ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 456, 15 March 1909, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"RIP VAN WINKLE." Tlio change from irresponsible, meaningless musical comedy to legitimate comic opera made by the Pollard Opera Company in producing Planquette's melodious opera, "Rip Van Winkle," is evidently welcomo to tho playgoing public, who turned up in force to witness tho second performance at the Opera Houso on Saturday afternoon and evening. Above and before all' tho artistic performanco of Mr. Chas. Albert as "Rip" is tho outstanding feature of tho production, for that capable comodinn has undeniably "arrived" at a distinguished merit post in tho part. His voice has just the sympathy required for the tuneful and somewhat eerie music, and he uses it with fine discretion to the very best advantage. The only slip he makes vocally is in attempting a robust high note at the conclusion of Hie repetition of tho trio "These Little. Heads" in the last act. Rip is too frail to sound tho note Mr. Albert reaches for —it should bo sung falsetto or a lower optional note might bo taken. 11l the Kaatskills scone. Mr. Albert was admirable throughout, and at_ times showed touches of raro dramatic ability. It is in the "twenty years after" scene, however, that he lifts tho performance out of the commonplace, and grips tlio audience with his strong and consistent realisation of the character. Particularly effective is he when trying to recall tho soiifs of tlio past to prove that ho really is tho Rip whom everyone believes to be dead, and tho pathetic delight of the old man when he at last remembers tho air of "Those Little Heads Now Golden," so tenderly sung in tho opening net, was capitally suggested. Mr. Albert's liip must bo accounted one of the best representations of the ■ role over seen in Wellington. Miss Minnie Topping infuses a good deal of her natural sweetness into the role of Gretehen, and sings tho music fairly well—well enough to be encored for every number. Miss O'Ke'efe sings well as Ivatrina, and Miss May Topping makes a bnndsomo Captain Rowley. Littlo Trixio Ireland as Hans and Alma Aklous as Alice - act and sing prettily in their one charming sceno with Rip, in tho first act. Mr. J. Willis acts with sardonic strength as Derrick Van Slaus, and sings "Blow High, Blow Low," and tho "Ninepins" song, in tho middle act adequately. Good work is also dono by Master Nicholson as Niclt Vedder, and by Mr. Ernest Schatz as Peter Von Dunlc. Miss Bessie Foy's dance, as tho Rhino Fay, who- tempts Rip to drink tho magic draught, was bewitchingly graceful, and sho deserved tho encore accorded her. "Rip Van Winlclo" can only bo staged for threo moro nights. It will bei replaced on Thursday by the long-expected musical comedy 1 "Tho Gay Hussar." This is tho work "that Mr. Pollard produced so successfully in Australia. Thero will bo the usual weeklv matineo on Saturday, and on Monday noxt 'Mr. Pollard will commence _ tho last week of the season by presenting his patrons with a mammoth vaudeville programme of over thirty numbers, FULLERS' PICTURES. Thero was a very large attendance at tho Theatro Royal on Saturday night to witness Messrs. Fullers' new programmo. Tho pictures shown wero of an exceptionally high order, and those present wero very demonstrative iu their appreciation. Tho first item shown was a beautifully-coloured series of .pictures, depicting whale-hunting in the south seas. Tho observer gazes spellbound at tlio careful watchers on tho deck of tho steamer, tho excitement of tho cliaso, tho charging and firing of tho harpoon gun at tlio bow, tho vessel being towed by tho dying whale, his final struggles, and tho consequent cutting up of tho carcass and its preparation for tho market. Tho noxt film shown was a pathetic ono, entitled, "To tho Custody of tho Father," and it indicated court proceedings, tho judge's decision to give tho child,to tho father, an abduction, and the parents being re-united through their littlo girl. What was undoubtedly tho best picture of the evening was the beautifully tinted series, "The Land of tho Midnight Sun," in which the artist exercises to tho full a talent for high but tasteful and attractive colouring. The vpyago from civilisation "past the high and snowclad mountains of the land of Spitzbergen, past gorgeously-tinted icebergs, surrounded ' by deep, black water, and through dangerous pack ico to calm and tranquil seas, where, at last, is seen tho midnight sun, was watched with tho closest attention and the keenest appreciation. '' A most interesting film was that entitled "Tho Bird-Man," Wilbur Wright's latest aeroplano flight, in which various flighty, through space were depicted. Another set of views calling for comment was entitled "Beautiful Waterfalls," in which tho audience was transported to tho beautiful falls of many parts of tho world. The coloured effects wero very successful in this film. Other pictures shown wero: "How Jones Got His Suit," "Man of Many Falls," "Tho Lost Dog,"' "Scenes in Bombay," "A Good Tip," "The Runaway Kids," "Tho Phantom Ship," "Behind the Mask," "A Search for Oblivion," Ind "Burglary Up-to-Date." Tho programme will bo repeated this week. ROYAL PICTURES. The Royal Pictures attracted another largo attendance at Ilis Majesty's Theatro on Saturday. Tho varied and interesting programmo containing pictures both amusing and instructive wero greatly appreciated, tho audience showing their approval by frequent applause. MASTER HAYDN BECK. In appraising tho value of tho accomplishments of the young New Zealander, Master Haydn Beck, on tho violin, it is liccessary to take up a certain point of view. New Zealand cannot offer a budding genius such facilities for musical education as arc to be found in older-established communities; the country, so far as the aesthetic arts are concerned, is still in its swaddling clothes; the bi'cad and butter question, so to speak, is still the main part of our civic activities, aiid although it has certainly arrived at that stage when, a little leisure is available for tho enjoyment of tho aesthetic arls, tho timo has not yet arrived when .the study of them is considered rather in the light of a serious duty than a luxury. Hence it follows that artistic genius in New Zealand flourishes —if it flourishes at all —under very great difficulties, difficulties which it is only possible to minimise by, the enlistment of public patronage of a practical kind. In Master Haydn Beck, New Zealand , has produced a boy musician of very great promise, who is certainly deserving of tho practical encouragement of his countrymen. .It would undoubtedly bo to his advantage for him to undertake a course of study in some recognised school of music abroad. Sufficient has already been said, in tho reports of the boy's previous recitals here in V ellincrte'i. concerning his playing, and little remains to be added with regard to his recital at tho Town Hall last evening, where a vast audience listened appreciatively to his performance. Master Beck's numbers were Bach's intricate- "Andante," and "Allegro Vivace," for the violin, which he acconu plished very creditably: a "Serenade in E Flat" (his own composition, and of distinct merit); Jfozart'a "Rondo" (the finale from tho Concerto in _E Flat), and an encore number, "Souvenir" (Dodla). Throughout the evening, the young violinist acquitted himself admirably. The assisting performers were Miss Nellio Simpson (flauttet), whoso items— "Simple Aveu" (Francis Thome). and Mascagni's "Intermezzo" ("Cavalleria Rustioana") —were very pleasingly rendered: 1r t\ Ernest Parkes—"How Lovely aro Thy Dwellings" (Liddle). "Sunshine* and Rain." and "Thou'rt Passing Hefico" (Sullivan), sung with splendid effect; and Mr. Ernest Archer— "Song of Thanksgiving" (Allitsnn), and "Eyes that used to Gaze" (Lolir). Miss Amy Remington played the various accompaniments v<vy tastefully indeed, showing the somewSat raro capacity for absorbing the "atflttsphero" of tlio items sho accompanied.