ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7928, 11 October 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

"OUE MISS -GIBBS” TO-NIGHT. This evening at the Opera House, at a quarter to 8, Mr' J .C. Williamson’s Eoyal Comic Opera Company will make their initial appearance in the brilliant musical play "Our Miss Gibbs." So much has been read, written and said of "Our Miss Gibbs" that public expectation is keen. It is doubtful if a company of so much importance, artistically, has appeared here in musical comedy. Miss Blanche Brown and Mr Bertie Wright will bo seen for the first time. Messrs Leslie Holland, Andrew Higginson, Fred Leslie, Claude Bantock, associated with Messrs frank Stirling, Colin Campbell, lon Maxwell, Arthur Lissant, are names that suggest a strong cast. Of the ladies Misses Connie Milne, Nellie Wilson, Fitzmaurice Gill, Nellie Calvin, also, wo understand, have congenial and important parts. With so line a coterie oof principal artists a good interpretation of the play may be looked for. In the second act Mr Fred Leslie and Miss. Ivy Schilling will be seen in the . specialty the Danse du Vaurien. An orchestra specially augmented will he under . the direction of Mr, Fritz Hart, Mr Fred Young being responsible for the management of the stage. The season is for thirteen nights, the box plans for the first six nights of which are now open at the Dresden. The jierformance this evening will bo given in the presence of his Excellency Lord Islington and a party from Government IToiise. The curtain falls finally each evening at 11 o’clock. The box plans fo_r the last seven nights will be opened at the Dresden on Saturday. ' ! :

THEATRE ROYAL. Those two clever juveniles appearing as "the National I)uo at tho Theatre Royal aro deserving of all the praise that has been bestowed on them. Their acting is clean and is done with a pleasing finish. The sleigh bell act of tho Musical Sheppards last night proved very popular, and Signor O. Martinengo, 'cellist and baritone,, easily convinced tho audience of his ability. Tho neat dancing of Mabello was also much applauded. Numerous other artists appear in the programme, which will be repeated this evening. BIJOU THEATRE. . Tho fine series of films which were shown at the Bijou Theatre last evening nere responsible for this very cosy little theatre being packed to tho doors. Though the Bijou has not been riyiniug for a very long time it has proved to be an exceedingly popular- place of entertainment ami the management always ensure that the best claps of subjects are screened. To-hight a change of programme is to bp made and some yory line items are promised. / STAR THEATRE. There was a good attendance at the Star Theatre last evening to witness the second jiresentation of tho current programme. "Foe to Richelieu" is a historical photo-play, showing the evils which wore rife at the time when the formidahle cardinal was in full" power at the Court of France in the seventeenth century. "Tho Xhithe Gazette", also is this week a bright pictorial sheet, some recent Continental happenings being depicted. Other items in the programme include “Barriers Burned Away," “Always a Way," and “Indian Brothers," which are all of a high order. , The same pictures will be shown to-night and a .change will be made to-morrow. THE NEW THEATRE.

I That the romantic picture play "The ] Price of Beauty" has achieved imme- { diate success ivas evident last evening when numbers were unable to obtain- admission at the New Theatre. The afternoon sessions were also well patronised. The' drama is capably interpreted by finished performers, and the costumes and stage -Settings are on an elaborate scale. A new programme of supplementary pictures were shown yesterday. A domestic story, “Barriers Burned Away” (by the. Vitagraph Company), relates how two brothers living in adjoining houses, each with his own family, become estranged 'through a petty lamily quarrel. Bach brother rescues the other’s child from fire and reconciliation ensues- "Sunday Scenes in a Kaffir Compound” shows interesting features of an important industrial institution in South Africa. The American Biograph Company have woven a unique plot around • the Redskin in “Indian Brothers.” An amusing person makes some extremely laughable attempts Jo oxorciso himself with a Sandow equipment in "Bill hollows Doctor’s Orders.” The hew programme will be repeated today and .to-night. “The Price of Beauty” will be shown throughout this week. HIS MAJ'E3TI'’S PICTURES. The auditorium at His Majesty's Theatre was well filled last evening when the current programme by Pullers’ Pictures • was repeated. The principal draw is a sterling Pathe historical drama ‘Toe to Richelieu,’’ which is deserving of the highest commendation. Other meritorious subjects are “Alwavs a Way,” ‘Tioyuu and its ■ Environs",’'

“Aquarium of Insects/' and ‘"I Ac Eanger Pals." The pictures will bo shown for the last time this evening. ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY. On Friday week at the Town Hall the Royal Choral Society will produce Cowen's oratorio “Ruth" for the first time in New Zealand. Successful practices have been held, and' on, Friday evening next a full . practice of chorus and orchestra, which numbers 260 performers, will be held at St. John's schoolroom. His Excellency the Gqvornor and Lady Islington have signified their intention of being present at the performance. The soloists that have been engaged for the special production are :—Mrs Gower Burns (soprano), of Christchurch, Miss Gladys Watkins (soprano), Mrs Carlyle Free (alto), of Christchurch, Hr Sydney Butler (tenor), late of Glasgow', and Mr C. H. Clarkson (baritone)’. The box plan opens at the Dresden at 9 a.m. on Friday. MB FRANK HUTCHENS. At his first recital this evening, this brilliant ■ young New . Zealand pianist will play Chopin's "Sonata in B minor" (first movement), and a bracket of five Etudes by tho same composer; also Xd&zt's “Hungarian Rhapsody" (No. 10 in E major), and a “Miniature Suite" by Yorn-Bowen, a rising English composer, scarcely known yet to New Zealand •audiences. Tho vocalists assisting, Mr Will Hutchens, tenor. Miss Ethel Carter, mezzo soprano, and Miss Agnes M. Scgriof, contralto, will also contribute items of a high class. The programme as a whole is one that should appeal to all music' lovers, apart from the interest created by tho first appearance in Wellington of a successful young New Zealander. •