ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA SEASON

The second performance of "11 Trovatore," by the Gonsalez Company was greeted with another large and appreciative house last night, when the opera was received from rise to fall of curtain with the warmest applause. Signor Cappelli was again irresistible as Jiaurico, while Signori Kcazmuzzi and Cacialii sang in a highly artistic manner. "LA TRAVIATA" TO-NIGHT. To-night Verdi's "La Traviata" will be staged. This opera will introduce tlio second cast of this well-equipped organisation, and, judging by"tho impression created by- "II Trovatore" a fine musical treat should be in store. "La Traviata" is in complete contrast with "II Trovatore" in plot and motif. It is the story of Dumas Hi's "la Dame du Camellias," but its music is amongst the best that any composer has yet given to the world. Sydney critics speak most highly of Signorina Gonsalez'as Violetta, while the work of Signora Belloni, as Flora, and Signori Dagradi, Fillippini, and Petrucci, has also received the highest encomiums. A conductor of high European reputation will j>e found in Signor Ernesto Gonsalez. The box plans will be opened for the second week, commencing on Monday next, this morning at 9 o'clock, at the Bristol. "La Bohenie," "Un Belloin Maschera," "Lucia," "Faust," and "Eigoletto" will comprise the attractions. There will be a matinee of VII Trovatore" on Saturday next. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Several really good artists participate in tho programme at His Majesty's Theatre this week, and the bill is a variedone. Cormvailis, an effective English elocutionist, gives a number of new selections, and one of his best -is a. unique picture of life entitled "The Veil of Kismet." Tsiula, an extraordinary equilibrist,, performs a number of feats on a large'ball* Wilfred Dubois, a comedy juggler, Miss D. Harris, a clever and bright ragtime singer, and the Freda Boys, who give a tumbling and musical performance, all help to make up an excellent entertainment. KING'S THEATRE. With such a picture as "Little Pal" with Mary Pickford in the title role, it is not surprising that largo attendances are the prevailing conditions at the King's Theatre. In the character of an Indian half-breed, Mary Pickford shows yet another aspect of her wonderful versatility. The story is set in the mining districts of Alaska, where the unselfishness and quaintness of the titlo role is brought out more prominently by the roughness of tho camp life. The rugged,snow-covered country alone makes a pleasing picture. The additional pici lures are very attractive and comprise a line Pathe Gazette, a pretty nature study, "Butterflies and Bees," and a fine comedy, "Kernel Knut and the 100 Dollar Bill," featuring Frank Daniels, the American comedian. The last two days of this programme are announced. CHAPLIN, IN "ONE A.M.," AT EVERYBODY'S. Comedy is the feature of the programme now showing at' Everybody's. Charlie Chaplin still continues the big drawing card, with Ms latest Mutual success, "One A.M." The fun provided by Chaplin in this production is characteristic of the inimitable Charlie. In the supporting programme a stirring drama, entitled "Sons of the Sea," takes pride of place. The story is one in which romance, tragedy, and vivid incidents are skilfully interwoven iii tho development of a, dramatic climax. Other items of interest aro the Gaumont Graphic, a special war topical, and others. • On Saturday ihc_ "World Film Co. will present Edna Wallace Hooper and Frank Sheridan in tho great society drama, "The Perils of Divorce." THE EMPRESS. The Mutual-Chaplin sign is the recognised hall-mark of comedy, and in the latest of these Charlie Chaplin has, a succession of interviews with a menagerie of stuffed bears, lions, tiger rugs, old-time suits of armour, and some animated furniture, including a folding bed, a dumb waiter, and a set of obstinately alive stairs. Needless to say, the fun is last .and furious. "A Modern Joan of Arc" is- another particularly attractive film. "THE HYPOCRITES." In "The Hypocrites," to lie screened for the first time at the Empress Theatre on Saturday next, tho public will have the opportunity of witnessing what has been described as a truly remarkable allegorical study of humanity. 'Die writer of scenairo, Lois. Weber, has conceived the idea of holding up the Mirror of Truth to the shams, hypocrisies, follies, and vices of the world, by spiritualising a strikingly beautiful statue of Truth, > in the nude, and causing the figure to carry her ianipiuto the hitfh ways and byways of life. The story of the allegory is described as ,v beautiful conception, and throughout a picture'play of undoubted artistic merit, pointing its powerlul morals with exceeding delicacy. QUEEN'S THEATRE. ' The popularity of the new picture venture m Cuba Street, the Queen's Theatre, remains unabated, and there was again a very large audience at both sessions yesterday. That stirring picture, temptation,' a story of a phase of life familiar to everybody, remains at the head- of the bill. ■ Associated with it are two brisk and hilarious comedies and an impressive interest picture, making a-very strong programme. The orchestra, under Signor Truda, is quite a feature of tho entertainment, and this, combined with other excellences, makes the Queen's quito a house to visit. The performance is continuous from 11 a.m. daily.

CLEIfENT MAY

At the Concert Chamber of the Town' Hall last evening the last of,the clever entertainments by Clement May, and the other members of his little company was given before a fair audience.. The company intends making a country tour and to-night "an appearance will be made 'at the lung George Theatre, Lower Hutt, and afterwards they go on to Mnrtinborough, Featherston, Carterton., Eketahuna, JBulls, and Levin, where Mr. May will finish up just before Christmas.

"THE MESSIAH." Lho fmal concert of the season takes place ]]i tlio Town Hall to-night, wlieji, 111 keeping with the season, the Wellington Choral "Union will perforin Handel's masterpiece, "The Messiah." Mr. Robert larker will conduct tlio chorus and orchestra of 200 performers, and Mr. I'. AV. jireside at the grand organ. Miss Minnie AVaugli, an English oratorio singer, has been brought from Melbourne at considerable expense to sing the soprani' music. The beautiful contralto solos are to be taken 'bv Miss Mina Caldow. Sergeant Edwin Dennis has been engaged to take tlio difficult tenor solos, while the bass role will be taken by Mr. L. Barnes,. A very .successful filial rehearsal wiis held last night, and everything points to an excellent performance this evening. Hutt ami Jolmsonville residents are reminded that their trains will bo delayed till 10.-15 to-night. The box plan caii "be inspected at the Bristol. Doors open at 7.15, and the oratorio will conclude at 10.15.