AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14379, 24 November 1908, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

THE BLAND h'OLT SEASON. "THE GREAT No namo is more i>opularly associated with the drama in Australasia than that of Mr Bland Holt. Plays and melodramas of memorable!, variety 'produced . by the wellknown aotor-manager ihdvo been the delight of many a local audience in the past, and the largo assemblage ;at His Majesty's Theatre last evening accorded'both Mr and Mrs Bkund Holt a royal welcome on their reappearance, after an absence of years, , in the opening scene of "■ Tho : Great Millionairc." _ The 'qualities which earned B!and-Holtian drama its popularity in. the past remain the qualities which cannot-fail to win it popularity in tho present." There is in evidence the same sense-satisfyinj; prodigality of material as ever, the same lavish attention to detail), the 6amc wellfilled stage, variety of scene, and general excellence of stage management. "The Great Millionaire" is a frankly irielo-. dramatio play,. but it is by no means violently 'or monotonously sensational, and it is strong in its contrasts and in its kaleidoscopic presentment of brilliant and changing pictures. A drama would indeed bo sadly deficient in itself if it could not command attention produced in the manner in which Mr Bland Holt presents "The. Great Millionaire," but the play in question is an interesting example of its class, combining in judicious admixture humour awl pathos, sensation and moral.. The great millionaire is one Lascelles Campbell, who, .having made his wealth in America, betakes himself to London and acquires an English estate. Incidentally the play points a moral in the general futility of millions where certain considerations are in question. • The pprtly plutocrat,of the title is much troubled at being unable to find trace of his daughter, lost when,she wasia child, and an important thread'of' the' plot Ms occupied with the search for and ultimate discovery•' of,"the missing heroine.' "This young person, by name Daphne Medonc, naturally is wandering,about all, the time,forlorn in gipsy company, right under the very eyes of those anxious to find her, but her identity' is not revealed to_ her parent until he, in his desiro to justify his financial methods and show that;, is, is not; John Bull but John Bullion that rules England, has,, by 1 Grcating a, comer, in bread, unwittingly- .reduced .ihe poor girl to starvation anditH'e'. brink of tho grave. Fear lest hisidigcoyevy lias como too late,to save, his daughter'sVlifo changes the arrogant mil-' lionairoto a trembling his";former self, and • the humbling process of : .which he is'the'subject is very complete, Daphne, the .daughter,- docs- 'very well for herself, having.secured^the affections of,a member of tho' English' nobility, who is. obviously very noble-minded, [though, ho runs through his substantial inheritance in a few/Weeks, and ends it in a gambling'deal particularly interesting to the audienoe. Subsidiary issues involved hi the story are, of course, somewhat numerous, but that most exciting is connected .'with the.attempt maoVby the • millionaire's private secretary.to talce advantage of his employer's mental aborration, and rob him. This" provides' .opportunity-' for the intrpduction.of the great sensation of the; play, which is well led up to arid carried into ..adinirablo ■ execution. The levanting secretary, flics for the sea coast; in a motor, car, hotly pursued by the mil-' lionairo's friends in a second car. There' is a most effective scene depicting a cliff road with a dangerous turn at tho end_ of it, and. the audience see 3 the gleaming lighta'of the cars—the pursued and the;'purr siwr—approaching frpm tho distance, i Tho chase ends when the former fails to take. the turn,,and hurls itself oyer the .cliff and the latter races down .the hill into safety. $ueh ,• is tho end of the bad secretary, And tho usual satisfactory denouement iollows. The play is capably acted through- 1 out, and the characters: in the cast,/ fortunately not/all important, are alrhcst legion. This helps,tho action considerably'; giving an 'effectiveness to the mumerous animated 6trect and interior scenes which they could not otherwise possess. The .name part was taken by Mr Arthur Styan,' .wlicee. impersonation was one, of .outstanding excellence'. In appearante, speech, and manner Mr Styn-n filled' admirably tho conception of the portly, .prosperous, e&lf-suniKyrt >man of dollais, a.nd made iho character interesting and impressive. Tory-effective was his indignant declamation'. a.nd . threat in' the lavish scene representing a. Guildhall civio function, in which tho audience,enjoyed the unusual snectaclc of the. King and Queen gracing tho stage, and looking 'as natural as i the circumstances would permit. Mrs Bland Holt appeared'in the'-gtiiso of -a picturesque gipsy maid, Nancy "'Dawes, who befriends the heroino and helps materially to straighten out the general coil of circumstance. It was a part which gave Mrs Holt'a gocd many opportunities, and she was perfectly at homo' in it, providing some touches'"of .'excellent comedy. Mr Bland Holt as Bill Halwyn, an Australian rouseabout- of talent, who becomes coachman and ehaffeur to the millionaire, had a part well suited to his style,' and in the opportunities provided showed that his comedy is as natural and refreshingly diverting as ever. Both he and.Mis Bland Holt were vociferously applauded on their first appearance.'.Miss Harrie Ireland was another member'of Mr Holt's old dramatc aim-. Miration who had a most cordial reception, and her impersonation, of the part of Kate Cttgney, a worldly-minded young lady, was excellent. Miss Violet Canty was decidedly effective as Mrs ■ Cagney; (he society darr.o who turns the-millionaire's .'daughter adrift on-the, world' to save herself some unpleasant consequences, and Miss Daisy Ireland was natural in the role of the ill-used Daphne. .'Mr Godfrey Cass, as tho millionaire's designing seoretary, Mr M. Maxwell as Lord Deerborn, the young aristocrat whom,the millionaire .puts on his,feet again, and Mr Charles Brown, as one Middlothorpe, of the family lawyer type, all filled most satisfactorily the requirements of fairly important parts, while Mr Maurice Komp's brief but clever character impersonation as old Solomon Dawes, the gipsy,' deserves commendation. ; Miss' Bessie Major and Miss ileimio Pollock both had parts in which they acted very capably, and a host of minor characters was presented very satisfactorily. The influence of managerial experience was in evidence over the wholo production, a feature of which was the excellence of the stage management. The elaborate scenery was handled in a manner that enabled the freouont changes to bo aeeomplishd with surprising and refreshing promptitude, ami the stage groups and tableaux were invariably effective. Among a number of very fine scones depicted that in tlie last act, including tho motor car incident, provided most sensation, while others 'representing a street riot, n Guildhall function, a-dining scene in the Carlton Hotel, tho millionaire's rcorn, and sr> forth, furnished most 'lavish spectacular.' faro.' tfa}

tacn attention paid to detail and stag* . accessory, if only to achieve, an effect ol a few minutes' duration, being most pleasingly noticcaWe; The p|av had throughout a meet apprecintvc reception, and should prove a strong attraction during th© weak. "The Great Millionaire" will bo produced again this evening, when arrangements havo been made by the management lo announce the Bjccnd ballot election results from tho stage. ■ . WEST'S PICTURES.. West's Pictures and Orchestral Band are now firmly installed- in the Alhambra Theatre in Do\vling street, and last.evening, afforded. very tangiblo entertainment to quite a number of people. Tho new programme, which, embraces pathetic, humor-' ohs, dramatic, ami instructive pictures, covers a widp tango of, subjects, and in point, of excellence" calls for a full share of public patronage. One film in particular—, that which depicts tile world-famed horsemen, tho Cossacks of the Don, engaged in their daring, and thrilling exercises—is worthy of a place on any list. The musio supplied by the orchestra' is first-rate. The samo programme will bo' shown again this evening. '•, ■'■<. ' LONDON PIERROTS. Despite the unplcneant conditions attend-' ing a •'drizzle" nearly 1000 people congregated at the tram terminus at St. Kilda last evening to hear tho'open-air performance given by Rio London' Pierrots. One is apt to look with some suspicion upon this class of. entertainment,-but the Pierrots' have gained a reputation for providing a' bright, clean show, and they seldom fail to attract ai< appreciative audience. Miss Alisa Wobdham treats'a number of old songs.-"Killarncy," "Home, sweet home," . etc.—and is, apparently, not out of her element; in classical, numbers; and Mr Harry Primrose is responsible for banjo solos, comic'spng3, and eccentric ".patter."'. The Pierrots giVc an entertainment in Play- • fair street, Gaversham, this evening. ■ ".CINDIiiuiLLA." St. Paul's Schoolroom' w<is crowded lost night, the occasion being the first perform- • : ar.ee of .Tncobi's sparkling operetta/. "Cinderella." The part of Cinderella was ;very ably taken by Miss H. Lang-ford. Miss E.' Alihyard and Miss A. Vokes acted (ho rattier,difficult and thanktes characters.of the cruet'sisters. The "part of; the Fairy Godmother was takori by Miss If. EsSciuilaTit. Mena de Fez, appeared as Lady Guy, and. Miss D. Hall made ;an excellent Prince; The role of Cinderella's'" papa■": was glaoed in the capable hanA of Mm J. Netfaefoid, and Miss B,'Watt enacted tho* part of priiicpal attendant. ' Thero were also.*'' strong representation of fairies, ladies;'and';, courtiers, and others incidental to tho piece... Miss Longford has a. sweet voice, and took her part modestly,and well. Miss E. Mil-, .ward and'Mifs A. "Vokcs extracted a; good deal of comedy from their parts., It 'was' refreshing to find tho part of the unkind; sisters.takeii ; by young ladies possessing con- ; Biderablo personal. otmrm, instead of tho : of femininity- iisuaj '.in ■ panto-; mimes,'' All the parts were taken by ladies; and to hear "papa" "carrying on"'about': his spectacles m a, rather pretty, treble'-is certainly : 'a delightful -innovation.' The-' fairies wero all of tender'years,' and took' their parts exceedingly well/ Between- the acts'-, Kits Emily Maitlahd-' recited "How; \ Jimmy Nursed the' Baby!" " Waiata Pol" (Alfred Hill) was'capitaiHv sung'by" Miss D. M. .Gard'ner to the accompaniment pt the 1 poi dance.. At tho conclusion of tho operetta a-'-Maori haka was-performed' with ' tremendous ' eclat by gentlemen : whose identity remains shrouded in mystery. ' •Cinderella"'will be-, repeated to-night,' '■. when another crowded house' is The stage management h in the hands of Miss K. E. Gard'her, and the dancing is supervised by MisS Major. ' DUNEDIN ORciIESTRAL' SOCIETT, " Many who are unable from" nori-residonce, etc., to become subscribers'to the Dunedin' Orchestral Society arc anxious ''to hear the; orchestra but cannot do so because tho , Gooiety docs not sell tickets. Mot'a concerttakes place without people sc-eking'admiU .- tanco ] at'6he•'.d<>ore by payinent.'ihis.ihow'-. ever, isSalvwiys refused, it,being against the:'. society's inflexible rule!' In.order,'therefore,to give everyone, including country visitors,, an opportunity to hear this excellent'-body';"' of inusiciatis, which.has now been in '.tinuous existence for 21 years, arid to celebrate its majority, tho society is giving a popular concert; to-morrow evening.. The programme has' been selected so as to afford pleasure,not oiily- to'the more,experienced,' but''to every <tno who is fond of music.! The; " Turkish 'Patrol" is to be given by special request.' The " Gontlniiers"'. selection has nocbien heard'for'som'o years, aridis always'received with deiignt. v The/'otiicr instrumental items are equally well chosen. Witli regaivtl to the vocalists-the society is especially tortunate'. In the hands of such': well-known : excellent artists as' Mrs R. Hudson and Mr James' Jago the success of the vocal Items is assured.' Tho full programme appears in this issue., j :.• ' THE ;.'■ ;:,•';. . Mr and Mrs' Albert Malinson. will /give their first recital in Burns Hall on Thurs- : day next The Australian tour of .thisclever couple was ati ai'ti3tio success. in., every_ way, and since.their arrival in the Dominion .: the. yhave ( l»cn pei-forming to most enthusiastio audiences. To thosowho . delighted jrt tho concerts of Dolores.;tho; Maliinson recitals should prove' speoiaiiy. attractive. The Maliinson tour is under the patronage of her Majesty Queen Alexandra, and it may bo pointed out that.these artists have the. distinction of 'being the- first ; tb. ;: tour the Dominion of any who havo been .' accorded such a high honour.' Tho 'plan ofv. reserved seats is' at the Dresden.;' v MR PAGET .GAIN'S ORGAN RECITAL.: At the recital to be given in l Knox Churoh i on' Friday evening Mr Paget Gale, is td", perforin (by general request) a selection of, Scotch melodies and! (also by 'request) "The ■' better land" and'"Wely's Storm'fantasiai' Mr Galo is •so well' known as a capable organist that it is needless to repeat what has often boen stated before—viz., that a musical treat ia in 1 store for .'those whp . make it a point of attending these recitals.