ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6627, 29 September 1908, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPEEA HOUSE. “OUR REGIMENT." The Mountebank Amateur Dramatic 'Club were well advised in selecting “Our Regiment/’ a comedy of tho best typo, to show to Opera House audiences for throe nights. Last night tho house, was well filled with appreciative people; people who were willing enough to concede that some amateurs give as good value for money -ats many professionals, and that all the “Mountebanks” display creditable artistic capabilities. “Our Regiment” is the sort ot comedy too seldom played nowadays. It is a pity the “Mountebank” management do not mention tho author of a work that is distinctly clever and original. “Our Regiment” has no profound plot, hut it has the atmosphere- of vivid, delightful humour; the dialogue is smart, and itgives great scope for ail tho principals. The small story happens to the household of a pernicketty old business man, who is either uncle, guardian or father —it doesn’t matter which—to three charming girls. He hates soldiers. There is another ancient male who loves soldiers, and who is either unde, guardian or father to the three girls, or one or two of them once more it doesn’t matter which. “Our Regiment” is represented in the play by one captain and one subaltern of the Blh Lancers—the captain grave, the subaltern fair, debonnair—a heiress, hunter. One of tho girls is a heiress, and was born in Jamaica. There is a curate in the story who has no chance T3r some time’ with the girl he lovos because her uncle hates curates. Xl-enco the fun and the sudden donning by the curate of cavalry uniform. The necessary . complications are introduced by the subaltern’s love-making to the heiress (from Jamaica) and her love of tho captain, who is not exactly gunpowder as a lover. There are in “Our Regiment” many 1 charming ■ episodes, as well as a wealth of wit, tasteful budiaago and clever repartee. Excepting the unavoidable long waits of a first night tho play goes with great smoothness, tho settings, especially the one in the third act, showing an illuminated garden, being highly pic. turusrjue. Tho dominating features of tho work of the “Mountebanks” is the unusually good acting of Mr Prank Lampeu as the cavalry subaltern aforesaid, and the charming and artless acting ofMios Olive Moore as Enid Thureton, the heiress. Mr Frank Warren, as a slightly exaggerated cavalry “swell,” is highly diverting. His pose, swagger, dressing and accent are clever. . lie is worth the delighted reception ho gets at every entrance. Mies Moore is perfectly natural, speaks charmingly, has dramatic ability of outstanding merit, and is never silly in love scenes—the pons asinorum of either men or women amateurs. Her naivete is refreshing. Mr Dunbar Sloane, as the cavalry captain, presents the part

of a not very warm lover, who doesn't find out lie’s in love for quite a while. A little more five would help him. Miss Evelyn Culvcrwcel, as the elderly; wile of the soidier-hating merchant, gives a good picture of a calmly convincing lady or strong mind, who lover; soldiers enough to wear a lancer uniform—barring the overalls. Her enunciation is distinct, her acting firsl-clafs. and her manner unexceptionable. Olive Dobbinson. the gill who eventually captures the curate (who is not the usual utnge-fool curate), is at homo on the stage Her manner and accent are good. She makes particularly good ‘’entrances” and her work is smooth and restful. Mies Lottie Ogbornc, as the nicco of the little man who wants all girls to ir.arrv soldieivi. is emart and girlish, talks* nicely, and is at her best with a bevy of girls. Mr W; P. Bastin, so long well known ns a clever Wellington amateur, achieves quite u feat in characterisation. As the crabbed, but humorous, bald-headed uncle who ha too soldiers ho is distinctly and continuously funny, emphasising the many bright points with which his part abounds. Mr J. N. Isaacs, as the soldier-loving uncle would bo well advised to drop the assumed stutter with which ho opens all his speeches. Otherwise he carries himself and his uniform in the third act with credit.. Mr Middleton Scott, as iho curate who is \aot so “good” as he looks, is bright and hia love-making good. As “Hatters,” a servant. Ah* Horace Graves sufficiently emphasises non-existent aspirates and carries a tray with becoming gravity. During a drawing-room scene Miss Mporo Bings a song charmingly, Tho proceeds of the season are to aid the funds of tho Wellington centre of the St. John Ambulance Association. To-night and to-morrow “Our Regiment” will be repeated. THE ROYAL PICTURES. The excellence of tho animated pictures being shown at His Majesty's Theatre ‘ensured crowded audiences, and tho week's run of tho recent programme has boon very successful. Last night there was a full house, and there should bo another this (.evening, when the final exhibition of the excellent programme will be given. There will be a change of pictures to-morrow evening. WEST'S PICTURES. To-morrow morning the box plan for tiie Wellington season of West's Pictures and Do Green's Band will bo on view at the Dresden. Vast records of this company of pictures and music throughout the Dominic. arc of such a character that full houses should greet tho re-appearanco of tho combination. Nothing, we are assured, will be left undone to maintain the high imputation* of West's Pictures, and this assurance, in view of past happenings, will no doubt satisfy tho public that a visit to tho Town Hall will bo time well spent. ORGAN RECITAL TO-NIGHT. Mr Maughan Barnett will give an organ recital in the Town Hall this evening. Tho programme includes three well-known and popular pieces—the “Tannhauser” overture, tho “Swedish Wedding March,” and tho “Hallelujah Chorus.” TIIE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. Mr Edward Bransoombe, who is introducing to "Wellington tho "Scarlet Troubadours" at the Town Hall On Thursday' evening next, is anxious to make it known that tho stylo of performance they give must not bo classified as “vaudeville” as recognised in this country. Often when musical performances of a humorous character are presented to the public, tho singing is of a very indifferent nature, music being sacrificed for humour. Mr Branscombe's object has been to show how much more acceptable such music can be made when interpreted by really good singers, and to carry this scheme into effect he has ouly with the* “Scarlet Troubadours” vocalists of refinement and repute. Whether the item bo serious or numorotta, uie same artistic finish will be found to stamp their efforts to amuse, and to this, and the novelty they offer in both costuming, acting and singing their musical numbers, much of their success must be attributed. In alluding to these performances, one critic writes: —“lt is 1 a new departure from all conventional forms, and from first to last there is not a dull moment. They sing, dance, jest and make merry in thoroughly whole-hearted fashion, and protide a least of music and merriment which goes with brilliant sparkle from start to finish.^

GYM MASTIC CARNIVAL.' .i Successful rehearsals for the annual carnival have b:en held during-the past week by the members of tho Wellington Physical Training; School. The display is to take idace at tho Opera House on Thursday and Friday evenings. In addition to giving a tirsfc-clase entertainment, it is the aim of The management to show the public the benefits- to be derived from a : systematic course of physical culture. Members of all classes are taking part in the various drills and apparatus work. Tho school's popular instructor, Mr Dovoy, will give, with the assistance of a few-of tho advanced pupils, exhibitions of singlesticks, boxing, quarter-staffs, and balancing. Deep-breathing exercises will form part of the programme, and the whole display will be brought to a close by a tableau, in which some four hundred pupils will take part. t Tlie box plan is now open at tho Dresden. WIDE WORLD PICTURES. The Theatre Royal was attended by a numerous and appreciative-andionoo last evening, when tho new programme of the W r ido W r orld Pictures was repeated. The subjects embrace dramatic, comic, scenic, and descriptive films. The pictures are entirely new and are projected without any truce of The programme will ho repeated to-night. ( • The Ladies' Civil Service Association is getting up a social gathering Tor the mutual enjoyment of members and their friends. The "social" is to bo held ’on October - 16th. The promoters held a meeting yesterday, when it was shown that iho members of the association are taking up tho project with enthusiasm, and there is every reason to anticipate -a largo attendance and a most enjoyable gathering.