WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 67

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

By Peteb Pan. September 10. Dear Pasqu:n, — "Jack and Jill" finishes its season at the Opera House on Wednesday, and then the company returns to Australia. Mies Betty Oh^ and her husband (Captain M'Quade) intend touring America and England. They will, however, return to Australia. It is to be hoped that Miss Ohlg does not contemplate retiring altogether from the stage. The pantomime^ will be followed by a season of vaudeville, a company styled "Charles Maurice's and Vaudeville Company" opening a tour of New Zealand on Thursday aiight. Charles Sorlie, an American comedian, is billed as the "star." Mr Will Jameson, who is due here to-morrow, is acting as advance manager of the combination. The Harmonious Huxhams' Comedy Company is on tour of tho Auckland district. A poster from Auckland notifies that besides the three Huxhams Misses Ediith Maitland and Eva Scott amd Messrs John Gilehr-Kt and dive Laurence ar? members of the company. The "London Biotint" is the name of the picture machine. The news of tho death of Alec Verne was received here with many expressions of regret. Poor Alec had not been in the beat of health of late, but his early demise was net expected. I understand that a heart Seizure, following on typhoid: fever, was the carso of death. He will be much nvessd by his many friends in this town. The Eastbourne Dramatic Club's initial entortainmeart at Day's Bay Pavilion last Saturday was a great success, and future performances by the club will bet eagerly awaited by tJie residents of the bays on the eastern side of the harbour. The club is going to be a great factor in the social life of the bays. Two farces were staged — "Freezing a Mother-in-law" and "Ici en Pa.rle Firancais." In "Freezing a Mother-in-law" the parts were taken as follows: — Mr Watmuff, Mr P. St. John-Ke?tnan ; Mrs Whatmuff, Mrs E. Carte ; Ferdinand Swift, Mr Millisr; Emily, Miss M. Carte; and Mr Percy Wright took the part of the juvenile- lead. Floral presentations were received by Mr and Mrs Whatmuff. In "Ici en Pa.rle Francais," Mr Cyril Girdlestone played tha part of Spriggins ; Mrs E. Dodd, Mrs Spri'ggins ; Mr B. F. Kelly. Victor Dubois ; Mr Dixon. Major Rejjulus Rattan ; Miss Myra Smith. Julia ; Mies Edith Phiips, Angelina Sprigisrino ; and Miss Fleminpr, Anne Maria. Mr P. St. John-Keenan performed the duties of stage manager. It is understood that Pinero's three-act comedy, ' The Magistrate," will be thie- noxt prodTietien by the club. Frederic Shipman was in town this week arranging for fcbe return of Bsjisfougih. Return dates will probably be played early in October. Mr Shipman is also busy fixinig c"iatcs for ths northern tour of the cartoonist. Fred Duval is dye here next Friday, and starts inland to arrange the tour of tho Pollard', commencing at Greytown and ending: at New Plymouth. Th-e Mountebank Dramatio Club played at Johnsonville last W£«k, staging 1 the comedy "Jane." which they so successfully played at the Opera House recently. MiLeo De Chateau again superintended ths production. Mr Gus Nsville. a Wellington ian. who was last here with Meynell and G-unn's "Miner's Trust" Company, has formed a company of his own, and at latest was touring in Tasmania. Professor Kudarz Qlr T. W. Driver), who came into prominence lately owing to his chalteineres to expose the spiritualistic medium, Cha?. Bailay, who at seances here has teem bi-inging apports from distant lands, has engaged the Town Hall from the 22nd, whon an interesting evening is promised. The tender of Meyer and Illingworth has been accepted for the erection of the King's Theatre for the West and Royal Pictures' syndicate. The site at the corner of Dixon stre-et and Taranaki place is now being cleared of the old buildings which have stood upon it for many years. The contractors will make a start at once with the erection of the new theatre, which is to be completed by February 22. The theatre has baen specially designed for effective display of cinematography, and h to accommodate about 1500 people. Sixteen tenders were received. The cost of erecting and furnishing the theatre will be between £9000 and £10,000. This does not include the amount expended in the purchase cf the site.