ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, 23 May 1921, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

KING'S THEATRE. "The Girl in the Web," the new melodrama from the repertoire of Fuller's Dramatic Players, drew large audiences to -the King's Theatre on Saturday. The play deals •specifically with the. opium traffic and .its ruinous effects upon its victims. The spectator is shown how men and women of the best English etock become entangled in the opium web, and as a particular; instance the"- play nnfolds the fortunes of a coiintry girl who comes under the hypnotic' " spell of a wealthy Chinese opium dealer, and is eventually abducted to his luxurious Lori- : don mansion.,-. Here; in an .Oriental stage setting, is revealed, the cruel and sinister l.fe-of the Chinese nobleman, whose, wealth is his protection from exposure. The girl's " resistance. to the deadly drug and to the powerful personal linfluence of her Chinese captor, the latter's culminating' ferocity* : and the final rescue by "the girl's.; fraktic father and lover, are the-themes'-sad situations through which, the bulk of the-Vdra-'. matic intensity of the play is developed.. While the Griehtal character of the. Chinese scenes in v the play may seem over-scceiitu-' ated, .they certainly assist in suggesting the" - presence of a mysterious hidden danger, which'"it" was 1 evidently the intention of: theauthor"" to'''produce. The acting -, ion the whole was good. In particular, the performance of Miss Clarice Warner as "the:: girl in the web," with her portrayal of mesmerid fascinat.on and instinctive fear when in tiispresence of ' the Chinaman, was -perfectly convincing. Mr. Kenneth Carlisle made a dominating persons-Uty of the Chinese noble-; man,. complete with the 'necessary revolting: " attributes. Mr;; George Cross, girl's ".';.. lover, was in evidencefor only a■-compara-tively short time, but' succeeded in making, full "use of what' opportunities weria given him. Miss Muriel' Dale had a revengeful part as the 'Chinaman's agent, and Nita,_Cole ; a pitiful and tragic role as on* of his victims. .The. serious aspect of the was judiciously counteracted at'times by Hhe amusmg .performances' of -Mr.- Walter Coraock and Miss' Connie Metiers,, as two* servants; at the; country;farm, who, on.visiting Londott-for. the first time, adventurousjy enter the service of the mysterious:";- Chinaman, and help in effecting the; rescue of the impr : soned heroine. Other performers to: do • justice to their parts were. Mr. : Bert Frawley. as the girl's father; Mr. Jack r McGowan and Miss Ella Carringtoru ;as ..drug fiends; Mr.. Ctosbie Ward and -Misses Dpi. Hedley and Millie Ayr. as the Chmamari'B servants. The play will be lepeated each evening this week. " "fv" THE OPERA HOUSE. - -:-v:I Fuller's New Revue Company will present a new comedy, .''The- Burglars,":.at. the Opera House this .afternoon.and number of vaudeville :turns will alavbe'riAr ',:--'- eluded in the programme,. the performers - being < Brull and Herrisley. Bellora, the Cobkes, Arthur Tauchert, arid Daisy Cooke,.. MR. CARTER'S HARP RECITAL. - The: harp,recital given at.the. Town' Hall concert chamber on Saturday evening by Mr. Fred Carter was an enjoyable musical event greatly iippreciated by the audience. The harpist, who is a master of his instrument, with a command of techniQue.' and executive ability above thia ordinary, had selected, a varied and interesting programme..-' He first 1 appeared, in a bracket of three compositions, t-*-o by Thomas. •"Autumn" and" Spinning Wheel," and one by Oberthur," "La Glau d'au." Later he'played with artistic effect "Dance of the Fairies" (Alvers), "Recollections of Scotland" (Ghatterton). "Irish: Melodies" (arranged by himself),. ..;&. "Mazurka" by Hazelman Thomas, "Echoes of a Waterfall" and " Bells of Aberdory." Chatterton's " Bohemian Girl " fantasia, and' Bishop's " Irish Melodies." Mr. Carter .was warmlv. applfuded. Vocal items, were given bv Misses Bond" an I Ryan and Mr. ' ; N. Hutchinson. Mr. L. A. Turner was ihe accompanist. T " :••-■■. .''; MUNICIPAL , ORGAN RECITAL.^ The programme of organ and vocap selections submitted: at the <municipal: organ recital in the Town.Hall.on Saturday evening was well received by the laTge audience. The city organist. Mr. J. M<aushart Harriett, played •" Prelude arid Fugue in E-Minor" (Bach), ; (Lemare). ''Suite in., L Minor" (Ralph Driffill). " Spring Song" (Mendelssohn), "Son and Stranger" (Mendelssohn). "Gavotte" (Gorolli), and ... " Mowing the Barley." - The vocalist. Mrs. Cyril Towsey. was warmly applauded fqr her singing of "Panis-Angelicus" (Cesar Frank) and "The Moon at the 'Full" (Laridon) Ronald), and gave as recall numbers "Mr Heart's Desire" (Coningsby Claris) and " Prelude" (Cyril Scott). . Mr Cyril Towsey" was; the % accompanist. VOCAL AND PIANO RECITAL. A recital of vocal and'pianoforte music will be given in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening by Madame Winnie Fraser and -Mr. Cyril Towsey, assisted by Miss Winifred Mitchell. An attractive programme has been arranged, and.thers ifevery prospect of a pleasing musical treat being given by these three well-known concert artists. The box plan is at Richardson's. Quean St