ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 36, 6 November 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE GONDOLIERS." There is no "probable possible shadow of doubt" that the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society has put the seal of high merit on its 'scutcheon by its performance of ! "Tho Gondoliers." There is a freshness , and unarm about this lilting, laughing, j dancing opera which caiyiot tail to radi- ; ate gladuess and mirth, and for these wonderful days of victory "Tint Gondo- ' licrs" "is just the happy bill td amuse' and cheer tho public. Thanks to Mr, Uom , Pollard, the traces of amateurism in tho performance are negligible, whilst in , some instances tho auudard is a little better than fom6 professional performers ; we havo known. Not finco the days of : Violet, Varley and Flora Graupner have j wo been given such charming and irre- i sistible little ladies in the roles of Gian- ; etta and Tessa as Miss Helen Gardner and Miss Bathio Howie-Stuart. It is a rare treat to Bear Hiss Gard'ner sing "Kind Sir, You Cannot Have the Heart," i in the first act. The tender emotion and i final sob she infuses into the number is !■ high art. jAllse Howie-Stuart is an , ideal Tessa, and makes the most of ; the pretty comedy bits that fall to her lot. With Messrs. Fred. Tiviss and H. P. Wood tho two girls are effective in the amusing qtiartet. ■ "In a ■ Contemplative Fashion," and in all the ooncerted numbers, tho quartet work admirably together. Mr. Wood makes a "hit" nightly with his artistic singing of "Take a l'air of Sparkling Eyes," and both the "too poor mouarchs" act well in the gavotte lessou sceue. Mr. Zanto Wood's performance as tho Duke is quite professional in standard, as is also Miss Dorothy Cameron's Oasilda (though she continues to sustain her top notes in the duets too long, otherwiso her performance is excellent). Mrs. Stuart Dallas makes a commanding ■ and handsome figure as the Duchess, and slugs her music, adorably. The Inquisitor of Mr. Trevor Forrest' is a dignified and distinctive performance, which' would bo improved by an access ri repose. Tho £ay cachuca v& doubly encored again last evening, and the gavotte had to be ropeated. As the booking is very heavy for the end of the week, the public aro advised to make Uieir seating arrangements immediately. In answer to a correspondent we give the last Wellington amateur cast of "Tho Gondoliers"—Duke of Plaza Toro, Mr. W. D. Lyou; Duchess, Misa Bttie Maginnity; Oasilda, Misa fioae Bradshaw; Luiz, Mr. Horace Stobhing; Marco, Mr. B. J. Hill; Guiscppe, Mr. Georgo Parsons; Don Alhambro del Bolero, Mr. T. M. Wilford; Giiiuctta, Hiss Jennie Sheen; Tessa, Miss Leila Spiller; Antonio, Mr. H. Plinimcr. ■ KINO'S THEATEE. In "Dodging a Million," " tho Goldwyn • feature drama screening nightly at the King's Theatre, Mabel Normand makes her debut as an emotional star. Miss Zrorniand as an actress of undeniable beauty and great charm of manner. The picture has a magnificent array of dazzling oostumes. In addition to the featuro is shown the eighth episode of "The Fatal King."

EVERYBODY'S THEATEE. I A wonderful storm icene, a. desperate race, and a remarkable Jeat by a charming girl are outstanding- features of the Triangle picture, "The Eunaway Wife," now screening at Everybody's Theatre. In this picture Gloria Swanaon makes I her debut as tho runaway wife, and she I plays tho part with marked skill, overdoing nothing. The very ! dramatic, and some of the scenes are. reproduced with wonderful effect. EMPRESS "?HEATEE. Big crowde are visiting the Empress Theatre this wee); to Ece "The Oldest Law," a World drama, starring June Elvidge and John Bowers. The popularity of these stars is well merited, and this week's picture is adding further to their i fame. The climax is exciting to a degree. : Miss Elvidge's dresses are something very ' special for feminine patrons. Seats may • be reserved at the theatre during the day for the evening sessions. OiIGAN KECITAL.The City Organist (Mr. Bernard F. Page) gave a programme of "repeats" from recent organ recitals at the Town Hall Inst eveuing. These included thrco Norwegian melodies of Grieg, whose music has a weird fascination for' moat people, and is perhaps being played more generally now all over the world than during the Norwegian composer's lifetime. The Melodies are beautiful in an unconventional manner, and are Ingeniously registered by the organist. Another r.umber was KargElort's masterly "Air and Variations' (upon a Handelian theme), a musicianly work of great strength and harmonic rosource. Tho now familiar Prelride and Fugue in 1) Major of Glazounov was also much appreciated. The. programme also included Ecbikoli's "Psychological Poem," and the masterly first movement from Ce3ar Franck's "Symplioiy in D Minor." JDKAMATIO ENTERTAINMENT. 1. To-night in tho presence of Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, Mr. and Mrs. Oulford Bell will present their junior pupils in a programme of short fairy plays, and comediettas in aid of the Wellington Free Kindergarten. Tho evening promises to be a very entertaining one, and should draw a, fu'l house. A farce entitled "By Accident," to bo given by The Thespians is also included in the evening's bill. . The box plan is at the Bristol. RETURN OF MR. ALEXANDER WATSON. The announcement Ihat Mr. Alexander Watson is returning to ; Wellington on November 15 and 16 will be welcome news. The success of the recent season was phenomenal, t)ic popular artist being greeted by crowded audiences nightly. Mr. Watson, in composing his programmes for these two farewell recitals, will endeavour to include as many as possible of the pieces in his repertoire which patrons of his Wellingt&n recitals have written anil asked for, but which, owing to the length of. hia jirograinnies, he was unable to give in the recent season. These two pcrformancirai will be definitely the last possible occasions of hearing Mr. Watsbu in Wellington, as he will couclude his New Zealand tour on November 30 at Auckland, and leaves the first week in December to fulfil a contract for a long winter tour in America and England. SATURDAY NIGHT. What is promised ae tne of the brightest shows of the year will be given' at the Concert Chamber next Saturday, The programme compriaqs a tabloid musical comedy, "Merry Mistakes," played by wellknown Wellington artists, including Winnie Birch Johnston, Cecily Tabor, George Peek, Will Tabor, Harry Maxwell, and Albert Russell. ,A pautomimette, ''The Sleeping Beauty," performed i>y .the pupils of Doris Guiso. Maud Blctsoe Buckeridgo is producing and appearing in the musical comedy, and Beg. Brown is pianist. A bright evening of comedy, music and dancing is promised. The plau is open at tho Bristol.