AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15603, 5 November 1912, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

OPERATIC SOCIETY. "11.M.5. PINAFORE." Of all Gilbert and Sullivan's works prhaps none, with the exception of "Trial by Jury," is more adapted for amateur performance than the comic opera "11.M.5. Pinafore." A reservation is, however, necessary with regard to tho t-oprano part, which is certainly not to be lightly approached by the lady amateur vncalUt. Otherwise the musio presents no special difficulties; neither do the characters make any very strong call ujion the histrioino abilities of those who essay to fill them, though there is, of course, some uptitiido for stage work required. The lhtncdin Operatio Society therefore made a wiso selection when it decided to produce what is oho ot tho earliest and most- simple operas out of Iho many that have made the names of Gilbert and Sullivan famous. Nearly everyone is familiar with the cmiatio humour conveyed by Gilbert in his depletion of certain characters incidental to tho opera, and tho satire passed upon high officials connected with the British Navy, and most people will recollect perfectly well that "Pinafore" is descriptive of tho loves of "a gallant captain's daughter" and " tho tar that ploughs the water." Tho first production of the opera was given in His Majesty's Theatre last evening 'beforo a full downstairs house, though there was room for inoro in the drc* circle. Tho society was unfortunate in experiencing such bad weather for the opening night, and it is to be hoped will not suffer Irom a similar cause during tho remainder of the week.

To Miss llelcn Gard'ner must be accorded all praise for Iwth her singing and acting us Josephine. A.- licforo indicated, it is tho one part that makes considerable demands upmi whoever fills it, nnil Miss Gard'ner mot requirements very well indeed. It was apparent that Miss Gard'ner tound the high sustained notes of tho fioprano music trying at times, but she accomplished her task decidedly well, and sung all her solos with most gratifying results. And in the concerted music Miss Gard'r.er sang with excellent effect, but she was not always supported in such a way as to ensure success. There is always some life about Miss Gard'nor's acting, and Josephine was not therefore the inert young lady that many amateurs might havo inntlo her appear to be. Neither was the character mado too brisk. Miss Gard'ner just struck the happy medium, and evidently quite realised how the captain's daughter should bo presented to tho audionoc. Mr Krnest Parke's Captain Corcoran was a. distinct musical success, but he was by no means always at his case on tho stage. Ho sang the serenade, " Fair moon, to thee I sing," exceedingly well, and put plenty of "go" into such music as " 1 am the captain of tho Pinafore" and " Pretty daughter of mine," and was generally of great assistance in all tho music with which ho had anything to do He has a really good serviceable baritone voice of considerable power, and made quite a hit with his interpolated song at the beginning of tho second act. Thero were, however, evidences of stiffness and restraint about his acting whioh will no doubt disappear at subsequent performances. Tho music for lkiph hackstraw is written for a tenor, and was sung by'Mr W. S. Jugo commendably. Mr Jago's voice is not of too robust an order for operatic work, but is pleasing to listen to, aixj in much of his music Mr Jago was quite a success. There were, howover. instancoss where a little moro vigorous <!b----clamation would have advanced the merit of his singing. Like Mr Parkos, ho found tho stage work a trifle irksome, and did not get as much abandon into his acting as ho might. Mr Frank V. Blandford appeared as Sir Joseph Porter, tho First Lord of the Admiralty, and gave a somewhat new version of the character, which ho represented as rather effeminate. Ho dressed and looked the part remarkably well, and infused i certain degree of stilfl dignity into it a.s far as deportment went, but his method of speaking rather niillificif tho effect. His two songs-" I am tho monarch of the sea " and " When T was a lad —were both well given; but in tho tno, "Rmj the merry bells," n heavier yoieo was missed, awl it reallv resolved itself into a duet between Josephine and ttie Captain. Buttercup's music was evidently set » trifle low for Mrs R. A. Power to bo heard at her best, but she nevertholess sang very well, ~nd filled the character with some measure of bucccss. Mr J, S, Deakor did not make as much out of'tho part of Dick Deadeve as ho might havo done. There were opportunities for littlo asides v and hits of by.plny that he missed, and Uick IJeadeyo was not nearly as prominent a personam as he is ccnerallv marlo to appear. Still, what Mr Deakor did was quite satisfactory so far as it went. Smalier parts were Idled by Mr 0. Wilkinson, Mr Crofton limbers, and-Miss Bathie Howiehtuaii. l|,e oliorus work was generally good, mid anv little iinevenncssrs there wore are sure to disappear after fchc first night's performance. The staging was excellent, rhe orchestra wasi conducted by Mr Sidney Wolf, and Mr I'eroy James was stage marager. " " II M.S. Tinafoio " will be repeated this evening.

PULLER'S PICTURES, flic chief attraction at the • Princess .theatre last night was the new "Tragedy ot the Desert," ttio incidents ol which took two i<m ß spools to unfold, They were of special interest at the present moment when luTairs of the Near East are momentous. J.no story shows how the wife of u British doctor falls a victim to the fascinations of a certain diplomat, Mahmud Bey, him) is <wught philandering by the outraged husband in the Irotcl garden after dinner. The doctor flies to the desert u f Sahara, first on an Arab stewl ami subsequently on a ctmiol which after hard travelling, by i ntc mstinct lands the fugitive from leminino frailty besido un ousts with its pool of surface water, at which the thirsty camel takes a good drink, and an A ruby maid discover the demented doctor, laves his fuco with the aqueous restorative, and conducts him to the JSedouin camp, where, as u ivittnof course, the disconsolate ono seeks consolution by turnuig Moslem and marrying the sheikh » daughter. After years of joy with his desert brido, the twain that should bo one flesh according to European ethics meet at Assuan, the wifo being en tour and a. mutual recognition hikes place. Tho" injured husband refuses reconciliation and conducts his errant s|»use liack to l-cr touring companions; but the Moslem wife interprets the meeting us a reconciliation, and ends her misery tragically. The drama is very cleverly worked out, with all the local accessories that Kalcm kincmatographic artists know so well how to use. A Soli" drama, showing the career of n foundling dosorted by a poor, widowed mother and adopted by n rich but childless couple, was full of pathetic interest.' The mother begs the foster parents to make a snlwlid man of her boy, and in this direction h-r wishes are earned out, for the toy becomes ;,u eminent lawyer. Uy means of cherished baby clothes the son traces his real nu>th«r and takes her lo his bosom. A very (rood scenic film shows the beauties of the Tamar and Launceston-not the Tnsmanian, but the Cornwall—river and town. The 'comio items in the programme arc not at all up to Fuller's standard two of them being absolutely stupid. Views of Salomon anil various illustrations of Turkish life were informative and interesting. '['he ' programme will be repeated tonight

KING'S THEATRE. The fact ttiat only one of the artists billed to appear at the King's Theatre last night was now to Diuiedin vaudeville patrons did not detract in the least lrom the value or the ircahnees of the entertainment nibinittwi. Mabel mid Malfc, described as'tho duinty girl and the clumsy boy, presented a very attractive turn, the feature ol -hich was the dancing of Mabel, a little and supplo Im3, whoso work surpasses anything oi iw kind that has bcc/i seen it tho King's. Her partner, in addition to accompanying her in sonic of the dancing, executes some rather clever tumbling and hand-springs, and also exercises u species of droll and diverting humour. Maurice (Jhcnowelh, who has become a firm favourho with audiences at tho King'* was accorded a hearty welcome, and in response to an inn>erativc encore gave -i pleasing rendering of "Come into the garden, Maud." Miss Florence Wix, who made her first appearance, gave u cotmlo of dainty selections, which were dc-ervcdlv appreciated, but the conclusion of her turn was marred by an objectionable exhibition of larrikimsm on the part „! a small section in the body of the hall. Whate/er was the object of their outbreak it vas 3»>'C^'>• _supiirc-sscd by the' management. hollo further emphasised her popularity during her lenuro of the stage, being vigorously encored. A number of oyccllent kinomatograph films were screened during the evening, and (ho performance coneluded with an exhibition of slcight-of-hand and "magic" on the part of Albert Mor-row-cleverly enough executed, but hardly convincing. The entertainment, which atracted a big house, will bo presented for the rest of the week.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. That the pictures at tho Queen's Thoatrp have won their way to public favour is miite certain. Tho ovening patronage, and the constant stream of visitors during the day is a.uite sufficient to prove thU. Tho Queen's Theatre hae- becomo a. well rooog-

rused place of entertainment where, as far as pictorial displays go, a very pleasant hour or two may bo spent. Tho programmes p»t forward aro always attractive though naturally somo possess greater attractions than others. One of the best is that with which tho current week ho 6 been started. The pictures have evidently beencarefully selected, and include work by five, of the mast representative companies engaged in kineuiatography such as tho A. U. V'ltagraph, Solig, Essanay, and Pathe. With good, up-to-date apparatus and skilful manipulation, these pictures wo displayed to tho l>est advantage, and rarely fail to win tho approbation of lh o speclatore. An outstanding pieturo in the new scries is " The Adopted Son," tho 6tory of whioh is constructed on good dramalio lines, and is more rational than many similar stories that arc placed licforo tho public. A UDor widow is compelled to |>iirt with hor baby owing to citrcmo poverty, and leaves it in Uio auto of a wealthy lady. Tho child is a/loptcd by thu wealthy lady, grows to man's estate, becomes an eminent lawyer, and. by coincideiico, lias employed as office- cleaner his real mother. Circumstances occur which make their true position clear to him, and ho rescues his mother from her poor dependent condition, in which he is assisted by tho young lady whoso affection ho hus won. Tho story is admirably depicted, arid there are some truly pathetic touches about it. "Black Sheep" is another dramatic' sketch of a somewhat moro sensational kind, in which the eon of the foreman on ?. "i" 1 " 1, wll ° is ' Rc ' incd to bo a little 'wild," has fastened upon him, through the instrumentality of n Mexican of tho Undesirable class, suspicions of wrong doing. The young fellow ':&, however, proved to be innocent, and justice overtakes hi* inaligner. Two very funny humorous pictures are shown, tho titles boing "Springjnt! a Surprise," and " A Persistent Lover." I'ho first is a story of wealthy uncle and impoverished nephew, and shows liow the astute nephew causes his obdurate relation to relent and take- him back into favour. Jn the second an elephant and its trainer play leading parts, the former becoming instrumental in winning for its master a wealthy bride. The latest English Pathe Gazetto is shown, and includes among other things, some exciting incidents in tho manoeuvres connected with "Britain invaded on the east coast," In scenic depictions there K one beautifully coloured, of picturesque places between Lisbon and Oporto. Pictures about Constantinople aro also shown, and these have an additional interest in tho locality being contiguous to the scat of the war. Tho same programmo will bo repeated day and ovening till Thursday next. WORLD'S PICTURES. Thcro was another good attendance at the St. Hilda Coronation Hall last evening to witness tho programme of pictures Ikkiij! screened by tho World's Pieturo Co. The thrilling A. B. drama, " Tho Squaw's I*ove" was received with appreciative applause, white "Rango Pals"—a splendid Western drama—and "Rambles through Ceylon " also earned tho hearty recognitionof the spectators. The last pieturo on tho programme— - ' Down With the Men "—was eagerly awaited, the humorous situations bringing forth spontaneous laughter and sending everybody home in good spirits. The fame programmo will be repeated this evening. PAUMERSTON BAND. The Palmerston Citizens' Brass Band played on Saturday evening at tho junction, Palmerston, and its efforts were greatly appreciated. Tho numbers included tho marches "Scottish Memories" (Wright), "Vivian Greys" (Sutton), oycrturo, "Alisma" (Jubb), romance, "Alice, whero art thou" (Archer), and waltz, " Lake and Stream " (Round). On Sunday afternoon tho band played a. sacred programme near the now Town Hall, and this was attended by a largo concourse of people. Tho Sunday afternoon sacred concerts will be held at intervals at- different points in tho township during the summer. The largo basses subscribed by the public were in uso and show a marked improvement in tho volumo of musio from tho band. Mr J. 11. Apple-' by conducted.