ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 265, 18 March 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT. \ The Irish national concert held in the. Theatre Royal last night, before an audience that filled all parts of the I house, was a triumphant success. Thel excellence of the programme and the capability of the ladies and gentlemen performing it, roused the enthusiasm of the audience. Fittingly, the majority of the songs sung were songs of Ireland. Mr. J. W. Ryan has remarkable qualities, both of voice and of method. His singing of "Father O'Flynn" was easily the most artistic effort of the evening. IHe gathered in his audience with his rich brogue and his natural and artistic cheerfulness. His encore (an Irish trifle) was equally excellent. In the second part he trolled "The Little Irish Girl" delightfully, and lie was not allowed to fade finally without giving still another encore. Miss L. Ainsworth sung "Avourneen" as it should be sung—with expression and deep feeling. She was able to i touch her audience into signifying its warmest appreciation. In her encore inn !■!•■,- -die showed adequately the ma!■■!:■:;.' of "temperament" with technical (■:<■■ llenre and capable production. Mr. M. Lewis is a comedian who selects obviously hilarious songs for the expression of his art. He manages dialect very well, has some quaint mannerisms, and is capable of putting a very fine point on a broad allusion. He was wildly appianded for "John Willie, Come On!"' Miss Mabel Clarke sang "The

Minstrel Boy" most artistically. The prevailing quality of Miss Clarke's always welcome singing is its delicate sweetness, its gentle production, and the' unusual excellence of her enunciation. This latter is a lesson to vocalists generally. Especially dainty was her giving of "The Dear Little Shamrock," rendered with instinctive feeling. Mr. T. Woodard is a robust and interesting singer. He gave "Simon the Cellarer" and the inevitable encore with vigor and point. Mr. Ralph Farmer essayed the wildly comic .song, "The Huntsman," the "patter" of which is in the late lamented

Dan Leno's pet style. He chose an equally comic item for his encore, and was much welcomed in the second part. Miss Fcnton sang "The Irish Emigrant" with musicianly appreciation, and her encore number gave great pleasure. Mr.

J. M. Somervail succeeded in, "Just a Bunch of Shamrocks,"; and Mr. C. Laing, although not infusing the requisite dash and verve into Allitsen's splendid "There is a Land." did justice to the music. Mr. Beit McEwen earned popular favor with "Eyes from Ireland," and Mr. Trebilco sang " Trankadillo" excellently. Much interest centred in a violin solo finely played by Mr. F. Von Lubbe, who unfolded the rich beauties of the Are Maria of Gounod with taste and understanding. His technique is especially excellent, and there is no doubt about his musical conception of the necessities of a theme. His encore number was marked by breadth and feeling. As an.instrumentalist he is an acquisition to any concert platform. Mr. J. W. Haslam is a trained singer, whose idea is good and whose method is nice. He was happy in Russell's "Because," hackneyed a little, no doubt, but still very well worth singing. Mr. W. Morris gave a rousing exposition of an Irish jig, the only possible fault lieing that the hilarity was| not quite pronounced enough. Mr. J. Hurley, who danced an Irish hornpipe, was skilled, vigorous and emphatic. The audience ronred for more. ; STr. C. H. Lawn's cornet solo. "The Last Rose of Summer" showed his mastery of an instrument with almost limitless possibilities. Miss Ila Henderson is a promising young pianist. She selected Favarger's "Oberon." and played it to the evident satisfaction of the audience. The New Plymouth Orchestral Union, in the overture "Emerald Isle," showed evidence of careful training and musical appreciation, and managed, in the selection, "Poet and Peasant," to infuse great animation and art. The Garrison Band played splendidly. Versatility is very necessary in "Beauties of Ireland," a group of melodies entrancing alike for their fervor, spirit and poetry. From opening bar to linalc (and it was a notable and electric finale) the band certainly enhanced a well-won reputation.! Miss A. M. Warren deserves high eulogy for her entirely sympathetic accompaniments, her playing being markedly excellent. Throughout the whole concert the large audience expressed its enthusiastic! approval. I

BIOGRAPH PICTURES. This popular picture entertainment will occupy the Theatre Royal again tonight. The selection of films is well in the forefront of motion pictures, and includes at least three star pictures. "The House with the Closed Shutters," "The Message of an Arrow," and "Unexpected Help." The first and last-named are from the studio of the, famous American Bio Co. The scenic pictures are a happy choice, and include "Oberland of, Berna," "Manxland and its Beauties," "Madras, British India," and "The Cogwheel Railway of Montreaux." The Lubin studios are represented by ai high-class comedy, "Woman's Vanity.", Max Under is responsible for "A Clever Dog." Otheif comics are "Tweddledum's| Aeronautical Adventure" and "His New I Mamma." The new programme is well' arranged with something to suit the taste of evory patron, and will no doubt' draw a full house to-night. J