ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5559, 10 April 1905, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ANDERSON DRAMATIC COMPANY. r ‘A Sailor's Sweetheart," the second production of the Anderson Company’s present season at the Opera D°V 5 P> ip a melodrama of the light and breezy order, in which the audience is given a whiff of the ocean and the jungles of AVest Africa. The incidents are stirring and exciting, yet without the gruesome exaggeration of some of the pieces that are called "melodrama," instead pf '‘shockers." The play affords opportunity for some very iinb spectacular effect, which on Saturday elicited the heartiest approval of a large audience. The story is romantic, opening with an interesting dockyard scene, where the destinies of the hero (Lieutenant Clive) commence to be encompassed by the machinations of thp villain, one Pemberton. Hence the audience follows Clive and his sweetheart to the deck of the transport, which is conveying them to AVest Africa. AVben the vessel is in midroceau, Pemberton, who has got op board op the pretext of carrying mails for Hie transport, sxezes the chance to push Clive over the side of the vessel. The latter's sweetheart, who is proceeding to the front as a nursing sister, jumps into the foaming billows to his rescue, and the pair are Peon struggling in the water, which is made the occasion for a sensational piece pf stage mechanism that rouses the spectators to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Then AVest Africa opens out to the gaze of the audience, . and here are enacted scenes that keep the interest well sustained. Miss Ada Guildford, as Grace Mayland. had much better opportunities than she had in the previous piece. She played the part with womanly grace and feeling, and particularly in the jungle scene appeared to great advantage. Lieutenant Clive, a fine, robust character, was taken by Mr George Cross with much success, and ho had plenty of scope for the display of the true hero’s virtues. Mr Godfrey Cass made an excellent villain. Mr J- P. O’Neill, as Tim Koljy, was responsible for the major portion of the tow comedy element—work for which he is eminently suited. Mieses Maisie Maxwell and Georgia Leighford, and Messrs John Ennis, Edmund Duggan, Crosbie Ward, Hugh Power, Stirling Whyte, and others satisfactorily filled the remaining characters of a strong cast. "A Sailor’s Sweetheart" should have a very successful run. ‘TINGLE TOM’S CABIN." Harriett Beecher Stowe’s story of the American slave days will always posses interest, as giving a glimpse of life 'in the Southern, States before the Eagle floated so freely ae it does to-day. To the younger generation particularly it is not only entertaining hut educative, for Old Uncle Tom has become a literary

identity who will nover fade from the minds of those who have once become acquainted with the part he played in the incidents depicted by the authoress. “Undo Tom’s Cabin” formed the programme His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night, the second piece of Hie Tny-lor-Caninglon season. It attracted a crowded bouse, (bat followed with the closest interest the fortunes of Undo Tom, Harris mid Topsy, Eliza and Eva. and Hie other characters with which most; people are familiar. Tho company at present appearing under engagement to Mr Fuller has the reputation of producing its pieces with every corn and finish, and complete in the details which aid so much in attaining success. ‘'ll nolo Tom’s Cabin” was excellently staged, and tho characters wero iutcrpretcld with equal coDip(el:oiicss ; Miss Ella Carrington #wms very happy in the part of Topsy, which she has played so often before, and in which she thoroughly revels. She was warmly applauded for her energetic efforts an Saturday night. Mr Olms. Taylor appeared in his old rolo of George Harris, tho persecuted slave, whose hardships were delineated in a way that; appealed to the sympathies of Hie audience. Mr Edwin Green iiindo a lino old Uncle Tom. Miss Muriel Murtoii, ns Eliza, hud a part in which sho was woll-suitcd. and slio acted evenly and consistently throughout. A very intelligent rendering of Little Eva was given by Misa.Ennn Lyons. Simon Legreo found a fitjiug representative in Mr ’Ward Lyons. Misses Marion Willis, Minnie Lancaster and Agnes White, mid Messrs Wallipgtou, Engel, Keegan, and the other members of the company gave adequate support, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” will bo repeated l to-night • VAN BIENE IN “THE BROKEN MELODY.” Tlio box plans for “Tlio Broken Melody” season, commencing at tbo Opera’ House on Wednesday next, under the direction of Mr George Mlrisrovp, opened at tbo Dresden on Saturday.. There was quite a rush to secure seats to witness Hip famous actor-musician ip hip celebrated drama, which Holds tlio enviable record of four thousand performances. The New'Zealand tour is reported to liave so fur boon eiuiucul-Jy successful* largo audiences being aroused to ipteuso enthusiasm' nightly. FISK JUBILEE SINGEHS. ’At their farewell concert on Friday next in tlio Town Hall prior to departing for Sydney, Hie Fisk Jubilee Singers will entertain the public with quaint plantation ditties, characteristic negrq choruses, coon songs and ballads. TJic members of tho company are perfect in chorus singing. The even balance of the parts, precision, light uiid shade, rich volume of lone, and clear enunciation, tiro prominent ■ characteristics. The juhiieo songs and'choruses of the American negroes, which constitute (heir follc-iqro, found their origin in spontaiioops outbursts of religious fervour, feelings pi' despondency or j oy, all of ivliich arc expressed in song, and when rendered by such a highly proficient party of singete their full meanings arc most expressively brought out. ,

. THE SAVAGE CLUB. Professor Bpstorfied, vipe-presidpuk 1 was the chief savage at the secomf torero of tho Savage Club, on Saturday evening, and commenced tho evening's sociabilities with a few words in lighter vein. There was a largo attendance. The guests were some of the officers ol H.M.S. Psyche, Dr Greig (of H.imholton), *; Mr W. 1. Elkingtbu (of Palmerston - ’-North), Mr Bruco (of Wnngnuui), Mr If i rich rid a (of Auckland), and Mr H«xtable (of Dunedin), Songs, recitations, instrumental selections, etc., were contributed bv Messrs A. S, JSaJlonce, T.-M. Wilford, D. If. Parkes, Douglas Jackson, .1. D. tSioywright, J. Dykes, Max Hoppe, l-\ Twiss, and A. C. Grahliapi. Messrs Carr and Ba'lanco were heard to advantage in the yn-etty duet, ‘Bring Out, t\ lid Balls.” and in response to an encore, sang a harmonised version of ‘‘Beauty’s Byes.”. Mr Hayward gayo a clear ventfiloquial performance, and Messrs McBeth Und Watts did Enure lightning sketches of well-known faces in crayons, "Mr Bikington, who is a comedian of no mean prdcr,' spoke a humorous piece on 'behalf of tho .visitors. The aepompani- , meats yforo played by Mr Cyril’ Towsny. 'A repetition was given (by request) ir. 'the topical haka, ''The King of the Portunate Islands." ; The first annual smoke concert pf (hr Umpires’ Association was held at flu Druids’ Hall on Saturday evening. M T. Barclay was chairman, and writ music, song, and story the hours mteset quickly and pleasantly. Tho followin’ toasts yvero honoured: —“The King.' “Wellington Cricket Association," “Tin Veterans," “The Umpires’ Association, "Kindred Sports," “The Undies," ant ‘lThe Press." Tho accompaniments to Ur songs wore played by Mr N. Dyson. M.; M. E. Buckle, of the Wellington Cricks'. Association eonnniltee congratulated tlrumpires on the formation of their asic elation, piul tendered the thanks of tin : i Cricket Association to tho various ■umpires who hai) given their services si regularly during tho season, Tile sucpeia: of ’ the gathering was in a very Joygt measure dim, tp Mr 0. Warren. The Wellington Piano Company announces that the box plan for their fins! popular concert is now open at HolJi day's and the company's premises it Molesworth street. The management Ok. tends to make a_ strong feature of orches-tral-w-ork. A picked orchestra pf thirty performers, including some of the Lies;' executants in Wellington, both - professional, ami amateur, under tho leadership ol Herr Mpx Hoppe, has been engaged, and these players liaye Been in active rehearsal for some time. They wiij bo kepi together for the whole scries, ami it h intended that they shall perform severe! - popular selections at cadi concert. Tip programme in detail will ho .publisher;.-,, shortly. . 1

The South AV'pllington Choral Socfot; will give a concert to-night in St. Mark’. Schoolroom, Sussex square. i