ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16876, 14 June 1918, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE HOLY CITY."

A highlt-scccessfct, performance of Gaul's cantata, " The Holy City," was given in the Town Hall last night by a large combined choir and orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Colin Mueton, the proceeds being j„ aid 0 f the Y.M.C.A. Trench Comforts Fund. The well-disciplined choir was mainly recruited from various musical bodies in and around the city, and in particular the clarity and sound intonation of the female voices was a subject for remark. There was a freshness about the soprano section which i s not frequently obtained in many kindred renderings, and the judicious training in the singing of piano phrases, and the occasional use of the head voice was praiseworthy. The cast of soloists was as follows Madame Chuules (soprano), Mi ss T vy Woods (second soprano), Miss Laura Stone (contralto), Mr. Arthur Ripley (tenor), and Mr. Arthur Colledge (bass). The soprano's principal opportunity was in the beautiful air, " These Are They Which Came Out of Great Tribulation," which was sung with commendable refinement and devotional spirit. Miss Stone, as exponent of the contralto part, had numerous chances of proving that she was well equipped for it, her rendering of the arias, "Eye Hath Not Seen," "Then Shall the King Say,'' etc., being of outstanding merit. Mr. Arthur Ripley was highly agreeable in " My Soul is Athirst," "To the Ixird Our God," and other portions. Mr. Colledge displayed a vigorous and resonant bass voice in his striking numbers, " And I Heard a Great Voice, " " I Saw Also the Lord Sitting Upon a Throne," "And I Heard the Voice of Harpers." In the unaccompanied quartette. '• Love Not the World," the voices of the principals were not always evenly balanced. A more satisfying interpretation was secured of the trio,""lt Shall Come to Pass," arranged for soprano, mezzosoprano. and contralto. The duet. " They Shall Hunger No More," sung by Madame Choules and Miss Stone, was conspicuous for purity of tone. The greater choral opportunities in " The Holy City" lay in the second part, but some fine lights and shades were presented in the beautiful " No Shadows Yonder," with its subsequent climax, "Loud as Night's Thunder," etc. The chorus, " They That Sow in Tears," was taken too rapidly. At the unaccompanied lines, " For God So Loved the World," the choir delivered a fine tone quality, and, moreover, kept the pitch. The female voices were well suited in "For Thee, 0Dear, Dear Country," and the male contingent in their ensuing portion made the most of their mueic. The work of the orchestra showed insight and resource in the accompaniments to the solo voices, and adequate support was civen in the more powerful ensembles. Miss Edith Whitelaw was leader of the instrumental forces. Prior to the performance of the cantata a. short miscellaneous programme was given by tha principals, Mr. Cyril Towsey acting as accompanist for the majority of the items. " DICK WHITTTNGTON." The popular pantomime "Dick Whittington " will bo presented to-night for the last time. At 1.45 p.m. there will bo a matinee. The great success which has been achieved by the company throughout its Auckland season has been richly deserved. The production is not able for its many and varied ballets ;ind the gorgeous and artistic apparel of the choruses. It is full of humour, and always the audiences have V>een in almost continuous merriment. For the children in particular the Cat, a, most realistic animal, is a constant wonder and delight, and the thousands of tiny treble shrieks which its antics have caused, must have been rich reward for the actor. KISK JUBILEE SINGERS. The Fisk Jubilee Singers continue to delight large audiences in the Town Hall concert chamber. Miss Belle F. Gibbons, win, for some time past has been indisposed, will appear to-night for the first time in the season. Miss Gibbons is said to be an accomplished lady baritone, and will sing "The Castle (late." The season has proved very popular, and the high standard that was set at the beginning is being well maintained. The Jubilee chorus, " My Lord. What a Morning," was much appreciated at last night's concert, and was noticeable for the excellent harmonising. Mr. Harold Wilson's singing of the bass solo " Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep " was well received, as was " Rip Van Winkle," a baritone song by Mr. Marshall Palmer. Miss Leila Wyburd, in soprano solos, Mr. Les Belcher and Mr. Sid. Haynes, tenor soloists, were well received. A ragtime ballad, " Way Back Home," by Miss Bertha Millar, received great applause. The management has issued an invitation to 80 inmates of the Institute for the Blind to attend tonight's concert. OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House presents an excellent programme this week. At its head are Tom Haverley's Irish Players, who appear in an extremely humorous revue, entitled "The Man in Black." The Kewpie Kids are a feature of the production. Hamlyn and Mack dance well, and Irene Pearce is a first-class Scotch comedienne. The Raleighs' balancing act is popular, and Jones and Raines appear in some good rag-time songs and hits. Winifred and Luniley give novelty items. KING'S THEATRE. The current programme at the King's Theatre will be presented for the last lime to-night. Oman, a Hindoo illusionist, who comes with a reputation, will appear to-morrow for the first time. A dramatic sketch, " For England and Honour." will be presented by the Merrymakers, in addition to the usual farce. There will be a large vaudeville programme in support, and the picture part of the entertainment will include a Charlie Chaplin film. TIVOLI THEATRE. A film of intense interest illustrating the triumph of a spendthrift over his vices is "The Son of His Father," now being shown at the Tivoli Theatre. Charles Ray. who is the chief actor in the picture, is only 22 years of age, but is already winning his wav into the hearts of picture goers. It, was in a film entitled "The Clodhopper" that he first took a leading part. Previous to his entering the profession of acting in the pictures he was well known as a dancer. In this film he takes the part of Gordon Carthboy, a youth with a college reputation for extravagance. The picture depicts how he makes good, and shows that habits, no matter how great a hold thev have on one. aie curable. To-morrow Rillie Buikr may be seen in a, film entitled "The Mysterious V. ,« erry." It is a .'•:.;..- I.■:-, \<>*y '■-■r ~/ri -,1, l . this a . vein of comedy. he film '.'.;■_. produced by the Famous Players Company, and it is said that Billie liurke here appears at her best. The Tivoli Orchestra, will play appropriate selections. , NATIONAL THEATRE. I A fascinating and extremely picturesque film, " Every Girl's Dream." will be shown for the last time at the National Theatre to-day. The story is a fairy-like interpre- : tation of a girl's r.:ind. The settings axe I truly Dutch in character, and the costumes are of the kind which are always ! associated with scenes of fairy tales from childhood. An ethereal castle built on no more substantial foundation than that of the imagination, and its sudden downfall ifi'.j. the return of the senses from a light .Limber form a beau...till plot. June Caprice takes the leading role, and gives a fine interpretation of the part. Tomorrow, Nance O'Neill will be featured in a film entitled "The Love Question." It is a five part drama in which love, intrigue and romance are said to be beautifully "blended. Nance O'Neill makes the most of her opportunities and enters into the spirit of her part. A Fox comedy entitled " Chased into Love," will also be shown. STRAND THEATRE. The Strand Theatre management is this week showing " The Silent Master," a picture of exquisite technical beauty, and of intense excitement, in which Robert Warwick takes the chief part. The picture vividly portrays the life of the French apaches, and snows the power that a man

with a strong will has over those who I have not. Robert Warwick, who is a great favourite in the moving picture world, is here seen at his best in a part that demands great histrionic ability. The settings are magnificent. Interwoven with these scenes of low life and crime, there runs a pretty love story. To-morrow, Antonio Moreno and Doraldina will appear in "Naulahka." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE Mae Marsh, a winsome actress, best known for her impersonation of boy characters, and Robert Harron, a boyish, light-hearted actor of wide popularity, appear in a film of quaint and picturesque life, called "Sunshine Alley," which is being shown at Everybody's "Theatre. Tomorrow, "Betsy Ross."' a story of the American War of Independence, "in which Alice Brady appears, will be shown. GRAND THEATRE. "My Official Wife," which will be showing at the Grand Theatre for the last time to-day. is a film portraying the relent less tenacity of purpose of the Russian secret police in following up of a case, tiara Kimball Young, a clever, versatile actress, takes the leading role, and succeeds in making the character live. Alice Brady, in " The Maid of Belgium," and the fifth chapter of " The Mystery of the Double CVoss." will be shown to-morrow. QUEEN'S THEATRE. June Klvidge appears in "The Tenth Case, a good story well portrayed, which is now being screened at the Queens Theatre. June. Elvidge. has an emotional part that suits her style of acting, requiring talent with control. The actress seems quite at. home in her part. " Mountain Dew, featuring Margery Wilson, will be, shown to-morrow. PRINCESS THEATRE. " Daughter of Destiny," the picture now being shown at the Princess Theatre is a film produced by Olga Petrova's new company. To-morrow Harold Lockwood will appear in " Broadway Bill." Harold Lockwood is said almost to excel himself in this picture, which is specially suitable to his style of acting. GLOBE THEATRE. i Douglas Fairbanks is featured in " The Americano." which will be shown for the last time at the Globe Theatre to-dav. Douglas Fairbanks is here seen at his best.