ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19497, 29 November 1926, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE HUMPHREY BISHOP COMPANY

Wherever the Humphrey Bishop Company appeared in Australia they were greeted with crowded theatres and their recent season in Sydney was the most successful since the company was formed Comedy is the keynote of their performance and with such comedians as George "Scratcher" Ross, Charles Albert, Mark Leslie and Dan Flood, there is not a dull moment in the entertainment. Though comedy and laughter predominate, the company are especially strong on the vocal side, and to hear one of their operatic finales accompanied by the Humphrey Bishop orchestra, it would seem impossible to believe that there was not a real grand opera chorus behind them. This extraordinary production of voices has been the cause of wonderment throughout the long seasons they have played in the various cities of Australia. The original ragtime quartette has for years never been allowed to leave the stage without at least four enoores. This quartette appeals to everyone, both from a comedy point of view and a vocal one, and their reception everywhere has been most enthusiastic. In each of their programmes there is something to please everybody, no matter whether their tastes lie in the direction of singing, dancing, music or grand opera—each and every one of the artists being a well-known London performer. Intending patrons are requested to bock early as there is' every indication of packed houses in Auckland. Box plans open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., to-day The, first performance will take place on Wednesday evening. THE OPERA HOUSE. The Midnight Frolics maintain their success at the Opera House and during their three weeks in Auckland have broken all records. To-day they enter on their fourth week with another entirely new programme. At the bead of the laughter-producers is Clem Dawe, whom some of the best critics in Australia describe as the finest comedian seen for many vears. The way his work has been accepted here amply proves that Auckland has confirmed that, opinion. This week's programme will include the following: "The Ankle Parade," "The Operatic Quartette," "The Schoolmaster," "Two In One," "The Wedding Breakfast," "South Sea Isles," and "Fun in a Harem." The musical trio ns usual provides one of the outstanding items on the programme. Mention must also be made nf the Frolics Band. This week they will present "Sing Belgian, Sing,*' said to be a most artistic effort, and the work of Sir Edward Elsrar. the eminent F.nelish composer. Altogether this programme promises to be the Frolics best to dnte The box plans are at Messrs. Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. MUNICIPAL CONCERTS. The weekly Municipal Concert given in the Town Hall on Saturday evening took the form of an organ recital by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, with supporting items by Miss Evaline Ivory, a new soprano, and Miss Margaret Stod- I dart, violinist As regards attendance, the response of the public was scarcely what, might have been expected, considering the manner in which the programme and its mode of performance served the higher interests of music. Important organ contributions were two Choral Improvisations, Nos. 51 and 47, by that eminent classic writer Karg-Elert, and the great "Prelude and Fugue in G Minor," from the pen of the brilliant organ virtuoso, Marcel Dupre. In the Choral Preludes brilliance and poetic beauty were side by side, while in the Dupre selection interest culminated in the rollicking subject of' the Fugue, which as it ran its course, was heard in conjunction with the theme of the Prelude. Bach's Concert No. 4 was brilliantly handled, while Salome's " Offertoirs," and Liszt's fanciful sketch on the legend " St. Francis Preaching to the Birdti" secured .finely-judged registration. Two organ pieces which were much enjoyed were Schubert's descriptive " By the "Sea" and an arrangement for organ and bells of the old English folk song theme, "The Jolly Miller." Miss Evaline ivory's cultured soprano songs, " It was a Lover and his Lass" (German) and " Whether the Day or the Night" (Tschaikowsky) were much appreciated and the vocalist was recalled after each appearance. Facility of bowing, combined with appropriate interpretation, wore features of Miss Margaret Stoddnrt's violin solos, " Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso" (Saint-Saens) and "Romance in G Minor," (Eric Waters). The last-men-tioned composed by a local musician is an excellent work of its class. Miss Stoddart's encores were equally as acceptable as her programme items. Mr. L, Whittaker's pianoforte accompaniments* were tastefully played. The Municipal Band will continue its series of concerts next Saturday evening. The outstanding feature of the programme will be the second presentation of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Other splendid numbers will be "Oberon " overture; a grand selection from Mozart's works, and Dvorak's Slavonic Dances, Nos. 7 and 8. Miss Nellie Lingard will contribute vocal items, with Mr. Leo. Whittaker at the piano Booking is at Messrs, Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. The Sunday evening concerts given by the Municipal Band in the Town Hal! are drawing increasing attendances. The programme submitted last evening proved very popular. Tha band items included "Wilfiam Tell," "Espanola" and "Bohemian Girl." Mr. F. Bowes contributed a cornet solo and Mr. 11. C. McLennan played a flute selection.

MARIST FATHERS' CONCERT.

The excellent concert programme arranged by Professor Moor-Karoly in aid of the Marist Fathers* School campaign was deserving of a much larger attendance than was in evidence at the Scots Hall, Upper Symonds Street, on Saturday evening. The occasion served to introduce several of his jidvanced vocal students in a number of ambitious items, most of which were sang with artistic finish. In the majority of instances the voices were equal to the executive demands of the more difficult selections and there was evidence of careful study in the operatic excerpts. Miss Myra Monk's expositions of numbers such as " Mother, You Know the Story," from Mascagnee's "Cavalleria Rtsticana" and Senta's Ballad from Wagner's " Flying Dutchman" more nearly approached professional standard, since she captured the operatic mood in no uncertain manner. Mr. Hugh Woods' resonant bass was employed to advantage in Squires " The Watchman" and Cowen's " Onaway, Awake, Beloved." while Mr. Len Keven submitted accurate readings of the air, " Hail, Gracious King,"' from Wagner's " Lohengrin," and the vigorous "The Fishermen of England" (Phillips). Mr. Roy Dormer showed vocal experience in his tenor items, "Walter's Prieslied" from Wagner's " The JJeistersingers," and Brahms' " Eternal Love," and Mrs. Ernest Asher sang with sincerity the tripping measures of " When a Gallant Youth Advances" from Weber's " Der Freischutz" and a pleasing "Lullaby." Mrs. T. Monaghan contributed Cbaminade's L'Ete" and _ Schubert a " Margaret at the Spinning Wheel with freedom. Mr. Rhydder Jones' work was more than promising in the two dissimilar songs, "My Love, in all its Glory (Schumann) and" " Death and the Maiden (Schubert). Miss Jessie Smith, a piecing contralto from Mr. Wh.ttaker s stud.o made a good impression in tne brackat *. numbers.-" Lovely Spring" (Coenan) and 'The Silver Ring" (Chaminade). Some well-chosen concerted pieces, which included duets, trios .and qoarteaes from Beethoven's Opera Fideho tributed by the Misses Ailsa Scott, Mjra Monk and Messrs Roy Dormer and Hug i Woods. The exponents had evidently rehearsed the music in a thorough ma ""® r ludeing bv the results achieved. 1. rofessor Moor-Karoly acted as accompanist and gave unfailing assistance to wte vocalists.

"THE MIKADO." Two delightful performances of "The Mikado" were given at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday, when there were audiences, at both the matinee and in the evening. "The Mikado" remains the most popular of all the Gilbert arid Sullivan operas. The reason is rot far to seek, for in addition to'the generous flow of melody the piece is remarkable for the sympathy of the work of author and composer. Mr. Charles Walenn in the role of Ko-ko. the Lord Hie' l cntioner, was responsible for much merriment, and received able support from ihf well balanced company. This evening the company will present the old favourite opera "H.M.S. Pinn fortt," which will bo preceded by the eurtain-raiser, "Trial by Jury." Ti> season will be brought to a close t<> morrow evening when "The Pirates of Penzance" will be played. MISS KNIGHTS RECITAL. The annual dance recital of Miss Daphne Knight's pupils will take plac« at Scots Ha ! l next Saturday evening. Under the heading of "Steps and Styles" Miss Knight's pupils will appear in a production said to be both novel and entertaining. An additional interest will be the appearance of Miss Linda Dale and Miss Myra Rowe, two well-Known Australian performers. The box plans wili open at Lewis R. Eady sjiJ i>~n, Ltd., next Wednesday. NATIONAL AND LYRIC. In "The Duchess of Buffalo," now showing at the National and Lyric Theatres, Constance Talmadge plays the part of Marian Duncan, an American dancer in Russia. She wins the love of Lieutenant Orloff, of the Guards, and attracts the attention of the Grand Duke Gregory. This is inconvenient for Orloft, because it is to the duke that he must apply for permission to marry. Gregory naturally does not wish the. lieutenant to marry the girl and places him under arrest. He escapes and the young couple are mistaken tor the ductless and her aide, and are given the rooms assigned to Royalty. The supporting picture is "Senor Daredevil," in which K3O Maynard has the title role. PRINCESS AND TIVOLL Jack Holt, Florence Vidor and George Bancroft have the leading roles in "Sea Hoises," an Allan Dwan production, now showing at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. The film was adapted from the no"el by Francis Brett Young. The story centres round a charming English woman, who, with her little daughter, sets sail on a cargo steamer for a remote port on the East African coast. There she hopes to join her handsome, romantic husband, who deserted her a year after their marrijige. She finds he has degenerated into a beachcomber, and her subsequent romance with the captain forms a gripping climax to the picture. The second featured film, " Hie Transcontinental Limited," nt tin exciting railway melodrama The cast inchv'es Johnny Walker, Eugenia Gilbert and A' B. Francis. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. An attractive programme of pictorial and vaudeville items will be presented at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. Considerable interest is expected in the special beauty contest, in which 12 girls will appear on the stage in huthing costumes, and the audience will bo asked to vote. A number of vaudeville artists will support this feature. The picture " Cold Nerve," featuring Lew Cody, is said to be a most exciting Western film with scenes rivalling those of " The Covered Waggon."