ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 273, 7 August 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE BING BOYS ARE HERE."

Bewildering in its quick succession o! changes is the presentation of "Thoßing Boys Arc Hero." Almost before the audionce has timo to grasp a situation another presents itself, and so the whole play passes, in mirth, brightness, and variety. The. oharmingly-Btagod scones, the beautiful dressing; and the almost fantastic effects keep the attention concentrated upon what is talcing place, and last, but by no means least, is the dancing, the ballots being really charming. There was a large audience gathered in the Grand Opera House last evening, and a very appreciative one. The Jasl four nights are, announced. THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. The Scarlet Troubadours, the well-known concert costume tpmedy entertainers, are to commence a season at the Town Hall Concert Chamber this evening, which will extend over three weeks. The company rotnrno with an entirely new repertoire of uip-to-dsito songs, musical sketches, and ■burlesques which have boon specially selected for the present tour. The companyis very strong in comedians, who aro eaid to ecorc heavily in their various turns. JTiss Jladoline Knight is a contralto singer of crcat promise, whilst Miss Lalla Ward possesses a soprano voice of pure quality. Mies Hilda M'Murtry is the principal danscuse, and Mies Ivy Davis the comedienne. The management promises quick changes of programme, and everything augurs well for a highly successful season. The grand finale in this evening's programme is entitled "The Musical Stores," a potted musical comedy. Mr. Kennedy Black is business manager. The box plan for the fiwst six nights is now open at the Bristol. /kINS'S THEATRE. Ethel Clayton is starred in the World featere drama. "Stolen Hours," now screening at the King's Theatre. Another picture of much interest is an official film, "The Story of the Drifters." showing mine-laying, the work of the motor-boat patrol, destroyers, monitors, etc. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Beloved Traitor," ?. Goldvryn drama featuring line Mareh, is doing excellent, business at the Empress Theatre. Tho story is a, particularly fine one. "Dangers of a Bride," a Keystone comedy, aiia u "Topical Gazette" are also shown. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. i"The Other Man," now showing at Everybody's Theatre, is headed by a strong pair in Grace Darmond and Harry Storey.' The tenth chapter of "The Mystery of The Double Cross." entitled "The Hole in the, Wall," is also shown. KATHLENE MACDONELL SEASON. The box plans for the Kathlene MacDonell season will be opened at the Bristol on -Friday morning. A great dramatic treat is promised in the coming production of Richard Sheldon's fine picturesque play, "Romance," to be presented at tho Grand Opera House on Tuesday next by Kathlene MarDonell, Mr. Charles Waldron, and a strong J. 0. Williamson company. "Romance" comes with the reputation of being the finest three-act play produced for a decade. It ib credited with a three years' consecutive run in London , , and had great success in -America, Melbourne, and Sydney. It is stated that Jlis3 MacDonell's portrayal of the beautiful, but illstarred opera singer, Marghprita Cavallini, transcends any of her previous fineefforte that, tho play could not help suocced where the leading lady does so well. Adding to the above, a prominent Australian oritic remarks:—"Neither are tho honours entirely with Miss MacDonell. Mr. Charles Waldron is also excellent. As the romantic curate, Thomas Armstrong, he nas come exceptionally fine opportunities, which he does not fail to take advantage of to the hilt. Prom the point in the prologue, he showed' the treasured s violets, the remnants of the romance, to his grandson, until, in tho epilogue, ho consented to perform tho marriage ceremony that was to unite the lad and an actrens-a second romance—he is particularly convincing." "Eomanco" is, it is understood, mounted and caparisoned in splendid style.- the neriod of the alluring story being faithfully reproduced in every detail. "Romance" will be played for tho first four nights only, and Trill bo followed in rapid succession ov two new nlflvi in "The Rainbow" and "The Cinderella Man," and a revival of "Daddy Long Leg's." . "ELIJAH." "Elijah" is to be performed by the Wellington Choral, Union in tho Town Hall on Wednesday evening of next week. Tho performance should bo a notable one. as it is being given as a complimentary concert to lit. Robert Parker., who has now been conducting in Now Zealand for forty rears, and feels that his work in that direction must be curtailed. This will, therefore, be his final year before the public as a conductor. "Elijah" was tho first work he conducted in New Zealand— in Ohristchurch foi'ty years' ago—and it-is fitting, therefore, that it should bo tho work thatMf to crown bis long career before the Wellington public. The cast will be as follows:—Baritone (Elijah), Mr. .Tohn Prousc; soprano, Madame Bella Russell; contralto, Miss Mina ClaWowj tenor, Mr. Martin Duff. All the principal are giving their services free of charge. The box plan opene at the BriGfol nt 9 o'clock to-morrow i morning, where 3s. Beats can be reserved. An orchestral rehearsal for strings only will be held on Friday night at St. John's, and the final on Monday at the Town Hall. PATRIOTIC CONCERT. A patriotic concert, under the auspice.e of the Y.W.C.A., is boing arranged by Mrs. Percy Woods to take place in St. Peter's Schoolroom, Qhuznee Street, on August 12. Among those who have promised to sing are Miss B. 'Osßipoff, Miss A. fiegrief. Miss Hasel Fuller,- and Mr. W. Goudie. Mr. \V. Smallbone will play a 'cello solo, and Mrs. Percy Woods'a pupils will give several humourous sketches. Her Excellency tho Countess of Liverpool has consented to be present. The .proceeds will be divided between the Red Cross copper trail- and the Y.W.O.A. Patriotic Fund. Special attention is called to the date ,of this concert, August 12, as there was an error in the announcement on Saturday. "THE ENEMY WITHIN." "The Enemy Within" is an exciting story of love and adventure* the plot dealing with the schemes of the spies in our midst who endeavoured not only to wreck our ships and cities, but to steal and ruin our womenfolk. Reg. ("Snowy") Baker, the famous' Australian athlete, is the hero on the track of the plotters, and is said to be excellent in a role in which tho excitement and deeds of the greatest never flag for an instant. Sandy M'Vea. the ■ aboriginal boxer, gives a fine characterisation of a black tracker, and -with Baker participates in some very exciting sceneo. The "Evening News" (Sydney) Bays:—"'Tii Enemy Within' rovenls a degree of exciting incident, good ictinir, and excellent Dhotography, that should place it in 'popular approval among the best secret, service detective uicturee ever shown ,on the screen." The picture will be shown at the People's Picture Palace, commencing next Saturday at 2 p.m. ORGAN RECITAL. Tempestuous weather probably accounted for the very sparse audience presont at Mr. Bernard F. Page'B organ rocltal in the Town Hall last evening. For tho rest tho uniformly elevated oharacter of the music is hardly conducive to large aucuences, and as long as the city organist adhores to his ideals bo long muat he be content to play to a more handful ■( of peoplo. No one can arguo against a musician having and holding such ideals, but ideals are often luxuries that cannot be shared with others, and so become somewhat insular and exclusive. Were Mr. Pago to experiment in lighter, more popular, and, one might say, more generally understandable music, and find that his recitals attracted audiences no larger than at present, then he could well return to the Btandard ho'has £0 bravely Btood by for the past four years. In the meantimo the recitas aro given to only fifty or sixty people each week, and, that being tho ea»e. it can scarcely be said that the musical culture Mr. Page would foster in tho public in being given a chance. . First of all the public hits to be caught.

Last evp.ninc's OTOirramme eommflnced ■with the Mendelssohn ''Concert Overture in P." which docs not register bo faithfully on tho organ as ninny another overture written for orchestra. Tim forte nnssages were blurred in one chaotic roar nf pound sui'h as no orchestra could or would dream of prodiiciii!:. lint the wood-wind n"or fl nflpn ?.nd e-,pn-heantiful. Cesar Frarok'i beautiful "Prayer" is hifrhly devotional in atmobut not at tho cxpenso of strenu'in. and Hi wealth of harmony and flooding melody havo that Inner light of a trreat intellect. The "Paßtoralc" of Rilan is quite <i pretentious number. ■It rifes to hf.irhtn of grnidmir in its eolourisation of nature, and is a very .intbitions and mimician.lv work for the o'ran. TlnliitrnfT , ? nooin, "Oenius pnd Peath." is a v.-eird, eraecfnl. so'ii.l-ntirrinj work, pavtaliiiifr of Ihn Bombrp ct«siip.iri"tr hues slid In infer! tile Russian eliarneler. Tf i' tho dcnMi-bcil pcene of renins, and deserihes the contest between dw.ih and the nnn's npirit. t<m triumph of flonili. nnrl his Mot-iHon <o ftlorv when , fvide the iinnntntio'-il "tho rnirife of cnlnhrat"d i" n i come to meet thn departed one." The number w;u flnolv nbyrd hv the orpnnist. Other "Sipi'fried Tdvll" fWasucr), and Salome'? "fJollile ITarch."-