ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19503, 6 December 1926, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MUNICIPAL CONCERT-. That growing and important factor in the musical life of tho community—the Municipal Band—again gave delight to patrons of the Saturday evening concerts at the Town Hall. Given such a programme as that presented on this occasion, it is certain that the vogue of the band must increase. The resultant applause following the more important contributions must have gladdened the heart of the indefatigable conductor, Mr. Christopher Smith. Seldom has a more finished performance of the overture to Weber's "Oberon" been heard, and all departments from the flutes and clarinets to the heavy brass strove to excel in presenting this stirring sound picture. A beautiful and expressive tone quality was put forward in the opening slow movement, the close brass harmonies being given with .sureness of touch, while the more rapid figures were enunciated with celerity by the wood-wind. The "Allegro con Fuoco" traversed well-known themes, including the quartet, "Over, the Dark Blue Waters," and, incidentally, gave chances for handling the many rapid sequences and semiquaver rushes with clear technique. Another noteworthy contribution was Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5," in C Minor, which was such a success at a previous concert. Throughout a fine mastery of the ideas was shown, especially sound expositions being forthcoming of tho opening "Allegro," with its wonderful development of effects based on an insistent four-note theme, and the "Andante con moto," embodying much fertility of invention as regards the variation form. Dvorak's idealised treatment of National airs as shown in the two "Slavonic Dances," Nos. 7 and 8, was never in doubt as these numbers were played, while the swinging march, "Merry of Heart" (May), and a representative selection of airs from Mozart's operas placed tho band in the front rank of musical interpretation. Miss Nellie Lingard (contralto) submitted sound renderings of Hatton's fine song, "The Enchantress" and Beethoven's "The Praise of God," and had to respond to encores. Mr. Leo. Wbittaker was an excellent accompanist.

DANCE RECITAL. Very graceful steps and styles were seen at a dance recital given by Miss Daphne Knight iu Scots Hall on Saturday. Two performances were given, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening, and on both occasions there were good attendances. A well-varied programme was staged, sustaining the interest throughout. The lighting and scenic effects were especially well carried out and served to bring under notice in a marked degree the talent of the performers. Admirably grouped and with the players well costumed the group dances formed a particularly strong section. A feature of these was the dainty story dances, a departure from the orthodox in such recitals. In point of view of technique, perhaps the best, was "Poppy Land," for which a large number of players was necessary. The scenes enacted portrayed the growth of the poppies from the bud. Grouped in picturesque array the lazy poppies were shown in company with their queen With butterflies flitting to and fro the flowers gradually opened out. When just bursting into bloom they were shown* attacked by the cruel wind, which levelled them, and before they had time to recover the rain appeared and completed the destruction. However, Phoenix-like, they rose again under the kindly .influence of the sun's gentle rays. There was a pleasing rhythm of movement throughout the whole piece. All the players made the most of their allotted tasks, the work of Dorothy Steele, as the poppy queen, and Dorothy Richardson, as the sun, being particularly effective. A mass array. of the baby poppies and the grand poppy ballet brought a very clever, item to a close. ■ Several striking poses were seen in a classical ballet staged by Miss Viria Andrews and ballet. As a; conclusion to this Edith Graham and Pat Beach appeared in a dance duo. A further group dance told an Old English story in song and dance. A gavotte, country daftces and a maypole dance were featured. The most fantastic of the dances was "Aurora Borealis," in which a snow man, ice maidens and other characters appeared. A pleasing solo, "Aurora Borealis," was given by Miss Myra Rower" Linda Dale and ballet found favour in an offering entitled "Good-Morning." Included in novelty items were a caprice dance by Shirley Thompson, a song and a dance by Jose Priest, and dances by OJga Ward and Poggles McLean. Generous applause was accorded Beverley Corin, who appeared in a march militaire, and Edith Graham, who gave a valse variation dance. jks a finale 30 girls attired in dashing costume gave an interpretation of the "jazz" spirit, FULLERS' VAUDEVILLE. The Midnight Frolics Company will present an entirely new revue programme, under the Fuller management, in the' Prince Edward Theatre to-day, and continuing during tho week. Wholesome comedy, delightful vocal and instrumental! music and clever dancing are provided in the new revue. By arrangement with Hugh J. Ward Theatres, Limited, the manager, Mr. Edgley, will present excerpts from the great London revue, "Rockets." The scenes comprise "The 'Racecourse." "Tho Railway Station," "The Theatre," "The;. Russian," and "Zoo Scenes." Several other highly entertaining items will also bo given. The box plans are at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. -

SCOUT-GUIDE CONCERT. With the object of bringing Christmas cheer to needy homes, Auckland girj guides and boy scouts will give a grand concert in the Town Hall on the evening of Tuesday, December 14. The net proceeds will be divided proportionately among recognised undenominational charitable distributing agencies for the purpose of buying Christmas presents for the children of the unemployed. Items will be given by leading Auckland artists, and the guides and scouts will give selections. Their Excellencies the Governor-Generil and Lady Alice Fergusson will attend. Tha box plans will open at. Lewis, ft. Eady and Son, Ltd., to-morrow, GRAND ENTERTAINMENT. A grand entertainment will be given bv the staff of Bradstreet's in the Town Hall concert chamber on Wednesday evening. The proceeds will be in aid o£ the Auckland Shop Assistants' Christmas gift fund, to provide cheer for the orphans. A number of well-known Auckland artists will appear. Music and merriment will be provided by Mr. T. T. Garland and his company of entertainers. Male part songs will be given by the "Strollers" Company, conducted by Mr. J- Strickott. PUPILS' RECITAL. The pupils of Miss Norah Whinersy will give a pianoforte and elocutionary recital in the Remuera Library Hall tomorrow evening. ORGAN RECITAL. There was a fair attendance at the organ recital given by air. J. Maoghan Barnett, city organist, in the Town Hall last evening. The numbers included Toccata (Bach), Andante Cantabilo (Tschaikcwski), Minuet (Paderewski), Prelude and Fugue in G minor (Dupre), Funeral March and Hymn of Seraphs 'i (Guilmant), "Wild Rose" (Bendel) and 4 'lmpromptu'' (Coleridge-Taylor). HIPPODROME THEATRE. A special vaudeville night will be celebrated at the Hippodrome Theatre this evening, when over 20 artists will appear. The principal performers will be . Miss Distin Strange, who will appear in duets with her sister, Miss Edith Strange, and Miss Jean Murray, a charming contralto. In addition "The Seventh Bandit," featuring Harry Carey, will be showo,.

stoddart-towsey recital. A delightful incursion into the realm; of chamber music was made on Saturday evening at the Unity Hall, when Mis! Margaret Stoddart, violinist, and Mr Cyril Towsey, pianist, were responsible for a well-arranged programme. The artists were pleasingly associated in sWing performances of Beethoven's "Sonata in P Major" Opus 24, and Cesar,.Franck's "Sonata in A Major." and later had the assistance of Miss Letty Walls, second violin, .Miss Amy Stevenson, viola, and Miss Lalia Hemus, cello, when a searching interpretation was given by this combination of Schumann's great Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Opus 44. This work calls for much executive play on the part of the musicians, while, naturally, codsiderable prominence is given to thi piano part. The figure work of the first movement, the "Allegro Brillante," was deftly handled, the general symmetry and balance being all that was desirable There was rhythmical swing and care ni developing the lights and-shades in the second movement, in the style of a funeral march, while the utmost- 'was made of tho dashing six-eight tempo in the "Scherzo." Fine breadth of tone was observable in the final "Allegro." and the strings achieved their sudden toiio transitions skilfully. Toward the close the climax introduced a clever combination of themes taken from the first and last movements of the work. Warm recalls greeted tho performers upon the conclusion of the quintet. During the evening a number of art songs were'artistically sung by Mrs. Cyril Towsey.