WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 61

WE LLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Er P. RoMrisa.

November 29.Dear Pasquin, — After a lengthy absence the wcrks of b\veet Wiliiam Shakespeare have r^ turned to our boards, per medium of the- Janet Waldorf Dramatic Company. The company opened with "As Yoii Like It," and our people by liberal patronage are proving that they like it very well. The policy of the management appears to lean towards two-nightly changes, "Ingomar" succeeding the opening piece, and "The Lady of Lyons" goes on next. As you have already seen the company, it wouid be superfluous on my part to go mto* detailed criticism. Like Stoddart's cricket team, the company has a tail, but gives a good all-round interpretation.

My old friend Harcus Plimmer, who gave up journalism here in Wellington to take to the stage, has been working the city well for the Janet Waldorf Company He also has taken the secretaryship of the big benefit which the profession is giving to-mtirrow afternoon.

This benefit is an outcome of the generotis feelmg for which the profession is noted, and was prompted by the fact that in the unfortunate fire which occurred at the Oriental Hotel early on Monday morning a number of workers m the lower grades of the theatrical profession suffered. Among the inmates ot the hotel at the time of the firo were soffe of the stage and wardrobe hands of the Janet "Waldorf Company, a musician belonging to Dixs Gaiety Company, Charley Bell, Teddy Forde, and other members of the Ada Delroy Company, and Harry Baxter, Amy Vaughan, Myra Thompson, and other membeib of the Empire Vaudeville Company. Baxter got away with two pans of trousers, Amy Vaughan with a dressing gmvn, Myra,. Thompson with something less, Teddy Forde with next to nothing, and that lie wore, and had to borrow an overcoat to cover his scarcity of clothing, and the others, both 'men and women, lost all their clothes and other belongings. The Oriental fire was probably the most destiuctive that the poor player has struck in the colony. On Monday morning theie was a race among managers as to who should be first to help their destitute fellows. Alf Linley announced a benefit performance for Thursday night, Miss Waldorf said she would give a benefit matinee on Wednesday, and Mr Dix suggested that there should be a monster benefit matinee on Saturday, at which every company in town should assist. This buggestion was immediately adopted, Mr Phmmer being chosen secretary and Mr Dix trea■jiuer. The latter, with his well-known geneio=ity, announced that the destitute suffereis need not wilt until next week foi financial help. He was prepared to pay out an advance to genuine cases. The matmee is expected to prove a great success, as a monster and umqiie programme has been prepared.

The following is the progi-dnirne for the matinee. — Part I—Musical1 — Musical melange by the members of Dixs Gaiety Company, contributed by Chas. Pope Irving Sayles, Ted. E. Box, Oolin Bioinley, George Dean, Dan La Mont

and his trained dogs, Misses Ethel Gwyune, Beattie Galardi, and Little Fanny Powers. Part ll— The fourth and fifth acts (Forest cf Arden scenes) of Shakespeare's comedy, "Ao You Like It," by Miss Janet Waldorf and her company. Part III — Vaudeville entertainment of a novel description by the Ada Delroy Company (James Bell, E. Forde, Miss Ada Delroy, Miss Maud Lita, and H. Abrams) and the Empire Specialty Company (Messrs Harry Baxter, Arthur Hahn, Harry Walton, Harry Thomas, Mons. Ar!o, Aubrey Douglas, Misses Beryl (Jnman, Amy Russell, and I\y Fulton).

Charley Bell, who was severely injured ac the fire, and is not yet out of danger at the hospital, is the son of Jim Bell, of the Ada Delroy Company. He ,s namfd after Harry Rickards (otherwise Leete), and has only recently joined the company. He is about 22 years of age, and popular in the proicssio i. From the position in which he was found by the caietakei of the Opeua House it would appear probable that Charley, in seeking an escape from the flames, dived over tlio banisters from the first to the ground floor, and landed on his head, causing severe concussion.

The Bijou Vaudeville Company closed down at the Choral Hall last week, and was succeeded by the Ada Delroy Company, which is still going there. I hear that Jim Bell and his sistei Ada are to take a six-months' spell from wcrk ab soon as they dote their present engagement. They have been promising thenrseivea a rest for long enough. That rest i.= i'ow coming off — if Ada and Jim don't change their minds again. They deserve a spell, for they have been on the road for 12 years without a break.

The recent show week season of the amateurs of Palmerston North, who produced • "The Mikado" and "The Gondoliers," resulted in takings totalling £298. The expenses totalled £'251. At the settling-up meeting the other night Uie society gave its conductor (Air W. A. Oi chard) a £i 0 bonus.

A report presented at a meeting of the Weihiigton Amateur and Dramatic Society the other evening showed ihat the society has had an exceedingly prosperous year, and comes out with a. substantial credit balance, which will enable it to begin the new season in a hopeful mood. It js probable, in view of the success of the system, the musical public will again be asked to select the opera next to be performed. An effort was lately made to obtain from Mr J. C. Williamson the playing rights of "The Rose of Persia," but the reply was that + hat operatic tit-bit was not available. Mr Willianibon indicated that it is being reserved for performance by his own company in the colony next year. VaudpviLle is s till strong with us, as we have variety companies running nightly at the Theatre Eoval, the Federal Theatre, and the Choial H«U.

The enterprise of the Federal Hall management in getting cinematograph pictures at the Palmerston show has had its reward in attracting the public to the home of the Empire Company. Arthur Hahn is the latest acquisition, ArLo the juggler is a clever and valuable addition to the show. Business is booming at this Mansers stre-et halL

Business has picked up_ at the Royal, where Zobedie and Pope and Sayles are the bright shining stars.