ENTERTAINMENTS ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 15, 17 July 1903, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS ETC.

1, THE WILLIAMSON COMEDY COMPANY. The farcical comedy "Are You a Mason?" attracted another large audience to the Opera House last night, and throughout the three acts laughter bubbled in every part of the theatre. The ! dialogue hns no snap, and there is no plot, but the comical tangle of the eitua- | tions as the leading characters are forced deeper and deeper into deception, and the extravagantly ludicrous efforts at explanation and maintenance of explanation carry the story through without a halt. The mounting of the piece and the dresses of the ladies are very pretty, and the orchestral music is in keeping. Until further notice tha comedy will be repeated. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. , Although the marvellous performance of Hill and Silvainy is- just now the big feature at the Theatre Royal, yet there is still a strong array of vaudeville artists to support it. The house was again crowded last evening. It is announced that Hill and Silvainy will appear for seven more nights, and that there will be tho usual change of programme tomorrow. FULLERS' ENTERTAINERS. j Brightness and crispness still predominate at the Choral Hall, where Fullers' Entertainers are still receiving a big share of public support. To-night will see tho last presentation of the current week's programme, as there will be a complete change to-morrow evening. A. matinee will be held in the afternoon. THE BLACK FAMILY. I Another performance was given by this talented family in the Exchange Hall last evening before an audience that was particularly appreciative. The efforts of Miss Nellie Black were singled out for special marks of fay.our, and each of her many excellent contributions were encored. The family will appear again tonight for the last occasion this season-, and will present a complete change of programme. Mr: R. Bentley Young, advance- representative of the Hawtrey Company, passed through Wellington yesterday en route to Auckland, where the company opens on the 27th. iust. He reports a very successful season in the South, the last night in Dunedin being the biggest night the company has experienced in the colony. "Does Wellington require more reserves?" was the subject of a debate at this week's meeting of the Newtown Primitive Methodist Mutual Improvement Society. Mr. R. C. Luke took the affirmative, and Mr. T. A. Bell the nega-' tive. After a very interesting and instructive discussion the meeting decided by 17 votes to 11 that Wellington's reserves are inadequate for the needs of the city. The Steele-Payne Company of Bellringers aro in town, resting! The annual social gathering in connection with St. Patrick's College Old Boys' Association was held in Godber's Rooms last night Amongst the guests was the Rev. Father Keogh, Rector of the College, who took the chair. Letters and telegrams were received from Archdeacon Devoy, Very Rev. Father Lewis, Rev. Fathers Holly. O'Shea, Kirn bell, and others expressing regret at being unable to attend, and wishing the* Association continued success. Various tojists were honoured, and a programme of songs and recitations was contributed to by Messrs. F. J. Moran, Hickson, W. E. Butler, M. J. Crombie, L. Dwan, B. J. Devine, D. Ryan, A. H. Casev, B. Kenny, A. Ross, P. M. Coll, and'C. J. M'Donald. Mr. M. J. Crombie made a very efficient Secretary. Last night at St. John's Schoolroom an exceptionally good concert was given by members of the Church Choir in aid of the Sunday-school Building Fund. There were six part-songs, three .of them for male voices, and all excellently given ; a piano duet by Mr. Maughau Barnett and Miss Taylor ; songs by Miss M. O'Donovan, Mrs. Bnrke, and Mr. W. Hughes; a mandoline solo by Mr. B. 0. Galloway; a pianoforte solo by Miss 'I ay lor; a recitation by Mr. W. Hughes ; and a duet by Messrs. A. D. Thomson and S. Clarke-Johnson. Ths accompanists were Misses Grant and Rash. There was aya v very large attendance, and tho object oi the concert should substantially benefit. Excellent progress is being made with the works in preparation for the musical festival in October. The first rehearsal ol "The Ancient Mariner" was' held Ja.^t evening, t/hen tlie large body of singers in attendance handled the music very <:apab!y, although the majority oi them had had no previous acquaintance with it. Eailier in the evening the sopranos had a separate practice, and next Monday a separate practice will Le held for male isingeifet