ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17347, 19 December 1919, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

■J AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY, J Handel's evergreen oratorio, " The Mes- • siah," the . popularity of which remains '• undiminished, -was the work set down for performance by the Choral Society at the .'. Town Hall last night. The occasion was 'in many, respects a red-letter one, since, | with the ultimate object of collaboration I with the famous New South Wales State : orchestra during its visit here next month, the -performing ranks of the society had been considerably augmented. The choir last night occupied, for the first time, the entire platform space in front of the organ. A desirable weight of tone, long wanted in the male voice section of the chorus, was " forthcoming through the assistance of the Royal Auckland Choir. For' the first time also the resources of the magnificent Town Hall organ were brought into- play, and even though on this occasion the audience was denied the fullest orchestral effects, through mostly strings alone being used, the net result of the combination of both voices, orchestra and organ in the massive choruses, was in every way inspiring. Mr. Colin Muston conducted with skill, while'marked ability was displayed by Mr. Edgar Randal at the organ. His tone in the bigger ensembles was well chosen, and in the solo numbers commendable taste in registration was much in evidence. The solos were sung with remarkable evenness of ■ merit, each exponent being well suited. Miss Cora Melvin, in the soprano music, achieved much success, her renderings being artistically phrased. The clear qualities of her voice carried well in the large hall, and her recitatives, as well as " Gome Unto Him." and " I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," engaged the full attention of the listener... Miss Laura Stone (contralto) gave searching expositions of her numbers, and sang " He Shall Feed His Flock " and " He Was Depised " with sympathy. Her recitative Behold A Virgin* Shall Conceive " was given with breadth of tone,, though there was a certain lack of resonance about " O Thou That Tellest." Mr. Edwin Dennis (tenor) displayed intelligence and an agreeable vocal quality in •bis opening recitative " Comfort Ye," and the air " Every Valley." The latter in particular was sung with much flexibility. Mr. Dennis was also artistic in " Thy Rebuke Hath Broken," " Behold, and See," and "He Was Cut Off." While [ a suave exposition of the air "But Thou Didst Not Leave " must be placed to the tenor's credit. Mr. A. Colledge revelled in th© bass solos, scoring much success in the recitative, "Thus Saith the Lord " and the aria " But Who May Abide." Mr. Colledge also gave a graphic rendering of " The People That Walked in Darkness." and was appropriately vigorous in the florid "Why Do the Nations." Seldom have the " -Messiah " choruses been given with such effect. Even phlegmatic pulses must have been stirred as the strains of "For Unto Us," and the famous " Hallelujah " rang through' the hall. The fine chorus "And the Glory" was declaimed with precision, and ' thrilling tone, while th initiative passages in " Glory to God " were strikingly brought out. The complex chorus "His Yoke is Easy" was given with facility, and "Behold the Lamb of God," couched in the minor, was also impressive. "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs," with its in-! teresting harmonic progressions, was sung in praiseworthy fashion. The following number, "All We Like Sheep" kept the voices -busy in the florid figurative passages, and here and there cohesion suffered,. The same remark applies to parts of "LiftUp "Your Heads," though the antiphonal effects were presented in a marked manner. The orchestra, led by Miss Edith Whitelaw, acquitted themselves with distinction. The overture was played with clearness, while the -tone-colour ideas of the "Pastoral" symphony were . tastefully I brought out. The accompaniments shared ■ by both orchestra and organ were played with refinement and finish. In order to keep the performance of the oratorio within certain time limits a somewhat ' abridged version was presented. The omis- . sions in general left little to cavil at. It is a debatable matter whether the choir, as performers, should applaud the soloists after their numbers, and this [ matter might be discussed before any future renderings of the oratorio. DANCE RECITAL. • Variety and originality are characteristics of the programme which Miss Cecil > Hall and her dancing pupils are presenting : at His Majesty's Theatre. The opening , performance last evening attracted a large i audience, and the reception accorded to those taking,, part was enthusiastic to a degree. Not content with the more con- ' ventional type of dance recital, Miss Hall has prepared a series of scenaa, episodes, ballets, concerted dances, and solos, in which the art of terpsichore is allied with | the histrionic art and with music. The blend is most agreeable, and with the added attraction of beautiful colouring in the costumes, the whole is a fascinating entertainment. Worthy of special reference is the excellent orchestra, under Mr. S. Green, which plays some very choice morsels of harmony for the accompaniment of the various dances. Perhaps the best item on the lengthy programme is tne Eastern tragedy scena, " The Opal." In this Miss Hall herself ~is the" premiere danseuse, in the title role. Her solo dance is a revelation in the art, sinuous move- | ment and grace of posture distinguishing j it. The accomplished lady impressed the . first night's audience considerably in tins • effort. j Mr. Robert Geddes and Miss Eleanor Miller had singing parts in the '. scena, and both- acquitted themselves . thoroughly well, as did the pupils taking part in the incidental ballets. Admirably ' arranged a:id well stage-managed was the opening episode, a miniature revue, " London Town," in which numerous dancers were engaged, whose numbers were given in a scene - of action and animation. Several delightful children were among the performers, and all danced with charm. " The Curio Shop," a phantasy, in which many dancers also par- ; ticipated, • was as pretty and effec- > tive as anything in. the entertain- ' ment. It introduced a graceful danseuse . in Miss Jocelyn Dixon, and the ballets ini eluded, " Dominoes," "Shaving Balls," '.. " Chinese Fans," "Sevres China Figures," . "Candle Shades," "Powder Boxes," : " Japanese Parasols," and several solos.

The dressing was on a handsome scale. The concluding scana .was." Fascination," a gipsy romance, in -which the principal characters were taken by Misses Amber Jones, Inez Rostgard, Marjorie Turner, Bettina Edwards, and Mr. Robert Geddes. The ballets were the " Green Leaves," " Ragamuffins," " Grecian," and I " Parisien."' Introduced were several solo : dances of an attractive nature. The re- ' mainder of the programme comprised s almost every conceivable style of dance » by pupils, ranging from tiny tots to young 9 girls. Some excelled and others showed ' that promise which made their efforts . pleasing to" the onlookers. One and all re- • vealed the results of skilled tuition. The • recitals will be given again to-night and . to-morrow night. They are in aid of that •, excellent organisation, the Ladies Benevolent Society. ;• SISTER ESTHER'S CONCERT. ''. A concert in aid of Sister Esther's , Christmas Cheer Fund will be given this ' evenincr at the Town Hall concert cham- •', ber Fifty vocalists and instrumentalists will be taking part. The vocal soloists }* will be Misses Cora Melvm, soprano, and f" Laura Stone, contralto; Messrs. Horace Jessop, tenor, and F. Bourke, bass. Elocutionary items will be given by Mr. Thomas Harris. Miss Tbebr.a Gallagher will be the accompanist, . and Mr. A. > Mudgway will conduct. ( EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. f, A film version of the melodramatic success, " The Silver King," will be prel" sented at Everybody's Theatre to-day. It '' is a picturisatiou of the melodrama of the !- same name,' which was so popular a few l - years ago. It is a pathetic story of Wila fred Denver, an English gentleman, who went the pace without weighing the consequences. A jealous rival, posing' as a - friend of the family, accelerates his down-' 6 fall. Denver learns the truth and, ,in a I, drunken rage, tries to kill the man who has betrayed him. The treacherpus.irie.nd,. k

Geoffrey Ware, is really killed by burglars. ' who leave evidence pointing to Denver as ' " the guilty one. Denver thinks he ha* /•- - killed Ware, and is persuaded by his wife to leave England. He goes to America,'.' makes a fortune, and eventually returns to ' England ' and proves his innocence. The f story, _ as portrayed on th« screen, is very " realistic and interesting. William Faversham and Barbara Castleton arc seen in the leading roles. THE KIWIS. A programme of operatic variety and concert items will be presented by tho Kiwis at the concert chamber, Town Hall, to-morrow evening. This party of soldier entertainers has recently returned from a, most successful tour of Britain and France. -, Of the net profits 40 per cent. am being appropriated for the purpose of providing medical treatment for widowed "mothers, widows, and orphans of deceased soldiers. The box plan is now open at Messrs. Richardson's Music .Depot, Queen Street. OPERA HOUSE. The vaudeville programme at the Opera House includes items which are of a varied and attractive character. The Correli Tiio of musicians have some tasteful selections which meet with instantaneous success. The aeroplane act by_ the Kenna Brothers is distinguished by its clever patter and novel presentation." Some eleve joggling ' acts and balancing feats also appear on the programme. "THE MESSIAI'." A rendering of Handel's ''Messiah" will be given by a choir of 80 voices at the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle on Monday, December 22. The solists are Madame Bella Russell, Miss Laura Stone, Mr. Edwin Dennis, and Mr. A. CoUedge, : the choir will be conducted by Mr. A. E. Wilson, and the organist is Mr. E. S. Craston. The proceeds will be devoted to the Manurewa Children's Home. NATIONAL THEATRE. "The Prussian Cur" reveals to the patrons' of the National Theatre the power and influence of the German spy system in America. The crimes of German secret agents in America have been revealed by Captain Horst Von der Goltz, who for 10 years was a German agent. The new programme to-morrow presents Tom Mix in "Fighting for Gold." The story is based on the book "The Highgrader," by William Macleod Raine, and the scenario is by Charles Kenyon, the well-known dramatist and screen writer. A pretty love story runs through the picture and some hard Western fighting takes a prominent place. A live bear is one of the amusing features. Tom Mix has a.> new leading lady this time in Miss Teddy Sampson. Peggy Hyland also appears in " The Girl With No Regrets," a stirring photo-play of the underworld. The story is a strong one, and Peggy land's winning personality is aided by her great dramatic talent. TTVOU THEATRE. Douglas Fairbanks executes some daring acts and provides some exciting • moments in "The Knickerbocker Buckaroo," which is being screened at the Tivoli Theatre. The supporting programme includes some good •films, and tho orchestral music is well selected. The new programme screened at the matinee to-morrow introduces Elsie Ferguson in «a society drama entitled " The Marriage Price." The story is said to be of unusual strength, the settings and general production - unexcelled. A novel scene is a banquet in a stable, surrounded by thoroughbred horses owned by the hostess. The supporting programme includes " Bunkered," a comedy, by, Mr.and Mrs., Sydney Drew. .J* STRAND THEATRE. ~" "De Luxe Annie" will be screened today for the last time at the JStrand Theatre. Norma Talmadge takes the leading Tola with great success. /.The ■ attraction for next week will be a famous!. Drary Lane melodrama, entitled ''The White Heather." The production is-the ■ work of Maurice Tournenr, producer of "The Whip," and many ether features of. >. more than usual excellence. A thriving ' scene in the, picture is a fight under the ' sea between' two divers. The scene; was J actually filmed under, water—director, 1 camera man, and actors donning; diving ' dress for the occasion. ' > < ■ . • -*-. * ■ PRINCESS THEATRE. — " . "For Better" For Worse" is ah excellent! production by Cecil B. de MUle, and * patrons of the Princess Theatre agree with > the critics, who say that the play sur- [ passes former ' n efforts of the producer. The story has an artistic and commercial value. The new programme has for its chief attraction a charming romance - : 'entitled Little Miss Hoover," withv "Margeurite Clark in the leading role. The supporting films include a new r ■• Mack Sennett comedy, "Hearts "and. Flowers," and the latest topicaP'gazette. -' * QUEEN'S THEATRE. . An exciting serial, entitled "The Silent Mystery," is being screened at the Queen's Theatre, in addition' to "The Bluffer," with June Elvidge in the-lead-ing role. Miss Elvidge is supported by an exceptional cast. The new programme includes Kitty Gordon in "Mandarin's Gold," and the second episode of "The Silent Mystery." GRAND THEATRE. J'The Runaway Wife" will be screened to-day at the Grand Theatre; The supporting programme also includes chapter 6 ' of "The Lightning Raiders" and a good comedy entitled "Chicken-chased : and Henpecked." Bessie Love appears in " The Dawn of Understanding," which is being screened to-morrow., = •-- ■> LYRIC THEATRE. "The Sentimental Bloke" . will be , screened for the last time ai the Ljrio Theatre this evening. Specially-selected musio and a vocal item are features of the entertainment. Constance Talmadge- ap- ' pears to-morrow in "A Lady's Name." i This story is of an authoress who' advertises for a husband. ' •| • GLOBE THEATRE. - Emmy Wehlen take 3 the leading role in ; "When a Woman Loves," which is being . screened at the Globe Theatre. This , story of crime and love provides some * exciting scenes and dramatic incidents.