ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15848, 19 February 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" CAMILLE." Old playgoers are sufficiently familiar with Camille, ' the dramatised version of " La Dame aux Camellias," by Alex. Dumas Fils., and with its stage history, to know lit as a tragic play in which some of the greatest of living actresses have identified themselves with the name part. They know, moreover, that in the hands of a great tragedienne this character— as it is in its sordidness—has the power of move the average audience to tears. An equally indisputable fact is that it is a piece to do full justice to which a strong supporting cast is essential. In producing " Camille, therefore, the George Willoughby Dramatic Company, who appeared therein last night at His Majesty's Theatre, engaged upon an ambitious undertaking. That they achieved, on the who.e, a creditable degree of success may be said to have justified their temerity, even though the performance naturally fell below the highest standard. Miss Vera Retnee at least proved her versatility in the title-role, and, while she proved temperamentally unequal to the full demands made upon her—especially in the test scene of the third act—she gave a distinctly meritorious portrayal. The earnest and conscientious nature of her work called for praise, and in some of her emotional scenes she struck a pathetic note, which showed that she is not lacking in a certain ability in that direction. Mr. George Cross, as Armand Duval, held himself well in reserve for the dramatic scene in the fourth act, in which the character domin- • ates the stage. His declamatory work in the passionate denunciation of Camilla was effectual in producing applause. Of the remaining performers Mis Muriel Hotson, as Nannie; Mr. Ronald Riley, as the C'omte de Yarville; and Mr. Frank Neill, as Gustav, were the best. Some of the minor characters were in weak and unconvincing hands. "Camille" will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night.

THE CHEIwNIAVSKYS. The second instrumental leciuU by the brilliant ltussiuJi musicians, Leu, Jan, and Miscliel (Jheruiavsky, was largei} attended a.l the Town Hall last night. iuioughout, the remaikabie c-xpulieuta show id ail uncommon technical and imaginative gra.-p oi the cuUiposers' greater ideas, tile result ot each exposition belli), such as to occasion lung, continued demonstrat.j'.,s of enthusiasm. Jan, Leo, and Cherniavsky were associated in tho t . ing example ot chamber • music, the "Tenia. Gun Vaiiazione/' tiuni 'lscluikowsk\'a great " lii i hi A Minor." 1 lie piano part, of pai amount importance, was in the skilled Hands of Jan Cuerniavsky,

j whose work in some of the variations was ' i little short of astonishing. The brothers ; ; Leo and Misel.el were responsible fur an eloquent rendering ot the viulm and 'cello parts respectively. Alter the folksong theme hud bc< n given out by the piano alone, the violin took up the melody ;to a running accompaniment for the piano, interspersed with effects ior the I 'cello. Variation three proved most eflecI tive with its playful piano part and the ' pizzicato string devices. Ihe vaise vari- ! ation (No. 6) showed a strange mingling of lively and sad moods, particularly where the dainty scoring for the keyed instrument was accompanied by the tragic : variant of the central theme in the strings. The 12th variation was, , in its way, unique, and. the complexities j at times produced a bewildering impression upon the attentive auditors. Mische l ! Clierniavsky showed delightful tone qualities and amazing technical eloquence in Popper's dazzling "Hungarian Rhapsodic," while chaimingly ethereal effects were produced in "The Swan." Saintj Saens, and "Musette," Offenbach. A ! popular recall number was Van l'ieue's famous "Broken Melody." Much dra : matic effect and unflagging finger rej source was displayed by Jan Cherniavsky ' in his piano solos: "Prelude," Kachmaui- ; noff; "Gavotte in E Major," IStaven- ; hagen, and "Hungarian Rhapsody, No. ! 15," Liszt, the latter receiving an almost unexampled interpretation. Responding | to an insistent recall, the brilliant pianist i again delighted his hearers with Liszt's ; striking paraphrase on Verdi's "Rigo- : letto." Leo. Cherniavsky's programme ] number was Mendelssohn's celebrated I "Violin Concerto in E Minor." In all

j the movements he was specially suited, i displaying not only apparently unlimited i technical gifts, but a rare grasp of varied ! tone effects. The haunting sweetness of ' Zacharewit/ch's solo, "Imagination," played by the violinist by way of an j encore, made a deep impression. A 1 budget of lighter examples of chamber I music included a composition by Glinka, j "Barcarolle," Offenbach, "Spring Song," Mendelssohn, and "Moment Musical," Schubert, the latter being given in response to the insistent demands .it the close of the concert. The recitals will I be resumed next week.

| OPERA HOUSE. The vaudeville programme presented at the Opera House last night was the means lof drawing a very large audience. Miss ! Rose Lee Ivy, tlie popular comedienne, I was again the favourite. The Randell i Jackson Company were also most success- ! ful. The programme will be repeated to- : night. PRINCESS THEATRE. In the new programme which was presented yesterday to excellent houses at ■ the Princess Theatre, The Fortune Huni ter " holds premier position. It is a story j which tells of deceit and adventure. It ; is full of excitement and did not fail to i create unstinted applause. " His Fight." is another drama which roused a great amount ol interest, and " A Strenuous Life," :n contrast, prorided an abundance of amusement. "Owls." a fascinating study in natural history, was educational, • and The Bombardment of Papeete by the j Germans" was of the greatest interest. The programme, as a whole, is an excellent one.

GRAND THEATRE. Largo audiences have attended the Grand Theatre this week whore the current programme is proving very popular. ' Reader of Minds " is a drama full of dramatic situations of a startling description. The. second series of " Dolly of trie Dailies," with that delightful cinema artist, Mary Fuller, in the loading role, continues to appeal to its audiences as something out of the ordinary. " The Ghost of Mother v ve" is another tine drama.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. " The Motor Buccaneers," which was presented at the Queen's Theatre yesterday as the chief item on the new programme, is a modern drama which deals with exciting escapes in motor-care. The more title suggests adventure and the nature of the picture certainly does not belie the title. "'Lord Barry's Low Acquaintance " is another drama which was very popular and " Without Pants" created much amusement.

"ARIZONA." The Alhambra and Arcadia Theatres have been well patronised this week. "Arizona" is the chief film of interest. This is a story of life in the est and it is full of human interest. It is a photoplay, which is well staged and is rendered additionally attractive because of the very large number of performers engaged. The picture is shown in six parts. KING'S THEATRE. The programme of pictures being presented at the King's Theatre this week is of a very interesting character. "His Musical Career," a Keystone comedy, is a very laughable subject, in which Charles

Chaplin plays the leading part. An excellent dramatic picture is entitled "Redemption of David Corsen." There are many other good pictures on the programme.

KING GEORGE THEATRE. In the change of programme submitted at the King George Theatre yesterday there is a military drama entitled "The Deserter," which received unstinted applause at each session. Self-sacrifice is the predominant feature of this production. " Man and Woman," a society drama of love and intrigue, also came in for much attention, and the Topical War Budget was again full of Interesting incidents connected with the war. " A Mountain Railway Scene in Bavaria," was a very attractive tilm. GLOBE THEATRE. The bi-weekly change of programme at the Globe Theatre yesterday revealed as the chief attraction The Grip of the Past," an American drama by a well-known firm, which depicts a wonderful succession of stirring adventures in the Southern States of America- The Latest War Special is an interesting topical budget of war views, and "Shot in the Excitement," by one of the foremost comedy-producing firms, was exceedingly amusing. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The continuous pictures at the Palace Theatre, Newton, drew crowded houses at each session yesterday by reason of the principal attraction, " A Mexican Bullfight." Incidents which actually occur in this class of entertainment are vividly port rayed on the screen. The Lyric and W<vf End Theatres were well attended last ni^ht.