ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3330, 23 September 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“ESTHER, THE BEAUTIFUL QUEEN.”

SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE BY "STf ANDREW'S CHURCH CHOIR.

The highly meritorious performance criven by tli6 St-.* Andrew s Ohurch Choir last evening certainly warranted! a larger audience than that which assemble d° in the Church. The fact that sufficient publicity had not been given to the entertainment no doubt accounted for the meagre attendance. The work undertaken by the choir last night u as Bradbury’s fine sacred cantata, “Esther, the Beautiful Queen,” which was given a- more than creditable interpretation. Mr H. G. McClymont acted as conductor, and had under his baton about 30 voices, the parts being well balanced. From the opening chorus, “Haman, Human, Long Live Haman,” which was brightly taken, to the heavy concluding number, “Praise Ye the Lord 1 ,” m which the sopranos sustained the chorale ■with fine effect, the choir did _ excellent work. Among the most enjoyable of the other choruses were “A Song of Joy,” “He That Goetb Forth and Weepeth,” and “Haste to the Banquet Hall.” Mrs C. East had a difficult role to sustain in the name part of Esther, the Queen, but came through the ordeal with credit, Mr H. G. McClymont’s fine baritone voice was eminently suited to the part of King Ahasuerus, and the successful manner in which he sustained the character had much to do with the success of the performance. Mr Jas. East showed his versatility as a vocalist by singing the baritone music set down opposite the name of the wicked Haman tunefully and well. Mrs L. Gray has a contralto voice of rare culture and quality, and her interpretation on the part of Zeresh, Haman’s wife, was most artistic. The lady’s most successful number was “Why Should This Hebrew,” which' was sung with delicacy and feeling. The tenor part cf Mordecai was excellently sung by Mr R; Heathcote, who was in excellent voice. He was heard to excellent advantage in his opening solo, “Israel, 0 Israel,” and also in the duet with Mrs East (Esther), “Go Thou unto the King.” Miss Ruby Walker pleasingly took the solo, “Lo, O'er the Wicked,” while Miss R. Steele gave the solo, “God is the Refuge,” reverent treatment. Mr Meikle (tenor) and Messrs Mitchell and Dowling (bass) took minor parts with credit. The quartet <7 Do I Wake, or Am I Dreaming,” by Miss Steele (soprano), Mrs L. Gray, (contralto), Mr Heathcote (teno-r), and Mr Dowling (bass), was a most enjoyaole number. Mr _C. J. East rendered most effective service as organist, while the connective readings were given by the Rev. W. Grant.

At the conclusion of the cantata, the Rev W. Grant, on behalf of the audience, moved a. hearty vote of thanks to the choir for the enjoyable evening’s entertainment, and trusted that the cantata would be repeated at an early date. The audience, which had been

appreciative, carried the vote of thanks by hearty acclamation.

PATHE PICTURES

The salient number of the new series of films to be.prodiiced at His Majesty’s Theatre to-night is the great French drama, “The Lyons Mail,” which has been received with tumultuous applause wherever it has been presented. It was

Jn this drama that the late Sir Henry Irving scored his greatest success, and in order to secure a superb representation the services were obtained of the most celebrated French "tragedian of the day, M. Ravet, to play the dual - iles of Lesurques and Dubose. M. Ra--1 ;t is the leading artist at the most f.imous theatre in the world, the Theatre Francais, and all the other members of the cast belong to tlie same company. Following the practice of the Pathe Freres Company, this powerful drama has been produced with unstinted attention to detail, and it was acted at the actual seat of the occurrence. The programme is abundant in good subjects, notable among which “Age and Youth” and “Two Reformations” are two poignant dramas.