ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11656, 22 October 1923, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

DERRY’S MILITARY BAND CONCERT AT TOWN HALE. A STRONG COMBINATION. Derry’s Military Band, from Christcliureh, played to a good attendance at the Town Hall on Saturday night, and created in every way a very good impression. The combination one of the strongest of its kind in the Dominion, is well-known throughout the South Island, and numbers some sixty-sir instrumentalists. It claims to be the largest military Viand not only in New Zealand, but in Australasia. The conductor is Mr E. C. Derry, while Mr P. R. Williamson is the bandmaster. The band's combination, unique of its kind, includes one oboe, two flutes, twenty clarinets, twelve saxophones, nine cornets, four tenor cornets, three euphoniums, two baritones, four trombones, six baeses, three drums, and in addition tympani, bells, etc. The programme opened with the"Marsenillo" overture (Auber), rendered in excellent style. It was followed by an interesting descriptive fantasia entitled "A Day at West Point/' describing a day's work at the great United States military academy. The andante "Con Moto" and allegro ‘Tn Poco Agitato' (Morelli), from Mendelssohn's "Scotch Symphony," was another decidedly interesting contribution, with. its characteristic Highland pipe mueio theme running through. "The Smithy in the Woods," by Micherlis, another descriptive fantasia, was played with genuine artistry. The opening passages denote night time, followed by the approach of dawn. Morning breaks, and the 6ong of birds and the murmur of a bubbling brook is heard. The village clock strikes, and then the singing of a hymn in the church makes itself apparent, and, finally, thei smith lights his forge and his day's "work is commenced. Other items were the "Ruj Bias" overture (Mendelssohn-Bartholdy), "Yeoman of the Guard" excerpts, a pot pourri of melodious memories by Trench, the splendid overture from "William Tell/' the "Stars and Stripes For Ever" march, and the fox trot "By Heck." All the band’s items were well received, and the conductor was most generous in permitting encores. Mr Charles Williamson was heard in several numbers, including Landon Ronald's "O Lovely Night/' and the well-known "Flower Song" from "Carmen." One of his encores was a delightful little song, "Land of the Long Ago," made familiar by Paul Dufault. Bandsman A. Hutton contributed a piccolo solo, "Strong the Air," and was heartily applauded for his meritorious performance. The visit of the band is of more than passing interest, and provides a real delight to lovers of instrumental music. . . , A concert was given yesterday afternoon at Oriental Bay, and another at His Majesty's Theatre last night. There were good attendances of the publio, and the impression created at the first performance was more than substantiated. STELLA POWER SEASON FIRST CONCERT TO-MORROW. Music lovers will be very much interested in the attractive programme to be Riven to-morrow night in the Town Hall by the worUl-famouß soprano. Miss Stella Power. Miss Power is hailed as the foremost coloratura soprano now before the British public, and in selecting some of the great operatic arias associated with the name of Dame Nellie Melba, the young singer is naturally challenging comparison. Judging, however, by the remarkable press notices she has in England, Europe, America, and recently in Australia, she has come through this ordeal with complete, success. The Melbourne “Age" featured a notice of her first concert there with the headline “A Beautiful Voice of Phenomenal Range," and acclaimed the youthful soprano as “a singer in the direct line of succession to Jenny land, Adelina Patti, and Nellie Melba.” All the newspapers united in complimenting Miss Power on the extraordinary aptness of the title. "The Little Melba,” the designation by which Miss Power is now universally known. At to-morrow night’s concert Miss Power will 6ing the great aria. “Ah! Fors e Lui,” from Verdi's favourite opera, "La Traviata.” It is said to be impossible to hear Miss Power’s rendering of this famous excerpt without recalling vividly Melba’s sensational singing of the same aria a score of year 9 ago. Another operatic aria will be the beautiful Air du My6oli, “Charmant Oiseau," from Felioien David’s opera "La Perle du Bresil.” This number will be given with flute obbligato by Signor A P. Tmda. A group of French songs will include "Chanson Triste,” by Dupare and CLausson’s "Les Papillons.” "The Little Melba’s” English songs will inclpdo "Butterfly Wings” by Montague Phillips, and the quaint song "At the Well,” by a modern American composer, Richard Hagcman. The supporting artists will be Mr William James, the celebrated composer-piani_s.t„ ajid Mr Harold Beck, violoncellist. Concerts will also be given on Thursday, Saturday, and Mondav next The box plans for the secson are at the Bristol Piano Co. Concessions are offered to students. Day sale 4s and 2s tickets will be on sale tomorrow at Ned Perry’s, Manners street. PRINCESS THEATRE The leading attraction at the Princess this ■week is "Three-word Brand," in which William S. Hart occupies the leading role. It shows Hart as a lonely wanderer who gives up his like for his two children, who are taken to an. orphanage, where one is quickly adopted, but the other stays on until he becomes old enough to work for himself. In time he becomes owner of L 7 ranch, and is known to all as "Three Word Brand." Meanwhile his brother, also played by William S. Hart under the name of Mnrsden, has become Governor of the State, and a bill is about to go through the Legislature dealing with a proposed water dam, which, if brought into being, would ruin many ranchers of the Rego Valley. Brand's partner brings out his sister and a deep friendship springs up between hoi* and Brand. Yeats, a crooked neighbour of Brand's, secures the arrest of Brand's partner for the alleged murder of a rancher named McCabe, who was found dead on the boundary line. From then on the great picture is packed with thrilling incidents. However, all ends well, and the picture comet; to a satisfactory conclusion. Harold Lloyd, the eye-glass comedian, is shown ir. a screamingly funny comedy, "Among Those Present." It is sjacked5 jacked full of laughs, especially when the iero attempts to ride an exceedingly wild horse. The supports include a Paramount gazette. THE QUEEN’S "Kick In/' the star feature at the Queen’s, is certainly a landmark in the history of the motion picture. Brilliantly emst, and brilliantly acted, it is a credit to the producer, Mr George FitzMaurice. It is the story of a convict, Ckio Hewes, who, after serving a term jn gaol, repents of his misspent past and determines to go straight. But he has lo undergo many trials and troubles before he can achieve his desire. In the home of District Attorney Brandon, to which Chic has risen in his struggle for betterment. Molly Brandon discovers that the man she has learnt to love is in reality a thief and a ne’er-do-well, but her love is too strong for lier to give him up without a fight, and after a series of dramatic sequences Chic wins through. In support there is also the fourth chapter of the serial play, "The Social Buccaneer." a laughable comedy, "The Imperfect Lover." and the latest International News. The Queen’s Grand Orchestra supplies a specially selected programme of incidental music.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE NEW SHOW TO-NIGHT. It is very evident by the large and satisfied audiences that visited His Majesty’s last week that George Wallace and his company of revueists have made a decided hit hero To-night a now show, which is entitled "A Dancing Delirium/' is to be presented, which we are assured is well up to the standard of their initial production. In this the comedian, Mr Wallace, assumes quite a different role, that of a bibulous individual with a remarkable capacity for liquor. At a later stage he appears as a waiter and in this character his dialogues are said to be really clever. As the title implies, a good deal of dancing is presented during the course of the performance. Another member of the company, who scored a big success last week, is Marshall Crosby, who is considerably above the average as a vocalist —a fact which, the audience quickly recognised. In the new show Mr Crosby is to Introduce a number of new vocal numbers. Throughout this week's production is said to b? well-balanced, with n lot of genuine humour, melodious singing and captivating dancing, which may bo depended upon to meet with a large measure of oublic favour. In the vaudeville section the Jubilee Trio arc making their reappearance. This will be good news, for those who remember their excellent singing on their appearance here some months ago. Marie St. George and Cb. in "The Awakening of Galatea"; Claude De Car, the acrobatic waiter; Loo. Martin, instrumentalist; and Frio Masters, the brilliant baritone Complete a programme that should draw crowded, houses throughout the week Intending patrons are advised that tho box plait for to-night's programme will be on view all day at Burnett's, next tho theatre. A special holiday matinee will be given this afternoon at 2.80. • KING’S THEATRE RODOLPH VALENTINO AND NAZIMOVA IN "CAMILLES."

"Camille," the world's greatest love story, starring the screen's greatest lovers Rodolph Valentino and Nazi* mova —drew and delighted a bumper house at the over-popular King's Theatre on Saturday, “Camille" is a modernised version of "La Dame aux Camelias," the famous play and novel by Alexandre Dumas, the younger, known throughout the world as a masterpiece of love and sacrifice. By many critics this thrilling drama, written by Dumas when only twenty years of age, is regarded as the prototype of the modem problem play. It was first put on at the Vaudeville Theatre, Paris, m 1852, through the influence of the Due do Monny, and its unusual theme won it instant attention. Since then it has been one of the favourites, revival after revival demonstrating the vogue it still enjoys, despite its age. Its strong emotional scenes have won the histrionio support of many notable actresses who have listed it among their repertoire of theatrical offerings. It has enjoyed equal popularity in England, Franco, America and Germany, where the theatregoers have warmly welcomed it both in adaptations and in the original French. "Camille" tells the story of Marguerite, a notorious and beautiful woman, a part of the gay life of Paris. When she fell in love with the young law student, Annand Duval, she gave up her old life and friends and then made the o:rowring sacrifice of all. What that was is dramatically pictured by Nazimova, who invests the part with a charm, a boauty, and a pathos which held the audience spell-bound to the end. As Armand, Rodolph Valentino is the perfect lover, the cast as a whole is an exceptionally strong one, end the gorgeous scenes of the gay night life of the gayest city in the world are marvellously portrayed.

The supporting films are a mirth-inspir-ing comedy, "Be Careful/' and the latest gazette and travelogue; while the sparkling musical programme is admirably rendered by the King's select orchestra of twelve artists, under the able directorship of Mr L. D. Austin. Matinees will be held this afternoon, Monday (Lafbour Day), at 2.80. ORIENTAL BALL IN AID OF RESIDENTIAL NURSERY. To-night, the Oriental ball takes place at the Town Hall, and it is sincerely hoped that the place will be crowded upstairs and down, for quite apart from tne very reasonable price for an evening's dancing, it is held to provide funds ior the Residential Nursery at Owen street, which de splendidly run by the Women's National Reserve. Everyone knows the excellent work done by the Residential Nursery, and the slogan "Help the Mothers, Help the Children, Help Yourselves," adopted by the committee on their window cards is surely very apt, and it will be & fitting finish to a holiday for all dancers to go tq the Town Hall to-night, help a good cause and have a most enjoyable evening. The music is speoial, being picked out by Mr Braund to fit in with the Oriental Night. The lighting effects will be enchanting, end the decorations arranged so that people who do not dance can have a seat in the gallery* and get a good view of the main floor of the hall. Miss Marjory Buokeridge will be seen in a solo dance of the East. The committee has worked verv hard to make the night a euocess In every way. The City Council has helped by making a rebate on the rent of the hall, and prizes have been donated for the best paper dress., best fancy dross, and the winner of the head dress competition, and the supper has been provided by many.