AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15938, 4 December 1913, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT. IJ ) e Orchestral Society has long since reached that stage of reliability that enables it to place before He patrons with no degree ot uncertainty a well-performed programme t m^'& - i oven tllougll Ueri! ma y bß m pt the selections presented a few shortcomings. It would seem reasonable to judge of many things from a comprehensive point of view, and a musical pcrlorraanco is ono of them. Accepting that idea as correct, last evening s performance by tho society was, like nearly all those given for a number of years, a good one. m some instances the orchestra approached nearer perfection than m others, and it might bo even said that on occasion it fell considerably short of requirements. But if such shortage did occur, there was ample in other directions to compensate for it, and striking an average gavo' asa result a concert that was meritorious and certainly enjoyable. The orchestra got a b:t astray hero and there, notably in the waltz with which the "Casse-Noisette" suite ended. That was a somewhat conspicuous case of defection, but it was not perhaps entirely tho fault of the orchestra. Littlo pieces of solo work constantly occur in orchestral selections, and unfortunately the oboe did not always play its part in this connection as well as H might have done. J. hero was a wavering uncertainty about it more than once, but it was rather conspicuous mi( Beethoven's overture, " King Stephen.' Such faux pas was not, however, Irequent enough to materially impair tho performance, but it docs seem that anyono who has to lead, even for a few bars, might, by dint of practice at home, familiarise himself with what he has to do. In the general work lapses on tho part of anv particular instrumentalist would scarcely bo noticed The concert opened with, tho second of Elgar's marches, "Pomp and Circumstance," which was very well played, though there was a tendency on the part of some of the instruments to get behind timo a little now and again. The duet for flute and clarionet —Bend:x 6 "Tho Butterfly,"—which is in. reality an orchestral selection, with prominence given to the two instruments named, and more especially to the former, was quite a bright 6not in tho programme. It may not be a troublesome piece of music to play, but it is fresh and sparkling, and rendered as it was no one iu tho audience could fail 10 derive pleasure from listening to it- The march, in the "Casse-Noisette" suite, No. 2, with its staccato-liko movoroents, was crisply played and quite enjoyable. The " danse chinoise" was omitted, but in tho "dance des Mirlitous" the orchestra repeated the success it attained in the march, the flute-playing being most effective. In the waltz, as already stated, the melody became a little confused, and tho result attained was not altogether satisfactory. Beethoven's overture, "King Stephen," was given with excellent effect, witli the exception of the one blemish before referred to. The music from " Mignon " is always sure to be welcome to an audience, and tho selection of aire from Thomas's opera played by the orchestra met with decided favour. Some of tho airs were perhaps taken a triflo leisurely, but generally the selections were very well played indeed. Among the best treated aire was the charming gavotte, with which most persons are familiar. " Les Castagnettes," by Logc, completed the orchestral items. Mrs S. C. Wilson sang " Softlv Awakes My Heart," (from " Samson and Delilah ") and "With a Swanlike Beauty Gliding" (Mozart) very acceptably indeed. There was, however, a lack of passion in the former, and Mrs Wilson scarcely put sufficient force into such phrases ne " Like a fiame my love is burning, Scorching like, etc.," in "the Jatter. Mr Wm. Gemmell's vocal selections wero Behrend's ' My Friend," which he sang exceptionally well, and " Mifanwy," and "Son of Mine." "Mifanwy" was quite a gem, but tho same 'degree of success did not attend Mr Gemmell's '< Son of Mine," chiefly through an omission to emphasise certain passages; as,'for instance, the words "Son of mine," which occur frequently at the end of a line. Mr Jas. Coombs conducted, and Mr C. G. 0. Naumann led tho orchestra. Tho accompanists were Mrs J, D, Woods and Miss Lizzie MT,aren. THE GREAT M'EWEN. " The Great M'Ewon " repeated his performance to a fair audience in His Majesty's Theatre last night. As on previous occasions those present derived a groat deal of amusement from Mr M'Ewon'6 hypnotic demonstrations and the In.ugliable antics of his "subjects." Mr M'Ewen' is assisted by Will Bolton, a clever Scotch dancer. A chango of programme is announced for to-night.

FULLERS' PICTURES. The principal picture at the Princess Theatre this week, that wonderfully fine film "With Scott to the Pole" is a, record of the daily life and doings of. the lato Captain Scott, R.N., and his party to the Polar regions, and is much more vivid and convincing than any mero pen pictiiro could hope to be. The photography of the picture—the work of Mr H. G. fronting, F.R.G.S., who accompanied the expedition—is of a brilliant order of merit, the beauty of the enow scenes and the wonderful telescopic lens effects beiiu? particularly, noteworthy achievements in the photographic art. The supporting films includo ''The Gauraont Graphic," "Making Incandescent Lamps," " Mischievous' Monkeys" (Nature study), "Or. theBroad Stairway" (drama), "Solitaires": (Vitigraph comedy), and "Not Those: Trousers " (oomio). ,•,..- HAYWARD'S; PICTURES. "Robinson Crusoo" and its associated film subjects attracted a ■ large and appreciative audience at " The Octagon " last' evening. The feature film, whi?h is ah ex--cellent adaptation of Defoe's immortal 6tory, is excellent in every detail. " Labour Day in Auckland" is a capital topical subject, and the two supporting drama 6 are strong. The music supplied by tho orchestra, is in keeping with the programme, and-is splendidly rendered. The programme ~wjll' be repeated to-night. .;/, KING'S THEATRE. ;/ As was to bo expected, in view of the. favourable reception which it was accorded on Tuesday evening, the new programmo' at tho King's Theatre last night attracted a very good attendance. Tho new bill of fare is a very fino one., including items by such artists as the Three Vardells, Hilary Long, Gladys and Alber, and Peg and the Limit. There is besides tho exhibition by Kurtiss's Roosters. The- programme will bo presented again this evenuig. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The Queen's Theatre was crowded to tho doors last night when the pictures presented' for tho first time on Monday were screened for the last time. To-day there will be an entire change of programme. Among the pictures to bo shown will be "That Scamp Ferdinand," picturing the great Parisian comedian M. Prince (Wiffles), whose mirthprovoking qualifications are very highly estimated. The pictures will be supported by "Tardy Recognition," "The Crook and tho Girl," "Bertanos," "Lakes of Boulogne," and "The Warwick Chronicle." DANCE AT ST. CLAIR. Sbmo 92 couples took advantage of the weekly dance at St. Clair last evening, -and a most enjoyable time was spent. . Tho musio was supplied in good stvlo by a string band, and the floor and general arrangements were all that could have been desired.