BIG MILITARY PAGEANT

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 60, 4 December 1926, Page 5

BIG MILITARY PAGEANT

Dominion Special.

Auckland, December 3. A military pageant on a scale never hitherto attempted in the Dominion, and rivalling pageants of a similar nature seen in England m recent years wiU be presented in Auckland 4?®xt month. Later it will be staged m Wellington and Christchurch. The comes to the Dominion from the Wembley Exhibition, where it stood alone in its magnificence. Between 1500 and 2000 performers will take part in «eproducing the chief tableaux of the Empire pageant at Wembley, and there will be other brilliant displays. Uniforms and settings from England have now reached Auckland. One hundred bandsmen will supply music for the pageant.

“THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER.” There is any amount of amateur theatrical talent in Wellington, judging by the success which has attended the presentation at the Grand Opera House of that delightful two-act musical comedy. “The Girl Behind the Counter." Sqme sixty local artists appear to advantage in this production, the second performance of which was given to an appreciative audience last night. Again the company acquitted itself with distinction. and, if anything, improved on its opening effort. The dancing, which is one of the features o. r.he niece, was of a high standard, the froeking was artistically carried out, and the ballets were attractively arranged. The acting was sound, and just treatment wa- accorded the musical numbers. Miss Kathryn Murie gave a natural characterisation of Ninette, Miss Mollie Plimmer received merited applause for her portrayal o f Susie, the cashier, and the vocal render ings of Miss Alice Harris and Mr. Norman Byrne made them many friends. Messrs. Jack Cannon and Joseph Hunt kept the house In merry mood with the comedy they dispensed. Other prominent performers in a really excellent combination were Messrs. Robert Charlton, Phillip Low, James Mcßryde. Harold Abbott, Leslie Anderson, and Walter Norwood. Mieses Mabel Robertson, Lillian Grey, Florence Heyworth, Muriel Winton, and Joan Carter. “The Girl Behind the Counter," which was produced by David Devitt. with Mr. Len Barnes as musical director, is being run to raise funds for St. Mary’s Home, Karori. The final performs nc" will be given to-night, and there will bo a matinee this afternoon, children being admitted at half-price.

"THE MESSIAH." On Saturday evening next the Royal Choral Union is to sing Handel’s "The Messiah,” a work which has been performed regularly every Christmas-tide by this body since its inception. On the occasion of this performance, which in the past has invariably been marked by the appearance of some outstanding good artist, as witness the engagement of Charles Saunders, Andrew Black Peter Dawson, Arthur Jordan, Mary Conly, and Kirkby Lunn—the rule io stimulate the cast with vocal personality has not been departed from. Mr. Herbert Carter, the New Zealand tenor, who has been in the United Kingdom for some time, and who returned to the Dominion on Monday. will make his first appearance at this performance. The toprano solos will be undertaken by Miss Naomi Whallev, of Palmerston, who makes her first appearance on a Wellington platform. Miss Mina Caldow. of Auckland is the contralto, and Mr. Wm. Waters, of Palmerston North, the base. The performance will be under the direction of Mr. Temple White, who will have under him a chorus and orchestra of 300. The box plan is to open at the Bristol on Wednesday next. A full rehearsal will bo held bn Monday night at St. John’s.

DRAMATIC RECITAL. To-night in the Town Hall Concert Chamber a dramatic recital is to be given by the pupils of Mr Oulford Bell. Two attractive fairy-plays will be acted, and a one-act comedy of special interest is to be presented. A number of sketches and humorous work will serve to introduce some clever pupils