ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19383, 19 July 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. George Ward and his Snapshot Revtxe Company will again appear at Fuller's Opera House during this week in a revue entitled "Mixed Pickles.'' The new production is on similar lines to the comedysketch " Camouflage" which was presented last week. Several new songs and dances will be introduced, while George Ward will supply the humorous touch. In adition to the revue, the Taylor and Carlton 1926 Pierrots will make their first appearance. The company, which comprises Jimmy Taylor, Teddy Carlton, Dot Roslyn, Dot Summers, Beryl Scott and Wm. Aspden, will entertain with song, comedy and monologue. Popular airs will be played on the concertina by Harry North.

MUNICIPAL CONCERT. Interest in the excellent series of municipal concerts continues unabated, judging by the large audience present at the Town Hall on Saturday evening. On this occasion a well-chosen programme of popular classics was submitted, and Mr. Christopher Smith, the progressive conductor, is to be congratulated upon the choice made.

The concert was fittingly opened with a sterling performance of Saint-Saens' Marche Heroique»" Here the incisive themes and colourful harmonic progressions which are ever a feature of the French school of instrumentation made a brilliant tone picture. The band gained much kudos in their thrilling rendering of the always welcome overture to Rossini's "William Tell." The technical difficulties of the dramatic "Storm" music gave all departments plenty to achieve, while the finale left, the listener breathless. The recall of Mr. Smith tp the platform was unanimous and deserved.

Such was the melodic charm of Handel's "Largo" and Beethoven's ''Minuet" that the affections of the audience were unmistakably won, while the appeal of Rachmaninoff's famous "Prelude in (J Sharp Minor," and Dvorak's "Humoresque" was irresistible. A new number at these concerts was the military band arrangement of Liszt's "Rhapsodie Hongroise" No. 14, and although placed last upon the list it made such an imprps sion that a warm recall resulted. The opening slow movement in the style of a funeral march mainly given out in the bass register, led into its repetition in "Allegro" tempo in the maior key Here the ensemble playing, as well as the variation treatment, was sound. The tripping measures of the "Allegretto" sec tions gave scope for deft execution by the clarinets, while warm praise was won by the flute and B-flat and E-flat clarinets in their brilliant cadenzas. Electrical precision was a marked feature off the finale to this work, and the climaxes were developed with resounding effect. Mr. Fred. Bowes' musicianly cornet solo, "Serenade" (Schubert) had the advantage of an excellent band accompaniment and was heartily encored. Mr. H. Richards, tenor, was very pleasing in Tosti's "My Dreams," which was encored, and was also associated with Mr. E. Thomas m the vocal duet. "Watchman, What of the Night" (Sargeant). The latter singer, who was recalled after his singing of the "Toreador Song" from "Carmen," does not always employ his bass voice with the view of securing the best vocal effect, especially in the higher register. The pianoforte accompaniments by Mr. Leo. Whittaker met all demands.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. A specially attractive programme in which vaudeville items of a high standard will be combined with the usual picture entertainment is to be presented at the newly-opened Prince Edward Theatre, Karangahape Road, each Monday evening. The first Monday evening programme since the re-opening _of the theatre will be given this evening, and no effort has been spared to make this a gala night worthy of the occasion. There will be items by Ernest Robson, tenor, Muriel Alison, character soubrette, Charles Adams, baritone, the De Cara Duo, who will appear in a Russian dance, Paddy Cochrane, actor-vocalist, Madame Sherson, contralto, the Kattern Sisters, dancers, C. Austin, novelty instrumentalist, Sybil Elsmore, mezzo-soprano, " Miss Unknown." a masked singer, and Violet Lees, soubrette. Two attractive specialty acts will also be presented. Tne picture programme will be headed by " Mademoiselle Midnight," a Paramount release, starring Mae Murray. An excellent supporting programme of comedies and topical films will also be screened.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. Vaudeville and pictures will be combined to form an attractive programme at the Hippodrome Theatre this evening. The vaudeville section of the programme will be under new management, and it is hoped to make it brighter and more entertaining than ever. Both amateur ana professional trials will be included in it this evening. The featured film will be a stirring Western production, " Two-fisted Jones," with Jacfc Hoxie in the principal role. In this film there is an abundance of action which maintains the interest throughout the picture Hard riding and gun fights provide many thrills, and an interesting romance is woven into the story.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Thomas Meighan, whose popularity continues to increase rapidly, is seen in one of his best productions to date in " Irish Luck," a Paramount release now being shown at the Princess Theatre. Lois Wilson was the leading feminine role. The picture was filmed in Ireland, and every effort was made to include glimpses of the world-famous scenic beauties of the Emerald Isle. Pretty streams, bridges and castles are seen repeatedly and special film was used in order to obtain the most perfect results in the out-door photography. Tom Meighan has a dounle role, being seen as a New York policeman who goes on holiday to Ireland, the home of his parents. On arrival his remarkable resemblance to a well-known nobleman leads to some particularly amusing instances of mistaken identity.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. This week's programme at the National and Lyric Theatres is headed by an attractive First National picture, " Too Much Money," in which Anna Q. Nilsson has the leading role. She is supported by Lewis Stone, who appears for the first time in a comedy role, of which he makes a striking success. The story tells of a wealthy man who, finding that his wife is giving practically the whole of her v time to social activities, decides that too much money is not good for her. He therefore temporarily transfers his fortune to a friend and has himself made bankrupt. With his wife he seeks cheap lodgings, and then obtains a position as assistant in a grocery store. Dismissed from this job he secures a post as a janitor, and many hilarious incidents result. The climax is reached after a series of amusing scenes on shipboard. The second attraction is " The Dixie Merchant," starring Jack Muthall and Madge Bellamp.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. " Desert Gold," Zano Grey's popular story, adapted to the screen for Paramount by George B. Seitz, heads an attractive programme at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres this week. Shirley Mason and Neil Hamilton appear, in the leading roles. Hard riding and stirring gun-fights provide many thrills apart from a great sandstorm in the desert aril a huge landslide which finally buries the villain and his assistants. The second offering on the programme is " The Plastic Age," another Paramount picture. It is a tale of American college life with Clara Bow and Donald Keith in the chief roles.

TOn DAL MONTE. Signorina Toti Dal Monte will make her first appearance in New Zealand ai the Auckland Town Hall next Saturday evening. Other concerts will be given on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week. Toti Dal Monte has been favourably compared with Galli-Curci and Melba. A leading American critic wrote of this famous singer:—"Dal Monte, who made her debut in New York last night, is unquestionably the greatest coloratura of the generation. Her voice has the luscious warmth of the true lyric soprano, plus the exhilarating and exciting agility of the coloratura. Dal Monte has, however, a great deal more than exceptional beauty of voice, and a phenomenal technical equipment. She is an artist of exquisite .taste. She phrases like a great violinist. She can rival ni'her flute or clarionet in liquid or luminous cascades of tone." Angusto Beuf, who recently arrived in Australia with Toti Dal Monte, comes with a great reputation. His success in Melbourne was assured after his opening number, " Largo al Factotum," from the Barber of Seville, when he was spontaneously cheered by the largest audience that has ever gathered in the Town Hall. Messrs. J. and N. Tait have been able t-o secure Mr. William James as accompanist to Signorina Dal Monte, also the services of Mr. Stanley Baines, the brilliant young flautist. The box plans will open at Lewis R. Eady and Son. Ltd., on Wednesday. Judging by the number of inquiries received there is likely to be a heavy demand for seats.

VI£IT OF BACKHAUS. Described as the world's greatest pianist, Backhaus, who is at present creating widespread interest in Australia, will shortly visit New Zealand. Backhaus has been termed the genuine successor to Rubenstein and Lizst, and lovers of good music are looking forward to his visit with great keenness. He has been heard in many homes through the medium of the gramophone. His appearance in person will be awaited with interest by New Zealand music-lovers.

PIANOFORTE RECITAL. A pianoforte recital will be given by Mr. Ronald Chamberlain, examiner for the Trinity College of Music, in the Unity Hall, Queen Street, on Wednesday next. Mr. Chamberlain is an eminent British pianist who has recently arrived from London, and his recital will be of exceptional interest to music lovers. The critic of the Morning Post has said: "We are grateful to Mr. Ronald Chamberlain for preserving the unity of Beethoven's piano sonata. He succeeded where many fail, in relating the metamorphoses of the Arieta to one another and to the generic principle. His reading of Schumann's Etudes Symphoniques bore many marks of quiet musicianship." The box plan is at the E. and F. Piano Agency.