ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2336, 18 December 1914, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE MESSIAH" TO-NIGHT, One of tne world's greatest oratorio 6ingers, Mr. Peter Dawson, is to eing the baritone solos in "The Messiah" for the lloyal Choral Society in the Town Hall to-night. Mr. Daweon is touring Australasia, under tho management of J. and N. Tait, and arrangements have been completed by the Choral Sooiety for his first appearance in Now Zealand with that society. The Adelaide "Advertiser" wrote thus of Mr. Uawfion's singing: "Mr. _ Peter Uiiwson made his appearance in the. Exhibition Hall amid the excited expectancy of a crowded house and a perfect furore of applause. He has a voice that has an element of the extraordinary about it. Where does it etart and where does it end? The range is wonderful, and carries every shade of vocal colouring. The other soloists are: Soprano, Miss Annetta George, of the Dawson Company; Miss Mina Caldow, contralto; and Mr. Martin Duff, tenor. of Dunedin. The final rehearsal went well last night, and augers well for tonight's concert. The bos plan will remain open at the Dresden till 5 p.m., where 3s. and 2s. seats oan be reserved. A limited supply of one shilling tickets will be on bale at the box office to-day. The doors were open at 7.16, and the performance commences sharp at 8, concluding at 10. As usual, Mr. Herbert Bloy will conduct. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. One of the leading attractions at His Majesty's Theatre this week ifl Mr. George Hall, who in billed as "the great American raconteur in his original songs and monologues." "The Magpies," a bright company of versatile entertainers, supply the first part of the programme, and the other artists appearing go to make up one of the best programmes put on at His Majesty's Theatre for some time. The last few nights of Miss Carrie Moore are announced, and a matinee will be held tomorrow afternoon at which she will appear. '

KINO'S THEATRE. A pioture drama of unusual merit is being produced.at the King's Theatre this woek. It is entitled 'Tea of the Storm' Country," and features . Mine Mary Piokford, the famous photo-play aotross. As Tees, Miss Picktord gives a delightful interpretation of a. difficult part. There is also a-fine supporting programme, including an exceedingly funny film, entitled "A Midsummer Lovo Tangle. ,1 A particularly interesting series at the present time is the "Pathe War Gazette," illustrating all tho latest happenings at the front. A matinee will be held to-morrow.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. What is described as a masterpiece in detective pictures is being produced in tho current week's programme at "Everybody's" Theatre in Manners Streot. . "The Woman with tho RedHair" is the title of the film, and it is a story of the tracking of a gang of jewellery thieves, who, after many daring exploits, are captured just on the eve of their departure for America. Another series of the interesting "Bully Boy" cartoons is also shown. Other films include "Those Country. Kids" and "A Dog's Good Deed." ' PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. Yesterday was ohange day at the People's Picture Palace, and the new programme was responsible for drawing large orowds to this popular place of amusement. The Bison Company's dramatic study; "The Isle of Abandoned Hope," is the leading attraotion. The story deals with a party of white men, who are wrecked on a savage island in the South Seas. Through the intercession of the chief!s, daughter their lives are spared. Subsequently the party is placed in a valley, the only known outlet of which is strongly guarded. One of the men discovers an underground river leading to the sea. After many startling experiences the party escapes by this means, just as the natives come to avenge a wrong committed by one of the white men. The acting in this particular pioture is good throughout, and the plot is well sustained. The supporting pictures were many and varied, and included the "Eclair Journal," "Toilers of the Sea," "Estranged," "Bloomer, Photographer," and "A Midnight Wedding." THE EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Gypsy's Vendetta," a dramatio sensation by the Skandinavia Company, is the featuro of the new programme introduced at the Empress Theatre yesterday. Belle, a v/oodcutter's child, is adopted by gypsies. On reaching womanhood she is wooed by Serena and Pablo, members of the tribe, but she elopes with Fritz, a young composer, and gets married. A quarrel between Serena and I'ablo follows, and terminates in the latter's death. Serena escapes, but Pablo's uster swears to bo avenged. Years later Serena, now an .outcast, finds where Belle resides, and kidnaps her child Ina. The abduction of the child eventually results in the death of Fritz, and then Belle becomes a Sister of Charity. Pablo's sister discovers Serena, and mortally wounds him. He is removed to the hospital of the Sisters of Charity. There Serena is brought face to face.with Bello, to whom he confesses all, and causes mother and daughter to be reunited. "Indian Troops at the Front," "The Topical War Budgot," "Bloomer Challenges the World's Champion Wrestler," and "Simple Simon Stops a Coal Strike," are all strong attractions. WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL. The Wellington Liedertafel gave its third concert of the twenty-first season in, the Concert Chamber last evening, under the baton of Mr. Robert Parker. Whilst the style of musio favoured by this body is of a quality to be encouraged, it is necessarily vocal mueio that calls for treatment which cannot always bo given with the voices available- The tenor division is weak and wavering, ■with a chronic predilection for that falsetto production, -which is destructive of perfect balance when associated with a vigorous, if uneven, bass section. Not infrequently the singing becomes a sigh —so timid was the' attack and' attenuated the tono, and the strain engendered by this persistent pianissimo found tho choir wanting when a.double forte was absolutely necessary._ This was conspicuously noticeable in Kjerulfs glee, "flardanger," which is really a paean of joy in living. Tenors cannot express the vocal joy of a Viking in peaky, falsetto tones, and the "loud cheers for the Viking's daughter" would hardly have aroused the Norse maid from her beauty sleep. Maunder's "Song of the Northmen," a rugged, lusty chorus, also lacked the manly spirit requisite to give the fine chorus colour and meaning. In tho subdued part song, "Evening" (Do Call), the Liedertafel was more in its element, and "The Two Roses" (Werner) ivas rather nicely sung. "Tho Image of a Rose" (Reichardt), _ an old favourite sung with a humming accompaniment, was sung by Mr. James Searle. Mr. Charles Clarkson imparted life to Stanlord's rollicking cavalier song, "Marching Along," ana was heartily applauded. Other choruses were: "To Phoobo" (Bridge), "Spin, Spin" (Jungst), "Comrades in Arms" (Adam), and finally the National Anthem.

Tho Liedortafel wis fortunate in its assisting artists. Mrs. C. M. Hector played Schumann's delightful suito, "Tim Carnival," usually sacred to virtuosi of tho pianoforte. To memorise tho work alono is a foat, and Mrs. Hector's memory never failed her, but sho played without inspiration, and fi it?it«sly sMffled to rotilim? t,lio vnrying jewA). tlw suit* embodies, .with qxecu^

tive ease that amounted to nonchalance • the soloist rippled off a fluttery "Etude'V by . Kopylofr, and Arensky s dainty "Papignon." Miss Nellie FieMbouse, a mezzo who sings sweetly and with high intelligence, has lost some vocal breadth since she was last heard in Wellington. She sang' "I Heard a Sweet Song" (Dorothy Forster) and "Like to the Damask Rose," a beautiful song by Sir Edward Elgar, for which she was permitted by Mr. Parker to accede to an encore. MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. The business keeps up to high-water mark at MacMahon's New Theatre, and there were large audiences last night to witness the farewell of "The Reprieve," and see the last of that delightful comody, "A Dramatic Incident." To-day there, will be another change of programme, headed by "The Life 'of a Jackeroo." This is an Australian bact ! blocks story of love" and jealousy, and incidentally it covers some interesting pictures of the aboriginals of Australia, including a corroboree and other quaint tribal custonis. "The Heart, of Maggie Malono" is described as a charming Irish drama, whilst the comio element will ba supplied by one- of the popular Nestor comics, "When Hubby Entertained," and the reappearance of ■the inevitable Ike in "The Battle of Tin Horse Gulch." Next week special matinee programmes are being arranged for children, when each child will receive a present. "A ROYAL DIVOEOE." The Christmas attraction at the Grand Opera House will be provided by the J. C. Williameon, Ltd., management, as on Boxing Night they will present the 1 popular actor, Air. Julius Knight, supported by Miss Irene Browne and a powerful company of dramatic artists, in a magnificent produotion of the great Napoleonio military dramatio spectacle "A Koyal Divorce." Only 6oven representations can be given of "A Royal Divorce," and it will be followed by "The Scarlet Pimpernel," J.'Tho Sign of the Cross," "The Silver King," and "Monsieur Beaucaire." It was as Napoleon that Julius Knight made his first, if not.his greatest, success in Australia, and that hie representation of tho "Man of Destiny" is as popular to-day as it was ten years ago was demonstrated in Sydney and Melbourne recently. On both occasions ;. the Napoleonic drama was staged for a limited number of nights, but so successful m both cities was it, that although its seasons were prolonged, it was taken off while hundreds wore still nightly fighting to gain admission, and tho seenes of wonderful enthusiasm created by the stirring battlo tableaux representing "Tho Retreat from Moscow,". "Tho Battlo of Waterloo," and "Aloiie on the Kock at St. Helena," ore without a precedent in the annals of the Commonwealth stage. :Of course, special interest hns been infused, in the present revival of "A Royal Divorco" because of tho fact tliaf.ra'any of its most important incidents take place on tho vicinity of tho places.where the great conflict.'is at present racing botwecn tho brave Allies and the Germans. "A Royal Divorco" ; '.will be staged with new scenery, dresses, and effects, and over 70 specially-selected: nrti6ts will 1)0 concorned in the revival, including a full operatic chorus and orchestra. The bos plans will be,opened at the Dresden on Wednesday next at 9 a.m. A queue will ■-'bo formed from 7 a.m.