ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 81, 5 April 1906, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

STEPIiEXSON'S COMEDY COMPANY. "A MOORISH MAID/ 1 Mr. George Stephenson's English Comedy Company opened a short season in the Opera House last night, when tho comic •>pera "A Moorish Maid," the work of Wo gentlemen of Wellington, Messrs. Alfred Hill and J. Youhn Birch, was produced. This opera was previously 3taged in Auckland*<ind Wellington, under Mr. Hill's direction, by companies of amateurs, with Mr. Fred Graham as 6tago manager and leading comedian. Sptcial interest attached to last night's performance, - in that the interpretation was made by a company of professional actors and singers, who were under the baton of the composer. The popular parts af th© house weie filled, and there was a fair gathering in the dress # circle, and at times much enthusiasm was displayed by the audience. Ihe opera has been subjected to considerable revision since it was previously given in Wellington, and, whilst the first part has been heavily overladen, the revised version is a decided improvement upon the original. The pruning knife can still be applied with effect, and a beginning might be made by cutting out a lengthy monologue by the Divorcer-General m the firsi act. Ine opera ia over long, 11 o'clock having been turned before the curtain was finally rung down. Tho first act occupied nearly two hours. In the revision ot the work new, characters have been introduced, and of thesa Heavilead (tragedian) and Freddy Buff (comedian) are vehicles for some entertaining work by the Bovis brothers ; and May, the original leader of the hockey girls (who are still retained), has become Marie, a French prima donna in * search of a husband. Miss Beatty looks Che part of the prima donna, .and manages the broken English fairly well. Much of the new portion of tlie work has evidently been written for the star performers of the company, much liberty in the 'matter of "gagging" has been allowed, and the local "hits were particularly apt and clever. As to the musical portion of the opera, there is still nothing but praise Lo be awarded to its composer. The favourite numbers, such as Prince Omar's (songs, Elferino'a stirring song "I am a Brigand," Mena's solo "A Moorish Maid," md La Zara's grand scena and "In Loverland," are retained, and new numbers have been introduced. A trio on "Versatility," sung by tho Bovis brothers and Miss Beatty, was a decided success, imart in theme and tuneful in its setting. "TnGay Paree," excellently sung by Miss Beatty and Mr. L»uri, was another new composition, which adds to Mr. Hill's successes. A larga orchestra added materially to the pleasure of the evening, but at times there was a tendency towards towards "clatter and hang," in its playing. Of the persons in the cast, Miss Rosina Buckmaan, who again took the part of La Zara, leader of the Riffian brigands, and Mr. Leslie Hill (Prince Omar) were the only members of the company who had appeared here previously in "A Moorish Maid." Miss Buckmann was as dramatic and tuneful as ever in her singing, and gave evidence of having gained by her experience with the company. Mr. Hill, also, was again accurate and sweetloned in his singing, but made it evident that he is still something of a stranger to She stage. Whilst Mr. Edward Lauri has been seen in better parts than that of Gastro, the steward masquerading as .a prince, he manages to get a great deal of laughter-raising work out of the character, and his musical portion is-well suited' to his voice. Other comedians who help to keep the fun going are Mr. Chas. M'Naughton (the Divorcer-General), who has been given the additional interest of looking for a long-lost brother; Mr. Charles Albert (the Divorcer'a servant), the found-at-last brother; Messrs. C. and W. Bovis, and Miss May Beatty. Mr. Harold Reeves (Elferino) makes 'an ideal brigand. He infuses the dramatic element into his vigorous courting of his leader, and his singing won hearty applause. Miss Mabelle Morgan was a iandsome Princess Hashma, singing well and acting her part nicely. The nama part, Mena, a Moorish maid, in love with the manquerading Englishman, was excellently taken by Miss May Garstang, who filled in the light and serious shades of the character ttith taste, and sang in n manner that made an -encore inevitable. The chorus work was a feature of the production, the brigands acquitting themuelves particularly well. Dancing has always been a pleasurable feature of Ah© Stephenson combination, and last night the company individually and colJectivery maintained the excellent standard set op previous occasions. The rcenic effects, the dressing, and the stage nettings were also in keeping with the general merit of Mr. Stephenson's production of & clever and entertaining opera of a type that, "whilst aptly termed romantic, at times soars into the region of grand ppera. A visit to the Opera House during the brief season of "A Moorish Maid" pan be heartily recommended. THEATRE ROYAL. -.The programme which is being preipnted at the Theatre Royal this week reflects credit on Messrs. Fuller, who fa**e got together an entertaining combination of vaudeville talent. The numerous items on th© programme elicit hearty applause nightly, and encores are the general rule. CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE. Attached to Bostock and WombwelFs circus and menagerie, which opens here on Saturday next, are "The Wonderworkers," Professor Bonner and Mr. S. C. Williams, who will on Monday afternoon perform their blindfold hypnotic carriage drive through the streets of Wellington, and will find<an article previously hidden in the town by a member of a committee of local residents. Afterwards Mr. Williams will perform what is described as "a hypnotic sleep for d. week." The circuo and menagerie is due to arrive on Saturday morning at daylight. A highly successful concert, at which uiost of the items were encored, was given by Mr. A. Palmer and Mu-e Palmor laac night at the Missions to Seamen Institute. The following kdiwf and gendemen contributed itenu :— Pknolorte "•olo, -vliss D Harris; soiya, Missis Kva Rash and Geary ; duet ( violin and piano), the Misses Gallagher; violin, -Nlifis L. Gallagher; song, Mr. Geor-e lJrury; ,>nd recitation, Mr. De La Mare. Mr. L. S?wtell also contnbuted un amusing item. Several choruses woie *ung by the sailors, .uid conundrum prizes were \, on by men from the Kumar«i md kapiti respective!}. During on interval Mr. Jaim-a Moore (Mmsiorier) gave v short te.nperanct address Captain \V. Hobbs, .isststed b\ Mi?. Hobbs, opened the Hutt Wiley Kifli«' b.uumr in th<- Hint Dull Hall vtHltrduy afternoor- L'i plain Hobta lefeinjd U> the heavy .i;ili.!itks that had to be faced, to ruJu'.e which the bazaar hud been instituted. A vote of tWiks w.ifi passed to Mr. E. J. ftuldiford for hithandsome donation of thu yiound oi which the hall stands, .»:d compHtnei tary leferunct «ms nwdc to the .irihiteit of the building Bu.iiiUM v.us the, started, and the main at;vl!o, under th guidance rtf the principal xtallholdti. (whose names wire published last night, did good work both nftLinoon ynd evei ing. An enjoyi'b.e concert progianm vn\6 Mibrnitl'-fi in the evening; also <n exhibition v' vsiuul drill with arms Lr, the Ciur Riiii*,