ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1858, 18 September 1913, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NEW VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. Without straining a point it can scarcely bo said that tho new vaudeville headed (on the bills) by the King's College Boys, which commcnccd a season at tho Opera House last evenmg, gave that satisfaction anticipated by those who had studied tho management's preliminary announcements; Aa given last evening, the performance was distinctly amateurish through lack of capable stage-management, musical direction, and rehearsal, whilst the standard of talent was distinctly mediocre. The, King's College lioys, who aro described on the programmo as "England's premier harmonising vocalists," are four hefty men, who bavo been "old boys" oi their alma mater lor some time. They aro not particularly well assorted as vocalists, the quartet consisting of a light baritone, a bass, a contra bass, and a comedlian (and of these the comedian's voico is the most musical and flexible). With a baritone singing tho tenor part, and two deep bassos in coiifliiit in the deeper depths, the effect was hardly pleasing, and certainly not up to tho promiso of tho bill. It is hardly uocessary to particularise their items. Two of the "boys" essayed "Excelsior," with rather depressing effect. The voices were never ill accord, and the final chord found both singers hopelessly 11a t. In the light of comparison, tho commedian (Mr. Jack Shields) of the quartet shone out brightly, and his Hebrew impersonations were not at all bad. He indulged in comedy business right through "Excelsior," and was quito justified. His imitations of animals were also rather good. From the "Boys" is it pleasant to turn to tho Vienna Trio —two male violinists and a harpist. The last-named is distinctly an artist, and the violinists are players of fair capacity. They were interesting enough in a rather poor selection from "La liohomo" (Puccini), and the "Barcarolle," from Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann." As an encore they played a catchy lilt in which tho violinists used their instruments as banjos. In the second half they played "Tho Rosary and Tosti's "Good-bye," two of the most hackneyed song tunes of the day. In Miss Marceleno Boulais tho company possesses a flexible light soprano of considerable range, and with some knowledge of vocalism. Whilst she sang with a good deal of expression, her tono was pallid, and she sang with a palpablo effort. Her platform stylo is unconventional. Last evening Miss Boulais sang "Carrissima," "Believo Me, if all those Endearing Young Charms,' "Tho Wishing Cap," and Alfred Hill's "Waiata Poi" and "Littlo Maori Maid." Mr. Barry Hitching was not very happy in his oass solo, "Neptune," and Miß3 lona Augusto was hardly a success in her Margaret Cooper songs. As a rccitor of child poems, Miss Auguste, who is a prepossessing young lady, was mucii better, and her reciting of "His Soft Spot" was quito effective. Mr. Philip Lewis is tho baritono, who is baritone in solos and takes the tenor lino in tho concerted music. Ho sang, "Till Death" very oarnestly, and was associated in tho duet, 'The Battle Eve," with Mr. H. Leslie. Finally, tho King's Collcgo Boys appeared in comic guiao. and sang "God Save George the Firth' to tho air of tho "Anvil" chorus from "II l'rovatore." Tho accompaniments woro only shadowed by Miss Ruby M'Donald, who, in tho words of the comic song, "kopt her foot on the soft, soft pedal, so persistently that they were scarcely audifclo to thoso interested in front.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Anotlior capital patronage was attracted to His Majesty's Theatre last evening to witness the vaudeville programme, headed by tho sensational acrobatic performance of tho Royal Banzai Family from Japan. The troupo of four adults and a boy perforin, numerous difficult feats of equilibrium, and delight and astonish the onlookers. The contortionist of tho troupo is a show in himself. Supporting this sta" turn aro John Fuller, t'ho_ favourite tenor singer; Klimo and Klifton, tho Romas, Miss Olga Pennington, and others. Tho programme will bo repeated to-night and until tho end_ of tho week. ' On Saturday there will bo a grand vaudovillo matinee.

THE ELLWOOD TRIO.

At the Town Hall this evening the Ellwood Trio will give their sccond concert. Mr. Harry Ellwood (violin), Wieniawski's "Souvenir do Moscow," and a bracket—"Waltze" (Burmisler) and "Ave Maria" (Scihubert-Wilbcling); Mr. George Ellwood will contribute two brackets—(a) "Lo Cygno" (Saints Saens), "Gavotte" (Potter), and an air of Matheson's; (b) an air from Bach, and a "Souato" from Corelli; Mr. John Prouse will sing "Hear Me, Ye Winds and Waves" (Handel), and-"Don Juan s Serenade (Tscliaikovsky), i\\hilo tlio trio ' will play Beethoven's "Allogro Moderate)" and Greig's "Norwegian Dances."

THE KING'S THEATRE.

"Paul J. itainey's African Hunt jb proving a great drawing card at tho King's Theatre, where the crowds.havi assembled siiico Monday night. Tho picture is wonderful, in that it contains spectacles of African wild Leasts roaming in freedom on their nativo heath. Mr. Barrio Mnrschol explains tho story in capital stylo as the picture runs along. Tho genoral verdict of those w'ho have been to the theafro during tho week is that the big picture fulfils all that was expected of it. Owing to tho value of tho African hunt film as in object-lesson in natural history, special arrangements have been mado for a matinee performance on Saturday afternoon,'when school children and others will have the advantage of studying the picture at reduced rates of admission.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE.

The customary change of programme of the Empress Theatro continuous pictures to-day and to-night wltf bo headed by a Temarkable A.B. ''feature' l drama, "Under the Shadow of ( the Law." This is reported to bo a powerful society story, with stirring incidents convincingly portrayed. Another splendid subject will bo "Tho Old College Badge," a B. and C. drama enacted in Jamaica, with ail abundanco of local colour for a background. Others wil lincludo "Fortuno Smios" (Ediscon drama), "Seringapatan" (scenic), "A Roso at Sixteen" (Universal conibdy drama), "Making a Baseball Bug" (Lubin comedy), and "Circumstances Make Heroes" (Edison comedy). New selections by the full orchestra will ombrace the latest European and American successes.

SHORTTS' THEATRE. Tho programme, which lias been witnessed by largo crowds -at Shortts' Theatro during tho last fow days, gives way to-day to a now series of moving pictures, headed by a magnificent Vitagraph drama, entitled "Hearts of tho First Empire." Principal characters portrayed in this picture aro Napoleon Bonaparte, Mario Louise, and Beatrice Dupreil. Tho film is remnrkablo for its gorgeous costumes, exquisite furnishings, and beautiful presentment of tho Tuilleries. Supporting films will includo tho "Patho Gazette," "Tho Stolen Brncolet" (Lujun drama), "Love Mo, Lovo Any Cat" (comedy), and n number of others.

NORDICA. Mine. T/illian Nordiea, whom Wellington is to hear for tho lirst timo at the latter part of this month, is a prima donna witli a world-wide reputation. She studied in Italy, inado 'iier debut there, and was at once hailed as a great operatic artiste. Slio has scored ompha'tie successes ill Jxindon and al] tiie otherr Ruropcan. capitals, and lia.9 probably s, greater xopertoiro than swj s.'

ofclior living singer. Wherever she has appeared she litis created great enthusiasm, and lier Australian tour has proved no exception to tho, rule. At her first concert in Melbourne the big audience, it is reported l , forgot its usual conservative calm, and after tho 'rendering of Brunnhilde's "Battle Cry" the house- rang with cheers and bravos. Music-lovers are again to hear the captivating Canadian tenor, 31 r. Paul Dufault, who is a prominent member of Mine. Nordica's concert party. Last year Mr. Dufault sang his way into the hearts of New Zealand musio-lovers, and the impression he created thou must be still fresh in their memories. Mr. Dufault is an artist of intellectual qualities, -bucked by a. strong musical temperament. His voice is a tenor or superb quality, sympathetic, resonant, and marked by oaso of production. Jlme. Nordioa will also he assisted by -Mr. Kranklira Holding, violinist, and Mr. llomayno Simmons, pianist..

"THE QUAKER- GIRL." After an absence of two years, theatre-goers aro to be given ail opportunity of welcoming J. 0. Williamson s famous Royal Comic Opera. •Company back to Wellington on Monday, September 29. Tho approaching season, owinw to arrangements made a long way ahead, must be strictly limited to 13 nights, but'during that period the company will appear in no fewer than four of the most successful operas in their ■repertoire, including two works entirely new to Wellington. Tho company is at present attracting record audiences to His Majesty's Theatre', Auckland. The Wellington season .will be inaugurated by a production for tho first time here ot tho successful and delightful musical comedy, "The Quaker Girl," which ibroko all records in Sydney audi Melbourne, even those established by 'Our Miss Gibbs" being quite overshadowed. Only six representations can. bo given of "The Quaker Girl," and cn Monday, October 6, and two following nights "The Sunshine Girl" will bo staged here for the first time. On October 9 and' 10 that charmingDutdh comic opera, "Miss Hook, of Holland'," "'V7.1l bo producedl, and .the sen-sora will close with two performances on October 11 and 13 of "Tho Belle of New York." It will bo impossible to lengthen the season. The box plans for "The Quaker Girl will bo opened at the Dresden on Thursday next, September 25.

DANCE RECITAL.

. A grand dance recital undor the direction of Miss Estello Beere, will be given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Saturday, September 20, and-Monday, September 22, beginning at 8 o'clock each evening. The performance will bo given under the patronage of their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpool. Admission will bo 3s. and 2s. The box plan is at the Dresden.