ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 62, 10 September 1904, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

WILLIAMSON COMEDY COMPANY. "COUSIN KATE." "Cousin Kato" is a novelist who writes cynical things about love, etc., and thinks she believes them. She only finds out her mistake when »ho falls in love at very short notice with An artist whom she meets in a railway carriage. Cousin Kate is making her railway journey in order to join a country family, Mrs. Spencer, her young daughter Amy, and her son Bobby. Amy aJid her betrothed, Heath Desmond, have just had a dispute and a parting, arising out of an injtyieilon by Amy, who is a very, very good young girl, that her flanceo must not, tiler marriage, paint pictuies on Sunday. The young lady had, it appears, fallei. wry much under tho influence of the local curate or clerical locum tonens, It«v. James Bar tlott, who is exciting the girl's religious sensibilities and working ou them to secure her for himsvlf. Cousin KiUe, as the family's guide, philosopher, «nd friend, decides that a man who is admittedly good quality in all other respects should not bo turned away becaueo he paints pictures on Sundays; and persuades tho impressionable Am.v to write to her fiancee a note of ro-c 7. Wuen the novelist has accomplish^ au this, she discovers that the iianceo she is re-uuiting to her friend is the man she has fallen in love with herself. Cousin Kate renounces her love, straggles on with the* part she is playing, but release comes in the last act, when the serious Amy discovers that after all tho llov. James will suit her better. So the novelist is 'free to enjoy her artist. The central character is of course "Cousin Kate," and it is an exceedingly fine study, full of gaiety and pathos, strength and weakness, light and shade. Miss Florence Hamer adapted herself to all these varying emotions with great facility and symp&tiiy. No higher praise can be bestowed on such un interpretation than to say that Miss Hamer remain* tho woman all through. The other characters were all very capably maintained. A« the artistlofver, Air. Wilfred Draycott showed nuccwifully a real nvan, beneath a partial veneer of semi-"artistic" nonsense. A, special word of piuise is due to Mrs. Henderson's hnpwftonation of tho harmless and helpleaa old -lady, Mrs. Spencer. The limp and not very lovable character of Amy waa presented in a simple, Htraijghtforward way by Miss Florence Le Clercq. The play was preceded by m playlet, "Marjory's Husband," in which Miss Rose Musgrove bore the honours. The season • win close to-night with a ifepetition ot Uu»t night's bill. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. First interest in the performance at tho Theatre Royal last night was centred in the appearance under Mr. V. R. "Dixs banner of Miss May Moore Dnprez, known as " the jolry American firl,' who has como direct from Mr. Larry Wokards's theatres in Australia. She ttts her description in every respect — nay, moie, for she is not only jolly, but something remarkable as an eccentric dancer. She introduced herself in the character of a queer little Dutch girl daintily dressed, and shod with wooden shoes, in which she clattered about the stage like a bnby elephant in boots, all tho while pattering to her audience in American-Dutch lingo, flinging them a fragment' of song and merry jests, and winding up with a break-down which woke tho echoes of the old theatre. She disappeared in a titorm of laughter and applause, only to return as a vision in red--a scarlet poppy with a dash of silver. Then it was she shewed what she really could accomplish with her feet and body, Mus'Du* proa probably does not claim to be a vocalist, but as a dancer she is par excellence. To tho accompaniment of • J My Hottentot' Lady," she gyrated itbout the stage in a series of some of the «nost astonishing leg evolutions conceivable — a combination of everything that is eccentric, all that Is graceful. Miss .Duproz wag a guocefis, instantaneous and .most pronounced, and her turn is something to oee to bo believed, jjfhe remaining members of- Mr. Dixs company helped to carry ouf, nn admirnblo programme. Tho performance will be repeated this evening, and may be generally commended, HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Good business continues to be dono at His Mnjesty's Theatre-. Tho Messrs. Fuller are keeping thoroughly up to riate, and are constantly on the look out .for novelties. Professor Parker, the "Handcuff King," continues to be a great attraction. His skill is undoubted. Carrno's juggling feats are also \ X worth witnessing. A now bill of faro will be presented to-night. Professor Parker makes his last appearance. Miss Ivy Nicholls, an artist who comes with » good reputation in the vaudeville world, will make her defeat at Xfis Ma-

iesty's, and new items are to bo given by tho mombors of tho Company, who havo boon appearing during the past woek. Tho Nawns, sketch artists, niako thoir firBt appearanco on Monday. Their repertoire should win thorn a good hoube. PADEttEWSKI. Padeiwyski nni\ his party, who have made tho trip along the touriM route from Auckland, are- coining south by to-day's express from Napier. A Proas Association telegram says they arrived there from Tauno lust night. They were delighted with the trip, and the wonderful bush and mountain scenery on the Taupo-Nupier-rOiid. They found tho road in excellent condition. An important announcement rcgardiug the booking of .seats appears in our advertising columns. A few guinea seats are- f>till available in tho dress circle and front .stalls; and, in response to many applications from persons who were disappointed through not obtaining scats in tho family circle and back stolls, Mr. Lemmono telegraphed last night from Napier to reserve an oxtra number of halfguinea seats, For these early application should bo made. The fivo shilling scats (a very limited number) will bo on sale at tho Dresden Company's office on Monday. Tho programme lor Padercwski's first recital will show tho famous pianist at his best. By liis magical mastery of his instrument ho has stirred to tho highest enthusiasm vast audiences in nil tho art centres, and in all tho great cities of Europe and America, ana ho now comEletos an unbroken chain of triumphs by is long contemplated tour of Australia and Now Zealand. Tho Parochial Ifnll, Korori, was gaily decorated on Thursday evening for tho "breakimg-up" ceitsmony in connection with Miss B. Putnam's ohildrcnV) dancing class. Tho feature of tho evening was tho fancy dancing of the pupils, who delighted those present with gracefully performed Spanish and fan dances, hornpipes, and other steps which havo won public favour of recent times, not only from their own charm, but from the more practical point of view of their beneficial effect upon tho physical development and the grace of carriage of budding maidenhood. The principal performers wero the Misses Kitty Bafkley, ltita Mow, Barbara, Bulkloy. Audrey Stubbe, Beryl Earlo, Edith Tisdall, Hula Bulkley, and I\'3' Payne, and their graceful posing and stepping won hearty appreciation creditable both to themselves and to their instructors. A concert arranged by Mr*. Lewis, and given in tlio Courtenay-place Congregational Schoolroom on Thursday evening attracted an audience that crowded tho building. A feature of the concert was a dialogue given by members of tho Young Ladies' Sowing Society. The Government railway employees of the Wellington district, including the Petone workshops, held their ninth annual "social" in the Sydney-street Schoolroom last evening. There were present about 200 couples, who danced until tho early hours of the morning to tho music of Miss Hawthorne's string orchestra. An apology was received for the absence of Sir Josoph Ward, Minister for Railways, owing to a recent bereavement. The arrangements in connection with the "social" wero excellently carried out by Mr. N. G. Ward, Secretary, Messrs. W. Watson, 11. Rutchinson, and J. Ward, M.O.s, and tho following committee-: — Messrs. A. Philip, P. Twohill, A. Pursell, C. M'Phail, F. Wilson, and J. Ryan. A lecture on "Japan" will bo given by Mr. Pringlo, in aid of the furnishing fund of tho Mission tq Seamen on Monday, 26th inst. "Fennel," a- romantic little one-apt play, was produced at an excellent entertainment in tho Terrace Congregational Schoolroom lust evening. Tho story related to an old Italian master violin maker, his daughter and two apprentices, and was excellently pourtrayed by Miss E Rouse and Messrs. W. H. Honey, Montague Peam, and J. B. Reid: During tho early part of the evening a number of musical items and recitations wero Riven. Messrs. Cyril Towsey and \V. H. Honey played a pianoforte duot. Mr. T. Cook a vioh'n solo, and Mi. Collier * banjo Solo. Mr. J. M. Clark gave a recitation, whilst songs wero contributed by Messrs. Jas. Dykes, Of. Portus, Montague Pearn, and Theo. Queree. All of the items wero well received, some being encored several times. , At the Missions to Seamen Instituto last night Mr. Moore, Missioner, lectured on "First Aid" as shown on tho Royal Humane Society's Chart. Much interest was shown in thq competition, "Found in tho Shaft Tunnel Injured." Mr. G. Farr organised a musical programme; ho \vm assisted by tho Misses Ross and Hyde, and by Messrs. Woodward, Duff, and Drayton, of R.M.S. Rakaia. fc The annual smoke concert of the Well-< irtgton Referees' Association, held last evening, proved, as is usual with the Association's functions, highly enjoyable and successful. The Chairman of the Association, Mr. Campbell, presided. Tha toast* included "Clubs Affiliated to thfi Wellington Rugby Union (proposed by Mr. Lnughton, responded to by Messrs. Manson, Atkinson, and Little), "Kindred Snorts," "Kindred Associations," etc. The necessity of a firm stand by roferees to put down rough play was emphasised by Mr. Little, who assured referees of the support of the public nnd the bulk of footballers. Songs and recitations wero rendered during the evenfngi. A parly from Government House and friends, organised by the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, entertained the inmates of the Home for Aged Needy last evening. Amongst those who contributed vocal items was Lady Plunket. Tho thoughtfulness of the party was highly appreciated by the inmates, who spent a most enjoyable evening. The public nro again reminded by advertisement that tho opening of tho first of tho Bollevuo promenade concerts takes place on Wednesday ovoning, 21st September, at 8.15. Tram and 'bus arrangements will be advertised during noxt week, and all information necessary to tho public will oo contained therein. Given good weather these concerts should prove very enjoyable. Invitation holders for Miss Davenport's private assembly are notified that the "long nipht" takes place at Splllor's Hull on the 15lh inst. The'" Kont-torraco Presbyterian Church Litorary Association propose closing tho present session with a musical and litorary entertainment, to bo hold in tho Kent-torraco Schoolroom, on Monday evening next, at <1 o dock. Tho public are invited to bo present, nnd an interesting and varied programmo is promised.