ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 142, 18 December 1905, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

STRAND COMEDY COMPANY. The demand for seats at the Diesden gives assurance of crowded houses throughout ,the short five nights' run of the "J.P.," which will be presented for the first time in Wellington to-mor-row evening, at tho Opera House. The Strand Theatre Comedy Company concluded a most successful season in* Ai\ckland on Saturday, and should arrive in Wellington this * evening. The "J.1?." is presented under arrangement with Mr. J. C. Williamson, and will introduce for the first time in Wellington two prominent artists of the English stage to-day — Mr. J. J. Dallas and Miss Florence Lloyd. Mr. Dallas is claimed to be the only actor who has been entrusted with women parts at the Gaiety. He was engaged by Mr. DOyle 'Carte for the " Nautch Girl," at the Savoy, where he played the principal comedian s role. Mr. Dallas is said to be an interesting and vivacious personality, and has won unstinted encomiums for his performance of Ca»sar Montague in the "J.P." Mibs Florence Lloyd, whose popularity in Australia some years ago many theatre-goers will recall, appeared in the original production of the " J.P." As a boy impersonator Miss Lloyd is said to be unrivalled. Miss Lloyd is a well-known English Gaiety favourite whose fame has penetrated to every corner of the globe. Amongst the remaining principals of the company is noticed Miss Maud Chetwynd, whose performances with Mr. J. C. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company some time back won foi her a large following of friends. "THE DARLING OF THE GODS." At the Opera House on Boxing Night, those popular dramatic artists, Miss Maud Jeffries and Mr. Julius Knight, supported by a powerful company, will appear in a season which will constitute the farewell appearances of the two principals in Wellington. It is the intention of Mr. J. C. Williamson during this season to enable them to bo again seen in two of the plays in which they gave such attractive pourtrayals — viz., "Monsieur Beaucaire " and "A Royal Divorce " — whilst a splendid double bill in "Comedy and Tragedy" and "David Garrick," which proved such a success in the recent Melbourne season, will also be presented. The outstanding feature of the season, however, will be the production of the remarkable Japanese play by David Belasco and John Luther Long, entitled "The Darling of the Gods," which will be btaged on Boxing Night and for a limited number of nights following. The btory of Old Japan, apart from its quaintness of conception and strong dramatic interest, is said, so far as scenic and spectacular effect is concerned, to completely eclipse in grandeur anything previously attempted on the dramatic stage. The plans for the first three nights of the season will be opened at the Dresden on Thursday morning. FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. • A crowded house greeted Saturday evening's performance by Fuller's Entertainers. A complete change of bill was given and two new artists made their first appearance. Miss Ivy Carlyslo, a dancer and singer of coon songs, was well received. The other newcomer was Mr. Will Lochrane, a clever Scotch comedian who created a distinctly favourable first impression. Mr. Will Stevens was an easy first in the comic arena, and he was closely followed by Miss G oldie Collins, Messrs. Carl Collier, and Chuis. Moody. Mr. Chas. Howard was given a, flattering reception, as was also Miss Lily Barrington. The first part concluded with some graceful dancing by the Gibson Girls. -The second half of the programme includes all the heavy artillery of the company. Misses Stella and Florrie Ranger, Miss Addie Frederics, Mr. Chas. Howard, Mr. Will Lochrane, and the Gibson Girls were all highly successful. Special arrangements are being made for the holiday season. "THE MESSIAH." The rehearsals of "The Messiah" by the Wellington Musical Union's very strong chorus have been to satisfactory that a musical, tieat is .expected next Thursday evening; when Handel's great and very popular oratorio is to be sung in the Town Hall. Mrs, Barber, of Christchurch, has been specially engaged to sing the- contralto solos in the work. The other soloists will be Mrs. F. P. Wilson (soprano), Mr. J. Searle (tenor), and Mr. Clark&on (bass). The final lehearsil of the choius is to be held in the Methodist Schoolroom, Sydney -street, this evening, and to-morrow evening the soloists and oichestra are to hold a rehearsal. The box plan for the oratorio is open at the Dresden, and there is every piomise of a large attendance on Thursday night. Mr. Robeit Parker is the Union's conductor. MONTGOMERY'S PICTURES. On Christmas Night, at the Town Hall, the popular Montgomery Co. (Pictures and Entertainers), will give an illustrated recital, in which a new series of animated pictures, illustrated songs, and monologue items, will form a prominent part. The moving picture exhibition should prove of unusual interest, as it will include the first of a series of views of the triumphant tour of Great Britain and Ireland of the New Zealand Rugby Football Team. The opening portion of the film shows the whole of the New Zealandeis emerging from their hotel to enter the brakes to convey them to the scene of their contest against Northumberland. The crowded pavilion, each team filing out on to the field of play, and | the struggle for supremacy, are all displayed with vivid realism. At Feilding, where the picture was first exhibited in the colony last week, the large audience ro&e en masse and lustily cheered the wearers of the fern-leaf. DIX'S CARNIVAL AND PROMEN- . ADE CONCERTS. The promenade concerts to bo inaugurated- at the Skating Rink on Boxing Night are likely to prove a source of attraction to lovers of music, and. amuse-ment-seekers generally during the Christmas and New Year season. A largo orchestra, under the direction of Herr Max Hoppe, will discourse pleasant music. Several attractions will be presented on the newly-erected stage, including Professor Andrews.' liquid air demonstrations, on which occasion the liquid air will be sent out in glasses amongst the audience. New illusions by "Alma the Magician" will bo presented! and special interest « ill be centred in the competitions for the best comic singer, best dancer, and best ballad singer. Various kiosks and side shows will also add diversity. Mr. G. M. Yerex met his late election committee and supporters in St. Augustine's Hall, Petone, on Friday evening, when^a social gathering was held. The evening was pleasantly wiled away in speech, song, and story. A number of visitors from adjoining districts weie present, including the Rev. F. W. Isitt, who gave a short address upon matters connected with the recent campaign. During the evening Mr. Yerex extended his thanks to all those j who had worked so hard during the election on his behalf. He felt very gratified at the support accorded him, and if everything was as favourable in three years' time as it was when he first entered the field, they would hear from him again, when he hoped to do better than last .time. iApplause.j " " j

The Brough-Flemming Co. brought it* Wellington season to a close on Saturday night with a fine performance of Sydney Grundy'e four-act play, "Sowing the Wind." Before- the audience dispersed Mr. Brough made a farewell speech. At the meeting of the King's Coronation Lodge of Good Templars on Friday night, Bro. W. Irvine, C.T., presiding, it was decided to send season's greeting* to the various lodges throughout the district. The following were the contributors to the musical programme : — Sisters Caulton and R. Moxnam, Bros. Sorenson, Hunter, Dryden, and Brookes. On Saturday evening a concert was given by the Saturday Night Musical Class of the Newtown Congregational Church, uuder the direction of Mr. H. Johnson (choirmaster). There was a large attendance, and the programme, contributed to by Mrs. Smith, Master J. Evans, and Messrs. E. Anker, F. Easton, H. Owen, E. A. Johnson, J. S. Hayes, and H. Johnson, and the Glee Party, was thoroughly enjoyed. Refresliniente were provided by the class, which has terminated its present season.; ( Ambulance night at the Missions to Seamen last week consisted of instructions in life-saving and swimming by Mr. Shields. Miss Cairns's party gave a number of vocal and instrumental items in the intervals. Miss Cairns, Messrs. Bolton, Williams, Lewis, and Just (s.s.j Waiwera) contributed. There was a very large gathering of citu zens at Newtown Park yesterday after* noon, attracted by fine weather -and an open-air concert given by the Garrisoa Band. The sum of £32 2s was collected during the afternoon in aid of tho St. John Ambulance Association's fund for the relief of the eick and suffering. A most enjoyable programme was provided by the Band.