ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15769, 18 November 1914, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CHORAL SOCIETY.

Last night's concert by the Choral Society at the Town Hall attracted the largest audience. of .the season, so far as this . musical body is concerned. The works underlined for performance were: Coleridge-Taylor's "A Tale of Old Japan" and Elgar's "The Banner of St. George." Both works were presented lor the first time at -these concerts, while Elgar's musical contribution was the first of the great English composer's to be performed by the Choral Society. Speaking generally, although the choir had evidently been well' trained, their efforts throughout scarcely gave the same satisfaction us at the' previous concert, The voices were not so well balanced—more sopranos were necessary—while the disparity in numbers in the maie-voice sections, and particularly the tenor department, was at times very marked. Coleridge-Taylor's "A Tale of Old Japan ' is one of those well-defined attempts on the part of a clever composer to set a tragic little story to music of a picturesque type. Throughout the score there is much to delight- the ear, though many of the musical scenes suggest the Ethiopean strain of the composer rather than the so-called Japanese "'local colour." The work no more suggests the Land of the Geisha than does Puccini's " Madame Butterfly " get far away from much that belongs to modern Italy. .Much of the chorus work is exacting to sing, and there is no doubt that the society found it so last night, borne of the opportunities lor showing vocal proficiency were fleeting, and scarcely was the hearer's interest aroused when the chorus ended, and some fresh phase in the story was being unfolded by the soloist. Miss May Fuller's 1 soprano, voice was rather light in timbre for the exactions of the solo music, and there was a tendency to overdo the vibrato when singing in the higher altitudes. ■ Miss Fuller had, however, evidently studied her part carefully, and was generally artistic in the delivery of her lines. Suitable expression was shown in "So, in Her Blue Kimono,"' Others are Happy," and particularly at the part beginning " Stick of Incense in the Flame." Miss Margaret Mackenzie's voice seems lighter in quality than when last heard at these concerts, and though intelligently sung her work lost a little of the desired effect. Her diction was pleasingly distinct in numbers such as 'Small and Sadly Beseeching," "Ear Away His Growing Fame,'' etc. As tenor soloist, Mr. W. Aspinail was fairly successful in the exposition of his difficult solo lines, while .Mr. J. W. Atkinson deserves praise for his intelligent and clearly-voiced phrasing of his bass solo portions. Some of the chorus work for female voices was effectively done. Elgar's cantata deals with the old story of St. George and the Dragon, and includes a striking and forceful epilogue written in a stirring, patriotic vein. This is mainly a dramatic outburst in praise of the English flag, and the musical setting, though not representing the famed composer's highest creative attainment, snows sincerity of purpose in every bar. The choir here had a gnelat opportunity, and! the members certainly made the most of things. Special care was shown as regards enunciation, and attention to light and shade, while the climaxes received close attention. A large orchestra contributed considerably to the success achieved during the evening. Mr. J. Maughan Barnett conducted with conspicuous ability.

OPERA HOUSE.

Many novel and pleasing turns are included in this week's vaudeville programme at the Opera House. Foy and Foy, dance specialty artists, Neil Cant, a Scottish comedian, Matilda and Elvira, Spanish dancers, and "The -Magpies," were the most popular performers with a large audience last night.

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The seating capacity of the Jung George Theatre was severefy tested yesterday, when "The House of Temperley," a picture dramatisation of Sir A. Conan Doyle's story "Rodney Stone" was again presented. It is a British film, and is probably- the finest English drama that has been screened in Auckland. The play was syeciallv adapted to the cinematograph by the author himself, and was staged for the screen under his personal direction, and thus it is assured that no essential detail I of the original plot is omitted. Several of | the scenes, notably that depicting the fight I on Crawley Downs, have seldom been excelled in the production of picture dramas. The cast, headed by Mr. Ben Webster as Sir Charles Temperley, includes the names' of such well-known English actors as 1 Charles Rock. Charles Maude, Edward O'Neill, Wvndham Guise, John East, and Reginald Davis.' Included in the programme also is the eighth instalment of the serial story, "Lucille Love." The scenic beauty of New Zealand's thermal district, Rotorua, has an immediate interest for everyone in the Dominion. The Auckland public have an opportunity to-day to gee this Weird Region," and its numerous wonders depicted in an appropriately-coloured film at the Princess Theatre. The eighth chapter of the popular serial story, "Lucille Love," is another feature of the programme. Besides the usual dramatic and comedy pictures, there is the Pathe Gazette, which details the latest happenings in Belgium. A new series of war pictures, which arrived by the R.M.S. Niagara on Sunday, was shown yesterday at the Globe Theatre. They the genuine pictures, some of the scenes described being: "Peasants Fleeing from Their Homes," "Belgian Batteries in Action," "German Shells Bursting." "Effect of Gun-fire on Houses," "Indian Troops Arriving at Marseilles." "British Naval Brigade in the Trenches." "British Naval Guns in Action from an Armoured Train," and "Antwerp Citizens Forced to Dig Trenches." The chief drama on the programme is "Johanna, the Barbarian.'' Large numbers of people visited the Queen's Theatre yesterday. "Victory," a spirited picture-story of revolution in an obscure American Republic, takes premier place in the current programme. The supporting programme comprises a delightful scenic study of Rotorua, under the title of Weird Regionsa comedy called' "What a Night;" and the Eclair War Journal.

The Alhambra Theatre continues to be a popular resort of picture-lovers, and the current programme has already won the approval of a large number of patrons. The principal feature is an interesting film entitled " Germany's War Machine.'' This describes the fighting forces, on land and sea, of Britain's unscrupulous enemy. The submarine TJ9, which has lately figured in the cable news, is to be seen in the picture. "The Marine Mystery" is a detective drama, featuring 'King Baggot. A number of laughable comedies are also included.

War pictures which arrived by the R.M.S. Niagara were shown with" great success at the King's Theatre last night. "Antwerp Under Shot and Shell," "Arrival of Indian Troops in Marseilles," and "Lord Roberts at Edgeworth," are the main scenes depicted. "Captured by Mexicans," a tale of the perils of pioneers in the far West, heads an attractive programme at the Newton Picture Theatre. The Lyric and West End Theatres will be open to-night.