ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5118, 10 November 1903, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE FEAWLEY COMPANY. “THE GIEL I LEFT BEHIND MB.” The military drama "The Girl I Left Behind Me,” performed at the Opera House last night by the FraWloy Company before a crowded audience, gives a stirring picture of army life on the North American Indian frontier in troublous times. The seen® passes at Post ICcunion. a military station under the flag of the United States, at a time when the Indians, exasperated by the regulations directed against their "sun dances.” break out into general revolt. Two officers in the 12th Cavalry, Lieutenants Hawksworth and Parlow. and the girl for whoso hand they are rivals, Kate Kennion, daughter of the general in command, are the principal figures in the story. The betrothal of Mias Kennion and Parlow is announced just as an expedition is about to set out against the Indians: but Parlow is guilty of an ae,t of cowardice when his men fall into an ambuscade on this expedition, and when pressed to explain matters +o his superior officer on his return, he basely throws the guilt upon Hawksworth. Under this imputation. Hawksworth is about to be court-martialled, when proof opportunely arrives of the villainy of Parlow. who resigns in disgrace from the army, Hawksworth winning the hand of Miss Kennion. The dramatists, David Belasco and Franklin Fylcs, take four acts to tell this story. In so doing, however, they embellish the narrative with spirited military incident, as well as with some padding of a more or less interesting character.' The play has a number of very dramatic situations—for instance, in the second act. the bar-rack-room at Post Kennion. when Parlow. back from the front, tells his falsehood to the general, and imputes to Hawksworth the cowardice of which he himself had been guilty; in the third act, 'the stockade scene, where, wifh the Indians storming at the gates, Kennion is about to shoot his daughter rather than that she should fall into the hands of the enemy, when his hand is suddenly stayed on the bugle-call of the relief ool= uran being heard in the distance; or ig the last act. when Parlow is unmasked, Mr Frawley as Hawksworth, and Mr Plimmer. as Parlow. both played adrairably, and the animated scene in particular where, both men having returned .from the, ambusegde. Hawksworth dg=

_ 1 a. Bounces Parlow for his cowardice, was conspicuous for excellent acting. Parlon- cringes to tho other officer, pleading for his silence, and even basely offering to relinquish in favour of Hawksworth liis title to Miss Kennion’s hand if ho will but assist him to cloak the truth about the ambuscade from tho general. However, the general from other sources something of what has occurred, oa the expedition; and on pressing Parlon- to complete the story, he assume*, from his hesitation, that he is striving to screen his brother - officer. “Was it Hawksworth ?” bo demands, sternly. "Yes.” Parlow replies, with intense relief that suspicion has been diverted from himself. Miss Van Buren looked at 1 1 active as Kate Kennion, and did good work in the sensational stockade scene, -but in tho second act, whore there is much stress in tho barrack-room concerning tho news which the telegraph wires are clicking out from tho front, her manner was not sympathetic enough. This scene, it may" be remarked, is reminiscent in its brisk activity of the teh* praph-officn scene in ‘'Secret Service.” Mr Harrington Reynolds as General Kennion. and Mr Jeffrey Williams _ nr; Major Burleigh, contributed materially to the success Of the performance, whilst Miss Blanche Dougins played very attractively ns Lucy Hawksworth. The other characters were adequately sustained. ‘’The Girl I Left Behind Me” was performed at a matinee yesterday afternoon, when there was a. large audience. It is to bo repeated this evening. CHORAL HALL. There was a large audience yesterday afternoon at tho Choral Hall, whore Puller’s Entertainers gave an extra performance. .Too Watts and Madge Lncaa scored a great success in a scarecrow dance possessing some original business, and Will Stevens received numerous encores tor his comic numbers. Tho performance ■was repeated Inst night, on whiolr occassion tho Franz Brothers made their last ajiircarar.ee. THEATRE ROYAL. A holiday house last night taxed to the utmost tho accommodation of the Theatre Eoya-1, where the Dix Gaiety Company went successfully through a long anil varied programme. Tho joerformors now holding the fort are of tho best, and tho audience testified in demonstrative fashion its knowledge of tho fact. The»parodics of Carleton and Sutton and the humorous vagaries of Tod Callaway were last night encored insistently. The clever bicycle acts of the Dolavales woro well received, and Miss Dora Taylor was recalled for an Hem described' on the programme as a “Too Solo.” Miss Nolle Yoho’s sentimental songs were nicely sung. EXCHANGE HALL. Tho Blind Musical Students bad a big and an appreciative audience at tho Exchange Hall last night. The part songa on tho jirogratnmo ware especially enjoyable, and encores were accorded in every instance. Following is the detailed programme of tho entertainment Overture (pianoforte duet), Misses Wotton and O’Brien; song, “The Romany Lass, Mr Bartlett; song, “Idle Words,” Miss Wotton; recitation, “Norah Murphy and tho Spirits," Miss O’Brien; violin solo, “The Cuckoo,” Miss Wotton; song, “When Father laid the Carpet on tho Stairs,” Mr Bartlett: song, “Tho Cows are in the Clover,” Miss O’Brien; fluto solo, "The Dream,” Mr Bartlett; comic duet. “A.8.C.,” Miss O’Brien and Mr Bartlett; song, “Out on the Deep, Mr Bartlett; recitation, “Curfow Must not Ring To-night," Miss O’Brien; song, “Swanee Riber,” Miss Wotton; song, “Killarnoy.” Miss O’Brien; song “Anchored,” Mr Bartlett; trio, Ammo Laurie,” Misses O’Brien and Wotton and Mr Bartlett. The company will give another concert this evening, and tho box plan will bo open at the Dresden Company’s jiremises all day.

Despite the downpour yestcruay, tlife sailors in port had an enjoyable day in the big hall of the Missions to Seamen, whore sports, etc., were arranged for their pleasure, under the guidance of the missioned Lunch was provided lie- Mr .Tohn Plimnwr. The Hon Captain and Mis Baiilio invited the men to tea, and at night the Eight Hon the Premier and Mrs Sodden invited them to become their guests. In addition to providing refreshment at the close of the evening, Mrs Seddon also arranged an excellent programme of music, being assisted by Mrs B. M. Wilson, Misses Flanagan, Elsie Henuah and White and Messrs Carr, Smith, Thompson, Dykes and Banme. M.H.E. An orchestra, conducted by Mr W. McLaughlin, provided incidental music. Kinematograph films, illustrating the Eoyal visit, were shown by Mr Brown, the necessary description being given by Mr John -Holmes. An exhibition of lantern views that came in for warm approval was given by Mr G. W. Barltrop. In proposing a vote of thanks, some of the men said they had travelled t.ho world far and wir 1 . and had never been given such a day in their lives. The proceedings lasted from 11 a.m. to midnight. / Mr Edwin Gooch, of Messrs Willoughby and Geach, arrives from the South this morning to arrange for the firm's forthcoming season of comedy in Wellington. A good programme has been prepared for the annual "social" and concert in connection with the Kilbirnie Churchroom, which is to take place this evening iu Heginbotham's Hall, Kilbirnie. Those interested in social and philanthropic work—and who is not?—will have an opportunity this evening of hearing the Eov G. H. Cole, who is to lecture in Wesley Church on “Lights and Shades of‘ City Life.” The proceeds of the entertainment will he in aid of boys’ reseno work. Mr Justice Cooper is to preside. The John F. Sheridan Company opens at Nelson to-morrow, and at Blenheim on tlio 17th. The company has lately been playms in Westland.