ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15138, 31 October 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"TiTEf y-iiikADo."-•TitE Auckland Amateur Operatic Society presented " The Mikado" at His Majesty's Theatre last-night, .the performancs being, the first of-a 'season; to continue through this week ; and next. ' ;.. :.'";: ; No two men : have left a greater mark upon the literature of lig|u> opera in England than Gilbert and .Sullivan,and "The Mikado" is one of the best-known works of the pair. In the opinion of a large section of people, .it ..does not .rank as highly as some of the operas the collaborators produced, but the possibilities it offers for bright colour play and its typically Gilbertian plot make it very .attractive to producers, and it is probably destined to be revived.till the boards of light opera wear through. [' The performance for a first night, and, judged by -the-;; standard to be expected from an organisation. ''amateurs, was,- on the whole, distinctly good. It suffered alittle in the first- act from the natural nei---;' vbushess of the performers, but the way in which the whole atmosphere of the stage brightened as the work progressed promised well for . ..quality- of the subsequent performances. The outstanding feature of the production was the completeness of''' the staging, "inclusive . of.-, the scener-* - and the dressing,. and especially of the small business in which the principals and chorus had been trained. Two settings, one characteristic ,of Japanese architecture theatrically treated, and the' other a landscape with " beloved Fugi" in the background", were used/and both. were. elaborate and good. The' dressing of the chorus was gay, and that of the principals ri<lh and. handsome*,, some very fine Japanese costumes, being worn. " In the performance itself, the work of the choros was unusually good. The singers had evidently rehearsed to some purpose!: Their singing" was full and free/ and their continual. use of ft Sort of fan drill brightened their work. much..; "The Mikado" does n&> demand a long list of principal performers, and thus enabled,,% good ,; selection to be made. Although he provides the title 'of the opera, tho Mikadlo himself is not th?, leading, character...'. Mr. ; J.. Wallace. Atkinson, however, made a, capital Emperor* He has a good bass voice, a. sufficient sense .of .humour,,. and . acting .ability; enough, to perform, a fine droll burlesque of - an -potentate.. His principal' solo, in which, he explains; his penal code, was excellently sung;; ; Mn~''Bgertoh'' Pegg played ~ Nanki.-poo, . ,prince.. in disi guises aricl IoTO-lorn Jiero.-: •He has I a I light tenor voice- oT~fihe' lyric quality,;- a little 'light ,for. a' large hall, but still very J pleasing. ; ?.He wiil no.?.doubt become freer | in his acting, as. the season progresses, but his- clear voice and a smile that will not I come, off. in .spit© of threatening dangers l.PP.tet].es,;rhim :to ; jadrniration.; Koko, the •.Lord: was- delightfully played by Mr. Laurie'Abrahams. ] He car- . ried the humour of the character as. far as . it;would go without spoiling .it in any way, arid by., his comical- acting : ma.de 'the hit of the evening. ~ Mrt/JGfeorge .Hall.carried the weightly responsibilities; of all the other offices of Japanese administration, as the' famous- Pooh-Bah'. His fine appearance ..and good ■ voice helpr>d him. greatly, and ho, played the.truly Gitlbertian role of' Lprd ;High;:|iyeiy;fcm v Else with truly humorous impressiveness. ; =. The part of Pish-Tush was capably played by Mr. Albert Warbrick. ... All these performers, exicept Nanki-Poo, sang in various concerted numbers with excellent effect. The thr£» little maids—Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sihg; and Bo Peep*—were plaved by Misses Gertrude Gott, Lurline Wrigley, arid! Alii- , son Napier. .They .were all ''.bright! in their - acting; . but' Miss Goit, i. who had -, the; burden of their " work, though she sang; very attractively:;has'a .voice of rather light quality; and lacks-free-dom in her speaking part; Miss Wrigley sang and 'acted pleasingly/. and 7 improved m a marked degpeig, thrc-ughbut her/performance. Miss Margaret McKehzie, sis the unattractive Katisha, sang her ■. series .of solos well. .-' v . . : ?*-. . "

: :-; The orchestral music of "The Mikado" is pretty, and the orchestra, though it has had few. opportunities for full rehearsal, played it well and to the pleasure of' the audience. The attendance was not. large. Such a circumstance is usual at first-night performances fay amateur companies,' but the audience showed its keen appreciation plainly, and several encores f. were given. Every indication was' given lihafc subsequent performances in the season. will show "The Mikado" as one of the best efforts of the society. '" '■■'.% ,

POPULAR CONCERT. The popular concert to be %'iven'in"the Town Hall next Wednesday, for which an exceptionally strong programme; is being arranged, should prove a great attract tion to conceit-goers. Mr. Herbert Bloy, the eminent violinist, will reappear, while the very best talent procurable, has ': been engaged, ■ and includes such well; known artists as Madams Antonia Martihengo; Miss Zoo Bartley, Mr. Alan Bailey;' Mr. J. W. Ryan,.'Mr. 'Wilfred Manning,. Mr.' M. C. Borrodale, Mr. Alan,McElwmn, ; -Mr. W. Aspirin!!, Mr. A. Hi. Ripley, the Eyrie Four, and others, making in all a coterie of artist? seldom seen on one programme. The box plan opens at- .Wildman and Arey's this morning. ; - *•'. : "' - ■ OPERA HOUSE. ■'■-; Full of interest and variety, 'week's programme at the Opera House drew ranother large house last evening. The ; two French performers, Les Bows, were responsible for much of the enthusiasm aroused among the audience, while Lieutenant Stoff, ventriloquist,, and,, Harry : Lihdeij comedian, were both 'accorded.. good'receptions. The remainder of the, programme was excellent. " * '•' , : '"'' -''•'■-.. / : . : ' BENEFIT CONCERT^ : - „ A.benefit concert .to Mr. W. ..Perry; who was recently a heavy, loser by fire 'at Parnell, was tendered to him in the Oddfellows'. Hall last night. , There ' was a. large attendance, -.and a . most, successful .concert..took, place,;, and. as a.;result Mr;' : Perry ; should-' benefit ' considerably: ' Vocal arid musical items, were .rendered;'; by Messrs. F. Bourke, H. Borrodale, .Claude Over, J. Smiths'on,' F. ■ Baker, F. ' .Thora-. .. son,' C Simpson, Misses H.; Hicks, and R. Ward, Mesdames."'.V. Coyle and Wells, Master Lnd Ross, and .the Mount Albert, Orchestra. Miss-E.?M. Wells was an efficient- accompanist,, and Mr. E. Fort was . stage manager. FORESTERS'-THEATRE. ! Tile' new picture , theatre which has just tjgeiC Built; !by' the Foresters at Ooehunga, is,complete with; ieyery detail for : the public convenience. Its tasteful decoration in dark, green and white is exceedingly effective .and picturesque, . Built to accommodate at least 1000 people, this beautiful theatre, has come as a revelation to the re sidents of. Onehunga, -who have not, been slow to take advantage of it. Messrs. MacMahon . and Loader have undertaken ' the screening of an admirable programme, every Wednesday evening, and at a matinee and evening performance on Saturdays;' This week's entertainment is headed by an interesting drama entitled "Disillusioned.'' • Another very fine dramatic picture;is "The Girl add Her Trust.'* A unique film, -which is entitled "Back 'to the Primitive," May. be best described as a topical descriptive drama, embracing,, as it doe?, so many various subjects. An exceptionally fine.series of i comedies and comic subjects is included in the .programme. All these films are new to •Auckland.. The management are more than leased with the support that the theatre as already gained • from the residents of .Onehunga, and hope, should <Wijmsta'ri«s ; : jus-ftfy the step, to open it every,flight, of the week in the near- future. ■?■■>?';'-■■••:.-' :

ROYAL ALBERT HALL; - ' The splendid -.new series,of -pictures ''pre-' sented at the Royal Albert Hali last evening, drew a large arid appreciative ''--'audi-'" ence. Perhaps the most ■popular picture on the programme.' is ' the "drama ehtitlfld Ghost of ..the Past," which deals with life in a .tTa.velling.Bhow, ,A .girl leases, her home and' Tnenidi'to miirry a man in'

a lower station of- i life, who eventually • ' takes to drink." She supports herself by performing with a band, of strolling,pby«rs,: but in despair at the death of one of her children;--returns to her home." Hero she studies singing with, such success that she ; -. -js, induced- to accept- an engagement at a very, lucrative salary. Soon after, she receives an offer of marriage, but the knowledge that her husband;;is. still alive compels her to.refuse it. Finally, the husband discovers' Ins -wife- at a coaceii, "and <»•■' * accidentally, shot-'while- endeavouring to'lay .hands On her. ' The bar : to : the '£a'rria,2e removed, the.-.story.-ends, in .the orthodox manner. Another fine dramatic film is . .Nick Winter, and the" American Marrage,", a P, exciting detective,story.-'.' Other popular pictures are "Aunty's Romance," •■-.How the .Bandit was Captured,'.' and lhe Troublesome Step-daughters." ' A fine trick. film is presented in "The Kromuts," and an interesting educational ' picture in '"The Rabbit Industry in Australia." ... .-.:,- .... -; '■ :;, .;....,.,'. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS: '. .'The King's Theatre -again- attracted a numberj of.. people last evening, when th present programme. shown for the last time. The usual change will fas' made this evening.:, . , ...;, . : ... ;..-..■...,.... Considerable attention has been paid to the Queen's Theatre this week. - A really good programme, vfe'll up to the theatre's usual' standard, lias :been, shown -and has been accorded good receptions. A complete change will, be screened .this .evening. ' The current programme at the Lyric Theatre has muchto-commend it to the' public. lb is very well balanced, and is full of good, items. -, .Much interest has been shown in the pictures of the Labour- -: .Day celebrations. ■'■■'■".-.' Another large crowd attended tHe Palace Picture Theatre last evening. The hiweekly change, will be,made to-night..;''. Much attention has been given to' the films being; screened at the King. George Theatre. A change of programme will be made to-night. The Victoria Theatre, at.-Devonporfc, continues to attract large attendances,' and =' apparently has given every satisfaction to its patrorc _ ■ .■• ROYAL QAK v Z'op. The Royal Oak Zoo is becoming increasingly .popular,, and is '.'..visited daily by a large number of people. t .' Yesterday two baby lemurs/ a species of monkey or tat, Were -born."";. T. ,'V.T'-' ..-,"',';',' "■" '■■■;-'