ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 58, 2 December 1907, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"A MESSAGE FHO3I MARS." "Self, self, self, is the curse of this wretched world. Self is the cause of all the ills with which the earth is burdened—crime, hunger, misery, sin, arc all of them the necessary products of self-seeking, self-interest, self-love. Self wears a million masks, each one of which has tho appearance of a virtue. The soldier's glory, the statesman's aim, the painter's touch, the poc-t's dream, all.hide the hungry, jealous features of self. Evi.'n your children are becoming egotists—tho most pitiful sign of all." So runs the text of the sermon preached by Richard Gantliouy in his .fascinating comedy, "A Message from Mars," interestingly revived by tho Allen Hamilton Dramatic Company on Saturday evening. In this play tho author has chanccd upon a happy combination of ideas, and has made tho verybest use of them. As the plot-scheme develops it becomes a matter of impossibility to doubt that its progenitor took jiekens's " Christmas Carol" as the basic idea of hik plav. and, having seen "A Message 1 • ironi Mars," it is-sur-prising why the sweet, old lesson-giving "Carol" (which should at least bo read each Christmas-tide) has not been dramatised. What a Christmas bill it would make—what humour, . pathos, what action and spectacle, and what scope for the actor, the scenic artist, and the mechanist. It fairly chokes with heart interest—but, there, we are dealing .with a side issue, not the root in "A Message from Mars," and tho combination of ideas referred to in its composition is made up by the inspirational thought that made tho Spirit of 'Unselfishness a Martian, just at that time'when the scientific world was hinting at the possibility of communication with that planet. One does not need to recount at length the story so familiar to playgoers—how 'snobbishly-selfish Horaco Parker, sublimely unconscious of his own egotism and love of self, "falls asleep whilst reading an article on Mars, and'dreams- 1 dreams that a Martian appears on earth, banished to this unmentionable sphere for xan olfence until such time as he shall reform the most selfish man on earth—Parker. Ho preaches the doctrine of "Othordom" with dynamics, and teaches by trite examples that it is more blessed to givo than receive, and puts him into the rags of the beggar and outcast to give him a different view-point of life. As one becomes fascinated with' tho Messenger's scheme of reformation, anil Parker is elevated to a clearer vision, the latter awakes—another man. The company at the Opera House need not fear comparison with past-performances of the comedy, for tho production'is praiseworthy in every "resptct, surprisingly so, indeed, .when it is considered that melodrama is supposed to be the metier of the aggregate company. The burden of the play falls upon Mr. Kobert Inman as Horace Parker, and it is one of tho best .performances that sound actor has given for years. One is too apt to believe that an actor associated for a long time'"with'melodrama would be out of his element' in another class of play, but Mr. Inman's is a case which utterly disproves the theory. Ho attempts no elaborate characterisation—lie 'is just the selfish every-day young man with brains enough to argue not lmcleverly that black is .white, in that his views are of generous breadth and all others are pitifully narrow. Ho was glibly bright and ilippautj and tho chango to the sincerely earnest in the final scenes was given its proper value. The Messenger was impressively played, by .Mr. Geo. Bryant, whose monologues on " Otlicrdorn "—the , reverse of selfishness—delivered with Shakespearian unction. were woll received by the audience, which evidently was. of opinion. that it would.be a good thing to. live on others. . Mr. S. Fitzgerald's tramp 1 was hardly tho finished article that Mr. W. !•'. Hawtrey manufactured, in that ho did not realise the unconscious • comedy ol tho part. On tho.other hand, lie was movingly pathetic, and his "make-up" and faded manner were the product of a conscientious actor. Miss lvhadijali Cooper affected grey hairs (but little else) to indicate the mature years of Aunt Martha, and whilo there > a boundless admiration "for that attractive lady's beautiful figure, it is just a question if sucli 'a nic.o old lady would care to wear so-decollete and wellfitting an oveniug costume as the- one Miss Cooper wore. Dress is just as much a matter of artistic' discretion as tho acting. Mis; Cooper looked very charming,, notwithstanding, and her acting was delightfully-free of the 'affectation, that afflicts many young actresses. ' Minnie Templar (Horace's . fiancee), was .played with simple charm uy Miss Fanny Erns, an ingenue actress of ability; ' iiir. ' Augustus Neville was quite satisfactory as Arthur Dicey, as wcro also Miss Beatrice Usher as Mrs. Clar- ■ once,-Miss Hilda I'rnser as a pert maid, and Baby Watson as Little Minnie. Features ol ■the production wero tho finish .with.which all the minor! parts were sustained, right down tc tho units in crowd at the street accident, and lire episodes, and tho smooth-working of.,the important mechanical details. . '■ A Messago from Mars" will bo. played.-.-.-to Thitrsdu j evening, and oil Friday the season will close with a\ performance' of "Little Lord Fauntleroy," with clover' little Baby Watson in tho titio role.

THEATRE -ROYAL. . ' < On Saturday night, when an excellent programme was 'submitted, the attendance was, as usual, very large. Miss Ncllio Mailer's display of dancing moved decidedly attractive. The next item, a comedy hand-balancing act, by tho Ahlbergs, was both amusing and clever. ■Tor her singing of " By the side of the "Zuydor Hee" and " Meet me at .Seattle" Miss Ida Berridgo was recalled, t-' 1 reel Uarnctt, who hiadb his first appearance here, went through a very line clown act, introducing a number of original feats. Ho had a most, cordial reception. Ethers contortion act, which followed, was a popular item. Mr. A.'L. Cropp-" Xejr Zealand's own basso" —was in good voice. Ho sang very pleasingly "Sleep, sailor sleep," and "She waits by' the.deop blue sea," the latter being illustrated. Claude Over, who rivals the Musical Johnstons, was heartily encored tor his playing of a number of selections on the xylophone, mclaphone, dulcimcr, ctc. v H«irry Linden sang a number of comic songs in his characteristic stvle. " I am trying so hard to, forget you (which was illustrated) fairly brought down the house In the chorus humorous reference is made to tho Gaining Act. and. tho bookmakers. Geo. Strum gave an interesting exposition of racquet spinning; juggling, and gymnastic juggling The programme .will bo repeated-to-night, when the "Sandow Girls," who were great favourites when here before, will- also appear. WONDERLAND. Saturday was an ideal day for Wonderland, and both" i'l the afternoon and evening huge crowds flocked to this exciting home, of amusement and mirth. Toboggan races, fireworks, and other features gave.pleasure to many hundreds, and it is patent that the popularity of Wonderland increases as the days go by. Jtlus favourite resort will be open again .this, afternoon and evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. . The performance of "A Trip to Chinatown" oil Saturday night by Mr. Howard Vernon, Miss Vinia de Loitte, and company, deserved a much larger audience than was present. Both the comedy and .the introduced songs were given very brightly, and with an utter absence of vulgarity. . 'lhe introduction of moving pictures to break',the monotony of waiting between acts is .a'pleasing innovation, and the pictures themselves, which were of a humorous character, were-extremely well produced. A matinee exhibition of the. pictures was also given. The programme will be repeated. to-night. MISS ROSE BLANEY. .... • Miss Rose Blane.v's concert at the Town Hall to-night' is expected to attract a largo audichcc. Miss Blancv has sccured tho services of a number of capable artistes,' and the result should be an enjoyable musical evening. -The full programme, which appeared-in last Saturday's issue, speaks for itself. The concerted numbers, which have been made a special feature, should please all lovers of good music. The prices of admission are 011 the popular scale. The box plan is open at tho Dresden Music Warehouse, and tickets may bo procured at the' Wellington Piano Company's, warehouse, and from Miss Murray's, -Willis Street. ■ POLLARD'S JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY., 011 Saturday, December 7, Mr. Tom Pollard will introduce to Wellington his new juvenile opera company, which was specially. selected in Sydney, Melbourne, and other cities of Australia, for an extended four of New Zealand. The opening production will be "Bluebell'in Fairyland," a musical dream play by Messrs. Walter Slaughter and Seymour Ilicksi It has lately had a remarkable', successful, and lengthy run in London, and also in all (ho principal towns of the Dominion. It will 1 )0 staged with due caro of details, and the mounting and dressing will be as good as in "Mr. Pollard's past productions. A season of thirteen nights will bo played at tho Opera House. The box plan will be opened at tho Dresden Piano Company on Wednesday next, at 9 a.m.

CALEDONIAN SMOKE CONCERT. . St. Andrew's Night was observed by the Caledonian Society of Wellington with a smoko concert in the new Caledonian Hall. Dixon Street. Tho ancient music of the "Land of

brown heath and shaggy wood" was ably interpreted by Pipers Campbell and Matherson. Rome very fine exhibitions of Scottish dances were given by Messrs. Will. Bond and R. M'Leod. Songs were coutributod by Messrs. Bolton', Mayne, nnd. F. Hendry. Major M'lntosh prosided. The musical accompa>«jnents were played by Mr. F. Hendry, and a r'citation was delivered by Mr. W. Browne. • •

'I'he Victorin College annual picnic, wns held at Silverstream. on Saturday, under ideal conditions. There was a very large attendance. •