Amusements, Meetings, etc.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14341, 10 July 1914, Page 2

Amusements, Meetings, etc.

“CAPEICE” AT HIS MAJESTY’S,

To-night’s screening at llis Majesty's Theatre may be fairly named as one of special importance, as the motion y lay to be presented is given as one of the costliest purchases made fur exhibition in New Zeaiand, and the leading [.art is played by Ma.y I’ickford, the idm actress credited wi hj uravnng Uu> largest salary paid to any,mo in tin? profession, 'the suiry is of a young tuau of high binh, who wearies of society life, and goes into the mountain country m search of a change. Uis first meeting with a girl of the hills-a rough diamond—occurs in a lomaut.c manner, hove on bo.h sides quickly follows, and a marriage repugnant to the man’s family takes place, lie loyally takes his wife along, and int;o dates her to society, wucie her illiteracy and country 11.d bearing and dress bring humiliation on all concerned. The girl in despair leaves her husband, and sets herself to tiie task of acquiring the neerssaiy jo’.ish and elnca,ion to lit her f r the position she aspires to. Hie succeeds, and the story develops into a strong and absorbingly interesting play. The support mg pictui is are said to be a siq crier collection. These include “\i inter .Scenes in K ockl.olm," Pedro, the flog Charm;-!'’' (star vaudeville), ‘•Thirteen hides t’.ight Over the Seine” (I’atho colour), the latest ‘Tathe’s Gazette,’’and “Saliy’s Elopement." Fullers’ popular o:ch:.stra, wi.-I render appropriate music, and seats may, for any night of the sea.on, be reserved at the Dresden. “THE FOETY TIIIEYEd.

It is possible that the big J. C. Williamson pantomime extravaganza, “The Forty Thieves," which is due here on Wednesday next, will be voted the most extensive and artistic tiling Hint the Jinn lias hitherto dune in the way of panto mime in Australia. The principal features are said to be. a series of lovely ballots, Air Barry Lupino, n comedian of rare humour, a clever animal comedian, a wonderful specialty of the “Three Rubies” and a “Dame” very much out of the ordinary. The entertainment is divided into two nets and the mounting is worthy of the best of the Williamson traditions. Mr Barry Lupino, who corned with a great reputation, is snid to be one of the rno.it subtle of comedians, relying a great deal on a delightful onict humour to raise his laughs in the character of “Ali Baba.” Mr Brett, as becomes aa old favourite, is invariably warmly received and he makes his “Dame,” Mrs Ali Baba, a very likeable personage. Mhs Doily Banner, an English comedian of reputation, is reputed to be splendid as “Lizzie A nn," a Persian maid of all work. William Ba=san as “Silverheels,” the donkey, and Mr'J. 15. Atholwood as “Casein Baba,” are both ‘•'voted excellent. The dancing department is very strong. In addition to the ballots, which are spectacular enough in themselves, there are various beautiful pageants, the dual one being “The Dnmir of All National.” The pantomime will be played at Bis Majesty’s Theatre on Wed nesdav and Tlmr-day nexl. There will be a matinee on Thursday afternoon. The box plans will be opened on Saturday (tomorrow) morning, at Jones and ton s. GARRISON BAND RECITAL.

The quality of the programmes given Try the Garrison Band at their Recitals, is so well known throughout the Dominion that it is hardly necessary to refer to the excellence of the items to be given on Sunday evening. The Band will be assisted by Mr IF E. I’nmfrey.. who will sing “Be thou Faithful unto Death.” The Rev. W. B. Scott will deliver a short address on “Follow the Gleam,” and Air 11. Briggs will play the trombone solo, “My Guiding Star,” with Hand accompaniment. No less than five out of the seven Band items will be first performances in Wanganui. Wagner’s “Rienzi” is a splendidly arranged selection by S. Cope, and in such capable hands as Conductor Wade's, an artistic interpretation is assured. The full programme is published in another column, and will no doubt attract another large audience to tnc Opera Bouse on Sunday evening. GONVILLE FIRE BRIGADE.

The Gonvillo Hire Brigade held a largely attended and very successful euchre party and dance in the Oonville Town Hall last evening, all present thoroughly enjoying liietfisclvcf, and the members of the Brigade excelling themselves in. looking after the comfort and enjoyment of their guests. It is the intention of the Brigade to run a series of these gatherings during the winter months, and there is no doubt they will be pleasurably looked forward to. THROUGH DARKEST AFRICA. MB DAN CRAWFORD’S INSTRUCTIVE LECTURE.

The fame of Mr Dan Crawford as a lecturer has gone before him and \\ angacui people last night took advantage of the opportunity of hearing him describe his African experiences, with the result that His Atajes y's Theatre was* packed from floor to ceiling, and many could not obtain admission. Air Hugh Latter, headmaster of the Wanganui Collegiate School, occupied the chair, and briefly introduced Mr Crawford. “Boring in," “Shut In,' and “Boring Out,’’ were the graphic headings of his address, and then followed a stirring recital of difficulties overcome, cleansing of unsanitary villages, the building of houses, schools and churches with nalive material, the formation of miles of roads, giant undertakings successfully accomplished, introducing a nobler form of civilisation and spreading the Gospel among his people. Air Crawford liars been carrying on his noble wtvk in Africa for twenty-three years, and in an accomplished stylo he enatted to Jus audience, convulsing them with some merry tale about one of his boys, and then tilling them wi.h horror u"t some cruel deed of the slaver, leaving them wondering that such vile' deeds could ho perpetrated by ao-called civilised men in the twentieth century. The pictures with which (lie speaker illustrated bis lecture were a magnificent fierier, and several showed what the African, under proper supervision, was capable of doing, The' lecturer concluded his address with an eloquent appeal to AVanganu residents to help to provide schools for his native hoy." and girls,, for which purpose he had undertaken this lecturing tour. Air Crawford closed his address amidst loud applause.