HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 813, 5 October 1905, Page 18

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

THE WATKIN MILLS CONCERT COMPANY. The exceedingly inclement weather experienced on Monday evening was no doubt in a large measure the reason for the thin house which greeted Mr. Watkin Mills and his concert company at His Maejsty’s. The audience, however, made up in enthusiasm what it lacked in numbers, and nearly every item was encored. The first item was the duet between Mr. Mills and Mr. Harold Wilde, “Watchman, What of the Night?” (Sarjeant), which proved to be perhaps the best on the whole programme. Mr. Mills gave a fine rendering of Gounod’s “ She Alone Charmeth My Sadness,” but earned far more enthusiastic applause for his singing of Bevan’s “ Peg Away,” a charming little bit of optimistic poetry. He also got all there is out of Hill’s “ Tangi,” which appears to many as being somewhat over-rated. A far more enjoyable selection was Hunter’s “ The Wedding of Shon Maclean,” a rollicking, humorous song given with great dash and animation. . Miss Gertrude Lonsdale’s first item was Ruth’s song, “Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee” (Gounod), giving as an encore “ The Happy Song’’ (Del Regib). Her fine contralto voice faas heard, to more advantagCj in L. G. Lemon’s ballad, “My Airi Folk,” one missed the Scottish accent.?. The encore item, a dainty love song, proved very acceptable. Miss Edith Kirkwood, the was recalled for a pleasing rendering of “ Caro Nome,” from Rigoletto, and earned hearty plaudits for the pretty songlet, “ I Know a Lovely Garden.” Finden’s “ A Fleet of Cloud Boats,” and the old Irish song, “ The Ninepenny Fidel,” also found much favour. Mr. Harold Wilde, the tenor, was perhaps slightly overweighted when attempting the Grail song from “Lohengrin,” but completely won his way with his singing of Lohr’s charming “ The Little Irish Maid. Goring Thomas’ “ The Willow” was another item which called for applause.

M. Edouard Parlovitz showed much skill as an accompanist, but should break himself off the somewhat irritating habit of having a run up and down the scales before every item. His two selections, Chopin’s “ Sherzo in B Flat Minor” and A. Rosenthal’s “ Irish Rhapsody” were very well received. The second half of the programme was devoted to the Liza Lehmann song cycle. “The Daisy Chain,” every number coming in for keen appreciation, all the members working well together in the quartettes and other numbers.

During the week the programme has been changed, and large audiences have been the rule. To-night and to-morrow will be the last occasions on which this talented company can be heard in Auckland.

MISS JESSIE MACLACHLAN.

Next Monday we shall have an opportunity of hearing for ourselves Miss Jessie Maclachlan, the Scottish balladist, whose fame has preceded her. She comes with a great reputation as perhaps the greatest exponent of Scottish minstrelsy who has reached our shores. She has just completed a lengthy tour of Canada, the States, Australia, and Tasmania, where she has sung before most ■enthusiastic audiences. At Dunedin the fair songstress met with a grand reception, there being an immense attendance at the official welcome by the Mayor. In replying to the hearty greetings of the Dunedinites, Miss Maclachlan said it was one of the proudest moments of her life. As far as mileage went, they were 12,000 miles away from dear old Scotland, but as far as her feelings were concerned she was at that moment in her native Argyleshire. She thanked them for their presence there on behalf of not only Jessie Maclachlan, but on behalf of the lyrics of Scotland. She was proud indeed to find at this distance from the Old Land hearts -beat as warmly and truly as if they had never left the land of brown heath and shaggy wood. It was a great thing for Scottish people coming out from the Old Land to find

these societies flourishing and bringing forward memories of and keeping alive the characteristics of Scotland, and the old feelings that used to belong to the grandmothers and grandfathers whose descendants they were. She thanked them for theii' presence there and for their beautiful gift, but, above all things, she thanked them foi’ the kindly feeling which prompted them to give a partial stranger such a kindly, such an enthusiastic welcome. She thanked them also on behalf of those associated with her in her visit, and thanked her brother and sister artists of Dunedin for entertaining them that evening. The programme for Monday evening contains many old favourites. Miss Maclachlan will sing Bethune’s “The Auld Scots Sangs,” “ Cronin,” “ Blue Bonnets,” “Killarney,” a Gaelic Waulking song, and “ Bule Britannia.” Mr. John McLinden, a gifted ’celloist, will give a number of fine selections, so that lovers of beautiful music are evidently in for a treat.