WELLINGTON WING WHISPER. (By P. Rompter.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2069, 19 October 1893, Page 37

WELLINGTON WING WHISPER. (By P. Rompter.)

October 14-

The week just passed has b~cn the slowest and dullest in the way of amwwmeiits thub we hive dragged through for many a il.xy — though probably it is good to hive si season of rest before dissipation and ccrtiinly a good deal of cv*h will be circulated and dissipated during the corning months through the companies ar ived and to arrive.

The Ilarraon'c Society's production of Sullivan's " Mai-tvr <f Antioch" calls for no special mention. Ifc was noL a brilliant success — not even an ordinary success — did not even come uo to this society's standaid.

To night the long-lookpdfor Bland Holt and company made their appearance on our boards once more. How glad we are to see Bland ! What a house there was, and what enthusiasm prevailed. It does one as much good as a course of spring tonic — and is touch more pleasant to take — to be in the presence of an audience full of enthuse. Ifc makes you fetl pleased with yourself and the company you're in ; it makes everyb ><ly jolly, dissrming them of th\t terrify critical spirit which saturates our environment, and 13 so contagious that the fellow ia Ihe orchestra bangs tho big drum with more vigour, the double bass saws his way into h thetto unfalhomed depths of nofcology, and then the spirit jumps on to the stage, puts some "go" into supers, givea vim. and nerve to the

low comedian, makes the hero more, heroic, and puts a little more pufiito 1r.3 manly chest, makes the down-trodden heroine bear her sorrows with the comfortable feeling that she has many friends present who are willing to weep with those that weep, aud makts the villain victorious urbane with the knowledge that when truth triumphs many will rejoice with thosT that do rejoice. Yes, enthusiasm is as catching as a run on a. bank, and though members of the purfesh may have to complain of the latter, certainly Mr Bland Holt and his company had no reason to complain of tbe quantity or quality of the former that met him on their entrance to-night. A big season is bound to eventuate. It is no use my going ovf-r the ground traversed in these columns so fully when "The Sailor's Knot" was produced in your city, but I must give a large word of praise to Mr Harry Norman for the manner in which he got the supers into their work. It does one good to see the supers a bit more animated than, blocks of wood. Mr Norman certainly follows closely in the stage managerial steps of Mr Holt. The piece went from beginning to end with rare swing and go, and Mr D. H Hastings, the avant courier, beamed on the fine house wi'h a smile as expansive as tho rays of the rising sun. He has certainly worked hard for good results, and he hath his reward. The Pa)ne Family Bellringers arrived by the Hauroto from Sydney on Thursday. They intand tjuring the North Island first, and then returning to Wellington. Since its las>t visit to New Zealand the company has been strengthened by the addition of two more lady artistes, Miss Bella Handricks, solo violinist, a native of Victoria, aud Miss Elfie Morella, soprano, from the Guildhall School of Music, London. After resting a few days, they start, on Monday week on their travels, appearing in rapid succession at tho Hutt, Featherston, Martinborough, Greytown, Masterton, and Carterton. Mr FredDa,v7BOn is the agent. Heller's Bonanza Coterie is doing good biz in our back country.

Theladits of Wellington are reserving themselves for the coining of Miss Myra Kemble's Company. " The dresses, you know, dear," says Mrs Fitzurse, " will bs tip-top." " Yes," replies the other female fellow with the franchise, ' ' I've told my hubby that he can go every night to see Bland Holt, while ho must stay at home and mind the whackies whilst I go to the Kf.mble season." "Such a nice arrangement, dear. You are so clever with your thoughts— happy thoughts, are they not, dear ? Good-bye ! "