ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6314, 14 September 1907, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA ROUSE. No farce manufactured cf .late years less deserves the name , than "Mr Hopkiuson.” The subtle philosophy if tb® piece, the veiled satire) the delicate innuendo which points so straightly to th® more or less amiable weaknesses of tho “smart set” as distinguished from tha nouveau riche, are brought out. with great wealth. A notably strong character in the cast is that played by Mr Gerald Wykeham, who. as the Duke of Braoeborough, is exactly the nonchalant aristocrat whose cynicism is hardly noticeable under the veneer of exquisite manner. Miss Palotta, as the duchess, _ who knows nothing but ennui, except in the company of a gentleman not her husband. manages to be superbly restful* and Mr Hugh Ward is something more than a mere parvenu. His “Hopkinson is a creation to be proud of* for it is impossible that Mr Ward has.seen The originator of the part. There is in ‘‘Mr Hopkinson,” apart from its extreme hilaritv, much to be learnt, for the author touches with delightful ingenuity on the laches of society, and skims no less delightfully over the large field of satire ready to hand in the striving of the humbly-born to emulate the abandon* of the ruling snobs. All this was. fully recognised by the very large audience which chuckled at Mr Hopkinson in tha Opera House last night. To-night the same gentleman’s gaucheries will again amuse and instruct. THEATRE ROYAL. The usual large crowd greeted a changs last evening of the programme submitted by Fullers’ Vaudeville Company. Several new performers made their first appearance in Wellington. Salmon and Chester. Australian entertainers, gave a comedy sketch, “Is Marriage a Failure?” Sterling, Stewart, and Dunbar created much merriment with “Matrimonial Discords." Amy Sterling and Tilly Dunbar gave Dutch yodelling specialities. A, L. CTopp, the well-known basso, made a reappearance prior to joining grand opera, and earned hearty applause with his tasteful singing. Bonita, the “littl* sure-shot,” also made a this time with a new feat, in which she shoots the garments of Cleopatra. "Sabi Bush Bill” gave a fine 1 exhibition, oi stock and bullock whip-cracking. J. W. Kilner, a new baritone, excellently rendered "The Longshoreman." Georg*; Sturm, with his racket-spinning and juggling, Ida Berridge, an old favouciiA; and Harry Linden contributed largely in a sparkling pregramme. TOWN HALL. Dr J- C. Bradshaw’s farewell organ recital in the Town Hall was but sparsely attended last night. The lover of instrumental music must notice that even ; with; the inadequate use, the splendid ■ organ is getting it is capable of producing mellower music than when it waa * first installed; also, that organ-builder* allow for an audience in their plans. The appreciation of a few devoted souls in a vast building is almost pathetic, and when Dr Bradshaw opened his programme last night with Bach’s magnificent prelude and Fugue in C minor, the vigorous applause of the few could barely have reached the instrumentalist. Nothing! in music is so designed to show the possibilities of a very large and perfect instrument. The musician's treatment' of this masterly composition was all that one could desire. A programme which illustrated the versatility of the organist and the varied beauties of the organ included the charming bridal music from "Lohengrin," with its suave melodies, its vocal subtleties, and its stir and movement, qualities appreciated and pictured finely by Dr Bradshaw. The “Bide of the Valkyries," another Wagner number which shows that great master in one of his most passionate moods, is: no less than the Bach fugue, susceptible of fine exposition, and as descriptive music of the highest order, must be played with understanding to be fully appreciated. That the audience appreciated was evidenced by their frank enthusiasm. Guilmant's fantasia on "Homo, Sweet Home" and “Rule Britannia" is, as musicians know, disappointing at the opening, but the mood of the composer is understood as, he gets warmed to his v?ork, and tho number under the fingers of an. artist is triumphantly successful. The dainty "Cantique D’Anour” of Lamare is delightfully sketchy, and shows that gifted composer and organist’s happiest method. Altogether the recital was of a pleasing and mueicianly character, the pity being that its full beauties were marred by a meagrely peopled hall.

ROYAL PANOPTXKUM. The Royal Panoptikum in Cuba street was well attended all day yesterday. The mechanical wax figures and the group representing the Last Supper were the centre of considerable interest. Tha management announces that there will be a complete change of pictures in the oyolerama next week. The panoptikum is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. VICTORIA COLLEGE GLEE CLUB. The second annual concert of the Victoria College Glee Club, given last evening, was a musical success. Tne club numbers a fairly strong chorus. Th® sopranos and contraltos are many, but the voices taking the tenor and base parts require considerable reinforcement. All of the glees rendered met with cordial commendation, and in one or tw® cases encores were demanded and complied with. The soloists were Hiss C. T. Stracfc and Miss R. Lyons; and part® were taken .in the concerted numbers by the Hisses C. T. Struck, K. Fruhauf, E. E. Pell, J. Butler. E. Martin, aid D. Isaacs, and by Messrs A. H. Bogie, G. W. Reid, J. K. Edie, J. D. Smith, X. Gamble, S. Anderson, A. Paterson. The glee party m conducted by Mr I. Rh Edie. «nt H—pianoforte accompaniments were played by Miss J. Fruhauf. "MOTHEi GOOSE." Hr Bert Royle (J. C, Williamson’s New Zealand representative) arrived in Wellington from the Norfi yesterday in connection with the fonhooming performances of this pan (online. He says that the regular thing durng the Auckland season was to notice 'house full." The sale of tickets was stopped fully an hour before each performance, including matinees. This is explains) by the novelties, comedy, beautifnl vongs, and gorgeous spectacle embodied in the pro* duction. It is the fine* presentation of! its kind ever given bj Mr Williameon. There was a large afcterianoo at the Missions to Seamen last nifet, when tho usual ambulance meeting ws held. Mr Moore gave some useful inarmation in connection with first aid. Accmpetition —How to Treat Fire Accideus—was won by sailors from ships in pet. A programme of musical items wa arranged by Mrs McLean and Nurse Kxon. The following contributed : —Mis*g Lukq Harvey, Lennox, and Dix.