ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 485, 19 April 1909, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA. HOUSE., - , ■ : . ■ 1 Tho Opera House was well'filled in all parts, on Saturday evening,' tho occasion , of .mi el ?r D erton nance ini Wellington of "Ihe Merry Widow. , . , Tho musio of the opera was well appreciated by tho audience, and hearty laughter greeted the "gags" of Mr. Victor Gouriest as tho Baron Popoff, and the clorer acting of Mr. W. R. Percy and Mr Higgmson. There has been no falling off in tho enthusiasm, which has drawn such large houses to see tho opera, and an there aro now only four more nights of the extended season left, it is likely that tho piece, will create a record for the class of production. '. ROYAL PICTURES! .■.', ■ His Majesty's Theatre was crowded on Saturday night to witness this weok's series of films submitted by tho Royal Pictures Syndicate, and the audiencowaa demonstrative in its approval. Perhaps the most popular picture was that entitled ' "Dancing Throughout the World,"' in which many nations figure. The programme will bo re*, peated to-night. . : ■ ; '.:'",; /.WEST'S PICTURES.' . ■ Again on Saturday night j a large attend* anco was present at tho Town Hall to witness West's Pictures and listen to . tho strains of Do Groon's Orchestra. A complete- change of programme will be presented by tho management tihis evening, , when- an intoresting i series of art studies will bb inillustrating , the famous works ■ of Charles Dickens. This well-known, author's characters open up a largo field of subjects for the biograpb, and in. "llio Mystery of Edwin Drood, ,1 to he shown to-night, will be given a : comprehensive idea of the quaint manners and ,ways of the well-known charactors in these works. Mr. West has secured the exclusive rights to reproduce these studies, and; will present several during the remainder of, his season here. • Other interesting scenes of travel; humour, and adventure will be presented in this popular entertainer's up-to-date manner., An attractive subject will bo a series of-.viows.snow-ing the process of publishing the famoue, "The Scotsman," from a roll of paper to the printed issue in tho jnorning. ;

MADAME MELBA. ' * ', The favourable opinion, of the eminent critic of "The Times" upon Madame Molba's recent appearance in London, provesthat sho still reigns as the Queen of Song: This may now be 'supplemented by the opinion: of the critic of tho London "Daily Graphic." "Itmatters not," ho writes, "what stars may illuminate the oporatic heavens, j tho Covcmt Garden season is never really'itself until Molba puts; in an appearance.' Last night tho popular'.prima donna'returned to tho scene of her former triumphs, ■ and .received.-_ a most enthusiastic welcome.from a crowded and brilliant audience, with the Queisi'at its head. It was almost impossible v to believe that, twenty years had passed since'Melba made her first appearanco at Oovent Garden; s*> youthful and oharming did she look, and so exquisitely did she sing. It would' need tho vocabulary of Mr. Swinburne himself to do justice to Melba'B singing last aight^—to the crystalline beauty of her voice and'to'the i faultless refinement of her. method. Evidently sho is at. the top of her form this season/ , - The Wellington public will have the opportunity of heading this marvellous singor oir April 27 and 29, and this morning the half-: guinea soate for these concerts ;.may bo reserved at the Dresden. The proceeds of the Invercargill concert constituted a record for that town, and Melba was'delighted with her reception there. She was equally sucoessful in Dunedin. This, morning, she will leavo tho latter city on her northward journey, and after giving conoerts in Oamaro, Timaru, and Christchuich, she will come on to AVellington, where sho will remain for a week. - WELLINGTON SOUTH CARNIVAL. The carnival which is '■ being held at tho Skating Rink was well patronised on Saturday lught.' A special programme of fancy dances was provided arid was much admired, Amongst those present wore His Lordship Bishop Lenihan.; of Auckland, and Mr. and Mrs. "T.-Mi Wilford. Tho fancy stalls and ' side shows wcro kept, very.- busy, and- did a big business. Tiie carnival will be continued until Wednesday next, when the art union will'be drawn. •,.'., . : Tho Garrison Band, under Lieutenant T. Herd; gavo a performance in the Botanical Gardensiyesterday afternoon. •-.■■-.,;