AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10257, 8 June 1911, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THE ROYAL HAWAIIANS. The party'of ladies and gentlemen from the Hawaiian Islands, who comprise "The Royal Hawaiians," are said to be peerless as entertainers of the musically inclined, and their repertoiro of instrumental and vocal music consists of nearly a thousand numbers, containing not only the new but the very newest that have been written and sung, including many copyright selections belonging to individual members of the organisation. Not an item of the many programmes to be submitted was chosen without the advantage of sincere selection. Nothing is included that has not(something of a direct and personal appeal; moreover, as in every selection made upon a true basis, the items react upon one another to produce a greater warmth of appreciation upon the audiences. Included amongst the "Royal Hawaiians" are "The Hawaiian Glee Party," who are said not only to be individual singers of great charm, but also the finest double quartette of male voices heard in the United States. In Australia the Glee Party created a sensation by the wonderful harmonising, and six recalls for their numbers were almost always insisted upon. ) Their contributions to the programme j are interspersed with instrumental j items on native and European stringed instruments by the "Royal Hawaiians," amongst whom are the lady exI ponents of "The Hula" Dance, who are said to be of great beauty and physicial attractions. It is confidentially anticipated by the management that one of the biggest audiences ! of the year will greet the Royal Haw- I aiians on the occasion of their first ap-1 pearance here. Seats may be reserved ' at Miss Rive's. I

I "LUCKY DURHAM." To-morrow evening Mr Anderson will present his new dramatic organisation, including H. R. Roberts and Beatrice Day, when will be presented for the first time in Masterton WilsonBarrett's last and great play, entitled, "Lucky Durham." Speaking of Mr Robert's of John Durham, the Melbourne Argus says: "In the presentation of John Durham, Mr Roberts was quite at his best. He put life and vitality into the creation, and a certain charm of individuality as well. It was by far the best piece i of work that Mr Roberts has done in i Melbourne for many years. He avoided the besetting sin of staginess, one to which such a character is always liable, and made the most of a number of telling situations." Of Miss Beatrice Day, as Lady Mountfallon, the same paper says: "She gave an excellent impersonation, especially in the last act where the family is j brought to the very verge of ruin, j She lifted up. the scene with constant j art." -The box plan for the perform- ' ance is on view tt M,iss Rive's. ■.

SHEFFIELD CHOIR'S TOUR OF THE EMPIRE.

Striking in its daring, and epochmarking in its bearing on the musical advancement of the world is the globe-circling tour of the famous Sheffield Choir, of England, Dr. Henry Coward, conductor. This stupendous musical tour will be carried out by Dr. Charles Harriss, of Ottawa, who regards it as the crowning achievement of his movement for closer musical relations between Great Britain and the lovers of music all over the Empire, and will be the first attempt at reciprocity in art between England and her. Dominions beyond the seas, j and great' results are looked for. The problem of touring so large a number as the Sheffield Choir is a serious one, and the length "of the tour must necessarily be limited, owing to ' the enormous expense involved. Only I the largest cities can be visited, as living accommodation for two hundred people is difficult to obtain, except in the large centres. Travelling arrangements will necessitate special trains. Inasmuch as the members of the Choir ' are prominently identified with the industrial enterprises of Sheffield, the visit will be of economic importance as well as of influence musically. There has already been demonstrated, by the visit of the Sheffield Choir to Canada in 1908, that the art of music I making fostered upon true principles, i .whilst serving to cultivate the higher 'sense of things that matter, can also i become productive of practical results J along the lines indigenous to business i and commerce. Four years ago the Sheffield singers paid a visit to Ger- ; many. Their success was immense.' Volumes of praise were poured forth by the press and the leading musicians, and the Kaiser himself took the greatest interest in the singing of the chorus.. By Royal Command, they, again visited Germany:last September.The Sheffield Choir, under its eminent , conductor, Dr. Henry Coward, hasbeen in existence thirty-nine years, during which time they have won for themselves from the world's greatest musical authorities, the enviable reputation of being the finest body of choral singers of male and female voices known to fame. Their coming to Wellington, therefore, will be one of the most important events of the J season, and the news has aroused the i greatest interest and enthusiasm.