THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 262, 9 December 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

NAZARETH HOUSE CONCERT. The Theatre Royal was packed last evening on the occasion of the concert jiromoted by Miss N. Hay ward in aid of Jfazareth House. An excellent programme ■was presented, both lot'al and visiting artists acquitting themselves in good style. The pianoforte solos of Mrs Mangos, of Timaru, proved that this lady was worthy of all the encomiums that have been bestowed upon her, the " Hungarian Dance" (Brahms), which she played in the second half, bracketed with Liszt's "Consolation," being a particularly delightful pieee of work. The overture with which she opened the programme was another eharming number. The lady soloists were Miss Mabel Ford, who sang "Eleanore" (Mallinson) ; Miss Kathleen Craven, "The Valley of Laughter" (Sanderson) and '' My Heart is Weary'' (Gor-ans-Thomas) ; and Miss Daisy Grant, who gave, "Are You Awake, Little Flower?" (Sans Souci) and "A Birthday" (Mallinson), in a particularly graceful and attractive style. Mr Arthur Macdonald sang "Son of Mine" (Wallace), and "Love's Pleading" (A. Buzzi-Peceia),

both songs being' rendered with excellent effect. Mr Richard Maloney gave a very good Tendering of the recitative and cavafrina '' La Reine de Saba'' (Gounod), and Miss F. Gardener and Mr B. Rennell collaborated successfully in the beautiful '' Barcarolle'' from the '' Tales of Hoffman," arranged as a duet. The good effect obtained by Mr Rennell might have been further enhanced had he refrained from rolling his r's so terrifically. Mr G. H. Andrews sang "Rip Van Winkle" (Carrol) in a fine, spirited manner —he, by the way, is a pupil of Mr Nevill-Smith, Timaru. Mr Frank McDonald, who has a popular local reputation as an elocutionist, recited Kipling's ''' The Ballad of the Clampherdown " in a way that stirred the feelings of the audience to war-heat, and brought forth the most enthusiastic applause. Mrs E. Enxpson, Miss Daisy Grant, Mr R. Hay ward, and Mr R. Maloney joined in the eatchy little quartet, "Blind Man's Buff" from "The Daisy Chain" (Liza Lehmann). A very wellarranged tableau, representing .The "Allies" was shown in the secdnd half. Miss B. Robinson represented Britannia, Mrs J. C. Palmer, Belgium; Mademoiselle Gadrat, France; and Miss Robinson, Russia. A later tableau showed Britain coming to the rescue of poor, broken Belgium,

both being received with tumultuous applause. Following them, a verse of the British National Anthem was sung by the" audience and company, and snatches of the national anthems of her Allies played. The accompaniments, except for the Timaru singer, Mr G. 11. Andrews, were played by the organiser of the concert, Miss Nell Hayward, in a* sympathetic and capable manner. Encores were frequent, each singer, player, reciter, and tableau being systematically recalled until within two or three numbers of the.end of the entertainment. ORPHEUS SOCIETY. The last concert of the season was given by the Orpheus Society at the Choral Hall last night. There was a fair attendance, and a varied and wellselected programme was given. The choir showed itself to be well-trained, and sang excellently, giving , very pleasant renderings of the items, and displaying a due regard to light and shade. The conductor,./was Mr J. T. Macleodsmith. The choral numbers were: —"Strike the Lyre" (Cooke), "The Beleaguered" (Sullivan)," "The Flowery Month of June" (Jackson), " Three Fishers'' (arranged by the conductor), "The Deathless Army," "The

Comrades' Song of Hope" (Adam), and "The Bells of St. Michael's Tower" (Knyvett). The following duets were sung:—"Watchman, What of the Night?" by Messrs D. Down and J. Worgan; the Barcarolle from "Tales of Hoffmann,'' by Misses J. Hartle and P. Barber; and ''The Birthday Morn," by Misses Karst' and Roberts. Miss Margaret Luxton sang " 'Twas April" (Nevin) and "The Magic Month of May" (Newton). Mr Leslie Fleming sang a Spanish serenade, '' Lolita,'' and two others, one by Amy Wood-forde-Finden and one by Mallinson. Two part-songs and a quartet were also given very ably. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A powerful Japanese story, "The Wrath of the Gods," is the big picture at His Majesty's Theatre. A pretty love story runs through the theme, whilst a realistic shipwreck and the destruction of Sakura Jima is vividly depicted. The film was produced in Japan bv Japanese and American artists. War items are portrayed in the '' Gaumont Graphic,'' ami " The Battle of Lebbeke" is a special war topical. Other items include "Feathered Acrobats," ''Uee/.a Liar's Shipwreck," and "A Six-Foot Romance." The list will be repeated this evening. GLOBE THEATRE. "Asta Neilsen, Suffragette," is thestar attraction of the current programme at the Globe Theatre. It is exceedingly well supported by several splendid war topicals; "The Australian Gazette, " topical; "The Lawyer, the Dog, and the Baby," comedy; and a 'scenic study showing life in the Straits i Settlements. The series will be presented again this evening. j. - \ SYDENHAM PICTURES. I The splendid Japanese legend, as told in "The Wrath of the Gods," pleased [another large audience at the Sydenham i Picture Theatre last evening. There is ! a splendid series of supporting pictures, I including war topicals and comedies, etc., [ which go to make up an attractive pro- ! gramme, which will be presented again this evening. - J COLOSSEUM. I- "Her Big Scoop," a breezy and interesting journalistic story, is set forth as the star attraction' of the current programme at the Colosseum. Supporting studies comprise "The Joke on Jane" (comedy), "While the Tide Was Rising" (drama), "Panorama of .Belgium" (scenic), "In Peril's Path" (drama), and various war topicals, all combining to make up an excellent programme, which will be presented again this evening.