ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2184, 24 June 1914, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

I THE KENNEDYS. Ihat talented little company of musicians "Tho Kennedys" enhanced tho good opinion formed about them from their opening entertainment by their showing in • tnc change of programnu. last night. The only pity was that there was such a meagro few present at the Grand Opera House to hear them. The entertainment in every way bettered the first night's performance. A big contributing factor to this was that Miss Rose Fitzgerald, now rid of tho cold that prevented her singing on tho opening night, was able to bo heard. She possosses a tender, tuneful, and sympathetic contralto voice, which she uses with taste. Mr. Laurie Kennedy again charmed exceedingly in his 'cello playing. His numbers' gave ample scope for tho display of tho rare gift of expression ho is endowed with, and his playing of tho well-known Schumann number "Traumerei" wasfullof tenderness and beauty. His other items were: Popper's "Tarantelle," "Chanson a Boire" (Dunklcr)j and a Scotch ballad. Mr. Keith Kennedy, tho violinist. was more successful last night. •His-items were dillicult ones, and thogu hhis technique was not found wanting, thero was that lack of finish about his playing that was apparent on tho opening night. Nevertheless, ho played quite passably tho most difficult s'oxtette-from "Lucia di Lammermoor," and unaccompanied at that. His performance, of Sarsate's gipsy number VZigounerwoisen," too, , was creditable. Lance Kennedy played pleasingthe tlute. He gave "Vapilloiv' (Kohler), and, as an encore item, El--gar's "Salut D'Amour." One could not enthuso over tho playing of either movement, however. Mr. Lance was also heard again vocally, but was most successful in his duets. Miss Dorothy Grapo sang most charmingly "Tho Passion of Spring" (Slater), Braga's "Ser-. enata," and other numbers. The latter was accompanied on the flute by Air. Lance Kennedy. Miss Rose Fitzgerald's numbers were "Divinites du Styx" (Gluck), and Scotch and Irish songs. She sang the beautiful' and simple little Irish ballad "My Mother" with great feeling. The two instrumental quartet items were most enjoyable. They were . Liszt's "Rhapsodic No. 2" and Mendelssohn's First Movement from tho Piano Quartet in C minor. Tho concerted items were most successful, and were: "Excelsior" (Balfe), ''Come, Sing To Me" (Thompson),. and "111 Bachio." Sullivan s "Losh Chord," played by 'cello, cornet, violin, and viola was again given with pleasing success. ' Madamo Bertha Kennedy fulfilled her | arduous duty of accompanying all through tho entertainment with credit. Tho company conclude their season this evening. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There was a good house at His Majesty's last night, when the current programme of vaudeville mot with hearty approval. -The Merry Mannikins created much amusement, tho,'clever manipulation of the marionettes ovoking sincere admiration. The daring aerial work of tho Larnys was again successfully per-, formed, eliciting rounds of applause. The efforts of the other members of the company were , well received, Miss Millar, Millie Doris, the Comedy Four, Lawrencelß-ay, and Beran find Flint doing useful work. THE DANDIES. , Only four more nights remain of. tho season of the Orange Dandies: 'They had a good attendance Inst night, When the songs, dances,, and comedy sketches with which ithosfr—popular, wren teitauwi ments. are reploto ; >iM'er6" well'H'ceeirkh't The samo programmo will bo repeated tonight, and .there , will be a complete' change-.to-morrow- night.. ■ '' ■' KING'S. THEATRE. , "The Curse of War" film attracted another good attendance at the King's Theatre-last night.- The picture, which is full of- stirring incident, is interest- 1 ing from start- to. finish. The scene portraying - the destruction of tho balloons is a very vivid one, and was greeted with loud applause. The whole picture is certainly a fine example of the .thoroughness with which picture dramas are produced. The Panama Canal pictures constitute a remarkably fine-scenic and) educational series.

THE ROSARY. Reforms; to "The Rosary," to bo staged on Friday night in the Opera douse, a ■ Melbourne' contemporary. says:— "The plot is' simple, . and is briefly told. There are twin sisters, and necessarily one is good and one is bad. The good sis'tor is married, and the bad one ought to be. Bruce Wilton, the husband of the good twin, is an operator in stocks and shares • in- New York Exchange, and his enemy. Tho villain of the piece, who is named by the sarcastically inappropriate name of Wright, is operating against him. In order to do this effectively, Wright has to obtain -advance knowledge of Wilton's prospective dealings. This know, ledge is, only in the possession of Wilton and his wife, but in consequence of tho remarkablo likeness between Mrs. Wilton and her- twin sister, Alice Marsh, the latter gains the necessar.i ■ information, and passes it on : to the schomiiig Wright. The result is the ultimate ruin of Bruce Wilton and bis echemes. The pity of it is said that ho also believes Ijis wife' to be unfaithful, and a traitor to him. Thrqugh tho intercession of Father Brian Kelly, who believes in the innocence of- Mrs. Wilton, the truth is made clear, thn villain confesses Ms guilt, the wicked twin also owns up, and matters aro speedily straightened out to the satisfaction of everybody concerned." . The box plan is now open at the Dresden, and seats may be booked for any night, of tho season. TH? EMPRESS THEATRE. - For the last' time to-day and tonight will appear the magnificentlystaged "feature" drama, "A Son of Adam," and- present supporting programme, of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The "star" subject l deals with the vacillating affections of a young lawyer, who changes liis love for a famous singer, in order to marry a young society belle. Of the supporting items, tho most popular are: "Tho Rhine" (natural colour scenic), "Up a Tree" (A.B. comedy), and "Mephisto's Affinity 1 ' (trick comedy). A complete change of programme is announced for to-morrow. MISOHA ELMAN'S N.Z. TOUR. In the Town Hall, on July 2 and 4. Mischa Elman, the great violinist, will make his two and only appearances, and if the critic of tho Melbourne "Herald" may be quoted, it should prove an historic occasion. Mischa Elman, now only 23 years of age, has been before the English, Continental, and American public for the past ten years, consequently he is the full development of the wonderful boy prodigy, as lio was called when ho first took St. Petersburg and London by storm. Consequently it is not surprising to find that Elman is regarded as the "world's greatest violin virtuoso," whilo some of tho London and New York critics have gouo so far as to say be has left all other violinists far behind, and established 4 standard in violin playing that to all appearances will stand for many years to come, unless Elman's own further development—if this is possible—even overshadows what he has already done. Mischa Elman is in the zenith of his career, consequently New Zealanders should hear an artist who by liis superb playing enthralls audiences in tho Old World—audiances, too, which almost wreeklv hear the world's greatest artists in their own particular line, and ire' fully capable of judging Elman

h'itli his predecessors of tho violin ill years gone by. Elman, it is interesting to recall, was a-favourite of the lato King Edward, and is still a welcome visitor to tho Queen Mother Alexandra Mid tho King and Queen. Elman naturally values tliis friendship so highly that he constantly wears the diamond pin which tho present King handed ;hini before ho (Elman) went to Amcricii on tho tour just completed, His Majesty knowing of Elman's Australian visit. The pin embodies the three Princc or Wales feathers. Associated with Mischu Elman in Ills concerts here will bo Mllo. Kva Gauthier, the brilliant FrenchCanadian mezzo-soprano, who has appeared at Covent Garden, London, and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. The pianist will bo Mr. Percy Kahn, who . has now been associated with. Elman for tho past fivo years. Mr. George Musgrove, whose name has been associated with some of the grcatost artistic .visits to this country, is directing the tour. Applications in advance for tho 10s. Gel. seats are now being received by tho Dresden Piano Go.