ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 293, 6 September 1919, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

« WILLIAMSON ANNUAL PANTOMIME. . 'I'lie pantomime, "Goody Two Shoes," . is to be seen here under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at the Grand Opera House on Friday next. Judging hy contemporary opinions the big extravaganza this year is a magnificent show. Always is expected in a Williamson pantomime the limit in wonderful scenic effects, production, and gorgeous co-turn-ing. "Ooodv Two Shoes," it is stated, gees points better in these directions, than nny other panto, previously attempted by the big firm. During the past year the world has been combed to furnish ,novelI ies and super attractions tor the uni([UO show, with the result that "Goody Two Shoes" is'stated by the Australian Prow generally to be the final word in up-to-date p:uitomimo production. The principal boy is Dorothy , Hastings, who comes with honours from classic Drill'}" Lane Theatre. Madeline Harrison, an American cloinedienne, is the principalgirl. Another star performer is Maude II ray, « well-known English artist. Tho appearance of the vivacious comedienne, Toby Claude, will doubtless be welcomed. As premiere danseuse Maggie Dickenson is certainly in a class by herself. Comedia.ns of the calibre of Arthur Stigant, iv,"nin tho Dame, Herbert Walton, pus. Bluett, Lou Vernon, and Sydney_ Yates are rarely met with in an entertainment of . this description. Of the many, brilliant specialties with which the piece is garnished, two stand out in remarkable prominence—that of .the Toy Soldier of Fred Walton, a wonderful piece of sustained pantomime, and Tho Aeroplane iict ot the Kenua Brothel's.-, Also there is a delightful Marionette show in wluch hundreds of life-like figures do everything but talk. 'It takes 19 scenes and ..close upon three hours to tell the story j of "Goody Two Shoes," inte.rluded with ballets, marches, mid glittering ensembles innumerable. The 'season is for nine nights, and the bos plans will be opened at tho Bristol- on Wednesday. "THE SPIRIT OF ENGLAND." The first uerfomaiieo of a great musical worlc.bv a famous composer can he ■iustlv looked up to as an event of importance iu the musical life of. the ciiy. filgar's "The Spirit of England," which will bo oroduced by the Wellington Choral Union on September 17, under the baton of Jlr. 11. Temple White, has received luostl favourable Press notices in Mm-'lniid, A recent issue of "Musical Oninion" reviewing this work says:— "For the sake of British music it must be, inadn familiar to tho choral-loving nublic. for in it Elgar expresses Ihe very soul of tho nation. The performance of such a work by a choral society is musical and moral propaganda of tho Inchest character." This work will be urecedcil bv Mendelssohn's "A Hymn of Praise." The soloists engaged for the occasion are: Soprano, Miss Teresa M'Enroo: soprano, Mrs. Frank Titnley; tenor. Mr. Martin Dull". By advertisement.. in this issue the Chornl Union invites the nublic to bccomo honorary members of the society, as new subscribers will he able to avail themselves of the full urivileacs for the current season, miineiv three ss. tickets for each ol three concerts. Kates of subscription are advertised. The box plan opens at the Bristol on Thursday morning next at <1 o'clock. Members of the chorus and orchestra are reminded that full rehearsals will be, held on Monday and luesdnv evenings at St. John's Schoolroom. TO-NIGHT'S ORGAN RECITAL. , An organ recital will be given in the Town Hall this evening by Mr. Bernard' F. Page (city organist), and the programme is comprised of tho following:— The first, movement from Symphony No. fi ("Pastoral"), Op. 68, by Beethoven; "Tn Passinir Moods" (MacDpwell); Bacli s "Fantasia and Fugue" (A Minor), Choral (No. 2. in B Minor), by Cesar l'ranck; and Warner's Walther's "Prize Song ' (from Act. 111. "Die Mei.stersiiigcr"), and "Wahhveben." from Act 11, "Siegfried. ITAEMONIC SOCIETY. For the second concert~of the Welling•ton Harmonic Society (conductor, Mr. K. Temple AVhite), to be held in tho Concert. Chamber of the Town Hall on Wednesday evening next, at 8 o'clock, a programme quite up to the high standard of nrovious efforts of this well-trained chorus of about fifty voices has been arranged. Two numbers which proved extremelv nouular at the last concert are beinc reneated bv special request, viz. "The Bells of .St. Michael's Tower , (Stewart) and "The Lee Shore (Cole-ridse-Tavlor). In Elgar's "Fly, Singing Bird." the ladies of the chorus should be heard to advantage, with the assistance of nu ncconinaiiiinent for piano and' two violins. Mr. Harold Whittle will be at th£ Tiiano. aud Misses Laurie Anderson and Dorotliv Mills will play the violins. The societv will contribute lime part songs in all. only two of which will be acccunnanicd. and the programme will (•oiicludo with a stirring patriotic chorus "For Einnire and For Iving " ft®)" Fletcher). Other numbers will be bo, Sone of Mine" (Elgar), "Awake. Awake! 'BnntoeM. "The Laird o Cockpen nioberlon). and a Madrigal written by TXr Aliuiehan BanieM". Apavt from tho societv. Miss Laurie Anderson (violinist) wil'. i>l.iy "Lieliesfreud" (Ivreisler) and "Meditation" from "Thais" (Massanet) and the vocalist for the evening, Miss Eileen Dnscoll, will contribute "Blackbird's Song (Cyril Scott) and "An Indian Squaws Song" (Coleridge-Taylor). Ihe box nlaii is now open at the Bristol, where seats mav be reserved without extra charge.