. Benedict's Hail last night.; In spite of the- inclement weather a luge audience was present, md tho .'':' I club ehpuld benefit materially as a 1 result of the entertainment. Madam© Chambers and Miss Bartlett rendered pongs and a duet, and .were'.afterwardf! -heard in a quar- '■ tette with Dr. Hugh . Keith" and Mr. O. "■".' E. Farrow. Tho two gentlemen .mentioned also contributed other items, and '■' all the artists were enthusiastically applauded. Mr. Alan JM-EHwaln give a humorous monologue. .. . :., . >:". S/fm

"'The Traitress," now being featured by ' >- : .Wert's at the. Royal Albert Hall, 'is a. really admirable production, " The Sensa- '> tivo Plant" is a scientific subject of great ' ' interest. "The English ' Derby of 1912" ' • ' is another first-da*? -Sim. A "prize " „ matinee" will be held to-morrow after- ~£.vQ noon. - The current programme at the Lynn '. \.\ Theatre, is full of interesting and entertain- ; :J ing subjects. ' ; ,„. - ■' ■' .".

A fancy dress and poster carnival i» to " he held at the Royal Rink on Tueaday. ; '.; Preparations are being made for a really ' "fine carnival. ' Tko Prince's Rink continues to attract large numbers of skaters. "> ■ _____