ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2695, 28 December 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAKARAKA SCHOOL CONCERT.

A very successful concert was held at Mnkaraka in the new hall on Wednesday evening last week, when a substantial sum was secured to supplement the school funds. The items were highly entertaining, and the crowded house win inly appreciative. Miss Gray, rendered *‘The v Cnrnival” with much sweetness and charm. Miss Faubert sang “Uncle John,” and secured an encore, when she treated the audience to “I Couldn’t, Could IP” Two pleasing quartettes were well received in “You Sav So.” by Misses Faubert and Wilcox, and Messrs Hamlin and Wilkes. the humor and emphasis hmng well expressed; while in “Hush Thee, My Bab,,”- by Misses Gray and Fau-

berfc and the same two genUemen blend of tlie voices and the h £rmon y home-delightful. A recitation by -Mr* wSfcs on "A Meditative Horn” seemed to discover the sympathies ot e con.pany, who responded fr«oy to ita humor, as did .they ai*o to that or th clown song by Mr. Heron. • * Barker was in good voice, and was obliged to reappear after siugmgj in jhno style “‘Won’t *ou Take Me Back to Bendigo.” Mr, Chatman was also recalled for his singing of the *mher man and His UhnU." /he drill items in which a large number of chddren took part were executed with such rhythm, cleanness, and precision as one characteristic of this school s perion uncos, well sustaining the credit of both the pupils and their trainers. But the event of the evening was the Highland' fling in costume by Miss Gertrude Kinnimoiit and Master Andrew Gregg. Tlie music for this item was'supplied by Mr A. Mclntyre, of Patutahi, whose pipes might well stir the heart of any rieot with the memories of his historic and romantic country. The juveniles, as if connected by wireless current with the fingers that talked the music, went through the various steps from beginning to end without a hitch, the pohe time, and gracefulness of action being admirable. Master Gregg also danced the “Soeauntreus” in good style and Miss Kinnimont The Sword Dance,” wherein she displayed much elasticity of step and alertness and ease of manipulation. Several part songs and'rounds were charmingly rendered by tlie school children. An artistic display of club exercises was given by Mr. Borum, ex-physical drill instructor to the British Army. The music for this item - was supplied by Miss otephenson in waltz time, and the practices shown were marvels of muscular control The teachers and children little knew when they were performing that there was such an expert in the audience, yet his praise of their work was unstinted. The concert ended with votes of thanks to the performers, es~ jiocially to those who had kindly come out from town, to whose contributions the function owed so much. A dance followed, the music being supplied by Mrs. A. Muir in her accustomed rigorous and inspiring manner. Mr. J. C. Parker, chairman of the School Committee, and Mr. J. B. Von Pein worked liard J for the success of the entertainment.

AUSTRAL UNISCOPE CO. The theatre was literally packed last evening, when the Austral Uniscope Co. presented their second set of animated pictures. Excellent orchestral music was rendered by Messrs Vita. Bros. Tlie programme of pictures included some really beautiful subjects, and these were loudly applauded. “Paper Tearing” was something of a noveltv to Gisborne, while a prettily colored film, entitled “Hie 'Witch’s Cave,” met with genuine approval. Another handsome colored film was “The Trixie Princess,” the theme being taken from an. old fairy story. “The Wreckers” was an intonselv exciting subject. The humorous pictures were well represented, the best being “The Elixir of Strength” and “When the Devil Drives.” Other good pictures shown were “Back to Honest Ways” and “An Old Maid’s Inheritance.” During the evening Mr. Wells sang a pretty illustrated song. “I Miss You in a Thousand Ways,” and Master Prisk, the hoy basso, contributed “The White Squall.” The company show for the last time this evening, when a complete change of programme is announced.

PATHE PICTURES. To-morrow night the Pathe Pictures reopen at His Majesty’s Theatre, and will present a new programme of high quality. The series, which is a lengthy one, contains pictures of every variety, suiting all tastes. Drama is represented by two first-class stories, “The Two Rivals” and “CQD, Saved by Wireless,” both of a sensational character, and splendidly mounted and acted. “Cattle Ranching in British Columbia” is a good subject, and should be a film of great interest here, being of great length it gives a clear insight into the ways of management of these far-off ranches. “Sunny Geylon” and “Living London”' amply support the scenic portion, the latter being one of the finest living pictures yet obtained cf the world’s great metropolis. “Bobby the Sportsman” and “The Punchestown Steeplechase” head the comics, all of which are full of wit and humor. This programme will be shown for three nights only, commencing tomorrow night.

THE POLLARDS. Pollard’s Merry Midgets Company, a new organisation comprising most" of the children who have appeared in Williamson’s pantomimes in Sydney and Melbourne during the last few years, will open in Gisborne on Wednesday, January 12 th. Mr. A. Moss, who has been associated with Mr. Toni Pollard for some years', lias just returned from Australia, where he has been making arrangements for a series of new pieces and securing performers to take part in the new productions. He has secured the rights for New Zealand of “Miss Hook of Holland,” and has options over “The Belle of Mayfair,” “The Girl Behind the Counter,” “The Gay Gordons,” “Sergeant Bnie,” and that ’•eatest of all recent London successes, “The Arcadians.” In addition to this he has purchased elsewhere the New Zealand rights of “Olivette” and “Tambour Major.” The Clark, Meynell and Gunn Company, Mr. Moss states, has definitely retired from New Zealand on account of the heavy expense attaching to travelling, and it was quite certain that their pieces would not be seen in New Zealand except as played by the Pollard Company. His company proposed, if the public support was sufficient, to produce regularly the latest productions of the Australian, management, and this would mean that London successes would be seen in New Zealand within two or three months, of their production in Australia, instead of twelve months afterwards as was now generally the case. t It is the intention of the Pollard Company gradually to eliminate the juvenile element from its ranks, and to restore the company to the same status as it held prior to its leaving New Zealand some years ago for an extended tour of South Africa and Australia. With this purpose in view, Mr. Moss has been recruiting hew artists. Ho has engaged Mr. Wilfrid Hilaray, a well-known'English baritone, to play the part of the bandmaster in “Miss Hook of Holland,” and also Mr. A, S. McKay, a baritone recently with the Julius Knight Company.;- H>k other engagements include Miss Collins, a particularly charming singing soubrette and danseuse; Mis, Cummings, a mezzo-soprano; and Miss Nelson, a contralto. About a dozen other voices have been encaged for strengthening the chorus and playing minor narts. Some of these artists have already arrived, and others will come to NewZealand week by week a s their Austra-