ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17889, 17 September 1921, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. j It is several years since "Patience" was included, in the, repertoire of a' visiting Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, so | than it, ls practically new to the present I generation of Auckland theatregoers. lis] revival ;by the J, C. , .W-Jiwß«m.O>mpMv at His Majesty's Theatre !*st evec'iut had been locked forward to with keen interest, therefore, and there was a racked house to witness it . " Older' playgoers, with tractions to remember,.were there is. goodly numbers, v and to them the production came as. », refreshing treat, in which: intellect and senses shared. Musically "Patience" ranks high; in the list of Sullivan* n»lodious operatic achievements', and some of the «»?S ■seemingly never die;; : inJ'the' ■]&«? * shaftsSf Gilbert's satirical wit ate directed at a craw Which, at,the time it was written, existed in London eocietsNthe wave, of aestheticism which.---swept j^-rTa 11 , away, but which was events/ d > «4icule. ; In satirising this craze Gilbert set bis, audiences roaring with laughter at_the peripatetics of longhaired aesffietics, with their, languid "low I ;S»^? s i their passion .for bashful- potatoes,, then- fancy for mediaeval style/and and;.;%; anything from^Japan. He created twenty love-sick maidens and two long-haired -Poets, for them to vent their, fervid love upon*> and in contrast set agamst the faddists : a company of ui^andong, healthy-minded British dragoons. " With this material he made sad havoc of the _ worship of effeminate ; poets, bad poetry, and of inanimate articles and vegetables, and his ridicule helped largely m : the v destruction of •the..craze, iTopical as such a libretto must necessarily remain, it is remarkable how to this day its points and its-humour still appeal. Last evening s audience' found the "book" hiAly diverting for all its obscure allusions, and, with Sullivan's delightful music into the bargain, the success, . of the piece was assured from the outset. In the title role Miss Patii Russell was charming as the dairy-maid " rival of the 20 rapturous maidens. She sang with striking effect the vocal solos, "I cannot tell what this love may be," and " Love a a Plaintive Song,"; both being ? roundly encored. She was also admirable in the duet, Tell me Pretty Maiden." Mr. Charles Walen as Reginald Bunthome, the fleshly poet who,is a fraud; was seen m a characterisation notable for its finished artistry. His rendering of the aesthetic song,, " If You're Anxious for to I Shine," was so good as to provoke several I recalls, his aping" of the aesthetic's mannerisms and absurd posturing being inimitably clever. In the duets, "Sing hey to You," and. "When I go Out of Doors}" he was also excellent. Of outstanding merit Was Che acting and singing of Mr. John Relstonas Archibald Grosvenor, the poet blessed with a colossal conceit of ; himself. Bis finest vocal effort was in i fee famous song, "The Magnet and the Churn," specialised with, the aid of the ladies of the chorus. This «as warmly encored. In the duet with Patience, "Tell me Pretty Maiden," he was also good, though the number was set mainly in the upper register of his voice. He "sang well, too, in the duet with Bunthome. Mr. Frederick Hobbs as the colonel of dragoons was m. excellent voice for his solos, "If You Want a Receipt," and "When I First Put This Uniform On;" both of which went with a vigorous, swing. Useful also was Mr. Hobbs* voices in several of the concerted numbers, including, "Mediaeval Art/' and "If I Choose to Marry." Mr. James Hay was not well cast as the Duke of Dunstable. His singing,, moreover, was , marred by a severe , cold, ' which prevented him doing justice .to his numbers. -.. Misses ' Molly TyreH/rGrace GrbttyV Thelma Carter, and Beryl Walkely, K as the principal rapturous maidens, acquitted themselves well, Miss Tyrea's ■ solo, " Silvered is the Raven. Hair," being admirably song, as was her share of the duet, "Sing 3 bey to You." Mr. Gustavo Slapoffski'g orchestra rendered yeoman service. " Patience " will be repeated this afternoon and this evening. ■ i

KING'S THEATRE. The character in Longfellow's worldfamous poem is the central figure in E. Carleton Wallace's emotional drama, 'The Village Blacksmith/' which Fuller's Dramatic Players are presenting for the first time at the matinee at the King's Theatre to-day. "The Village Blacksmith" depicts an honest man'a great fight for his honour, and the safety of his wife, child, ?.i»d hr me. - Reserved seats aTe obtainable at Richardson's, Queen Street, and Finlay Pitt- Street, until noon, then at Seg<?din's. opposite the Opera House, and the Theatre, »'phone 2668.

DRAMATIC RECITALS. The dramatic recitals to- bo presented by Mrs. C. C. Forsyth and her students a l . The Towis Hall concert chamber this afternoon and evening should attract many people. At the. matinee speciaL items by «he juniors *wiil be given, among them being a charming little play, "The Birthday oi the Sim and Moon." The Shakespearean pageant should prove of interest, &■ many of the poet's finest lines '*re to be- xvtirad. in costume. Mrs, Forsyth, Mi*s VivC* Wallace, Messrs. H. J. Benth-y «asd Gladding will be heard in modern vometre« whilst Mrs. SwaDow will also ccplr'.b'.ii-j eo the programme. ■

PRINCESS THEATRE. The Princess . management has secured an excellent " star" feature for the coming week in " The Home Stretch," with Douglas Mac Lean in the leading role. Although essentially a racing picture, there is an enjoyable element of romance in the story of the enterprising young grocer's i assistant, whose unpromising-looking horse, Honey blossom, wins the race and brings the lucky owner a fortune. 1$ seems, at first, however, as though it has also lost' him a wife and happiness, and through the young man's unquestioning acceptance of ill-luck he almost loses his sweetheart for ever. The young lady shows a 'good deal more enterprise than her lover, and brings matters to a climax just as the vessel is taking him away from her forever. He wakes once more to action, and realising his mistake, takes a sensational header from the deck and swims back to the wharf. The picture will certainly win popularity with Auckland audiences.

ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS.

The box plans for the series of dramatic and humorous recitals to be given by Alexander Watson at the concert chamber, beginning on Saturday evening next, will be opened at Lewis Eady's on Monday. Mr. Watson "will give his farewell recital to-night in Christcfairrch, where be has been reciting to Hacked houses, just as he has in each town he has visited since he arrived from London in April last. For the season a series of attractive programmes have been arranged. They will include items from the works of Shakespeare, Dickens, Kipling, U. MBarric, Mark Twain, and other modernauthors. At the epening recital Mr. Watson will begin with the famous Forum scene from " Julius Caesar," and will {rive popular miscellaneous items for the second half of the programme. I" Nicholas Nickleby" will be chosen for Monday's recital, and on Tuesday evening* the public will bear the famous .Jocutionist in selections from the works of Sir J. M. Barrio. On Wednesday " Dr. Marigold's Prescriptions," a Dickens' story, which has delighted thousands, will .be given by Mr. Watson. . *

ORGAN RECITALS. Over 2000 pupils of tbs primary schools were present at an organ recital given in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The city organist, Mr Manghan Barnett, in his opening address, referred to the fact that recitals for children, similar to those given in Auckland during the past eight years, were started in England this year. The programme included organ works by Vierne, Baelmann, and Maughan Barnett. Mr. Barry Coney was the vocalist. The city organist will give a recital in the Town Half to-night, when he will play works by Bach and Vierne. Mrs. Cyril Towsey will be the vocalist.

MARIE NH,SSON RECITALS. ' The programme of the first of the twp recitals of Miss Mario NiJsson, ■ wlich takes place in the Town Hall next Thursday, is announced. These recitals by this brilliant soprano arc creating unusual interest,, among music-lovers;■.■; Attention has already been directed to the quality and range of this young vocalist, and' the programme certainly' bears this out. It contains two operatic numbers, "Je* Suis Titania !? from - " Mighon,'' and /■* One Fine Day" (Madame Butterfly).' ; j Of the beautiful Bebridean songs , arranged ?by Mrs. Kennedy. Fraser, two figure in the recital, " An Eriskay Love-Lilt," and " A Sea-Reiver's Song." - Mrs. . Kennedy Eraser's melodies have never ■ been heard ph; the Auckland concert platform,. although "they ! take high rank fon x English programmes. V Miss* Nilsson, . .who- is a native of Scotland, can be trusted toinfuse the proper sentiment into: these songs, and* also, into the better-known Scottish ballads, "The Scottish Bluebells," and "Last May a Braw Wooer,'' which are Also included. ■" Lb! Hear the Gentle Lark"' s(with flute obligato), *' To a Miniature," and "I Passed by Your belong to the modern school, and - find a place in the recital." Mr. Cyril'Towsey, who is the accompanist, will play : a piano, solo, " Papillons'% (Schumann) j • and Mr. Geo. -Poore, in addition I the obligrto, will give ; Mblique's Andante from Concerto, Op. 69; V s ' "'■ - - ; - A, REGIMENTAL BAND CONCERT. vA band and orchestral concert,,.;which should, provide excellent musical entertainment, "will be given by the band of the First Battalion, Auckland Infantry, in the Town Hall on Wednesday, September 28. The total strength of the band is 75. It includes a great many orchestral instruments. It has been practising assiduously for some time, and Wednesday's concert is regarded as something in the nature of a test of the band's qualities; An excellent programme is being prepared. Items will "be included for both the 'brass band and the orchestra. In addition, the Regimental Jazz Band, and the Lyrio Quartette will be heard. Seats may be reserved at Lewis Eady and Go.'s.

ORPHANS CLUB CONCERT. i A concert, the proceeds from which will be devoted to the Auckland Hospital Radium fund for the treatment of cancer, arranged by the, Auckland Orphans' Club, win be, held in the Town Ball on Wednesday evening next: The club's orchestra, under Mr. G. P. Cater, will assist with the programme,; while another, decided attraction will be the vocal items by the Lyric Quartette. The soloists will include Misses Agnes Dixon and Laura Stone, and Messrs. J. Ryan, A. E. Churchouse, .W. E. McKinlay, and. S. 4 Pritchard. while Messrs. Alan McElwain, 'C. Little, and T. Harris will contribute miscellaneous items. ~.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. As a. romance and a thrilling adventure in the South Seas, the picture "The Girl of the Sea," which w?« shown yesterday at the Queen's Theatre, leaves nothing to be desired, and for lawlessness and excitement is no mean second to " Treasure Island '* itself. The' fight between a giant octopus and the hero in the depths of the £*» is depicted with, startling realism, by means of submarine photography, and at oiher stages in the story the denizens of the depths kx e revealed in their natural Jarocity. Tbd, story is of buried treasure which has for it* guardian ah octopus in the sea off an island. The son of the rightful owner of the treasure emmarks on a quest to clear his father's honour and secure the wealth. He has to contend with a gang of villains, who attempt to take his life on numerous occasions, but he has in a native girl on the island % faithful friend. She risks her life repeatedly to save his, and in the. end they •#■•,, happiness and wealth. Another pits-arc which leaves no room for monotony is " Firebr&nd Trssvison," in which Buck Jones' fights intrigue and numerous' enemies to win a girl. The orchestral selections were an. enjoyable feature of the entertainment.