ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8347, 6 February 1913, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. "THE CTNGALEB.” Last night’s production of "The Cingalee" was given to a crowded, and most appreciative audience. From first to last the piece went with infectious gaiety, not a point being missed or situation without its due appreciation. Mr Talleur Andrews, as Harry Vereker, was admirably supported by Miss Sybil Arundale as Nanoya. The delightfully ingenious Bobby Warren of Mr Reginald Roberts vied with Mr W. S. Percy’s rollicking humour as Chambuddy Ram and the coquettish vivacity of Miss Dorothy Brunton as Peggy Sabine. Nanoya’s barefoot dance was a charming performance, full of grace and emotional expression, and a worthy companion to the beautiful scarf and incense dance by Miss Vivian Talleur. One after another the well-known favourites, soli, duets and choruses with which the shore abounds found their warm appreciation from an audience that was tuned to hearty enjoyment. The "Pretty Poll’’ duet between Miss Brunton and Mr Percy, Miss Arundale’s fine rendering of "My Cinnamon Tree" and “bloe Eyes": Mr Roberts in "The Ladies," and his duet with Miss Murphy, "You and X,' were all highly enjoyed. But for really clever, consistent, musical comedy pure and simple, the most perfect number of the evening was no doubt the well-known "Gollywogs” by Miss Brunton and Mr Percy. "The Cingalee" will be repeated this evening. "DOROTHY." The fashion in comic opera has changed many times since Ceiiier’s “Dorothy" first saw the light in London close upon 30 years ago, yet its revival occasionally is none the less welcome, and affords an opportunity to _ the theatregoer of deciding whether their taste has deteriorated or improved. Nowadays the light opera is surfeited with works of a more or less "frothy" nature. Musically the up-to-date comic opera is frequently a thing of shreds and patches, although there are. of course some notable exceptions. "Dorothy" has a score quite remarkable for its consistent good quality. The music is bright and melodious, its concerted numbers being particularly fine as to harmony and general effect, and its solos (though familiar) such as toprove inviting enough to bear much repetition. Mr Reginald Roberts, so well and favourably remembered as Geoffrey Wilder, will once more be seen in this fine impersonation. There will be but two performances of "Dorothy," commencing to-mor-row evening. HUGARD’S MYSTERIES. Hugard, who opens a season of six nights at the Opera House on Monday next, as a sleight-of-hand performer, is said to be superb. In his rifle act Hugard allows three local riflemen to bring their own rifles and cartridges, load them, also mark the bullets and shells. A committee is selected from the audience to examine the rifles and cartridges and see that they are in proper order. The cartridges are then taken down to the audience to be examined, and three are asked to put their private marks upon them. The rifles are then loaded (the rifles never leaving the hands of the firers), and they march to the back of the stalls and fire at Hngard's heart. The spots appear on the velvet heart Hugard holds over his heart and the bullets fall on the floor. The riflemen unload on the stage and Hugard picks up the empty shells and bullets (which are propelled by cordite), and the riflemen and committee certify to the private marks they have put upon them. They are then taken down and identified by the members of the audience who had marked them. The bullets are hot, marked with grooves of the rifle, and during the act, which is of ten minutes' duration, Hugard never leaves the stage, and is in full view throughout. This is said to be the only act of its kind in the world, and has created great controversy everywhere it lhas been performed. An American musical act of note is included in the first part of the programme by Miss Myra Errington. Prices popular are to bo charged, and the box ,plan opens this morning at the Dresden, where seats can be reserved without extra chargeTHE EMPRESS THEATRE. A complete change of programme will be shown to-day and to-night at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures. Three special exclusive photo-plays will head the list, which will comprise the comedy-drama "My Hero" (an amusing sketch of child-life), "The Stain" (S. and A. costume drama), and "The Moving Finger” (an impressive modern drama). "The Warwick Chronicle” will reproduce important happenings in England and on the Continent. The Cmes Company’s drama, “Once Upon a Time," is a high-class work. The comic element will be well supported by "A Chip oil the CKI Block' 1 and ‘‘Polidor Without a Collar.” In compliance with innumerable requests the Selig spectacular drama, "The Count of Monte Cristo," will bo shown again at all sessions to-day and to-night for the last time. Selig’s famous historical work, “Christopher Columbus," will commence on Monday. THE NEW THEATRE. Large numbers attended the New Theatre continuous pictures yesterday afternoon and evening, when the current-ser-ies appeared for the last time. Among the new subjects to-day the principal feature will be a sensational up-to-date drama, “The Secret Treaty," a story of intriguing and spying in high political circles. The staging of this dramagraph is managed so as to sustain an atmosphere of mystery. The supporting numbers will include "On the Trail of the Germ" (Kalem "masterpiece"), "At the L’Juugan" (scenic), “Venetian Lace-mak-ing" (industrial), and some comic conceptions. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. . A numerous attendance was again recorded at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening when the splendid programme was repeated. The ‘'star" picture "Adventures of Ulysses” is a worthy production which has scored well throughout the week. The remainder of the programme is well supplied with attractive dramas, comedies, and scientific studies. ‘Adventures of Ulysses” will be repeated to-night. THEATRE ROYAL. Some capital "turns" are comprised in this week’s programme at the Theatre Royal, and one of the most popular, as indicated by the enthusiasm of the recalls, is the coon-impersonation by Miss Maud lanning. She infuses ere.it: warmth and energy into her songs. Hedley and Bartlett, who provide some excellent mirth and harmony, including a performance on the one-string violin, also received a favourable reception. The clever magic of Victor the Great is popular, and the Elliott Sisters provide some good vocal items and pretty dances. Other artists are the Fontenoys, the Lyntons (sketch artists), Fred Rivenhall (comedian), the Brackens, and the ThreeTit Bits. COMPLIMENTARY BENEFIT. Miss Thelma Petersen had a cordial "send-off" last night at her complimentary benefit, held in the Municipal Concert Chamber. The audience was generous in its evidences of appreciation of the gifted young singer’s efforts, tokens that must cheer her in the mission on which she is starting out. Miss Petersen leaves for London with the essential requirement in her favour —a rich contralto that with adequate training and culture should soon enable ber to attain prominence on the concert platform. Her songs last night included "Abide With Me" (Liddle), “I Murmur Not" (Schumann), and "The Silver Ring" (Chaminade), and these, with encore numbers, afforded her full opportunity of

showing the scope and quality of her voice. • Several handsome bouquets were handed to her during the evening. The Orpheus Quartette. Messrs H. Phipps, H. N. Fletcher. K. S. Allwright, and S. N. Hutton, sang "Two Boses'' and Good Night, Beloved," in addition to encore pieces. Their appearance is always welcome. Mr J. Culford Bell gave a number of humorous sketches in his own clever and skilful way that gave the audience great pleasure. Mr H. N. Fletcher sang "The First June Bose” (ConingsbyClarke) and “Love, Could I Only Tell Thee" (recalled). All were artistically sung. Mr Zante Wood contributed a couple of humorous recitations that added to the general enjoyment of the programme. Mr B. S. Allwright s song, "Thine Only" (Bohm), and Miss Amy Eemington’s pianoforte solo, Eachmaniinofi's “Prelude" (encored) met with equal appreciation. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE. All day yesterday the People’s Picture Palace was crowded with spectators interested in the pictures screened, ioday a change of programme will be made. Amongst the now items will be one called “From the Regions of Darkness. This is a Pasquali production, and is a cleverly staged drama dealing with circus life. The plot is an effective one, and attention is riveted on the picture from beginning to end., Tony, a circus employee, loves his master’s daughter, but she becomes engaged to a young nobleman. An accident deprives the girl of her sight, and it is Tony who waits upon her incessantly. The girl's sight returns suddenly, and she testa the depths of her lover’s affection. The result is that she loves Tony better, seeing that he is not fickle. Other pictures will be “Cattle Rustlers," “The Hour o fPeril," and "Pat the Soothsayer."