Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Thursday 26 February 1914, page 3


AMUSEMENTS.

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DOROTHEA SPINNEY'S RECITALS.

Last evening Miss Dorothea Spinney gave a vocal recital as one of her series at the Memorial-hall, followed by a recital of a pierrot playette of three characters, entitled ''A Maker of Dreams." In a drawing-room style, playing her own accompaniments, Miss Spinney sang some of Schumann's and Greig's simple but melodious songs, followed by samples of the series of Mabel Woodward (a young English girl) and Nora McNeil -, also the noted Welsh air, "All Through the Night," and Long, Long Ago." Her singing was expressive, and her nicely equalised contralto voice suited her legato style, but she did not rise to any distinction of artistic effect in these numbers. In the playette, though polished and artistic, her differvariation of voices as between male and female characters was not very marked. In impersonating female characters she is first-rate. The entertainment concluded with a long and very artistic series of poses for Greek cases, accompanied by 'cello and pianoforte music J specially composed for Miss Spinney, j To-morrow evening she will recite the "Iphigenia in Tauris" of Euripides. This will be her last recital.

THEATRE OVAL.

The capital programme at the Theatre Royal this week continues to win much popularity, and its repetition look place last evening before an audience that comfortably filled all parts of the building. The first portion of the entertainment included taken capital vocal items by Mr. Lawrence Kenny and Mr. Henry Hart, who were in fine voice, and won much applause. Maud Fanning, in her coon impersonations, in which she was assisted by the Elliott trio, made things lively, as also did the Franklins, the comedy sketch artists. Mr. Clement May's Dickens sketches were again an outstanding feature of the second part of the programme, and the act of Wong Toy Sun was also much enjoyed. To-night Huntress, the American female impersonator, is to make a first appearance in Hobart.

HIS MAJESTY'S.

"Australia Calls" is the title of a striking film which heads the new programme of Spencer's pictures, shown last night at His. Majesty's Theatre. It is based on the defence position of the Commonwealth, and advocates a true patriotic spirit, in order that the sons of Australia might be ready to answer any call received to defend their country. The picture GEMS with a prologue, "The Warning-," showing a Sydney race(course and race, then a football match witnessed by thousands of spectators. During this time the Asiatics, land 20,000 troops on the New' South Wales coast. A proclamation is issued to the Australians, and is readily responded to. The operations of the enemy and the mobilisa-tion of the Commonwealth troops are strikingly featured, while the burning of Sydney by night and all the horrors attending the destruction of this huge city cannot fail to emphasise the wellknown scout motto, He prepared." A love story runs through, the picture. Australia's aviator, Wm. E. Hart, is introduced with his aeroplane to effect the rescue of a lady. The story goes on, and the Australians, after many daring deeds win outright. The picture con-veys its lesson in a forceful manner. The star film, which" is 5,000ft. in length, is strongly supported. As usual, the gazettes are full of interest. In the London budget the most striking features are Leicester Show-, Paris fashions, the King's prize cattle, and a pageant of living pictures at the Albert-hall, London. "The Lindisfarne Regatta" at Hobart is one of the main attractions of Pathe's Australian Gazette.

HOSPITAL' DAY.

Tim English Amusement Co., having donated the whole of the dress circleof the Empire Theatre for Hospital Day, propose screening some select pictures, among them being ''The Empty Cot' and the public are cordially invited to support by their attendance to-night those institutions which appeal for help.

Launceston Competitions.-Entries for the Launceston competitions close on March 6. The presence of two inter-State choirs should create great interest in the choral contest. Two Tasmanian choirs are also to compete.