ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 918, 10 September 1910, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"ALADDIN." . . Another crowded audience -greeted tlio brilliant Williamson pantomime at the Opera House lust night. . The lighting elfccls,-the succession of novel and harmonious colour scheme's, and the beauty of-the music are all parts of a magnjlicont whole. Miss Eaton revels and triumphs in tlio part ' of "Aladdin," and lier success is ably assisted by ..'tho numerous and admir-ably-trained, company- co-operating with her. Tho burlesque acting of Messrs. Phydora and Campbell is admirable, and the unusually clever. acrobatic turn of Messrs. Price* and Revost forms a thoroughly enjoyable interlude. "Aladdin" will be repeated this evening, and there- will' be a matinee performance this afternoon. THEATRE ROYAL "AMATEURS' ,; : NIGHT." • "Amateurs' Night" at the Theatre Royal is becoming a popular feature of tho week's programme. -For the last three Fridays now tho theatre has been packed to the doors—there was barely standing room to bo had last, evening, some of tho'audience having to be accommodated with seats.along with the orchestra. The first part, of the evening's entertainment. consisted of a capital programme of items by the regular artists _of the theatre, but the main attraction, it was easy to see, 'was the aniateur programme, \yhiclu was put on the boards about ten o'clock. After the curtain had. been rung down on the regular performance, the stage manager appeared before the footlights, and very earnestly begged the audience to abstain from the heavy bombardment of vegetables and other articles whichliad rained down, upon unpopular debutants oil,the two previous Fridays'. The audience was non-committal. It.heard tho plea; but, made no promises. 'Amateur numberone received his call—he: was to sirig "Marching Through Georgia," and the .orchestra', in -'anticipation oftho performer's debut, struck up the 1 preludo, but the: last' bars were drowned in the derisivo' shout which went up as the aspiring amateur stepped into.view.. He was grotesquely attired and his breeches suspenders trailed forlornly after him. Nothing daunted, he raised his arm, and in" a thin voice .began; Alas! 'A large well-topped parsnip described a parabola and landed at his feet. Three or four "bangers" exploded around him, and he fled:-'- The' next was a lady, who 1 sang very well, though manifestly, shy. She got,a good hearing. Another young lady was less fortunate.. Her lips rnov.ed.'the orchestra played,' but no, sound reached the, audience. The din was .pronounced, '• and, so she. departed.' :• A Mr. "Jock M'Gee," dressed in High-. ; land costume, got through two. verses of .his comic, song,''and-' left .before,he became unpopular. Another gentleman wlio was billed to appear; had (explained tlio manager) "left early, his courage having quailed at. the sight of the vege-table-bestrewn stage and the incessant pop-pop of : firecrackers. '-Three, or four youngsters, gave passably ; good turns, and were well received :by the ■"■ audience/ which was, kind to. its .favourites, though,harsh to. those who failed to .find favour, in its {eyes;. Altogether, the, proceedings were less thrilling, than on tho first.Friday night's trials, when -the scene ,at ■ times ' beggared description.-' -:'■'-''; -:■■ - i ■■■■■■>. ..; ■ ■ "-. -

".;/.// .'• HISMAJESTy'S./ /// ;-:--/> /His Majesty's Theatre still -continues to..attract large houses nightly. The picture's on-exhibit ion aroan ex'ception;aHy s, firie lot;' containing- sofrio Very -firio historical and dramatic displays.' : HVO'lOt (bUifijliy ■■•;•.■ ;,;;:i:. , ; , .--.-.1.> ~.;.■:>&-;.:. •;' -..- THE-KING'S' ■■; The. excellent arid -varied''programme presented'at-the'King's. Theatre,.which was;;;--witnessed' - ■ by an appreciative : audiehce/la.st' night, continues to find favour.-' amongst picture-lovers.' A prize matinee .is announced for 'this- after-' noon.. ."' ', ..' '-.."■'■-. ,x \ PICTURES/ : , The Star - Pictures were shown at St. Thomas's .Ha 11,... Newtown,, yesterday evening with every success.. There will be-a-vmatineo-at 2.30 to-day,;and the .usual.evening exhibition, ./;'ENDURANCE. SKATING.,'' , Endurance skating is at present .thounchallenged centre of .interest at 'tho Olympia Rink. Ever'.sinco Thursday evening the competitors, who are bent, on breaking the. world's record have pursued their interminable round, and they.:are going'yet. When last seen,by a., reporter at-ah early hour this morning,., tho.men showed no obvious traces of fatigue.; They, glide slowly around at... a> ,pace of monotonous, .regularity, and_ seem to maintain tolerably good spirits, although .the process must' be desperately ; wearisome.. •:, Since they, ; started./the. men have •. never left, theskating floor, and unless they ..break down will remain aboard - 'the rollers un-. til a late, hour this ovening. . li 'they" remain, awake.and moving. at. 11.15 p.m. their attempted feat will .have been accomplished. Yesterday the competitors were accompanied.-ori, their round, throughout the day, by a throng of skaters, and in-the evening the floor and galleries of the rink were crowded. In the later hours' tho cbneori party from H.M.S.". Encounter -provided, an impromptu entertainment, which pleasantly enlivened the proceedings. Catchy operatic airs alternated with lively pianoforte,arid other instrumental selections, and both by the skaters on : tho floor, and i ::e attendant onlookers ; the efforts ol »h« tars were greatly appreciated. ~'■■■•'

• ' ■'"'.■ CALVE. •■■ V' The'.second■"and final appearances )6i the great French diva at the Opera House on Saturday, September 17, and Tuesday, September 20, aro eagerly looked forward to, not only by the many friends and admirers who had the good" fortune to hoar the. great artist and her'.associates, Signor Gasparri and Mons. Pintel, at the' Town ■ Hall on Saturday last,' but also '■ by those who were unable.to be present on that occaCalve to-day is a household word mall contres where she has appeared. In the Dominion.she has unido a.great and instantaneous success. ■ Her two .final appearances will ho particularly attractive, inasmuch as she will, in addition to hor concert Hums, give, together with;.Signor Gasparri, on each night an operatic scene in costumo and with tho necessary stage accessories, on the first night a scene from'"Carman ■'■ and on the second night a sccno from "Cavalferja Ilusticana." It was in both these "operas that Madame Calve came before the European and American audiences and instantly became a brilliant star iti the constellation of operatic celebrities. The box plan for these two final performances will open at the Dresden on' Monday moraine at 10 o'clock.

A Cliristcliurch Press Association telegram states that. Madamo Calvo's second recital attracted an enormous house at the Theatre Royal, patrons being most enthusiastic. .Tho duet from "Carmen" by Calve and Signor Gasparri was niagnificontly given, raising the audienco to wild "applause.-• The party leave for Duncdin to-day.

TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Barnett's organ'recital to-night will bo a "special request" • programme, composed of items selected by tho audiences from previous recitals." The popular items are Gounod's Meditation on •Bach's First ' Prelude, Tannhausor, Act 1, Sccno 3, by Wagner, Fantaisio on "Carmen" by Bizet; The remainder of the programme is bv Bach, Mendelssohn, and Pierne.