AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. PATRICK'S CONCERT. The concert held annually in honour of the patron saint of Ireland is always well attended, hut the audience that- assembled at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, where this year's concert was given, must have exceeded all previous ones, the theatre being quite full in parts. The audience was not only large, but entirely sympathetic, and if any of the performers fell short of what is usually looked for on (ho concert platform it was quite overlooked. There was a hearty demonslrativeness all through the programme, and no lack of that generous warmth' of feeling which is characteristic of the Irish people. It was manifest from the first that the singers, at least, were not going to be permitted to escape with merely singing what was allotted them on the programme, which had become nearly double its original length by the tiro* Mr Percy James made his final appearance. The Kaikorai Band's playing was realiy excellent. Its first selection —" Beauties of Ireland," by Newton—introduced many of the beautiful melodies included among the national -music of the Irish people, such as "The last rose of summer,"

"The harp that once," etc. A great many of the more plaintivo airs of the country were played, and some of a more stirring character, and the whole performance of the band was an exceptionally fine one. Later in the evening the band, which was under the baton of Mr G. B. Laid'.aw, played " The smithy in the wood.' a piece of a descriptive nature, and in this again it was very successful. Miss Violet A. Fraser's contribution must be placed among the beat rendered of the vocal items. . llory darlin'," by Hope Temple, was sung by the young lady, who evidently quite appreciated the requirements of the song, with very great taste, and the audience was quite justified in exacting another song from Miss Fraser. It is not often an audience gets (he opportunity of hearing Mr A. C. Hanlon in recitation, but when the opportunity does occur that gentleman invariably gives something that is well worth hearing. His recitation last evening was " Napoleon's tomb," and in it he was at something very like his best. It was a particularly fine piece of elocution, and was given with excellent effect. The audience quite realised this, and Mr Hanlon then recited " Not Understood," in which, unfortunately, ho was at- times inaudible. Mrs W. Connor contributed two songs, "The dsar little shamrock" and "The last rose of summer." For ihe former she received an encore, but her last song was the better effort of the two, and war, rendered with a good deal of feeling. Mr T. J. Hus.sey, b?sides fulfilling programme engagements, took the place of Mr A. Murphy, who was unable to appear. Mr Hussey had. therefore, a largo share of the work of entertaining laid upon him. His songs were " Come back to Erin,"

" Believe me if all those endearing young charms," awl " Eileen Alaniiah." all of which met with favour. Mr B. Stevens also kindly came forward at the last moment, and assisted to ft!! the programme, his song being redcnianded. The audience was quite delighted wiilt Mr Percy James's comic singing, and his two appearances led up to several additional ones. Mr P. Carotin was the remaining so'.nist, and his singing of " Erin my country" was duly appreciated. There was a good deal of pari singing, which the audience appeared io enjoy. A party of lads from the Christian Brothers' School, assisted by Messrs Cnroliu and Hussey, contributed a conple of items not too easy for boys to sing: Misses Drmnmand Hoffernan and Messrs Hussey and Carolin sang " The harp that once" and "The meeting of the waters' as quartettes, and Messrs Hnssey, Carolin, and Lemon "The minstrel boy" as a trio. Miss Patricia Higgins, a very juvenile young lady, danced an Irish jig, and the singers had the assistance of Miss M. Drumm and Miss C. Hughes as accompanists. The proceeds of the concert were devoted towards the extinction of the debt on St. Joseph's Hall.

ALIIAMBKA THEATRE. There was a good house at. the final production of the present week's programme at the Alhanibra. Theatre last night. A number of members of the companv, including the Gibson Girls, Sheldon, Ethel Leslie, and Walker and Hughes appeared for the last time, and were each accorded a hearty send-off. A new and attractive change of programme is underlined for this evening.

CZERNY AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Czerny is one of the cleverest performers Duncdin has seen. The city has witnessed a host of illusionists, with their boxes of mystery, in recent days, and Czerny is as marvellous' as any of them. Some of his items have never been seen here before. He is a thorough master of his art, and never once slips or betrays in the slightest way the methods which enable him to arrive at his mystifying results. He was last night accorded round after round of applause for his successes, xlie moving pictures lend variety to the entertainment. They arc thrown on the screen with splendid effect. While the humorous items elicited the heartiest laughter, " The Carnival of Venice," with its flotilla of gondoliers, was watched with great interest. It is one of the prettiest views yet seen in Dunedin. Altogether tho entertainment is an excellent one, and those who wish to spend a profitable evening would do well to patronise the Princess while Czemy holds sway. To-night's performance will 1» under the patronage of the members of the Melbourne Cricket Club, at present on a visit to Duncdin.

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY. The public and subscribers are reminded that the first concert ot the above society will 1» held in His Majesty's Theatre on Thursday, 22nd inst., when a first-class programme mil be submitted, including "Overture di Ballo," "Tannhauscr" (by special request), Henry VIII dances, and selections from Gounod, Tschackowsky, and Eclesbcrg. The vocalists arc Miss Nellie Munn and Mr A. R. Thomson, tenor, from Invereargill. Tlio concert promises to be up to the high standard achieved by the society in the past, and intending subscribers are requested to send in their names to the secretary, Mr E. S. Wilson.