ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12356, 28 January 1926, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

DAME CLARA BUTT HOW SHE - WON FA^E.' “Your boy has a nice voice 1” Dame - Clara Butt, then a girl, was practising in an adjoining room when that remark was made -by a visitor to her toother. The “boy’’ was, of course, Dame Clara. Her teacher had given her soprano songs, but the girl had obtained jsome with low notes in them. These were the ones which appealed to her. As a result of the visitor’s remarks, the student was taken to a well-known professor, who at once declared that she was a contralto. Then commenced tbo training of an artist whose career has been in several respects unique. No person on stage or concert platform has had such encouragement. Few can claim such a long period of uninterrupted success. Even Dame Nellie Melba was discouraged by the first three musical authorities whoso advice she sought in England. A. quick return to Australia was actually suggested. Two of this year’s visiting artists —Kreisler, the world’s greatest violinist and Galli-Curci, who won such fame on the opera stage—had hitter experiences for many years. Nobody ever told Dame Clara Butt that she could not sing, though her first teacher thought she was a soprano. While a student she sang at many “at homes,” and Tosti took her to Windsor Castle, where she sang before Queen Victoria. Her. Majesty was very pleased with the young singer, and intimated that if she were sent abroad to finish her studies she would he prepared to pay all expenses. The college, however, . sent her to study under M. DuVernoy in Peris. One day the student made a visit of inspection to the Albert Hall, and could not resist the temptation to sing ir. this huge building. Some time afteiwards she was asked by a stranger Tf she was the girl with the big voice. This led to an audition, and soon afterwards came an offer for three engagements from the' Albert Hall committee, which gave her the opportunity of singing in “The Golden Legend,” “Elijah” and “Israel in Egypt.” What artist has had such a beginning? Dame Clara has sung in public for more than 30 years, and there is every indication that she will sing for many years to come. The public’s esteem for the artist and the woman has never wavered. She is undoubtedly one of the most _ generally, beloved singers in the British Empire. Not long before she left England, Dnme Clara appeared before an audience of 12,000. Toward the end of June she and Mr Kennerley Rcmford achieved a notable success at their silver wedding celebration concert in Bristol. The occasion was marked by warm demonstrations by the audience through-' . out the evening. They were married at Bristol ..Cathedral on June 26th, 3900, and in honour of the occasino Dame _ Clara wore her wedding dress at this concert. Her 6hare of the programme included the recitative and aria "Che Faro,” from Gluck’s “Orfeo,” with which she soared her initial snocess in opera. Dame Clara Butt and Mr Kennerley Rumford Will give 30 concerts m New Zealand. T%e singers are sure of a royal welcome at their first concert in Wellington Town Hall on Saturday night. jPatrons are advisea'to secure their tickets early. GUY BATES POST J. C. Williamson (N.Z.), Ltd., announce box jflan3 for the first J'Shba of Guy Bates Post’s season at l Grand Opera House will open, at the Bristol this morning. Judging by the widespread interest that is being displayed the' booking will he very heavy • therefore, intending patrons are advised .to secure their seats early. In addition to having the very pleasant task of 1 welcoming Mr Post to this city nest Saturday night, Wellington will also have the opportunity of showing that it has not forgotten the one-time brilliant child artist of this city, Miss Cecil Haines, who last appeared here as a juvenile actress eight years ago. Other well-known artists in Mr Post’s largo supporting company are: Miss Eileen Sparks, who 3S P O’®. leading feminine roles; and Messrs Winnington Barnes, Eric Maxon, Ashton Jarry, and Leslie Victor. As the dim, shadowed beauty of the prologue of “The Masquerader” makes it imperative that the charm erf its brief story he not disturbed by the entrance of late-comers, theatre patrons are all ( asked to be in their seats by 7.55 p.m. as the doors of the theatre will- be 'kept closed from the rising of tho curtain to the conclusion of the prologue. “The Masquerader” will be staged for the first six nights of Mr Post’s season in Wellington, and the second offering will be the sparkling comedydrama, “The Bad Alan,” which will be presented for six nights (commencing on February 6th). For the' last five nights of the season (Saturday, February 13th. to Thursday, February 18th) the offering will be the gorgeous Eastern drama, “The Green Goddess.” HNGT THEATRE “LORRAINE OF THE LIONS.” The final screening of “Lorraine of the Lions” will take place at the King’s Theatre to-night. Non-man Kerry is starred with Patsy Ruth Miller playing opposite him. Joseph Dowling, Fred Humes, Philo McCollough, Harry Todd, Frank Newburg, Roremary Cooper, Doreen Turner, Jackie Goodrich, and W. Stuart MoCrea are in the cast, comprised of an unusual galaxy of stars. The difficulties encountered in film* ing the picture were immense. It took more than three months* work on three elaborate seta before production could be started. A San Francisco million* aire’e mansion was reproduced in every detail, both inside and out, at a tremendous cost. A steam heated jungle covering an area of * six acres was grown with vegetation brought from the South Seas. The story of “Lorraine of the Lions* * was written by Isadore Bernsteip, and the picture was directed, by Edward Sedgwick. A comedy, a gazette, and beautiful music by the orchestra, under Mr A. H. Jerome, complete an excellent programme. To commence a week’s showing with to-morrow*s matinee, and thereafter at--2.30 and nightly at 8 p.m., is one ofthe greatest productions yet seen in New Zealand, further details of which will be announced to-morrow. Excellent supporting attractions, together with a specially-arranged music programme by Wellington’s premier orchestra, under Mr A. H. Jerome’s direction, are to be additional features of a wonderful evening’s entertainment.