ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1487, 9 July 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MISS MARGARET COOPER. Miss Margarot Cooper's season of six nights at the Opera House will commenco to-morrow night. This artist comes' to Wellington fresh, from her recent successes in the Australian centres, where she has won the saruo popularity, as in London. Miss Cooper. reaches New Zealand at the height of her career./ For six-years she played ,in the fashibnable West End Palace' Theatre only, and then started for her tour of the world. Gifted with a charming personality, a great knowledge of human, nature, a thorough senso of humour, and the art to net her songs, it is stated that Miss Cooper never fails to amuse and interest her'audiences. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Islington will be present at the performance on Wednesday night. The plans.for the brief seison of six nights are now open.at the Dresden; day sales at Christeson's.

"BEN HUE." : The announcement by .T. C. Williamson, Ltd., to the effect that "Ben. Hur" is to be presented for a limited season at the Opera House, commencing on Wednesday, July 17, will ha read with pleasureablo expectancy by Wellington theatrelovers, as tho scenic wonders' of this famous drama are said to lx> among tho finest ever stnged in Australasia. The trausfet to tho sfagv of General Lew Wallace's great religious romance, depicting dramatic ecenos, having- as a background tho birth or the Christian era, has been accomplished, it is said, with tact and fine feeling for the religious susceptibilities of all creeds, and marks one of the noblest achievements of tho theatre. Tho title rolo is entrusted to the young London' actor, Mr. Eric Mason, who by his performances with Mr. H. B. Irving, has already won a high reputation in tho Dominion. Mr. Mason's interpretation of the heroic young Israelite (Ben Hur) was enthusiastically received in Australia. Tho important part of Mestala will be portrayed by, Mi\ L-eonard Willey, who has already ?? ld al Yisits to New Maud with Mr. Williamson's companies. Mr. Eardley Turner will appear as Simonides, Mr. Leslie Victor will appear as Drusna }\l- , J - It- Atholwood as Balthazar, Mr. Winter Hall "■ as Arrius, Mr. A. Styan as Ildenm, Mr. F. Compton as Cecilms, Mr. Boyd Irwin as Hortator, Jlr. G Chalmers as SanbaJlet, and Mr. Fret Cambonrne.. as . Khaled. Miss' Dorothv Dix will take the' role of Esther, Hiss Gwen Burroughs will appear as Iras, Mies, Alma Yaughan as Amrah, and Miss Georgic O'Meara aa Tizrah. Playgoers will welcome the reappearance of Miss Susie Vaughan, who will appear as the T™ er - of Hur, A full operatic chorus of CO voices, and a large orchestra will be under the baton of Herr Slanofski. • The plans for tho first six nights will foo opened at tho Dresden on Friday next, when there will doubtless" be a lariro demand for seats. h THE DANDIES. Tho Dandies, who have become very popular, during their long stay at the Concert Chamber, entered upon their last week last evening, when seating accominflation was at a premium. ' One of the now items which found particular favour was the quartet ."Dame Rumour,"'in which sovernl topical hits on the political situation were made with success. Miss Hilda Line sang "Tho Garden. Enchanted and Apnl Morn" very sweetly. Miss Irene Vere sang "Tho Pretty Littlo Girl 1 rom Nowhere," and, with. Jlr. Morgan gave "An Umbrella for Two." Mr. Claude Dampier showed his genius as a comedian in "French Wo Speak at Home," "Funny Phrases," and "Tho M-ay-at-Hoyio Brigade." Miss :. Evelyn Hard, (lie popular contralto, sang the soulful ballad- "Three Fishers," and Roeckel's "Out On tho Hocks." Mr. Gavin Wood sang "Blow, Blow Thou Wintry Wind, and "Fuzzy Wuzzy" with good ellect, and Mr. Oliver Peacock contributed ' The. Dear Little Shamrock." The Dandies are always very happy in their clever-ly-arranged concerted numbers, pnd they reached the favpur of the audience last evening in "They All Lived Hapnilv Afterwards," "Poor Noah Moore," and "The Ghost Story." Mr. George Morgan added an acceptable ,terpsichorean touch to tho programme in "Stories,'" and "My Favourite Dance." The present Dandies Company conclude their season here on Saturday evening, and on the following Wednesday a new Dandies Company will commence operations at the Concert Chamber. - '

MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA. To-night tho Municipal Orchestra give another of their enjoyable c6ncerts in the Town Hall, and the programme is one that should command a big audience. Mr. Maughan Barnett, tho City Orgnnist, will conduct. Tho items to be given arc: Mendelssohn's "Cornelius March," two works by Sibelius, "Valse Triste" ami "Fuilandia"—this is by special request— and also Rossina's "William Tell, both items being so much appreciated last week. Mr. F. R. Johnstone will play the 'cello solo in Godard's "Sur'le lac , ' and Schuberfs "Unfinished Symphony" will •also bo given. Miss Muriel Burnett will sins Gounod's "Ave Maria" wit # h 'cello obbligato by Mr. F. R. Johnstono.