ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1895, 1 November 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

\ GENEE. •: Last night's programme at tlie Opera | House drew another large crowd to I witness the incomparable Genee in tho •j charming "Coppena" ballet, and in \ the picturesque "Empire Dance." It [ was as Columbine in tho "Polka i Comiquo" from "Les Millions d'Arle- \ quin" that 6ho was most pleasing, when her dainty flirtation with Pierrot (31. Volinin) roused the audience to great enthusiasm. The ballet classiquo' 1 "Arabian Nights" ' was delightfully presented by M. Volinin (Schah'-Ra'h-man), Mile. Halina Schmolz (Azyiade), Mile. Vlasta Novotna (Sett Boubour), and others. Among other items that attracted were a gipsy dance, and a " Pas dos Deux" to the accompaniment of Hauser'6 "Adagio" by Mile. Schmolz and M. Volinin. There is to be a special matinee this afternoon.. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Several artists will make a final appearance at His Majesty's Theatre tonight. The vaudeville entertainment at this magnificent theatre is on a scale which continues to attract large audiences. Among the artists at present appearing are the Three Bros. Vardell, hand-to-hand balancers; The Croydons, 'clog-dancers; Johnson, and Conway, specialty artists; Desperado and La Rose,.aerial artists; Laiia Brook; May Brilliant; La Perle; Gabrielle Hope, and tho Two Breves. "LES MISERABLES." On Monday night next at the Kind's Theatre both series of that admirahle film work "Les Miserables," will be shown at the one screening. As tho unfolding of the massive picture will take about 2} hours, and therefore occupy the whole of the evening, the overture will be played at 7.55, and the screening of tho. fine film will begin punctually at 8 o'clock. Some time back a plebiscite in connection with a competition wa3 taken in. England/ to decide what was the most popular book of the day, and tho vote was in favour of Victor Hugo's masterpiece "Les Miserables." If a similar vote were taken in New Zealand as to the most popular picture shown hero, this great film would stand, an excellent chance of securing a repetition of the English verdict. Special attention is being paid to the incidental music which it is said will be of a high order, and particularly appropriate/ Seats for any night of the season may be reserved at the Dresden. There will he aspecial matinee performance at 2.30 this afternoon. BROTHERHOOD CONCERT. Wesley Hall, Taranaki Street, was well filled last ovening, the occasion being a concert arranged by the Central Mission Brotherhood. The Mev. Kuowles Smith presided, and an excellent evening's entertainment was erovided by Mesdames Martin Williams, J. W. Carr, and H. Tonks, Misses Hazel Jeffery, MaeDonald, B. Brittain, and Messrs. W. J. Meredith, Horace Tanks, C. N. Howard, C. H. Pullyn, and Carr. The proceeds of the .concert are ear marked to further the social work oi Sister Alice, who, working on behalf of tho Brotherhood, has wop the esteem of citizens for her good and faithful endeavours. ' THE EMPRESS THEATRE. A last opportunity will bo available to-day and to-night of witnessing the current programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. There are three "feature" dramas. Tho most important of these is the A.B. Company's sensational adventure "A Modest Hero." In this subject a. thief goes to the assistance of a woman who tacked by a dangerous criminal. Tho horo subsequently decamps for fear that ho will be identified by tho police who come to arrest the other man. "His Conscience" is a dramatic "mastermeco" in which a notorious safe robber is identified by a detective just as the former is about to marry an heiress. The robber's conscience pricks him. He. confesses his guilt to his fiancee and then surrenders himself to the police. "Blaek Beauty" is an exciting Wostern drama. Tho rest of, the serie: wompriscs comic, scenic, and other pictures. A change of programme is announced for Monday. 1 'CELLO CONCERT. Mr. Frank Johnstone's 'cello pupils, who inelude some promising talent, wero given an opportunity of appearing before tho public at the Concert Chamber last evening in a rather novel manner. Conceding that it would bo a ; foolhardy task to attempt to entertain an audience by giving each a solo place on the programme, Mr. Johnstone formed a 'cello orchestra, scored in v _ four parts a' few of the simpler composition 8 of good writers, and tho presented the result to a fairly large audience last evening. On the whole, the students played very well, and were never guilty of making egregious blunders. There wero occasions where it was obvious that all the instruments were not in strict tune, but to compensate, as far as one can compensate for out-of-tune-ness, the tone was surprisingly rich and full-bodied, and the harmonic effect quite good. Handei'a "Largo" was as well suited as any of the numbors set for the 'cello orchestra. A "Minuotto" by Cowen was taken, altogether too slowly by Mr. Lawrence Watkins {who conducted). It was not a very suitable selection in any case, as the daintiness and rhythm of the stately old dance could hardly be preserved by a batallion of 'cellos. Other pieces Elayed were Barnby's "Sweet and ow," Markus's "Jfocturne," and Schubert's "Serenade." Mr. and < Mrs. Frank Johnstone wore responsible for good leading and well-sustained tone. Mr. Frank Johnstone played as a solo tho Meditation from "Thais" (Massenet), and responded to an encore wiih a bright little taranella. He also played the Boecherino-Grutimacher "Rondo" in a finished manner, though not exhibiting much temperamental quality. Miss Eileen. Drisool contributed Siebel'a charming flower song from Gounod's "Faust, which she sang fairly well within her powers. The slight tremolo she displayed had a flattening effect right through the number. She was better in Landon Ronald's "Southern Song," sung in the second half of tie concert. Mr. Baxter Buckley'* fine technic and brilliant • execution wero capitally displayed in Rachmaninoff's "Polishinelle," and again in the dia-mond-set "Scherzo" of Glere. He also played the "Campanella" of Liszt, Mr. H. Hodges sang "Four by the Clock," "Gloriana" (both son), and "Restless River" (German). His accompaniments were played by ; Mrs. E. H. Queree.