ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20137, 24 December 1928, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

The Town Hall was crowded on Saturday evening for the last municipal concert of the year, which was devoted appropriately to numbers redolent ol the Christmas season. With tho band, which provided an unobslrusive yet sufficiently evident accompaniment, the Minster Singers blended most effectively in a number of the best-known and most beautiful carols. There were only eight voices, but who:her rising in cresi-endo to the rnanv stirring bars of ' Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, or subdued in I lie more tender lines ot "While Shepherds Watch d Their Flocks," such was the resonant tone, and. in contrast, ilie well balanced restraint, that there might easily have been twice tis many or at tunes half the number. But it was in 11 to forte bars that Ihe lull, organ like effect was of course most pronounced, until iho band faded into comparative insignificance and the voices held lorth with almost celestial clarity. , The tuneful "Poet and Peasant' i.'Mippe) was played by Ihe band as an overtnre, and was followed l v the equally beautiful but almost plamtivelv soulful miserere scene from "II Trovatoro ' (Verdi). Its interpretation by the baud was a delight fill example ol a deep insight into the masters thought. Of a lighter nature was the characterislicallv Sullivan "Yeomen of the Guard," and, later, the colourful "William Tell" overture (Rossini) The band's final effort was the Schubert 'impromptu" (Op. 142. No, 2), which was in keeping with the general excellence of its preceding numbers. Furtiler items were a xylophone solo. "Bisl'\v." Mr. Rowland Jackson; song. 'The Holy Child, Mss Ruby Moselon ; cornet, solo. "A Shepherd s Morning Song" ,'""-uppel, Mr. I'led Bowes: song. "I'he Jester (Lissendein. Mr. Rov Stephen son: flute solo. ''The Flfs" (Wetzgor). Mr. If. ('. McLennan. The Minster Singers quartette was heard in "An Fvening Pas'orale and 'in England, Merrie Fnglarid." I ho Minster Singers were:— Sopranos, Misses Gladys Ilosking and May Ross; contraltos. Misses Maida Davison and Ruby Moselon; tenors. Messrs A L. Mai-pheison and Frank Rid'_'wav: bashes. Messrs. Roy Stephenson and K J. J.'ellow. 'I he band was conducted by Mr. <'. Smith, and Mr. Walter finpelt was accompanist. Ihe "Halleluiah ' chorus brought to a close a memorable evening of delightful music 11 IF MIDNIGHT FROLICS. Ihe Midnight l*rohes will stage their piesent programme for the last, time at His Majesty's '1 heat re this evening. Tomorrow evening the theatre will be dosed, and on Wednesday evening the company will appear in a special holiday programme, in which Mr. Clem Dawe, will lie seen at his best. The items will include a largo number of new and original songs, dances and sketches, and a series of special request items, including ('lom Dawe s clover characterisation of Sotisa, in which he is assisted by the I'ioiies Jazz Band. PLAZA AND TIVOIJ. I lie story of i he. daughter of a tngboa! captain, who yearns for a life on the sea is unfolded in "\l aterfront, ' featuring Dorothy Mackaill and .lack Mulhall. which is tin- main a traction of the programme, now being shown at the Plaza and Tivoli The,it res. The girl's father, however, is tired of the waterfront, and wanls to spend the rest of his life on a fa I 111. His daughter sees a wav out hv marrying a handsome sailor, hut is doomed to disappointment when he confides in lici that Ins greatest ambition is to desert his slop and buy a farm, and she is compelled to become reconciled to his decision. OfTo of the most hilar ions comedies of iDo year, .Johnny limes' iatest picture, "The Wright Idea.'' is the second attraction Ilis latest, si heme for the perpetration of lr.s many original comedy antics is th« invention of a luminous and blottorless ink which ho endeavours to put. on the market in spite of a troublesome love interest. The supporting cast includes Louise Lorraine. Edmund Broese and Wal ter James. FVERVBODY'S THEATI IE. Excellent entertainment for lovcis of stirring, colourful romance is at present being provided at Everybody's Theatre, where Ramon Xovnrro appears in "The Road to Romance." The story is based on a thrilling tale by Joseph Conrad and F. M. Hueffor, and deals with the depreciations of buccaneers in the Caribbean Sea over a century ago. Ramon Xovarro is brilliant in the role of a dashing captain, while Marceline Day, who has the leading feminine role, also gives a fmo performance, availing herself of every opportunity in a pan which exactly suits her talents. As the cunning and unscrupulous governor Roy D'Arev is a perfect foil for Novarro. The second attraction, "What For," is a striking production, the storv of which concerns the life of a I low 11. t MINK IPA L BAND. The Municipal Band played at the Zoological Park yesterday afternoon, when an attractive programme was presented. Items included a series of Christmas carols, the "Bohemian Girl" overture, selections from the operas of Offenbach, "Maritana," bright marches, instrumental

solos and it her numbers. The Municipal Band will present, a bright musical programme at the Zoological Park on Wednesday afternoon. Boxing Day. Among the items to be played arc "Light Cavalry" overture, the Sullivan selections, "The Gondoliers" and "Patience," cornet solo, "A Dream of Love," by Mr. Fred Bowes, "Tout. Paris" waltz, a xylophone solo by Mr. Rowland Jackson, "Tarantollc do Concert," and a i hnrac.leristie piece, "Bells Across Ihe Meadows." together with bright marches and oliior line numbers. CHRISTMAS MUSIC. An attractive programme of Christinas music was rendered bv the Baptist Tabernacle chorus choir at the church on Saturday evening. Curler the conductorship of Mr. Arthur E Wilson the first part of the programme consisted of carols, items bv the ladies' choir and the male choir, togethei with an organ and piano duo by Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Brume Clark. The Christmas cantata. "Bethlehem." by J. 11. Maunder, concluded the programme, (ho sopis being taken by Mrs. N. Halsey Cox, Mrs. J. Lithcrland and Messrs. C. F. Turley and Clinton Williams " KING OF KINGS." \ service screening of the picture, 'King ot Kings" was given at the Strand I'hoatro last evening before a largo audience. The screening was preceded by community singing and an appropriate addross bv Hi-" Methodist city missioncr. the Rev. C. G Sorimegotir. Mr. W. O'Malloy sang the sacred solo, "The Star of Bethlehem." CAPITOL AND EDEN DALE. " The King of Kings," a particularly suitable film for the Christmas season, will lip shown at tho Capitol and lidendale Theatres tomorrow evening. The film, which depicts tlio life of ■ Christ and Roman customs in the time of tho Kniperot Nero, is particularly impressive throughout. A largo unnnmod cast gives many fine characterisations, and tho photography and scenic effects arc uninuc. TUDOR THEATRE. A clover technicoloiir picture of college life and seaside carnivals. "None But the Brave." starring Sally Phipps and Charles Morton, us now showing at the Tudor Theatre. The storv concerns a young graduate who cannot succeed in business, and who is finally employed as a lifeguard on a popular American beach. Tho second feature is "Powder My Back," with Itono Rich in tlio leading role. The supporting programme includes gazettes, sccnie.s and a comedy.

LUNA PARK. 1 lie latest attraction from Australia, the "Auto Silodrome," will be a notable addition to the many thrilling devices at Luna Park. 1 lie two performers, mounted on powerful motor-cycles, rise from tho door of the cylindrical chamber, and finally encircle the perpendicular walls at, ovei 40 miles an hour. This clever device proved extremely popular in Sydney iri the p.ist holiday season. For tho benefit of children a special Christmas matinee, at which Father Christmas will attend, will be held at the park this afternoon. The park will not be open to-morrow CONGRESS BAND. I'he Congress Baud of the Salvation Army will present. an attractive programme in Albert Park to-morrow night. Items will include the marches, "Carry tin" and "Glory of the Oobat," carols, a cornet solo. "Silver Threads," and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah." '