AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13786, 27 December 1906, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

DI'XEDIX CHORAL SOCIETY. The- season o! the year would harillv be appropriately celebrated without a performance of "The Messiah" bv the Dunedin Choral ■Society, and this duly look place at His Majesty's Theatre an Christmas evening, when there was a large attendance. It is good indeed to hear Handel's stalely music onee a yc:ir at least in such an oratorio, lor " The .Messiah" comes always at such a time as this as a refreshing stimulus to the jaded musical appetite, and there is hope for the musical student who ha? learned to appreciate and love its restful beauties. The performance by the Choral Society was very enjoyable, and save grep.t pleasure to those present. it is noliceable that the chorus at holiday time is usually somewhat diminished numerically, and more strength in certain sections would certainly have enhanced the choral work at times 011 Christmas evening, hut the members sang throughout with a conscientious vigour and a knowledge of their music that, could not fail to give good results. A weakness was noticeable in the sopranos, this being emphasised by the contrasting strength of {he basses. The outstanding feature of the performance lay, generally speaking, in ths excellence of the solo work, and the selection ot soloists was exceedingly fortunate. Miss Lynn Mills, of Sydney, who took the soprano solo?, is »ii interesting and cultivated singer, with a light and flexible soprano voice remarkable for its clarity, and of pleasant quality. Her rendering of the ail's " Kejoice greatly,," " Ho shall feed His flock," and " I know that my Redeemer livath " were highly appreciated and of marked excellence. The contralto solos wero entrusted to Miss Minn Oaldow, who sang them with conspicuous success. Her fmo rich voic? was lieartf to much advantage in " He was despised " and " lie shall feed Ilis flock," and she sang with admirable repose and feeling, Mr K. F. Foster, who took the tenor solos, was evidently suffering liom a cold and liardiy in his best voice, bin too sang his music with much spirit and effect, if 011 this occasion with rather much effort. His interpretation of his opening solo " Comfort ye" was one of hia happiest contributions, but all his music was well studied, llr J. E. Taylor, of Invcrcargill, the bass soloist for tho evening, was in line voice, and sang with telling confidence and vigour that made all hia numbers exceedingly welcome. His " Why do the nations" and " Tho people that walked in darkness" were contributions of a high order of morit and evoked very hearty applause. The audience was, in fact, throughout highly appreciative despite the oppressive heal of the evening, a heat which must have given the hard-working members of the chorus many languorous inclinations quite unsuited (or their evening's programme. There was, however, certainly 110 lack of animntion about tho

"Hallelujah chorus" and the numerous other delightful numbers for the full choir. An orchestra led by Mr E. Parker look a prominent part in the production, and the popular

"Pastoral symphony" was not omitted. Mr W. Paget Gale occupied his usual post as the socict.v s conductor, and Mrs H. C. Campbell officiated as organist.

HOLLOW AY ISKA.MATIC COMPANY

The Charles Hol!ov,'?y "Onunaiie Company opened a short season at ii',e Princess Theatre last evening under favourable conditions— every scat in the dress circle ivus occupied, and numbers hail to he satistied wilh standing room; indeed, '.lie patronage lo this portion of the house was so lihsrul that 15 minutes before the performance began a lnrge number uj patrons had lo be refused admission, and tfipy exchanged circle for stall tickets. Other p»rls of 1 lie house were also liberally patronised, and the opening drama "Why Woman Sins" was reeeiven throughout with frequent- demonstrations of approval. The Holloway Company is a. particularly strong allround combination, the principals are capable actors and actresses, and the remainder of the company play consistently ar.il with studious care the parts allotted to them. A short time ago a drama with incidents strongly resembling those iu "Why Woman Sins" wiis staged in Dunedin by a dramatic combination. but (Tie representation was neither as complete nor was the production anything like as well staged as by the- Iloltoways last evening. The drama 'is founded, like nearly all modern productions, on Hie ill-starred affections of two lovers, whose pathway is crossed at every point throughout four acts by tile machinations 01" a designing forger (one Captain Carlton), and ends, as most dramas do, 011 the reuniting of the lovers and retribution overtaking (lie principal and other wrongdoers, The stury has been &o often told that repetition would be superfluous, and it will suffice to say that, the drama, as presented by the llo!;ov:ays, is fully tip to tho standard 'of the best of its kind. 'I'tie title is not happily choEen, and those who wen*, to the Princess last evening expecting to witness a- production of the " Bast Lyiino" type were agreeably disillusioned; the* sinful woman (Ida Yallette! is the accomplice of one who is only a few degrees worsc'than herself, and her only redeeming characteristic is a parental affection for a lost cliT.d who has been stolen from her. Up lo the last she is callous and ciiminal, and a lit associate for the company she keeps. Tho character of Captain Carlton was ably sustained by Mr IV. j. Tuite, who did a vast amount of hard work, in which he was capably assisted by Jim, Hainbird (Mr J. Williams) and Ida Valletle (Hiss Rose Oinroy). Miss Ilolloway gavo a clever and consistent interpretation oi Nell Desmond. She has a, tine stage presence and excellent enunciation. Miss Conroy susXftinod tho role of the woman with a past with considerable ability, and Mr I'. Inman was a man'iy hero, while Mr G. Case mado all that was io'be made of the part of Cecil Spencer, a nephew of Oliver Desmond (Mr 0. Hesford), and the minor parts in a lengthy cast wero carefully interpreted. Tho comedy element, which .is prominent in every act, created much merriment, and in this respect Mis s A. Deorwyn and Miss M. Hussell, Messrs W. Welch, fl. A. Jielviile. and J. P. O'Neill deserve commendation. The drama, is brightly mounted and replete with effecuv'e scenic effects, will ho repeated this evening and i'o-niorrow evening.

EDI,SOX'S PICTURES,

A season ahiinate,a pictures was inaugura.ted at His Majesty's Theatre last evening by Messrs Andrews and Bailey, the proprietors of " Edison's Popular Pictures," which 011 former occasions established quite a reputation in this city. The series included several new lihns, though for the'most part they are " hack numbers." However, of tho latter none but tho best were stiowu, and they certainly lost nothing by repetition in the eves of the an-'icneo, who evidentlv found the programme 'electable. Of the new pictures. the best representation of a game of football ever seen iu Jjunwliii was thrown upon the screen, giving the correct distance values, a tiling which has alwr.vs been lamentably absent in (his branch of cinematography _1" 5 film very interesting. A "Winter .. iratv Suae." in which a iHimlwr of boarding school young ladies—obviously American young ladies—ma'le but£!e in -thp snow wilh an enual number of young men, to (he complete annihilation oT tho latter, was also responsible for a fair measure of enthusiasm. le "- 1)i ? luro oI tile Principal streets ot Wellington, laken from a tramcar, and of the recent.j rim Melbourne Cup were also new number'. As indicated, (he others were all up to "e sfandci'l of those previously Shown here by the proprietors. A child artiste, billed as t/ittle Bessie Sutton, provided a pleasant interlude by her tinging and djintv dancing, which quite captivated the house. V f"®!" 1 f j ve nights only is announced, at... lo those who nave not already seen the en.ertainnicnt it may be stroreiv recommended.

FULLERS' ENTERTAINERS. Exoellent business lias teen done at the Alhambra during the holidays. Last night thc.ro was an overflow house, and numbc-rs had to be turned away. ...Those who gained admission witnessed an excellent performance admission witnessed an excellent- performance and showed due appreciation of tho good things provided for their entertainment. The company was specially strengthened by tiro inclusion of Credge and Gibson, who came south with a good reputation, which, by clever work in n.n amusing sketch, tliev succeeded in augmenting. Miss Ida Berridge also did pleasing work, r.nd is u talented seno. Other artists who were well received and who will appear again this evening in a popular programme were Cravdon. Barton, and Little Jackson, Annie Cavender. and St. Leonards, Val. Xcwlon, Xorman Mumford. Will Stevens, and Harry Linden, On Tuesday afternoon and evening special Christmas performances were given, tlio entertainment taking the form ot an illustrated concert, and including songs and recitations, bioscope films. juul views of tho Tower of London, and tile South Sea Islands, Miss Gertrude Fraser. Mr \ al. Newtou, and Master Norman Mumford contributed songs, and Mi- Frank MartineHi was applauded for a violin solo. Miss Phyllis made a successful appearance, and Miss Fraser contributed a recitation.

"TIIE LITTLE STRAXGER." _ The box plans for the live nights season of "Tlio Little Struiigsr" will open this morning at the Dresden. As already mentioned. Meynell. Gunn. and Varna's new Knglish Comedy Company scored an emphatic success in Wellington, ard this happy result has been confirmed in Chrislehurch. where tlio press pronounced " The Little Stranger " quite the most amusing and original iarce ever seen in the Cathedra! C'itv. Xo better fare could be offered to our holiday-makers, and there is small uouM hut. that His Majesty's Theatre will be liberally patronised during the brief season oi "The Little Stranger." In addition !o Master Willie Parke,—the child-wonder—about whom so much has been written, a specially-selected company has been brought out from London.

MADAME BLANCHE AURAL. Mr M. Marcus, manager for Madame Blanche Arral, arrived on Tuesday by the Vimniera, to make arrangements for tho forthcoming season of the Blanche Arral Concert, l'arty. Thia distinguished French

cauUttrice hits created quite a furore in Austr'ia, and the musical cognoscenti speak in eu?jgistic (elms of her pei'orma.niws. This great singer is accompanied by Signer Lorzillo. harpist; Ilerr Pa:*.ns, violinist; Mr Harokl Proctor, pianist, nn<i Mr H. Conway. Tha first, concert will bo given on Monday, January 7, at His Majesty's Thcafre.