MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1859, 1 February 1876, Page 3

MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.

THE THEATRH!,

A vert foil house was attracted to the theatre last night by the ar nouncement of the new piece "Tho " Lottery of Life " We can't say that we know the author of the piece, but it bcis the impress of being an American " sensation of tho most singular description. Ihe scenes «re certainly startling, and tha plot works up to a very interesting denouement. There is an abduction, a lost heir, a fri. htful villain, a Whitechspel boxing master, a most pleasing sharper (whose odd notions of punctiliousness at the Idea of benefitting from a good action are evidently borrow*d fiom "' Sna'o '' in the "Hchool for Scandal)") a crabby rich suut, and sundry other characters well calculated to compose a sparkling dr»m» of the true thiilling tipe. Pistols and revolvers play their part, a music hall ii.tcrludu occurs, and the table uof tho ship on fire ought to— (if it doeßn't) —«end tho audier re away in splendid humour with themselves, the actors, and the author. Mr Wheatleiyh as the sharper and mock detective O'Halloran, acted, as we should imagine he always does, with excellent taste and vigour, but he is not suited in tie part anything like so well as in the "Shaughraun." Tho "Lottery of life" is repeated to-night, and if any of our readers aro fond of a curiosity let them go and see it. The comedietta of " The First Night, or the Debutante," was a splendid bonne bouche to finish up with, and m»inly owing !o Mr Whestleigh'a ine=istibly droll performance as Acbille Dufard, kept the audience in roars of laughter. Miss Jenny Nye also in this piece acted weU. The "J.lying Scud" is now in preparation. CITY HALL. The nicely varied City flail entertainment, under t':e superintendence of Mr it. D. Davioj, still maintains it_ enviable position among ihe sights of the city, and last night it was h.nori>d with a go dly assemblage of approving persons Mr Daviea, who ks a ventrih qui'st of the flrst order, did abundantly towards the success oi the evenir g. ills fun' y folks were chatty, witty, aud as touchy as ever, aud appaiently needed an rcc«sional cuff from the hand Of their tutor. Thn witticisms of Mr Davies, throu.h his mystlcil. soulless agencies, were exceedingly goiri, and frequently set the house "in a roar." The Brothers Dv Ville were graceful in their aerial evolutions, aid won deserved applause. They are unquestionably about the best and the most active gymnasts that have appeared in this city, and tho applause their pe-formance elici'ed was truly bestowed. Mr and Mrs rmpson were ai merry as ever, and varied the entertainment by some capital comic atd sentimental sonKS. Mr Weightman, the Man-fish, perfoimed several clever feats in the water, which were graceful aDd pleasing. Mutator alone is worth all the admission fee to Davis's excellent entertainment. Before leaving Auckland Mr Davies has kindly promised to give the proceeds of Friday's entertainment to St, Mary's Orphanage, under tho generous patronage of Sir George Grey, K.C.B. On Saturday afternoon Mr Davies will welc.mo the children at half-pric,, and distribute amongst them 1000 toys, every child receiving ono.