ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 255, 7 April 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PETER DAWSON*. Tliie rnturn visit to New Plymouth of -Mr. Peter Dawson drew a good attendance at the Theatre Royal lasir evening, when tile artist's popularity was one.! imjj'e plainly evidenced. The printed programme was a very brief one, hut encores were the order of the evening, and Mr. Dawson, who was only "hilled", 'or three items, eventually gave 110 i If;:.* than eighteen, all of which were' greatly appreciated. The uvll-lcnown singer was in good voice, and his extensive repertoire provided a feast of variety seldom met with. A feature was the number of song; in various dialects. These included such old favorites as "The Mountains of Mourne,'' "Up from Zmnmerzet," "A Dinder Courtship," and "A Cornish' Kloral Dance," ami all were heartily enjoyed, as intleed was every item he rendered. "Simon the Cellarer," 'The Toreador," "kittle firev Home in the West/', "On the Roail to "Mamlalay," and "Prologue" from i'agliacci, wii're other items that give some, idea of the versatility of the singer, and all were given in his own inimitable st.vle. Mr. Dawson was aidv supported by three able ladies, in the' Misses Annettft <ieorge, Grace Newman, and Carlien Jill's. The former possesses a powerful contralto "Voice, which she used to the best advantage in several good items, the best of which was probably "11 Baeio" (The Dream of Home). 'The violin solos by Miss Grace Newman were excellent, _ her execution leaving nothing to be desired, and ber duet with Miss .Tura was a capital performance. The pianiste was encored for a solo, as were Mr. Dawson and' Miss Ooorge for a duet entitled "Still as the Night."

EMBIKK THEATRE. Marie Corelli's "Vendetta" vfts produced in picture form at the Umpire Theatre last evening before a crowded house. . "Vendetta" is a remarkable film, 5200 feet in = length, in five parts. Some of the best acting seen in i\Vv Plymouth is given in this particularly good dramatic study, and the staging and scenery 1 arc excellent. Thrilling is the word which adequately describes many of the scenes, and at times the house was held spellbound with expectancy. It is undoubtedly the most realistic drama seen in New Plymouth for Bome considerable time. A feature of the performance was the incidental music supplied by the pianiste. Fabio Romani is the husband of beautiful Nina, tn Italian girl. They have a charmi.ig daughter Stella, Mid their life in Naples, on Romani's great estate, is one of lotc and happiness. Both husband and wife are fond of Guido Ferrari, who is a constant visitor at their home, and whose, friendship for Fabio has been lifelong. A cholera plague ravages the populace of Naples, and Fabio, discovering a pea*:(int dying from the disease, succors him, Mid, in sjnite of the danger decides to go into the city for assistance. He is seized with the cholera, and drops to the street. Pronounced dead, his body is immediately placed in a cheap wooden casket and buried in the long-disused Tiomani family vault. After some hours of apparent death he moves, and the casket slips and falls to the floor of the vau'tIn doing so, it takes with it a coffin thf.t lias laid undisturbed for many centuries. He immediately plunges into the- casket, now broken open, and finds tremendous riches in gold, silver, and diamonds. Almost overcome by his adventure, ard Buffering an agony of mental torture, Fnbio's hair turns white in a single liour. He finally breaks free of the tomb, and rushes through the garden to his mansion. From behind an ornamental column he sees his old friend Guido embracing his wife, and determines upon a horrible revenge. He hurries to the nearest town, buys a pair of green spectacles and a suit of clothes. Armed with almost inexhaustible riches nf the treasure chest, he assumes the -name of Count.,oliva, and after a lapse of time returns to the scene of his misfortune. He succeeds in obtaining an Introduction to Guido, and in course of time the two become fast friends. He professes himself to be an old friend of the dead Count Romani's father. In course of time ho meets his faithless wife, and soon becomes an almost daily visitor at his own home. At this time (lis child Stella is taken sick and dies. Before the little girl passes away Fabio makes himself known to her. The wealth of Fabio dazzles Nina, and, being faithless, selfish, and mercenary, he has little difficulty in laying the foundation for his vengeance. Tlien follow the most thrilling scenes, which have to be seen to be appreciated. The supporting programme is good, a special feature behig the war pictures. "Back to the Kitchen" is a very funny comic film by the Majestic Company. Another beautiful film is a Pathe study, "Birth of Flowers." The programme will be repeated this evening for the last time. Reserves at theatre.

PROFESSOR CLEMENT WRAGGI:

TO-NIGIIT.

Wragge, the well-known scientist, will deliver hia filial lecture in the Good Templar Hall, New Plymouth, to-night. The professor lias a line collection of slides by which he illustrates his lecture. They are the finest in existence, and are alone worth seeing. The professor will also give his famous forecasts of coming seasons, from the present time right up to 1030, and the information given should be of the utmost importance to farmers and agriculturists, whose prosperity depends" so much on the seasons. The professor will gite a display of radium. This is the pr.>fessor's final visit to New Plymouth, so there should bo a large house present this evening to welcome him.

"CHARLEY'S AUNT." , The coming production of "Charley's Aunt' will no doubt be looked forward to with keen interest us it is so wellknown as a rib-tickler. People who don t want to laugh are advised to stay away, for to see this play and not laugh, well, one must be seriously in need of a doctor.

The success which attended the "Chi'.rleyi's Aunt" Comedy Company in the North Island has been phenomenal, und coupled with "The Private Secretary," a comedy which goes hand in hand with "Charley's Aunt," lias proved irresistible to playgoers, who, no matter how iff-.cn. tlicy have seen them, see them again and again. _

The humor of both plays, which is clean and wholesome, continues to keep tho audience in shrieks of laughter from the rise to the fall of the curtain. Mr Norman Aitkcn will be seen as the aunt in "Charley's Aunt," and the Rev. Robert Spalding in "The Private Secretary"; while Mr Norman Hales will play 'Mr Spettigue in "Charley's Aunt," and Mr Catterniole, the fiery old man from India ill ''The Private Secretary." New Plymoiith playgoers who enjoy n real, hearty laugh, should'nt fail to see these comedies. During the Christchureli season the company was twice honored by the presence of their F.xcellencics f.ord and Lady Liverpool. The box plan is at Collier's, and intending patrons would do well to book their seats early. Kltham and Inglewood dates are advertised.