ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPEEA HOUSE. “EVERYWOMAN." “Everywoman,” besides attracting tqtb# Opera House its usual habitues, is drawing many people outside of the customary patrons of the stage, interested in • the striking play which the author has so skilfully conceived. Last night's crowded audience was deeply impressed with the story which Everywoman and Nobody and the various characters hate to teU. ana extended hearty applause to Miss Hilda Spong, Mr William Desmond, and the strong company supporting them. Tho play has created more than the usual Interest which attaches to a first-class dramatic production, and, judging from its reception, should continue to attract many people until Monday night. ... The company will close the season wit n three representations. of the successful comedy-drama "Passers-By.” This work has already earned, it is stated. £jO.OOO in royalties for its author. Mr Haddon Chambers. “Passers-By” created a furore in New- York, and no fewer than six distinct companies are touring with.it through the States. Its story is said to be fall ol humour and pathos, and to appeal to all sections of, playgoers by its real portraiture. capital comedy, and absorbing plot. Margaret Summers jjjiss Hilda Spong) and Peter Waverton (Mr William Desmond) arc the central figures- Pater finds his man servant entertaining a cabman in his (Peter’s) chambers,' and after dismissing him. relents and allows him to , remain and invite other passers-by Into the apartments. These include a tramp of a philosophical and cynical turn of mind. Another wayfarer is a woman. Margaret Sum- ■ men by name, who had lest her way in. the fog. Margaret and Waverton nave been lovers, and from this fact the plot gradually unravels itself, and the remainder of the play is full of interest. Only three performances can bo given of "Passers-By, for which the plans are not* ppen at the Dresden. „ THEATRE EOTAL. With a company of all-round merit tho stage the Theatre Eoyal is drawing largo audiences from the ranks of lover* of vaudeville. On Monday evening' next Wong Toy Sun, Chinese magician, will make his first, appearance under tho nun agomont of Brennan-Fullers, Ltd. Wong Toy Sun is not as .well-known In New Zealand as Chung Ling Soo,- consequently ft will be interesting to judge, which is the better magician. The opinion in Australia is said to incline to Wong Toy Bun. for the reason that he gets away from the , beaten track of this kind of entertainment and presents an act built on hi* own skill. He is gorgeously : garbed in Ohise eso fashion, and he retains the pigtail FULLERS’ PICTURES. - Though, last night was more a fireside evening than one on which to venture out in search of entertainment, there «u » good gathering of the public at the Skating Sink, where Pullers' pictures are the nightly attraction. The’, programme «M notable for a number of excellent films of tho instructive and scenio types. In "Harpooning Whales” the public could imagine themselves setting out with tho Prince of Monaco to engage in a class of sport much more exciting than trout fishing. Thar could watch the harpoon fired from a gun. in tho boat, and observe bow the leviathan was played until brought at last to the boat and given tho eoup-de- . grace. “Australian Gazette”' presented a pictorial summary of reoent ■ happenings in Australasia, and concluded with some good views -of the recent fire in dwelling, oases at Newtown. Some charming eo*Ma were contained in “The Archipelago, Stockholm," Among the dramatic numbers of t the programme two of outstanding merit wore "Mother’s Love” and “You’ll Remember Eileen.*’ The former told the story, of a young man whose love for* hi* mother arouses tho jealousy of his wife. The mother leaves her son’s home and becomes sapei* intendoat of the Penny Provident Fund. Shortly afterwards the wife's eon la kidnapped by an Italian organ-grinder and hold for ransom. The boy manage* .to throw out of tho window of hit prison a trinket, which is nicked up by a little girl; and carried to .the superintendent of the ' Provident Fund. The mother. at once recognises the trinket as the property of her daughter-in-law’s boy, and she i* enabled to rescue the kidnapped child ■■and restore him to his mother. Of course a happy reconoiliotion follows. "Ton’ll Bomember Eileen” was adapted from Moore’s poem, tolling of a poor peasant girl who marries a stranger whom she believe*; te' be bat a peasant also. After enduring privations with him ehe learns that he i* - really the lord of Bosna Hall. Ooodl comedies in the programme were "A Problem in Deduction” and “The Spanish Dilemma.’’ THE NEW THEATRE. The New Theatre was well patronised throughout yesterday, when the onrrenti programme of the continuous picture show; was presented ' for- the Jaet time. Tbscustomary change to-day Will introduce an Indian drama of sterling' merit. "lola’d Promise," by the American Biograph Com- " panv who are noted for the pre-eminence-of their picture-plays. The supplemental) ' specialties include "The Beckoning” (a Rei. public drama), “Wenona’s Broken' Pro 1 raise” (Bison exclusive drama), "Birds ot Moorland. Marsh and Meadow" (a nature ; study). "The Grip Snatcher"-(a : comedyV “The Colonel's Canary.” and others. “THE DANDIES.” . “The Dandiee” open in the concert chamber of toe Town Hall next Saturday usual iug. These comedy costume entertainer*. Bent over from Australia by Mr Edward Branscombo to play a lengthy season in Wellington this winter, ere the purveyors of the best antidote in the world to Coiu. Hopelessness and such ills. “The Dandies’* are a bunch of clever artists whose programme will include eccentric donees, musical sketches, pantomime burlesques,, - and solo and part singing—each and all featured by performers specially chosen by Mr Branscombe from bis permanent Auu> tralian companies. The comedy and concerted items are said to be strong feature* of a brisk and - bright entertainment, which should be enjoyed by yoang, middle, aged, and old. Doable changes will be made every week. Those who were pleased) with the “Scarlet Tronbadonre” ahonld as-. Berip.ncc an even greater pleasure in “Th» landies,” sections of whom have been ia-. stalled as permanent entertainers in Melbourne, Sydney. Perth, and Adelaide. Tfca box plan is at the Dresden. THE ADELPHL A fall house was again recorded UN. , evening at the Adelphi Theatre, when, tbs' current programme of animated pictures ; was repeated. The “star" number. “Bed ■ Falcon,” is deservedly popular. Tbe aeries will be repeated this evening. '' The fink matinee is announced for to-morrow. i - “CAVALLEEIA EDBXICANA.” The Eoyal Choral Society will give it* first concert of the season lu tho Town Hall on Tuesday week, June 4th. wheat Pietro Mascagnis popular opera “Carol-. >eria Bnstlcana" will be performed. The argument of the story, briefly told, is thatTuriddu, returning to the Sicilian village of JBacaga, finds his sweetheart Lola wedded, to Alfio, the muleteer, and, piqued at being jilted, he becomes reckless and betrays Santuzza, a pretty peasant girl with whom he has been- amusing himself. Tiring of her. aud < receiving encouragement from his . old love, he forma a liaison with Lola. Santuzza, enraged to madness,, informs Alfio of his wife’s infidelity. The two men . meet and resolve to fight to the death with knives in Sicilian fashion. ■ Retribution falls on Turiddu, who is stabbed and dies* imploring Bantazza’s pardon. 4 The different characters represented are: Santuzza (the soprano) Miss Bosina Buck-, maun (late Melba Opera Co.). Turiddu fth* tenor, a young peasant) Mr Philip Newbury Lucia (contralto, his mother) Mise Doris Dali. Alfio (baritone, a carrier) Ml'. Hamilton Hodges. Lola (mezzo, his wife). Miss Muriel Bennett. 'Mr Phil Newbury, will sing the “Siciliana" behind the scene, with harp accompaniment. The box plar, opens at the Dresden at 9 o’clock this, morning. 'and the prices are 3*. 2s and I*. A fnU practice will be held to-night.