ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1825, 11 August 1913, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE SMART SET." Oil Saturday week tho "Smart Set" had, liiucn against Hie wish of tile maiiut'i)ineni, lu vacate tno Concert Cnamber and tana cue Optra Jlouse because tlie municipal li .nft nail Ik en previously engaged, mo result was such tnac t-n Saturday evening last the tame company voluntarily vacated the Concert Cli.tiuoer (tliougn iney paid tlie rent of ltj to give their eiiu-rtainnient in the Opera House, and once more the move proved to be a, wi.-e one, as tlie audience was at least twice as targe as could nave been squeezed into tne Concert Chamber. A change ot programme marked Uio departure, and turnougiiiy enjoyable it proved to everyone. Prom Mr. Ernest Parkes came "The Sea l(oa:l," a very lino ballad admirably suited to the rolling richness of the singer's exceptionally powerful voice. Mr. ParKes's production is natural and free, but his enunciation still leaves something to be desired. Miss Mono, Thomas is an altcvgether charming artist. She has a pretty musical soprano, tings with her whole 'heart, and has tho clearest enunciation. On Saturday she sang that pretty tntle "Somowhere a Voice is Calling," the music of which is_ a good deal better than tho lyric. Miss Kroll's place in tho company has been taken by Miss Gweenyth 'Urcns, who boasts' a pleasing mezzocontralto voice, and an easy modest style. She sang "My Hear Soul," a. Devonshire folk song, with good feeling. Mr. Maynard Dakin is a good tonic at all times. His songs are always clever and funny and without a suggestion of coarseness. He sang "No More Stopping Out Late," "To Market*," and that classic in vegetarian vocalism, "Onions." Miss Georgie Martin, pert and elfin in manner, was successful in a trio of coon songs, and the trio "A Pleasant Surprise" (with topical allusions), and the various ensemble numbers were all bright and melodious. In the second half Mr. 'Walter Georgo appeared as tho merriest of Slerry Widows of the fat, fair, and forty order, looking charming in a Paquin creation of black velvet, relieved with a dash of scarlet a la vaccine. "Sunshine James" and his monitor, Mr. Edward Elliott, entertained the audience ventriloquially for ten minutes, and Mr. Edgar Httilnnd sparkled through Godnrd's "Etude de Concert." Tho entertainment concluded with a tabloid musical comedy entitled

"The Bandits," which, while it lasted, was (Utile as Rood as a hundred other ■musical remedies that could be mentioned. Comic tonris.ts captured by comic banditti was the plot. Mr. Parkcs enlivened the wooded mountain pass by announcing to all concerned that he was "The Bandolero" as if nothing else mattered. Miss Thomas sang tunefullv "My Little Five-fly" (with ingenious electric effects) and Mr. Elliott scored in the tooical song "This Year, Next Year," Tho company are again at tho Town Hall tonight and every evening till further notice, excepting on Saturday next, 16th August, when they appear for this night only at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, owing.to the Town Hall boing nreviously arranged for the Savago Club. THEATER BOYAL. The _ management has given its patrons e. great number of comedy acrobatic acts in tho past-, but, according to tho Sydney and Melbourne press, nothing quite no clever a.s the act of Henchey, Vincetti, and Bush has been seen in vaudeville for a long time. Tho trio, who aro American, will make their • first appearance in Wellington at the Theatre Royal this evening. The Decars and their educated clown donkey, "Tomato," are also announced to appear on tho now bill. "Tomato".is a big feature of the Decars's pantomimic act. Max Duffek, the musical contortionist, will introduce into his turn this evening a number of still pictures of his "tour round tho world in a .million different ways." Signor Corona, "the'inan who makes tho cornet talk," will present his original scena, without words, "A Message of Past and Present."- The Duckworths (juggler), Harry Collins (coon impersonator), the Rosebuds (serios and dancers), Violet Carmen, and Alf. Lawrence (in sons; and story), and Levnti and Collins will make up what promises to be a very entertaining programme. "STRENGTH OF MAX." Patrons of His Majesty's Theatre may anticipate an- exceptional bill to-night. ISoacli, the famous American novelist, has been commissioned by tho Vitagraph Company to write for tho picture world a special study of the wild scenc-s he knows so well, and the management at His Majesty's state that something out of tho common may therefore bo expected from "The Strength of Man." Two young prospectors, in lovo with the same girl, pursue their quest for gold in tho wild Alaskan country. In perils which ensue th-ey help each other, and agreo io allow the girl to mako her own choice of lovers. ''Many sensational incidents aro depicted. Supporting subjects include: "The Well," an A.B. drama; "Concerto for the Violin," an Edison playlet; "Making a Dynamo," an educational picture; "Gaumont Graphic," "The Awakening," "La Dauphine," and coloured scenics. Special selections have been arranged by Mr. J. Garry, conductor of His Majesty's Theatre Simphony Orchestra. KING'S THEATRE. This woek's programme at the King's Theatre' contains, as a. star subject, a 3000 ft. drama by Pathe Freres, entitled "Tho Doll," the, production being described as a very '-powerful truly human study. The stoiV, it is stated, is one that fascinates. It deals with a man who marries a widow, but becomes jealous of his wife's love for her little daughter..ln time, however, he becomes fond of the child, and, in turn, the wife becomes jealous, and in a moment of anger leaves home, taking the child with her. The child leaves lier doll to console her stepfather during her absence, but grieves so much for it that slio persuades the chauffeur to take her back to Paris to obtain possesion of it. Here her love for her slop-father returns, and she remains with him and sends tho doll back to her mother with the chauffeur. This ofcourso is not satisfactory to the mother, and, as both parcuts are unhappy without the child, a reconciliation is effected. The supporting items on the programme are well chosen, and comprise the latest Patho Gazette, "Lakes, of Bavaria," "Groundless Suspicion,"'a good assortment of comedies, and a powerful Western drama, entitled "Brother Bill."

ORGAN RECITAL. About 100 people wero present at the free municipal organ recital given by Dr. W. K. i'yll'o in the 'J'own Jlnll yesterday afternoon. Dr. I'ylfo becomes more facile ivitli each recital, and his playing yc-sterdtiy was marked by a very pleasing delicacy and wtiavity. The programnie was a compromise between the classical and popular. It included threo movements of Giiilniant'.s Sixth "Sonata," a Moz<irt "Air" (with variations), an atIractive "Intermezzo," by Driflicld, and an "Aubnde" by Steieski. THE ROYAL CHORAL SOCJETV, The third performance of the Royal Wellington Choral Society's 11113 season will be "given at the Town Hall oil Tuesday next. The work to be performed will bo Mendelssohn's "Elijah." The conductor, 3lr. Christian llelleinann, is giving members ol' the chorus a thorough training, and the linal rehearsal will bo held this evening in the Town Hall, at 7.30, when only members of tho (-hunts and cchreslra will bo admitted. A special feature of the oratorio will be the unaccompanied singing by the chorus ol' "Cast thy Burden," which is_ usually taken by tho four principals. Of Madamo Conly's singing tho "Sydney Morning Herald" said: "Tho Australian soprano's beautiful voice dominated the quartet of female voices, full chorus, orchestra, and organ, in 'Holy, Holy, Holy,' executing very tunefully tho 'shako' marked ou the score, and adding another at tho penultiuiato note of tho composition which had a 'seizing' effect." Madamo Edith .Brainsby will make her first appearance in oratorio in 'Wellington at the concert, as contralto soloist; Mr. Harry. Phipps will sing tho tenor solos, and Mr. John Prouse the baritone role. The box plan will remain open at tho Dresden till 5 p.m. to-morrow. A supply of Is. and 2s. tickets are on 6alo at the box office. Tho doors wlil open at 7.15, and tho oratorio will conclude at 10.15, and Hutt and Johnsonvilio trains will bo delayed till after the performance.

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. Thfc Wellington Professional Orchestra gave great pleasure in a repeat programme at 11.13 Majesty's Theatre Inst evening. After faring certain of the numbers last evening, one could not but come to the conclusion that tho orchestra would do wall to restrict the number of programmes given during a season, in order that something approaching perfection . may be achieve*). It is impossible for any orchestra which dons not play constantly together to achieve satisfactory results on one or two rehearsals, and it is really surprising how well the Professional Orchestra has done with, the conditions tinder which tivo programmes are rehearsed. The Liszt Rhapsodic (No. 'J), now most familiar to concert-goers, was distinctly well played, the wood-winds boing particularly happy in the spring-like pastorale which precedes the dance. A. E. Malt was represented by a charming Idyll entitled "Dawn," a pretty little musical etching commencing with a beautiful passage for the lighter strings, representing quite poetically tho birth of day, with the brass and woodbinds as heralds of the sun. Sullivan's graceful dance from his "Henry VIII" music, was played altogether too quickly, and Mr. Ilellemann took it to''strict timo throughout, whereas the graco in a graceful dance must to some extent at least depend on a judicious use of the tempo ralato. Tho 'cellos were "tender" in tho opening of the I "William Tell" overture, but otherwise Rossini's notably fine overture was well played, though the usual climax was not ach'icved. Two of the best played numbers of tho evening woro "Aubade Printanniero" and Vqn Blon's "Traunibild," a sweetilv melodious trifle for muted strings, embodying a 'cello solo, artistically pliiyed by Mr. Frank Johnstone. Tiie march from Berlioz's "Damnation of Faust," vivaciously interpreted, brought the concert to a close. HUTT SKATING RINK.. There were large attendances a.t the Hutt Rink both on Saturday afternoon and evening. The pastime is as popular now as when skating opened in the Hutt Valley some years ago. A good many patrons aro going in for the new steps that arc being taught by the management. On Monday evening there will lie waltzing and a set of lancers. Thursday will witness a ladies' driving competition, for which prizes will be given. The band also lias a new budget of catchy music. JUPP'S BAND. .Tupp's Band renderal an enjoyable programme of music at Newtown Park yesterday afternoon, a collection being taken up at tho gate in aid of the Wellington Zoological Society's fund. Mr. J. Castle, the treasurer, reports tbat the amount received was JES ss.