ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17329, 28 November 1919, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

iEOfAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. For the fourth concert of the season, the Royal Auckland Choir regaled its subscribers night with an attractive programme, mostly composed of trusty favourites, heard at pant concerts. The Town Hall waa well filled, and the audience was more than usually liberal in its applause. Under Dr. W. E. Thomas, the male-voice society mastered in good numbers. The opening part-song, " On the Ramparts," was conspicuous for well contrasted moods 01 expression, refined delivery of'detached harmonies, and smooth tinging Of the " Serenade" portion. Kucken's "My Heart's Loved Queen," was neat.y voiced, careful attention being aao paid to the enunciation. The pretentious number, " Song of the Crusaders" (de Rille), fully tested the resources of the Bocely. Opened vigorously in unison by the basses, the ensuing harmony scheme led up to a stirring climax. In Sullivan's "The Long Day Closes," there was occasional deficiency as regards dear enunciation in the softer lines, and the numerous sibilants were insufficiently realised in paces. A most praiseworthy feature was the attention to the expression Fchame. . De Ril*.e's " The Tattoo," was rang in .excellent style, the drum effects in particular being cleverly simulated. Kreut/er's partrsong, '-The Chapel," the remaining- choral number, was feelingly given. *T' Tha eong-cycle " Gloria " (del Riego), a contribution of arresting interest, was given by Mm. Cyril Towwy, and Mr. E. N. Wright, with Mr. Cyril Towsey at the piano. Throughout, the musical sotting reflected fully the spirit of the words, the picturesque scoring being ; .n the composer's best style. The words by the Hon. Stephen Coleridge axe such as to make a rare imaginative appeal. Mrs. Towsey and Mr. Wright were associated in the opening duet, " Callow Care," written - in the madrigal vein. Mr. Wright 1 wae highly effective in the beau'tifuilaxcerpt "Up Through Love's Infinity ?Ascent, and Mrs. Towsey displayed artistic insight in the number "flic Joy 6 Laid Up Hereafter." "The Seaweed "in the Coral Cave " and other extract* were eung with much refinement by Mr. Wright The two vocalists were congenially cast in " Sink Red Sun." though there was an impression of this number being taken too fast- The ecstatic three-four swine of " Music in a Rhythmic Measure" was presented in captivating fashion by Mrs." Towsey, while the remaining features of the cycle were artisti. cally set forth. Mrs. Towsey's other programing contributions, (a) " Slow, Horses, Slow" and (b) "Sing Break Into Song" ftjtallinsoTO won a hearty recall, and Mr.lE. N. Wright was also encored after his- tasteful .singing of Elgar's "Like to the Damask Rose." Mr. Cyril Towsey gave a poetic interpretation of the pianofort© solo. Ballade in A Flat (Cfiopin), and so delighted his hearers that he had to respond with the same composer's "Nocturne in F Sharp," and later with "Berceuse" (Maughan Barrett). A young flautist. Master Christie O'Malley, scored a well-deserved ovation after bis brilliantly-played flute solo, "Carnival de Venise" (Harrington-Young). His technique was in variably clear in the complex "portions of his solo, while the cadenza :]6efoie the entry of the air was of conspicuous excellence. Tho versality of the yjpung musician was further shown in a piccolo solo. The "pianoforte accompaniments of Messrs. Cyril Towsey and L. G. Whifctaker were all that could be desired. * OPERA HOUSE. Tho current programme at the Opera House jprovides patrons with an excellent entertainment. The items by the old favourites, Doody and Wright, the Gracknells, the Aeton Brothers, and Frank J. Sidney and company, are greatly appreciated. l-Tbe Walter George Sunshine Players produce a brisrbt operetta, entitled "Tho Blacksmith's Wedding/' L: DANCE RECITAL. A 'Aonia un'tal mil ~i-r,~.~ V„ Mi«

A danee recital will be given by Miss Cec'l Has in aid of the Auckland Ladies' Bensvoler»jt Society at H's Majesty's Theatre on December 18, 19, and 20. TIVOLI THEATRE. Billie Burke appears to-night for the last time., at the Tivoli Theatre in "Good Gracious, Annabel la." To-morrow's new programme presents a film by the great producer, D. W. Griffiths. "The Great Love" is the name cf this production, which is on the same lavish scale as his former pictures. The story is full of romance and adventure, of spectacular events, and of thrilling and absorbing moments. The cast includes practically important payers who appeared of the World."" ■ Otter noted persons beside Queen Alexandra who anpear are the Princess of Monaco, the Countess Maparene. the Duchess of Droeheda, Ladv Diana Manners, and Miss Lily ETsTe. This p : chire has created a sensation in other cities, and has drawn crowded houses. ■ Seats may ba booked at H. ' Cleal'3, Queen Street. KATTONAL THEATRE. "Sporting Life" will be shown to-day ( for the last time at the atonal Theatre. .. The new programme presents George ■ Walsh in an or.g.nal comedy, entitled •'Never Say Out." George Walsh takes - the part of the man who was born on - Friday the thirteenth in 113 th Street. By . no effort can he evade the bad luck which ; follows him from the Friday on which he was born. The second attraction on the :< doub'e programme is a William Fox production, entitled "Kultur," with Gladys Brockwell in the leading role. It is not a "war play," and yet it is based on the events that led up to the world conflict. Gong deep into the ins'de workings of the Courts of Berlin and Vienna, just prior to the outbreak of the world struggle, it lays bare the diplomatic 'utrirueg btiH even the private scandals of Teuton royalty. PRINCESS THEATRE.' The film, "Captain Kidd, Junior," with 'Mary Phkford in the leading role, will be shown to-day for the last time at the Princess Theatre. TV's pretty little romance shows Marv Pickford at her best as a winsome and charnr'ng girl. The new programme on Saturday presents a Paramount production, entiled "The Squaw Man." Cecil B. De Mi"e. the producer, has excelled rrmself in the production of this picture, and the resu't is a nhntoplav of excp"t : onrtl quality. Ann L'ttle and Elliot Dexter are anion? the cist of popular p'overs. and no expense lias been Spared ; n the successful production of this remark"b 1 e photop'sy. Into the storv of Jove and sorrow t 1 ere is "ntrodured an element of faith that "s nivversn' in its reach and \iower. Tnto a stnrv of love and hr''-'en dr.'ims has hr>rn placed one re* deeminsr trait of life — the pure, white light of faith. QVVW'S TTfK\TBE. To-day presents tiie last opportunity to witnf.'s Tom Mix in "Hell Koarin' Roform'' and Virghra Pearson in "Her Price," at the Queen's Theatre. The new programme to-morrow presents William Famurn in the W.lliartj Fox picture, "For Freedom," which, wh'le it touches on the great war, is based oji the m'scaniago of justice and tin- rii'lst of a conv'ct to a "fqnarc deal." The st< ry is of a man fa'sr'y accused and imprisoned, who. at the nutl-iv-ik of war between Hi" United <-;!-,,(,.. m,] ('ormain . wins parole on Irs pit < thai he ':,- per'nntt'd to fit-hl for his CMi'itrv. lie '"•''.« : ti love "ith a fir!, and then i : o.« 1. V"-c.- After d st incruisdr nw b„,-,.if r - (>•■ t..t i !,.f!,'i h» ip-iirns. His past : s rove '..1 i.-i the (,-irl lindfr dramatic < : r<-uir ■•'tatuvß. lull the st' ry of his offence if « : ,tj f-,j,,i ■'..■ P \-i'.in.-d in the climax, and Cupid i.< tr'umphant. ' PTHA v n \TP.E. Fanny Ward makes her last appearance to -day at the feirand '11. cat re in '•Innocent." The story it comp- King, and the oriental K<:P ...„,, are well produced. T l( . Wprro« 11,, p pi .< m nflljr . Tom Moore, "' ,H! „ l'««oiu»d n A Man and If is hfe V**" "'luting Korv of the huraorrus adventure* of r, voun/ .<-rift v • ,jaam»er, fits hit role to perfection. ilSto • THEATRE. Wife" w ;n fce %«**« to-night la6 Vv tlrae at l he Lrric * "■ *T-e new prograrnme

shown to-morrow has for its chief attraction the- appearance of Sessne.Hayaka.wa in his latest and greatest dramatic feature, entitled "His Debt." The scenario of "His' Debt" gives Sessae HayaTsaxra an excellent opportunity for the display of his undoubted histrionic ability. Episode five of the "Lightning Raider" proves more exciting than even the preceding chapters. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The exciting melodrama "Sporting Life" will fie screened to-day at , Everybody's Theatre. It is one of tho •greatest of Drury Lane melodramas, and ! i ran at that theatre for three years. The I picturisation of the drama owes much of its success to tho fact that no stage , scenery is introduced, all the events being photographed in natural surround ngs. The two great events in the story, a horse race and a prize fight, where 60 much is at stake, are photographed in a manner that makes the story very realistic and exiting. It is a pulsating story of love, passion, and intrigue. It is a story of high We, where fast horses, flying fista, and beant'fnl women are the main attractions. Apart from the plot the various scenes are an entertainment in themselves. That showing the National Sporting Club, London, is a fa'thful production of a great international prize fipht. All the actors are star-artistes, headed by Constance Blnney and Ralph Graves. i GLOBE THEATRE. ! To-day presents the last opportunity to witness "The Kiddies in the Ru.ns" at the Globe Theatre. To-morrow the new programme wiU present Bert Lytell, the clever and versatile young Metro actor in i "Blackie's Redemption." Ibis is the second of the clever Red Book Magazine stories from the pen of Jack Boyle to be pictur'sed by the Metro Company. The story tells of a criminal who desires to go straight, and gives up his lawless pursuits, and is about to marry the girl he loves when he is arrested and sent to prison {or a crime committed by others. | GRAND THEATRE. ! The famous characters of Alt", Bert, and ' Old Bill, as immortalised by Bairnsfather, 1 are now being shown in "The Better ' 'Ole" at the Grand Theatre. This p dure conveys a human message of mirth and J ' sorrow, romance and reality that is an excellent example of the splendid spirit [ j displayed by the fightng men.