ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15500, 6 January 1914, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CHBISTOHURCH LIEDERTAi"EL

CONCERT.

The first of a series of three concerts by the Christchurch Liedertafel, conducted by Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, was held in the Exhibition concert hall last night. There was a moderate attendance of the musical public. In several instances enjoyable readings were submitted, with the result that encores were frequently demanded. The full personnel of the- Christchurch Society is about 26 voices, and some 21 of these availed themselves of the opportunity to visit Auckland during the Exhibition period. Dr. Bradshaw is a masterly conductor, who inspires his singers to do their utmost. His readings, too, are invariably well conceived. The balance of the male voice choir is in favour of the first tenors, who, at last night's concert numbered eight voices, the second tenors were represented by four singers, while the first and second bases numbered five and four voices respectively. With such a limited chorus, certain peculiarities of vocal production made themselves felt at times ; while in the bigger ensembles there was frequently a certain lack of tonal breadth and balance. Much attention is evidently paid to expression, and the Liedertaf el's work in numbers like Brahm's "Lullaßy," "In This Hour" (Pinsuti), with its flowing parts, and a fine choral version of " Sally in Our Alley," much excellent interpretation was forthcoming. "A »iirring rendering was given of Hatton's 'Tar's Song" and Gounod's "Soldier's Chorus," from " Faust," Sullivan's " The Beleagured" required more second bass volume, though much vocal resource, and attention to nuance, was shown in the way the swinging rhythms were voiced. Maunder's "Song of the Northmen," and Bridge's humorous conceit, "The .Goslings" were very wtell received. A pretentious number, which found ready favour with the audience, was Mendelssohn's male-voiced cantata, "To the Sons of Art." This fine work showed considerable care in preparation, and the singers were heard to much advantage in it. The quartette portions were fairly well sustained by Messrs. Hollow, Vincent, March, and Millar. Jungst'e part-song, " Spin. Spin," gave opportunity for an intelligent delivery of the solo by Mr. G. E. March. Mr. F. G. Gumsey's tenor voice was somewhat unequal in Marshall's " When Shadows Gather." and Mr. A. Millar's " Am, Arm, Ye Brave" (Handel), was rather hurried. The quartette, "By Celia's Arbour" (Horsley), was tastefully given bv Messrs. Cookson, Vincent, March, and Millar, who had to respond with two other selections before the audience took final leave of them. Mr. 6. E. March showed vocal adaptiveness in Meyerbeer's aria, " Ah ! Now I Feel the Burden," while Mr. R. D. Vincent sang tastefully "Five I Miniature Ballads" (Hurlstone), which I displayed much originality of musical construction. In addition to carrying out i the arduous duties of accompanist, Mr. A. Worsley also showed desirable finger facility in his pianoforte solos, "Idyll," "Scherzino," and " Hungarian," By MacDowelL The second concert by the Christchurch Liedertafel takes place in the Exhibition concert hall to-night. J. C. WILLIAMSON CO. Scarcely a vacant seat .available in His Majesty's Theatre last evening, when J. C. Williamson's New Comic Opria Company presented "The Arcadians ' for the last time. This evening they will stage for the first time here the romantic musical comedy "The Balkan Princess," which recently attracted record houses in Sydney. The new opera has been favourably compared to " The Merry Widow," which in type it somewhat-re-sembles. Miss Florence Young appears in the title' role, the music allotted the part giving the gifted soprano better opportunities than; ever before to display the richness and the quality of her voice. Mr. Reginald Roberts has a most congenial role to portray, and one. of the best number's in the opera, "I Wonder j Who's Kissing Her Now," is rendered by the popular tenor. A duet by Florence I Young and Frank Greene in the second act is also included. The comedians are said to make the' most of their opportunities, Phil. Smith taking the part of Blatz, Dorothy Brunton in the role .of Magda. Connie Milne as Sofia, Blanche May as Olga, Edward Wynne as Count Boothby, Cecil Outtrim as Captain Radomir, Charles Mettam as Lieutenant Varna, Charles Albert as Cafe Proprietor, Harry Ratcliffe as He/man and Ernest Lashbrooke as Lounger, ail have suitable oarts. A feature of the production is the Bavarian ballet, which features the Russian dancer Vlasta Novotha and Mr Charles Albert. The season swill close with two presentations of "The Chocolate Soldier" on Friday and Saturday next. OPERA HOUSE. An exceptionally fine programme was presented at the Opera Hr.nse last evening by the Brennan-Fulier Vaudeville Company, before a crowded audience. Several of the artists made their first appearance here. H>- '-nan and Alton were seen in some wondfful contortion and acrobatic feats, and they kept the audience in rare good humour with their queer i antics. Two tiny performers, " The Franco Midgets," delighted everyone I with their clever conjuring tricks and illusions, and also showed themselves tc be expert, dancers. Leo and Lionel gave a graceful performance on the Roman rings. Huntress and his company again appeared in a most beautiful act. The accompanying scenery was very fine, and the graceful spherical drapery dancing of Huntress, who with tha aid of lighting effects represented ail kinds of birds and insects, proved a most delightful and dainty, performance, which was much admired. Several other artists contributed towards a very excellent entertainment. • ! WEST'S PICTURES. i A programme > ■.-' an interesting pjkl varied nature was present? ; at the Royal Albert Hall last evening before an appreciative andienc... Chief interest cen- , tred round the drama, " The Spectre of I the Sea." This drama abounds with absorbing situations, and thb setting was exceptionally good. Several other dramatic subjects were also screened, and there were some excellent comic studies which evoked roars of laughter from the audience. "The Italian Marble Quarries," an educational subject, proved most instructive, and gave in excellent idea of a great industry. KING GEORGE THEATRE. Two very fine films are being screened at the King George Theatre. The famous stoiy of "Ivanhoe," familiarly known to all, is admirably- set forth ir> an artistic and powerful film, 4000 ft in length, The scene of the play is laid in the romantic precincts of Chepstow Castle, in Monmouthshire, and over (500 actors and actresses take part in its production. The popular moving picture actor, Mr. King Baggot, figures in the title role, and the characters throughout the piece are admirably sustained. Another unusually good film is entitled "Sheridan's Ride." This is a stirring drama depicting several famous incidents occurring during the American Civil wa>, and is made doubly interesting by the presence of a charming love vein. " The Girl in the Next Room " is ?-i entertaining comedy, and another film i of "-jcai interest shows comprehensive. view.j c; the recent flower carnival held, in ccmection with the Exhibition.

KING'S THEATRE. The ever-popular drama,'"A Message from Mars," was the main cinematograph attraction at the King's Theatre last evening, and it was warmly received, by the crowded house which assembled to witness it. The picture is 4500 ft, in length. The leading role is taken by Mr. Charles Hawtrey, who is seen or the first time in New Zealand. On the screen the play is accurate m detail, «?d losss little of its force.

the moral of unselfishness being worked out with considerable power. For selfishcess the messenger is cast out of Mars with the mission of making the meanest man on earth unselfish, which mission he accomplishes after many touching scenes amid the contrasts of London life. PRINCESS THEATRE. The quality of the films bhown at the Princess Theatre is of a consistently high, order, and the series screened yesterday for the first time is certainly no exception to the rule. The principal feature of the programme is supplied by " The Oath of Ot Sura San," a lavishly-produced drama setting forth a highly-interesting phase of international life. The production is made the more interesting by the fact that Japanese as well as American actors are engaged in its staging. Another fine dramatic study is entitled " A Girl's Bravery," and shows the noble courage and presence of mind displayed by a girl under exceptionally trying circumstances. Two notably good comedies are included in the programme A New Cure for Gout" and "A Small Town Act." The topical interest of the programme is provided by the latest number of the Warwick Chronicle. A number of items are rendered by an efficient orchestra during the entertainment. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A very fine programme was presented yesterday for the first time at the Queen's Theatre. The several dramatic films shown are of the most entertaining variety, the star feature, " The Flirt," maintaining its interest particularly well. A detective drama of ever-popular stamp is " The Diamond Path," while "Michael O'Dwyer" will prove a source of delight to those who cherish memories of the Emerald Isle. An educational film is "Swimming and Life Saving," and the humorous and scenic sides of the programme are also well represented. LYRIC THEATRE. Patrons of the Lyric Theatre found acceptable entertainment in the new programme screened last night. The leading film, "Nick Winter and the Kidnappers," I was a clever .detective story, well acted and produced. "The Fiancee and the Fairy" was a novel and charming production. The coke industry was shown, in picture, other interesting films being the " Gaumont Graphic," and the " New Zealand Animated News."

WEST END THEATRE. A detective story, entitled "'Nick Win♦f w ?*£.p*™m*h". ?aa -shown"at the West End Theatre last evening." v ft is an attractive coloured film. Tba Keystone Company was seen to advantage in a comedy entitled "A Muddy Bomaaco". which provided all the tterrteent ■:&&. sary The topical films of the jffogrammß included many items of interest

NEWTON PICTURE PALACE. ■' „w! feature, of the shown at the Newton Picture |>alg^! Pnoe »** -Pardon.' ■ "Captain Mary Brown" and "The Stolen Bride" are based upon.anjuiter%sfcihg plot TWIX gramme will be repeated throagntt/tc* clay and to-morrow. * :%:??.•■-* GLOBE 'THEATRE.' r- . A picture illustrative of a sound moral lesson, is "By Man's Law," the,ieatnw of riov^ S!fiI ll 3*?S Pitted at the Globe Theatre for the first time yesterday. The plot on whicfe fte 6*o*s- » baaed is "i extremely powerful, and the portrayal 6* ' the various characters is bc-La conTujcms• ■"- and well-sustained. Mother noteworthy" dramatic study .* envied "The Cowboy's Mother." -The films include aWsyrlnV tag of wmedies, .mclttding "A Sleepy SjW?".« l S* — Wife of" ? His Choice. Picturesque In " is.a beajrtiful scemcf film/ ;thf Njmamirigfiins'ara excellent. "" /.. -,". . 4.;: ?. w !..W, ■ ■