ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15503, 9 January 1914, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER."

The last production of " The Balkan Princess " at His Majesty's Theatre was witnessed last evening by a large audience. Messrs. J. C. Williamson's New Comic Opera Company will terminate their highly successful season with a revival of the delightful comic opera "The Chocolate Soldier," which will be presented to- | night and to-morrow night. The present production of this work will be of interest in the fact that the cast of characters is entirely different to the one which pre- i viously presented the play in Auckland, j Miss Florence Young will take the part of Nadina. Miss Celia Ghiloni will appear as Aurelia, and should be again seen to j advantage. The part of Masha will be in the hands of that clever young artist, Miss Dorothy Brunton. Mr. Reginald Roberts should make an excellent "Chocolate Soldier," while Mr. Edward Wynne's voice will be well suited to the tenor part of Shiridoff. The part of Massakroff is in the hands of Mr. Victor Prince, whilst the popular comedian, Mr. Phil Smith, appears as Popoff. " The Chocolate Soldier" has ever been a popular opera with New Zealanders, and this revival should be the means of giving the New Comic Opera Company a good send off." JOHN McCORMACK. During the John McCorraack concert season, which commences in the Town Hall on Tuesday next, the pianoforte accompaniments will be played by Mr. Vincent O'Brien, who is "on leave" from Dublin. Mr. O'Brien is the director of the Dublin Philharmonic Society, and also the Oratorio Society, arid it was he who first discovered the nowcelebrated tenor in 1902. Mr. McCormack was then 18, and, meeting the eminent Dublin musician, he sang " Molly Bawn " and other songs for him, with the result that Mr. O'Brien immediately took him in baud, started him on his career by organising two testimonial concerts in Dublin (the proceeds of which helped the young tenor to study for two and a-half years with Sabatini in Milan), and, after making his successful debut in London, the first man to congratulate him was his old friend and adviser, Vincent O'Brien. The soprano with the party, Miss May Huxley, is said to be the possessor of a beautiful voice. Mr. Donald Mcßeath, the violinist, is still in his teens, and is an Australian by birth, but although so young his playing is described as being that of an old experienced artist. The box plans for the three concerts opened at Wildman and Arey's yesterday morning, and a very large number of seats were booked. A most successful season is therefore anticipated.

OPERA HOUSE. The programme being submitted this week at the Opera House by the talented members of the Brennan-Fuller Company bears very favourable comparison with those that have preceded it. That this is the opinion of patrons was demonstrated at last evening's performance by the rounds of applause that greeted each item. Foremost in the fresh additions to the personnel of the company are Hyman and Alton, two wonderful contortionists and acrobats, whose clever antics provided many minutes of enlivening entertainment. It is fortunate that last week's favourite, the graceful Huntress, is able td continue this week, as his remarkable female impersonations and ballet dancing, with accompanying stage effects, have been a source of much delight to every audience.

PRINCESS THEATRE. No effort has been spared by the management of the Princess Theatre to keep the standard of films shown in accordance with their original aim. Consequently the programme presented for the first time yesterday was in all ways highly satisfactory, and the large numbers who thronged the theatre all day were sufficient . testimony of the public appreciation. Among the many excellent films one particularly 'worthy of note is "All For Science," an interesting drama. " Love of Beauty" is another most fascinating drama, in which is shown the false impressions given at first to a young blind man to whom sight is restored. The humorous side of the programme is well represented by " Betty Button and the Bad Man," and "In the Hands of the Black Hands," the latter being one of the best of its class. Another comic study included is entitled " A Shocking Event." The most recent edition of the Paths Gazette is also shown, and contains exceptionally good views of all the chief happenings, both at Home and abroad. The programme will be-repeated for the remainder of the week.

LYRIC THEATRE. The pictures being screened at the Lyric Theatre during this week possess attractions that are proving very acceptable to the large audiences that attend nightly. A picture wliich has met with great success is "The Fiancee and the i'airy riot only for the pleasant character of the story itself, but also for the unique effects that are introduced at various stages of the production.

WEST'S PICTURES. The audiences which attended the Royal Albert Hal] last evening showed unrelaxing interest in the enjoyable col-, lection of pictures which forms the current programme. Much interest centred round the chief attraction, entitled "The Spectre of the Sea," in which the leading part is well sustained by the popular actress Miss Henny Porter. The programme .will be repeated to-night

KING'S THEATRE. Large numbers attended the King's Theatre last evening, where the impressive production of " A Message from Mars" continues to rouse, the admiration of its, witnesses. One of England's greatest exponents of this type of drama, Mr Charles Hawtrey, is the central figure in the play, which is intended, in a unique manner, to teach a lesson on the evils of selfishness. Mr. Hawtrey's splendid London company fills in the supporting EK& Ve 7 E.&' . and> °" the whoie - 4600 ft of film which is necessary for the screening of the story is a pleasure to watch. Appropriate music is supplied by Mr. E. J. Burke's symphony orchestra- _ — < WEST END THEATRE. Since its opening some little time ago the West End Theatre, in Ponsonby Road has enjoyed a continued run of success' Last evening scarcely a vacant seat was to be seen. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A change of programme was presented at the Queen's Theatre yesterday, when the new series of films was' warmly received. The programme features a powerful dramatic study, entitled "The Duetor's Duty," which shows how a medical man, S;lieving his little son to be dying from the effects of accidental poisoning, nevertheless holds to his duty at the bedside of a poor man's child. The Princess and the Outlaw" and " The Railroad Inspector's Peril are each excellent films of their class. Some of the most interesting of recent European occurrences are shown in the Pathe Gazette, particularly notable being views of the English ainnan, Hucks, "looping the loop" in France. The programme includes representative films of humorous and scenic subjects. KING GEORGE THEATRE. Fascinating and sensational from start to finish, " Kidnapped," the star drama of the current programme at the King George Theatre, drew large audiences throughput the afternoon and evening of yesterday".- Another drama of unusual merit included in the programme is "On a Mountain, Ranch." Commencing with an. exciting runaway, the fortunes of the i

principal- characters are,, traced' thrmsgh many thrilling adventures to- the orthodox climax. "Identical Identities" is the name of an amusing comedy. "His Crooked Career" is another similar study, and the latest Eclair Journal completes ■ the programme. -■•■-•> GLOBE THEATRE. Educational, humorous, and topical in-" terest is provided in the programme shown for the first time yesterday at the Globe Theatre. The principal attraction is a drama of love and war, entitled "The Song-bird of the North," which shows how a girl may influence for 4 .he better a man who seeks to avoid his share of national responsibility. " Diversion," another good dramatic study, is remarkable for its novel plot, while "The Last Rose :of Summer" proves equally absorbing. ! "A Quiet Little Wedding" is responsible for much amusement, and fhe remaining films of the series are excellent. NEWTON PICTURE PALACE. "Dick Wittington and His Cat," presented yesterday at the Newton Picture Palace, is a delightful adaptation of the old story known so well to the younger generation. " Forgive Us Our Trespasses'* and "Right for Right's Sake" are two other unusually good dramas included ia the programme.