Dramatic And Musical

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 103, 21 June 1902, Page 16

Dramatic And Musical

By Footlight.

DIX'S Gaiet\ Company at the Theatie Royal, having the Wellington field of amusement almost entmeh to itself tempoianl\ , is making ha\ while the sun shines Humour sparkles throughout the show , and all the performers give of then best, with the incentive of full and appreciaitixe audiences to smu them on The Lilliputian Dartos give then nimble imitation of their distinguished teachers with sucli fidelity that the audience frequently breaks out into shouts of appreciation. Little Eddie McLean is eleven ' ears of age, and his sister, Decima, nine. The extraodmary perfection to which they have brought their imitation is evidenced by the delight with which this "turn" is greeted. * * Val Vousden creates wild hilarity. His impersonation of a voluble Irisih lady is has best item His bold references to local celebrities, of course, tickle the audience near to hysterics. and a "letther" he reads from "me frind, King Dick" is the quaintest thine in comic correspondence you have heard outeide the daily papers. His ventailoquial performance is fresher than the wooden doll business that we know so well, and he has a eriaceful natural manner that helps him to sustain interest * • * Pope and Savles are as funnj as e\er, and provoke gusts of Laughtei even' time they open their mouths or wink their eyes Chieftain Rangiuia, the Maori tenor, with the musical head of frizzy hair, snips "Fiona," and Ma Curly - headed Babbv" breaks up the back benches every time. Miss Belle Kay and Raiiieiuia have voices that ble.nd remarkably well in "Ha.rk to the Mandolin," one of the sweetest items on the present programme. Miss May Lewis, the dashing seriocomic artist, is in the full tide of her popularity, while Elliott and Bert Gleeson furnish the usual burnt-cork absurdities from the wings. A fresh array of new talent is promised foi next week m Mr F DA. C. de L'lsle, the wellknown local playwright and author, was given a complimentary benefit in the Exchange Hall on Wednesday night last. The weather was as bad as it could be, but the quality of the entertainment was first-class. Its leading feature was Mr. De L'lsle's clever little comedy, 'The Sport of Kings." There is real merit m the piece and it is cer■tainlv worthy of greater recognition tlhan it can possibly obtain by being played without the requisite blare of trumpets, and a large theatre * * • The author displayed marked histrionic talent in the part of a gentleman rider. The other parts were ably sustained by Miss O'More and Messrs. A. Hob man" and Mr. L. Walshe. Songs were contributed by Miss Randell and Messrs J Williams, C. Stratton, and J. G. - 1 nes, and mandolin items by Mr. '" '.ley, a couple of recitations by Mr Le L'lsle, and piano overtures b-\ Mr Hawkins, R.A.M. » • • The Wellington Amateur Opeiatic Society produce that tuneful and picturesque opera. The Yeomen of the Guard," for the first time on Wednesday next in the Opeia House Excellent as has always been the work of the Society, the coming production bids fair to ecliyse all the former effoits Miss Amy Murnhy the well-know n Dunedm soprano, is in the part of Elsie Maynard, and Miss Annie Sime is billed to take the part of Phoebe Mervll The whole caste is a very excellent one and there is no doubt that the seven nights' season will be most successful. * » ♦ The social in aid of the Home for Incurables, which is presided over bv Mother Aubert, was a distinct success It will surely gladden the hearts of the devoted Sisters who spend their lives in the sacred cause of charity, to know that their efforts on behalf of the poor are so largely appieciated That they weie the crowded state of the Drillshed on Wednesday last week wa<s strong testimony.

At 8 o'clock, the orchestra opened fche proceedings with a nicely-played selection tiom 'Faust." Mi F Hendiv followed with "My Lite tor Thee," and seemed a. well-ineuted encoie He contributed another item latei on, and was yen successful Miss Winifred Birch aclue\ed lier usual success. She was in excellent voice and sang with gieat judgment and effect Miss Eileen Waiid contributed two pianofoite solos, one an encore piece, in a very artistic manner indeed Her execution was clear and crisp, and her inteipretation of Scharw enka's Polish Dance was yen bna;ht and pleasing. • • • Miss Zana Maher, late of Sydney who is a decided acquisition to our vocal talent, was al«o a contributor She possesses a isopiano voice of excellent range and powei, and so acceptable was her sinein<? that the audience insisted on a double encoie A well-exe-cuted Mohn mazurka. "Mazur," was <n\en bv Mi=s Lily Gallagher, a pupil of Mis* Juha Moian and this young hdv reflected ore -it credit on both herself nnd her teacher Tins item concluded the progiamme • • • Then, the fun began. Refreshments which were dispensed bv a number of ladies were ru=hed with a vieour that was siurorisinor in thf>=e times of plenty and an attempt to dancp wa= indulged in to the strain of Mi"ifie'.s orchestra. Mr W MoLa.ucrhlin rhiected and acted as accomnanist The proceed* promise to be a reoord i^rl it is expected that about £180 will be the nett result • • • In London, Miss Laura Burt is considering a most advantageous offer she has received from Mr. -J. C. Williamson, of Australia, to appeal in a repertory of star roles. (Continued on juige IS.)

A Wellington and an Auckland man were arguing over the fishing qualities of their respective harbours on the Quay this week The man from the Far North foi a time kept his temper, but finally, with his best sneer, said "I suppose you fish for whales m Wellington 9" ''Oh. no," said the local fictiom«t "we merely use em tor bait!" # This is the \\ a,y a smart, paper insists on getting the ear of a tardy public It appeals to the liver, not the heart _ "If you have frequent headaches, dizziness, faintinf spells, accompanied by chills cramps, corns, bunions, chilblains, epilepsy and jaundice, it is a <nen that you are not well, and you are liable to die at any minute. Pay your subscription a year in advance, and thus make yourself solid foi a good obituary notice." ■*■ ** Graphoideophrenoia is the latest disease As the size of the name indicates, it is a serious affliotion. It is the writing mania, combined with a marked perversion of ideas It is an emotional disease, and most of its victims are women. Ninety per cent, ot anonymous and abusive letters are said to be written bv womn As a woman myself, I refuse to believe it. Some wretched bachelor must have made the calculation.