AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9713, 8 February 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

[ "MISS HOOK OF HOLLAND." | A crowded house greeted the pre- ! sentation by the Pollard Opera Company last evening for the first time in the Dominion of the celebrated Dutch musical comely "Miss Hook of Holland." The company are to be congratulated on their efforts —it was a splendid performance from start to finish, aDd it is safe to predict that the piece will be played with great success throughout New Zealand. Last evening the audience were quick to recognise the merits of the performance as a whole, and for over three huurs they were treated to a feast of charming music, bright dialogue, and a wealth of spectacle such as is seldom seen here. The plot is a bright one. The viery charming Miss Hook, though presumably hardly out of her teens, has built up Mr Hook's business. She it is-who has even invented the great liqueur Cream of the Skies, which is ito backbone. The recipe old man Hook succeeds in mislaying, and it falls into the hands of a loafer, who passes it on for a consideration to a military captain, who is an aspirant for Sally Hook's hand. But the captain eventually finds that its use will not assist him against his successful rival —the bandmaster of his own company —so he sees that it gets back to its rightful owner. There are side issues in the romance of the foreman of the distillery witn Mina, maid to the Hooks, and in the efforts of a party of loafers, headed by Simon Sinks, to avoid work. but everything is entirely subsidiary to the general picture. |

A great deal of the strength oi the piece is in the originality displayed in its execution. The opening scene, showing the cheese market at Arnon the borders cf the Zuyder Zee, was a special feature. In the first act, while depicting the interior of the liquer distillery, Amsterdam, barrels, bottles and demijohns make up a unique picture, effectively earned out. The barrels enter largely into the composition of the best scenes, and either sitting on them, dancing round them, popping out of them, the clever company present many a charming picture. A character study that stands out in this piece is that of Mr Hook by Mr Jack Willis. Hd impersonates the old man to perfection, and his clever acting and singing were greatly admired. He was vociferously encored for his reading of "Round and Round and Round.'" In the role of Simon Slinks, the loafer, Mr Charles Albert was in his element. From the time, early in the piece, where he invites his village companions to "Coma and listen to kind Mr 'Ooks" to the conculsion, he kept the audience well ; entertained. His song, "Who invented work" was very effectively rendered. Mr Hilary, as the bandmaster and lover to Sally, had an important part whhh he handled in a capable manner. His duet with Sally,. "The Sleepy Canal'" was very captivating. Miss O'Keefe made an excellent captain, and her beautifully rich contralto voice was heard to splendid advantage. Mr Edwards gave a breezy interpretation of Schnapps. Miss Edith Collins, as Mina, delighted the audience, and her song "Pink Petti from Peter,' was a great success, Miss Clarice Buckman makes an attractive Miss Hook, acting brightly ?nd singing with expression and feeling. Her items, "Little Wooden Shoes," and "I want to be your wife," were re-demanded. The other parts- all found very capable exponents. Special mention should also be made of the "Cheese number," by the full strength of the company, "Bottles," a chorus of male voices (unaccompanied), and "House of Hook," concerted number.

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES.

A large and enthusiastic audienc< witnessed the new programme put or at the Foresters' Hall last evening "A Voice from the Dead" is the stai picture, and it is one of the most in tense and exciting dramatic films ever shown. The Ejflison Comniercia Gramaphon?, as used by Americar business houses lor correspondence purposes, plays a prominent part ir this drama. A dying man speaks into the grarrimaphone, telling the manner of his decease, lhe hero is accused of his murder, and just as the judge is about to pronounce 'sentence of death the gramaphone is produced in court and the hero is acquitted. "How a Dog Saved the Flag" is another drama of very keen interest. "Mary Queen of Scots'' is a color-film depicting the life of the ill-fated Queen and her death at the hands of the executioner. The execution scene is exceedingly realistic and sympathetic. This picture is oi historical interept, and recalls one of the greatest blots on Britian's history, in the murder of the unhappy Queen. "Mica Mining in the Mountains" is a Pathe colourcinematography film, showing iiow that curious substance, mica, is found and treated. "The Slate Industry" is another very fine industrial picture. The comic element is well represented in "An Old Sinner Caught," "They Would Elop.e" and "Two Old College Chums." "Ihey would Elope" is a very funny picture, and is a sequel tc "Sweet and Twentv" show" here a week or so ago. "The Troubles cf a Pretty Milliner" is a nice little play, introducing some fine scenes which will appeal more especially tc the ladies. "A Potter's Dream" is a colour-film of remarkable merit, and is supposed to be the dream ol an artist potter reviewing all the different kinds of art pottery he ha; made in his life-time. Beautiful ex amples of the leading styles of ar pottery are shown, and this film h quite "an education in the potter's craft. Altogether the programme ii one of the best yet submitted bj Messrs Ttiompson and Payne, ant will draw big houses, to-morrow an< Wednesday. On Thursday there wil be another entire change. Always or the qui-vive to enhance the comfor of their patrons this enterprising firn is now contemplating putting in a dress circle, and the hall is to be lengthened. When these arrangements are carried out Masterton wili have one of the cosiest picture palaces m the Dominion, and such a ligh grade entertainment is unioubtedly an acquisition to a town.