ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 476, 7 April 1909, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE URBAN PICTURES. The entertainment given at the Opera j.House last evening was made, interesting by the enterprise of the management in arranging that the finish : of the Marathon race should bo on the ,stago in full view of the audience, and the presentation of the trophies to the.winners. The programme of pictures presented were well selected. To-ni(jht there will be a complete change of programme. ■ : THEATRE ROYAL. Pictures for the people, are making the Theatre Royal a good place to spend a pleasant and instructive hour or two any evening. The present programme is rich in pictorial incident of a varied character well suited to all tastes. ■ ' THE ROYAL PICTURES Tho programme of pictures that have attracted such largo audiences to His Majesty's Theatre throughout the week was repeated again last evening to an enthusiastic audience. The weekly change, of programme will be submitted to patrons this evening. : ■■•■'■. "THE MERRY WIDOW." Good business took place at the Dresden all yesterday, when the box plans for the first six nights of 'The Merry Widow" were pponcd. .Having achieved such exceptional .success in many-countries,'there is likely to be a corresponding Bueeess of this production in New Zealand,' especially since the present cast is stated to be stronger than that which presented, the opera in Sydney and Melbourne. It is generally conceded that "The, Merry Widow" is the brightest musical, play which, the stage has seen for many years. '■'■ Arfiong: the many favourites who will take jiart j are, Miss Florenc e, Young,.Hi I .■' Reginald Roberts, Mr. Claude ' Bantock, . Mr. W: S. Percy, Mr.. Victor Gouriet, Mr. D. B O'Connor, Mr. A.' Hunter,. Miss Nellie Wilson, and Miss Connie Milne. Special interest is attached to the'first appearance of Mr. Andrew Higginson, tho baritone, about whom, not only as' a-vocalist, but also as an acter, reports are moro than ordinarily favourable, and Miss Fanny Dango, who has been a great favourite in Australia during the past two or three years.

.:. ;;. west's pictures. , ... A few months ago a representative .of rathe Freres, tho well-known Parisian picture manufacturers, visited Wellington on his tour around the world, and The Dominion secured an interesting interview with him on the many attractive- features connected with kmematography. In this interview ho related somo details appertaining to the. now .art sWdies his firm was then producing with tho assistance of some of tho leading artists from the "Comedie Francais," "The Odeon,",and other first-class theatres :in France, and stated that the residents .of Wellington would soon have the pleasure of enjoying the reproduction of these studies, as Mr. T. J. West had secured the rights of reproduction for his Australasian- companies. This gentleman's statements have now been verified, as Mr. West 'has announced the introduction of several of these "art studies" during his Easter season in Wellington, which commenceo tonight in the Town Hall. Tho study to be introduced this evening entitled "L'Arlesi,enne" is claimed to be much superior to the ordinary moving picture. The story is by the well-known French author, Alphonse Daudet, and is said to ho depicted in so clear and realistic a manner as to rivet the attention of the audience from the onnantic introduction to the tragic finale. The acting of the many characters as well as the cos-tun-ing and stjije-setting. is understood to be a unique example of what can be- accomplished .in connection- . with the production of an animated subject. Apart from ..the "star" pictures, Mr. West announces that he will submit a number of new and attractive subjects. The popular Dβ Groen Vice-regal Orchestra will render appropriate accompaniments and up-to-date selections. The prices deserve special attention, as they place-this \'ery attractive entertainment within tho reach of all. jOh Good Friday night West's Pictures No. 2 Company will present an 'enjoyable programme at Petone. "THE WOMAN PAYS." At the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, Mr. Edwin Geach will commence'a season with his dramatic company, and will present Mr. Frank M. Thome's omotional drama, "Tho Woman Pays," an intensely interesting story, which, it is said, holds the audience from the timo tho curtain rises till the time it falls, Tho company engaged in tho interpretation of the plot is a strong oue, .including Miss Ethel Buckley and Mr. Robert inman, supported by Misses Maud Appleton, i'attio Gourlay, Marcia Rogers, Leal Douglas, end Messrs. J; P, O'Neill, Kenneth Hunter, Thomas Curran, Albert iiunas,- Laurie> Nutin, and Stan. Robertson. Tho scenery, and the- effects are described as very striking. The general manager, Mr. George Marlow, has not spared expense in the way of mounting, so that everything will be in keeping with the reputation of this favourite combination. The scenery is from the brush of Mr. Ray Phillips. Some charming ■ scenes aro promised, particularly Scdgcdilfc'Bay, tho old Dolphin Inn, Landlord Mahor, and tho deck of tho steamer Neptune. Tho stago will be under the direction of-Mr. Harry Norman, whilst the whole production will bo under the personal supervision of Mr. Georgo Martyw. The box plan is on viow at tho Dresden.

. STAINER'S' "CRUCIFIXION." Before a very large attendance, an efficient choir under Mr. Hoiaco Hunt, Mus. Bac, gave some admirable excerpts from Stainer's "Crucifixion" at the Terrace Congregational Church last evening. -Mr, J. Maughan Barnott, presided at tho organ. Tho principals were Messrs. Richards and Bryant (tenors!, F. S. Popo (baritone), while minor responsibilities devolved upoii Messrs. Clayton .and Dakin. Conspicuous features of the -performance were the duet, "So Thou Liftest," by Messrs. Bryant ancl Pope, the !ino quartet, "God So Loved the World," by Miss Evans. Miss Smith, and Messrs. Riri-

ards and Popo, and tho organist's rendition of tho spirited processional mnrch, "To Calvary," in which the full choir nlso took part.

LIEUT. SHAOKLETON'S LECTURE. Lieutenant Shackloton, R.N.R., will arrive in Wellington on Wednesday next, and on the same day, at 8.15 p.m., will deliver a lecture in tho Town Hall" in aid of the fluids of the Victoria College Student* , Association. Tho plan for tho reserved scats at this lecture is now open at the Dresden Company's offices. Already thero have been many inquiries for tickets, and there is indication that the gallant explorer will bo greeted with a very largo audience. Lieutenant Shackkiton is_ bringing with him a choico collection of views of scenes and incidents in the Frozen South, to illustrate the story ho will have to tell. Ho will afterwards lecture in Sydney and Melbourne. The Earl of Dudley, Governor-General of Australia, will take the chair at tho Sydney lecture to bo given by Lieutenant Shackloton. -MISS JEAN HOWISON'S RECITAL. Last night, in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, Miss Jean Howison, whose visit to Wellington last year will bo remembered by many, gave an elocutionary recital from tho writings of lan Maclaren and Charles Dickens. She began with a slight sketch of the life of the Rev. John Watson, and then proceeded to quote his humorously sympathetic description of Drnmtochty characteristics. Mrs. Macfadyen, sermon-taster, was brought on the stage, with her shrewd judgments on tho ministers she had "sat under," and in strong contract to tho humour of that scene, Miss Howison told tho heroic tale of how Dr. Maclure drove with the great London specialist across a river in high flood, to save tho life of Annie Mitchell. The samo doctor is one of thofinost of all lan Maclaren's characters, and it was not surprising that Miss Howison chose tho sketch of his life and death as tho conclusion of her Scottish recitations. Throe Pickwick selections which followod were concerned with the futile attempts of romance to como very near to Mr. Pickwick, and-Miss Howison concluded tho entertainment with the adventure with a middle-aged lady in curl-papers, a story which sho narrated with great gusto. Miss Howison's recitals are not properly to be called dramatic, for though she shows great sympathy with tho authors, from whom sho quotes, 'and puts great spirit into the many recitations which her excellent memory enables her to give, she has not the power of giving to each character an individuality and dramatic life. When the late Charles Clark recited tho tale- of the quarrel between Sairey Gamp and Betsy Prig, ono could almpst see the two vehement ladies ns clearly as ono could distinguish between the tones of their voices, but Miss Howison simply tells 'her stories in her usual voice, without any attempt at characterisation.

WEST'S NO. 2 COMPANY. A second exhibition of West's Pictures was given- last evening in the Town Hall, Lower Hutt, and there were few vacant seats in the building when the first film commenced to flash out. One of the best of the coloured series was that representing Christmas festivities in different ages, from' the birth of Christ to the present day. "Clog-making in Brittany " formed the subject of an instruotive_ picture, and those entitled "The Crazy Conjurer" and "Invisible Fluid" were the pick of the humorous films. The company are announced to appear to-morrow evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, Petono. FAREWELL TO THE MALLINSON'S. It is scarcely necessary to remind readers of the concert to be give-n in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall to-night. Apart from the fact that this will bo the last opportunity of hearing Mr. and Mrs. Mallinson, the- programme is of more than ordinary merit and interest. Mr.. and Mrs. MallinBon are including, by. special request, many of the more popular of Mr. Mallinson's songs, such as "A Blood-red Ring/ , "Birthday," " Dream of a Blessed Spirit,", " Summertide," "Gloriana," "Slow, Horses, Slow," " Baby," and " Four by tlic Clock." Messra. Maughan Barnett, 'Max 'Hoppo, and , Frank Johnstono will contribute two trios by Raff and Gade, for piano, violin, and 'cello, and Mr. John Prouso will include in his group of songs "We Sway Along" (the train song), which created such an- impression at the former Mallinran recitals. The box plan is at the Dresden.