ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6679, 30 November 1908, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KILTIES. _Tb.e famous military band known as “Tb? Kilties," gave two Tery succesful recitals at the Theatre lloyal on Saturday afternoon and evening. What is believed to be a record audience assembled on Saturday night, and although the overflow from the auditorium were accommodated on the stage, many persons were compelled to stand. The band contributed an extremeiy popular programme on both occasions, varying from s»'cfc majestic works as Eossini's overture to “William Tell" to the latest humourssque “I'm Afraid to Go Home m the Dark.” In the more pretentious compositions, the band displayed undeniable ability, and gave proof of a high degree of training. The cornet soloa oy bandmaster Albert Cook were Glamourously encored. Tho Scotch reels, Irish jigs, sailor’s hornpipe, and the bagpipe solos by the members of the Clan Johnstone group c eked prolonged applause. A complete change of programme is announced for tnis evening, and a special matinee will be given to-morrow. The final performance is announced for tomorrow nighi, THE EOYAL PIGTUEES. The Eoyal Pictures at His majesty's Theatre enjoyed bountiful patronage at both the matinee and evening performances on Saturday. As each of the films are entirely new and represent the very latest in the kinematographic business, those who attended the Eoyal Pictures were interested from the rise till the fall of the curtain. The programme will ho repeated to-night. PATHB PIGTUEES. The matinee of the Pathe Pictures enabled a large number of children to enjoy tht- pantomimic moving pictures at the Opera House on Saturday. In the evening there were few vacant seats in any part of the house. The exceptionally fine film of “Faust” and the scenes from the opera. The Mikado," which were accompanied by excellent phonograph records, are notable features of the entertainment. Nandine, who probes into the mysteries of the psychic art, answered a number of questions on events past, present, ana future. The Pathe Pictures will he shown again this evening. . TOWN HALL OEGAN EECITAL. Mr J. Maughan Barnett’s organ recital at the Town Hall on Saturday evening was successful in every way. The audience was numerous and appreciative; indeed. It was remarked by many of those present that a finer compliment could not be paid to the organist than the absolute stillness of the hundreds of people who listened silently to his playing. Until the ciose of his numbers there was not heard anything but the organ—not even a rustle of a program no paper. Mr Barnett only granted two encores. He repeated Hollins’ ‘•Spring Song” and the ever-popular gavotte from “Mignon.” But every other item was also well received, and the applause which followed Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, Wagner’s “Albumblatt,” Mendelssohn's 6th organ sonata, Wolstenholme’s "Question and Answer,” and Meyerbeer's Coronation March from “Le Prophete” (W. T. Best’s arrangement for organ) was generously enthusiastic. A SUNDAY EVENING OONCEET. The Wanganui child wonder, Haydn Beck, who has been recognised by Kubelik and Marie Hall as a musical genius, and whose performances on the violin at the two short recitals which h© has given in Wellington had astonished his hearers, had an experience of on unusual character —at all events for him—at the Town Hall last evening. Ho Is only eight years old, anu is a winsome “kiddie,” who hangs closely to his mother’s skirts, and when she is absent from the artist's room, nestles lovingly up to his father. Yet last night ho intensely interested one of the largest audiences that has ever crowded the big concert room of our spacious Town Hall. The young artist's programme included several numbers that he had not played at either of his previous recitals in Wellington. He rendered a “Prayer.” by Hubay, with marvellously tender feeling, and in response to an emphatic recall, gave with equally fine expression the first movement of De Beriot’a Seventh Concerto. Later on he was encored for his fine interpretation of the andante from Bach's violin concerto in A minor, when he substituted his own pretty serenade in B flat. His playing of Leonard’s arrangement of Haydn’s “Hymn to the Emperor” (the Austrian National Anthem) was also emphatically approved by the audience. The other contributors to the excellent programme were Miss Amy Hyde, Miss Amy Remington, Miss Simpson, Hra F. W- Gardiner, and Messrs J. F. Carr, Claude Allan, B. G. Blow. T. T. Joy, D. MGillies, and H. McFarlano. The pianoforte accompaniments were admirably played by Mr D. Kenny. THE KING'S TEUMPTEE. Arrangements are now complete for the appearance of Mr William Short, “The King’s Trumptcr,” at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening next, and on the Monaay evening following, the Wellington Professional Orchestra having gone to considerable pains and expense to secure the success of the trumpet recitals. The principal solos on the opening night will be the “Infiammatus,” from “Stabat Mater,” and the Coronation Scene.” In the lastnamed, the listener is supposed to h© in Westminster Abbey, and the music will consist of historic trumpet calls (used at King Edward Vll.'s Coronation), chorales, and a pastorale, concluding with a fanfare and the National Anthem. Mrs A. O. OrrLoring, the jady vocalist for the evening, ranks as one of Dunedin’s most popular sopranos, evidenced by the demand for her services in Christchurch, Timaru, and Oamaru, and the Wellington public have a treat in store at the recitals. She has an excellent soprano voice of great range and sweetness and her numbers have been particularly well chosen. The Wellington Professional Orchestra will accompany Mr Short in the “Coronation Scene,” and Mr D. A. Kenny will accompany the other solos on the grand organ. Mt» e. Parkes 53 a soloist well known to Wellington, and his items are certain to meet with appreciation. The booking, which opened at the Dresden on Friday, was very brisk, and bumper houses ajo already assured. It may be of some interest to the pubwho are not acquainted with British orchestras to know that the trumpet used by Mr Short OL/.E.A.M.), the King’s Trumpeter, is the instrument as used in all firstclass and opera orchestras. From time immemorial, the trumpet has been the classic instrument amongst the brass family. The cornet took rank as a melody instrument in military and brass bands, but for brilliancy of tone and compass there is no comparison: A melody played on the trumpet is something ever to fao remembered, and all should hear its great possibilities, THE CHEENIAVSKI EECITALS. Though the Cherniavskis may strictly be regarded as the stars, or rather the constellation of stars, two other artistes on the programme deserve scarcely leas attention. The lady vocalist of the party is Madame Marie Hooton, the contralto. Her name will he well remembered, associated as it is with the visit of the Westminster Glee Singers. Mr PercivaX Driver, tue baritone, completes the list of artistes, and there can be no doubt that in supplying the lighter portion, of the concert, his items, which embrace, many fascinating and dainty little vocal) gems, will be received with enthusiasm.. The Eoyal Academy of Music, London. ia> justly proud of Mr Driver. During his student days—terminated only two or three* years ago—Mr Driver seems to have made, a clean sweep of all the prizes, scholar-, ships, medals, and honours for which he> was eligible to compete, an Academy record of eleven having fallen "to his share.. Mr Driver is a great favourite on the Lou-J dor. concert platform. Mr Edward Brans* combe, of Westminster Glee fame, has* organised tbs Cherniavskl Concert Company, and their visit to this country constitutes the first part of their tour round British Empire. The concerts will be given at the Town Hall on December 10th and following days. The plana open tomorrow morning at the Dresden Planch Company ' MASKBLYNB AND LEVANT'S MYSTERIES.' The London company tonring Australia under the direction of Mr Henrv Hayward has descended upon Wellington for a season at the Opera House, commencing on .. ednesday next. Echoes of the marvellous illusions Mr Maskelyne is constantly inventing reach here from time to time—ffcports of an effect in which from a cloud of vapour issuing from his side, a woman

forms; ghost appearances from pictures, and similar marvels peculiar to the Egyptian Hall. The company brings with them mo most famous of the master magician’s contrivances—the identical box trick which was the subject of a great lawsuit, and was actually shown before the House or Lords. The illusions and ghost appearances form the most characteristic part of the programme, which includes, however, acts by throe artists, each pre-emi-nent in his way. The glitter, music, and gorgeous costuming of Gintaro’s act slngls it out, and the attention is justified, for the Japanese juggler is a past-master in his art. Mr Barclay Gammon is the laughter-maker. His stylo of musical monologue is peculiar to himself. He is a humorist of the piano, and can persuade Ins instrument into moods of wildest fun and whimiscalities. Mr Owen Clark, the conjqrer, strikes a now note, since his drier tricks arc of his own Invention. He i? clean in method, quick, and a master of ready-witted patter. There is a long role of actors and actresses, illusionists, and assistants. The company will arrive to-morrow from Auckland, and will be the first company to have travelled right through by the Main Trunk line route The box-plan is at the Dresden. MISS LANCASHIRE. LIMITED. At the Theatre Royal next Monday evening, Miss Florence Baines’ Miss Lancashire Limited Company will make its first appearance in Wellington, after a triumphal lour of Australia. Miss Florence Baines comes here with a first-class reputation of being an English comedienne, much above ordinary merit. Miss Baines’ talent lies in her splendid appearance, beautiful singing voice, and infectious laugh, which keeps an audience in a continual simmer f) merriment during her presence on th° stage. His Excellency, Lord Plunkct, winessed M'iss Lancashire, Limited, at the initial performance in Christchurch during Carnival Week.