AMUSEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 655, 28 March 1914, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

COMPLIMENTRY CONCERT. A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. fhe complimentary benefit concert tendered to Profeßsor Swallow took place in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening last. Considering the counttr attractions the attendance wa3 decidedly good. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Baddie), occupied the chair. The first portion >f the programme consisted of musical and vocal items, ull of which were very well received. The overture by Mr L. S. was much appreciated. "Lady Mine was very nicely surig by Mr Tasseli, and tincoro was demanded. A pianoforte solu by Professor Swallow "Moonlight Sonata" (Deethoven) was finely exe uted, and in response to a hearty encore "Home, Sweet Home, with variations, us received with loud applause. Mr J. F. Montague told a number of humorous stories which delighted the audience, and later in the evening his more serious items were very well received. Messrs Pattison and Blackman sang "The Moon Hath Raised Her Lamp Adov<," with good effect, their efforts being well received by the audience. Miss Zoe Bartley once again proved to be a host in herself." Her humorous sketch, "Her First Pudding," was cleverly acted, and was loudly encored. Miss Bartley's rendering of "Faded Roses" was delightful, the flute and piano accompaniment by Messrs Lipscombe and Bartley assisted the succes of this item. Professor Swallow pleased the audience wiht a clarionet solo, and Mr N. B. Lusk sang the "The Bedouin s Love Song" with such good effect that he had to respond to an encore, A monolougue, "The Lesson of the Watermill" was very finely given by Mr G. Elliott. A very good entertainment closed with a one act comedy, "Admiral Peters" (W. W. Jacobs). The parts were taken by Mrs A. F. Howarth "Mrs Dutton," Mr A. F. Howarth "Joe Stiles, ' and Mr A. Simmons "George Burton " Too much praise cannot be given to the actors for the excellent manner in which each portrayed their respec tive parts. The comedy went with a swing from start to finish, and wbb thoroughly enjoyed by one and all of those present. Altogether the evening's entertainment was voted to be one of the very best nroateur entertainments yet staged in Te Kuiti. During the evening the Mayor explained the object for which tha entertainment had been got up, and thanked all the artists for the able help given, particularly those who had travelled some distance to give a helping hand. The promoters of the concert are to be heartily congratulated upon the undoubted success which attended their efforts. WILLOUGHBY DRAMATIC COMPANY. Mr George Willoughby, of the Adelphi, Sydney, and Princess theatres. Melbourne, has sent another of his excellent companies to the Dominion. It is the one that has just had an excellent run in Sydnev at the Adelphi, and quite recently in Auckland, which popular house they had to quit to make loom for the pantomime. They will make their anpearacne in the Te Kuiti Town Hall on Wednesday evening next, for one nght only. The company iis headed by that wellknown artist, Mr George Cross, Miss Vera Remee is the leading lady, and they are well supported by one of the finest combinations Mr Willoughby has yft sent to the Dominion. The piece fitwg ;1 will be "The Beggar Giirl's Wedding." a play of London life full of tragsdy, comedy, sentiment and sensation. All the scmery and appurtenances will be brought so as to present the drama in its entirety »nd in the same style of completeness as waa done!, in Sydney. Some of thfl scenic effects, ali painted by that master of his art. Mr John S. Mann, bring back fond memories of the Old Country to those who have left dear thought behind them in the land which many will never aee again. "Tlie Beggar Girl's Wedding" i 3 a pluv that talks to the audience at once and grips the whole, both young and old included, and never fails to keep intoriwf interest from the rise to the fall of the curtain. The box plan is now open at McColl's. EMPRESS PICTURES. To-night and Monday, th 9 change of programme will be headed by the star drama, "Faithful to the End,: o The Ironmaster." Robert North is engaged to Betty Maaon, whose father is master of the ironworks. War breaks out, and Mason donates the use of his steel to the South. North has to join the Northerners, and leave his fiancee. Later he is ordered to destroy the ironworks. Mason's Bon sees the Northerners arrive and warns tha Confederates. Betty detains North until the laundry is fortified The Northerner attack the foundry and are defeated. North 'becomes a fugitive Betty saves him from being taken, but he dies of his wounds. For nest Tuesday and Wednesday a Vitagraph feature entitled "The Curse of the Golden Land," together with a complete change of progarmmo, will be screened.