ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7319, 24 December 1910, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE DOLLAR PRINCESS." The opening performance of Mr J. C. Williamson's New Comic Opera Company at the Opera House on Monday next, on which occasion will bo played for the first time in the Dominion Dr. Leo Fall's famous musical play “The Dollar Princess." will be given nuderi the patronage and in the presence of their Excellencies Lord and Lady Islington and suite. So much has been hoard of the unusually brilliant nature of this play that public interest has been keenly whetted in the forthcoming production on Monday next. There is little doubt that everything points to a more than usually interesting performance. It is probable that no stronger combination of talent has previously been associated in on© company that has toured the Dominion. Of the opera; itself, contemporaries speak in nothing but praise. An added attraction will bo found in the fact that both "The Dollar Princess" and the "Waltz Dream will be heard in comparatively tho first fiush of their freshness, and by all appearances with a cast of artists the very bpat Australia is possessed of to-day. In view of the holidays approaching, the following arrangements as to the reserration of seats will be adopted. The* plans for "The Dollar Princess’ will bo open at the Dresden to-day from 3 a.m. till 8 p.m., on Monday at the Opera House from 0 non. till 6 p.m.,and on. Tuesday, at Chrisleson’s all day. Owing to the length of the opera, the management are desirous that intending patrons should be early seated, as theinterest of the play commences with the rising of tho curtain. Tn no 4 instance will children in arms be admitted.

LAWRENCE CAMPBELL RECITALS. Hr Lawrence Campbell will gave a recital at the Opera House to-morrow (Sunday) evening of Charles Dickens s "Christmas Carol/* At the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next Mr Campbell will be seen in humorous andl dramatic recitals. Monday evening’s programme will include "Scenes from Shakespeare/’ "Rubinstein’s Playing. "Caged " etc. Mrs Shaw-Mayer will assist Mr Campbell in musical monologues, and the fact .that this lady composes as well as plays the music will no doubt make the monologues doubly interesting. A marked feature of _Mr Campbell’s recitations is their variety. Tho Russian operatic, baritone who assists Mr Campbell will sing on Mondav evening the prologue from "Pagliacci.” The box plans for tho recitals are at the Dresden rooms. THEATRE ROYAL. The current programme by; Pullers’ Vaudeville Company was received with frequent applause by a thoroughly enthusiastic audience last evening, ihe novelty act by Martineth and Grossi is an astonishing and ingenious musical cr.mcdv ‘■kit which is much enjoyed. Mr Nat Clifford’s extensive repertoire ot character songs evoked prolonged applause. To-niglit he will ocriclude his season. The' programme is to bo repeated this evening. A matinee similar to the evening performance will be given on Monday at 2.30 o’clock. On Monday evening the Plying Pedros and the Gibson Girls will reappear, and Mr All Holt, an American impersonation and mimic, will’ appear for tho first time. HIS MAJESTY’S PICTURES: . Every seat ins His Majesty’s Theatre was filled long before the advertised time of starting last evening, and when tho first of tho pictures was screened, every spot that commanded a view of the screen was occupied. The current programme is a really excellent one, and covers a wide range, all sections being liberally catered for. The usual weekly matinee will be given this afternoon, and a special matinee is announced for Monday. NELLIE STEWART TOUR. Tho country tour by Miss Nellie Stewart in her old success, “ Sweet Nell of Old Drury,’’commenced at Greytown last night. To-night the company, which includes Mr Harcourt Beatty, appears at Masterton, and on Monday at Palmerston. Dates for other performances are advertised. It should be borne in mind that the box plans will be opened in each centre a, week before’the performance. - TOWN HALL PICTURES. One of the chief holiday attractions for Tuesday evening will be at. tho Town Mall, where Puller and Sons will present one of their high-class picture programmes for tho occasion. An exclusive set of films, embracing many subjects, and of artistic merit, will be shown for the l first time in. this city. In deference to the wish of many of their patrons, the management have decided to present the two. charming series entitled “ Picturesque Sydney.’’ When this particular series Was exhibited at His Majesty’s Theatre last 1 week they , commanded great attention. So great was tho rush that many were unable to gain admittance, and th,osc \yho were disappointed wall doubtless hail with pleasure tho announcement that another opportunity is being given of looking on the sights and scenes of Australia’s Queen city. Sydney's wonderful harbour, with its numerous picturesque bays and inlets is clearly depicted, with ’ an animated section pourtraying surf bathing at Manly. The magnificent buildings, spacious parks and pleasure resorts are shown in detail, and tho whole picture is so ’ w ; ell photographed and reproduced on tho screen that it gives a special knowledge of tho geography of the Commonwealth’s oldest and leading city'. Orchestral selections will accompany, each picture. The prices of admission, have been fixed at popular rates.

WORLD’S ROYAL PICTURES. - By the Moerald this week the Grand Picture Proprietary received a special shipment of the latest pictures, which will be shown on Monday (Christmas Night) and following' evenings, at St. Peter's Hall, Ghuznee street. , The proprietary have also imported the latest machine, which it is promised will eclipse anything yet seen in (he Dominion. ORGAN RECITAL AND CAROLS. Christmas music and Christmas carols provided great pleasure, for a medium sized audience at the Town Hall last night. Though the attendance was not as large as might have been , expected, yet. under the circumstances, it was quite encouraging to the city organist, and these associated with him in the promotion of the concert. : In, the Wellington Choral Society, about one hundred strong, Mr Maughan Barnett had an ally whose aid could only make for success from the musical point of view.. The carols, which were so pleasing and sweetly sung, were very welcome, and. met with the hearty approval of the whole audience. They were rendered quite without accompammeint, hut under Mr baton time and tone alike were maintained in excellent style. Several times, the and. ience signified its wish to. hear more, but only once was an encore granted. Perhaps the best liked of all was Dykes’s "Sleep,- Holy Babe,” a pretty, carol sympathetically sung. and the last versohad to ho repeated. “The Coventry Carol” was another most ’ acceptable number. The other carols snng were,. "A Child This Day is Born." “Listen. Lordlings, Unto Me,” “Ail This- Nighty

Bright Angels Sing" and “The First Nowell." It is currently believed that corals, to be heard to the greatest advantage. must bo sung out of doors or in the snow, but whether this is so or not. the Choral Society and Mr Barnett are to be complimented upon the successful rendering, indoors last night. The city organist introduced variety into the programme by a number of well-selected and seasonable organ soli, opening with the impressive overture and dainty pastoral symphony from Handel's '“Messiah." A fantasy upon the tunc to which the favourite Christmas hymn, “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," is usually set (one of Mr Barnett’s owui works) was very much appreciated. The. organ soli also included the “ Shepherd Scene." from “Tannhauser,” “The March of the 'Magi Kings," and a “Christmas Olfertoiro.” Another popular concert is to be given in the Town Hall on Monday night, when the city orgainst will have the assistance of Mr -Tohn Prouse (vocalist) and Mr J. M. Clarke (elocutionist).