ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1920, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

LYRICS AT EMPIRE THEATRE. A BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. Before a big audience at the Empire Theatre, New Plymouth, last even.ng, the Lyric Costume Comedy Co. staged their programme in true costume comedy style, and a bright two hours' entertainment was the result. Choruses, solos, and humorous items were the order of the evening, and the msnibers of the company proved equally capable in concerted and individual numbers. The male quartette was a very str>ig feature. Right from their opening, for which they.chose the old favorite,. "Annie Laurie," they were accorded a very cordial reception and their re-appear-ances were numerous. Popular items were the "Old Mother Hubbard" chorus and the ditty "The Way to Love." The quartette's work was of a high order, and they fully .maintained the reputation earned in their tour of the Dominion. In the supporting programme Alan McElwain's humorous turns caused roars of laughter, and particular appreciation was shown of his imitations, which weye remarkably good. "Like Stars Above" was suited to Mr. Herbert Richardß' robust tenor, and as a repeat number he sang "I Passed by Your Window," in pleasing style. Miss Jessie Bartlet (contralto) was to line voice, and in response to an encore after her rendering of "Waiata-Maori," she gave an excellent interpretation of "Poekarikari." She also associated with Mr. Richards in the duet "Sincerity," and being recalled they replied with "Maying." Later in the programme, Miss Riehards and Mr. Arthur H. Ripley appeared in "Quarrelling." For an encore in this instance the item "Boy and Girl" was chosen. Mr, Ripley, who is a lyric tenor of merit, was heard to great advantage in his solo, "The Star," and replied with "Somewhere a Voice is Calling," of which a very fine rendering was given. "Coming to the Fair" was heartily given by John W. Ryan (bnssoj, and the audience's demand for more from this artist resulted in the selection of "Jack, the Fiddler." A graceful dancer is Miss Bettina Edwardes, who appeared in each portion of the programme, and her work was very fine as indicated by the approbation accorded by those present. In addition to the task of playing accompaniments, Miss Evelyn Harvey cawied out some selo -wwk, Mendelssohn's "Prelude" and,

as an encore, ''The Dancing Girl," bein* ably interpreted. I The Company appear again this evening, when a new programme will be submitted. | EVERYBODY'S. MATINEE TO-DAY, AT 2 P.M. The big double programme introduced to a good attendance last evening will be repeated again at the matinee this afternoon, and linally to-night. George Walsh stars in a Fox feature, "On the Jump," in which the athletic George is certainly on the jump himself through out, and Bryant Washburn is cast in a Patlie comedy-drama, "All Wrong." The latter picture provides some excellent clean cut comedy, which is centred round the troubles of a newiy-married couple—r and ma-in-law. Both pictures are decidedly entertaining, and will provide a capital evening's entertainment for pic-ture-goers. ' THE PEOPLE'S. MATINEE TO-DAY AT 2 P.M. Tragedy looms dark on the Siberian wastes when the fur-hunter discovers a faithless wife and friend, and then finally the show-girl of the fashionable dressmaker is exposed to the temptations of the society roues and the insults of the society butterfly. My Lady awakens to find that in all the things of life there is tragedy or comedy, that tears, and of ( tentime blood, is woven in the fabric of My Lady's Dress. Each incident is a perfect dramatic cameo, and the whole picture makes a beautiful and novel attraction that will be appreciated by men ami women alike. ''My Lady's Dress" is an. example of the rapid strides made by English producers, and if such features as this can be maintained England .will quickly take the leading position in film manufacture. The bill includes gazettes, travel and comedy films. CESARONI. Cesaroni, a great Italian operatic basso, is announced to appear in the Empire Theatre next Monday and Tuesday evenings. This singer lias just concluded a most successful season in Auckiand, and the Press notices are unanimous in declaring at Cesaroni is one of the finest singers yet presented to the Dominion public, The singer under notice.is said to possess a voice of great volume, rich in tone, and with an extensive range, covering two octaves and one third. He hat- a very wide selection of operatic arias and standard songs in his repertoire, and. it is pleasing to record, he sings many of his numbers in English. 'Originally through this country as a member of i \\\, (lous;:hz opera companies, -Mid later with fiie Ceppelli Conceit Company. Cesaroni is now making his third tour, and. being quite a young man, is said to be singing to greater vantage than ever. The supporting artists include Miss Rosa Walton, an'excellent pianist and a charming;'exponent of songs at the piano, Miss Gladys Vincent, a young violinist only, thirteen years of age, whose playing in Auckland' created quite a sensation; Miss Vera Carew, one of the most brilliant sopranos of Australia; and M. Ivan TarbeefT, a Russian lyric tenor. The box plans are open at Collier's. -■• MALE CHOIR SOCIETY. The Male Choir con :eH to -iie held next Tuesday and Wednesday, August 3 and 4, promises a rare ; ; cnt for the public of this .town. The numbers to be given by the choir have been given special rehearsal, and all are absolutely new, not one of the items having 'been given her.before. The choir will render a series of sea songs called ''Songs of the Fleet," by Sir Charles V. Stanford; the.Solo parts will be sustained by Mr A. B. Mcdonald {basso}, and are'something special. ''Recognition of Land" (G. Greig) is another number to be given, and like all the great composer's works-displays wonderful harmony. Special requests have been made to Miss G. Helen Gardner, soprano, and society entertainer, and she has promised to do two of her Very popular recitals in character "Juliet" (from the balcony scene), and ''Pierrot," by D. M. Gardner. Included in the numbers to be given by Mr. Will L. Hay, the Australian tenor, is recit and aria "Lend Me Your Aid" (Gounod), "By the Sea" (Schubert), "Sylverini" (G. Sinding). ' Another special* feature of next week's concerts is the appearance of "Our Own Quartette Party." This is the first appearance of the party, and their work is splendid. ■ The box plan is now open at Collier's, where tickets are on sale.