ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 27 October 1919, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE MIKADO." . The announcement that "The Mikado" is. to be revived on Saturday eveiiin? ■next has already created marked interest in many quarters in the cifv. The Wellington Amateur Operatic Society is n potent force in music in Wellington, inasmuch as it is the only body to bo relied upon for leeitirnnto comic onera in an age of musical comedv, musical, ulavs, '.and revues. JSo far the society lias" a •highly creditable record. It has performed,'with all attention to detail, end on a. scale quite up to the professional standard, .-such light operas as "The Geisha," ''Les : Cloches do Corneville," "Paul Jones," "San Toy," "La Mascotte," r\nd "The Gondolier.?," and now comes "Tho Mikado"—a gem of first radiance in the Gilbert-Sullivan crown. Of this ope.ra an original London'notice said:—"The text of 'The Mikado' sparkles with countless gems of. wit-brillie.nfs of tho finest water—and its author's riiymin" and Thvtlimic. rriftshnve never been more splendidly displayed than in some of the verses assigned to Koko.,Pooh-Bah, YmnYum. rid tho Mikado himself. As for the dialogue it is positively so full of points and .hits as to keep' the witsl of the nudicnen constantly on. the strain, scarcely ever affording to it an instant's repose or even rpspite from a rapid succession of smart and pHmront excise-,! inputs to mirth." And that is what "Tho •Mikado" has been doing ever'since. Mr. Tom Pollard will direct; there will be a chorus of sixty voices, and the dressin? and staging of the opera should leave nothing to he desired. "THE THESPIANS." • Mr. Culford Bell's "Thespians" presented five short comedies in tho Concert Chamber on Saturday evening. Tho gallery was not open, and the lower part of the chamber was sufficient lo accommodate' the attendance. On the whole, the company mado a favourable impression, but no member of it can be credit' edwith a memorable performance. The principal difficulty of the players-was ono that has confronted them in"previous appearances before the footlights—tho'v were called upon to make bricks without straw. The comedy matter was so thin that if. would have defied any actor, however gifted, to lend it much tody or substance. The items were:—"ln a. Lift," "Bv Proxy," "Tho Burglar," "The New Butler," and "The Infirmary." Performers worthy of mention were Miss I). Stevens, Miss P. Jacobs. Mr. W. A. Spencer, and Mr. A. Kingston. Miss Stevens appeared 'as "Siran. Duchess of Wiltshire." Silio caught the patrician air rather cleverly, but, unfortunately, she consistently mispronounced tho namo of the duchy over which she nnrnorted to hold swny. , Miss' Jacobs filled the rolo of nn English public school boy'with a brightness and vivacity that counted for a good deal. To Mr. Sponcer the audience was indebted for two sound Cockney impersonations—the first, that of a workman; r.nd the second, that of a burglar. The manner of tihe fourthnamed player, Mr. Kingston, is woil suited to comedv parts, since it is easy, jovial, and unaffected. Mr, Kingston is one of the few members of the company I hot dare lo (rent unimportant words as ensually as such words deserve to bo treated. Some of his fellow-players obviously mistook pedantic elocution for acting.

. PPOPLSSIONAL ORCHESTRA. The- Wellington Professional Orchestra gave n. concert in 'JTis .Majesty's Theatre last evening. Mr. IT. Moschini■ conducted, and under his capable direction Win orchestra presented its numbers in n tnoroifehlv pleasing manner. ' A very large audience, gave many indications of its appreciation. The programmo opened with tho "Ham pa" overture (Harold), which was followed by the delightful Prcliido to "La Triviata" (Verdi), Saint Saens's symphonic poem, "Dansc Macabre," was rendered with fino effect. Tho fantasia, "Pagliacci" (Leoncavallo) was another very attractive number. Tho strings were hoard to great advantage in "Traumbild" (Blon). Tho fall orchestra gavo a particularly good interpretation of tho beautiful ballet music from "Kosumunde" (Verdi). Tim Isvtf. item on tho, programme was Wagner's brilliant overture. "Rule, Britannia," in which! tho famous composer worked on tho thcrao of tho British Anthem. Tho ovortu.ro is a strong and stirring composition, and tho audience showed its approval of the orchestra's effort in a hearty round of I applause.