AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13855, 19 March 1907, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. " The Belle of Xew York." It is some considerable time since " The Belle of New York " was staged in Dunodin, and its most welcome revival by tho Williamson Opera Company has been looked forward to by local tlieatro-gocrs with a deal of pleasurable anticipation. The large audience present at His Majesty's Theatre last evening found the- production one of much merit, and accorded it very demonstrative approval. The feature of "The Belle of A'ew i'ork" is of course its sparkling music, which wears exceedingly well, and easily accounts for tho phenomenal popularity which the opera in question has enjoyed. Pew modern operas of similar kind, contain so many numbers that can bo withdrawn from their sotting and found to still sparkle on their own merits, and to say that its music is* well lr.iow is to bo guilty of a- gross platitude. That the music lias been bound together by a. disembodied sort of libretto is merely to imply that the opera holds its own in this respect with more recent produelions. The performance given at_ His Majesty's Theatre last evening contains como features of outstanding excellence, and the east was, generally speaking, a strong one. Tho chorus had some good opportunities of demonstrating its capacity, and the concerted music was a real pleasure to listen to. Tho opera moreover gave tho audience a further taste of the excellent quality of the orchestra, which. Mr MacCunn conducts so «])■)'. Probably quite so satisfactory and • charming a "Belle" as Miss Olive Godwin has not appeared on the local stage in the past. As Violet Gray, the demure Salvation Army Lass, Miss Godwin acted her part exceedingly gracefully and well, and, it is hardly necessary to say, looked it perfectlv. Her singing of the various, numbers allotted to her was, inasmuch as she was in particularly g00( i vo j co ] nst , cvell j n g ( j n a s(y | 0 perhaps, superior to anything heard from her in the vocal lino so far during the present season. Mr Bantock's presentation of tbo important part of leliabod Bronson was not so convincing, his own particular methods not altogether coinciding with those which excellent .precedent has established for the ro'e However, Mr Banlock is a genuine humorist, and can always do very well indeed Win where- ho is not at his best. As tho reckless Harry Bronson Mr Arthur Crano was well suited in his part, acting naturally and singing to advantage. The comedy clement ivas in particularly good hands, and the amusement never flagged. Mr Fred Twitchem as tho adipose Sniikins, and Mr Arthur Hunter as Mr Ivcimelli Mugg provided fooling of indubitablo ludicrousiiess, whilo Messrs K Aeedham and C. Hogne as the fantastic' loi'tugitcse duo sustained their droll parts admirably to the finish. As for-Mr Percy, as that most absurd of stage characters, tho pohto lunatic bent on slaughter, ho was, if anything, more amusing than ever, which is •saying a good deal, as he has lone; since familiarised the part to local theatregoers. Miss Alma. Barber as Fifi Tricot, the dainty trench girl, undoubtedly carried off high honours in the production. She entered thoroughly into the spirit of the part, endowed it with an excellent grace and-lightness, and sang her solos ebanuiiiglv.• Her "La Belle Pansicnne" number, with chorus of brides-'-ir'n-* ,\ vas a dcl 'SMful contribution. Miss Aellie \\ilson met satisfactorily all the deVl™ nv,,- 1 ,„ rol6 of Cora Angelique, while Miss lilho Woodlock's Mamie Clancy was quite a dainty impersonation in every way. As for that energetic character, Blinkv Bi'li or the Bowery, Mr Fred Leslie earned enthusiastic applause for his clever work in tho part, providing some capital comedy and lascinalmg tho audience by his nimblcness of foot in danco and acrobatic gyration. Mr Sidney tialfo as Billy Breeze made a, distinct success of his patriotic solo. The other parts were all adequately sustained. Tho staging was on the usual complete scale, and nothing better could | )e desired in this way than tho animated street scene of the first act or tbo brilliant casino scene of the second. Into the latter was introduced a highlv effective ballet the costuming was a feature of the brilliant stago pictures presented. Recalls wer e .numerous during the production, which should prove a. very strong attraction. •■The Bello of \ork" will l;e staged again this even-

ALI-lAMBRA THEATRE.Tiic programme for this week is a snlendid one Last night a large audience received it with enthusiasm. A lot of fun is provided by Mr l-red Graham and Miss Keltic Dent a very clever pair, in their comedv sketch " The Lady Sport." Jlr Slado Murray has an apparently endless repertoire of songs, and so far a; ho has drawn upon his stock for the Alhambra. audiences he lias been undeniably successful. The cinematograph picture mint afford pleasure to everyone. The remainder of an admirable programme is contributed by the JJnscoll Brothers (knockabout comedians) th> Lewis Sisters (song and dance artistes), Jliss Nellie Power tu:d Miss Eileen M'Leod (serios). Miss Rubv Ilingwoi-th and Mr \ L Cropp (vocalists), and Mr Les Wharton and Mr Bob Lloyd.- ■

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CONCERT. _ The concert at the Garrison Hall last evening was in every sense of the word appropriate to St. Patrick's Bay. There were Irish melodies and Irish musicians and singers— not thai these had a monopoly—and among the large audienco were very many persons of Irish extraction. The proceeds oi (lie concert wer o in aid of the extinction of the debt <m St ■Joseph's Hall, and this worthy object wili doubtless benefit largely by the financial returns. From an artistic point of view the concert left little, ii anything, to be desired. Part I of a lengthy programme opened with a iino performance by the Ivaikorai Band of a selection of Irish melodies. The selection comprised much that is typical of Irish wit, laughter, emotion, and stern patriotism, and each phase received adequate interpretation,' the bandsmen responding as one man to the baton of Mr G. B. Laidlaw. Later in the evening the band gave mi admirable interpretation of the overture " Zampa." Mr P. CaTolin gave a rendering of Glover's "The rose of Traki," which found favour witli the audience, and. in response to a hearty recall, lie sang " The. shamrock cf Ireland." lie was followed by Miss Xellie Hall, whose

numbers " I know a lovely garden " and " Tho birth of mom," were capably rendered and warmly applauded. The vocal quartet— Messrs A. Wright, E. Falck, P. Lemon, and T. J. Hussey—contributed in a most pleasing ninnner. Binder's •■" In May titno" and Durrner's '' Spring again Tejoices.'.' That typical Irish song " The Conlin " (Jtoore) was well interpreted by Miss Violet A. Fraser, who also sang Dcnzh's " Serenade in summer." For each munber she was encored. Mr, T. J. Hussey's fine baritone voice was heard to. advantage in the songs " The Irish immigrant" and "The low-hacked car" (encore). " A Russian love song " (Larde-lli) was given with verve by Mrs R. A. Power, whose charming mezzo-soprano was also heard in an encore number, a love song, " Say yes," and ill Brockley's "Oh! steer uiy bark to Erin's Isle." St. Joseph's Cathedral choir gave two contributions of Irish melodies with the utmost success. Other very enjoyable items wero " The wearing of the green," Mr J. M'Grath; instnmienla! quartet "Les Huguenots," Messrs J. A. O'Brien, D. Whclan, F. M'Lean. and E. Kerr; and "Come back to Erin," Mr Arthur Murphy. Miss M. Drumro proved a thoroughly efficient accompanist*.