ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15885, 5 April 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

plimmer-Hall COMPANY.

BELGIAN FUND SEASON.

In a powerful and well-acted pl a ''' € Mu'ramv and the Humming Bird, the PlimmeV-HflU Dramatic Company successfully inaugurated its Auckland season on Saturday night at His Majesty's Theatre in aid of the Belgian -Relief Fund J lie ™ was a large audience, all parts of 1 * auditorium being filled. Prior to ft. rising of the curtain on Isaac Henderson .a drama Mr. Arthur M. Myers, Jp '' reerred, in a brief speech, to the laudable effort being made by the members of the combination to raise a substantial Slim for the self -sacrificing Be gion P* The fact that the company a tour of Ne Zealand was under the patronage of His Excellency the governor, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition Sir Joseph Ward, was. ljS said, sufficient evidence that those who had looked into the position were satisfied as to the bona fides of the company. i Apart altogether from the avowed object of Messrs. Harry Plimmer and Winter Hall in organising the tonr they should have no difficulty in attracting generous patronage. On their own merits alone the company, and its opening production, should appeal strongly to the public. The quality of both is excellent. "The Mummy and the Humming Bird," in action and in dialogue, is a clever and an artistic piece, of intense and throbbing interest. Though the subject is the familiar problem of the neglectful husband, the wife, and the gay cavalier who intervenes, it is treated in sufficiently original fashion to make it well worth while following to its solution. It may be that fault will be found with the author for prolonging the story beyond its climax, but 60 sound is its construction otherwise that this blemish may readily be overlooked. At least the dramatist may justly claim to have steered (Tear of the melodramatic pitfalls which the very nature of his plot inevitably causes to loom up in the mental vista now and then. his avoidance of exaggeration is a strong point in favour of the play, and adds to its naturalness and its impressivenesa The theme is a moving one. and its evolution is decidedly intelligent. The wife. Lady Lumlev, is an exceptionally fine example of life-like character drawing. In the hands of Miss Beatrice Day it receives exceptional treatment. Looking back upon the long list of roles Miss Day has interpreted in previous years it is difficult to remember one in which she has done Wore justice either to her own temperamental gifts or to an author's suggestion. Possessed of that valuable asset in f.n actress, an eloquent voice, Miss Day has also the ability to melt her audience into tears. This particular role is high-strung, acutely emotional. and she makes it deeply convincing, not by any stage tricks, but by quiet, tense", and completely genuine sincerity. Where a weaker artist would rant she uses restraint. Nothing in her entire portrayal is more real or more natural than her affecting reconciliation scene in the last act, during which she scarcely raises her voico abovo a monotone and is shaken by actual tears. Again Miss Day does tine work in the dramatic and defiant episodes of acts 11. and 111. Mr. Winter Hall as Lord Lumley presents a. study which ho has not hitherto equalled for forcefulners. Ihe part is full of subtleties, and much more deeply emotional in type than is UsUal with male characters. Mr. Hall's sympathetic handling of each phase, particularly in its abandon of grief, and in its revelation of the noble sub-nature of the scientific peer, makes it impressive to a degree. Mi*. Harry Plimmer as the "tertium quid," practised wooer of othe.' men's wives, succeeds in happily contrasting the role to the heavier ones in the play. He invests the character with just a soupcon of light, comedy which prevents it from falling to the standard of the villain of melodrama. In the scene with Lord Lumley in the third act, where the two men have a pretty duel of the wits, Mr. Plimmer is at his best Mr. H. W. Varna does emphatically good, even striking work as Uuiseppe, the Italian organgrinder. bent on vendetta. His description to Lumley, in dumb'show and disjointed foreign ejaculations, of how ins passions were aroused to a thirst for revenge is an exM'emely thrilling bit of realism. .Miss Nellie Calvin. Messrs. | Vivian Edwards, and Harry Ha]] fill minor, but important, parts with ability. The piece is handsomely mounted and dressed. The interlude music is by way of being an innovation, and is unusually agreeable. It is provided, not by the customary orchestra, but by two accomplished pianistes, Mrs. Winter Hall and .Miss Rima Young. The patriotic atmosphere was much in evidence on Saturday night, the orchestra rails being draped with the flags of the allies, a local band playing martial airs in the arcade before the performance, and the National Anthem inside the theatre, and young ladies beguiling all and sundry in the auditorium into purchasing souvenir programmes for the Belgian fund, a bound copy of which was auctioned from the stage, producing £10. "The Mummy and the Humming Bird' will bo repeated at a matinee this afternoon and again this evening and for & few succeeding nights. His Excellency the Governor the Earl of Liverpool and the Countess of Liverpool will be present at to-morrow night's performance.

JOSEPH BLASCHECK. To-night at tho Town Hall, Mr. Joseph Ulascheck, the humorist and entertainer, is announced to open ft season of his "Society Snapshots," which is to include iew and familiar monologues, comedy fetches, humorous recitations, duets, I songs, character sketches, musical studies, 1 and novelties. This entertainment, which was very popular somo three years ago, has been brought up to datft and includes many selections both humorous and dramatic which are to be presented and will lie given for tho first time in New Zealand. Miss Alyce Aiiftin. the vocalist and entertainer who supports Mr. Dlnscheck, makes her first appearance in the Dominion and come? with an enviable reputation. The box plan for to-night is open at the Town Hall main entrance from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and d?.V sales are at deal's until 10.30 a.m.. afterwards at the Town Hall. OPERA HOUSE, The Fuller-Brennan vaudeville management are presenting some special attractions at the Opera, House to-night, chief among which is tie Paul Stanhope's American Revue and Burlesque Company, which occupies tho second half of the programme. The company has come direct from America, and its initial production is entitled "This is the Life." The piece is elaborately staged and includes several fine ballots. The first half of the programme will be occupied by several star variety acts, including Henri French, who is styled tho "one-wheel genius;" Flo. Esdaile, a clever commedienne; The Dental Resketts, _ aerial wonders; Vaude anil Verne, Bonita and William Lee. Matinees are being held every day this week. ORGAN RECITAL, An organ recital will be given at the Town Hall this evening by Mr. Maughan Barnett, city organist. An excellent programme has been arranged, including three vocal items by Miss Mina Caldow. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Another fine holiday attraction will be presented at the Queen's Theatre to-day, when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story, " A Study in Scarlet" will be screened. " ' The Auckland Gazette is said to be full of interesting local topics, including scenes at the Auckland Racing Club's meeting on Saturday, while "The Warwick War Chronicle" cives * splendid aeries of views from the front.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Holiday-makers desiring entertainment should find that the Princess Theatre i 3 catering for their tastes to-day. The 7'#' second series of "The Trey o'Hearts" • H *111 be screened. Many other interesting pictures will also bo shown, including a" series of views of Saturday's racing, and - a scenic subject entitled " Tho Suez Canal," PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The fourth section of the "Adventures of Ivathlyn," entitled "Tho Royal Slave," will be screened at the Globe Theatre today, together with numerous other interesting films. White Water," which is th'> second episode in the "Trey o Hearts, Will lie th© chief picture at the Grafton I lratre this evening. The picture is oven more interesting than its predecessor and will doubtless be viewed by large audiences. The dramatised version of Charles Dickens's famous story, " he Cricket nn tho Hearth." will be shown at the George Theatre to-day. The picture is excellently produced and should prove most popular. "Hushing the Scandal." a most editing drama, is the principal attraction at tho King's Theatre to-day. It is a paiticuhirly interesting picture and is full of ex. scenes. There will be a complete _ change of programme nt the Grand theatre t 1 day when another excellent series of lilm< wil bo produced. The chief picture will l<> "The Barrier of Flames," a very thiilkrig drama. ! "The Eagle's Mate." a splendid American drama, will he the chief attraction at | the Lyric Theatre to-day.