ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16025, 17 September 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY i Last night's concert by the Auckland j Orchestral Society— third of the 12th i attracted a large audience to the Town Hall. The occasion also marked the final appearance of this body of instrumentalists under the popular conditions to which subscribers have been accustomed for many years past, as it is now understood that the recently contemplated amalgamation with the Choral Society will become an accomplished fact. Features of the work of the Orchestral Society have been consistently high ideals, and the undoubted ability of its conductor, Mr. Johan Wielaert. The musical public can scarcely be unmindful of the fact that through its medium many concertgoers have made frequent and plea surable acquaintance with works, the beauties and intricacies of winch might have remained a sealed book to local lovers of music. The ideals of the conductor have invariably been of the highest, since some of the almost inaccessible creations of Elgar. Strauss. Beethoven. Liszt. Tschaikowsky. and others have at times found a place upon the programmes of the society. Last night's concert brought into hearing again some of the more popular pieces in the repertoire, and the executants in the various departments of the orchestra achieved excellent results.

With the exception of a disparity in the usual numbers in the first and second violin department, the orchestra was very fairly balanced, and some good readings were obtained. The diversified movements of the opening " William Tell " overture, by Rossini, were played with technical resource and tone colour, and the descriptive portions were well presented. Raff's March, from " Lenore." with its popular 6tring themes and brilliant woodwind passages, was played with sound intonation and rhythmical facility. A good deal of attention, too, was paid to the rteady reinforcement of the tone in the first part of the march. while the diminuendo effect was carefully handled in the closing portions. The "Allegro Con Grazia," in five-four time. from Tschaikowsky's " Pathetic " symphony, awakened many memories of previous concerts. Violoncellos, violins and wood-wind effectively contributed in turn their share of the principal subject, the pizzicato achievements by the violins being cleanly executed as the declamation of the theme by the last-named con tin- I gent had its say. The melancholv character of the subject in the middle 'section i was given out with appropriate expression, and from here until the Coda was reached the orchestral forces were well suited. Delibes's suite, "Sylvia," was the remaining exclusive orchestral contribution. Max Bruch's Concerto in G Minor, for solo violin and orchestra, found an artistic exponent in Miss Edith Whitelaw as the principal interpreter. Each and every' movement pulsated with the requisite feelI ing, and the soloist was warmly recalled at the close. Mr. Arthur H." Ripley's tenor solos, "Angels Guard Thee." Godard. and. "A Dream," Bartlett, showed resource in vocal production and clearness of articulation, and were both encored. The pianoforte accompaniments to these were tastefully played by Mrs. A. H. Ripley, while in one instance a rained violin, obligato was played by Miss D. Baker. The fourth concert of the season by the Orchestrial Society will be given in conjunction with the Choral Society under the new regime.

"WITH THE FIGHTING FORCES OF EUROPE." . Another successful presentation of the series of films " With the Fighting Forces of Europe" was given in His Majesty's lfceatre last evening. There was a large attendance, and those present showed keen appreciation of the excellent views contained in the series and the beautiful results from the kinemacolor photography. Colonel J. E. Hume, officer commanding the Auckland Military District, and the officers of the headquarters staff attended tho entertainment on Monday m>ht. In a letter to the manager, Mr." R. 'Stavelv Colonel Hume says: "It is a reallv splendid show, most interesting and "instructive, and givea those who mar not have seen the various armies a realistic idea of uniforms, armaments, etc., of the different nations." The entertainment will be given again to-night. A matinee will be held at half-past two o'clock to-morrow afternoon when special concessions will be made to children. Returned soldiers are heartily welcomed to all performances.

OPERA HOUSE. " The bright entertainment" -which the vaudeville artists now appearing at the Opera House provide this week was enjoyed by another very fair audience last evening. The same programme will be given this evening, and to-morrow the usual matinee will be held.

KING GEORGE THEATRE. A programme of exceptional excellence was presented at the King George Theatre yesterday, and was loudly applauded by the large audiences which attended during the day and evening sessions. At ttw head of the new series is a three-part drama entitled "The Great Court Scandal." The dramatic scenes introduced into the picture are well conceived and excellently acted, while the story right through "is full of interest. Billy Ritchie, the well-known English comedian, is featured in a most amusing comedy entitled " Poor Policy." Several most ludicrous situations are contained in "Poor Policy," and Ritchie's appearance riding an ostrich is extremely funny. The same programme will be repeated today and to-morrow.

GRAFTON* THEATRE. , The Grafton Theatre was again largely attended last evening when the excellent series of pictures which appear on the current programme aroused the keen appreciation of those present, applause being frequent. Great popularity has been achieved by the drama " Iron Justice." which provides the whole of the second half ol the entertainment. The story presented in the drama has been favourably commented on by all who have seen it, 'while the fact that Mis* Tittell Brune takes the leading part gives further -.at tractiveness to the production. Some unusual aspects of society life are presented in an interesting manner, and the dramatic situations with which the plav abounds are well carried out. The first half of the programme includes several excellent subjects, the comedy element being well represented.

PALACE THEATRE. Miss Mary Pickford, the celebrated and popular " movie *' actress is being presented at the Palace Theatre. Newton, this week in a drama entitled " The Eagle's Mate." The story is an interesting one, and gives ample opportunity for Miss Pickford to show that charming manner which has made her so popular with lovers of moving pictures. There is a good supporting programme.

ORGAN RECITAL. The city organist will give the municipal organ recital in the Town Hall to-morrow-evening, when his programme will be selected from works by Vierne, Widor, and Hollins. He will also play Borodine's Au Couvent, and a fantaisie on Gounod's " Faust." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Large audiences continue to be the rule at Everybody's Theatre, where the second episode of the serial photo-play, " The Million Dollar Mystery," is the chief feature of an interesting and varied programme. The second section of the serial story ia entitled. '-' The False Friend/'and

Its as full of exciting incidents as the sec- ) tion presented last week. " Those College Girls." produced by a. popular firm of comedy makers, is one of the'chief items on the supporting programme. PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The Kind's Theatre is presenting the second episode of 'The Million Dollar Mystery." " The Enemies '" is the chief film on the current programme at the Olobc Theatre. A drama entitled " The Grind " heads the programme at the Queen* Theatre. The Princess Theatre is presenting a. drama entitled " Mother."' •' The Ruse " i the title of the chief film at the (;i-rind Theatre. Heading the current series at the Lyric and West End Theatres is a drama "entitled " Alone in London."