AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 37, 28 September 1911, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

“OUR MISS GIBBS.”

“Our Mis Gibbs” attracted an unusually largo audience at the Town Hall last night, every seat in the building being occupied. . r llus inusi- , cal. comedy has had a great run, and everywhere that it has boon produced, the management and performers have been extolled for the faultless —.planner in which everything connected with the staging of the play is carried out. There was a rcraarkable display of costumes last night—one wondered whether the wardrobe was presided over by the genii of the lamp or some ‘other equally powerful personage, so vast and varied were g the beautiful drosses and hats worn *by the lady members of the company. The' stage fittings were likewise in keeping with the surroundings. Of the comedy itself, it is only necessary to say that, whether it contained a plot or not, fun ran fast and furious throughout, especially in the second act, Mr. Bertie Wright (Miss Gibbs’ Yorkshire cousin) koep- , ing the audience in roars, while the \Hon. Hugie Picvrcpoint (Mr. Leslie did a fair share towards the The part of Miss Gibbs; was sustained by Miss Blanche Browne, who was simply charming; what more need be said? As Lady Betty, Miss Connie Milne was a great success, her song in the second part, “Arms and the Man,” being a genuine treat, and a recall was demanded and complied with. Miss Nellie Wilson', as Madame Jeanne, is also dc- : serving of special mention for the thorough manner in which she carried out the difficult role of a French modiste, while at the same time she spoke broad Scotch. The visit of “Our Miss Gibbs” to Stratford will be remembered with pleasure. WEST’S PICTURES. 1 At the Town Hall to-mprrow ovsnling the usual weekly change of praHt'amme will bo submitted by West’s a good evening’s entertainPmont being promised. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. ' This week’s first programme was repeated for. the last time at His Majesty’s Theatre last night. . To-night the theatre will be closed to enable the orchestra to supply the dance music at the Fire Brigade Ball. To-morrow night a now programme will be submitted. The chief feature js the drama “Rip Van Winkle,” a film 1500 feet long, dealing with the doings of the well-known sleeper. The titles of the other items 'of the programme appear in the advertisement. A highly dramatic picture to be shown on Friday is ; .“Mammy’s Ghost,” which deals with the American Civil War. A Confederate solMB&r leaves his motherless child in the care of Mammy;'a kind old coloured lady, when ho leaves for the front. In a skirmish ho is wounded and’ made prisoner; but ho escapes, and when he is in a tight corner is saved from capture by the Union soldiers as a result of a clever ruse which suggests the presence of a ghost. . - FIRE BRIGADE BALL. There should be a good attendance at the Town Hall this evening on the occasion of the Fire Brigade’s annual plain and fancy dress ball, which has always been popular with Stratford x:esidonts. The floor has been specially prepared, and the Imso of dance music will be supplied by the orchestra from Hia Majesty’s Theatre. ,’ . i THE HUTCHENS CONCERT / • RECITALS., .... -v. M VISIT OF A DISTINGUISH!® W YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER. I A Royal Academy sub-Profcssor at sixteen! Such is thq record of Frank Hutchens, and it is a real record, for never in the history of the, renowned institution has such a youthful artist held such jan honoured and responsible position. But this young master of - the piano, still in his teens, allies with his tender rippling tone and brilliant .technique the musical insight and judgment of a mature artist. So it is no wonder that adult

students, including titled personages i and distinguished musicians, have received a good portion of their pianoforte tuition from this youthful pro- ' lessor. But his great'ability is best manifested on the concert platform, Mor he possesses the rare gift of bckg able to make the greatest music Rderstood and appreciated by the Verage listener. Frank Hutchens nas played to largo audiences in Queen’s Hall, Bochstein Hall, Steinway Hall, and many other conceit rooms in London, and the concert lovers of Now Plymouth will, on Monday next, have the opportunity of hearing a pianist of high rank" Mr Will Hutchens (the pianist’s brother) ■ also a student of ,the Roval Academy of Music, London, is tlie possessor of a fine tenor voice, which he uses i with artistic ability in his renderings of great tenor arias and charming ballads. Miss Ethel Carter, a mezzo-soprano of unusual ability—revealed in her use of a truly beautiful ; Voice—is the lady singer of the party. ' Seats for tnis fine concert on Wednesday next may bo booked at Grubbs’ Music Warehouse, and a big house is anticipated, to fitly welcome the distinguished Now Zealander and his assistant artists.