ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE MERRY WIDOW." "The Merry Widow," so successfully iutrohiced by the Royal Comic Opera on Sat-ur-lay evening, is booming gaily at tho Opera louse. Two performances were given yesiorilny—afternoon and evening—ami on each occasion the theatre was well filled, in tho evening to the limit of its capacity, and on .totli occasions the fascinating opera was rciciVGcl with enthusiasm. "Tho Merry IVidow" has as many strings to its bow is Sonia has admirers, and it is the aggrcga:ion of these that makes for tho success .hat has characterised its production in all >arts of tho world. Crisp dialogue, amusing situations, an atmosphere of modern ronance, and a musical score of rare beauty, n tho orchestration of which Mr. Frank jehar has proved himself to be a musician if exceptional ability and daring, arc- all wovided. Tho chief interest in the opera iontres in tho lovo affair of Sonia, tho fair llarsovian, and Prince Danilo, parts that vero intorpveted by Miss Florence Young ind Mr. Audrew lligginbottom in a manner hat left nothing to bo desired. Mr. Victor iourict as Baron Popoff, and Mr. W. S. ,'orcy at Nisch, run the comedy department ibly, and capital performances arc given iy Mr. Reginald Roberts as Jolidon, Miss *fcllio Wilson as Natalie, and Miss Fanny Jango as l»'ili. Tho principals arc supported y a strong chorus. In Mr. Howard Carr. ho musical director, tho company has a onductor of rare magnetism, who is,able to nspiro his band -with a splendid vervo and pirit. "Tho Merry Widow" will bo played during ho whole of tho present week, and, from he indications to bo gathered from tho box Jan,'well into tho next. "THE WOMAN PAYS." Tho Theatre Royal proved much too small ist night to seat all who wished to witness ho second performance of tho sensational lclodrania "Tho Woman Pays," which is the pening pieco in connection with tho Idwiu Geach Dramatic Company's seaon. As on Saturday evening, ■ tho uilding was crowded long beforo S 'clock, large numbers had to bo again urned away last night. In his treatment'of 110 thomo of "Tho Woman Pays," tho author, Ir. Frank Thorno has included all tho clelents which go to make foi' popularity, and ho numerous audience last night received tho ieco with a whole-hearted enthusiasm .which ugurs ■ well for tho success of the • company ere. Tho waterfall seeno ivas particularly oalistic, as also was the storm at sea. Brieily tho story is a follows:— Miss Madgo 'roadgold offends her father, Cyras Treadold, of Laugford Manor, by secretly marrying penniless fisherman named Syd. Armstrong, ■ho happens to bo tho son of a man against ■hom Treadgold has a grudge. Then Roger larchant, a former suitor for the girl's hand, uts about to poison'Syd.'s mind against his inocent wife. Ultimately he arranges that iyd. shall go to sea with an unscrupulous kipper, who undertakes not to return with im. Owing to tho vessel becoming wrecked vorybody on board was drowned with tho xcoption of Syd. and ono Luko Morlaud, 'ho, unknown to each other, were- picked up y passing vessels. Some years later Syd. oturns to Scdgeliffo Bay at tho very liour •hen his wife, who believes that sho is a idow, is about to marry Merchant in order a savo her old homo from falling into tho ands of a Jew. Marchant dies at tho hands f Morland, sen., whoso daughter, who had eon kept by him in a mad house, and Syd. nd his wife are happily reunited. Tho principal parts aro in tho capablo ands of Miss Ethel Buckley, tho clover aistralian comedienne who successfully inroducos tho catchy song "Montana," and Ir. Robt. Inman, who is also seen to groat dvantage. As tho villain Mr. Kcunotk lunter draws tho execrations of tho audience. Ir. O'Neil scores a great success as Micky laloney, a would-bo photographer, who upplies an immense amount of farcical Irish unipur. Mr. Albert Lucas was well suited or ffcho part of Luko Morland, whilst Miss ical Douglas makes a handsome Nell MorMid. Tho remainder of the cast is in the ands of Thos. Curran, Maud Apple-ton, 'atjio Gourlay, Stanley Robinson, Laurie fu'nn, and a.;host of others. Tho piece- is tago-managed' by Mr. H. Norman, and proceed under the personal supervision of Mr. ieo. Marlow. "Tho Woman Pays" will bo repeated until iaturday evening, when it will bo replaced iy. "Lured to London," in .'which Miss hickley accomplishes her sensational diving cat.' i: . WEST'S PICTURES. ' Tho villain lured his victim to the 'Apaches' "den in tho lowest haunts of tho 'arisian thug under tho pretenco of showng him the sights. Wine- is drunk, and ho "Apaches" under its influence- indulgo n ono of those weirdly sensuous dances peuliar -to tho cot, and as tho hour grows late he crowd is ordered i from the place—all avo tho man who sits recumbent in wineoddien sleep at tho table, and tho two 'swells." Suddenly tho villain of the two urns on his friend, stabs him to tho heart, ,nd, after rifling' the murdered man's pock:ts, departs. Enter then tho drunken one's 'pal," sees tho murdered man, and notes icsides a fine cambric handkerchief. Ho lockets tho handkerchief, suggesting in manier subtle tho capital ho will bo ablo to make nit of his discovery. Enter the police, who irrest his drunken mate at tho table, and Irag him off to trial. Scene—the murderir's office, to which enters the accused's riend (who picked up tho handkerchief). Jlackmail follows accusation, but the villain icouts tho idea of both, and is ordering him rom tho office, whon tho handkerchief is >roduced, and tho evil one quails at tho lamuing evidence of his gitilt. Money ihanges hands, but when his "friend" _ is ibout to pay the full penalty for the crimo io never committed, the blackmailer informs iho police, and produces tho handkerchief as evidenco of innocence. The ;uilty,. man is arrested, but stoutly denies lis guilt, and to exhort confession tho police ay a trap. He is escorted to tho den where he murder was committed, and as the position if each person in tho place at the time is being hown a body is brought in and placed in tho losition in which the dead man was found. Hio accused is turned suddenly round, sees ;ho body, and, as the covering sheet. is ilucked off tho body, the accused starts back n terror, and confession falls from his lips is tho body reveals himself in—the finder >f tho handkerchief. Such is "Tho Red land," a highly-dramatic and perfectlyictod picture, that was tho pivot of the mango of programme at, West's Pictures in ■,ho Town Hall last evening. Another fine licturo entitled "Baby's Chum," recounted ;ho recovery by a bull dog of a little child 'rom a couple" of baby-snatching thieves. The dog has to gnaw its way through a doorMiiel to pet into tho room, and there he iottles ono thief after the other. "A Ride Through tho Sunny South of France,'.': gave * fino idea of the country and its opulent iroductivonoss. -The film showing the salving of H.M.S. Gladiator was of absorbing interest. Anions the others, the best were "L'Arlesiennc," "Redman and Child," "The Dot; and the Pipe," and "Improved Consultations" (which raised shrieks of laughter). The Town Hall was packed to tho doors last Bvenin" with a holiday audience that enjoyed itself thoroughly. The matinee in the afternoon also attracted a large audienceThere is to bo another chango of programme on Thursday evening-

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Tho harvest reaped by tho Iloyal Pictures at Easter has been a very rich one, for to i ho crowds of people from the country who havo como to make holiday in moving picture show, and a very good ono at that, is a decided attraction. Yesterday afternoon, on tho occasion of the grand luatinco, the theatre was well filled, and tho sanio state obtainod in tho. evening. This evening the final oshibition of tho present programme will bo given, and to-morrow the usual weekly change will tako place.

MADAME MELBA,

Madamo Mclba's accident on the voyago from Hobart to the Bluff—a sprain of her knoo—will not iiiterforo with her concert tour through New Zealand. Indeed, sho is in tho best of health and spirits, and privato letters received here state that sho is thoroughly enjoviiiß tho Australasian tour. Her object is to" let as many peoplo as possible hear her marvellous singing whilo sho Jβ-.still at tho zonith of her powers. Her

concerts in Wellington will bo given on April 27 and 2!). That her splendid voice, and her matchless art aro liner than ever is proved h.v Iho writings of the most eminent critics. The London "Times," referring to the opening of the Covenfc Garden season last year, when the house was crowded, and tho Queen and Princess Victoria occupied the Royal box. said: "Tho first appearance of Jladamo Melba for tho season, of course, filled C'ovent Garden with a genuinely enthusiastic audience, who would, no doubt, have given her a hearty reception even if her voice had shown truces of wear or deterioration of any kind. Tho first notes sung by Jlimi entirely removed any doubts that might havo been felt, for tho purity of their quality seemed as matchless as ever. Tho last note of the first act, tho high G sung outside tho room, is of itself a triumph for tho singer; and tho applause and tho numerous recalls after the curtain had fallen proved that her popularity is no-more on tho wane than her art. There aro other points in which the great artist is entirely without a rival in tho present day, such as tho admirablo justice of her musical phrasing, tho ease and directness of her enunciation, and the evenness of her registers." LIEUT. SEACKLETON'S LECTURE. On his last night in Now. Zealand Lieut. Shacldeton, R.N.R., is to lie banqueted by members of tho Wellington Club. On the preceding ovenins (Wednesday next), ho will lecture in tho Town Hall, in aid of tho funds of the Victoria College Students' Association. Seats for this lecture may bo reserved at tho Dresden to-day and to-monw. Referring to his lecture in Christchurch, "Tho Press" says:—"To see tho pictures would havo been a privilege in itself, but to havo tho mdescribed by the man who had shared in the incidents they depicted, and who had shown such qualities. of endurance and courage, gave them a far deeper interest. A less modest man mHit have tried to thrill his audience. Lieut, Shakleton, who does not profess to bo an orator, preferred to let thd nictures do tho thrilling, while he, all unconsciously, heightened their effect by casual little remarks that now roused the enthusiasm and now the; uncontrollable amusement of his ■ hearers." ROMAN' CATHOLIC BAZAAR. Tho alluring stalls, string band, fancy dances, side shows, and general liveliness of the Roman Catholic bazaar which is being held in the Skating Rink, Ingestre Street, make it a highly popular resort, and last evening the rink was hardly laigc enough for tho gay attendance. A brisk business was dono by tho ladies in charge of stalls, and the receipts for the day, according to returns so "far received, amounted to £85, p.s compared with £70 on Saturday. The bazaar, hich is in aid of tho new church at Kilbirnio and tho South Wellington parish fund, will bo open again this evening. BELLEVUE GARDENS. One of the most popular- holiday resorts rouml about Wellington aro tho beautiful Bellovuo Gardens at Lower Hutt. A number of people visited these yesterday, and amused themselves by strolling aboul the' grounds and listening to the music of Wood's string baud. SACRED CONCERT. A sacred concert was given by Madanio Mueller and assistants in the Wesley Church, Island Bay, on Good Friday evening. Notwithstanding tho very inclement weather, thero was a largo and appreciative audience, and tho trust funds of the church, for which the concert was given, will be benefited accordingly. Tho chair was taken by Mr. J. W. Cop'ithorno, who fully explained tho objects of tho gathering, and introduced tho performers.' An organ preludo by Mr. Allen, tho organist of tho church, in a masterly manner opened tho concert! Miss Castlo sang "Man of Sorrows"; Mr. Riddier, "'Calvary ; Miss Baker, "Ho was Despised" and "Nearer My God to Theo"; Miss Violet Mueller, 0 Jerusalem that Killest tho Prophets," from St. Paul, and "My Fairest Child"; Mrs. Mueller and Miss Baker, duet, "The Lord is my Shepherd"; Mrs. Mjioller's items vrcro "Thero is a Green Hill far Away" and " Tears " ; whilst tho quartet, " Evening and Morning," was rendered,by Mrs. Mueller, Miss Baker, and Messrs. Riddier and Ffrost. All tho items wcro thoroughly appreciated. Mr. Alien played tho accompaniments ou tho church organ.