ENTERTAINMENTS. ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 128, 31 May 1904, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS. ETC.

♦ . .. SANFORD'S AMERICAN PLAYERS. As a real old-fashioned melodrama of the uncompromising type, " Tho Struggle for Life," placed on tho slago at the Opera Houso la&t night, is not to bo surpitssed. In fact, in tho hands of less capable opponents, its mast thrilling scenes would inevitably have passed tho border-lino that divides tho tragic from tho burlesque. Nellie Duncan (Miss Maud Barber), a New York heiress, has so powerful a nuntiment of filial duty that, in terms of her father's will, she feols bound to wed Lorley (Mr. A. C. Henderson), though she knows him to bo a rank villa-in, and her affections aio given to Edward Brocton (hTr. Snnford), upon whom Lorioy has (Lvrd tho stigma of forgery, and who, having fled to escape the law, returns in (disguise, a millionaire. After some startling experiences ho succeeds in proving hut . innocence, and the inevitable dramatic downfall of villainy follows. Tho piece abounds in sensational scones, and gives a realistic view of ono of the "joints" which flourish under tho wing of Tammany. An old man, Saltaire (Mr. C. J. Vincent), in search of h'n erring daughter Madg« (Miss Laura Wall), ono of Lorl«y's victims, .helps to impart a human dement to the piece, and the scene wherp parent and child are reunited is on© of gonuino pathos and waa highly appreciated by the audience. Tho principal characters did full justice to their parts. Tho comic element was supplied by Mollio M*Cue (Mr. Bart Wallace) and her nephew Tommy Carey (Mies Adelaide Boothby). Mollio supplies tho element of common sens©, always lacking in the heroes and heroines of the stag© ; her deep-toned broitjie wn« worth going fnr to hear, nnd in tho sanctity of her horn© her deft manipulation of tie fiat-iron evoked tho undisguised admiration of the ladies. The beautiful scenery deserves special note. "The Struggle for Life " is to bo repeated to-night. Last night's entertainment br the Fuller Company at Hia Majesty's Theatre was, judging from the numerous encores, much appreciated, by the largo audience present. New artists wiJl appear on Friday night. Mrs. Adair Blythe, who is to support Miss Napier to-night in her recital at th© Sydn©y-str©et Hall, is said to pow«ess an excellent contralto voice. Mrs. Blytho was recently n jnember of Mr. George Edwardes's Opera Company, Daljrs Theatre, London, and also of the Moody-Manners Grand Opera Company. Tli© annual concert of the Waiwetu Cricket Club will bo held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lower Hutt, to-morrow night. An excellent programme has been arranged, somo particulars of which ace sot forth in an advertisement in another column. Th© Hutt Brass Band 'wiH play selections prior to tho concert. The fortnightly meeting of tho Loyal Newtown Lodge was presided over lwsfc night by Bro. C. M. King. Bro. A. J. Ibbotson was elected Treasurer vico Bro. A. K. Norris, resigned. It was decided to invite tho Antipodean Lodgo to .a card tournament. An interesting miscellaneous concert was given at tho Sailors' Rest lost evening to an audieneo of over 120 seamen. Vocal kerns wero contributed by Mrs. Glover Eaton, Misß O'Donovan, Messrs. E. J. Hill, F. V. Waters, Sommervillo, and Major Moore ; recitations by Miss Kane, and violin and piano solos by Misses E. Hennah and Sommerville. Tho accompaniments wero played by Misses Sommervello and Henunli, Messrs. Eaton and E. Waters. At a meeting of Court Sir George Bowen, A.0.F., Bro. J. Yuill occupied ohe chair. A challengo for a rifle match Oddfellows v. Fore«t»rs was N accepted. Tlio report of the Syllabus Committee regarding amuwoments for tho winter months was adopted. The first of a scries of winter lectures under tho auspices of tho Kcnl-terrac© Presbyterian Church Literary Association was given lost night, when the Rev. J. K. Elliott, who has just returnod fiom a visit to Australia, gave an interesting address. Th© subject was "Australia, and tli© speaker dwelt on .the great possibilities of tho placo and its people. In mast respects he considered Sydney suffered in comparison with Melbourne. The people of Now South Wahs, Im> sa-id, showed a great disinclination to settle in tho country, about two-thirds of the population living in Sydney.

iBY TXItHOKAPtt — OWN COIVRxarONDBNT.] DUNEDIN, This Day. A private cable message received nor© state* that Mi\ Goorge Stephenaon's English Comedy Company scored a great sueoews at Sydney on Saturday itight with "Tho Rose of the Riviera," nnd that tho press notices aro most complimentary.