ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15552, 9 March 1914, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE BEGGAR GIRL'S WEDDING."

Patrons of melodrama will be catered for this evening and on the ensuing 11 nights at His Majesty's Theatre, when the George Willoughby Dramatic Company will introduce, "line Beggar Girl's Wedding," a piece in which the combination has played long seasons in Australian centres with marked «success. There are four acts and 13 scenes in the drama, giving ample scope for the working Out of a plot which is claimed not to be conventional. Mr. George Cross is leading man, and is sure of a hearty welcome. Miss Vera Remee, the leading lady, is said to have an excellent part as the beggar girl, having given much thought and study in moulding the character. The artists supporting are claimed to be of unusual talent; A special feature is promised in the, scenic department in which all the original accessories and effects will be utilised. The second production is announced as "No Mother to Guide Her." Mr. George Willoughby is personally supervising the staging of each presentation.

PAUL DUFAULT'S FAREWELL. An enthusiastic farewell was taken of Paul Dufault, the popular FrenchCanadian tenor, by a large audience at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday nipht. The programme for the fourth and final concert of tihe season was an excellent one, including many of the numbers most favourably" received by previous audiences. Mr. Dufault was "heard in fine renderings of excerpts from oratorio, descriptive solos, and simple ballads. His contributions consisted of an aria from " Joseph in Egypt," " Where E'er You Walk" (Handel), "Au Pays" (Holmes), " I know" (Spross), " Melisande in the Wood" (Goetz), "L'Anneau d' Argent" (Chaminade), and "How's My Boy?" (Homer). At each appearance the tenor received an ovation, and was forced to add several extra " request" numbers, these being " Silverlynne." " Mignon," "In Maytime," " Lorraine, Lorraine, Lorree," and "Invictus." In the two lastnamed and in "Au Pays" and "How's My Boy," the singer's dramatic and declamatory work was most effective. Two laurel wreaths, an abundance, of cordial applause, and a demonstrative leave-tak-ing at the end were the rewards of Mr. Dufault's efforts. Miss Pauline Bindlev, the_ soprano of the company, who was tne recipient of many floral tributes, sang several solos veTy charmingly, and was also heard in two duets with the tenor. Mr. _ Ernest Toy's violin solos and the admirable accompaniments of Mr. Harold Whittle enhanced the enjoyment of the audience.

ORGAN RECITAL.

A resumption of the municipal organ recitals was made on Saturday evening, when the city organist (Mr. Maughan Barnett) played an admirable programme in the Town Hall to a fairlv large and very appreciative audience. The opening item, Boellmann's " Suite Gothique, was followed by Bach's choral prelude " Erbahm'-dichmein, 0 Herre Gott,' both receiving much applause. Liszt's legend " St. Francis Preaching to the Birds" (transcribed for the organ by C. SantSaens), was beautifully played, the highly original and fanciful composition obviously appealing to the audience. Three movements from Widor's organ symphony No. 4, and Lemare's intermezzo, 'Moonlight," proved to be decidedly popular, -the recital being brought to a conclusion with a fine rendering of Wagner's famous "Tannhauser" overture. OPERA HOUSE. Patrons of the Opera House this week are promised excellent entertainment. The outstanding attraction of the BrennanFuller vaudeville management is the engagementcommencing to-night—of Mr. Brent Hayes, an American expert in the art of banjo-playing. Mr. Hayes's proficiency as a banjo artist is said to have earned the recognition of the late King Edward, who first, honoured him with a command to play in the Royal presence, and then presented him with the instrument which is this week to delight Opera House audiences. The effects produced by the musician's masterly handling of his instrument are said to be such that listeners have at times received an impression' as of several instruments being played behind the scenes, which, of course, is illusory. Other artists of repute figuring in the bill are Cunningham and Rose, amusing black-faced speciality performers from America; Michell and Lightnor, in a talking and musical hit from the United States vaudeville stage; Captain Brunswick and Company, in a cowboy sketch, and some of last week's " stars." PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. "The Temptress," one of the noteworthy pictures to be shown this week at the Princess Theatre, is described as an interesting study in character— of a beautiful and designing woman. Another powerful dramatic story will be unfolded in the film, " The Trap,"-which deals with an unscrupulous man's scheme to wed a beautiful girl by ensnaring.. her father and his business associates.

The picture-play, "Unjustly Accused," will be screened this week at the King George Theatre. The picture is 4000 ft ; n length. Said to abound iu stirring situations, the picture, Brothers at War," will be shown at the* Queen's Theatre to-night. Other attractive numbers include the Queen's Theatre Chronicle, which pictures recent local happenings of interest, including swimming carnivals, shows, etc. Visitors to the Globe Picture Theatre today should be well entertained by the fare provided there, of which one' substantial item is the picture, "The Padrone's Plot," which features certain phases of the industrial problem in an Italian town, concurrently with lovo passages of an appealing nature. There are other similarly attractive films, including beautiful Indian scenic effects.

The Royal Albert Hall's excellent series of pictures this week includes some which should make a powerful dramatic appeal, and one in which comedy is the dominant note is " A Ride for a Bride," with others depicting beautiful scenery. At the West End Theatre an entertaining series of pictures is promised this week.'

Picture-lovers should be provided with very substantial fare at the King's Theatre this week, in keeping with the high reputation of a picture theatre which has recently _ attracted large crowds by the screening of the much-talked-of picture" "The Miracle."

The Newton Picture Palace should be well worth- visiting this week, a programme of exceptional interest being promised.