ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17872, 29 August 1921, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

KING'S THEATRE.

An Irish drama, " Conn, the Shaughraun," was played to large audiences at the King's Theatre on Saturday. The play, on the whole, was of a light and airy nature, the escapades of the irresponsible Conn and his schemes and plans for the circumlocution of the band of rogues pursuing a Fenian being productive of much liveliness. The situations and acting, howover, were sometimes too overdrawn to make a genuine appeal to the emotions, and a striving for effect at intervals marred the dramatic sense. The old Irish atmosphere of village life was prevalent throughout, and Irish wakes, funerals, country lanes and cabins, and the stress and turmoil of fierce political warfare were characteristic touches of the play. The cast was a lengthy one, tne bulk of the acting falling on the male strength of the company. Mr. George Cross, in the name part, had a lighter role than usual. He fulfilled the irresponsible nature of the character with ease, though at times it did not altogether fit in with his style. Mr. Jack McGowan as the villainly Kinchela Mr. W. H. Ayr as the parish priest, and Mr. Bert Frawley as the fugitive Fenian, successfully conveyed the essentials of their parti.. Mr. Kenneth Carlisle made a gallant English officer, and Mr. Walter Comock a dastardly police agent, played with a good deal of exaggeration. Miss Clarice Warner, Miss Connie Metters, and Miss Muriel Dale supplied the principal feminine interest with every ' success, while Miss Ella Carrington acted vigorously as Conn's distracted mother. Ihe drama will be repeated each evening this week until Friday.

OPERA HOUSE. Ten vaudeville acts will be submitted at the change of programme at the Opera House to-day. Miss Laura Guerite, whose clever work won her instant recognition at 'her first appearance last week, will appear in a new act, and items will also be offered by Renaux and Arta, Marshall, Beatrice MacKenzie and Co., Randolph King, Miriam Mahr, Richardson Brothers and Cherie, Lola Stantonne, Don Stuart, Bergh and English.

MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL. An enjoyable programme was submitted on Saturday evening, when the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, gave the weekly organ recital. Mr. Sydney Butler was heard to advantage in " Sound an Alarm" (" Judas Maccab®us," Handel) and " Pagan" (Lohr), and the city organist did full justice to the organ selections " Toccata" and " Pastorale" (Franck), " Norwegian Dance" (Greig), "Sonata No. 3" (Mendelssohn), "By the Sea" (Schubert), and " Strawberry Fair" (English Folksong). Mr. Cyril Towsey acted as accompanist.

" BELINDA." " Belinda," a sparkling comedy, was presented on Friday evening in the Holy Sepulchre parish hall by a company of local amateurs, before a crowded audience. Miss Mary Bachelder gave a very charming and graceful interpretation of the title role. Delia, Belinda's daughter, played by Miss Winsome Charter, was very delightful and captivating, while Miss Alice Wilson made a very proper maid, Betty. Mr. P. H Woods and Mr. G. Collard provided much amusement as Devenish and Baxter, and Mr. W. H. Graham excellently portrayed the part of John Tremayne, the long-lost husband. Mr. G. Harold Hardey's Orchestra provided the music between the acts. The proceeds are for parochial guild funds.

THE RAINBOW REVELLERS. The Rainbow Revellers gave their final entertainment at the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday evening, before a large audience. The programme was much appreciated, and encores were frequent. The three entertainments were in aid of Sister Hannah's building fund, and the receipts for Saturday evening should augment the fund to a considerable extent. At the conclusion of the performance a number of bouquets were presented to the lady artistes.