ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 127, 30 May 1900, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE POLLARD OPERA COMPANY. Tho levival of ''The Belle of NewYork" by the Pollards at the Opera House lasfc night attracted a large audience, and the lively opera proved as enjoyable as of yore. Interest was centred in Mr. Alf Stephens's appearance as lehabod Bronson, the quaint and eccentric President of the Cahoes. Mr. Stephens gave us one of th_e best bits of work that that young comedian has done, and though he makes Bronscm a younger and less dignified character than •\ve have hitherto had presented to us, there was evidence last night that familiarity with the part will make it the best thing in Mr. Stephens's .already extensive repertoire. That sprightly Pellstreet girl Mamie Clancy was escellently represented by Miss Molly O'Sullivan, and all the other characters were cast as on the previous production of the piece. Honours were scored by Misses May Beatty (in the name part), NeHie Wilson, Wilmot Karkeek, Gertie Campion, and Messrs. C. Carter, H. Quealy, W. S. Percy, and Dave O'Connor (with patriotic songs). The subsidiary characters were, as usual, a, credit to themselves and the manager. The full strength of the company was heard in some of the best choruses that the Pollards give us, there were a number of graceful dances incidental to the production, and the orchestra (under Air. Arthur •Kvng) worked hard and harmoniously together, helping in no small degree to the success of the whole. "The Belle of New York" can be repeated to-night only, making way for "In Town" to-morrow evening. The St. Mary's Convent Ex-Pupils' Association gave its second annual ball in the Sydney-street Schoolroom last evening. The floor was in excellent order for dancing, while the stagje arranged as a boudoir was tastefully-decorated with' ferns and pot plants. An excellent supper provided by the ladies of the Association was spread in the Gymnasium at the rear of the main hall while light refreshments were provided during the earlier part of the evening in % room off the ballroom. Everything that could t>e done for the comfort of tihe dancers was done. The Committee (Mrs. T. G. Macarfchy, Misses O'Connor, ,Saunders, M'Donald, Skerrett, Duignau,' and Williams, Hon. Sec.) certainly deserve the thanks of the guests for thet pains taken to render the evening the success it undoubtedly was. About 100 couples were present. The music, whichswas excellent, was provided by Minifies BJand. A lantern entertainment "The War in South Africa" is to be given in the Ohiro Baptist School to-morrow evening. The Baptist Church and schools, of the colony are endeavouring to rai<se £1600 for a Mission Hospital in India and the proceeds of the entertainment are to go to this fund. In connection with the Wesleyan Literary and Debating Society Mr. J. W. Joynt, M.A., Registrar of the New Zealand University, and lecturer in German to the Victoria' University College, will deliver a lecture on Goethe's "Faust to-morrowewening at the Wesleyan School room, Tanmaki-street. Admission is free but a collection will be taken. There, was the customary large audience at Fuller's Waxworks Exhibition in theChoral Hall last night when the Vaudeville Company repeated the programme' of the preceding evening. A concert and sale of work was held in the Trinity Wesleyan- Schoolroom last evening, under the direction of the Christian Endeavour Sociefcy. Ttfie musical items included a violin solo by Master Hayes and a clarionet solo by Mr. C. D. M>ackintosii. At the conclusion of the entartaimwent the Rev. A. C. Lawry, on behalf, of the chfldren of the school and the EHdeavourers- presented Mr. T. F. Caiton with a handsomely framed group phoito of the teachers and scholars of the Snnday School, of which he was superintendent. Mr. Calton thanked -the te?«hers foe the presentation. The hmcy stall was manag-cd' by Mesdames /Lawry, Amos, Norbury, and Green, ai/d a retreshment stall was in charge of Mesdames Howe, Overend, and Powell und Miss, Bennett, with many assistants. The Rev. J. Dawson delivered a very entertaining lecture on the present war in South Africa in the lecture hall of the Sydneyj-street Primitive Methodist Church lafst evening. There was a goo<H attendance, and the lecturer illustrated/ his remarks by over' one hundred excellent views pertaining to the puinciptvl, centres ot Africa, and also pictures representing^ engagements, taken ,pa-rt in. hy the varaojus colonial Cbntin&ents. The pictures «?,f Lord Roberto, Generals^Buller and 'W-late and Major Robin were received wifch muclu enthusiasm. It is now definitely announced/ that the Vaßktres Company of trick ejjclists/ and variety artists will eommeoee" theh~, return season at the Opera fl/ouse on/ Tuesday next. The company 'has just, completed/ a successful tour of >the Norton Island towns. A smoie concert is to beh eld afc'Mie Working Menis Club to-night, to wJneh members may invite their ■ frierytiy.. Professor M'Kenzie is ansnou'/ic/ed to deliver a lecture on t!ae poet Wordsworth at St. Andrew's Church to-moriva/,v evening.