ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 334, 22 October 1908, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE BLAND HOLT SEASON. Once moro tho Bland Holt management found pleasuro in turning ■ money away from tho doors at the Opera House last evening. "'Hie Bondman" was again produced in the complete manner that characterises all productions associated with tho namo of Bland Holt. Tho management have to regretfully announce that this play can only "be produced for three nights longer. Thero aro several big mechanical effects in tho next production, "Tho Great Rescue," including a mass of machinery for the-mani-pulation of the great raco between a motorcar , and an express train, and for this reason the drama cannot bo. staged until Monday evening. • It is in this play that tho scene depicting the rescue of a miner in a flooded mine (a West Australian incident takes place. The Auckland press pronounced "The Great Rescue" to bo the best play of the season. THEATRE ROYAL. Among the films at present' showing (it the •theatre Royal, a number illustrate recent progress made in; tho.se experiments which have as their ultimate object the conquest ? n • alr ' The pictures show the latest in ballooning and flight by moans of aeroplanes, and, moreover, the famous bird-machine invented by the brothers Wright is included. The programme comprises many other up-to-date subjects, which combine to make up a capital evening's entertainment. Another exhibition will be given this evening. ROYAL PICTURES. His Majesty's Theatre could not seat the multitudo of iiving-picturo lovers who arrived there last evening to view another new series of kinematographic views. The new pictures are uniformly good, without any particularly striking subjects to singlo out beyond the others. An interesting scenic picture was that illustrating a railway trip through Ceylon (really between Colombo and Kandy). Another good story picture was entitled "Life is a Game of Cards," • depicting the misfortunes. of a young man whose love affairs get sadly mixed by the intervention of a bold, bad man with an eyeglass.. As the girl is about to elope, "Mr. Monocle" has him kidnapped and taken abroad on a ship, whero ho is cruelly maltreated. He eventually escapes, totters into a mining-camp,, becomes ono of tho boys, makes his fortune, and returns home in timo to drag his' fickle lady love away from tho weak-eyed one, oven at the altar rails. Other pictures that entertained were "Mary, Queen of Scots," "Tho Rocking Chair," a coloured fantasy entitled "The Beo aud tho Rose," and a funny trick picture programmed as "The Living Blackboard," and, lastly, "Skinny's Finish," really a love chase (without reference to Maurice Hewlett's story). This week's programme .should attract good business' to tho Courtenay Placo playhouse.

THE FIRST CONTINGENT. The members of tho First New Zealand Contingent which went to South Africa celebrated their eighth annual dinner at Godber s Rooms last- orening, Colonel A. W. Robiri, C.8., Chief of the General Staff, formerly major , commanding the First Contingent, presiding ovir a gathering of about 50 men, who talked of tho battles 'of tho past over temporance- and other beverages. The gathering - was voted a success on all sides, some of the speeches being of tho first .order. The toast list included "Tlio King," proposed by Colonel Robin, "The President,' proposed by Lieutenant-Colonel D Arcy Chaytor, and replied to by Colonel Robin; "The Navy, Army, and Auxiliaries," proposed by Mr. T. Donnelly, and responded to by Major, Hughes; "Comrades Who Have Gone," "The Ladies," and "The Horses." The-.-evening was brightened bv 'various musical items and sketches. . MUSICAL UNION CONCERT. The Musical Union's third subscription -concert, , to, be .held;.,in the Town Hall on -luesaay, Octpber 27, promises to b<s of un"f™ 1 '"terest. -The programme will consist or Stanford s . 'Revenge/' for* chorus and orchestra., conducted. by Mr. Robert Parker;Dunhill s "Tubal Cain,":also for chorus and orchestra, conducted-.by the -composer, Mr. T. I'. Dunhill, (who is now in New Zealand on behalf .of; the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and. Royal College, London) ; Grieg's Concerto in A Minor for piano and orchestra, conducted by Mr. Leslie Pcck (of Wanganui),, Mr. T. F. Dunhill playing tho solo instrument. Beethoven's scena, "Ah Perfidi," will be sung by Miss Phoebe Parsons, with orchestral accompaniment, and Sullivan's "Songs of the Wrens"- will bo sung by Mr. Stephens, who- is also a visitor from England. This .should prove an interesting aud delightful concert. It is not often that the union is ablo to give a choral work under the .composer's baton. An interesting point is that Miss Parsons, Mr. Drnhul, and Mr-V Leslie Peek "wore all students at the Royal College, London, at about the same time; Booking - for this concert has been heavy, and a large audionce may bo expected. ; . , successful entertainment was given on Tuesday night in the old schoolroorii at St. James s Presbyterian Church, Newtown, and the audience so crowded tho hall that it afforded an excellent argument for providino- a* larger schoolroom, as Mr. Dagger, tho chairman, was careful to point out. St. James's wants a new school, and this entertainment, winch was given entirely by young tSjople connected with the church and school, was in aid of funds for a larger building. Tho programme was a good one, the recitations being a very- prominent feature. Songs woro given by Miss Hall and Mr. D. Morris, a pianoforte duct by tho Misses M l Kcon and Barry, vocal duet by Misses Arnold and Hunt, an exhibition of club drill by Misses Francis and Hall and recitations by tlio Misses Tinder, Arnold D. Drancis, E%e, and Leer, Mr. Brooker and Masters White and Copcland, while sovoral of the senior girls recited a bright littlo piece. A very popular item was the Japanese an drill, done by sixteen littlo girls, who had been trained by. Miss Aitken, This was ve ry pretty, and secured a double encore.