ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 314, 2 July 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE CONCERT.

MISS BUCKMAN'S FAREWELL.

There was a very large attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, on tht occasion of the concert in aid of tht Technical College funds. Added interest attached to the function owin» to th« fact that Miss Rosina Buekman wa. making her last appearance locally befor. leaving to exploit freali fields and pastures new in the Old Country. Her reception was mast enthusiastic, and thtt brilliant noprano, who was in her be»t voice, will leave behind her the rerv pleasantest memories and will carry with her the beat wishes of a host of friend, and admirers in the district. Her selec tions last night ranged from operatit to lyric, and she was equally a t home in all. She sang Arditi's florid "Se Saran Rose" excellently, while Mimi's pathetic little song from "La Boheme" was exquisitely given. Turning to lyric workMiss Buekman sang a delightful bracket of old-fashioned German and English songs with perfect, taste. Her other numbers included the ''Moorish Maid" solo from Mr. Alfred Hill's opera, and his typical "Poi Song." Encores, of course, were numerous, and the mo*t popular of these was the quaint "Cuckoo Song," a pretty experiment in imitation which will well bear resurrection from its old-time popularity. The remainder of the programme was provided by local amateurs, and was admirably diversified. It popularity was evidenced by the repeated encores. The vocalists were Mis* Ainsworth, Miss Stubbs, and Messrs. Johnson and Haslam, while instrumental selections were given by Miss Warren (piano), Miss Leatham (piano), Miss Henderson (piano), and Mr. Cook* (violin). Every item was warmly encored, and the concept must be ranked as distinctly one of the mu-.ical successes of the season.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE.

SAM LANGFORD v. SAM McVEA,

I The great boxing contest between Langford and McVea, fought at the Sydney Stadium on Boxing Day, will "bit shown per medium of the biograph at the Empire Theatre to-night. This fight went the full twenty rounds and was won on points by McVea, although the fighting was so even that half the audience considered that Langford should have had the verdict. These two blacks are at the very top rung of the ladder in the boxing world, and enthusiasts can reckon on seeing the finest exhibition of scientific boxing ever presented to the public. The pictures were taken by Spencer, of Sydney, who had special facilities as regards position, the result being that the fight is so realistically reproduced that the audience can imagine themselves as actually at the ring-side. The picture can only be shown in New Plymouth for this one (Tuesday) night."

GEORGE HARLOW'S DRAMATIC COMBINATION.

To go through the gamut of public and press criticism in England and most parts of Australia, including Melbourne,, and survive the ordeal with flying colors, and receive sustained support the whole ! time, shows that a drama doing this must have ,some outstanding merit in it and "A Girl's Temptation," the drama in question, has undoubtedly more than one outstanding feature in it. This drama, which recently ran for a long season in Melbourne to phenomenal business, appeared to captivate and please all sections of the community, so much so that it ran out the whole length of | the company's recent season there—an unusual thing for any management. Judging by the calibre of the company [chosen, and the English and Australian press criticisms, Mr; Marlow is sending [ to this town an organisation and drama [that will win approval on all sides. In London the drama ran for over 400 nights. The quality of the story, eombined with the astonishing incidents it unfolds and its prevailing humanity, helps to explain the extraordinary interest taken in the play. The principal characters are closely knit with each other's fortune, and are personally and individually attractive. They move, act, and have their being with a charming naturalness, which results in making the story real and true. In the, production of "A Girl's Temptation" every care has been taken in the casting of the piece so that every character will be a portrait, and with this end in view the management has chosen a company of several of the best known and most skilled artists of note direct from London. The box plan for the forthcoming season is at Collier's, where seats may be booked an accordance with the advertisements. Early door tickets for the back stalls and gallery are also obtainable at Collier's.

"BEN HUE." Probably no announcement in the theatrical world has ever given more pleasure to playgoers than that by the J. C. Williamson., Ltd., management to the effect that definite arrangements had been made to present at the Theatre Royal on Monday night next the famous religious romance, "Ben Hur." Reports state that for intensely interesting dramatic situations, magnificent scenery, wonderful effects, and clever acting, "Ben Hur" has never Been equalled on the Australasian stage. J. C. Williamson has, it is stated; spared no expense to present the New Zealand representation of "Ben Hur" on the same scale of splendour and magnificence which was the feature of the London and New York productions. No less than fourteen Oriental scenes will illustrate the tragi* story that has exercised a powerful influence on hundreds of thousands of readers of General Wallace's famous book. The part of "Ben Hur" will be taken by the brilliant young English actor, Mr. Erie Maxon, who recently toured the Dominion with Mr. H. B. Irving'9 company. It will be remembered' that Mr. Maxon shared the honors with Mr. Irving in "Louis XI," whilst he was also at his best as "Laertes" in "Hamlet." His representation of "Ben Hur"' created quite a sensation in Sydney. Mr. Leonard Willey, who takes the part of Messala, has already delighted us with some excellent characterisations. Thft part of Simonides will be entrusted to Mr. Eardley Turner, who created the part of "Nobody" in "Everywoman." Mr. J. B. Athohvood will appear as Balthazar, Mr. Winter Hall as Arrius. Mr. Leslie Victor as Drusus, Mr. A. Stvan as lidcriin, Mr. F. Compton as Oecilius, Mr. Stuart Carleton as Ma.llnch. Mr. Bovd Irwin as Hortator, Mr. Walter Giblis as Metcllus. and Mr. G. Chambers as Sanbnllet. Miss Dorothv Dix. who appeared here very successfully with the "Speckled Band" Company, will appeal n< Esther, and Miss Owen Burroughs Hast here with Miss Nellie Stewart 1 as Tras, the Egyptian. Playgoers will be srlad to welcome that splendid actress Miss Susie Vaughan, who will take the role of mother of Hur. Miss S. George O'Meara will appear as Tizrah. and Mi«* Alma Vaughan as Amvali. A feature of the production will be the music, which was specially composed bv Edgar Stillman Keeley. Altogether'there will be over 300 people concerned in the production, including a chorus of over 00 voices, under the directorship of TTerr Rlapoffski. The box plans will be opened at Collier's on Thursday next at 8 a.m. A queue will be formed from 7 a.m.