ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 226, 22 March 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. The second scr<.ening of the mid-week programme again drew a good audience i.tst evening, the varied selection meeting with the full approval of all present. Tonight is the last occasion this series will be on view, and picture patrons cannot afford to miss this opportunity. At to-morrow's matinee a complete new programme will be shown, amongst which there will be a thrilling) a'nid unique novelty scenic picture entitled ''Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel." Another feature at to-morrow's matinee will be the Essanay star picture, "The Diamond Gang."

IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT. As was anticipated the Irish National Concert held in the Theatre Royal last evening was a pronounced success. The big audience was an appreciative one. showering applause on the various performers. The feature of the evening was '. the singing of that talented young artiste from Wellington, Miss Teresa McEnroe. Her voice quite captivated those present and from her opening notes in that delightful and romanceful old song, "The Carnival of Venice," she commanded the rapt attention of the whole house. I Free from any suspicion of mannerism or affectation Miss McEnroe sang without any apparent effort. The charm of her voice is its exquisite sweetness" and softness of tone. Her crescendo passages were of rich volume, and gave taste of a voice of an elasticity and finish which showed promise of the calibre that goes to make the world's foremost singers. Her first item was encored to the accompaniment of a bouquet. Her second number was also signalised, by prolonged applause, while she was recalled not once but twice and presented with another floral tribute. Seldom has "The Last Rose of Summer" been sung so sweetly and pleasingly. The pro- ; gramme was opened with an overture, "Gems of Killarney," in which the orchestra acquitted themselves well. Mr. B. McEwen followed with a vocal selection, "Thora," and was hampered to a small extent by nervousness. His voice might have been stronger, but what it lacked in this connection it more than compensated for by a pleasing absence of harshness and its sweet cadence. "Come Back to Erin," by Miss F. Ward, proved a popular number,' and earned for her an encore, to which she responded with "Believe me if all those endearing charms." Mr. Johnstone, who was originally billed for "The Wearing o' the Green," was in fine rollicking voice with "Off to Philadelphia in the Morning." He was also recalled, as was Mr. Arthur Carbines, twice in succession for a diverting musical sketch. Next to that of Miss McEnroe's this was perhaps the '■• most popular "turn" of the evening, i Variety was lent to the programme by a violin solo, "The Harp that once thro' Tara's Halls." Mr. A. L. Cooke was the artist and his item was received with much applause. A somewhat lengthy but excellently played selection by the Garrison Band ushered in the second half with decided vim. Nearly all the succeeding performers were encored. Miss F. Ward sympathetically gave "The Irish Emigrant," and Mr. J. Somerville's deep voice was heard to fine effect in that old favorite "On the Road to Tipperary." His recall item, "The Veteran's Song" was a happy selection. Mr. Carbines followed and again provoked much merriment with a clever and original musical sketch. An Irish concert would not be a true Hibernian affair if the inevitable Irish jig was dispensed with. Mr. N.. Norris filled the bill on this ocj casion, and was responsible for some I clever and intricate footwork. The en- ] tertainment was rounded off by a dej scriptive and deep-voiced selection by jMr. Johnstone, which left an excellent impression on the audience. The accompaniments were sympathetically .plaved by Mrs. H. Rowe.

TERRITORIAL'SMOKE CONCERT. Members of Company A 11th" Regiment (Taianaki Rifles) foregathered at the Drill Hall last night and spent a pleasant social evening. Anrong those prelent were Chaplin-Major Evans, Col. Okey, Lieut.-Col. Malone, Captains Fletcher, Carden, Cock, Moyes, Ryder, Lieutenants Buxton, Willis, Arnold, Hartnell, and Messrs. A. L. Humphries, Crone and F. J. Hill. The-toast-list comprised: "The King," proposed by Captain Fletcher; "Navy and Army," by Chaplain-Major Evans, responded to by Captain Moyes; "Taranaki Rifles," by Col. Okey, responded, to by Lieut.-Col. Malone and Major •F. T. Bellringer. The toast "Our Guest" was drunk in honor of Lieutenant Marrett, who was presented on behalf of officers and privates of the A Company with a double-barrelled fowling-piece as a mark of esteem. Various complimentary references were made to the recipient, Lieut.-Col. Malone stating that he had been the best shot in the company. During the evening musical items were contributed by the following: Messrs Boulton, A. Mclsaac, A. Courtney, Willis, Tapp, N. Mclsaac.