ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER."

The greater part of the notable work in "The Chocolate Soldier," revived at His, Majesty's Theatre last evening by the New Comic Opera Company, is done by Reginald Roberts and Miss Florence Young. The play is familiar to most theatregoers. An irresponsible lieutenant, serving in the Servian Army, takes refuge in the household of a Bulgarian commander, and is hidden from his pursuers by ladies who have not known masculine society- for some considerable time. Comic situations arise when the Bulgarian officers return home, and the lieutenant is asked to shield the ladies and explain his presence. The plot is typically comic operaslender, disconnected, and absurdbut it serves to introduce some most acceptable music and much excellent fun-making. The latter department ia almost entirely in the hands of Mr. Roberts, and as the rollicking, inconsequential, impressionable and pert lieutenant ue never fails to raise a laugh. He sings well, his duets with Miss i'oung being particularly worthy of note, and he shows himself in many ways a clever master of the art of stagecraft. Much of the success of the play depends also upon Miss Young who, as Nadina, the daughter of Colonel Popoff, has to play the part of a young lady torn between an engagement .with Major Spiridoff (a ridiculously conceited Bulgarian) and her love for the Servian lieutenant. In all three acts, Miss Young undertakes much solo singing and leads most of the choruses, and she succeeded last night in arousing great enthusiasm. Some of her songs were encored again and again, and the audience was most insistent in expressing its pleasure with "' The Chocolate Soldier and " The Letter Song," duets in which Mr. Roberts took part. The very most is made of the parts o! Colonel Popoff and Madame Popoff by Mr. Phil. Smith" and Miss Ghiloni. The former makes the colonel an entirely entertaining character; while the troubles of Madame, whose indiscreet admiration of the Servian lieuteiiant creates a complication that is suspected by her husband, are delightfully portrayed .by the popular actress. Her numerous "admirers might wish to see Miss Brunton in a part where her talents could be more fully exercised; but as Mascha she neglects no opportunity of presenting some excellent comedy. Mr. Edward Wynne, as Major Spiridoff, gives a clear-cut representation of an amusing character, and his songs, and the duets in which he engages with Miss Young, help to raise the musical standard set by the play as a whole. The minor parts are in capable hands. Assisted .considerably by an entirely admirable orchestra, and by effective choruses and stage arrangements, " The Chocolate Soldier" provides two and a-haif hours of bright and pleasing entertainment. The season ends to-night with a repetition of " The Chocolate Soldier." OPERA HOUSE. The current programme at the Opera House will be presented by the BrennanPuller Vaudeville Company for the last time this evening. A matinee will also be given this afternoon. Last night the cori*pany appeared before a numerous and enthusiastic audience.

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The comfortable appointments of thft new Princess Theatre and the excellent programme being screened attracted crowdsthroughout yesterday. The same programme will be repeated to-day and tonight. The final presentation of the exciting detective drama entitled "Nick Winter and the Kidnappers " will he-' made at the Lyric this evening. A matinee is to bo held this afternoon.

. A satisfactory audience attended the Royal Albert Hall last evening, where, th* .. chief attraction is the fine drama entitled '■•■ " The Spectre of the Sea." "A Message From Mars," played by Mr. Charles Hawtrey and his talented London company, will be shown for the last time at the King's Theatre to-night. . The interesting series of pictures forming the current programme at the' West End Theatre was witnessed by a large audience last night*. / I' The Doctor's Duty" is the title' of the principal film in the current programme, at the Queen's Theatre, and is proving a very popular subject. Particularly fine 13 the living reproduction of " The Doctor," the famous picture by Luke Fildes, R.A; A large number of patrons visited the ' King George Theatre throughojt yesterday, the thrilling drama entitled " Kidnapped " being evidently to the pnblio taste.

The Globe Theatre enjoyed its .fair share of patronage at each session yesterday, the programme shown meeting with much favour from the audiences. "Dick Whittington and Hia Cat" has proved a popular attraction at the Newton, ■ Picture Palace, and will be presented fce i the last time to-day.