ENTERTAINMENTS,

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1925, 6 December 1913, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS,

'THE GKISIIA." A brilliant iuulicucc that lilloii every seal in the Opera liouso took pleasure in t-lii) Wellington Amateur Operatic Society's performance of "The l-Seislm" lust .eveiiiiiif. Ainoiiy those present were J1 is Ksce'leiicy the Governor (pat--1011 of tho society), the Countess of Liverpool, and the Hon. A, L. Heiclninn, .M l.', (president of the society), and Mr?. ISerdinan. Tho jjerformanco went trippingly i'rum the rise to the fail of the curtain. I'riilp of piano must lie accorded to Miss Helen Gani'iior, whose assunipt ion of the role of 0 Mimosa Sail is a very charming and complete realisation of the character. Not only does Miss Gard'ner act well, lull, her sillying as shown in ''Tho Geisiia's Life" and ''The Jewel of Asia" is easily comparable with the best professional standards. Hiss Eileen DriscolL though she docs not sparkle, is bright and jolly as ilolly Seainore, and exercises pleasant humour in "The Interfering Parrot," ami "Tho Monkey on a Slick." Miss Adelaide Evans is all impronng Juliette, and .Miss Cara Denhard a very likeable Lady Constance Wynn. No fault can be found with t'«c personal charm of her charges, nicely played by Misses Olive, Moycs, Olive Smith, M'Donaid, and Mario Fix. Mr. Alec. Newton extracts a lot of gcmiiuo fun out of Willi Hi, Mr. V. B. Meredith is a clean-cut ' and well-set-up Lieut. Fairfax, and Dr. Hales should be credited with a star performance as tho Marquis Imari. The clever and graceful dancing of Mr. K. M'Cormick as ono of tho Geisha (in association with Mr. F. Morrison) is an attractive little feature of tho first act. Mr. Tom l'ollard exhibits his skill in every stage picture, and tho man.v pretty evolutions on the part- of the chorus.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The current' programmo of vaudeville at His Majesty's is a good one, and lias been attracting largo audiences. In addition to the turns already presented tlii.s- week tliroo new artist's made their initial appearance last night, and wore well received. Jack Shields is a capital comedian, and was entirely'successful in his imitations of various birds and animals, while CnlScn and Emery presented a rather original miniature musical comedy, telling tile story of a bootblack's wooing. There will bo a matinee this afternoon, and the programme will bo presented for tlio last timo to-night. KING'S THEATRE. To-night will see the final screening of that remarkable film, "Quo Vadis?" at the King's Theatre, and those who liavo not witnessed the thrilling depiction of the (lays of Nero should avail themselves of the opportunity. A matinee performance is to ho given this afternoon, and on Monday a big 6000 fec-t feature picture, in which Marion Leonard plays the principal part, will bo shown.

• THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The last appearance of the present programme of tho Empress Theatre continuous pictures is announced for today and to-night. Tho leading subject is tho Kalem Company's spectacular Civil War feature drama, "Tho Grim Toll of War." This is a romantic play set amidst beautiful surroundings, and introducing some fine battle scenes, in which hundreds of troops take part. The Lubln drama "Where Love Leads" toils an effective story of love and parental devotion. "Tho Busy Bee," a kinematographie treatise on tho-little honey gatherer, find "Tho American Rhine," depicting a trip on the Hudson River, aro also worthy items. A new programme will bo submitted on -Mondav. '

TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. Another organ recital will be given tonight in the Town Hall bv tho City Organist (Mr. Bernard F. tage). The attendances at these recitals have been increasing, which is being taken as an indication tiiat tho public aro beginning to appreciate tho good music played by Mr. Page. A special featuro of to-night's programme will bo Cesar Fronde's works, of which the second part of the programme is made up. Tho Pastorale (Op. ID) is tho fourth pieeo taken from tho sot of compositions written (ISGO-G2) for tho organ by Franck. Tho musical charm of tho first section cannot fail to be noticed, and the composer seems to take us to the threshold of somo mystic world. Later a charming sccond scetion appears in tho key of A Minor, which bears ii beautiful relationship to tha preceding movement, which reappears in tho .course of development with all its beauty and charm more elaborated. Tho Finale in B i!at is the last of tho sot of organ piecca written in the above period. This work is particularly interesting on Recount of its firm Beethovenlike structure. It opens with a forceful and majestic pedal solo. Cesar Franck's organ, works, so lofty as regards inspiration, so perfect in workmanship, will remain a solid monument and mark a memorable date in the history of tho organ. The Sixth Sonata (Mendelssohn) or tho Hymn "Yarter unset;" (tlwClerinan metrical version of the Lord's Prayer) is used by Mendelssohn as the theme for four variations in the first movement.\ Little themes "Romania" and "AllogVetto," by Wolstenhohne, and "Andanto" and "Alia Mareia," two old English compositions by TJattishill, also find it phco on this programme.

TO lIKLP THE CHILDREN. Her Excellency ilio Countess of Liverpool has consented to attend a Kiami concert to he held on Wednesday, December 17, in Urn 'i'ov.-n Hall Concert Chamber. The concert is beins organised for the purpose of raising funds for providing tliu children of thy two Anglican Ilomos and tho Levin Homo a fortnight's holiday at tho seaside, ail object which will no doubt arouse tho sympathy of all people' ivho care for the children in tho homes. Jinny of tho leading artists in the musical profession are contributing to tho programme, ;md tho concert promises to be a great success.

"THE MESSIAH." There ivns a rush yesterday to book scats for the performance of "Tlio Messiah." to Im given by tholloyal Wellington Clioral Socicty in tlio Town Hall on December 15, under tlisconductorship <i? jlr. CJfristiau Kcllemann. The attraction, of course, is the splendid quartet of principals, a quartet which would attract attention in any part of tlio British Empire. Tile public of Wellington liar, boon quick to recognise the rare musical treat in store, and the scene in tho Town Hail on Monday week should be a brilliant cmo. There are still plenty of goad seats unreserved, and those who intend being present should visit the Dresden, where 4s. and us. seats can be reserved without extra., charge. The 3s. tickets arc also on sale at tho box ollicc. The soloists are Madame Ifivel.vn Selis:. Miss Mma Caldow, Messrs. Pan! Dufault and Andrew Black. A very successful rehearsal was held last eroninj', and the' practices next week for chonvs will be Monday and Fridav, orchestra Tuesday. Suburban trains and boats will bo delayed till lifter the performance. Special eoncessions are offered to schools, nud particulars can be obtained at tno box office or from tlio secretary, Mr. \Y. K. Caldow.

WELLINGTON' LIEDEIiTAFEL. This society's last concert of the present season will be held in thu Concert Chamber o, tlio lown Hall on 1' riday next. The Licdcrtafel members will be board in solos and in new l>nit songs by Colorize Taylor, Sir Frederick Hnd.se, and oilier;;, Madame Edith Uramshy, routrallo vocalist, and Mr. 11. Moscliini, clarinetist, will be tho assisting artists.

Further particulars, will bo (My annoiuiccd. Tito seating plan is at tlso Dresden.

CONCERT FOR MOTHER AUBERT'S HOMES. Tho annual concert in aid of Mother' Mary Aubcrt's Homes, which has been postponed i'rom tho dates originally fixed, has now ken definitely fixed or Decernher 19, in the Town Hall. Mr. D. Kenny is arranging a programme, and p first-class concert is looked forward to. Mother Mary Attbert is greatly hampered in her good work for lack of funds. _Ihe work is carried on for all classes, irrespective of creed or nationality. A visit to the homes (and all are welcome at any time to inspect them) is an oycopeiier. Tho work however, like any other costs money, and Mother Mary Aubert unci her Sisters arc entirely dependent upon the generosity of the public to enable tho sxontl work to be caiitmucr. All who, therefore, tsiko tickets will assist the most laudable undertaking. A first-class concert by tho best talent procurable in Wellington is promised.