AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15748, 26 April 1913, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS

MARLOW'S DRAMATIC COMPANY,

At Ills Majesty's Theatre hist evening Mr Georgo Mariow's uramatic Company \ appeared in the third production* staged uurmg tho present season, tills Deinj,' a drama entitled " rltir i'orbiuuen iuarriage," by l»'redcrick Melville, author of "j.ne.Bad Uirl of tne H amity"' and other play:/ of .a similar class. As the title would suggest, "Hor Iter bidden Marriage " is melodrama of a coinplcx domestic order, and the plot which, is unravelled in the progress of its five acts more than realises expectation in tho extraordinary complications in which the various characters be- , oome involved. Upon mysteries attending the relationship of the hero and others with whom he is brought in touch aro piled tho 1 effects of the endless machinations of the villain aud lady who is lus accomplice, the result being a chaotic succession of sensational developments. The course of true love never did run smooth, they say, but the possibilities of the thorny path ; it may take are exploited m " irler forbidden Marriage" in a way almost to make the imagination gasp, 'lhe story lias already been outlined, and it suffices here to say of it that it provides harrowing and exciting episodes in rich variety. DVoni 1 tho time the young couple of the play disobey lhe mandate of the lady's guardian, and make a gallant runaway marriage with tho assistance of an oportune motor car, tlicy bccomc involved in toils enough to wreck average domestic bliss a thousand times over, But they survive the ordeal with wonderful fortitude. The husband is accused of theft ajid clapped into prison in the wickedest manner, and the heroine is then left, as usual, at tho mercy of the persecutions of the unscrupulous villain. Tho hero escapes from Dartmoor, and rescues his wife just as she lias fallen into the clutches of his enemy, and eventually, with the assistance ot Providence, becomes rich, only again to olt'er the villain a convenient scapegoat upon whom to foster another crime, this time one of murder. Of course, in the denouement all | is wound up very satisfactorily, tho virtuous and repentant being able to look forward to tho "happy ever alter," and the wicked accomplices submitting very meekly to arrest. Tho complications of relationship unravelled show an ingenuity on tho part of tho dramatist pos.t.veiy remarkable, it being nothing short of a stroke of genius on his part to make the real wifo 01 the twice married Sir George Lancaster the Mother Superior of a convent as well as the mother of the hero, who weds the ward of the repentant bigamist. It is all very bewildering and improbable, but melodrama has an atmosphere of its own, and its audience demands exhibitions of human nature more primeval than subtle, and likes to sympathise. with those who come out ol great tribulation. Requirements on this score are amply satisfied by "The i'orbidden Marriage." The play is somewhat lengthy, and calls t for a tainy big cast. Tho part of George Maddison, the hero, fell, naturally, to Mr Herbert Bentleyj who acquitted himself m. his usual.. ri'iiab-C manner. Mr Hilliard , Vox was .again .cast in the thankless role of the scoundrel; .Charles' Devereaux, and depicted a particularly nasty and oold-blooded type of villain. Miss Gwendoline Dories won the sympathy of the audience by her acting as Lucy, tho persecuted heroine, while Miss Oriel llotson impersonated the exceedingly objectionable second wife of tho baronet. The part of Sir George Lancaster, a somewhat onerous one, was taken by Mr 11. G. Oarr, not, it must be admitted, 'with conspicuous success. Tho comedy, element was furnished by Mr J. 11. Howard, ably seconded by Miss Nettie Holroyd. The staging is on an-adequate scale. .'•'•Her., Forbidden Marricilge" 'will be staged again this evening, when the season will bo brought to a close. . KING'S THEATRE. The present programme of vaudeville and moving picture items at tho King's Theatre attracted a large house last night. The Punchinellos in thoir cxoc-llont first part of the programme elicited much approval, and the Dentines, the clover acrobats, Dalton and Moore, and the other artkts appearing. in the jjceond part met with tho enthusiastic reception they de- I serve. Tlte company will appear again tonight. lIAYWARD'S PICTURES. " The Octagon" •programme attracted another largo audience last evening, which expressed its approval of tho various subjects presented. This was especially ap- / parent at the conclusion of the star drama, "In the Springtime. of Life," a superbly coloured Pat.he film. The same programme will ho shown this afternoon, and finally to-night. The new list, which will I bo d : s-, played on 'Monday will contain a nictorial adaptation " It's Never Too Late to Mend," by tho Edison Company. FULLERS' PICTURES. An especially fine series of pictures is at present being screened at tho Princess Theatre, and patrons arc assured of an excellent entertainment. " A Red-man's Conscience," a thrilling story told amidst beautiful and romantic surroundings, has evidently appealed to the popular taste. A ccicntific film oa-Ued "The Diamond" a.!so attracted a good deal cf attention. Some fine scenic films and Nature stud:cs.are included, and comic subjects are well represented. A matinee will "be held this afternoon" as usual, and to-night the current series will bo rereencd for tho last time. On Monday night a. film entitled "At the Foot cl tiie Scaffold" will he screened. The picture has proved a great attraction in the northern cities. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The star film, "A Trip to tho Sun," is proving a very popular, picture at the Queen's Theatre, while "Oniem of the Mesa," a : drama.. by the Yitagraph Company, is another fine subjcct.-. Th© common house fly comes under tho camera of the kinematograph artist,_ and some very interesting and entortaininff pictures are the rfeult. Tlwre arc several other excellent films in the new programme, which will be shown for the last time, to-day a,n«l this 'evening. PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT, Local musical societies in Dunedin receive a very fair income of support from tho public, and the Philharmonic Society has little reason to oomplain on the score of patronage. Its concerts are seldom, if ever, otherwise than well attended, and the performance given last evening drew one of the largest and most appreciative bodies of patrons to tho Garrison Hall that has been seen there in connection with orchestral concerts. Signor Squarise resumed tho conductor's .baton after a lengthy absence from New Zealand, and in appearing he was-hailed , with applause that lasted for some littlo time. "Marcia Realc," by Gabetti, formed tlie opening selection, and was admirably performed, and alter it came an excellent rendering of the overture to Mendelssohn's "Athalie." Tho music is somewhat weird in character, and contains plenty of work for tho violins, which mot the cajls made upon them very skilfully, the other instruments bearing their portion of tho overture very commertdably. Sibelius Intermezzo ("Pan und Echo') met with very good treatment. The music is more likeable than much of tho music soored for an orchestra, and this, combined with a good rendering, made tho intermezzo more than usually acceptable.' Tho Philharmonic Society is rich in friends, and its library has been added to on several occasions by donors, and no fewer than three pieces performed last evening were gifts. The schorzo, from Paul Dulta's "L'Appremi Sorcier." presented by Miss Bessie Millar, was one of these, and the orchestra had evidently been put through a careful course of study of its requirements. Its rendering may not have been pcrfcct—musical performances are rarely, strictly speaking, perfect,—but tho scherzo was, nevertheless, very well played, and its treatment reflected credit on the orchestra aud its conductor. The andanto, "Lc bois sacre," by Massenet, was beautifully played. It is an excerpt from the opera " Roma," and found ready acceptance at the hands of the audience. Bracketed with it was a barcarolle, " Voici l'hetire," composed by Mouton, a light, bright, and dainty piece of music, well expressed by the instrumentalists. Up to this point the orchestra liad shown no sign of weakness worthy, of notice; but Meyerbeer's "Grand Overture," which is in the form of a march, was not consistently well played. ' Thero were periods during which the work was admirably rendered, but in the earlier stages t'he effect was somewhat' laboured, and thero was once or twice a suspicion of leading instruments not being strictly in tune. However, taking the orchestral playing as a whole, those engaged are to bo congratulated upon tllio successful way in which they interpreted the selections chosen for performance. The choice made was excellent, nearly everything played being well within the appreciative powers of most musical audiences. Thero was one vocalist, and Miss Florence Paceyisto be generally complimented upon her singing. It is true that the chief soprano air from Donizetti's "Lucrczia Borzia" proved somewhat heavy for tho young

lady; but it was by no means indifferently sung, and that the audience fully realised by recalling Miss Pucey, In "If my songs were only winged" and "Tired hands," Miss Paeny was more at her ease, and consequently achieved better ■ results. As before indicated, Signor Squarise conducted, while Mr Arthur Pacey occupied the position of accompanist. BAND CARNIVAL. Another effort is to be made to establish Saturday night concerts in Dunedin, and the lirst will be given in the Garrison Hall next Saturday. A feature of the programme will he a number of selections by a first-class bras 3 band, and in addition several prominent vocalists, headed by the well-known tenor (Mr Philip Newbury) will take part in the performance. Lovers of music will 110 doubt find that they are well catered for. as the programme will be varied, and of a high-class standard. BP.YDOXE SKATING RINK. There was the usual good attendar.ee at each of the three sessions tit the Brydonc Skating Rink yesterday. .Most of the habitues' of the rink are. coming back, to' form, fal'.is being rare, and a good many turning their attention to fancy skating. This morning there will be a special matinee for children, and the alternoonand evening sessions will be observed as usual. SA6TIED CONCERT. Miiundcr's sacrcd csntata " Olivet to Calvary" waa rendered by the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral last evening, witlv the object of raising funds to aid in tho cost of .Tepirrir.ig the Anglican churches of Gore and Mataura which were .damaged in tho recant floods. The choir has in the past established a reputation for intelligent singing, and its performance last evening will maintain and strengthen this. The audience which practically filled tho Cathedral, listened to the singing throughout with evident appreciation, and had no l'eason to be dissatisfied with the manner in which the work was interpreted. The singing was of a high order, but one or two it?ms anight be picked out as being exceptionally well performed. The chorus, "0 tihou whose sweet' compassion," was splendidly rendered, and "The march to Calvary" might ako bo mentioned as surpassing most of the other work the choir did. The chorus, " 'Twos night o'er lonely Olivet," was well sung, nice quality being maintained throughout the pianissimo passages.' This piece perhaps requires more than ordinary ability to do it justice, and for this reason all the more crcdit was due to the choir for the manner in which it was performed. Recitatives and solos were taken by Messrs S. C. Lawson (tenor). A. V. Spcdcling (tenor), J. Brydonc (baritone), and C. Mayer (baritone). The standard of the work of eaeh soloist was his'.) throughout. Mr C. Mayor's performance being particularly pleasing. The choir owed a great deal to the admirable organ accompaniments provided by Mr E. ■Heywcod. Mr ljcvwood's p'aying was a powerful factor in keeping the choir togo'linr, and was also an invaluable help to the singers. The object for which the concert, was held has been achieved, a collection amounting'' to a substantial sum being taken up. during the evening.

ALLEN DOONE SEASON. Mr Alien Doonc, the Irisli singing comedian, assisted by Mies Edna Keelcy and ii company oE Irish artists, will open a season of Irish drama at His Majesty's Theatre on Friday next. The ' appreciation of romantic Irish drama has been shown in a marked degree by "ilho large attendances nightly at the Theatre Royal, Christchureh. This is no doubt due to Mr Dcone's familiarity with the Irish atmosphere and his etese attention to detail in the staging of his dramas. The opening production will bo " Tho Wearing of the Green," which was especially written for Mr Doonc by that noted author of Irish plays, Theo. Burt Snyre. The big scene in the new play takes place m the Dublin Ilall of Harmony, where the hero, Phillip Fitzgerald, in spite of tho edict issued by the Government of tho lioriod, sings before a crowded audience "The wearing of the green." The scenery has been specially painted from copies of some rare old prints, and is an exact. reproduction of tilie hall. Mr Dcone .is now concluding a very successful season of throe weeks in Christcjlurch. the booking from beginning to end being large. .Tho box plan will open at tho Dresden on Wednesday next.