DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9005, 18 January 1895, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

,- January 1. - A. great treat and pleasure has been provided for the Danedin public this week by Williamson and MusgroveV Opera Company, in the production of the new and very successful comic opera, "Ma Mle Rosette. ,, Oα Boxing night the first iepresentation was given before a very large audience, the house being literally crammed. Every one wai - perfectly delighted with the performance which was beantifoily rendered in every respect, well-moanted, most debtor dressing, sad

successful stage effects, the dancing in itself beinp quite a treat. We were all glad to welcome MUb Nellie Stewart here again, and she was very much admired In her part of Rosette, which she acted rerj prettily, and with co mach grace. Her isastumes were lovely, first of all, a soft rose pink dress, made abort, with girdle and pouch of old stamped leather, and broad white collar; next, a lorely shade of grey, lopped up over a white skirt, white lull chemisette, a dainty grey : Swiss belt, with wide grey felt hat; and I lastly, a moat exquisite ball-room costume iof white, silk, embroidered with pearls down the front, and glistening with diamonds. Miss Young, as Corisande, was very good, and wore lovely dresses. Lauri, of - course, took the comic part, which he acted splendidly, his .dances with Miss Nash well deserving the encores they received. Oh Boxing Day Mrs George M'Lean, entertained a large number of her friends at her summer residence in Warrington. They left by the eleven o'clock train, and spent the whole day there. Although there was a cold wind blowing there was no rain, and everyone was able to thoroughly enjoy the day's outing, as indeed, they always do, any entertainment given by this kind hostess. An exciting cricket match took place on Carisbrook liround last week between the Christ's College C.C. and the High School C.C., resulting in a most unexpected victory for the Dunedin boys, much to the delight of all their friends. Great praise must be given to Blundea, the captain of the Christ's College Club, who saved the total col apse of his side by making a score of 38, and was, consequently, carried off the field in triumph on his companions' shoulders. Amongst the High School boys who shone particularly were Shand. J. Maori onald and W. Macdonald, and Fisher had the honour of making the winning hit. January 7. We have now fairly embarked on the year 1895, and I take this opportunity of wishing all my readers "a very happy New Year." No doubt, like all preceding years, 1891 has been fraught with happiness and pleasure for some, and grief and annoyance to others; but I should think there are few who can look back on the year that has just past, without finding sums bright and pleasant recollection Of happy days spent with kind and sympathetic friends. Unfortunately the ong spell of dry weather was brought to rather an unwelcome conclusion on New Year's eve, thereby interfering a good deal with various entertainments which had been arranged in order to bring in the New Year with a flourish and display of fireworks. However as twelve o'clock was announced by the striking of clocks and the ringing of bells, rockets appeared to be shot into the air from every direction, casting their brilliance on every aide, and for the space of a minute or two the whole town was brightly illuminated. Several supper parties took place to celebrate the incoming year. Mr and Mrs Haggitt entertained a number of friends at their residence, Anderson's Bay, who all enjoyed a most delightful and festive evening. At twelve o'clock a moat beautiful display of fireworks were sent off, which were very much admired. Amongst the gaesfcs were Judge and Mrs Williams, Miss Williams. Mrs Gibson, the Misses Gibson, Mr and Mrs Galloway, Mr* Cutten, Miss Cutten, Mr Cutten, and several others. ■..-.. . Mr and Mrs Stephenson also gave a large and most enjoyable party, which was also celebrated by a ..display of .fireworks, and throughout the; evening bright music and livelygaraee kepi; up a tone of merriment and gaiety. Into which everyone entered with great zest. The Caledonian Society, which always holds its annual gathering'on New Years Day, was a" good deal interfered with on this occasion by the-' damp, drizzling weather which prevailed, and the attendance was very poor. On Thursday there were more present in the evening to witness the reatly beautiful enterrainment of fireworks. Great pains had been taken to make some good effects, an effort which met with great success, and very much to the satisfaction of all beholders. The switchback was plying its way merrily all the evening, and judging by the shrieks of joy coming from its occupants, it must have afforded a great deal of pleasure. Saturday was the closing day of the Cale-' donian sports,- and turned out a most' successful gathering, a great number availing themselves of the opportunity to be present. There were some very good specimens of Highland dancing, but I more especially admired the Irish jlgs| rendered by three different performers, each one dancing gracefully and lightly. All the dancing was accompanied by inspiriting music from the pipes.. There were one or two very good bicycle races, which created sdme excitement. This week-the Opera Company played first of all "Paul Jones" (Plauquette), which ran for four nights, and dr««v very good houses on each occasion. The music of this play being of the French order, was light and . spartling, while the scenery, dressing and staging might simply be termed. magnificent. The roh of Paul Jones was taken by Mr Brownlow, the costumes he wore were particularly picturesque, and the music, if a little bit too low for his fine voice, was rendered pleasingly. Miss Nellie Stewart as the heroine, looked, danced and sang beautifully. Lauri and his fellow sailor, who followed the vicissitudes of Paul Jones, brought an atmosphere almost of burlesque, into the last act especially, which sinply reduced the audience to roar's of laughter. The costumes/ of the ballerinas in thU play were most charming, made in broad stripes of pink and white satin, with high conical white bate, with three pink rosettes up the Hide; in the last act they again appeared Iα most effective costumes, eight of the ladies being dressed in black satin knee breeches and tight fitting .bodices, with curly white wigs and black hats, black shoes and stockings, the other eight being in cream and gold lace draperies with zouave bodices, and curly black wigs, each of them carrying.in their hands large palm f aus, which they waved about as they danced. The last piece that was staged, we were carefuljy informed by the management,' was not an opera, and certainly was not too full of music. It was entitled "Mam'zelle Nitouche," a .musical farcical comedy. The dresses worn by Miss Nellie Stewart were, first, . that of a pupil at the convent, a short pale blue dress with - small black velvet zouave, a deep white collar; the pelisse in which she leaves the convent of ' fawn-coloured cloth, with deep c»pe, muff, and dainty heod of bright emerald velvet ! was a singularly taking costume. Finally; she takes the place of a leading actress at a moment's nollce, and wears the attire intended for. her of an Indian .queen, which was literally gorgeous. Jewels in her hair, rows of jewelled necklaces down to her waist, a short bright Velvet zouave, and for the rest - a marvellous silken drapery ia atriped old gold; old rose, and green, knotted round her and falling in front in rich, heavy folds. The ballet dancing in this opera was also quite a feature. A well-deserved encore was accorded to Mr Browlow for his harmonious rendering of the song " Beware " in the second act. Shirlky.