ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 305, 19 May 1911, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE WANDERERS." "The Wanderers" are half-a-dozen, musical people of varying capacity, who put on a very jolly little entertainment in which veracity is the chief concomitant. They appear in costumes, recalling another company of musical entertainers who also gained a glad hearing in this country and whose withdrawal was a sorrow. The company's finest artist and hardest worker, is Mr. Leslif! Holmes, its comedian. Last night Mr. Holmes fooled cleverly ana with splendid results. He illumines his. vocal comedy with grotesque business. that is highly laughable. He gripped his audience and held it, and gent it away thinking of him. Miss Phyllis Hopwood Foldi is a monologue entertainer who is most happy in self-accom-panied stories of a light and racy order. She gives also dramatic recitations with a well regulated and careful fervor. She has a splendid stage presence and a happy smile. Miss Ruby Guest is a bright, cheerful little lady who knows the uses of a mandoline, as well as the banjo. In the exceptionally well done duct with the clever Holmes, she certainly showed the brightest, colors of artistic gold. Mr. Koenan baritones acceptably, and the best voice the company has is owned by its tenor, Mr. J. Leith Harvey, who on many occasions last night rose clear of the ruck and soared artistically. Miss MadelineFeme sings acceptably. Miss Everil Heggie dances daintily. The company in chorus is very good. Most of its matter is of the highest excellence, and. its opening was quite original.. Last night's programme ended with a small comedietta played acceptably by Mr. Leslie Holmes and Miss Heggie. Mr. Leslie Holmes is worth n packed house,.

TO-NIGHT. To-night there will be a complete change of programme, which will include "The Harem Skirt Brigade," an interesting scene by the ladies, in which tht« much-talked-of harem skirt is much in evidence. Another novelty will be "Living Statuary," which will depict in burlesque form many notable local happenings. WHITELEY CHURCH CONCERT. There was a very fair attendance, despite the wet and boisterous weather, at the Whitelcy Hall last night, when the first of the series of entertainments to be arranged during the winter month* by the Young People's Association in connection with the Methodist Church, with the object of raising £IOO for the trust fund of the church took place. The programme was arranged by the Sunday School teachers, and was one of real merit. An unique item was that led by the Rev. J. W. Burton, who has thrown his whole-souled efforts into this movement. Attired in a white suit that, whilst very suitable for those climes where he labored in the mission field, was hardly in keeping with the gale that every now and again shook the building, with a chorus of six little children in Indian costume, robes and jewellery complete, several little ditties in the Hindu language were prettily rendered. Other items, all of which were splendidly rendered, and in most cases encored, were: Overture, Whiteley orchestra; piano solo, Miss A. Smith; song, "I hear you calling" (encore 'There's a Land"). Mr. J. A. Haslam; vocal duet (encored), Misses Buckman; recitation, "Jacob Kallen" (encore '-The Wharf Rat"), Mr. J. Blyth; selection, "Belle of New York," orchestra; violin solo, Mr. F. Von Lnbbc; gong, "Queen of Angels," Mrs. Cutler; song, "Young Tom O' Devon" (encore "I know a garden"), Mr. J. A. Haslam; vocal duet, 'Pilot Brave," Messrs. W. G. Reid and F. Asher. Accompaniments wore played by Mrs. Denton, Miss Buckman, and Miss Douglas. The second of the series will be given m a month's time.

WHY MEN LOVE WOMEN. At the moment, probably no subject is more discussed iu feminine circles than the topic of the "Hnroni Skirt." Invented in the home of fashion, Paris, by Madame de Maintenon, of the Rue Rivoli. the skirt has proved one of the crazes of the day in England, America, Australia, and on the Continent. Le»islation prohibiting the weaving of "1h« skirt" has been passed in parts of America, and onlv the other day pioneers of "the skirt" in Australia had to receive police protection. It is interesting, therefore, to learn that the. Misses Bundahl aud Dale will be seen wearing this much-talkod-of costume in the first act of "Why Men Love Women," which is to be produced at the Theatre Royal by the Allan Hamilton Dramatic Company next Wednesday. Zealandia," in the New Zealand Time*, says: "The harem skirt has evidently been decried, not as a matter of ugliicw or immodesty—unless it is immodest to assume that a women really has two legs—but as a matter of prejudice." No doubt _ local feminine—and certainly masculine—curiosity will be aroused in advent of this costume worn bv two handsome actresses; but the management wish it to be distinctly understood that "Why Men Love Women" docs not. depend on the harem costume for its success, but on the facts that the melodrama is one of the finest vet produced to Dominion theatre-goers, that the company has been specially selected to crcate_ the different roles, and that the play is mounted and produced without regard to expense. "East Lynne" is to be played on Thursday, the last night of the season. The box plan is now open at Collier's, and as present indications point to big booking, intending patrons arc advised to »ee that their scats are secured.