ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 286, 27 August 1908, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"HUMPTY : DtJMPTY" AND .'(MOTHER ■■■ • goose.'! "Humpty Dumpty" will' fall'-off tho"lvall;' King Solium will refuse to-laugh,-and Bison Bill will introduce his trained animals for the last time in Wellington' 1 'this evening. Likowiso-the "Wheel of Life;" aglow-with electricity and feminiim boanty, • will revolvo filially, and tho pots of • nurserydorri' will givo their concluding frolio:this evening. Tomorrow night that game old bird, "Mother Goose,'- will flutter her wings onco; moro' at tho Opera ; House,'' and assail-theoriginal witticisms and effects are. said :to -havobeen kojit intact a bright" performance' can' bo anticipated with safety.; '">The; box plan' for the last performances'is-now open-at the Dresden. a-niatiheeof "Mother Goose" on Saturday.V""' '•

• THEATRE ROYAL. .' ' ; An attractive programme was presented at the Tlieatre' Royal last ' evening ■ by l'uller's Vaudeville Companyl' 1 ' Chief 1 among tlio performers were the Levartos; clever comedy jugglers; Lerona,- a skilled ' lady cyclist; Lyndon and "Wren, in a funny comedy turn; the Swift Trio, a dramatic playlet; .and other capable performers who have been mentioned this week. ; If one is looking for biographic thrill the reproduction of the Prix-Dieppe automobile race should not bo missed. ;: i

I, THE ROYAL PICTURES. "Full up, no room," was ,tho cry at' His Majesty s Iheatre last night, for a considerable number of picture-lovers had to be refused admission. Beyond all question, the new programme shown last night was of, really exceptional merit, and un no picture was any of the objectionable flicker disccrnlble. livery pipturo was goodj and those present were not slow in marking their appreciation. The most prominent clement- in | this_week's selection was cohiedy, about-half coming under this category. "A Jack of all lrades" was an interesting' sketch, and tho hero was successful in making - himself look ridiculous in each change of occupation.* "The Ijiight of Terror," -which proved-such a success last week, was repeated, last, night, and will bo given again to-night by-special request. The first • item at"tor . the interval was a piece with a touch of. real pathos, entitled "A Poor Blind Woman"; it depicts tho woman's piteous. condition dramatically and her unlooked-for good, fortune. Of tho comic order .was the . film "For a Bird," and: a good representation. was given ■of . what damage one of thoso creatures can- do, wheii' aided by a combination of ,;circumstances. "Tho Husband's Revenge" was afinofilm, and it depicted tho outraged husband's anger and the unusual method ho took of squaring mattors. "Carlo's Escape" is a'good.story;of the adventures of a dog after going throubh a sausago machine. What was probably thomost interesting picturo of tho evening was tho coloured sketch, "Napoleon-: and the British Sailor," the one who essayed to cross tho Channel jn, a barrel. Campbell's wellknown poem -was beautifully illustrated, andif ior this picturo alone, tho theatre' should bo visited. "Tho Haunted House " was-a laughablo comedy, and among tlio other films run off were the coriiio pictures,'- ."Tho' Boy, tho Bust, and tho Bath," arid : "Tho Lady Doctor's Husband." Tho Savoy pictures wore i of great interest, and no scenic effccta 'could be finer than thoso secured from a motor car while on a tour of Savoy, ) -and-; l 'this ,: series was punctuatcd by constant" applause." : Tlio usual matinee will bo gh'eil.oil .' Saturday afternoon.

ORGAN RECITAL. There was a fair attendance at tlio organ rcoital given by Mr. Maughan • Harnett in the Town Hall last ovening, -arid those who attended wcro able to enjoy the'music with d greater degree of comfort, as tho heating apparatus was called upon I 'to'serve tlio purpose for which it was erected. Mr. Harnett presented n ; programmo that "was calculated to pleaso.tho aggregate trfsW. ,' lincli was represented by, his Preludo-jond Fugue in E minor, ono of tho master's rarely-heard works that combines tho rolling grftndour of a characteristic fugue with ' a pleasant aridanto liiovoment of much charm. Porhaps the'most striking number was tho Prelude iii C sharp minor, by tlio Russian composer Rachmaninoff, a weird composition of lurid colouring thrillingly in accord with - thebarbaric Bide of tho Slavonic ' character' yet' not .without a strange harmonic beauty

all its own: Mendelssohn's Sonata No. 6 received artistic consideration at the hands of the organist, though the ftiguel passages suffered through the echo: The most popular selection was the "William Tell" i .overture (Rossini), with its beautiful andante ■ opening, followed by a screaming storm interlude,., aud concluding with an inspiriting martial finale. Three little gems of melody were Grey's "Remembrances," Salome's " Offertoire in D Flat," and Wostenholme's familiar .' ','The Answer." Tho p'rogrammp poncludcd -with- Lemmens's flambuoyant "Marcho Triumphalo." The next recital will. be. a "by request" programme on .Tuesday,,next. '' ■ , Y.M.C.A. CIRCUS; ■ , Tho members of the Y.M.C.A. gymnasium, who have increased greatly both in numbers. .Sad • iii proficiency. since the opening of the 'gymuasiiith, only three months ago, gave a' display; of their athlotic prowess last evening. • Demonstrations of physical culture liavq a! tendency to bo monotonous, and to overcome this danger the Y.M.C.A. display .was' introduced between tho humorous acts o.f, what was called "a big, ono ring, amateur circus." The ringmaster (Mr. H. Hart), -assistant ringmaster (Mr. C. Atkinson), .clowns, and all tho other personalia of a .circus were present in traditional garb, and a deal of gymnastic skill was manifested in their humorous performances. The entertainment commcnccd with a "parado of curiosities and freaks," and concluded, after numerous comicalities and gymnastic exhibitions, serious and amusing, with tho popular ; gamo of basketball. There was a crowded and appreciative audience.. Tho programme •will bn repeated -to-night,■ for- the special i interest of, boys. '

" LITTLE BREAD WINNER;> COMPANY. The famous: management of Messrs. Mey- ) noil and Gunn .will present their latest dramatic attraction, "Tho Littlo Bread WinUier," a drama of truo homo life, with an important child- interest woven .through the story, on: Wednesday night next, at the Opera House,-for a season of five nights, to be. followed by other new and important plays. The "Bread Winner", is really a-, successor to .the well-known "Fatal Wed-, ding" drama, which Messrs. Meyiiell and Gunn presented with such success .throughout .Australasia. Tho play is said to bo essentially melodramatic,- but there are moments in tho story when it discloses qualities of a.mucli higher order. "The Littlo Broad Winner" seems to have been written for the express ;purpose of giving a chance to! clever-juve-niles, and that it-succeeds, it is said, will ~be readily discovered. Its success throughout. '■ -its.'recent Australian tour.has bocu exceptional." Tlio' management ipromiso a strong ■ comp'any,'-headed 1 by Miss Boatrico Holloway ■andi supported-by an' exceptionally strong, oast., Tho entire productions are presenteds' under tho supervision :of Mr.' C. R. Stan-' r ford. The box plan opens at popular prices at tho Dresden on! Saturday morning. ■_ :; i THE MALLINSONS. :' ' ' . v.Tho ,Mallinson song recitals have.been a'of..'.the..London musical 'world'"'-for":,,, -years, -and- music lovers in Wellington will ■ now have tho opportunity of lioaring these' notable • artists fresh from the scone .of; their, triumphs. Two recitals will bo-given in the . Town Hall, on Wednesday and Friday next. Of Albert Mallinson's songs the press criticisms are -most - flattering. Madame -Anna • . Stoinhauer: is .'said;i.to have a perfect "vocal . method, and-for'the interpreting of his !-, songs, Mr.■; Mallinson- could hardly have found a more suitable force than his' \vife. Miss Rebo Kussmann, a young violinist of groat promise, and Miss Evelyn Wyman, a gifted pianist, are, the other morabers of the/company. The box plan, will open-at the-Dresden on .-Monday nost;" ■' -

" 1 OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. , There were good attondanecs at all ses« sjo)is at the'Olympia Rink yesterday. Tho , ... i mhinagomotft' spare no pains in 'making'; this if W invigorating'pastime as pleasant as possible; -. A grand'floral and impersonation- carnival " .will, be held on Soptember 9,- for which en- : ;jjr.i,oj liavo already -boen received, and'-'.the- '' -ririk will closo for the season on September 12 .,. .... CHOIR CONCERT. . ''Tlie St. Mark's choir concert will be held m the St. Mark's Schoolroom- this evening, 1 when a first-olass musical-performance Will bo submitted. Particulars are advertised. ;j: CONCERT, AT ST. PETER'S HALL. • 'flio ;Gas Company's, Cricket Club's annual •concert was held at St. Peter's Hall last even- " :ihg. 'There,was a very largo att-endance,'and; ; •! .those' present spont an enjpyablo -. evening.'-. The-entertainment was of a high order, and- • ' Mr.-A. G. Laurenson was recalled several •■> times for his comio recitations, Mr. H. • Godier proved an efficient- accompanist. >, r; Those who contributed -items-were:—Alisses Haidcc, G. Bcllingham.-F-.-Shaw, S. Hanul- v ton, and Flux, Messrs. E. Parkes, Potter, - ■Ellison, Craddock, A. G.'Laurenson, Ray- - mond,..Twiss, Christio, A - Thomas, jun.. J,. ..' > Efadley, 'and Master R. Christ-id. Tho "ladies' ovening " of the Sydney Street and Northland Primitivo Methodist. Mutual Improvement Socioty, was held last evening (Wednesday), when there was a large attendance. The evening took tho form of a concert, when a most onjoyablo programme' v'_ was provided, all tho items being rendered v. in an excellent. manner. , Soups were .V butod by Mrs. Gladding, Misses Clarke.',':Y;£ Johnson, Ibbotson, Embury, and J. Nicjioia'a, . whilst a humorous trio was sung by Misses Nicholas, M. Ward and C. ■ Clark. Pianoforte solos wero given by Misses Fitzmaurice and Ibbotsan, and a pianoforte duet' by tho. Misses Luko. Recitations wero given .byMisses Longton and B. Luke. The Misses • Harvey contributed a vocal .duct," also a oouiedietta. Glee parties, comprised of lady: : . members, rondered four-part and plantation. songs. Tho dialogue entitled " Wanted-a. . .Servant," performed by . lady, -members, flroated a great amount of merriment. -For '. - : the numerous' itoms"Miss Ward proved.an ■ .Qscollciit accompanist.'. • 'u ! Tho llev. W.. J. Williams, chairman of the Wellington District Conference,': opened the ■ .Wosloyan bazaar yesterday-afternoon in the Oddfellows' Hall, Pctqno. Tho : attendance - was good, and tho . hall waß nicely decorated - !' with evergreens and flowers. Good business was dono during- : -tlio aftornoon and evening.-' . A;number-.'of, side shows had been arranged and wore woll. patronised.' I ■A'social and dance, in aid of St; Francis's . Church fund, was held ill tho Assembly Hall, . Island Bay, last evening - . Tho musical items' wero a cornot solo by Mr. Christie; . vocal-solo by Master Christie, with bagpipe accompaniment by Mr. Campbell; vocal solo, Miss O'Neil; vocal trio, Mastors .Sullivan, Mnckny, and Ha.vdon; Thcro' was a largo attendance, including the „vcn. Archdeacon . Devoy, and several Rev. Fathors. After' tho eoncort dancing was indulged 'in, Mr. . H. C. Jones officiating as M.C., and Miss Qasoy as'.pianisto, tho wholo proceedings -. constituting a most onjoyablo evening's entortninincnt. -.