ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 306, 19 May 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

BERXABD KITCHEN UEQTAL. j Master Bernard Kitchen. tlio promisiii»r young Wanganui pianist, made his lirst appearance in Auckland before a numerous assembly of music-lovers at the Choral Hall, Auckland, last Thursday evening (says the Auckland Herald). Everyone was delimited with the manifestations of uncommon musical talent exhibited bv this pianist of ](i years, and J should Ma-ster Kitchen prosecute his musical studios with as much r.ssidiuty in the future as he ha> already done, there is little doubt that he will be hailed as the New Zen land .Mark Hambnuvg, since he has a decided resemblance in certain characteristics to the Russian pianist, 'flic young player has much apparent self-composure, a sound mciiiovv. I and n deirree of techtrc.il efficiency whicii is unusual i'.i so youthful u performer. At present Master Kitchen possesses many of the attributes of maturer artists, though 111 his interpretation of works of the Romantic School his mus-

ical temperament is not yet sufficiently developed to bring out ali the emotional possibilities of the music. His chord and octave work lacks a certain abandon though his tone is sound and big in the more strenuous passages. Miss Iris O'Leary, who is at present directing the young pianist's musical studies in Wangar.ui, was heard in several solos as well as taking part with Master Kitchen in a striking performance of Beethoven's "Concerto in G Major." Both exponents, were in sympathy with each other in this sterling work, the limpidity of touch and the control of bravura effects on the part of Miss O'Leary winning many encomiums. Her management of the tone gradations and rhvthmic passages showed a fine grasp of the bigger demands of the music. Miss O'Leary's solo numbers included the first movement of Beethoven's "Sonata in C Minor," Op. 3, and Liszt's "Dance of the Gnomes"—delightfully played —and "Rhapsodic IToim'rviun » Vn n in Hip Uvtipr Tin rt. of

groise, jNo. «, in tne ia«er pari m ■ ! which the ni mist tired somewhat. Speak- j ing generally, Miss O'Leary has an ad-1 mirable control of the different quali-1 ties of pi<inistic touch, and in this lies , much of the charm of her readings. The pianoforte .■vceompnniment's played with much taste by Miss Iris O'Leary, her work In this respect enhancing the Impression made by the solo numbers. [Miss O'Leary is a daughter of Mr. A. P. O'Leary, of New Plymouth. The friends of the family l.erc will be pleased to hear of the success of the gifted young lady.] THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. , The really brilliant programmes that the management have been screening for months past are at last having the desired effect, as. the attendances are increasing, and Saturday evening was sparkling and varied throughout, and the beautifully coloured star drama, "In the Springtime of Life," quite captivated the whole audience, and at the conclusion was accorded a hearty ovation. Tonight the management will introduce another new programme which will , in-

elude as a "star" item a magnificent Vitagraph 2000 ft society, drama, "The Dawning." Another picture (S! special interest will, be the ''Memorial Service for Captain Scott at St. Paul's." THE EMPIRE PICTURES. Perhaps the most striking picture in a really splendid programme screened at the usual bi-weekly change on Saturday evening at the Empire Picture Palace; was a striking Kalem drama, in which pathos and love are the predominating sentiments.. The title is "His Mother," and the scene is laid in Ireland and America. Briefly the theme depicted is that of a young violinist discovered by some wealthy Americans whilst touring in Ireland. He is his widowed mother's onlv child. The American's praise disturbs his peace of mind, and he is not satisfied, until he can get to America to seek his fortune. His mother's sacrifices her savings to accomplish this. His playing creates a furore, and he becomes the rage, ultimately getting engaged to a wealthy girl. At first he writes regularly to the old mother left in the cottage at home, b\it as success comes the letters cease. At length, the mother can bear the silence no longer, and aided by the kindly parish priest, she too sets off to America to find him. How she succeeds and how she is wek corned by him and his beautiful fiancee and wealthy friends, make a finale to a pretty storv which is pathetically enacted and picturesquely portrayed. The other dramas "His Father's Son." "The Cattle Rustler's Father,' and '"The Call of the 'Ocean Wave," are also of a high standard. The scenic, educational and comic views completed a that was most appreciatively veceivedi by the large audience.