AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10057, 31 May 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

GRAND OPERA IN ENGLISH. AMY CASTLES AS GEO CHO SAN.. Amy Castles, a name to conjure with throughout Australia, will sing the role of Madam Butterfly in the ODera of that name on Saturday next, at the Town Hall, Miss Castles is creating a very powerful impression in the uart of "Cho Cho San," in Madam Butterfly iri Wellington. Also, Signer Jean Zerga, an Italian tenor of high reputation, will appear as the debonnair Lieutenant Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy. It is a long time, if ever, that such interest has surrounded the first, appearance of any company here. "Madam Butterfly» -described as "a glorious web of wondrous sound" —has been a phenomenal musical success on the Continent, in-England and America. Mr Williamson has had it stored away for some cor,siderable time waiting till he could secure a company capable of doing the great work full justice., Adoitional interest attaches from the fact that the prima donna role will be aung by the young Australian prima donna, Miss Amy Castles, who has been specially engaged by J. C. Williamsonr to appear with this company. Manam Butterfly is considered by Puccini to be his finest and best work, and to give fuller expression to his sentiment and temperament than any other of his operas. The score is written in the modern manner, and the orchestra plays a very important part in illustrating and pourtraying the many dramatic situations. The part of Madam Butterfly—"Cho Cho San"—is considered by experts to be the greatest prima doma role £ever written, and one that calld for an unusually heavy demand on the vocal and histrionic powers of its exponent. Signor Roberto Hazon, a musician and conductor who must be counted as one 1 of the world's best, will preside over an orchestra of forty, including as leader the eminent virtuoso, Ernest Toy.. The box plan will be open to-morrow morning, at 8 o'clock at the Town Hall. Coupons for,priority of seats may be had at the. Town Hall at 6.30 a.m. on Wednesday.

EGYPT AND PALESTINE. There was a very large audience at the Masterton Towti Hall last even- i ing tn listen to the special lecture de- , livered or the subject of "Egypt,"] by the Rev. Father O'Sullivan. The j lecturer said he did not come before them as a : professional lecturer, but J as the representative of a work which had religious, humanising and civilising aspects. He had been tor a quarter of a century connected with the work of the Society of African Missions, which was carried on chiefly in British possessions and protectorates. Ee had been stationed in Egypt, and knew every phase of life in that country from intimate acquaintance. He always felt a hesitation in speaking on ' the subject of Egypt, because of the impossibility of eiving any adequate impression by pictorial or other means of the beauty of the landscape and the architectural glorie3 of that ancient land. He briefly outlined the physical nature of the country—a strip of sandy desert? which the Nile cut in j two, leaving a strip of fertile country j on'eitber hand. The pictures thrown j on the screen were many an;] beauti- l lul -so numerous, indeed, were they that the lecturer could do little more than say a few words of explanation as each passed in turn. They dealt with the various phases of life in v the desert,.on the Nile, and in' the cities. The main object of interest in Cairo were pointed out, and then the lecturer took his audience on a trip to the Pyramids. Before showing his pictures of these interesting objects, he gave a brief acount of the ancient city of Memphis, which at it 3 height stretched 28 milts along the banks of the Nile, and harboured two million people. It was this rac<3 who had built the Pyramids on the borders of the desert; away from the reach of floods as burying places of their sovereigns. This huge cemetery covtred|7o square miles. Tha city had existed until it was finally abandoned a thousand years ago, and now the railway ran over its site, and fields ot corn and sugar-cene grew over 1 it. The/picture of the Pyrami is apd the temples of Luxor and Philae were excellent. Altogether the lecture was pleasant and instructive, and was highly appreciated by the audience. ■. ■

WEST'S PICTURES. 'The Masterton Town Hall has been leased for a lengthy terra by Messrs I Hay ward, Clark and Vile for the permanent exhibition of West's Pictures, on nights that the hall is i,ot otherwise." engaged. The name of "West's" has become a household wora in the picture world of the colonies. The -pictures shown bj West's ate not* only of a highly instructive and educational character; they afford a healthy recitation to the minri, a! rest to the wearied, and a comfort to the depressed. No better building than' the Town Hall could have been secured for the display of moving pictures. The cinematograph has been specially imported, and is of the very la'est nnd most improved pattern. The films will be identical with those exhibited in Sydney. Melbourne, Wellington, Cnristchurch, and elsewhere. Special attention will be paid to the effects, and the musical items will be provided by Mr T. Inns For the benefit of country visitor?, and .parties of townspeople, a booking office has been opened at Messrs Inns and Gnartard's, Queen Street, where Keats may be reserved upon the paynent of an extra sixpence. The programme for the opening entertainment on Monday evening next will be published in the course j'' of a few days.

THOMPSON—PAYNE PICTURES. Those who witnessed the change of programme at the Foresters' Hall last night were delighted with the series, which is of exceptional merit. Every sublet; was applauded. The educational-value of- such films as "The Gorges of the Andes," "Paper Pu'p Mills, Canada," and "Walrus and Seal Hunting.* is admitted. The dramatic pictures are first class samples of their kind, "To Save Her Soul" perhaps beinu (he beet.,, "The •set of Big jßotisfßanchi'' belongs to "the cowboy series produced by 3elig Bros., and affords plenty o£excitement. The comedy is well provided in "A Valuable Hat." Rose that Failed," "Foolshead Wants to iflairy." This programme will be repeated tonight,