ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8794, 25 July 1914, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE FORTY THIEVES,” J. C. ’Williamson’s gorgeous pantomime, “The Forty Thieves.” continues to attract crowded audiences to the Grand Opera House. The production is interspersed with popular airs, of which the most taking is “'Whoops I Let’s Do It Again.” This threatens to supplant the eternal “You Made ale Love You.” Magnificent ballets and multi-coloured ensembles are a feature, and through it all the Arabian night story of Ali Baba and his adventures with the thieves runs like a silver thread. Mr .Barry Lupino, as All Baba, is very comical, and Mr Edwin Brett, as his wife, the “dame,” backs him up ably. Mr W. A. Hassan, as the denkey, Quicksilver, is responsible for much laughter and a fine display of acrobatic feats is performed by the Three Rubes. This afternoon there will bo a special pantomime matinee, a feature of which will be a “whoop competition—fathers and mothers versus the children. The usual performance will be given to-night. THE KING’S THEATRE. “Marvels of Nature,” a remarkable cinema nature-study, taken in India under the supervision of Mr Cherry Kcartou', the noted big-gamo hunter and explorer, is proving an effective “draw” nightly at the King s Theatre. By means of this interesting and instructive subject, the spectators arc able to view flying foxes, a huge python, monkeys, water buffaloes, and a largo tiger in their native haunts. Foremost among the photoplays is-tho Vitagraph Company’s elaborate drama, ’“The Master of the M ; ne,” which is also associated with “The Black Mask” (Edison ■ drama), “Training Italian Cavalry,” and “The Gaumont Graphic” (topical). The customary matinee will commence at 2.30 o’clock to-day, and the pictures will appear for the last time this evening. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. That vaudeville has lost none of its charm and attractiveness is amply demonstrated nightly at that popular house of entertainment, His Majesty sThe programme this week is thorough.Iv up to the standard, variety being a dominating feature. • Incidental to the various “turns,” the orchestra renders very acceptable selections of the latest music-hall successes. Tho hill will ho submitted for tho last time this evening, a complete change of programme 7 being announced for Monday. .There will bo a matinee this afternoon; : ■ “ LURE OF LONDON.” On Monday next, at the King’s Theatre, the management will screen tho latest English cinema success, “Tho Lure of London,” a dramatic romance of real life portraying scenes of theatrical life in and around London and Australia. The whole production is superbly handled, accuracy being a strong feature. The leading character is acted by Miss Ivy Close, the beautiful aud fascinating English picure actress, winner of tho All-Eng-land beauty competition. - FRED NIBLO AND JOSEPHINE COHAN. Tho Wellington Grand Opera House appears to bo in for a storm of morriiiicnt after tho calm. Tho present brilliant season of "gay pantomime only closes on the 30th, and on August jeh there will appear Mr Fred Niblo, Miss Josephine Cohan, and the clever supporting company of which theatregoers will have such pleasant memories in “Got Rich Quick Wallingford.” JL’ho repertoire during tho coming season will include plays which have oven eclipsed the success of that, popular comedy during the last year in Australia, and includes “The Fortune Hunter,” “Never Say Dio,” and “Officer 666.” POPULAR COMPETITIONS. A novel entertainment will bo provided theatre-goers at tho Town Hall on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,'ana Saturday nights next, when the Australasian Popular Competitions Enterprises will introduce for tho first time in New Zealand their series of popular competitions. These competitions will ho inaugurated for the purpose of bringing out latent talent in all classes of stage work. There will bo tango dancing, chorus singing (unaccompanied), always provocative of much fun, solos for ladies, dramatic impersonations, jigs, comic songs, pillow fights tin revolving pole, and a mouth t organ test for boys. Variety is charming, and there is certainly enough of it here. Entries are flowing ,in freely and the competition promises to be very keen. A. full orchestra under the conductorship of Mr J. F. Woodward has been specially engaged, and a leading and woll-lsnown Australian actor elocutionist will have charge of the stage management. Tho prices are popular, and the box plan is open at the Dresden, whore seats may bo booked. ORGAN RECITAL. To-night’s organ recital has been sot apart specially to give Mr Pago an opportunity of complying with many of tho requests received for repetitions of the items played at previous recitals. It has been quite impossible for tho city organist to play all the requested numbers, as many patrons have asked for the Sixth Symphony (Tchaikovsky), which in itself is almost tho entire length of a programme. Therefore, Mr Pago has reserved that symphony for a recital in the near future. "Among the items chosen for to-night’s programme are “ The Entry of tho Gods into Walhalla ” (from “ Das Rheingold,” Wagner), an unfinished “Pastorale ” (Bach), Symphonic poem “Danse Macabre ” (Saint-Saens), “Eglogue ” (Salome), “Benediction Nuptiale ” (Saint-Saens), Finale in B flat (Cesar Franck). Such a request programme is regarded as ample proof that tho citizens of Wellington are appreciating Mr Page’.s , work, and there is a growing tendency for a. higher standard,of music. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Tho present programme of the Em- . press continuous pictures, headed by tho Radio Company’s sensational “feature” drama “The Little Smugglers,” will appear for the last time to-day and to-night. In tho main subject a gang of . smugglers kidnap a young lady in revenge for her action in preventing a member of tho gang from illtreating some little children, who are compelled to assist in smuggling. The supporting films include “French Fox Trappers,” “Tho Fire Coward” (Ka!em drama), “The Queen’s Chronicle” (topical), and “Billy’s Honeymoon” (Gem comedy). A complete change will be introduced on Monday.

“EVERYBODY’S.” Yesterday’s sessions at the old Opera House drew crowded attendances, attracted by tho merit of that, fine drama “Protea tho Second.” This picture is showing for tho last time today and to-night, and should not bo missed. “Tho Chicken Chaser,” a Koystono comedy, is responsible for much merriment. On Monday next at. noon will be screened for the first time in ' Wellington, “Tho Golden Beetle,” an Anglo-Indian drama of tho sensational order, but not far-fotciied. Its producers arc tho Cinos Co., of Rome, who havo made their name through screening such plays as “Antony and Cleopatra,” “Quo VadisP” and other big productions. In support of tho main films will bo tho 'T’athe Gazette,” “A Real English Winter,” “Construction of a Life Boat,” showing the various stages of construction from the design to launching; and a Gaumont humorous comedy entitled “'Simple Simon and tho Dromedary.” An excellent orchestra renders pleasing selections. ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS. Mr Alexander Watson, England’s foremost reciter, whose Melbourne recitals have boon aptly described as “a repertory theatre in which every player is a star,” has engaged to give a short series of recitals in the Town Hall concert chamber, commencing next Saturday evening, August Ist. Two years ago Mr Watson paid his first visit to Australia and New Zealand under the direction of Mr Carlyle Smytho, tho well-known entrepreneur, but that tour had to b© concluded at tho zenith of its succcess to enable Mr Watson to fulfil his regular English engagements. The remarkable enthusiasm that he aroused on this first visit—which created now records for a “ one-man show ” —has, however, paled into insignificance beside his most recent achievements. In Melbourne alone ho gave forty-six recitals, and drew crowded houses. Intending patrons of his Wellington recitals would ho well advised to book their seats at the Dresden, where the plans will bo on view on Tuesday morning. SUNDAY CONCERT. Tho Wellington City Bud has prepared an attractive programme for its concert, to bo given at His Majesty’s Theatre next Sunday evening. Mr Allwright and Mr Eiby will sing, Mr A. McDonald will give a flute solo, and tho band’s items will include a pretty, though difficult, contest selection ( 11 Reminiscences of Weber”), a fantasia (“0 Lovely Night”), with variations for cornets, euphonium, etc., and other pieces. A collection will be made in aid of- tho band fund. SAILORS’ FRIEND SOCIETY. A delightful concert was presided over by Miss Wilson last evening before a largo audience. Mr J. Moore (misskmor) occupied tho chair. Tho following contributed items to the programme;.—Misses Maekay, Bowcock, Alderson, Messrs Machie, Poize (s.s. Star of England), and Kalasiooff (Star of England), and Master Bowcock. Tho performers wcVo accorded a hearty vote of thanks at the conclusion, and light refreshments were dispensed. The usual “ at home ” took place afterwards. PUPILS’ CONCERT. Last night Miss Grace Kennedy and her pupils held a concert in the Masonic. Hall, which was well filled for the occasion by an enthusiastic audience. Miss‘ Kennedy Has ■ -pupils for both violin and ’cello, and tho programme was pleasantly varied, by quartettes and trios, for these instruments in conjunction with tho piano, and there was besides quite a goodsized orchestra of the pupils, consisting of violins', Mrs Henry, Misses Andrews, Hamerton, F. . and I. Henry, Pritchard, Mr Norman Watson and Masters Mitchell and Maclaurin; viola, Miss M. Kennedy; ’cello, Misses M. Hoary and G. Kennedyand piano, Miss E. Henry. The orchestra opened the programme with, the allegro _ moderate movement from “Petit Duo Symphonique,” by Borthold Touts, and each player performed her part well with* a due appreciation of the effect as a, whole. Miss E. Henry at the piano showed a nice realisation of her part as leader. Tho orchestra also played “Danse Ancienne,” by Herbert Waring (arranged by L. Gautier), as the final hi umber. Violin.solos were given by Master Eric Mitchell (“Gavotte in G,” by A. Von Aim Carso), Miss H. Hamerton (“Mazurka,” by J. Harold Henry), who was accompanied by her sister, Miss F. Hamerton, and showed herself a promising little player, by Mr Norman Watson, who gave with nice effect Beethoven’s “Romance in F”; and by Miss Frances Henry, who attempted the difficult andante and finale from “Concerto in E minor,” by Hans Sitt, and acquitted herself admirably, playing the lengthy piece without her music. This clever pupil also played in a trio with her two sistefs: —Miss M. Henry at the ’cello and Miss E. Henry at the piano—a delightfully light movement; and Miss M, Henry afterwards gave a ’cello solo, “Harlequinade” (Squire), for which she was deservedly recalled, and had to repeat the second movement. A quartette for two violins, ’cello and piano was given by Mrs' S. R- Kennedy, Misses Andrews and G. Kennedy, and Mr Norman Watson and Mr L. Ashoroft-Edwards was warmly welcomed in two songs, “The Devout Lover” (Maude Valerie White), and the everpopular “Father O’Flynn” (Stanford). After the concert refreshments' were served to tho guests, who much appreciated the hot coffee, etc., before turning out into the cold.