THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 35, 18 March 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CONCERT. Old heart-searching melodies and ballads predominated in the excellently pleasant programme provided by well and lesser-known artists at the St. Patrick's "• Day celebration concert last evening in the Theatre Royal. The large audience that filled the building Could cite two reasons for its presence and its enthusiasm—the fact that it was a day for patriots, and that the proceeds were to go towards assisting the charitable work of the Nursing Sisters of Mercy. ■ Mr George March, the local basso eantante, sang "She is far from the Land," to the obvious pleasure of his auditors. Madame Audebert's opening number was "Killarney," and for an encore she gave a pretty eong about babies. Mr Frank M'Donald incited *' Shamus O 'Brien,''" the familiar dra- ; matic story of the man who in the year *9B was saved by the priest from the rope,, under the eyes of the soldiers. ,r Mr M'Donald told the tale clearly and definitely. The Yery Rev. Dean Hills explained that Bishop Grimes was away on the West Coast; the Bishop would ' have said' how worthy, was the object of the night's concert, which was to aid the Nursiiig Sisters to establish their ■work in Christchurch on a good footing. For himself he had to sing; he had been coerced into singing; but he was of the "has beens" the example. The popular Dean showed that in him the old Spirit of Ireland did not lack an interpreter. Miss Elsie Brown has been blind, since birth, but the good Nursing . Sisters have taught her to be a pianist with a clean and definite touch. She , has a mezzo voice of good quality, v clean and youthful, of great power. _ The second part of the programme opened with an "Irish Selection" by a . ban jo band under the direction of Mr Louis* W. Bloy. They achieved a fine singing tone. The quartet sang again with . its well practiced accuracy. t Madame Audebert sang '' The Rosary'' in a well-trained way. Mr R. Vincent rendered "The Minstrel Boy" with spirit, and Miss Elsie Brown's other number was "Kathleen Mavourneen." Miss Lilian Harper played the accompaniments of the evening sympathetically.

ANTONIA DOLORES. To-morrow evening Mdme., Antonia Dolores will open a short season in the Choral Hall. The diva's first recital in Dunedin is thus noted by the '' Otago Daily Times' 7 :—The concert of last evening was thoroughly successful., The prima donna's voice stood the severe strain of the recital exceedingly well, and in mezzo passages particularly charmed the audience, while revealing an admirable reserve to meet the demands of the florid music frequently attacked. The programme left no ground for complaint as to quality. It opened with Handel's aia "Let Me Wander Not Unseen," a charming example of artistic , phrasing, which was followed by a most dainty rendering of "Shepherd, Thy De- . meanour Vary" (Brown). Purcell's "I Attempt From Love's Sickness to Fly'' is an old favourite with Mdme. Dolores, and very welcome once more was her perfectly artistic and expressive interpretation of this number. The initial group of solos concluded with Haydn 'a ever delightful "Mermaid's Song," which introduced a new mood, and was rendered with a spontaneous freshness and gaiety. Emphatically recalled, the singer gave "The Lark," by Rubinstein. The second group of songs opened with the well-known aria "Ah! Eors e lui," from "Verdi's "La Traviata." The interpretation was characterised by some dramatic vocalisation of an arresting quality. The "A quell' amor" passage was introduced with splendid effect, and the last soaring and sustained notes of the aria rang out with convincing clarity and trueness. An encore was insisted on, and this took the form of " L' Angelus,'' the mellow cadence of which was in striking contrast to the operatic extract. The succeeding songs were two happilyselected numbers in German, "Weigenlied" and " Vergebliches Standehen," both by Brahms, the latter being particularly taking in the adaptation of the expression to the words. As a recall number Mdme. Dolores gave "Comin' thro' the Rye," a song of which she was always able to make the most. In her final group of solos the vocalist made an - excursion into French song, beginning with the air "Depuis le Jour," by Carpentier, the dreamy sentiment of which was admirably expressed. Foote's "Irish Folk Song,'' which followed, brought the audience back to an entirely different mood, and a finer or more feeling rendering of it could not., have been desired. \ The last programme number was a dainty little ballad entitled "Would You?" by M 'Coy, most, prettily interpreted. Enthusiastically recalled, Mdifie. Dolores gave with, delightful zest, and, as it were,

in defiance of the labours of the evening, a number which will always be remembered as one of the most infectious items in her repertoire—namely, Auber's "Laughing Song." The plan is now open at the Dresden. HIS MAJESTY'S. There was again a large attendance at His Majesty's Theatre last night when the impressive lyricescope play, "The Miracle," was screened for the second time. There is no question as to the merits of this production, and the audience manifested its approval in no uncertain way. The orchestra had become better acquainted with the Humperdinck music, and the defects noticeable on the first night had been rectified. The singing of the concealed choir behind the screen gave a greater reality to the production. Other good items on the list are ''Pathe Gazette" and '' The Old Polks at Home.'' THE COLOSSEUM. The powerful Vitagraph production, f'The Test," which is the star item on the new programme at the Colosseum drew a second crowded house last night. It is a story of conjugal love and jealousy, in which husband and wife are temporarily estranged, but after passing through many trials and hardships they become reconciled once more. Another good film of a different nature is "Looking for Trouble," in which a small maiden who goes out of her way to find trouble is sadly displeased when it comes upon her. "Strange Inhabitants of the Deep" is an excellent educational film, showing the lives and habits of many strange marine creatures. "The Principality of Monaco" is a scenic possessing more than usual claim to eulogy. The programme will be screened again to-night. ' THE OPERA HOUSE. t A special St. Patrick's Day programme of vaudeville was provided at the Opera House last evening. The Georgia trio, who made a great hit on Monday evening, repeated their success last night, and "their diverting turns fairly brought down the house. The [ clever footwork of Mr George Rowley, the American "fashion plate" dancer, again won high favour, showing that the performance of this artist was one of the best of the evening. Charles Zoli, the dialect comedian, sang his songs in a manner quite captivating. Weston's and Hill's jokes were loudly applauded, and enjoyment was also furnished by Fern and Lizette, with their ragtime ditties. The other performers, Jolly Fanny Rice, Margaret Caraher, the soprano singer, little Mollie, the child entertainer, Clayton and Croan, and William Innis, the whistler, were all enthusiastically received. The programme will be repeated to-night.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The Sydenham Pictures this week show a programme of quality, a list calculated to please all comers. "The Test" is a fine drama; "Her Boy" has the ' 1 heart-interest'' which is always popular. Topical matters are well in hand, being - covered by the Gaumont Graphic a series of pictures of the Principality of Monaco, and sundry views of queer inhabitants of the deep. The big drama, "The Test," is set partly in England and partly in South Africa; and in neither place is there any lack of incident and adventure. But probably the best of all is the comedy "Looking for Trouble," which gains distinction from the fact that the leading lady is a clever girl of perhaps-seven years, who desires to victimise an accident insurance company in order to replace a doll. Fortune runs all against her, and it seems improbable that after her experiences she would ever attempt a get-rick-quick scheme again. The programme will be repeated to-night. GRAND THEATRE. The big film at the Grand Theatre has as its moral the theory that good should be returned for evil. '' Renunciation'' is a strangely tangled tale of two friends who love the one woman; and she chooses the less worthy, who finally deserts her and her child. Then come incidents of horse-stealing, a chase by cowboys, and sanctuary in a convent where the friend he had robbed of a girl is a monk. The good man saves his rival, and by his work father, mother, and child are reunited, a new life,started, and the possibility of happiness lent probability. Other films shown include "The Trifler," a good drama by the Rex producers; the pathetic stoiy '' Out of the Beast a Man was Born," and a good industrial film showing various, phases of the work on an ostrich farm. GLOBE THEATRE. "The Poison Tree," the drama now billed as the star film at the Globe Theatre, possesses a thrilling find in-

volved plot. It is a tragedy, well acted, and well staged. A picture of a lighter i vein is '' Missing Identities,'' the story of a mix up, but subsequent happy ending. '' Mabel's Stratagem "is a really good comedy, in which a jealous wife is amply repaid for her suspicions. There are other films of equally high merit in the programme, which will be screened for the last time to-day.