ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 460, 19 March 1909, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY. ' "TEE GAY HUSSAR." "The Gay Hussar," a musical comedy in two acts; libretto by T. D. Grahamo, music by Thos. Humphreys. Cast: — lord Cnilfnil Mr. Ernest Schatz. The Hon. Rov. Algy .;....Mr. Charles Albert.- .'.'. Col. M'Allistor ;Mr. G. Edwards. Cant. Clydo Burko Miss Cissio O'keefe. Liout.-Col. Hopo Mr. J. Willis. Ensign South Miss Ida Lncey. Anibodi . Master G. O'Neill. Bobs Master Bert Nicholson. Lady Brookfiold ...Miss Millie Cruickshanks. . Maud M'Allister Miss Ruby Esdailo. Mary Lousoy Miss Ivy Aldous O.Nunii Numi San Miss May Topping. . : Tho Pollard Company, after doing itself singular credit in oiid of the most melodious comic operas ovor written, fell back in tho musical comedy rut last evening, when thoy produced for tho first tinio in Wellington "Tho Gay Hussar." Tin's dully light and heavily airy work is not evidently put forward as anythiug to Teckon with, _as both bill .and .programme, proclaim that it is A Little Bit of Badinage, .'"; .Quito old as like as not. A'Little Bit of Music, ' Arid a Little Bit of Plot. That, perhaps, describes. "Tho Gay Hussar" just as neatly as wo could, wero tho piece worth serious analysis, which it is not. It concerns a lot of tea-girls who lovo a lot of gay hussars, and who, when 1 the regiment is ordered to Japan, of all places, the girls ,gq out as nurses, arnd mako more love. This is dressed up With songs • and choruses (tho latter sung in unison throughout), exhibiting patches of real'melody, but rarely, as in "Dreams," and the former leaning towards tho 'ultra ."conventional—musically pointless. A gleam of brightness that illumines the production is the brave show Mr. Pollard and his clever players make of such poor BtufE. '•'"' The young ; people sing, act, and dance with a superabundant verve that forces life into tho action of tho piece, and tho .slightest opportunity of embellishing a number is seized upon, with enthusiasm. The picturesque uniforms of- the hussars, and the gay- kimonos of tho Japanese girls, together with the pretty settings provided, are points that commend themselves to.tho eye, whilst the ear starves for '/the melody that is not. Mr. Charles,Albert,established himself as a comedfahVof.'rare parts in "Rip Van Winkle," and agairi'Uast evening ho.gave evidence of liis power .to assimilate .'character as tho Rev. Algy, a burlesque curate, akin ;to the- Rev. Spaldingi in f'The. Private In pverythmgv.bo'. did,-from his .inane "Fancy that" to. his. contbrtionistic dancing, Mr. Albert v-was -never found, : wanting, and fre"quentlyihVwas genuinely funny. •■■Mr. Albert deserves;'erijdit .fo'rSi'.thp. .legitimate -manner. in which-'ho -makes.'his'points, and ; is fortunate in the possession of a personality which he can sink in a part,"and;'at the same time, project well over the'.footlights. Mr. Ernest Schatz, whose "make-up" was excellent, was well suited as Lord Ouilfail, and Master Nicholson, who is becoming somewhat incoherent in his dialoguo, revelled in tho role of an allegedly comic Cockney, who loves Mary Louisa (Miss Ivy Aldous). Mis 3 Minnie Topping did what was possible as Enid, and Miss May Topping looled arid acted ■charmingly as 0 Numi Numi San. Mr. A. Brahms did■> all that was possible with an indifferent score. Tho scenery was adequate. "Tho ;;Gay Hussar" will be played for the rest of the.weok, and also at a matinee performance to-morrow afternoon/ : ., • THEATRE ROYAL! , The picture show at the Theatre Royal this week is distinctly good, and attracts, nightly, a'large and appreciative audience. The star films are, without any doubt ''The Midnight Sun,';, a beautiful • descriptive sories of Norwegian scenes; "The Lost Dog," a comic picture, irresistibly funny, and. "The Bird Man," an exceptionally fine film. THE ROYAL PICTURES. Therer^aSi.sgain,a..large audience at His .Majesty's Theatre 10-st night, when the new programme was again presented. Two new pictures which have just arrived, "The Elopement'.' and .'.'The ■Alpine Climbers," were shown for the first time, and were enthusiastically received.. 'Tho Miser," a fine dramatic picture, was again followed closely, and ■its denouement was 1 loudly applauded. The scenic and industrial subjects are a feature of the Royal Picture programmes. The four shown last night were of a highly interesting character. The comic section contains some hilarious corhedies. A matinee will be given to-morrow afternoon. •V THE CINEPHONE. '~' A decided innovation is in store for Messrs. Fullers' patrons at tho Theatre Royal to- - morrow .(Saturday) when the new weekly programme 'will be strikingly varied •by,,the introduction of tho ''cinephone,'' ah ingenious • mechanical co-ordination of. the spectacular properties of tho kinematograph with the vocal resources of the jrraphophone. 'It is . described •■ as the latest-invention in singing, laughing, and talking pictures, and it is claimed to bo the missing link looked forward to by the general public to eventuate, at picture shows.'. The chief charm of the cinephone is said to ho that it never fails to obtain perfect synchronisation at all times. "KILTIES" AT DAY'S BAY. ' A large crowd- assembled at the top of Cuba Shreet last night, the Kilties Band having assembled for the march down to the ferry wharf en route for Day's Bay. An everincreasing crowd followed as far as the ferry wharf, and about 200 people journeyed across to the bay by tho Duchess. An. enjoyable programme was " played- by the. band In the pavilion. Y , SUNDAY-CONCERT; The special feature of the concert to bo given in the Town Hall on Sunday evening next by the Wellington Professional Orchestra will be the appearance of several members of tho, Pollard Juveuilo Opera Company.' The orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. F. Oakes, will contribute new | items, and will accompany several of the songs.- The full' programme will bo published in Saturday's issue. -•;■...