ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7446, 22 May 1911, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

'‘THE WHIP” AT THE OPERA HOTTS& Every seat in the Opera House was occupied on Saturday evening, when the I. C. "Williamson company played "Tho Whip" for tho third time in Wellington. This sporting drama is of a kind that appeals to a very large section of the community- It has been, said that everybody loves a melodrama. That is probably an exaggeration, but it is certain that few classes of entertainments fill theatres so well. This piece is presented with all tho realistic effects that tlio expenditure cf moucy and tho employment of stagecraft can ensure, and the story is interpreted bv a capable, well-balanced company. The play runs with a smoothness quite remarkable when one reflects what a vast variety of scenes are presented. Tho obvious difficulties that must have been met with in introducing thoroughbred horses to the glamour of tho footlights havo been completely mastered. The numerous exciting scenes, culminating in The Whip winning the Two Thousand Guineas race, highly pleased tho big audience, and the principals in tho cast were warmly applauded throughout tho evening. "The Whip" is to be repeated until- further notice. From all appearances tho management need not worry aWit the next piece just yet. This morning at tho Dresden the plana for the second six nights of "The Whip" will bo opened. Reservations can now be for the first twelve nights of tho season. A special theatre boat has been arranged to leavo Wellington for Day's B-ay* after the performance on Wednesday evening. The second production will "Henry of Navarre." THEATRE ROYAL. A change of programme and the firel apj>earance of several new performers at* tracted a crowded audience to the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. Mr Alexander Prince is still the star attraction of the programme, and his playing on the concertina evoked loud applause. Gardiner and Le Man (man # and lady) gave a very interesting exhibition of the Japanese , art of 3in jutsu, the holds, etc., being illustrated in such a manner that one could not fail to gain some knowledge of this useful science. Showing what could b© done by a lady conversant with tho holds of jiu jitsu against a tramp demonstrated how useful it would bp in case of emergency. Another interesting turn was that of "The Weatherleys," who introduced a musical act in which both performers succeeded in extracting from* weird-looking instruments the tunes well-known songs. Miss Nellie Powers, a song and dance artist, made a welcome reappearance, and her song dealing with football immediately found favour with the audience. Miss Emmie Hardie, a sorio, made a first appearance, and for hoi sang she received an encore. Others excellent in their contributions were Daly I and O'Brien (tanglefoot dancers), Mabel Lynne, the Williamson Sisters, Brightie Carlisle, and Messrs Dixon Knox (bari- • tone), Bob Lloyd and Jim Marion. i (comedians). Tho programme will be ro j peated this evening. ms MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There ware larrge attendances at both 'exhibitions of pictures at His Majesty's Theatre on ’ Saturday. An entirely new programme is announced for this evening. The principal item in the new set, which arrives by tho English mail this evening, is entitled "The Fall of Troy/'- a masterpiece by tho Itala Company, in which over eight hundred actors take part. Tho company has spared no expense in its' production, the staging ©fleets being wonderful. In the opening scene Homer sings to the Greeks of the exploits of the heroes of the Trojan war. Mcnelau*. ; King of Sparto, takes leave of his wife I Helen, and P-ans, King of Troy, .carries away Helen with the help of Venus. Menelaus hears of his wife's abduction, and declares war on Troy. The end of Troy and tho fall of the King's Palace is said to be one'of the finest scenes eye;, filmed. I' THE NEW THEATRE. * . A record number of people patronised the continuous moving picture show at the New Theatre on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The artistic poetic pici ture "Pippa Passes," a realistic pourtrayal of the theme of Browning's poem, " Miko tho Miser," a pathetic story of a boy's devotion to his sister, and f ‘Tho Cowboy's Mother-in-Law" are. among the . best items of an attractive series. Tho. programme will be repeated to-day from IX a.m. till 11 p.m., and the customary . bi-weekly, change is announced for tomorrow. MENTCXPAL ORGAN RECITALWintry nights are not conducive to comfort in the, Town Hall, and so it was, perhaps, hardly a matter for surprise that the attendance at the municipal organ recital on Saturday night was decidedly small. The city organist, however, gave of his best, in spite of the big array of empty chairs. One of the meet interesting items on the programme was Elgar’s Sonata in' G, the famous English composer’s one important work for ■ tho organ. Tho fine movements of the sonata are rich in tone, colouring, and demand the exercise of the full resources of the instrument. It is an item which Mr .Barnett could with acceptance repeat at the very earliest opportunity, when, it is to he lioped, there will be a larger an. dience to enjoy it- Devred’s “Commun. ion” and Schubert's “Am Meer” were two particularly enjoyable numbers. The progrsTtime opened with a stirring' rendition of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and closed with Wely’s beautiful Prelude and Offertoiro, which has been, so well received on previous occasions. Mr Barnett will give another recital on. Saturday evening next. The next concert by the municipal orchestra is fixed for the 30th inst., when the programme will include the celebrated tope poem "Finlandia.” THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. The English Pierrots will make thoif debut in the Coronation Theatre, Exhibi- ! tion Buildings, on Wednesday evening ! next, at 8.30. The Pierrots present programmes of great variety, mainly of a humorous nature, many of the numbers ! being entirely original, and. consequently . quite new to Wellington. In Mr May- | ward Dakin ' the company possesses a j comedian who has fulfilled many engagements in the London Pavilion and other famous halls in the metropolis. Mr W. j R- Turner is a humorist of wide experij once, whoso style and methods are i original and refreshing. Mr Leslie Aus--1 tin and Mr Kingsley Chapman, the bariI tone and tenor respectively, uphold the serious side of the entertainment, while j the two _ pierrett.es, the Misses Langley | aatd Phuirraon. will Quickly win their way into public favour. The all-round excellence of the combination and the ] bright and amusing character of the performance will no doubt prove a strong attraction at the exhibition. GARRISON BAND CONCERT. The Town Hal! was filled last evenin', whom the Wellington Garrison Band gave an enjoyable concert, the proceeds of which are to augment the band's funds. Tho band, under the conductorshin of Lieutenant T. Herd, contributed S:jestais Boi" (Ad. Adorns). “Snnnish Chant” (Round), "Lead Kindly LighF' (arranged by Herd), and "March Merne Men” (D. Peeormi). The vocal numbers, which were artistically given, were thoroughly appreciated. Mrs A. Mitchell sang "Nearer, my God, to Thee”( Carey), "Promise of Life" (Cowen), and with Mr C. Clarkson the duet “Break Diviner Light” (Allitson). Mr C. Clark, son gave a nlea-siug interpretation of "The Letter Land” (Jude), and as an en. core number "In Sheltered Vale” (D’AlMrOabey acquitted Mmself with •vutcess in "Life’s Recompense" (De Eiego). Mr Hollow was accompanist. THE OLYMPIA RINK. Crowded attendances ruled at FullertfOlympia Skating Rink at Saturday’s sessions. The recent fire has not affected the skating surface in any way. Th» rink will be open as usual this afternoon, and evening and the band will attend in the evening.