ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2957, 21 December 1916, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

EUGENE OSSIPOFF TO-NIGRT,

this evening concert-goers will have the opportunity of renowing- their acquaintance with 11. Eugene OBsipoif, tho Russian baritone, who created a favourable impression when in Wellington some nve or six years ago. M. Ossipoff is musical in stylo, having a superabundance of that fiery Slavonic temperament so common in tho TAuss. There is nothing conventional in his methods. Eo is swayed by what lie conceives to bo the spirit of the song he is interpreting,, and pays his addresses to that spirit with all tho eerie ardour at his command. Some will remember his curious but impressive reading of "Will o' tho Wisp," his ftsree declamatory style in tho Toreador's song (from "Carmen"), and his weird realisations of Russian folk-songs. To-night M. Ossipoff will sing the "Toreador's Song," an excerpt from Rubinstein's "Nero, 1 a "Romance" by A. Kotc'hetoff, and a bracket of Russian songs. With Miss Ethnee Clegr [a talented mezzo) he will sing the "Kissing Duet" from "Zoza" (Leoncavallo) and "Come, Lst Us Sail." Miss Clegg will also siug solos. Miss Bessie.Rogers, an elocutionist, will do a couple offeent"?' from "Twelfth Night,", among other things. In conclusion, M. Ossipoft' and Miss Clegg will sing, the Russian National Anthem (in Russian). Concerts will also be given to-morrow and on Saturday evening. WILLIAMSON'S MUSICAL COMEDY . - COMPANY. ; "So Long, Letty," a musical comedy of a semi-detached villa on the ocean front, written around a number of pretty choruses, and spectacles, is to be presented by the J. C. Williamson management on Boxing Night. Miss Dorothy Brunto is said to be bright, and vivacious in the title role of Letty Robbins, who browbeats and half-starves her husband, until he wants, to leave her. "Men," she declares, "spend their courting days telling-, ns how unworthy tliev are, and their married lives proving it. 1 ' She is said to c'liarm the audience in her.solo, "Down Among the Sheltering Palms." There is also catchy tunefulness in her duet, "So Long, Letty," which.is 'sung with Mr. Charles Workman. Mr. Workman's "Good-byo, Girls, I'm. Through," is alsq described as an attractive melody. He and Mr. Field Fisher, the other husband, cleverly emphasise many humorous situations. Miss Connie Ediss as Gracie Miller is said to be most effective .in her broad farcical interludes, •• and shows artistic touches in the quieter scenes.; Miss Marie Eaton sings several choruses, the most attractive of which are "Ragtime Temple Bells" and "The Dear Old Fighting Boys." The scenic and electrical effects are, it is stated, both novel and magnificent. One, a remarkably spectacular effect, is that of "The' Ladders of Roses," in which the flowers are represented by a vast number of electric lights. "So Long, Letty," can only be played for five nights, for on New Year's Night "To-night's the Night" will be presented. The box plans for the opennig production will open at the Bristol this morning at 9 o'clock.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. One-half of the programme submitted at His Majesty's Theatre this week is occupied by the Bert La Blano Musical Travesty Stare. Bert La Blanc and Jake Hack are the principal entertainers, and their dialogue is most amusing. They are well supported by the other members of tho band, amongst whom are some really good singers and dancers, all of whom are brightly dressed, and keep the.fun at its height. The other half of tho bill comprises somo good artists. Harry Little, the strong r voiced baritone, makes a reappearance, as do also the Flcmmings. The Alberts, with their bayonet, battle-axe, and' broadsword juggling item, are again on the bill, and are well received. Others are the Three Ruddles, dancers, singers, and acrobats, and , the Two Devons, dancers and singers. ... v KING'S THEATRE. The Tfentham Band played some fine selections in front of tho King's Theatre, after marching from the Government station yesterday, and long before the overture was -played all the best seals in the theatre were filled by patrons anxious to see themselves as others see them in tho local "movie", taken by the King's camera man at Trenthani Christinas dinner on Tuesday. The.photography was splendid, and the pictures'are intensely interesting, showing as they do scenes all about the grounds, and close-up views of the officials. The Acting-Prime Minister, His Worship the Mayor, Ministers of the Cabinet, and others, to say nothing of the ladies and officers "caught"" by the camera. /This picture will- be screened' for. the remainder of the week, together with. His Majesty the King on the Somme battlefield, a picture' of absorbing interest, and the exciting and powerful drama, "Salvation Joan," with Edna May in the leading rale. "THE CAPTIVE GOD" AT EVERYBODY'S, i Crowded houses seem to be the rule at Everybody's Theatre this week, the attraction being the Triangle Company's latest spectacular success, "The Captive God,", a drama based' on the Aztec religious customs of America about a thousand years ago. In those days it was the rule that the handsomest young man in the country was offered as a human sacrifice to their god. The part of the victim to be sacrificed is played by AV. S.' Hart with great power- and skill, and the climax is made very striking. This is not an Indian picture, but an old-time Mexican story, dealing with historical facts. The supporting items include a very fine Altagrftph comedy, "Kernel Nutt in High Shoes," starring Frank Daniels. On Saturday, tlie Triangle Company will present Louise Glaum, the world's leading exponent of A'ampire parts, in the "Wolf Woman," an elaborate picture play, presenting a striking lesson on the folly of fast living; £5000 worth of gowns said to be worn by Louise Glaum. EMPRESS THEATRE. At the Empress Theatre, "Wicked New York," the striking depiction of "the undertow" in the boiling, bubbling maelstrom of life in New York, still attracts crowded houses. The story goes to show that vice and wickedness flourish in undisguised abundance in tho big cities of tho world, and that even in New York the innate goodness in human nature gives virtue a chance against sin. Tho fine artistic emotionalism of Florence Reed finds free scope for display in a difficult character. ' "Tho Topical get," a most interesting number; a delightful scenic, "Ossold A'alley"; and a "Mutt and Jeff" cartoon complete an excellent choice of subjects. The last two days aro now announced, a new bill being in readiness for Saturday. QUEEN'S' THEATRE. Mary Picki'ord is proving an inevitable draw at the Queen's Theatre, but to-day and to-morrow will be the last two opportunities of seeing her-in "Poor Littlo L'eppiim," as on Saturday she gives way to a star holiday attraction that the management has kept in reserve. This will be the appearance of Marguerite Clark in a modern dramatisation of Frances Hodgson-Burnett's popular Spanish story, "The Little Sister of Jose." This drama, with its tornado of southern passion, is eminently suited-to this vivacious actress. It is full of brightness and almost breathless incident, strong in its -lore-interest mid rich in the vivid colour that is' always associated with the sunny land of Spain, It lends itself, moreover, to the production of the langurous music of this vitally-endowed country, and special attractions in this respect arc promised. For this special holiday attraction a big demand is expected, and patrons are notified that seats may bo reserved either at tho theatre or "by telephone at any hour. ' The theatre will be open continuously from 11 a.m. to 10.15 p.m.