ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10633, 5 July 1920, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE PANTOMIME. The pantomime "The Sleeping Beauty" has achieved great popularity in Wellington, and deservedly so. As on tho preceding nights of. the season, there was not a vacant seat at the Grand Opera House on Saturday at both performances, and the large audiences were enthusiastic in their appreciation of the good things provided for their entertainment. The quiet humour of Marriott Edgar as the Dame is telling, and the fun provided by the .Egbert Brothers is fast and furious. Beautifully-dressed, with wonderful lighting, scenic and staging iffects, "The Sleeping Beauty" is indeed a remarkable production, well up to the high standard previously achieved by tho J. G. Williamson Proprietary. And it contains one or two sweetly-pretty musical numbers. The pantomime will be repeated until Wednesday night, and the final matinee is to bo given pn Wednesday afternoon. His Excellency the Governor-General and Lady Liverpool have intimated their intention of being present at tho performance to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S: ALL VAUDEVILLE. A revorsion to all vaudeville is announced for the weekly change of programme this, evening, and Messrs Fuller are presenting a bill which pro- j mises to be a brilliant one of star acts. The principal attraction will no doubt bo Ward and Sherman (who are down _ for their first appearance), an | American duo who are stated to be right at the top of the tree in their profession, and who will present a brilliant act of song, patter and dance, introducing, also, their famous burlesque, "The Banana Kings." Another person who comes hero with a great reputation b Ourly Sherwood, a sweet soubretto, who combines tuneful songs with refined fun-making. Knight and Bunting, another duo of tho. song and patter variety, will make their initial bow to local audiences. Popular performers down to make a welcome reappearance are the hilarious pantomimists, Jennings and Gerald. the Natanas, vocal duettists. and Flaneur, who presents a remarkable animal act. Complete changes of programme will be made by Edwards, and Yorkes, who will present this week an entirely new and screamingly funny sketch, Falvey Sisters, delightful harmony girls, Ray and Olga, in song and patter, and tho Zoe Sistors, human aeroplanes. In addition, the Ceverie Troupe are being retained for another six nights, and will repeat their sensational act of wire-walking and acrobatism. ' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. With "A Daughter of Eve," British film registers the hall-mark of perfection, the outstanding- feature showing at Everybody's. The story is a fine one, splendidly told, leading up to a situation as powerfully gripping as any told yet, and with a climax that is "no less than an astonishing surprise. Violet H.opson and Stewart Rome share the stellar honours ,in "A Daughter of Eve," furnishing an exhibition of .portrayal'that holds its own easily with the American article. The ■latest "Gazette," a comedy, and a soenio complete this splendid programme.

EMPRESS THEATRE. Another Australian' feature was presented at iho Empress with Allen .Oo.one, the favourite Irish actor, m the lead, and Miss Edna. Keeley _ as "the rebel's'' sweetheart. The picture is taken from the famous stag© play "The Rebel," which was a great success in Australia. The adventures ot a. devoted band of fighters for freedom in Ireland in 1788 form the theme of the play, Allen Doono appearing as John Blake, chief of the rebels. His capture and imprisonment and subsequent thrilling escape in the coffin of a dead man with whom he had changed placos, forms one of the most intense scenes in the story. Edna ICeeley furnishes adequate support to the star as the sweetheart and wife of the rebel, and a competent oast adds to the attractiveness of the production. The supporting pictures include a lively comic, a pretty scenic, and the third episode of the sensational serial, "Liberty." PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. Last night's concert was decidedly the best of the orchestra's season so far. Mr Henry Moschini conducted with his usual accuracy, and the orchestra played with much precision and more expression than usual. The opening number was Suppe's light overture, "Tantalusqualen," of which a very fair rendering was given. The prelude to Verdi's "La Traviata" was tho best-played item of the evening, and also the most popular, being encored. The violins played with much delicacy in tho final bars. The fantasia for the evening was on ' Mefistofelo," Boito's■variation of the laust legend. Tho intioduction was the most striking passage of the arrangement, and contained somo really hno scoring, especially for the brass, which rose to tho occasion. Of Bocchcrim s "Minuet," for strings only, the principal theme was very catchy, and the minor themes very boring- tho general effect was mediocre. Sibelms's "Valse Tristo" was well played, with some refreshing variations' in the tempo. Mr Moschini missed tho opportunity for n fine climax provided by the composer; however, the number was encored. JL - car's "Pomp and Circumstance, march No. 1, was also given very nicely, and had the added advantage of being familiar, with its majestic "Land oi Hope and Glory" theme. The second "Pomp and Circumstance" march is also a very fine work, though rarely heard, and the orchestra would do well to play it some time if it is available. One hears very little Etoar, the greatost living composer. The performance of the overture to Bprodini's Russian national opera, ' Prince Igor " was {ho first in New Zealand, arid it is to bo hoped it will not be the last, "It is a great and healthy contrast to music of tho Boito-Boccherini type with its somewhat barbaric and always interesting themes, and its arresting harmony. The orchestra, is to be congratulated on a step .in the right direction.

THE KING'S. The King's Theatre was filled to its utmost capacity on Saturday evening. Tho chief attraction was a delightful Triangle comedy, "Prudence on Broadway," tho leading role being played by Olivo Thomas, who is known as the Harrison Fisher Girl. She plays tho part of tho demuro little Quaker girl, and is the last word in charm of manner and nppenraiice, and delightful portrayal'. The supporting items are of the King's usual high standard Miss Eiloon Drscoll gave a beautiful rendering of "The Quaker Girl," and "I Like our Apron and Bonnett," and a fine programme of music by tho King's grand orchestra completed a most enjoyable evening'r entertainment. The programme will bo repeats •■ad this evening

ORGAN RECITAL. Mr Pago's last recital was on of his best; tho programme was well balanced, and his playing very fine. It was not exactly an orßan recital, however, tor quite three-quarters of the programme was transcribed. V\ uti all duo deference to Oesar Franck and Wagner, it does seem a pity that we shculd bo debarred from -hearing the greatest organ music ever written, Bach's preludes and fugues, not to mention. Mendelssohn's sax sonatas, and practically all of Handel but his 10th concerto (which, was played last Saturday). The audience could very well sacrifice a few of Mr Page's neurotic .Russians, anyhow, for the sake of hearing one or two of Bach's hundred and fifty or so masterpieces, say tho A minor, or B minor, C minor, and St. Anne's prelude and fugues, the ti - minor fantasia and fugue, or tho F major toccata. However, we can't have everything, even if they are imperishable masterpieces, and withal legitimate organ music. Saturday's recital started with Handel's 10th Ooncerto (D minor), for organ, violins, viola and bass, oboes and bassoons, arranged by Guilmam, with the aria from the liith Conceits for strings inserted to fill the gap left for Handel's improvising. The opening Adagio-Allegro was very well played Grieg's Norwegian Melodies (op. 66, i\os. 15, 18, 19) were registered and played with great delicacy and much taste in the nse of the lighter fluestops. Tho Prize Song from "Tho Alastersingers" came next, with its wonderfully spontaneous and marvellously beautiful melody, in which seems to be caught up all tho freshness and ardour of youth. Crackers Caprice in G minor was the only purely organ composition on the progr;\mnie, and Jose notring thereby. Mr Pago played it delightfully. The last number, as on the last two recitals, was Franck's symphonic poem, "Psyche." Its oewt*. ty becomes more apparent on evwj bearing; at its conclusion Mr Page met with quite an ovation. It is very gratifying to be able to record that for tha last two Saturdays the tremulant has made its presence felt in the only legitimate way, and that recital-goers iiavo been able to enjoy the music undis'.rnated by jazz effects.