ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 27, 1 February 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"NIGHTBIRDS." A crowded audience again witnessed at the Opera House last night this charming comic opera, and were enthusiastic over its beautiful music, gay and yet fine, its graceful ballets, its ■ humorous dialogue, and its aitistic s.et- ; ting. Mr. W. S. Percy is in hi t s happiest \eiu, and has an extraordinary and varied wardrobe that adds to the quaint- ' ness and drollery of his homour. Miss Murphy makes a charming; and harmonious Countess, and Miss Aruiidale is extremely piquant and fascinating. The ' Pi'ince of Mr. Edward Sherras is an extremely good character study, and the passionate and musical Hungarian of Mr. Talleur Andrews is a very attractive and amusing feature of tlie opera. Indeed, freshness of charm and har- J mon.v aie all points that score heavily , in "The Nightbirds." The dancing of j Miss Talleur is a dream of beauty — she ' is like a thistledown for grace ancLJight- , ness, and the audience, even aft^r "encores, were anxious for more. • On Tuesday next and for the following two nights the New Comic Opera Company will be seen in a revival (after eight years) of "The Cingalee." On this occasion Miss Sybil Arundale will I appear as Nanoya, the character she is credited with having created in London when this work was oiiginally presented. This was received with enthusiasm in Auckland. The cast is an exceptionally strong one, and includes Miss Amy Murphy as Lady Patricia Vereker, Miss Dorothy Brunton as Peggy Sabine : then the male portion of the company will bo fully represented, Mr. Reginald Roberts appearing as Bobby Warren, Mr. W. S. Percy as Chambuddy Ram, Mr. Fred. Winn as Sirpeter Loftus, Mr. Victor Prince as Boobhamba Chetteur Bhoy, Mr. Charles Albert as Yamgah, and Mr. Talleur Andrews as Hon. Harry Vereker ; Miss Sybil Arundale introduces an unique dance in the second act. For the last two nights "Dorothy 1 " will be revived with a powerful cast. "THE EMERALD ISLE." In the Opera House on the 17th and 18th February, the Wellington Celtic Dramatic Club will stage their lirst pioduction. the four-act comedy 4 drama "The Emerald Isle." The theme of the play is real and does not rely too much upon the imagination, while a pretty .story is presented. The "stage" Irishman is conspicuous by his absence, and in his stead is the boisterous and happy Pat, so often 1 the cause of good natured merriment. The company possesses several vocal artists of more than average ability, who will sing some, popular ballads incidental to the play, including Allen Doone's great success "'A. Toast to Erin." Seats may be booked at the Dresden. HUGARD. Hugard, conjurer and illusionist, will, with a strong supporting company, open a six-nights' season at the Opera House on Monday, 10th February. Mr. Edwin Geach, the well-known theatrical entrcpeneur, who has handled all the greatest ! performers in this line from Carl Hertz on, in a contemporary, says :—"Comparatively speaking a young man, it is nevertheless twenty-three years eince Hugard delighted his first audience as a conjurer. After all theso years of unremitting patience and practice, now that he has mastered every sleight-of-hand trick, and invented many wonderful methods of his own, he still regards himself as a student, and spares no effort to obtain that ultimate goal of Gupremo perfection upon which he has set his heart. To the average conjuring performer Hugard's handwork if- a revelation. He has boen well termed 'the man with wonderful hands/ as he sayfi there are feats which his facile hands perform that be cannot see the movement himself." The box plan is at the Dresden. THE THEATRE ROYAL. To-night will be the last occasion upon which Wellington theatre-goeia will have an opportunity of witnebsmg Miss Eva Mudge at the Theatre Royal in her clever quick-change entertainment. Miss Bessie Slaughter's rendering of "The Lost Chord" last evening gained her a vociferous encore and a bouquet. "The Lost Chord" was Miss Slaughter's greatest success ill London, and by special request she will repeat it this evening. There will be a complete' change of programme on Monday, when something exceptional is pronv'sed in Hedley and Bartlott, ,"The Musical Mokes," in a comedy musical act. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. To-night, a final opportunity will bo given for witnessing the .splendid kinematograph film founded on .Charles Dickens's famous novel, "Oliver Twist."' which has been shown every night this week at His Majesty's Theatre before crowded houses. The picture is realh | worth seeing, for the story is followed very closely. The supporting subjects are unusually strong. On Monday night there will be a complete change of programme, when several "exclusive" films will bo shown. BENEFIT NIGHT AT THE KING'S. A complimentary benefit performance was given at TII9 King's Theatre last | evening, in aid of the funds of the 1 Northland Volunteer Fire Brigade. The result of several weeks' arduous canvassing by the secretary (Mi 1 . P. ReevesSmith) and enthusiastic helpers, was that the theatre was well filled, while the programme of pictures piovided was of a high standard throughout. Tho useful work carried on by this brigade has. accoiding to the secretary, been considerably hampered by insufficient equipment and unsuitable quarters, and it is hoped by tho aid of the money obtained to augment the outfit, and <?o inciease the usefulness of the brigade. Last night's set of films, which is headed by a fine dramatisation, entitled "The Mills of the Gods." will be repeated tliih evening. THE NEW THEATRE. Splendid business was recorded la*st evening sjnd to-day with continuous pictures ut the New Theatre, where the j lomantic dramagraph, "Monte OiieU)."' j was the "teature"' of an enjoyable (series'. Other meritorious photo-plays aro "The Peril of the Cliffs" and "The Substitute Ilehffca.' 1 "Monte Cri&to" and pupportimj films will be displayed for the last time to-night. On Monday , the \erj latest sensational drama by', the Nurdisk Company. "The Great Cir- ! CD- G.iiastrophe. ' will bo introduced. This i.s a t\pe of pla,> in which" the Nordiok Company have excelled for a considerable time. There are &evpial '•ensutional incidents. SHOKTTS PICTURES. Something ff real value is likely 'o result- fiom the inleie&ling competition instituted by the management of ! Short t's Continuous Picture Theatre, by j which patrors. are enabled to record their voting for the pictures in oider of ' merit — in their opinion. 'Ihe voter who places most acntiately the position fiom first to eighth in order of popularity is ihe winner. 1 here aio llnce piizes — £5, £2 10.=. and £1 10 c. All \olini; j p'.ipuif* mucl be mmil in to the the.it 10 I on iir beloie Wednesday next. lhr> com petition will clet.o fn-np'lit. It has alieadv pro\ed exceedingly popular, : nil is likely to indicate in fairly pennant nt order tho popular taste for the different vaiietiea oi pictures. •

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. The last appearance is announced for this evening of the current programme of the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. The A.B. exclusive comedy drama "The New York Hat" is popular, and is ably supported by "Juan and Juanita"' (a sensational raihoad adventure), "Nina's Evening Prayer*' (a touchl ing child story), "Warvick Chionidc," "Jinx's" Birthday Pai'ty'' (exclusive comedy), and seveial others. The management announces for next Moncfcy, 1 Tuesday, and Wednesday, the first appearance in New Zealand of Selig's 10--mantic drama "The Count of "Monte , Cristo." There are three hundred performers engaged in the enactment which occupies over three quarters of an hour. "The Count of Monte Cristo," by Selig. is to be seen only at the Empress. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. I Throughout yesterday large houses j wore the order at the People's Picture I Palace, where the attraction of the new programme, "Juan and Juanita." with « it& atmosphere of sentiment, and ro mance, appeals to the popular taste. "The Pirate's Daughter," a Selig film, finely reproduces scenes a-t sea, including the burning of a ship. The picture abounds in thrills. There are a number I of excellent studies to support the main J items, a Scandinavian scenic and an Eclair educational film showing the habits of the octopus being the chief. The programme was repeated to-day, and will bo shown to-night. STAR PICTURES. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" on the kinematograph screen must necessarily prove popular with all classes. It is now showing as a biograph study at the Star Theatre, Newtown, where "it is proving a popular picture. Other films are "Bobby's Father," "A Motor-Boat Trip," and "Adventures of a Button." They will be shown again this evening, and on Monday a complete- cliango will be screened. ST. THOMAS'S HALL. A new programme has been showing since Thursday at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, and it is proving deservedly popular; included in the films showing again to-night' are "The Rebellion of Mandy," "Juan and Juanita," "The Pirate's Daughter," and "The Xew Aladdin." On Monday a change will be screened. KILBIRNIE PICTURES. An attractive programme was shown last night at the Kilbirnie Hall, and included "A Trip on tho Medway," "How He Won Her," "A Buddhist Priest« 6," "Taggles Won't Go to School," and "Percy at the Doctore." The company's new machine is Working excellently, showing a bright, clear picture. A change of programme is advertieed for Monday and Wednesday. EN AID OF BOYS' RESCUE HOME. A most attractive programme arranged by an energetic committee was responsible for the filling of St. Peter's Schoolroom last evening, when a concert was given in aid of the Anglican Boys' ; Rescue Home. A feature of the entertainment was the appearance of several successful juvenile contestants at the recent competitions, and, as appears only natural with Wellington audiences, little Miss Cecil Haines was accorded a most cordial reception. Her numbers, which included a selection from Shakespeare's "King John," namely, "Prince Arthur's Appeal to Hubert," were well chosen, and the talented young elocutionist also appeared to advantage in humorous numbers. j Masters Pankhurst, Reeves, Mackay, O'Brien, and Power, and Misses Daisy M'Lellan. Joyce Couzens, Alison Grant, E. Lissack. and Minifie, and Messrs. G. Peck and 4. Frost also contributed capitably towards the first half of the I j rogramme. The second portion was devoLed to a minstrel entertainment by a band of juveniles, who were ably.assisted in their work by Miss Crenge], accompanist. , BRASS BAND BAZAAR. Tho Miramar Municipal Brass Band's Bazaar, Fancy Fair, and Art Union, will bo officially opened on Wednesday evening next by Mr. W. 11. D. Beli, M. P. The committee has gone to much troublo to make this function a success. The stalk will be well filled, and an energetic committee of Indies will be in attendance. Tho "fancy stall" will be in charge of Mrs. J. G. Newton and assistants, "confectionery stall" in charge of^ Mrs. J. Oughton and assistants, "fruit and floral stall" in charge of Miss E. Cormack and assistants, "produce stall" in charge of Mrs. E. Mercer and assistants, "tho Seatoun stall" in charge of tho Misses Grigg, and the "tea kiosk"" in charge of Mrs. J. Waller and assistants. There will also bo a shooting gallery, fish pond, bran tubs, Punch and Judy, an efficient orchestra, songs by i leading artists, recitations and dancing, and \arious other attractions. Among the passengers by the Tahiti for San Francisco yesterday were Mr. Max^ Montesole. of the Wykeham-Nable Comedy Company, and Mrs. Montesole ; and Mr. W. Desmond, formerly appearpanies. A lecture on America and Canada, with lantern views, will be given in the Lower Hutt Theatre on Friday evening j next. The proceeds will be d"evoted to i the funds of the local District Hieh School. The lecturer is Mr. W. H. Russell, who recently toured tho countries named, while several well-known vocalists will also assist.