DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 11, 15 September 1900, Page 12

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

IT is so seldom that we hear a really good bass singer now a days that we are better able to appreciate one of more than average merit when he comes along. And Mr Arthur Hahn, the most recent addition to Dixs Gaiety, i8 well above the average of the bass singers that we are accustomed to hear. He has a magnificent voice, well trained, which he uses to the best advantage, and it is not surprising that he has already become very popular, and that his numbers are encored again and again. " Bodied in the Cradle of the Deep " and " Sons of New Zealand " were two of his best songs on the occasion of his first appearance. • • • But Mr Hahn is by no means the only fresh attraction at the Gaiety. Nearly the whole company is new. Frank Yorke, with his fine voice and his irrepressible funnyisms, is back again, and so also is Annetta Bodin, with her pleasing songs and dances. Dainty Olive Lenton is as popular as ever, especially in her Boubrette turns, while she also gives an admirable imitation of the clever Peggy Pryde who was such a draw in Sydney a couple of years ago. Ethel Clifford sings a delightful mezzo-soprano ballad, while Miss Eva Middleton, a contralto of merit, also sings very well. Bosie Williams is pretty and piquant, and does a good serio-comic turn, " His Little "Wife " being one of her best items. The De Vella sisters are dancing soubrettes, with pleasing voices, who introduce a spice of novelty in the form of a boxing bout, in which one of the two is very much knocked out. • m • Ernest Fernleigh is billed as the eminent English tenor, but his robust voice is more of a baritone. He sings very fairly. Percy James, who is also a good interlocutor, possesses a baritone voice of good quality, which he uses well, and his comic songs were amongst the best items on the programme. Then there are clever turns by Jack Steele and Bob Hall, the laughing song of the latter being inimitable, and a good song and a firstclass clog-dance by Joe Watts. It is a great programme altogether, and far and away the best that has been put on at Dixs Gaiety, while the company is one of the strongest variety combinations we have seen in New Zealand. • • * John Fuller and Sona' Bijou is still drawing splendid business to the Choral Hall, where Mr John Fuller, jun., is managing things most successfully, and where first-class programmes continue to follow each other with unfailing regularity. Mr Dave Caston is a great dra*w just now, and his song "Why Did I Leave My Little Back Boom ? " has caught on immensely. Will Stevens is also as entertaining as ever, while Misses Lena Harvey, Katie Lynn, Lillie Smith, Mr Sheldon Kindly," and other popular artistes each contribute their share to the programme. Not the least interesting part of the show, by any means, is the kinematograph, with the latest war scenes, which is highly entertaining. With four shows going in various parts of the colony, Messrs Fuller and Sons have now a large array of talent under engagement, while a succession of fresh artistes has been arranged for. • • » Variety business is all the " go " in New Zealand just now, and it is not surprising that the success of the Messrs Dix and Fuller has tempted other entrepreneurs to try their luck. Wellington is promised something novel and attractive in this line next week. The Criterion Theatre having been completely renovated, redecorated and reseated, is now styled the Federal, and, we believe, it has been let for an extended period to a well-known theatrical management, who intend to open with a first-class up-to-date show. The more the merrier. Lighted with electricity, and made bright and comfortable, the Federal ought to become a popular place of amusement, and especially so if the show is a live one. m • • Notwithstanding the heavy rain, there was a large attendance at the Opera House on Wednesday evening, when the Dramatic Students opened their season with " Modern Wives." The performance

was a very good one, but happening ]ust when our last pages were closing, our extended notice is necessarily held over until next week. # • • Miss Clara Butt, the famous contralto singer, is not only possessed of a magnificent voice but, also, of a most imposing stature. She is said to be two or three inches over 6 feet, and is alluded to as the tallest public singer of her day by Tit-Bits. Miss Butt was born in Southwick, near Brighton, England, and had her voice first trained in Bristol, which was practically her home. This gifted young giantess will take a wonderful lot of pushing before she is shoved out of public favour in England, yet Madame Melba believes Miss Eegina Nagel will in time equal her in popularity. • # • Miss Nellie Stewart is shortly to appear in Melbourne at the head of Mr George Musgrove's lately organised English Opera Company. "Our Nellie" will meet with a big reception in the Victorian capital, whether it be in opera or as " first boy " in a Christmas pantomine, and I verily believe it will be in the lastnamed form she will first face an Australian orchestra. Mr Musgrove has promised to pay New Zealand a visit after a season or so on the other side, but I am afraid the popular manager and hlsprima donna will have a lot of woi-k to do before showing up in this part of the world.

The first annual general meeting of the Empire City Athletic and Cycling Club takes place on Monday, Sept. 17th, when all members should endeavour to be present.