Amusements, Meetings, etc.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14462, 28 November 1914, Page 2

Amusements, Meetings, etc.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. A well filled house greeted Fullers' mid-week change of programme, when a well varied and excellent series of pictures were screened. The entertainment opened with a fine seines of war pictures by the famous Pathe Company. “On the Banks of the Dahl” was a beauti-fully-coloured Indian subject. “The Parent Strain” is a story of two- brothers who loved the same girl. “Izzy the Operator” is an intensely funny comedy. “The Old- Reliable” is a very touching story concerning a bank caretaker.. The film showing the race for the Melbourne Cup was especially admired. The programme concluded with a Keystone comedy, “Mack at it Again.” The series will be repeated this evening for tin last time. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. A CREDITABLE PERFORMANCE. The above pantomine -or musical extravaganza. which was staged, at His Majesty's Theatre last evening,in aid of the Belgian Relief and Durie Hill school funds, drew a big bouse,and those taking part arc to be complimented on the success of their efforts, although a tea 7 more rehearsals would have done away with those little hitches always seen in an amateur production. The singing of the principals and chorus was well up to local amateur standard, but the dancing could be decidedly improved upon-. As in. mos: -paptos. a very thin plot linked together the various scenes, and the piece was well stage managed, there being no waits, and this added greatly to the success achieved. Mrs, H. Sedgwick played the principal -boy parts of “Jack” and Prince Loreto, and did very well. Mrs B. Barnard was exceedingly good as “Beauty,” her singing and acting placing her well ahead of the other ladies Miss Rita Hay-tow, as Queen of the Fairies, took her part very well, athough she was inclined to get a trifle flat once or twice in her solo “The Evening Star.” Miss Meg as King of the Imps, acted, very well. The other lady principals got through their small parts fairly well considering. Mr Geo. Clapham, as Lady Lollipop, was splendid, and he proved himself a comedian well up to professional standard,. but one or tivo of bis jokes should have been deleted,. . Messrs Campbell, Sedgwick and Liddle filled the other parts capably.. The feature of the performance was the Triple Entente, Miss Irene Mack depicting the sufferings and anguish of the Belgiums by posing and dancing to weird music. The final tableaux Britannia’s Response was excellently pourtrayed. Great credit is due to Mr J. 11. Haybow and Professor Cardston under whoso direction the piece was staged. An efficient orchestra, under the able baton of Mr Edtrar Collins, was a bie adjunct to tbe eveninor’3 success. Members of the “Beauty and.' the Beast” pantomime are requested to meet in the practice-room bn Tuesday next, at 8 p.m., to practice fer next Friday’s performance. 1 1