ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15549, 5 March 1914, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PAUL DUFAULT SEASON.

The second concert given in His Majesty's Theatre by Paul Dufault, the famous tenor, and his musical associates was fairly weJi attended last night, and the demonstrations of approval were frequent and hearty in the extreme. Critical attention was naturally centred upon the work of the popalaß tenor, whose interpretations during the evening gave unalloyed pleasure. Such) was the enthusiasm created that Paul Dim fault received a double encore in two instances, while at the close of the concert he was compelled to appear again in, the gripping song "Invic-tus" (Brunonahn). the cultured tenor first submitted! a tine and impelling rendering of Gounod's great aria, 'Lend Me Your Aid," from '•La Heine de Saba." Here the original trench text was preserved, with the result that the musical setting wan admirably, suited. The recitative portion was givea with incisiveness, yet admirable vocal con-, trol while the ensuing aria wa s declaimed' with appropriate effect, especially in tha more imploring lines. The handling of tha excerpt generally was characterised by m certain bigness of style, coupled with a. vocal adaptivenens seldom met with. A! series of bracketed songs of much merit* included "A Spirit Flower" (Tipton), "Si Je Pouvais Mowia" (Barbirolli), and th« uncommon "Hows My Boy?" (Homer)., home finely-presented tone transitions from one register to another were a characteristic of the first, while a refined sense ofi expression was forthcoming in the secondl of the series. In "How's Mv Boy?"— number new to Auckland audiences— tenor succeeded very happily in conveying; a certain parlante style of vocalisation* without sacrificing beauty of tone. N<* small achievement! A note of pessimism and despair was struck in McFadyeng "Inter Jvos," and much temperament wa* shown in "J'ai Pleure en Reve" (Hue), and] ™ e i T °£ gem, '•Morning- (Oley Speaks), Paul Dufaiilt's popular encore songs included "Sylvelin" (Sinding), "Heaps ol Lickins," the graphic "Au Pays" (HolmesL, 'Boat Song" (Ware), as well as the "Invictus."

, Miss Pauline Bmdley showed commend* able vocal resource and rhythmic feeling ! in Verdi's brilliant " Folie, Folie," from? "La Traviata,'' and made a good inn pression in "Mother Dear" (Jefferson), "A Maid Sings Light," and the blithe-, some waltz song " April Morn " (Batten), Acceptable encore numbers were "I Hid] My Love" and "If No One Ever Max* nes Me."

Mr. Ernest Toy showed sound musicians ship in his budget of violin solos, th«( most prominent in point of merit being Sarasate's exacting paraphrase on airs from Gounod's "Faust." Here Mr. Toy; treated his audience to a finished exposi-i tion, including involved part-playing, skips, and intervals, harmonic flights, and refined cantabile playing, winding up witK a remarkable and fantastic treatment of! the famous " Waltz " theme. Dvorak's well-known "Hurcoresque" was given, with the necessary capricious style, art* the double-stopping effects were played with just intonation. Simonetti's "Mad* , rigale" and Wieniawsld's vigorous "Valsa Caprice" were among the violinist's otheq contributions, which also, included extra encore pieces. The vocal duet/"Trip, Trip, Trip"! (Marzials) —— Miss Bindley and! Paul Dufanlt, lent pleasing variety to th«f programme. The pianoforte accompaniments- by 1 Mr„ Harold Whittle were -played with. rar* technical finish and artistic insight. _. _ : r BANJO PLAYER'S SEASON. Brent Hayes, a celebrated banjo player^. will commence a season at the .Opera House on Monday evening. Ho is an; American who has made several tours, oft foreign vaudeville fields. The manage--merit states that the American artist was* selected for a special performance given, before the late King Edward and hi» party, and again at a later date he ap-r peared by Royal command at Albert Hall. It is .claimed" that Brent Hayes can do) marvellous things with the banjo,, an taw strument generally regarded as extremely limited in musical' possibilities. T Bfenfc * Hayes has an extensive repertoire, in* eluded in which are extracts from'. claw, sical compositions. The boxjjlari: for trMfj season will be • opened at . Wildman sunt ! Arey's to-mourpw morning. -_.- -.; \ >• : OPERA HOUSE. V The quality of the vaudeville entertain* meat, being submitted nightly at the Opera* . House, by the Bren'nan-Fnller Cbffljmny v is testified to. by the crowded audienoesi . that witness each performance. '■" Valentine* ' and Bell, the trick cyclists, supply ths' most appreciated ; item yof the evening.

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. "The Outlaw," a jstory of a desperate' girl who avenges the death of * her father, will be the principal attraction in to-day 'a programme at the Globe Theatre. Great success is attending: the screening; of " The Miracle" at the. King's Theatre - this week '. Almost, every seat was occupied! last night, and the audience's admiration of the synchronised play was evident.\ "At the Wheel" was shown at the King - George Theatre for the last time yesterday to large.numbers of patrons. A new; programme, which is said to possess much* merit, will be submitted to-day. * Satisfactory audiences attendefl the Newi. ton Picture' Palace yesterday. r A complete j change of programme will be presenteij to-day. A powerfully acted drama, entitled "Al| Husband's Awakening,''; will head the new]' programme at the Queen's Theatre Some fine supporting films are included. The charming picture, entitled " TheM Test," which is being shown at the Lyrio I Theatre this week, was much appreciated I by the large audience that attended last*! evening. The same programme will be repeated to-night. "The Coquette" is proving a populasj picture on the'' current "programme at than! Royal Albert Hall. " The Orphan" is an* other drama, of a pathetic nature. The delightfully varied programme afri the West End Theatre accounted for a* large number of visitors last evening* " The Test" is the chief picture. "Uncle Tom's Cabin," the fine picture? shown since the beginning of the week an the Princess Theatre, was a great favour-* ite with the theatre's patrons. A fresbf' series of films will be submitted to-day.