ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 258, 26 July 1920, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"MOTHER HUBBAKD." J. and N. Tail's pantomime attracted two enormous audiences to the Grand Opera Houso on Saturday. At the" matineo the children shrieked with the keenest delight ut funny . old Mother Hubbard, always so down-at-the-heel, in her lachrymoso hilarity; at funny Father Hubbard; at the Hubbards' lovely bulldog (for there is beauty even in ugliness, according to \V. S. Gilbert); at Mutt and Jeff (Moon and Morris); at tho black-hearted Pirate Chief (Mr. Colin Crane) and his crew of merry hearts; One of the most amusing Matures of the pantomime concerns the fate of this great ship (which has been lifted holus bolus out of "Peter Pan"), the action in which the pirates nro signnlly defeated by Captain Morsywcather and liib bluecoats. Tho trouble commences with some of tho shot and chell going astray anions tho audience, which leads to a niorry war between tho audienco and those ion the stage, creating no end of fun. On Saturday afternoon Messrs. Lnpino and Cannot laid themselves, out to entertain the childreu, and were extraordinarily successful, There is no performer in "Mother Hubbard" more popular than Miss Elsie Parkes, who is a delightful daucer. Mr. Colin Crane makes a vocal hit in "My Pirate Lady," and also in "The Rag-time Pipes of Pan." "Mother Hubbard" will run throughout the present week. There will be another matineo on Wednesday.

THE KING'S THEATRE. In selectinß for tho programme at th« lung's Theatre this week an English film, "Quinney's," a comedy-drama by H A. Vaehcll, the management hava chosen wisely. On Saturday night there was no doubt about the favourable reception of the film—a reception which, although fully earned by tho picture for its own merits, probably in a degree reflected approval tor a respite from overdoses of American film. Judged by American standards, "Quiuney's," perhaps, is not technically as pertect as ono could wish, but this is amply compensated for by Henry Ainley a fine portrayal of Joe Quimiey, and by tho study of :he artist who played Mrs. Quinney. Tho humour is clean and snappy, and makes a suro appeal. Sir. Charles Moore was warmly applauded for his vocal contributions, and the very capable King's orchestra added considerably .to the evening's entertainment.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. 1 Everybody's Theatre was packed at all ! sessions on Saturday, where "T'other Dear Charmer" was 6hown. This dc- \< lightful picture stars Louise Huff. Itia • a. Btory that cannot fail to please- all, 1 and particularly tits the dainty personality of the star. Tho third episode of the \ wonderful serial "Mytiicry of 13" is a '. great attraction, and is always greeted with rounds of applause. Another pic- ■ ture of exceptional interest is "Just for ' Joy," portraying dare-devil sports of every 1 description^ 1 J empress THEATRE. A Paralta production of unusual in- ! terest, cntitlod "Tho White Lie," heads , the current programme at tho Empress . Theatre. The mipportiug films are at- ■ tractive, and include another thrilling episode of tho big serial, "Liberty," involving some sensational scenes. Au excellent Uazetto is also shown. ENGLISH PIERROTS. ' Just about as many people as attend- , eu tho Pierrots' first change of pro- ' gramme at'.the Concert Chamber on Saturday evening were refused admission, much to the regret of the management, It is not every show that can L luxn away five hundred people, but then ! - the Pierrots; having 6et n good standard I from the time of.their first appearance ( in Wellington at tho Waterloo Quay Industrial Exhibition, have, 6een the wisdom of maintaining that standard, and are consequently held in popular eatevni by all those theatregoers who- like a clean, bright, clever musical show. With the orchestra placed an au alcove at.the Bide of the stage (outside the proscenium) the Pierrots have more room to manoeuvre, and the management of the stage on Saturday was much better than on the opening night. In ensemble the company made a capital impression in '■ "Bag v.. Opera," and worked well together in the 'coon chorus, "Cotton Hollow Harmony," "On the Promenade," and in tho pretty finale, "On the Riviera." Mr. David Lylo takes pride of place vocally. His singing of " "i'ia tho Day" and "Come into the Garden, Maud," was an artistic treat in every respect. He was also associated with ■ Miss Ena Gordon in tho quaint horb- ' cultural duet, "Snowdrops." Mr. Leslie ■ Austin is a giddv gusher when ho 6ings ' of the "Girls, Girls, Giris," ho 1 strikes the same note in "Eyes." He is : a very limber and graceful dancer, and his exposition of tho savage Apache dance with Miss Joy Rolls was one of 1 the best of the typo sinco the days of Lottie Sargent and Bert Gilbert. Mr. Roy Cooke gave a- stirring reading of "Route Marching" (Kipling's lyrics), and was also happy in "Tho Floral Dance." Hiss Ena Gordon was not m such good voicy ns the previous Saturday cvei.ing. She siing o. florid waltz song and a tender little ballad of hope. The cLanns of Miss Maxine M'Kenzio have wn their way into favour. This delightful per* . former exorcised her demure allurements in "Sophy's Sweethearts ," .ind a tuneful argument in favour of kissing at. any old time. Miss Thclma Redgrnvo showed more intellectual depth nhd feeling in the eong, "Honey, If You Only Knew," than was expected in this useful soulirctte. Mr. W. P. Tirwier chortled comically about "Sister Mary" and French as she is often spoken, to the keen delight (f the (irH'encc. In the second h:>lf Mi* Lillian Oolenzo burst her way successfully into broad comedy, mid Miss Marion Do Saxe, the lady flf utist of tho orchestra, played a "Polonaise" with flno suavirv nnd tone. The entertainment concluded with the burlcsoue oratorio, "Mary Had a Little Lamb and Mint Sauce." GERTRUDE JOHNSON CONCERTS. Musical circles of Wellington have been roused to a state of pleasant anticipation by the announcement/ which have appeared of the concert seasons which is to commence nt tho Town Hall to-night. The Btar of tho company is Miss Gertrude Johnson. She is touring New Zealand under tho direction of Mr. Victor Beck, and under the management of Mr. G. S. Garland. Until quite recently Miss Johnson was one of tho principal prima donnas in the J. C. Williamson Grand Opera Company, with which she was in the Dominion recently, playing the soprano roles in "Lucia, di Lammeimoor" aiid/'Rigoletto," etc. In all tht> Dominion centres, ns in Australia previously, Miss Johnson captivated her audiences bv the beauty of her voice and the charm of her personality. Mr. Horace Hunt; who is to be the solo pianist of the concerts, was interned in Germany throughout the war. In spite of that apparent handicap ho was not deterred from pursuing his musical studies. After his release ho visited the chief musical centres of tho Continent and England, losing no opportunity of .perfecting himself in his art. Tho result of his experiences in the last five or six years is shown in his playing, which is remarkable for. delicacy of touch and sympathetic expression nnd interpretstion. Mr. Charlie Russell, who is also *o appear at the concerts, is an Australian flautist of high repute. His solos will be specially selected, and his fiut« obbligatos to Miss Johnson's numbers will bo made.a specialty. Included in tho company is a noted New Zealand '-iolinisto, Ava Symons, who has just returned from London. She is said to bo quite the finest violiniste in tho Dominion, and her appearance is looked for with a great amount of interest. As the. company is booked forward in. tho north, the season cannot be extended, and a return will bo impossible, consequently ths only opportunity of hearing the concerts is to-night, to-morrow, and Wednesday nights, The' box plan is at Tho Bristol, and day sales at Perry's, tobacconist, Manners Street.

Owing to indisposition, Mr, Bernard V. Pace did not give his usual weekly organ recital on Saturday evening.