ENTERTAINMENTS ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1903, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS ETC.

"ARE YOU A MASON?" Another large audience laughed and laughed again in the Opera House last evening at the many ludicrous and complicated situations presented in "Are you a Mason?" There is not a dull moment ■in the whole performance, and all who enjoy a good hearty laugh — and who does not? — should make a point of seeing the undoing of Amos Bloodgood and his son-in-law. The comedy will be staged again to-night. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. Good houses, good performers, good fun, are the characteristic feotures of the Theatre Royal entertainments jusb now, Mr. Dix having got together an unusual array of talent, including the most sensational bicycle duo (Hill and Silvainey) that Tiiis yet come along this way ; the' Williams quartet of clever variety performers ; that eccentric songster, Mr. Tod Callaway ; James Marion, George Dean, and others. "And still they come," for Mr. Dix is adding new talent to his company this evening in the persons of a new tenor and a new {rerio-comique. FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. ; The Fuller Company drew a good house last night at the Choral Hall, and the company gave a matinee performance this afternoon. Mr. Fred Bluett, with his imitations and his songs, and supported by other clever members of the company, kept the audiences at both performances interested and amused. There will be a change of programme this evening. LIEDTRTAFEL CONCERT. It is very evident that " ladies' night " instituted by the Wellington Liedertafel has become very popular. The large attendance, especially of the- fair sex, -at last evening's excellent concert, and the keen appreciation manifested, together with the liberal applausa bestowed, spoke volumes for the success achieved by the Liedertafel under Mr. Robert Parker's • direction. At the same time, candidly speaking, the unaccompanied part singing last evening did not reach its usual high standard. The voices seemed out of form or tired, besides which thero was an uncertainty in attack- and unsteadiness which considerably -marred the general effect. These "defects robbed the song picture " Sunrise " (Julius Rietz) of much of its beauty. It must not be inferred, however, that the part singing was altogether bad — far from it, but Mr. barker has on previous occasions had his company in much better singing form. The best-rendered numbers were Kucken's spirited " Hie Thee, Shallop " (in which the solo was< nicely sung by Mr. James Searle), and " Tears of Anguish " (Reichardt), the soloist being Mr. Arthur Ballance. An encore was demanded for the latter, but was not responded to. " The Toast" (Zollner) by the Liedertafel was also very much appreciated. Mr. J. F. Carr was vociferously encored for his singing of Tosti's " Down Tide,"' and he well deserved the compliment. He responded with "The Pride of Killarney," and scored again decidedly. Mr. R. Burden sang " Because of Thee " (B. Tours), but through apparent nervousness did not do justice to his good voice. Mrs. T. A. Revell, who was in excellent voice, has never been heard to better advantage in Wellington.' Her singing of "*O Bid Your Faithful Ariel Fly" (Linley) was an exceptionally fine example of cultured vocalism. An encore was undeniable. Mrs. ReyelL also sang " Solveig's Song " (Grieg) bracketed with " A Finland Love Song^' (Msnide ' V. White), and again the demonstration of approval was emphatic. Mies Janet Roes, a young pianiste of much promise, performed brilliantly Schubert's " Fantasia in C-major," and subsequently with equal success played "Si Oiseau j'etais" (Henselt), and Rubenstein'e charming " Valse Caprice." The operetta "Lily Bell" is to be produced at the Exchange Hall next week in aid of the funds of the Home for the Aged Needy. ■ iA pleasant evening's entertainment is promised. Much intere&t continues to be shown in the "First-aid Chats" at the Mission to Seamen, and again last night there was a good attendance. Mr. A. M'llwain arranged a pleasant of musical items, in which. Miss ' Cooper, and Messrs. Hunt, Gonpe^ ?2), >nd Hazell assisted. The Waaestown' Cricket Club holds a social gathering in the Thorndon Hall, Goring-street/ next. Wednesday evening. The Black Family, of musicians concluded its season in the Exchange Hall last night. At the meeting of the Webb-street Mutual Improvement Society last night Dr. Purdy, of the Lower Hutt, gave an interesting and instructive lecture on "Elocution— What it is.!' To illustrate the various points of his subject the doctor recited' "The Revenge," "The Enchanted Shirt," "Grave of the Hundred Head," "The Bishop and the Caterpillar," "The Singing of the Magnificat," "Rubinstein's Playing," "Me and Bill," "The Volunteer Organist," "Carcasoone," and "After Dinner." Mr. Wilfrid Coulson contributed an- overture on the organ. A pretty little operetta is to be given by the members of St. Mark's Choir in character on Thursday and- Friday of next week, viz., Sterndale Bennett's "May Queen." Mr. J. M. Izett, the stage manager, has some very effective scenery at his disposal, and, with the musical director Mr. Lawrence F. Watkins, Mus. Baa, is leaving no stone un« turned to satisfy every one. A concert a and dance is announced to take place 'in Victoria Hall, Adelaideroad, on Wednesday week, 29th inst. The proceeds are in aid of the Newtown Catholic School furnishing fund. The Good Templars of Wellington hold their usual free concert in the Bechabite Hall, Manners-street, this evening. A good programme has been arranged, and r the public are cordially invited. The Wharf Labourers' Union draws attention to 'itei annual social gathering which is to be held on Friday next in the Druids' Hall. The committee has made every arrangement for the comfort and entertainment of patrons. The annual banquet of Court Sir George Grey, A.0.F., will be held next Friday at the Foresters' Hall, Lambton-quay. The Victoria College Debating Society to-night discuses the proposition "That the promiscuous reading of magazines is having a baneful influence on the literary taste of to-day."