ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 59, 10 March 1902, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

THE WILSON BARRETT SEASON. There was a. crowded audience at the Opera House on Saturday night on the occasion of the second performance of "The Sign of the Cross" h* Mr. Wilson Barrett ancLhis company. "The play was followed wrfE close interest throughout, and the repeated outbursts of applause which were accorded the principals showed how thoroughly the performance was appreciated. "The Sign of the Cross" will be repeated to-night and tomorrow night, and will give place on Wednesday to "Othello." . DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. ■ A change of programme with the many attractions now offered by Dixs Gaiety Company drew a large audience to the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. Misses Monde and Stella Ranger, Mdlle. Lucxejbia.,, and the, Colenmn Sisters have caught the favour of the public with their ' songs and dances. The chief feature of the entertainment, however, is the Cragg family, which forms one of the most striking acrobatic groups that has ever visited the colony. The quickness and exactness of movement displayed by these clever artists Won rounds of genuine applause. The Craggs are only to appear for five more nights before leaving for Auckland. Another attraction has been added to the Biograph at Mr. St. Hill's saloon, Willis-street, the new film being one of the prize fight between Dixon and Terry M'Govern for the feather-weight championship of the world. The reproduction is a very clear one, arid the eight round's were watche/l by a large number oi people oti Saturday evening. The Jeffries-Eitzsimmons fight is still shown, besides numerous other pictures. Minifies orchestra treated the inmates of the St. Joseph's Home for Incurables yesterday afternoon to a programme of excellently played music. The concert was greatly enjoyed, and the Sisters of Compassion desire to thank the band for its thoughtfulness. At the annual re-union of the High School Old "Girls' Association oa Saturday, Miss M'Lean, who was in the chair, was re-elected President. Madame Naverne (nee Hamilton, late Principal of the school) wrot;e thanking the members for electing her a life member, and wishing the association every success. After the adoption of the report and balance-sheet Miss Sanderson was chosen as secretary for the ensuing year, and votes of thanks were passed to Mrs. Longton, the retiring Secretary, and to Miss Skerrett, who had lent ping-pong tables for the afternoon. An enjoyable afternoon was spent, musical kerns being contributed by Mrs. Wilson, Misses Kirkcaldie, Tolhurßt, Mcc, Fordham, Macdonald, Mowatt, Sanderson, and Davidson ; and a recitation by Miss Ida Blundell. A ping-pong tournament produced some exciting games, and was won' by Miss Lena Van Staveren. In connection with the association's tennis club, a handicap tournament is about to be held. Mr. Tom Mann's address in the Opera House last evening, which was delivered to a crowded audience^ consisted of an indictment of monopoly, an affirmation that poverty arose not from insufficiency of the earth's producing power but from unequal distribution, and an advocacy of Socialism as the remedy. Most of the progress in Socialist work at Home came trom the municipalities. Out of 570 members of the House of Commons there were only two Socialists (John Burns and Keir Hardie), but on the municipal bodies could be found 750 (working men with Socialist sympathies. He claimed that no progress could be made through politicians unless they were in hearty sympathy with the principles of Socialism. No remedial legislation had ever been initiated in any European (certainly not any English) Legislature by any party ,or group through its own free will. Mr. Mann received the usual tribute from the audience on concluding his address. Mr. Sam. Smith, M.L.A. of New South Wales, presided. A musical programme was introduced. The Federal Hall has been opened again,. and p, Biograph Parlour now provides entertainment of a varied character per medium of a good selection of animated pictures. They include several of Maskelyne and Cook's illusions and i some comic; scenes. Two performances are given each evening. . A concert was given on the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon by the Kaikorai and the Duuedin Navals' Brass Bands. A rough passage from Lyttelton affected iho strength and the playing of the hands. For their concert, at the Sydney-street ' Schoolroom, to be given on the 24th inst., the Misses Parsons have been promised the .assistance of the Glee and Madrigal Society and members of the Wellington Orchestral Society. Seats may be reserved at the Dresden Piano Company's warehouse. In our advertising columns will be found a preliminary notice in reference to the Empire Bazaar. The attractions iritlude operas at popular prices, and three national nights ut which the dances of England, Ireland and Scotland will be given each night to be thoroughly characteristic of the particular nation it js devoted to. During these evening it is the intention of the committee to hold competitions for a sailor's hornpipe, Irish jig and Highland fling for valuable prizes given by prominent citizens, the competitors to be restricted to girls and youths not exceeding the age of 20. We learn that a good number of young people are practising assiduously with a view to the contests.