ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 228, 5 March 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. THE KENNEDYS. FIRST CONCERT TO-NIGHT. The Kennedys Tonn one of the most delightful' musical combinations which have been heard of in these parts. In a measure tlicy remind one of the Mendelssohn Quintet which visited New Zealand many years ago. But there is this difference: though they give some classical items demonstrating their high artistic standard, they supply a Targe preponderance of .thoroughly popular pieces. In tho programme which they presented at the Grand Opera House, Wellington recently, tliey intermingled the music of such composers as Vieuxtemps, Wienawski and Brahms, with the most favored inspirations of Verdi and Sullivan. This Judicious blending rendered the bill of fare quite appetising to all. Tile Kennedy family are ambi-dex-trous artists, Thoy shine particularly as instrumentalists, each acting in a dual capacity with tho exception of the pianist, and one also adds vocalisation which is most serviceable in concerted pieces. They am strengthened Si the vocal department; by a soprano and contralto who supply all the .variety that is required. The Otago Times, referring to the Kennedys, Hays:—"The KennedyConcert Company gave its concluding concert in His Majesty's Theatre last evening. The artists provided one of the most high-class and enjoyable feasts of chamber music that has been given in Dunedin for many a day. It was an unalloying delight to listen to the work of each performer, whether vocalist or instrumentalist. Each displayed a versatility which) is in itself remarkable, considering the high standard of exc'ellence reached on each instrument, and also in the art of vocalisation. Both vocalists and Instrumentalists were recalled time lifter time, and the audience was manifestly loth to allow them to depart," Scats, may be reserved at Hoffmann's I'iano Warehouse.

EMPIRE PICTURES. A particularly Interesting drama is Lubin's latest release, "The Debt." Helen Desmond is forced to go on the stage in order to support her invalid mother and sister Elsie. One night at supper a rich man, Dan Appleby, places a fifty-dollar bill in her pocket-book, and Helen gives it to her mother to pay for an operation necessary to save her life. After this Helen meets Philip Gardner, an old rone, who had been a friend to her dead father. The mother thinks his attentions are simply fatherly, and permits the girl to go with him and a party on a yachting trip. Appleby knows Gardner's character, and without telling the mother, follows the yacht South. One night Appleby swims out to the yacht and watches a party on the boat. Gardner is drunk, and endeavors to force wine on the girl. Appleby climbs on board, knocks the old roue down, and Helen is enabled to escape in a small boat. On iihore the girl begs her protector to take her home. Helen asks him how she can ever repay the great debt she owes him ami he simply answers, "Be my wife." Forgiveness and a better understanding comes with her answer. There is a grand supporting programme.