AMUSEMENTS.

West Coast Times, Issue 232, 16 June 1866, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

The Dramatic Company at the Prince of Wales Opera House, under the management of the proprietor, Mr James Bartlett, continue to well sustain, the fortunes of that house. No bolder experiment coujd have been tried in Hokitika than the erection oTa theatre on so large a scale, and with such complete appointments. We have before taken occasion to describe the house, which is in all respects one of the finest theatres in the Australian colonies. We have now to mention that it has, since our last summary, been brilliantly illuminated by gas manufactured on the premises — the first introduction of gns on the West Coast. The effect is very fine, and has contributed materially to the success of many ot the pieces produced Mrs Charles has Poole Completed her engagement and left the thentre to make a professional tour through the neighboring provinces. Miss Rosa Cooper, an actress of very great and versatile ability, is the leading lady of the company, and sustains a succession of" parts with a delicacy, grace, and force of expression, that establish her claim to a high rank in her profession. She is well supported by Mrs Crosby, nn artiste of a different class, but one equally popular, and as deservedly so Mr James Bartlett, the manager of the company, is hi -itself one of its most efficient members. In his proper range of characters he is inimitable, and plays well all the parts in which Charloa Matthews has distinguished himself. Tt is proposed to give this gentleman a substantial mark of the sense entertained by the Hokitika public, not only of his irreat ability as an actor but of the spirit of enterprise he has displayed in putting up a theatre which many feared at, the time would be found to be far in advance of the requirements of. the town. The result has shown that his judgment was bettor than theirs; for we believe we may say that in all respects the season has been a success. At any rate the theatre is a pu' lie boon. The pieces that have been produced upon the boards, have been of the highest class, such as nre offered to the audiences of the first-class theatres of London, and the other great English towns. The company is a numerous one, and we do not care to mention other names than those we have referred to, as it would be impossible to notice all, and a selection vrould be necessarily individious. A ball given 'by the members of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, to celebrate the opening of their new enginf house, was a very successful and brilliant affair. Another ball is appointed to take place 'at the Prince of Wales Opera House, on Wednesday next. It is given in honor of the anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne, by the Freemasons of Hokitia; and every effort is being made to give it eclat. The work of catering for the guests has been confided to Mr Wagner, of the Shamrock Hotel, who is understood to be making the most elaborate preparations. The pit of the theatre is to be boarded over, and the house to be placed at the disposal of the committee from an early hour in the morning, to enable them to carry' 1 out their decorative arrangements. This ball is expected to be the most brilliant affair of the kind that has yet taken place on the West Coast. ■ '

An exhibition of waxworks, a branch of the establishment of Madame Sohier of Melbourne, has been on view for some days past, at the Fire Brigade Hall, and* has attracted a largo number of visitors. The figures exhibited are very excellently modelled. v