A Lady's Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 28 May 1895, Page 3

A Lady's Letter.

Wellington, May &5, 1895. Last night the opera " Ruddigore" was produced lor the first iinte by the Amateur Operatic Company, arid very successful it was, the actors and actresses did full justice to themselves and their parts. Mrs J. It J . Miller took the part of May Rosebud and acted it with an easy and spirited grace, hpr singing was also good and some of her solos had to be repeated. Mrs Burfoot took the contralto part of " Dame Hannah," and did it well. Miss Newton was " Mad Margaret" and was really splendid, her acting being both weird and amusing. The part of the " Wicked Baronet " suited MiGeorge Parsons down to the ground, you might fay, and when he was joined by Miss Newton in the second act the couple created roars of laughter. Messers Lyon and E. J. Hill were also very good and the latter who took the part of ' Richard Dauntless " a sailor, ' brought down the house ' with his dancing of the hornpipes. The costumes were in the early English style and very pretty it looked when the whole Company was on the stage. Mrs Willer'a frock of dove grey crepon trimmed on the bodice with salmon pink silk, grey and pink picture hat grey shoes and stocking completed a most becoming costume. Mrs Burioot, who was an elderly dame, wore a white quilted petticoat and &> r;i flowered red bodice with paniete. The audience was a very large and fashionable one. His Excellency Lord Glasgow was presN ent, also Lady Glasgow, who wore a lovely pale green brocaded gown, grey silk cloak bound with soft brown fur. Lady Alice Boyle wore ft pretty white frock relieved with pink. Captains Preston and Clayton Were; in attendance. Others present were Mr Peter Parfitt who is the President of the Society, and Mrs Parfitt who wore a handsome black silk and lace gown ; Mr and Mrs Gale,, the latter in a pink gown and pretty pale yellow velvet opera cloak with white feather trimming ; Mr E. Pea tee, Miss Fearce, black gown, pale grey cloak with brown fur ; Mr and Mrs W. Ferguson, the latter weaiHtig ft long dark green cloak piped with pink ; Mrs Col. Fox wore a long pale blue cloak lined with White silk. It*Jaa& been very dull here since I last wrote. With the exception of the opera there have been no social events to report. A number of ladies have been very busy lately, collecting funds for a huge picnic which is to be given to the^gpt children of this city tofoorrow, the Queen's birthday. It is to be held in the Basin Reserve, and if wet ill the Mount Cook drill shed. There are many speculations as to whether this idea will be successful and if so I believe it is to be an annual event. All the principal shops have opened up new ball gowns and evening silks and materials, in my next lettei 1 1 hope to tell you the result of ! my inspections. SIGNA.