ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 88, 15 April 1911, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE BAD GIRL OF THE FAMILY." This evening George Marlow's Dramatic Company will commence its season at the Opera House with the London drama, "The Bad Girl of the Family." The novelty of the story, combined with the incidents it unfolds, help to explain the interest taken in the play. In the present production, the management stated, care "has been taken in casting the piece, so that each and every character will be as a character portrait. Such artists as Misses Ada Guilford, Ida Gresham, Lilian Wiseman, Adele Kelly, Messrs H. J Bentley, C. R. Stanford, Thomas Curran, P. Scully, and Thomas Tilton have been secured. There are thirty characters in the piece, besides which a large number of supernumeries will appear. A matinee will be given on Easter Monday, at 2 p.m.. The company has just concluded a successful three-weeks' season at Hi 6 Majesty's Theatre, Auckland. All day, until 7 p.m. and on Monday next, iintil 1 p.m., the box plan will be on view at Chrifiteson'ft ; after 1 p.m. on Monday next at the Opera House. HUGH J. WARD'S FAREWELL. On Thursday night the Opera House was packed when Mr. Hugh J. Ward and his company said farewell to Wellington. It was Mr. Ward's last appearance in Wellington as an actor, as, at the conclusion of the present tour of New Zealand, he forsakes the boards to join the firm of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. At the conclusion of the performance of "A Bachelor's Honeymoon," there was a perfect storm of cheering and applause, and" Mr. Hugh Ward came forward and expressed his thanks to the Wellington public for the remarkable manner in which he and his company had been treated here. He could not express his gratitude for the great reception accorded him on Monday, and the grand farewell that evening. In the days to come he would do his very best to retain the regard and appreciation of the citizens. Referring to Miss Grace Palotta's departure, Mr. Ward said that she was too good an artist to stay away, and there would yet be a time when" she would come back to charm them. No one knew what the Children's Hospital would require in the future, and he would see if things could not be done now and again. He would not say ' good-bye," he did not want to say it — it was really only "good-night." There was loud applause, which burst into cheers as Mr. Ward led Miss Palotta to the footlights, but that popular lady was too much affected to say much. She could not thank the people of Wellington too much for their kindness. She ! was sorry to say "good-bye." There j was another demonstration as the cur.tain was finally lowered on Lhe capable and popular band of players. Mr. Ward and his company left for Christ, church last night. OSSIPOFF CONCERT. ] M. Eugene Ossipoff gave a concert in the Opera. House last evening. The audience, if not large, was clamorously appreciative. Its demands for encores were as frequent as they were well met. M. Ossipoft's numbers included "Les Rameaux " (the well-known Palm Sunday hymn), " Dio Possente" (from Gounod's "Faust"), "The Morn" (Wrangell), Aria from "Nero," a delirious Russian volkslied, and ."Toreador" (from "Carmen"). With Miss Renee Lees he also sang the paTt of the Demon from Rubinstein's work of that name, and in "Crucifix" (Faure). M. Ossipoff's every item Was received with the utmost enthusiasm. From his reception it was clear that .he has already a well-established reputation as a refreshingly original singer. Apart altogether from Trie voice, he thrills, •magnetises, charms as he will. His audience is bound to listen, compelled to give him undivided attention.' 'That is hie way. He acts as well as sings, and does both like a consummate artist. The part of the Demon, although cung in Russian, was a masterpiece. In Miss Lees he had a. clever accompanist, and in the vocal numbers svhich she shared [with M. Ossipoff he had a trusty, cap- ! able ally. Miss Lilian Edwards sang | " Crossing the Bar," " The Rosary," and, when recalled, " Alia Stella Confidante." She was warmly applauded. Mr. Chas.. Norman opened the concert with selections from "Tannhauser" for, the pianoforte. Subsequently he gave *as oboe solos "The Lost Chord" and Schubert's " Aye Maria." He also played obligati to two of Miss Edwards's numbers, and when recalled played No. 9 from Mendelssohn's "Songs Without Words." ORGAN RECITAL. The selection of items on the programme given by Mr. Maughan Barnett on the city organ in the Town Hall last evening, was suitable for the occasion, and the interesting and enjoyable programme was thoroughly appreciated by the large number of people present. The music was of a class in the interpretation of which Mi". Barnett particularly excels. The programme included contrasting numbers, such as Chopin's beautiful Funeral March from Pianoforte Sonata Op. 35, so beautifully typifying the "calm sleep of death,' and Wagner's "Parsifal," the reposeful character of which was finely interpreted by the organist. Another much appreciated Wagnerian item was "Trauermarsch" (Beim Tode Siegfried). One cannot hear too much of Wagnei". "Aye Maria." (Schubert) was- one of the most charming items on the programme, and brought out the beautiful vox humana stop to great advantage. Rossini's "Inflammatus" from "Stabat Mater" was finely played, and the organist's interpretation of Guilmart's stately "Lamentations" captivated the audience. A delightful "meditation" on two passion-tide hymn tunes by Mr. Barnett wae warmly applauded. THEATRE ROYAL. This popular place of amusement was crowded on Thursday evening, and the vaudeville entertainment provided was j greatly enjoyed. A special programme of pictures was shown on Friday night, and was witnessed by a full house. A complete change of programme will bo presented tonight. The new artists include the American dancing duo, Harris and Vernon, who come direct from the United States, and whose turn is said to be entirely original. Other new arrivals are the Rhodesbury's (corner-men and dancers), the Seyffer Twins, and Pat Recce, also a corner man. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There was a very large audience at His. Majesty's Theatre on Thursday night, when a change of programme was given, and again on Good Friday night, when a special programme, including Biblical subjects, was shown. Of Thursday's programme, nothing but appreciation can be expressed. There were some exciting dramatic studies, "The Blue Horse Mine," a Wild West story, being replete with exciting incident. The story centres round a Marathon race for a 20,000 dollar prize, the latter to supplj tho wherewithal to work the mine. How that Marathon ib Avon is interesting telling. "A Test of Friendship" is also an exciting story, the principal incident being a fight between two men on the top of a sky-scraper. There are two splendid scenic pictures, "The Blue Nile" and "Grindelwald," and an industrial picture, "Our Bread Supply." is full of interest. "Great Italian Hydroplane" is instructive, and

"Billy's Bugle," "Magic Book," and "Over Mountain Sledges" are excellent comic subjects. The programme will be repeated this afternoon and evening, and on Easter Monday night theie will be another change of pictures, which will include the drama "It's Never Too Late to Mend." i THE KING'S THEATRE. The change of programme at the King's Theatre on Thursday night was well attended. The Australian Gazette contained a numbei* of interesting scenes, including a regatta and the Doncaeter ! Show. "A Child's Prayer" wae of the dramatic order, and told how a poor but deserving playwright came into hk own through the efforts of his child. A ! star film was that depicting the wounding of Admiral de Coligni in the reign of Charles IX of France. A splendid scenic picturewas "Grindelwald." and a splendid lot of comics were shown. "A Dog Worth Having," "The Chimney Sweep's Boy." and "Who will Eat the Turkey?" There are a number of other up-to-date and attractive films in thk programme which will run every evning until. Monday. Last evening (Good Friday) -a special lot of cinematographs were screened. There was a large and appreciative audience. STAR PICTURES. There was a complete change of programme at St. Thomas's Hall on Thursday night,_ and the house was well filled. The scenic pictures included "Atlder River Rapids," "Canoe Trip on a French River," and "Bastia to Corte," all of a very interesting description. Anj other excellent film (coloured) was "4.n unlucky picnic," while the dramatic and comic films were also well worth seeing. The programme will be repeated to-night. On Monday there will be a special matinee, and a complete change of programme at night. THE NEW THEATRE. It ha* been found that the holidays have interfered with the completion of the alterations and decorations to The New Theatre, in Manners-street, and sooner than open the in an incomplete state, Messrs. MocMahon and Donnelly have decided that the first exhibition v/ill be given on Easter Monday evening, and not thie evening, as originally intended. On Monday night the ' firsfc exhibition will be made at 8 o'clock, and a uniform chaTge of one shilling will be made. On Tuesday morning the " continuous " chow will commence at 11 a.m. and run until 11.15 p.m. The prices of admission from Tuesday onwards will be 6d and 3d. Under an arrangement made with J. D. Williams, Ltd., a supply -of exclusive films has been arranged for. WEST'S PICTURES. In the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening there was a special Good Friday exhibition of Wests' Pictures. The programme, which was witnessed by a large audience contained numerous beautiful and appropriate films. WANDERERS' MUSICAL COMEDY ' COMPANY. An entertainment of a high order of merit will be inaugurated at the Town Hall (Concert Chamber) to-night, when Mr. George Stephenson. will introduce his new English attraction, the Wanderers' Musical Comedy Company, with which is associated the London society entertainer, Miss Phyllis Hop-wood-Foldi. The management states that the entertainment combines * all the elements of opera, comedy, music and variety. The personnel of the company 'includes singers, 'soubrettes, and dancers, instrumentalists, monologue entertainers, and humorists. Miss Phyllis • Hopwood-Foldi is described as an artist*' of rare ability and attainments. She has a large repertoire of monologues, both grave and gay, by the most prominent composers, including Bracken's "Not Understood." The plan I for to-night and Monday's performance is on view at Abel's. FULLERS' SKATING RINK. Each 'session at the Skating Rink on Thursday was well patronised. An extra session will be given on Monday next, which commences at 10 a.m. SUNDAY CONCERT AT THE OPERA HOUSE. M. Eugene Ossipoff, the Russian baritone,- will make his final apj^f" ranee at the sacred concert to be given by his company at the Opera Mouse on Sunday evening. A most interesting programme has been prepared, including several selections which will be entirely new to Wellington. M. Ossipoff will have the assistance of Miss Renee Lees, Miss Lilian Edmonds, and Mr. Charles Norman (oboe soloist).