ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11253, 4 July 1922, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

“MAID OF THE MOUNTAINS”! GRAND OPERA HOUSE. BRILLIANT MUSICAL COMEDY. •Haunting melodies, a delightful and substantial plot, sparkling comedy, and entrancing scenery are the chief attributes of the charming musical comedy, "! be Maid of the Mountains,” which vras presented again at the Grand Opera House by she Royal Comic Opera Company before a crowded audience last evening. The vocal numbers are of a character that nuko a strong popular appeal, yet iueir musical qualities frequently .-,ovr above ordinary musical comedy. Alisa Gladys Alonerieff, as Teresa ,‘‘The Ala id of the Mountains”), sang •will bewitching artistry “Love Will Find a Way” so that a recall was inevitable, and again with Air Robert Chisholm (“Bcppo,” a brigand), Alisa ■Moncr.iaft scored a triumph with “A Paradise for Two.” A particular “catchy” item which gave great pleasure wa3 “W 7 hen You’re in Love,” by Miss AloncriefF and Mr Arthur Stigc.nb fas General Malona). Air Anew McAlaster was excellent as Baldassare (the brigand chief) singing and acting with great credit. From the part of Tonio (a brigand) Air Phil Smith extracted unlimited humour. Most amusing also in the comedy roles of General Malona and Crumpet (his aide) . respectively wer4 Alessrs Arthur Stigant and Leslie Holland. Misses Mione Stewart (as Tonio’s widow) and Miss Nellie Payne (as tlio Governor’’ daughter) were always fresh and pleasing. Tho dancing is a notable feature of the piece and Aliases Jessie Sherwood and Hazel Aleldrum merit special mention as the gipsy dancers. The picturesque rugged mountain ecenery of the first act with fastscudding clouds flying through tho waning moonlight is strongly contrasted by the hurst of colours and brilliant lighting of the courtyard of tho ‘Governor’s palace at Santo, in the second act. In the third act_ a leautiful island coast is £hown with the deep iblue sunlit main as. the background. A word of commendation is duo to the splendid work of the well balanced orchestra under the baton of Air Harry Burton. Three who would see “The Maid of the Mountains” are advised to book their seats without delay as tho season must necessarily he abort. HIS MAJESTY’S AN ENJOYABLE PROGRAAIAIE. The very enjoyable vaudeville, programme presented at His Alajesty’s Theatre last night greatly delighted a large and most appreciative audience. A number of the artists had only arrived from Sidney yesterday and thus mado their first appearance in Wellington. Amongst these were Will J. Saunders, a clever “camouflage chalk-talker,” who proved himself a very able lightning cartoonist, and greatly amused the audience with his comic patter. A sketch of a couple at Lyall Bay, with novel lighting effects, evoked roars of laughter. Ivit Toms and Roma (the girl from Havana) gavo a very fine English comedy turn, and their catchy songs quickly made them prime favourites. A first apearanoe was also made by Aldlle. Belinda, an intrepid trapeze artist, hailing, as her name indicates, from “La belle France.” Her many feats of grace, skill and daring on the high trapeze were watched with the keenest interest, and won the most hearty applause. Pagden and Stanley, “lOOOlbs of harmony,” as they style themselves, are two very good old style c edians. Their topical song, “In tho Days of Adam and Eve,” featuring, amongst other things, Lambton Station, fairly brought down the house. The last of the “first nigliters,” but by no means the least, was “Victer the Great and C 0.,” in his own original ventriloquial turn, “Fun in the Farmyard,” introducing some very amusing patter and a good deal of novelty. Among the old favourites was Alisa Etta Field, “New Zealand’s own prima donna,” who sang with fine effect “From the Land of the Sky Blue Water,” “Farewell” (from “La Wally”), “Sing, Sing, Blackbird,” Tosti’B “Good-bye,” and as an encore, a dainty love ballad about a boy and gii'l and how apples grew on a lilactree. Tom Hughes, the Scotch comedian, sang some admirable songs, and pattered amusingly in more or less broad Scots. Some very pleasing songs were contributed by Beresford and Rennie, “the musical comedy duo;” and Jack Birehley showed himself to be not only a wonderful contortionist, but a notable song and dance artist. His loose-limb dance was particularly good. This fine programme will be repeatedly nightly during the week, and at a matinee on Saturday. OTAKI CHORAL SOCIETY AN ENJOYABLE CONCERT. Tho Otaki Choral Society has, during the ten brief months of its existence, made remarkably rapid strides as a musical body, as evidenced by the enjoyable concert given by a choir of some forty-five ■ voices at the Town Hall Concert Chamber last evening. Tho choir consists almost entirely of pupils of tllie society’s able conductor, Airs H. C. E. Stahle (Aladame Josephine Ottlee), and, prior to her settlement in Otaki about a year ago tho majority of the members jhad had no vocal tuition. Considering tlio brief history of the organisation and the fact that tlhc choir has appeared in public on only two previous' occasions, it must have been with a good deal of confidence in her band of singers that Mrs Stahle agreed to a recital in Wellington, hut the excellence of the programme quite justified the visit. Tho performance afforded abundant evidence of tho energy she has exercised in bringing tlhe choir up to its present standard of execution and interpretation. The tone of the ensemble is good and the expression pleasing, though one might have wished for a little more light and shade in some of tho compositions rendered. The ladies’ voices are especially pleasing, and capable of much power; in some instances thq proportion of soprano® and contraltos was too great for the supporting male voices, the basso® being found rather too weak in the fortissimo passages to supply the solid ground work of the music. Generally sneaking, tho choir is uniformly a well-trained and quite pleasureable to listen to, and the audience found much enjoyment in the generous programme presented. The principal choral works were Gounod’s ■ patriotic motet “Gallia” for soprano solo and chorus, inspired in the composer by the subjugation of France by her Prussian foes in the Franoo-Prus-sian war. The work affords opportunities for very fine choral effects, of which good advantage was taken. The soloist was Aliss Edith Alorrison, a soprano of promise, who improved considerably as she overcame her nervnusnesn. Frederick Cowen’s delightful cantata, “Tho Rose ATniden,” formed tho second portion of tho entertainment, and was equally successful. The , best choral numbers were “ ’Mid the

Waving Rose Trees” and “Oh, Earthborn Sorrow,” containing some beautiful harmonies. Tho principal soloist was Aliss Joan Lowry, one of the youngest members of the choir (still in her ’teens), who sang with surprising confidence for such a youthful performer. Other soloists were Miss Millar, Mrs J. M. Irving, Mrs Riori (one of the several Maori members), Mr L. G. Lowry and Air K. Tahiwi. One of the most pleasing items in the cantata was the trio, "Hast Thou Wandered,” sung by Airs Riori, Aliss Ria Tahiwi and Air Tahiwi. A number of the most advanced of Mrs Stable’s pupils provided the introductory portion of the programme. Airs Riori has a pleasant, quiet soprano, well produced, tuneful, pure, and containing a charming ripple m the upper notes. Miss Winifred Patterson is a mezzo-soprano with good dramatic realisation and intelligent expression. One of the most promising of the soloists of the evening is Aliss Maud Elderton, a young lady who has had only eight months’ tuition; she sang Spross’s “Lorraine, Lorraine, Lorroe” with striking vocal sympathy, and has the happy gift of holding the interest of her audience. Her voice is srteet and facile and her enunciation is especially .admirable. Miss Constance Berrill’s oontralto solo, “My Heart js Weary,” was thoroughly acceptable. Her voice is of wide range, and pure and full in tone, though at times a trifle nasal. Air Stahle, the only male soloist, has a nice baritone quality. The surprise of the evening was the appearance of the Tahiwi quintette, consisting of soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone and bass, in the fascinating Alaori folk song, “Hold, hoki tonu mai.” which created much enthusiasm and had to be repeated. The five native voices blended excellently, and expression was very effectively used. Airs L. G. Lowry and Airs Stahle played the aocompnuitaents.