ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7335, 13 January 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE MERRY WIDOW." ME W. S. PERCY HAS FRESH OPPORTUNITIES. The charm of “The Merry Widow ” is still upon Wellington theatre-goers, and will be heightened by a splendid performance -which the Williamson Comic Opera Company gave at the Opera House hist night. Not a vacant seat wan to be seen anywhere, and the audience was as enthusiastic as it was well packed. -Mr Bert Oiibext, who has been Buttering more or less from indisposition through the season—though his success in tus roles would not lead anyone to imagine his physical difficulties—found himself yesterday morning quits unable to take the exacting part oi Baron Popofi. The production ot “The Merry Widow” in die evening depended upon someone being found capable and versatile enough to work np tne characterisation at a breathless rate, and it was Mr AY. S. Percy who proved the man. The favourite comedian tackled the role, with its big laughter-making possibilities but a shit bigger handicap, and he added to jus triumphs by giving a performance which needs no apology, and did not suggest one of tho difficulties. The quaint, fussy old Marsovian Ambassador strutted the stage as confidently as ever, provoking laugnter at every turn, and although some who know tho production well might have liked to see Mr Percy again in his inimitable character sketch of the diffident Embassy messenger, Mr Nisoh, they found a good substitute in Mr Charles Albert, wuo proved just as funnily communicative in Mr Nisch’s clothes as ho was amusingly Scotch and uncommunicative as the millionaire's waiter in “ The Dollar X'fincess.” He did not even shirk the singing, his part in tho piquant duet with the sprightly Fi-Fi, “ I Thought You were a Simpleton,” Being well sustained. These rearrangements indicate how well-found is the ccunx>any in all respects. Miss Florence Young scored another triumph in the title-role. In the introductory song and onco or twice afterwards she had the assistance of a very fine body of male voices, for which the music is well suited, and there was also another fine singer, Mr Frank Greene, I associated with Miss Young as Prince Danilo. It is difficult to say which one enjoyed most, the sympathetic singing or tho fine acting of the talented pair. ■Each, of these gifts is essential in the strongly-marked characterisations, and it completed' the enjoyment of xiowerfnl emotional acting to have it rounded off with good voices. The “ Cavalryman ’’ duet was, as usual, a distinct hit, and had to be repeated, as were some of the even more musical features of their place la the absorbing story. . It was in tho fine duet, “ For I am a Dutiful AVife," that Miss Olive Godwin, as Natalie, the unfaithful wife of the easy-going old Baron Popoff, forced tho audience to interest themselves in the second love affair of the piece, an interest which never flagged afterwards. Miss Godwin's voice blended nicely with that of Mr Reginald Roberts, who was the passionate A r icomte de Jolidou. The lively bunch of Maxim girls was headed by the popular Miss Lottie Sargent, and v thoy danced as well as ever. Though, the orchestra does not- get a definite round of applause for itself, the audience was thoroughly appreciative of the sympathy and delicacy with which Mr Fritz Hart and his performers rendered the sweetly pretty music. “ The Merry AVidow " will be repeated to-night and on Saturday. , HIS MAJESTY'S PICTURES. The second change of programme this week by His Majesty’s Pictures atracted a crowded audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. The most notable of a very entertaining series of films was “Marvellous Melbourne.” The capital of Victoria is unanimously 'conceded to b© the handsomest city in the Southern Hemisphere. The architectural grandeur, fine thoroughfares and picturesque public gardens aro fit subjects for reproduction by the moving picture camera. Among the features shown were the Melbourne Town Hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the enormous Minders street railway station, the Exhibition building, the Federal House of Parliament, the Federal Government House, the Botanical Gardens, the General Post Ofiice. and views of Collins, Bourke and Elizabeth streets. Frequent applause . gave evidence of complete enjoyment of the film. A splendidly staged Biblical drama, '"Herodias,” in which some gorgeous scenes were presented, created enthusiasm. John the Baptist publicly reproaches Herodias, wife of Herod Tetrarch for her sins. Salome, a beautiful dancer, gains' Herod’s favour, and prompted by Herodias. in response to Herod’s promise to give her anything she asks for, Salome demands John the Baptist’s head. The ghastly present is delivered to Salome, who falls senseless. A pleasing travel item, "A 7 alotta,” shows charming views of the Tuscany seaport. Nature study provides a good iield for exploitation, and probably "Stork at Home" is one of the best examples of this type of picture yet screened. A family of storks are seen in. their nest on top of a building. The feeding and care of the parent birds and the efforts of the young birds to fly are seen at very close range. Other meritorious films include "Ascent of Fortgengrat” (an exciting Alpine climb), "Liz’s Career" ■ (a sprightly farce), "Tempest and Sunshine" (an American domestic drama), “Queen of Nihilists” (a Russian, drum a) and "Foolshead’s Christmas” (a typical farce). The programme will be repeated, to-night, and a matinee is announced for to-morrow. "THE LION AND THE MOUSE." This morning at nine o’clock the box plans will be opened at the Dresden for the five representations to be given at the Opera House, commencing on AYednesday night next, of Charles Klein’s sensational dramatic success "The Lion and the Mouse.” A queue will bo formed at 8 a.m. The new play, which will serve to present for the first time to AA 7 ellington playgoers Miss Katherine Grey and Mr AYilliam Losmond, is said to be a powerful four act drama which deals with the phase of "graft” employed by some of the high financial magnates of America. Miss Grey has elsewhere been acknowledged as the greatest actress who' has visited Australasia since the days of Sarah Benhardt. She was tho original Shirley indomitable mouse—of the play in New York, where at the Knickerbocker Theatre she appeared in the role for two years. "The Lion and the Mouse” centres round a usually interesting plot, showing how a man whose chief characteristics are avarice is checkmated and ultimately set at naught by the indomitable courage and strength of will of the young girl, who, posing as his secretary, beats him at all points of his own game. It has been described as a play that gets at the very soul of things, a play. that not only fascinates as a splendidly devised drama, containing a delightful love story of fine romantic interest, but one that drives home the corruption of, the body politic so pronounced in America today. Only five representations can be given of "The Lion and the .Mouse,", as onTuesday, Januarv 24th. and three following nights "The Third Degree" will be’ staged. In this piece, Mr Charles Klein attacks the brutality of the American police, and the "yellow press," and the result is said to he a thrilling and interesting story. On Saturday, January 28th, and two following nights, Eugene AYalter’s famous dramatic sensation ‘Taid in Full” will be staged, and

the last two nights of the season will be devoted to the fascinating comedy drama, "The Truth,’’ THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. Tiie first specimen of this uncouth and powerful amphibious monster _ in- ’ traduced into Australia 'is ‘'Lizzie," | which arrived in Melbourne by the Gorman liner Annaberg on October sth I last, direct from Hamburg. Germany, | where it was purchased by Wirth Bros.,' who paid to Carl Hagenbeck, of the Hamburg zoo, .£1,250. The animal, which is only a little one, two years old, and weighs three tons, arrived in the best of health in two huge boxes, which were kept on deck—one served as its bath, being lined: with zinc and filled with fresh, clean water daily; and the other as its cage; where it returned every evening into a nice dry bed of straw. The flesh of the hippopotamus is considered good as an article of food, the hide and tusks are of considerable value, and its presence in the rivers is considered undesirable to boatmen and others. The influx of Europeans, and the civilisation of Africa will, therefore, in a very few years be the cause of the total extermination of this leviathan species. When these animals become excited, or out of temper, the strange phenomenon of the "blood sweat" appears on their skins. The pale .chocolate colour of their skins becomes densely covered with globular red spots which look like plums in a huge plum pudding, and ; which leave a stain upon a handkerchief or cloth. The circus will open in Wellington on Monday, January 15th, near the Te Aro railway station. Matinees will be on Wednesday and Saturday. THEATRE ROYAL. Fullers’ Vaudeville Company continues to prove a big draw nigh.tly at the Theatre Royal. This evening amateur trials will be held, for which already eighteen nominations have been received. Mr Bob Harper will make his final appearance this evening, and the last two mights are announced of Mr Alf. Holt, tho American mimic. The customary change of programme will bo made on Monday evening, when Guillaume, Baby and Co., eccentric comedians, will make their reappearance, as will also Mr Will Robey. LONDON SUCCESSES. " The Chocolate Soldier ’’ and " The Quaker Girl" wore, when the last mail left London, two of the big musical comedy successes in the metropolis. Tho first piece was at the Lyric, with the brilliant Miss Constance Drover as Nadina, and "The Quaker Girl" (Mr George Edwardes’s production) at the Adelphi. The London correspondent of the " Sydney Morning Herald," writing on December 2nd, stated that on that date no reserved seats were available for either piece until after -Boxing night. " London has gone wild," he adds, "over the waltz air. from "The Chocolate Soldier.’ Its popularity bids fair to rival the airs from "The Merry Widow’ and 'Dollar Princess.’ Taking it on the whole, the music of Oscar Strauss’s latest comic opera is of a very high order of merit, and much'above that of the average musical comedy. Ah the Adelphi for • The Quaker Girl ’ there is quite a 'star' cast, which includes Miss Gertie Miller in the name part (in quite one of the best things she has yet done), Mies Elsie Spain, Miss Gracie Leigh, Mile. Caumont (who, in the character of Madame Blum, of the Maison Blum, Paris, keeps the ball of fun incessantly rolling), Mr Joseph Coyne, Mr C. Hayden Coffin, and the inimitable ‘Mr James Blakely as the Quaker, Jeremiah. Mr J. A. B. Malon® has produced this musical comedy in sumptuous style, the dressing and mounting of the piece being without parallel for splendour and artistic colouring." The J. C. Williamson firm will bring " The Quaker Girl" to Australia at some future date, while "The Chocolate Soldier" has been scoured for this part of the world b» Clarke and Meynell.