ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17890, 19 September 1921, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

KING'S THEATRE

An honest man's fight to protect the honour of his wife and the safety of his home and, child is the theme on which "The Village Blacksmith," which was presented at the King's Theatre on Saturday, is based. It is a stirring, emotional drama, which appealed strongly to the audience. When the story opens the central characters, the blacksmith and his pretty wife, are living happily in a quiet village. Their peace is disturbed by the arrival of an unscrupulous adventurer who had known the girl before her marriage and knew of certain incidents of her past of which her husband was ignorant. He is also in possession of valuable shares left m his possession by the girl's father for safe keeping. By various schemes he convinces the blacksmith that his wife is without honour, and breaks up the home. Alter much suffering, however, the couple are happily reunited. Despite the fact that some of the situations are ludicrous there are many touching and pathetic passages, and the acting is realistic. There are several effective scenes. Miss Clarice Warner greatly pleased her admirers as Kate Strong, the blacksmith's charming wife Mr. George Cross was well cast as John Strong, the blacksmith, a part which gave him ample scope. His portrayal of the role of the smith when driven mad by the villain's tortures was particularly well done. Mr. Kenneth Carlisle filled the role of Captain Leo, the pohshed villain, with credit. Humour in abundance was provided by Mr. Walter Cornock as Billy Twigg, a country boy. He was a most popular performer. The other parts were well filled. The drama will be repeated each evening until Saturday.

DRAMATIC BECITAL. A varied dramatic recital of high quality was given by Mrs. C O. Forsyth and her students, assisted by Mr. H. J. Bentley, in the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday afternoon and evening. The entertainment consisted of playlets, recitations, tableaux, songs, and dances, and was much enjoyed by the large audience at each performance. The programme opened with a pretty fairy play, " Birthday of the Sun and the Moon," in which parts were taken hy children with excellent effect. A picturesque tableau. " The Talking Dolls, was given by 12 little girls, and enjoyable solo recitals were contributed by Nancy Danglo, Phyllis Sharp, Dorothy Winter, Molly Wardle, and Master Lurasden. An original fantasy, " A Modern Midsummer Night's Dream," was one of the best pieces on the programme. The characters were the chief ones in "Julius Caesar," " Borneo and Juliet," " Macbeth," "As You Like It," "The Merchant of Venice," " Hamlet." and " The Taming of the Shrew." All the parts were well filled, and the acting and elocution was of a high order. The humorous sketches given by Mrs. Swallow {" The Buckboard "), Miss Thelma Duffin ("Jones Minor's" Recitation"), and Miss Gladwys Jones (" The Civil Service'), were all much enjoyed. A good interpretation of Mr. Alfred Sutro's ° n f a< * " The Marriage Will Not lake Place," was given by Miss Vida Wallace, Mr. H. J. Bentley and Mr. Gladding. The final piece at the eveni?& Performance was a one-act comedy, Between the Soup and the Savoury/' m which the opinions of the cook, the parlour maid, and the kitchen maid on love and life and their employers upstairs, provided some entertaining humour. The parte were taken by Mrs. C. C. Forsyth. Miss Thelma Duffin, and Miss Vera silk respectively. The whole entertainment was enhanced by the orchestra, under Mr 8. Green, and the lighting effects for which Mr. W. Crosher was responsible.

OPERA HOUSE. Excellent fare for vaudeville patrons will again be provided this week at the Opera House. The artist* making their nrst appearance are Loader and Lsnev woo provide comedy and music. an<; Mx Peter Brooks, described as the " faehionplate tenor." ■ Welcome return visits are being paid by Gardner and Revere in burlesque vaudeville acts, and De Wilfred the xylophonist. Artiste who have nded bright entertainment during the past two or three weeks, and who will again be seen, are Sam Stern, Cestria, Beynon, Bessie Slaughter, and the Girton College Girls.

ORGAN RECITAL. Tbere was a large audience at the organ recital given by Mr. Maughan Barnett, city organist, in the Town Hall on Saturday night. An excellent programme was played, and in addition Mrs. Cyril Towsey sar.g "When the Dew is Falling" (Schneider) and "It is Not Because Your Heart is Mine" (Lohr), both of which were enthusiastically encored. Mr. Cyril Towsey played the accompaniments. "The pieces played by Mr. Barnett were "Carillons Prelude" (Vierne), "Prelude and Futile in A minor" (Barb), ''Berceuse*' (Maughan Barnett), "Finhmdia" (Sibelius), '•March in E Flat" (Wely), and "Spring Song" (Mendelssohn), which was encored Though the attendance at the recital was not as numerous as on the previous Saturday, probably on account of the weather, it again indicated that public appreciation of crgan music as entertainment is increasing.

MARIE NILSSON CONCERTS. Local music-lovers are looking forward to" the vocal recital to be given by the brilliant soprano, Miss Marie Nilsson, in the Town Hall on Thursday night. Miss Nilssoa comes to New Zealand with the best of references—success in London and Europe with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and other musical organisations.* Miss Nilsson will bo supported by the well-known Auckland artist, Mr. Cyril Towsey, as pianist, and Mr. George Poore, flautist. Tickets for what should prove one of the best vocal recitals of the year, can now be obtained. The box plan is at Lewis EadyV

BENEFIT CONCERT. His Majesty's Theatre was rilled to its utmost capacity last evening when the sacred concert organised by the house and stage staffs of the theatre in aid of a well-known theatrical employee who is seriously ill, was given by members of the Gilbert and -Sullivan Opera Company and local artists. Long before the performance commenced there was not a vacant seat in the house, and the large audience thoroughly appreciated the fine programme of vocal solos, concerted numbers, and monologues provided. The itenns rendered by members of the opera company were particularly attractive, evoking warm applause, while the contributions i>y local artist* also proved very popular. The performers included Mhs A. Flenning, Miss I. Raymond. .Mias E. Stuart, Miss V. Danby, 'Miss W : ard. Mr. G. Ramsev, Mr. J. Kinson. Mr. S. Allan, Mr. T. "Minogue. Mr. Yal Atkinson, Mr. Reece, and the Lyric Quartette. Altogether the concert was an undoubted success. At the conclusion a tribute was paid on behalf of the organiser to the performers who had kindly given their services. aDd to others who had assisted in making the entertainment a success

ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS. The bax plan for the Alexander Watson's recitals will be opened this morning at Lewis Eady's.