ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 18, 15 July 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OSSIPOFF. Last night M. Eugene Ossipoff said I farewell to New Plymouth, and it is remarkable that, although he was not in his finest form on Thursday evening, he excelled himself in his final concert. His programme had probably been selected to include those items that most charmed New Plymouth people previously, and giving Hardelot's "Because." as an opening number, he at once aroused the enthusiasm of his hearers. Although Ossipoff appeals by his method in anything he sings, he is at hu best in songs other than English numbers. The barbaric abandon, the inimitable vivacity, and the immense vociferation with which he attacks his subject are tho

qualities that appeal most profoundly. In Tschaidowfiki's "Yolanta" he ran the whole gamut of human emotions and revelled in unusual vocal effects. Bach's "If I were King" is a noble number, requiring gifted interpretation to silhouette its beauties and its telling passages. Ossipoff told the tale in masterly fashion. The "Knight's March" and the quaint song "Two Siberian Prisoners" were delightedly received. As usual M. Ossipoff gave many encores, including the "Toreador's Song." Miss Renee Lees, the gifted pianistc, accompanied superbly, and Miss Warren and Miss Lcatham in the splendid adagio and finale from the "Emperor Concerto" of, Beethoven were notably successful. As a pianoi forte soloist Miss Warren is undeniably r\ brilliant. Her "Chaminade" number was played with a verve and understanding . that gained instant recognition. As an . exponent of Chopin Miss Leatham is 1 adept and appealing. The Polonaise No. 1 is characteristic of the moody genius | in his .brighter moments and was ade- . quately interpreted. The two upright 1 grand Bechstein pianos used were chosen by Miss Renee Lees from Hoffmann's, and a local buyer secured one after ] hearing it.

SAUNDERS' PICTURES. "JOHNNY VANE." "The Life and Adventures of Johnny Vane," the Australian bushranger, is the star drama for the change of programme at 1 Whiteley Hall to-night. As the title suggests, the story is one bristling with exciting incidents. Amongst the notorious men in Australia during the early sixties was one Johnny Vane, who, although a scally-wag, had some good characteristics that showed out in his later life. After a just sentence of fifteen years' penal servitude, his good conduct gamed him a release after six years' imprisonment in Darlinghurst. The first incident of his downward career was through a wager laid that he would not bail up a Chinaman. The affair was more in the light of a practical joke than anything else, and Vane won his wager. Next morning Vane read in the paper the startling heading "Robbery Under Arms by Johnny Vane." In company with bis sweetheart Vane fled to the bush. The police soon captured the outlaw and tied him to a cart. Next morning the police were surprised to learn that Vane had escaped by the assistance of his sweetheart. Vane now formed a gang of outlaws, and with himself as leader a series of determined and startling bushranging acts were undertaken. Eventually the gang was broken up, and Vane surrendered, and his period of imprisonment with a chainea gang commenced. Time 3 passed, and 30 years fly by and the ex-bushranger, surrounded by his family to have become thoroughly reformed and living in affluent circumstances after arduous toil.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES. At the matinee this afternoon of the Royal Pictures and Orchestra Messrs. Crust and Gjedsted announce the fiTst appearance here of "A Tale of Two Cities," a grand historical drama of the French Revolution in three acts and fifty tableaux, from the novel of Charles Dickens. In addition to the above, other star pictures, supreme in art, elegance and beauty, will be screened, including by special request Pathe'a Australian Gazette, which embraces scenes of Coronation Day and the illuminations in Melbourne. This programme will only be submitted to the public of New Plymouth this afternoon and evening and on Monday evening.