ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17483, 26 July 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

J. C. WILLI AM SON'S PANTOMIME "CINDERELLA.” TO-NIGHT AT 7.50. To-night, at 7.50, the curtain will ri.se on the first production here of ,). C. Williamson's phenomenally successful spectacular pantomime extravaganza "Cinderella." which has attracted large audiences wherever it has been staged. Although the booking is excellent there are still a number of available seats in central positions in both the dress circle and stalls which may he selected at The Bristol, and tickets for the early-door stalls and gallery can be purchased at llcLennan's or at the doors this evening. Mr Barry Lupine's performance in last year's pantomime stamped him as one of the best and most humorous comedians ever enjoyed, and, in addition, he is a particularly clever dancer and a wonderful acrobat. Arthur Stigant, a noted London comedian, it is said, makes Mrs Kilkenny a dear, motherly old dame, and he has the audience in screams of laughter the whole time he is on the stage. Mr Jack McArdle. another London favourite, it is said, creates much merriment by his dry. humorous characterisation of the part of Baron Beauregarde. Mr Leslie Gaze, who will be remembered as the hero of the original

"Chocolate Soldier” production, will lake the part of Dandini. Mr Rupert Darrell as Snaffles. Mr George Young as Whiffkins, and Mr Chas. Albert as the dancer, are others who have assisted in the wonderful success achieved by the pantomime, Special interest centres in the first appearance here of Miss Minnie Love (the principal boy). as she comes with a big London reputation, won in pantomime and musical comedies. Besides being a first - class artist, she also possesses a pretty face and a charming personality. Miss Dolly Castles, who was prima donna with the Gilbert and Sullivan Company who toured the dominion a few years ago, has scored a triumph as Cinderella, and Miss Celia Ghiloni. it is said, is at her best in the role of the Fairy God-mother. A good deal of the fun of the pantomime is provided by Misses Gertie Latchford and Dorothy Firmin, who assume the roles of Cinderella’s wicked sisters. Two special features of “Cinderella” arc the wonderful acrobatic feats of Tiny Tot Marjorie and Little Eileen, and the brilliant danc. ing of Miss Maud Amery in a series of gorgeous ballets. So much has already been written about the wondrous effects and about the IS magnificent scenes that playgoers are looking forward eagerly to witness them. The production is staged under the direction of Mr Chas. Wen man. Mr J. C. 'Whitfield is stage manager, and Mr Robert Keers is musical director. The company will arrive by special train this morning.

"THOU SHALT NOT KILL.’’ Tin- "Tell-tale Heart” and “Annabel Lee," the works of Edgar Allan Poe, have been made the basis for a remarkable production by D. W. Griffith, the man whose brains arc behind the Reliance and Majestic Companies. The film is entitled “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” or - The Avenging Conscience." and will be featured for three nights at the Zoalandia Hall. The story opens with a pathetic death-bed scene, in which a dying mother commits the care of her baby to an uncle. The baby, grown to manhood. falls in love with a beautiful girl, whom he names Annabel Lee. The uncle disapproves and causes the lovers to part. The story shows how the young man was minded, in the bitterness of his disappointment, to murder his uncle (as did the character in the “Tell-tale Heart”). A vision comes to him in which he suffers all the mental torture of an actual murderer —a sudden awakening and the dream of violence flies from him. Other films on the programme will include the War Gazette and a beautifully coloured scenic study. THE LYCEUM. The management of the Lyceum Theatre will screen a very tine series of pictures of our New Zealand troops in Egypt, taken' by Messrs Pathe Freres. In this highly-interesting picture all the different phases of camp life are dealt with, including light horse charges across the desert. infantry rushes, bridge-building, etc. ; also views of our boys climbing the Pyramids. There is also a colossal view of the march past of the troops before their departure for

the Dardanelles. The film is of such photographic excellence that many of the faces are easily recognised. The long marches across the sand plains and scenes from life in the camp are shown with remarkable clearness. The second attraction in the programme is a Majestic drama, “Fear of His Past,” telling how an adventuress got a young men sent to prison for a crime he never committed. “Hogan’s Romance Burst,” featuring Charles Murray, is a very laughable film. The “Topical Budget” shows some good war scenes. CONCERT AT BORNE FARM. On Tuesday evening the members of the Invercargill Orphans’ Club visited Borne Farm Home and treated the staff and inmates of the Institution to a most enjoyable concert programme. Mr J. H. Reed presided over the in his usual happy style, and the following members, with others, contributed some splendid vocal items: —Dr Brown, Messrs J. E. Taylor, Service, "Wootton, Pierce, and Haigh, while Mr Bruce mystified the audience with his conjuring tricks. A small but efficient orchestra, under the leadership of Mr McGregor, rendered material assistance, while “Daisy Bell” a youthful inmate of the Home sang “Tipperary,” assisted by the older “orphans” from town. At the conclusion of the programme Mr Pryde, secretary of the Hospital Board, on behalf of the Borne Farm management, thanked the Orphans’ Club for their consideration in rendering sucli a fine programme to the inmates and staff of the institution. Mr Reed, in responding, expressed the pleasure it gave the Orphans’ Club in being able to entertain the Borne Farm people, and he promised that they would all try and render another programme on a future occasion. SEND-OFF AT PINE BUSH. A very enjoyable time was spent on Friday night, when the young ladies of Pine Bush, with Miss Maggie Shields as leader, entertained the boys, who are very shortly leaving for the front, at a dance in the Pine Bush Hall. Until midnight Misses Maggie Shields and Bessie Brown acted as M.’a.C. and Mr Monoghan thereafter. Upwards of a hundred people were present. Mr A. Dunlop (chairman) at a suitable interval had the pleasure of presenting Messrs J. Beattie and W. Watson on behalf of the young ladies with a wristlet watch each and a silver - mounted tobacco pouch each, and Mr A. Brown with a nice case of pipes and silver-mounted tobacco pouch, which lie hoped they would be long spared to use. He wished the three young fellows good luck and success. Mr Watson, on behalf of his comrades and himself, thanked the people of Pine Bush for their handsome gifts, and the young ladies for the trouble they had undertaken in carrying out the dance. During the evening songs were contributed by Misses Golden. Chisholm and Mrs T. Dowler, and Messrs J. Beattie, A. Scott, and G. McLean; recitations by Miss Golden, Mr A. Dunlop and Mr Higgins. Music was supplied for the dance by Messrs ; .1. Dutliie, G. Met,can, A. Beattie, and i Mrs T. Dowler. dancing being kept up I till the early hours. Patriotic songs.

"Auld Lang Syne." and three ringing cheers for those departing closed the function.

TUATAI’ERE FANCY DRESS BALL. A very successful masquerade 'and plain and fancy dress ball, in aid of the. wounded soldiers' fund, was held at Tuatapere on Friday night. Some -SO couples danced to excellent music supplied by Font’s orchestra. The dresses worn were novel and quaint. The first prize for lady's most original dross was won by Mrs A. Millar (To Tua), while the successful gentleman was Mr S. Mclntosh. The catering was in the hands of Mr Hinchcliffo. a very dainty supper being served. Mr J. Howarth made an efficient M.C. The ball was organised by Mrs H. Tosh, who iuts done yeoman service in patriotic matters in the district. She is to be congratulated on the result, over £ls being obtained to swell the funds. Thanks are also due to Mrs .1. Gardiner and Mr T. .1. Henderson for donating prizes. Altogether the entertainment was one of the best held for some time.

CONCERT AND DANCE AT SOUTH INVERCARGILL.

A crowded house greeted the scholars of the Anglican Sunday School on Wednesday evening when they repeated their concert in aid of the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. All the items were well rendered, and the audience repeatedly acknowledged the children’s efforts. During the interval a Dutch auction of vegetables and goods was held, about £2 being realised. The sum of 7s 6d was thrown on the stage during the singing of "Please Give Mo a Penny." A sweet stall presided over by Miss Ashley also helped to augment the fund. The Southland Pipe Band were present in full force and played selections. After the concert a dance was held at which the principal attraction was a waltzing competitions and Miss R. Folley ami W. Sampson, who kindly acted as judges, aawrded the prizes to Miss G. Lyons and Mr Brighton, Miss Craig and Mr TT. Green being second. The committee’s thanks are due to Mrs Weight, who kindly acted as accompanist at the concert (owing to Miss Poole’s unavoidable absence) and to Miss A. and Mr F. Lange, who gave their services free of charge, in providing music for the dance. The sum of £6 10s was taken at the hall and when the proceeds of the sale of tickets come to hand something over £lO will bo available for the support of the Local Bodies’ and Schools’ princess, this being the medium selected by the committee for the disposal of the proceeds.