ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15496, 1 January 1914, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS .

KM MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ■.: ' "AUTUMN MANCEUVEE3." r'-l The second production of {he New Comia ". * 5 .Opera Company's season, "Autumn Manoeuvres," was presented in His Majesty's Theatre last evening before a warmly appreciative audience, -die piece has a good deal more merit than the one with- which the season was opened, and presents opportunities for. some clever stagecraft, which contributed very largely to the success of the performance. Stirring climaxes are reached at Several stages in the progress of the play, and the plot is developed in a convincingly rea- -. sonable manner. The starting point of tha ; story is the estrangement of two young people owing to the impoverishment of one family, and the foreclosing of a mortgage by the other, and, having brought the two principal parties into juxtaposition by the agency of military discipline, the author proceeds to solve Ihe. pretty problem of effecting a reconciliation. As is natural in comic opera, this happy conclusion is attained by more or less orthodox methods, but a freshness is given to the- play by the radical departures from the standard type. The book is adapted to the English ? stage by Henry Hamilton,'and the modification is a skilful one, There, is new- ? charm in much of the. music, which is by Emerich Kalman, several of the solo numbers being most captivating. ;';" The strength of the production is in Miss . Florence sToung and Mr. Frank Greene, both of whom won good opinions, by *.bnfc work in the principal dramatic situations. "-' Miss £oung has two songs, and she" sang .." them to the complete satisfaction-of the ■: audience. Her work in the second act as: the instigator of a daring plan to wm.tfeck her lover was especially commendable, and in the striking scene with which the"act ?•■ closes she dislayed a nice judgment of its ' possibilities and of her part. It was iii this ; ' : " scene that Mr. Greene, appeared to the best advantage. Bis performance was most pleasing throughout, and bis-singing- ,ftr S was much appreciated. 'Miss Dorothy ; ;« Brunton had a dainty part, in which the •*' most charming feature was a pretty, song. Daddy, Dear," for which Mr. Robert Vv-hyte, jun., provided an admirable foil' ; as the*' choleric parent.:- ii-"generous- ■ leayeninji of humour was provided -by Mr. ■ ■' Phil bmitb, in a clever burlesque of the " citizen soldier. Incidental to the-first-act was the T Samany ballet, '.in ' which Miss - -':'-': Vlasta Novptna and Mr. Charles'. appeared successfully. The ■ piece is.wellstaged,, the-; changing: scenery ■of the first''' l act being particularly good. "Autumn Manoeuvres" will be played again tbia ';■ evening and to-morrow evening. . OPERA HOUSE, All places of amusement' were. Well patronised on New: Year's Eve, and '"■'■-'■' the ; Opera 'House certainly drew" a con- ' siderable ; share of public patronage. ; -*By --•'■ eight o'clock, there was scarcely a vacait ■■■■''. seat m the theatre; and throughout the ": : evciing the performances of the' various : '. artists were* enthusiastacaJlv ' applauded. ■ ■' The programme will be »*peated until ' the end of; the week. A holiday matinee will .be given this avtenipon-at 2,30, at special reduced' prices'. <" •-> "■ •"-..•'..: — — 4 . .;■ PICTURE . ENTEKTAINI^TS; • Among- fie films included >- tu-<lsy*a "\- programme at: tha- Queens Theatre a" a "..'. L ' pictorial adaptat-oa of " Tfe My. or Shalott," which features Miss ivy Close, fee - winner ' of; the '. recent - beauty." coausatition in England :. ' . \ Crowded houfr 3 have been ths. rule throughout they ; week, aY the" • King's' ; '' •; Theatre, .where an atfe active" r ~ programme is ' presented, .',"■' ' Tha Int ; v4tsr"' - : "The '.Sp'eefl Kings" are film*.'de- '■; serving particular niention..'; ' A new programme is: to be ;jr. wtii ■■at-the King, Ceorga Theatre iv-dz*. . "J:' "Bloodhoundsof the Law," story "of a daring bank robbery, forms -the. star at- '. : traction. - I ** ;,. "The' Battle of Gettysbnrg"-,a"; thrill- . ' ; ing drama of the America! civil war/is ..' proving a source of much interest>: to ■ patrons of tha Lyric Theatre. Tha pro-' 'gramme' will be repeated - -right. . ■'„- The programme screened at the R,-yal Albert Hall is of particular-..interest,.-.A .- special holiday matin2o is, advertised'foy.' : half-past two,- this afternoon. "The Sand.c: Destiny," an exciting drama showing !b.ow a' fail way-accident .; ■'.':■■■ was narrowly averted, figures in to-day's programme at the Globe;-Theatre. Views ■"-; of the Auckland Cup are. also ahowi , * \, ; .This week's programme at.the West:: '.■ End Theatre include? "The Battle of Gettysburg," " Playing the. Piper," and "Curious Caterpillars "--all excellent films of their class. ~ . Largs., audiences were attracted . to? the Newton Picture ' Palate during the.earlies 7 < part of the week by thr-entertaining. " programme, screened. there. To-day's films ,! ' ; maintain their.usual' High - standard. - " .-: Since the- inauguration of the- original ■■■■■■ programme at the Princess Theatre,,, all - • sessions have bean well attended by enthusiastic picture-goers. A comprehensive! series-of new filn:s Vwifl be .-bj"Q "to^^p day - ,-'- f "' ' i PRINCE'S SKATING RINK. ' ', All sessions at the Prince's-Rink- lave > been well attended" during the --.holidays'.; ■„/-'- The floor is in exceptio.';oiJ> good. condition, aud affords pleasant skating M~-tho many patrons. ""I ' - " - ••"'-""-; ' '