AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 42, 19 February 1900, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE OPERA HOUSE

There, was again a large audience at the Opera House on Saturday evening, when the Brough Comedy Company repeated "The Gay Lord Quex" for the third time. The excellent acting of Mrs I.rough drew forth rounds of applause, and the curtain had to be raised at the close of each act.

To-night Anthony Hope's four-act comedy, "The Adventures of Lady Ursula," will be played for the first time in Auckland. "The Adventures of Lady Ursula" seems a very good type of up-to-date romantic writing. It reintroduces us into the atmosphere of the last century, when men wen.1 jealous of a. too highly sensitive honour and looseness in speech, bad morality, and indecent literature were prevalent in contrast with this foible. Such exciting incidents as were possible in. the English life ol' the time have been adopted by the author. Mr Anthony Hope, for the construction of a. most interesting pun, whist, with good judgment, he lias eliminated most of the high-flown diction, and elements more objectionable which others, having less regard for principle, would have perhaps perpetuated for the sake, of local colour. Where, in a licentious era, the main attractiveness of a romance is concentrated upon what befalls a pretty heroine dressed in male clothing, literary treatment has to be most delicate and in the best of taste to elicit general approval. The brilliant author of "The Prisoner of Zenda" has exhibited that happy combination or qualities in a remarkable degree.

DIN'S GAIETY COMPANY

The City Hall was densely crowded | on Saturday evening, many having to stand, when Mr I. R. Dix presented his usual change of programme. The first part, "A Picnic in the Country." in which the latest songs, etc., were introduced, went merrily from beginning to end. Mr Frank Yorke's songs and sayings were, as usual, loudly applauded, and the audience would not be satisfied. The Williams were en-, thusiastically applauded for their songs and statue clog dancing, and had to: re-appear several times. Miss Ituby j Williams was encored for her s-:erio- j comic song, "Pale moonlight." Mr! Milford Haven sang the "Banks of the.l Waabash" with great taste, but this and several items were greatly marred , by the singing of a mission party ottiRide the building. In the second part the clever cycling act by the four Williams Sisters was the theme of general admiration, and the young ladies received a storm of applause as they left the stage after repeating a portion of their feats. The items of Rexo, the. clever juggler, Messrs Fred Barren, Johnny Collins, and the Frodos were all encored, and Miss ?"lo Williams in her descriptive scena, 'The London Waif," made a most favourable impression. Mr Frank Yorke was irresistibly funny in his budget of songs, etc., and his verses on Kruger in "What Oh! She Bumps!" brought down the house. The concluding sketch, "The Coopers," terminated one of the best vaudeville entertainments which have yet been given in this city. The same programme will be presented to-night. THE WAXWORKS. The Agricultural Hall was again crowded on Saturday night, when in ! addition to Luzerne the Vaudeville Company gave a new programme, consisting of a clever contortion act, songs, dances and sketches, which were appreciated by the a.udienec. Lazerne, the conjurer, introduced a number of sleight of hand tricks, which caused hearty laughter and applause. The wax figures are still very strong attractions, also the Earls Court shooting gallery. To-night there will be a recitation competition for ladies and gentlemen, for which a handsome prize will be given.