ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 979, 21 November 1910, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. * . _ ■ : THE' "BIG FIGHT" PICTURES. Tho big light at Reno was fought over again at the Opera House on Saturday evening. It is hardly necessary to state that tho house was full, for the knowledge that the greatest prize fight of modern times, with its hardly less interesting training preliminaries, was to be faithfully reproduced per kiuemutograpli, turnishod a strong draw. Tho only details lackiug-and they are no great loss-are the heat of tho day, the crowding and hustling, and the' "noise of the captains and the shouting." -Everything else is th°re~tho vast crowd, the contestants, the attendants—to quicken the imagination as to what it must have been like had those in the theatre actually been present, llie first part of tho entertainment consisted of an excellent series .of .pictures of general interest, the series being attractively varied and fully representative of drama, comedy,' scenic- studies, and so on. Ihe pictures will 'be"shown again this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatre Royal- was well filled on Saturday evening, when the weeks bright programme was repeated for the last time. The chief consideration .in a; vaudeville performance must always be the comedy, and in this regard the. present Fuller Company is fortunate in the possession of a good. broad; comedian in Mr. Harry Sadler, whose songs and sketches are selected to please tho patrons of the Theatre Boyal, and about which there is no. question. ' ±Seryl unman sings attractively, and Beat™ M'Dqnald, Nellie Searle, and Mabel Lynne are also responsible for pleasant turns. There is a suspicion of thrill.in. the flying Pedros' Roman-ring! act Ihe M'Corraick Sisters, two little girls hardly in their teens, dance with grace and refinement. ' Farrell and Gaffney dance better than they patter. The oueJegged dancing of the former is surprisingly This evening Hanco, the Handcuff King, Miss Leslie .Daphne, serio, Miss Vivienne Murray, mezzo soprano, .Mr. Jos.- ■ Mullaney, an eccentric song-and-dance artist, and Mr. Ted Pearson, the "dusky coon," will make their appearance. . ■

! HIS MAJESTY'S. His Majesty's Theatre was heavily pat-' ronised at both entertainments on bat-' urday. The programme submitted was good in every particular. It comprehends a rich array of travel scenes and picture dramas, and ■ the Selection or comic pictures is well up to standard. An interesting film, in view, of late events; is one which presents views m and around Lisbon. In one placo King Manuel' is shown conferring with his officers and receiving guests. A picture of merit is that portraying scenes in Palestine. It gives an excellent impression of the inhabitants, buildings, and natural features of the Holy Land. In the comic section, the vagaries of "Foolshead, as hitherto, takes pride of place. The genial idiot .loses nothing of attraction in his successive reappearances. The same pictures will ]». screened at His Majesty s this evening. - ' ■ 1 .. '■■ KING'S THEATRE.

The King's Theatre was ' crowded at both niatince and ''evening performances on Saturday, and the excellent programme of pictures screened was received with marked appreciation. Among pictures of scenes in foreign lands ■ that entitled "Sports in Batayia" takes a hjgh place. "Bronco Bill's Redemption" is a dramatic study that, well, bears out the promise of its 'title. Other good dramatic films; are:■•"A-β looker Symphony" and "AFair Exchange." "Lakes of the FairCantons" is a scenic picture of'charming beauty. In all its sections, and it has plenty of variety, the programme is of .exceptional merit. It will be repeated this evening. "' ' : • .-; STAR PICTURES. ' : . -On Saturday, afternoon and evening' St. Thomas's Hill was filled by large audionces to witness the final productions of last week's programme. A complete change of programme is announced', for to-night, when Borne very interesting films will be screened. ORGAN RECITAL. - ,: Mr. Maughan Barnctt, Municipal Organist, gave another of his popular weekend recitals on the Town Hall organ oh Saturday evening, selecting for nis programme a tasteful and representative series of numbors. The recital openedwith Mendelssohn's Sixth Sonata, 'the imposing introduction being followed by Lemare's charming "Chant d'ete," and a brilliant "Capriccio" from Lemaigre. Guilmant's "Funeral March" and "Hymn of Seraphs,", well-known by this time to Mr. Bavuett's audiences, was one of the features -of the ' programme. Another favourite number was Thomas s dainty -."Mieridn" ■ gavotte; •: -f rom the' opera of that name. The recital concluded with Gi'ison's delicate "Communion in F," and a. characteristic improvisation by the organist. WELLINGTON MUSICAL UNION. Sebastian Bach's famous music illustrating "The Passion According to St. Matthews" is to be sung by the Wellington Musical Union on Thursday week, December l; This inspired work, which was first performed in Leipzig in 1729, and revived by Mendelssohn at Berlin in 1829, is regarded .by musicians as the greatest—as it is the most elaborate and difficult—of all choral works. It will be presented in an abridged form—lasting about. two hours in performance— as prepared for its annual presentation

in St. Paul's Cathedral. The magnificent chorales • (for the most ■ part unaccompanied) are a remarkable feature of the work. Tho soloists will be: Miss Watkins, Miss Driseoll, Dr. Fyffe, and Mr. Clarkson; and the'chorus, strengthened in all departments, will number about 200 voices. .

The Musical ■ Union will perform "Tho Messiah" at the Town Hall on Friday, December 9, when the soloists will be: Miss Lyons, of Christchurch, Mr. C. H. Stephens, and Mr. James A. Doherty (formerly a pupil of the late Signer Garcia, of London). The box plan for Bach's Passion Music will opsn at the Dresden at. 10 a.m. today. Arrangements have been made to enable patrons lo reserve seats in tho front stalls.

MUNICIPAL OECHESTKA. The second performance- by the Wellington Municipal Orchestra will be given in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening next, November 23, at 8 o'clock. Tho programme, which is ail excellent one, is composed of Massenet's ballet music from "J,e Cid," by retjuest, "Toreador" et "Andalouse," and the "Wedding March from "Feramors," by Rubinstein, and a 'cello solo by Mr. F. E. Johnstone, Cantabilo by Oui, .with orchestral accompaniment. Mr. Barnett will preside at the organ, and play Hollius's Spring Song, and Preisljed, by Wasrner. The reserved, seat plan is at the Dresden. , • ' An excellent programme, which appears in another column, lias been arranged by Mr. Spencer Lorraine for his "Wellington pupils' concert, to take place in the Concert. Chamber of the Town Hall next Friday. The following vocalists .will take part in solos, a trio, and quartettes:—Misses Beaucliamp, Davis,- Feruandos, Hugo, Lyons, Newman, and Ward, and Messrs. Blundell, O'Keefe, Orr, and Parkes. Mr.' Lorraine will ho at the piano.