ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

SONG RECITAL. A vocal recital by. Mr. Sydney William- ' son, of Chxistchureh, was given in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last night. The attendance was scarcely such as to inspire an artist to put forth his best endeavours, yet Mr. Williamson chivalrously determined to go through with his programme of works from the pen of leading Continental composers, mostly of the German school. Though it could scarcely be conceded that Mr. Williamson was equally satisfying in all that he undertook, yet the excellence of the training which lie has received at the Leipzic Cunsurvatoriuni made itself apparent in several of the songs. Mr. Williamson hat;,a good deal of temperament, though his readings have a tendency to dullness win.*' the middle register is drawn upon. His upper notes, whether displayed in their chest or head quality, are generally more convincing in their musical tone, and the frequent employment of the mezzo voce in certain songs was skilfully done. Sometimes, in gaining his more robust effects, Mr. Williamson is inclined to be spasmodic in his delivery, thus interfering with the cantabile effect intended by the composer. Of the exccllenco of his enunciation it was almost impossible to .judge last night, owing to the voluminous* echo in the hall. There appeared, however, a frequent tendency to become somewhat lax regarding the treatment of final syllables. From over a score of songs by Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Grieg, Brahma, Loewe, etc., special mention may be made of the expressive phrasing of "The Linden Tree,"' "Death and the Gill" (Schubert), " The Little Dustman," the Trio df Serious Songs (BiVjm?) " Thou'rt Like a Lovely Flower" (Liszt), the subdued "Moonlight " and the more ecstatic " Spring Night" (Schumann), as well as the final songs. " Dream in the Twilight" and " Cecilv" (R. Strauss). In the two latter Mr. Williamson rose to considerable heights of interpretative excellence, while his vocal declamation was of a very high standard. , Miss Iris O'Leary made a good impression in her pianoforte solos " Nocturne in D flat" (Dohlur) and Polonaise in A flat" (Chopin' . Despite one or two inaccuracies, and a certain superficiality, there was much to commend in the delicacy of her i'-of ;er passages, and the breadth and su.v.igth of her fortes. Mrs. A. W. MacAnc'rew was an aocompanist who met all the demands of the music of the many songs interpreted by Mr. Williameon. "THE MIKADO." "The Mikado," which has been played by the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society at His Majesty's Theatre for the last few nights, will be produced for the last time this evening. One of Gilbert and Sullivan's brightest comic operas, "The Mikado" is always able to attract the pleasure-loving public, and during its j production by the local society it has maintained its drawing power. The amateurs have acquitted themselves' most j creditably. MISS CARRIE MOORE. Miss Carrie Moore, who comes with a big reputation from London and the cities of Australia, will make her first appearance her® on next Monday evening, supported by her own Musical Comedietta. Company, at His Majesty's Theatre. Miss Moore, who took the part of " Our Miss Gibbs" throughout the English provinces, _ 'and created quite a furore in the part, will lie seen hare in a congenial role in the comedietta " Chips, a play which , ran for many months at the Strand Theatre, London. Besides t.he above-mentioned comedietta, the evening programme will comprise a medley of songs, dances, and specialties by the full strength of the company, including eccentricities by that popular comedian Mr. Arthur Albert.; violin solos by the charming and accomplished virtuoso. Miss Florence Hillier, winner of 19 gold medals at various competitions; the latest English comic songs, toy Mr. Percy Clifton; harmonised medleys, by Kennedy Black and Iris Edgar; eccentric dancing by the Prince of Terpsiehorean artists, Percy Dalton; and duels by tho talented sisters, the Lusannes. Male impersonations by Miss Lilly Moore, in addition to which Miss Carrie Moore will render several items, which have proved her most successful turns on the vaudeville stage. Popular prices are to bo charged, and the box plan is open at Wildman and Arey's. after one p.m. today. The plan for 'Monday will bo on view at Walker's phoneries, His Majesty's Arcade.

"OX OUR SELECTION." At the conclusion of its phenomenally successful Melbourne season of "On Our Selection," the Bert Bailey Dramatic Company will commence .a tour of New Zealand, leaving Sydney on November 13, and opening in His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, on Monday, November 18. The season will continue until November 30. " On Our Selection" is the most typical Australian comedy drama yet, presented oni any stage, containing, as it does, the real elements of life on a Queensland selection,' as originally described in' Steele Rudd's clever book. The. authors Mr. Bert. Bailey, Mr. Edmund Duggan, and Mr. Beaumont Smithhave don© their work faithfully and well, and the story has been improved rather than impaired by translation into the language and action of the stage. Mr. Bert Bailey (" Dad") has for a number of years held prido of place on the Australian dramatic stage as a comedian. The old! selector "Dad," is a kindhearted irascible, thoughtful and earnest man, with a vast fund of genuine humor, and Mr. Bailey's representation of this many-sided personality is said to be a. work that stands out in a play that is full of typical characters. Mr. Edmund Duggan. as " Maloney," supplies an element of Irish humor. Mr. Guy Hastings and Miss Mary Marlowe, who supply the Jove story, were especially engaged from England to fill the respective parts of "Sandy" and "Kate." Mr. Fred McDonald and Miss Lilias Adeson, Mr. Alfred Harford, and Miss Laura Roberts, as comedy lovers, have genuinely funny parts to enact.

OPERA HOUSE. The appearance of Miss Bessie Slaughter, the famous and cultured English contralto, at the Opera Hon."?©, is -another example of the upward tendency in the class of vaudeville entertainment submitted at the present time. In England, accomplished artistes in every sense of the term are crowding into the music halls, which means the removal of the more flagrant typo of performer. People are beginning to demand the clever specialty artist, the favourites of the dramatic stage, the popular operatic artists, and the stars of the concert platform. The managers of vaudeville, realising the necessity of keeping up with the times, are offering exceptionally 'largo salaries to the better class of entertainer/?. with the result that such engagements as Miss Slaughter's are now made. Prior to her entering into vaudeville Jliss Slaughter was one of the besk-known contraltos on the English concert platform, and it speaks well i'or the tastes of ! patrons of modern vaudeville when it is ! seen how her-Ufcrk in her new sphere is appreciated. She is said to bo not only the possessor of a magnificent contralto voice, but also to have a fine stage presence. Miss Slaughter is now 011 her way to New Zealand under engagement to the BrenuanFuller management, and is to appear in! Auckland at the Opera House on Mondayevening next-. Seats may now be booked a t Wildman and A rev's.

—— Santuzza, it was finally decided to en* gage Madam© Wielaert, who will, on thi* occasion, make her first appearance with iV -sy ai [ d horal Society. Tile part of Tunddu has been allotted to Mr. James -■invert, the tenor, who has recently arrived from London. Lucia and Lol'» I? \ f, - ■ e " V Miss Margaret Mackenzie na Miss Gwenyth Evans respectively* and Alfio is in the capable hands of Mr. > niiiey Williamson, of Christchurch. The chorus and orchestra, under the direction of I rofessor W. ft. Thomas, have put ire a groat amount of hard work, and the orchestra * playing of the famous intermezzo is said to bo very fine. The opera will be preceded by a short organ recital by Mr., v . 1. [sharp, who has chosen as his numbers the Grand Choeur in D. Major, by iMu m ll , St . Clair's Meditation it? { •'he box plan is now open at \\ , Km and rev's, and there is the usual demand for reserved seats. f PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The usual crowds attended all sessions at the Queen & r l heat re yesterday. Today and to-night v.ilj be the final pre- 1 sentation of the star film, "Greed of Y okJ ' . ,nd supporting subjects. For Moil<tay the management announces a very sensational film. " The Great Circus Catastrophe. J his subject- is crowded with sensational and thrilling incidents, chief ot which is the finest lire scene ever staged, which culminates in a. leap for life from nigh telephone wires. This subject, screened for the first, time in Auckland, will be supported by .a coterie of excellent! photographs. An attractive programme is at present being screened at the Palace Theatre." TO audiences Lave been large. present programme being shown at the King George Theatre) has attracted' much attention. Its attractive features are many. As usual, the Lyric Theatre is at present)screening a very attractive programme. •i- • f o *?- 1 a no selection it is hard to • individualise, dramas, scenics, topical films, and comics are all of equal merit. , A large audience attended at the Eoval Albert Hall last evening, when the chief . "'"1 ° the present programme. " The Fir© of Life, was given an enthusiastic, recop- ■ i n°Auckland 1 ' *" 1 ' 1 " 0 aS a sensation' I •, Over the Divide," a film that unfolds i a talo of the Mexican bolder, is attracting much attention at the King's Theatre. The ! other pictures have been carefully chosen, • and the ' whole makes up si decidedly at- L tractive programme. J ' The proprietors of the Queen's Pictures, ; Onehunga, are presenting a. fine programme tins afternoon a nd evening. A special at- ' traction should be a pictorial adaptation j ° Harriet Jkecher Stowed renowned-book. . . uncle Toms Cabin." By special ire- : quest the dramatic picture, " The Siciliani ' tragedy, will bo presented, and inth *: Broncho Billy's Gratitude." a western) 1 drama, and a lengthy series'of scenic arid " comic subjects, a really excellent programme is promised. Another popular programme is to be screened to-night, at - tie Lyceum, Oneiiunga. Amongst the pictures are "The Moonstone" and "A Beast at Bay." The programme is well up to the high standard already set at this theatre. CRICKET CLUB CONCERT. I A concert, to held in the, Oddfellows', Halt. Darnell hist evening, in aid of the lunds of the Parnell District Cricket Club, there was a large attendance, and the | programme was contributed by a host of well-known ■ local artiste. Tlio following iJ*"" 4 r- Tu rendered Musketeers,* j Cornfields," "Four Jolly Sailors,"- | and The Sailor's Farewell," Lyric Four* songs, " Still ,as the Night," and "A 'Request," Miss Kathleen Major'' The Lasti Rose of Summer." Mr. W. Aspipall; ; Mr- H. Blakeley; ''Little •- Irish Girl," Mr. J. W. Ryan.* Miss V. Speight and Mr. Alan McElwain alio contributed to the programme. Mr. Pipec acted as accompanist .:v » . 1 ST. LUKE LADIES' GUILD. ' A concert under the auspices of the St. Luke s (Eomuera) Toadies' Giiiild was given in St. Luke's Hull last evening, when there was a. good attendance. The Auckland: Harmonic Society provided the entertainment, and items were given bv Miss Dalto Messrs J. MeElwain, T. Garland, and U. E. Jones, and the society's orches-f tra. ROYAL RINK. 1 lie last weeks of the skating season are being made the most of by rinkers, who are nocking to each of the sessions at the Royal Rink. M :