ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1087, 28 March 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EUGENE OSSIPOFF. Eugene Ossipoff, the Russian dramatic baritone, headed the programme again last evening at the Opera House, His bizarre methods, and interesting personality, which is quite unlike any other artist we have heard 011 a Wellington platform, amply compensated for tho decidedly uneven quality of his remarkable voice, and, as 011 Saturday evening, he was recalled after every number, at times with enthusiasm. Among his contributions last evening were: Verdi's "Kri tu," aria irom "Ull Ballo in Masehera"; the Toreador's song from "Carmen"; "Will-o'-the-Wisp"; "Don Juan's Serenade"; Glinka's aria "Virtus Antiqua"; the aria from "Yolante" (Tschaikowsky); and a. number of the most delightfully quaint Rinsian songs, sung with great spirit, including the little Russian "dance song," which is ever so quaint and catchy. Miss Lillian'Edmonds sang Batten's "April Morn," "My Gifts," "The i'our-leavcd Clover," and "The Rosary" (Nevin), and Miss Ina Gow. played a piano solo, Bendel's "Sunday Morning," a "Berceuse" of Grieg, a pretty "Nocturne" by Dohlcr, and an attractive "Staccato Caprice," by Vogrich. All innovation was tho oboe soli played Iby Mr. Norman (late of the Nor'manI Blitz Company). Mr. Norman, who is a skilled executant on this most, difficult and moodful instrument, produces a round, resonant tone of excellent quality. His contributions, which included "II Uacio" (J/Arditi) and "Robin Adair," were much appreciated. At this evening's concert M. Ossipoff will sing the Prologue to "I Paliacci," the Toreador's song from "Carmen" (bv request), and "The Two Grenadiers (Schumann).

THEATRE ROYAL. The strong array of talent secured by Fullers' Vaudeville Company was responsible tor another, buiuper House at tnc 'ilieatre Royal last night, when standing room was ac a premium. One ot the principal attractions of tue bill was tho appearance of Miss Ettie Williams as "TllO llarem Girl trom the D.1.C." This artist has ahvayo enjoyed a high measure of popularity witli local audiences, and this week she is, perhaps, moro winsome than ever. The harem sKirt, in which sho appears, is of beautiful palo blue cloth with gold trimming, and Miss Williams wears shoes and hat to match.. She made such a hit with her first song that she had to respond with another, "'He's Single," which earned for her an additional encore. Miss Jilma Anderson, contralto balladist, rendered "Dear Old Home" in her best styje, and received a due measure ofapplause. Miss Mabel Lynne, the dashing scrio, appeared in both parts of the programme, and her songs went very well, especially those in tiie second port, "Take it Nice and Easy" and "Molly O'Morgan." Sid. Johns, who is making his first appearance, w ; as called on for two songs. As a coor. singer, George Sparkes is high in favour, and his dancing is a welcome addition to his turn. ■ George Jones, comedian, received a capital hearing, and had to respond to three recalls. Tfm Howard, ecoentric comedian, was brought back a similar number of times by the audience. Other items on the first half of the programme were those of ■ Miss Jessie Leo ("Songs they Love Best"), and the Williamson Girls ("You are the Girl for Me"). Daly and O'Brien, the- clever American artists, appeared in a new turn entitled "The Jungle Shop," in which Clias. Daly sings "Look at Mo Now," and Miss O'Brieii "The Jungle Queen." It is, however, the novel dancing of the pair that chiefly anneals to the. house,' Tho popularity of Miss Mabel Fowler, soprano, is not by any means on the wane. She received a very warm reception-, last night for her excellent rendering of Riego's 'Slave Song" and "Mighty Like a Rose" (Nevin). Rupert Cuthbert. .descriptive vocalist, supplied "The Truth or a-Lie," and'as an encore "It is'the Men." Miss May Dalilberg,'. vocalist and dansett.se, pleased patrons, who also expressed apnreciation of the farcical comedy put on by Jones and Williams. A welcome reappearance was made by the Rogers Quartet, clever juvenile'acrobats. Their 'turn is watched with keen.interest throughout and the movements of the little clown provoke much laughter. The final feat of (he voungsters—three high and a'fall forward—was the signal for a great outburst of applause. \ fcioeraph picture is shown during the evening.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A capital prosrnmtne is presented ' at IT' S . Majesty's- Theatre this week. The | subjects are many, and sufficiently varied to suit all tastes. It is difficult tn single out any particular picture, for .all go to make up one of the best exhibitions of moving pictures that have been witnessed in -Wellington for some time past. Perhaps the film that met with the best reception was one entitled "An American Count.; Notwithstanding the fact that 'j's picture only arrived by yesterday's „ n ,, , express, an( j ] la( j no ). j Jeen run through" previous to being produced last night, it showed, out, remarkably clear and sharp. It portrays tho story of the daughter of a rich American who, although slio is already, betrothed, falls in love with a photograph of a count whom she lias not mot. She writes breaking off her engagement, and niernwhile dispatches a message to tho unknown count, asking him to call. Her father learns of this and the quondam lover arranges that tho latter shall "make up" so as to represent the count. This arrangement is carried out and when tho girl and the lover meet under these circumstances the "house" laughed heartily. It is a homorous picture from beginning to end and some of tho situations that develop are really good. "The Gaumont Graphic" is well up to the usual standard this week, and gives splendid representations nf haDpenings in different parts of the world. In the above film a realistic representation was given of the recent Brest collision, when an express train, running at fifty-three miles an hour, dashed into a goods train on February 15 Ono could imagine the whole terrible scene as it must, have looked. "Pirates of 1920" was a. film depictine how. in ten years' time, pirates who, at one time, roamed the sea in luggers, may take to the flyinc: machine and uso this new invention to carry out looting and wrecking. "Love, Luck, and Gasoline" will appeal to yachtsmen for it is a subject which shows tho beautiful private yachts that are to bo seen in New York Harbour. Other subjects shown were: The "Fathe Gazette," "Tweedledum's Winter Sport?," "Two Paths" —a powerful dramatic studv, "A Cowboy's Vindication"— n Wild West drama, ."When a Man Loves," and "A Talo of a Hat"—a good comic. The same pronramnip . will bo produced to-night and to-morrow evening.

KING'S THEATRE. The new pictures presented at . tie King's Theatre last evening were witnessed by a big house, which manifested full approval of tho faro provided. Scenic films always interest, as they bring before one notable scenes and places that otherwise are merely a name, and not even that to many who attend tho picture shows. One of tho most interesting shown last evening were the cascades of Liri—a series of wildly beautiful falls and lesser cascades which tear right through the centra of a very solidly-built town. Even tho falls themselves are flanked with stone structures, which look as old and as permanent as the black rocks which snarl above the angry waters. Some moonlight effects that were interpolated were very attractive. A notable picture shown was a "turn-out" of tho Moscow Fire Brigade,, evidently a very well-disciplined and up-to-date fire-fight-ing corps, with motors and fire-sleoges galore. • In places the picture was reeled off too ouicklv, the horses galloping as never did horses in tliis world. Still, it Was most exhilarating to see the sledges (lying over the snow-covered streets: of the historically-interesting city. ''The Marked Trail" harks back to the \Vild West drama. In this instance a gang of ruffians have kidnapped tho daughter of a millionaire, and hold her foh ransom in their retreat in the mountains. To get free sho feigns illness, and the desperadoes call in a doctor, whom they blindfold before leading him to tho camp. •V jealous half-breed woman confides to the doctor the voung lady's true position, and ho resolves* to liberate her. Oil his way out, when blindfolded, he drops pills on the track,' in order to locate the trail again, and by this moans' is able to head a posse of cowboys to the rescue, which is duiv effected. "The Talo of a Hat" is a brisk comedy pendant upon a shortsighted man and a lady's hat. The man's wife has purchased an elaborate bit of millinery, which she lends to a

friend who is about, to meet her fiance. Just as ,the meeting lakes place the man who paid for tha hat_ recognises it, and fancying it is his wile who jumps into u motor-car and drives merrily away with a handsome escort, he I Allows in another car, comos upon the couple in a country hotel, lias a row (in which he gets a black eye), and then discovers his mistake. The return home is just as humorous as the chase. Other Rood pictures shown are "The Pirates of 1920, a very sensational affair quite worthy of the imagination of Mr. H. G. \\ells; "Thomas A'Beckolt," an claboratelv-staged historical picture, and "The Woman Lawyer."

HUGH J. WARD'S FAREWELL. A season of merriment will lie inaugurated by Hu°;h J. Ward and his company of comedians at the Opera llouso on Saturday next, when they will commence a farewell visit to Wellington. "Seven Days," the opening production, hod an American record of' 40:! nights at the Astor Theatre, New York, and is classed liv American writers as more diverting than "Charley's Aunt" or /'The Private Secretary." "Seven Days" is, in brief, high farce, and everything is tinged with hilarious fun. The Auckland "Herald," speaking of Mr. Ward's company, savs: "Here is a company of stars, playing with the concerted action of happy sympathy and perfect organisation, and, while individual brilliance is being constantly flashed across the footlights, the rays are so blended as to throw a glare of illumination on the path of the play itself." Mr. Ward has with him a clever caste, which includes: Misses Grace Pnlotta, Celia Ghiloni, Maud Chetivynd, Messrs. Aubrey, Mallalicu, Reg. Wykohaiii, Robert Greig, H. H. Wallace, and others. The box plan opens this morning at the Dresden.

CONCERT AND DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE. The annual conference of Federated Catholic Clubs of the Dominion is to be held this year at Cliristchurch. The Wellington Club will be represented by two of its members, and in order to defray their expenses a concert and dramatic performance have been arranged to take place at St. Peter's Schoolroom next Wednesday evening. The concert programme is in the capable hands of Mr. W. M'Laughlan, and includes step-dancing by Mr. Patrick M'Carthy, a late arrival from New York, and who successfully performed at the Town Hall on St. Patrick's Night. The farce entitled "Dead Shot," under the stage management of Mr. Carl J. Pfaff, will be staged by the club's dramatic branch, and, having to .its credit a successful reproduction of "Mendle's Marriage," well-wishers of the club can rely on a good performance.

COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT. A meeting of the committee which has in hand the arranging of a complimentary concert to Mr. Ernest l'arkes was held last evening. It was reported that the Town Hall had been secured for April 7, and, judging by the manner in which the project was being taken up, a big success' was practically assured. The programme was discussed at some length. It promises to bo a most interesting one, and will include items by a full orchestra, which is being assembled by Mr. Herbert Bloy. Mr. Alex. Newton was appointed stage director, and Mr. D. Kenny musical director. Tickets ' may be obtained at the office of the secretary, Mr. James Dykes. ■