Dramatic

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 213, 30 July 1904, Page 11

Dramatic

By Footlight.

IT w aimed the hearts of the audience and the company on Saturday night to notice that the Theatre Royal was crowded to the fullest extent allowed by law. It likewise afforded the audience happiness to note that the high standard instituted 1 by the management at the re-opening of the favourite theatre is not falling away. Our old friend, Les Wharton, always a favourite, has improved beyond recognition, and got that kind of a welcome that spurred him to his best work. His variegated "Why Don't You Get a Lady of Your Own?" although hackneyed now, and insisted on, and Les's exploration into the upper regions of vocahsm tickled, the audience in the exact spot Where it used' to be felt. I notice Les has a better control of his feet than formerly. The least beautiful part of his anatomy do not now shout aloud their presence * * * Another esteemed old friend,^who is giving of his best, is Mr J. W. Wmton the ventmloquial controller of a sohool of dolL-humourists, of which the irrepressible McGmty is chief. McGmty's familiar knowledge with our civic institutions, and his friendship with our ereaitesb men, permit him to deal lightly with their foibles, to the merriment of all who love light-heartedness. The Cathedral Choristers are going, and they wlil be missed. The boy singers have been a notable featnie of an excellent company. * * * The Three Wheelers, also ear-marked for travel, will wheel but little more on local boards or in the woodten basin. Miss Alice Layton's sweet voice is to sing- elsewhere, and Mimic Carden and Miss Pearl Hellmnch fade away almost at once. In fact, the present company will be gone by the time you sit down to read this Lance, and others just as bright will fill their vacated places. On Saturday afternoon, Mr Dix is gmns : a "Grand Illuminated Matinee," which he tells me, with am air of mystery will provide a special and novel efntertainment. * * * The expert Bendigoian wrestlei , Pearce. oame to holds with Scott , New Zealand's champion wrestler, on Monday nieht, at Fuller's, and gave the most scientific exhibition of his art he has favoured Wellington with to date. Unquestionably. Pearce is a very fine wrestler. " He hasn't Scott's ereat strength, nor is he so wiry. but he knows all that iis worth knowing about the Graeco-Pvoman style of wrestling. His

matches with various moie or less expert men on the Fuller boards have •'trained" him, amd no doubt he would give a still better account of himself if he got rid of some more flesh. He succeeded in pressing the shoulders of Scott on the carpet in 14min s£sec (my stop watch), and consequently didn't have to "ante-u-" £10. Tremejid<yus enthusiasm was evoked by the match, which was fairly contested, and hardly won. Scott meets. Pearce on Saturday night, "catch-as-catch-can," in which style the New Zealand champion excels. Zamoni, the modern magician and expert exponent of "Illustrative Digitorlum," otherwise hand-shadowgraphy, is reminiscent of other sleight-of-hand artists in his manipulation of fleeting articles of commerce. His shadow work is amusing. An irate householder chases a fliitatious policeman across the screen, and puts up a shadow fight with him. Zamoni is perhaps the best man at billiard-ball manipulation, seen here since Oinquevalli wiped out all previous records. + * * Lulu Eugene is Fuller's best dancer. Supple, sinuous, and spry. Then Aubrey Douglas sings his coon songs in an engaging wav insuring popularity. The solid Steel c Sis-

ters, m blue trouserettes, are leviving some of the patriotic songs so much admired when gory war was being waged, and Edie Burke, a serio of some consequence, rattles along in the good old soubrette style, beloved by all who know heir. Tillie Dunbar, programmed as the "hard-case," is really not as bad as all that, but her's is an acceptable contribution to a good show that opens every night to a surging "house." * * * An excellent variety show was provided by local talent at the hospital for mental diseases at Porirua last Tuesday. Mr. F. Brady engineered the entertainment, and Dr. Barraclough was "master of ceremonies." The hospital has a talented minstrel troupe, which enlivened the proceedings. The employees at the hospital are specially proficient as vooa/lists and instrumentalist, a lid the programme given by them and visiting friends was a very lengthy and enjoyable one These concerts have a very excellent effect on the patients, and I am only sorry that space forbids <i detailed account of the various items. The Nawns' sketch team caused the Fullers at Christchurch to gather m a lecord "house." Theie are three Nawns — Mrs., Miss, and Tom. They originally intended bringing a company of their own here, but, hearing that the Fullers had £60 a week to offer them, they abandoned the idea, and simply came. They oome to Wellington right away. The "turn" they give is a "world" performance. ♦ * * "Little JimV anxiety becomes great when he finds that more people than can possibly find skating room at the Skating Rink want to "put 'em on." Parties of professional men, society dames, young bloods, and the most fashionable of Societ- dames find relaxation from the carking cares of dolittle in the whirl of the wheel I observed a man on the wood blocks in Adelaidie-road the other night learning the giddy art. He evidently didn't wish to inflict himself on the Rink before he had mastered the intricacies of the first steps. I have observed him since paving his money like a man at the legitimate home of the skate, known now to fame as "The Whirl eries>." ♦ » * After a successful season through New Zealand, where crowded houses have been the rule, Mr. Mel. B. Spun- once more departs for Australia, opening in Melbourne on August 27th. Prior to his departure for Australia, M. Spurr will play a short farewell season in each of the principal towns in New Zealand, starting in Wellington on Thursday next, the season being limited 1 to three nights. ♦ « * Mr. Spurr will tour India and China, from whence he proceeds to London. Mr. Herbert Flemmin" who brought Mr. Spurr to the colonies, will shortly be seen through New Zealand with am. un-to-date comedy company, and Mr. C. H Whaite, who managed the present tour will also be seen through New Zealand with a big attraction at no distant date. (Continued on page 18.)