AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15142, 13 May 1911, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. MR HUGH WARD RECEIVES AN OVATION. flic memorable season-of the Hugh Ward Urnicay Co. was brought to a conclusion last evening before a crowded house, when double bill, »Th o Scarecrow" and Ilia l'eneing Master," was again most successfully produced. J' 10 , 0 ' 0 ? 0 tho final scene the audience broke into tumultuous applause, and th'! curtain was raised and lowered amidst cheers and crier, of "Speech, speech." . j °'J 1 ' n S' forward at. last to tho footlights, ilr Mard saut ho had to thank tiliem, not only for t.ioir ars:stxno3 on this occasion in helpwig to make his season a success, but also for i.heir kindness on his previous visits to Duncthn, They all regretted that .their dear friend, Miss Palotta, was ,not with them that evening. They had all felt t'lw absence of this lady, and before leaving she had given them, a lossoci. Mi® PaJotta was leaving Wellington tlmt night on route to Sydney, and would have to practically travel night and day to Melbourne and Adelaide to catch tho steamer there, on route to Naples and Vienna. When he (Mr AVard) was asked white in Clnistcliurch to sssist im the Hospital extension scheme for. Diuiedin, cables were passing from Vienna to Christchurch conveying news of the illness of Miss Palotta's mother, but when that lady 'know that she oould also assist, she nt once requested to be allowed to help and he had then made arrangements that -the event, whidh had proved so successful, should take ptaco cm. the Wednesday, sc that Miss Palotta, if necessary, ocmid start this week upon her journey home. She had asked lum (Mr Ward) to say 'northing about tho circumstances of her mother's illness, as she had many friends in Dunedin, and did not wish to bo tha object of sympathy, as she would have been. He thought this was an objectlesson from a very great womaa- the lesscm being one of self-saeiifice in the interests of th.-; Hospital scheme. Miss Palotta was a stranger, and he thought'that the women of tho city would bs only too pleased to do as she had done.—(Applause.) He had done his best, and he thought it was veiry nice and satisfactory that tho city had been able to realise over £3000, which ho thought was a very fine collcetion for the week. The building of the now women's ward would 1 help to relievo the present congestion -which had been shown in that, morning's paper to exist, at the Hcspital. Ho and his ocimpany had done the best they could to tel)). He again thanked them per-, eonaily for their great kindness in the past. Their assistanos had helped him to join the great firm of J. C. Williamson (Ltd.)—a firm which had made the, Australasian stage.—(Applause.) The artists of his present company would remain together, and they would come round here again.—(Applause). "To-morrow ,might in Inveroargill," said Mr Ward, "I really finish mr whole acting career, and my business will be transferred to that very fine artist Mr W.vkehani. I shall receive obituary notiocs onlv from' that time on.—(Laughter.) I shall, however, not say pood-bye—just au rcvoir."—(Loud and ocrrfinuo'.is applause.) Th.? aixlionco again broke into cheers, and the. orchestra struck up " Auld long sync," 'n the iinging of which those pre--6«i J ; joined.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE.

The "double-star" programme at ,the Alhambra Theatre continues to draw full housas nightly. Alexander Prince, a musician of exceptional merit, again delighted last evening's large audience by his exposition of . concertina-playing, and was loudly applauded. The Staig Troupe again presented their no less meritorious but'considerably more daring performance, the execution of which held the audience as if spell-bound.- The Williamson Sisters mode a final appearance last evening, and Alexander Prince's lost night is announced for this ov®iin£. Lovers of music who have not vet heard 'him should avail themselves of this last opportunity. The last three nights of the Staig Troupe aro also announced, and' these v/.ho rolisH a little excitement should -not miss seeing them. The advent, of a number of new and k?hlycntcrtaininor nerformers is advertised for Monday night.

' HAYWARDS PICTURES. The week's programme of pictures was presented fit Burns Ha-ll- for the last .tim© last evening. The complete change of spools for this afternoon and evening includes a dramatio story wherein a, younff wife rises superior to temptation and is entitled "A Wraith of Qrange Blossoms. Another dramatic film is entitled A Gambler of the West." " Wismar," a tvpical German town, showing characteristic examples •of Teutonic architecture, is a scenic film, and is said to' bo of quaint find charming interest. " A Study in Expressions,", and " An Old Man in Love.' and "Hank and Lank as Sandwich Men," are comedy and farcical items, and "Rejoicings in the Congo," depicts natives enjoying sports. The latest Pathc Gazette reoords -arc also included, with numerous other films, in the- new bill of fare.

FULLERS' PICTURES.

There was a very largo attendance at the Princess Theatre last night when the current series of films was shown to the ovident and complete satisfaction of- the audionoo. Among the pictures are one or two extremely interesting industrial films, such as that showing wax modellers iit work, and another illustrating the processes of standard broad-malnng. " Franccsoa di Rimini" is an historical film, wbich even surpasses in merit other films of this nature which have been recently shown at tho Princess. There arc seme other excellent dramatic stories, notably "The Heaii of an Indian Mother." "The Birth of lowers" is a beautiful picture and decidedly interesting to horticulturists. There is a solid Iv.tdget of comics, which should, along. with tho other films, be much appreciated by the juvenile section at the matinee to be held this afternoon. The films will also be shown again this evening for the last time, as the usual change takes place on Monday.

THE ROYAL HAWAIIANS. Tho public of Dunedin is promised something quite, r.ew in ontertaiiaments with the Royal Hawaiian Singers and Instrumentalists. Tho company also oarrios two lady exponents of tho " Hula," the national dance of Hawaii, and it will be performed in Dunedin for the first time cn Thursday night. The ability of tho natives of Hawaii to stimulate an audience lo the highest pitch of enthusiasm is well known, and they can also merge them into great sadness bv their plaintive musio and corn's. The instrumental selections are said to be irresistibly oatchy, and it is not an unusual thing to see a vast aut|ience rise and join in some of the choruses of the company. The Hawaiian Glee Club, which forms part of the organisation, has been heralded throughout America as the finest male double quartette that ever toured. In addition to being fine part sinqers the members of it are all soloists and have been described as' inspiring and magnetic. Tlie season here is limited to three nights.

VAM.EY SKATING RINK

Thp North-East Valley rink will be open for skating this afternoon and this evening. The floor is now in first class order and the skates used are of the best makers. Tuition is available for beginners and_ a band helps to enliven the evening session by suitable music.

DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY.

The Dunedin Choral Society will give its first concert of the season on Tuesday, the 23rd inst., in tho Garrison Hall. Mendelssohn's greatest oratorio " Elijah" is tho work to be performed, and tho society on this occasion will be assisted by a large number of Dr Harriss's auxiliary choir, which is also practising "Elijah." The society has made a special engagement of leading soloists, viz., soprano, Madame Jossphine Ottlee: contralto, Mrs Winifred Simpson; tenor, Mr John Leech; and bass, Mr James Jn.?o. The society invites the nnblic to subrcribo, tho privileges offered being for £1 Is four tickets for each concert, and for 10s 6d two tickets.