BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Tho occasion of the Ureymouth Watersiders’ picnic to Hokitika on Saturday, assisted to swell the attendance at the Exhibition appreciably during the day, while at night there was another large assemblage. The visitors seemed to enjoy the Exhibition greatly. At the evening assembly patrons had the opportunity of enjoying also the Greymouth Municipal band which played a special programme. The selections included those for next month’s contest at Christchurch, and naturally so line a programme attracted special attention. The attendance about the handstand was large, and the interest of the public was retained all through the performance. It was certainly an enjoyable programme. To-night the Exhibition Royal Orchestra will give a programme oi music from i lie band stand commencing at S o'clock.

The special attraction to-night will he the dance recital in the Orpheus Theatre given by Miss Bessie Macdonald’s troupe which arrives this evening. The company has just completed a week’s engagement at the ( rystal Palace Theatre in Christchurch, so that they come with an established reputation. Song and dance marks the progress of the programme, with many novel features. Miss Macdonald is a very capable producer, and her pupils do her every credit. The dressing is a feature of a very artistic production. To accommodate patrons to-night there will he two performances—the first at 8 and the second tit 9.15. Each entertainment will he of an hour’s duration, and both programmes will he entirely different. There will he a charge of one shilling to each performance. The doors will open at 7.30 o clock. Mrs Adam of Christchurch, will ho the pianisle. The visitor- are sure ol a very cordial reception here.

To-morrow ami Wednesday the Exhibition A. and I’. Show will lie in progress on the Hokitika racecourse. Wednesday will he People’s Day. That evening there will he a late train hack to Greymouth. On both evenings Miss Macdonald’s pupils will be performing in the Orpheus Theatre, while on Wednesday night Hie Exhibition Orchestra will render a programme in the maul annexe also. 1 lie Municipal hand is expected to perform on the hand stand on Thursday night. Next Friday night the Exhibition Ball takes place. Special preparations arc in hand for the event. The site is now being cleared fora marquee annexe in front of the Soldiers’ Hall to provide supper room accommodation and also a lounge. The marquee will have a spread of 70 x 10, ensuring ample cool accommodation, and will he lit with electric light. The whole function promises to be the fashionable event of the period and in point of popularity and all round success, should rival the Prince of Wales’ ball of happy memory. To ensure admission. tickets should lie procured without delay.

Next Saturday will he the closing day of the Exhibition. There is sure to "be a record attendance for the day as a huge picnic party Irom the Gie\ Valley and Of ire lines will visit- Hokitika. The visitors will include the annual picnic visitors from Brunner, Blackball, Papal-oil, Ngaliere, Stillwater. Kokiri ami Pam:,. At 9.30 in tie- evening the closing ceremonial of the Exhibition will take place. The Municipal Band will he in attendance. Addresses will he made by Members of the Exhibit ion Council and others. All this week, terminating on Friday night next. Miss Tndhimter will carry on the cooking demonstrations with gas heating appliances, at the stand ot the Hokitika Gas Coy., Nelson Avenue.

TO-NIGHT. To-night will witness the long-looked for coining of Miss Bessie Macdonald s troupe of classic dancers. I here are some fourteen performers arriving by the train to-night and at 8 o’clock this evening the first performance will he given. The stage has been enlarged and footlights installed for the occasion. The troupe has just completed a remarkably successful week s performance at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Christchurch, where nightly the performers had a most cordial reception. 4he young ladies are all clever dancci s. ’Hie senior girls do some very fine* work, while the junior girls are a special delight in their numbers. The season will extend over the greater part of the week, and promises to ta* the most important engagement made* by the* Exhibition management.

The programme to-night will include a classic dance by the senior girls; ••The Rose Bud,” ley Della Brisk; the dance ‘'Symbolic” by Ella Prenter; “K'toiles” by Sbeelale Chapman ; False Modernc, by Enid Lawson; perionette ballet ; denible dance ■■ R oni a nee and • Sylvia.” .Miss Iris Edwards will be heard in two special vocal numbers, “Happy” and “Pin Going,” assisted by the ballet chorus; while “Carolina” will he sung by Misses Power and P.awson with the ballet chorus. The dressing and staging of the dance recital will bo a special feature, and the whole will lie an entertainment of merit and outstanding novelty. Miss Macdonald will submit regular changes of programme, and is arranging during the season to present “The Fox Tixit” wedding by the Liliputian members of flic troupe. This item is said to bo Olio that finds universal favor wherever produced. 4he company is sure to have an excellent reception over their stay here. The following is the programme to !.o rendered by the. Exhibition Royal Orchestra to-night:—March, “On to Prosperity” (Febcr); Selection “II Trovntore” introducing Anvil Chorus (\ erdi'; Selection (by request) ‘‘Katiuka ’ (Rudolf Friml!; Oriental Entraet “llaya” (L. Maurice); Selection ‘‘Belle of New York” ; Selection “Don .Tuan” (Rossini); Selection “Satanella” (Balfe) Selection “Dinorab” (Meyerbeer). The Kokiri School children (Otira line) accompanied hv their parents will visit Hokitika Exhibition oil Saturday next.