ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 148, 23 June 1906, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

» THEATRE ROY&L. A stkr of the first magnitude glittered at the Theatre Royal last night. Th« luminary was Madame Lydia. YearnansTitus, whose shafts of light in comedyhave reached the hearts of New Zealariders in the past. There was a hug* audience to gieet her, and sjie sooa made herself well liked "Within a Mila of Edinburgh Town"' was the opening of her campaign. This was an imitation of Madame Dolores, and the impersonator* notes were true to the type, clear, and sweetly thrilling. From the sublime to the charming ridiculous madame drpppe4 lightly. She was a servant girl, bravely endeavouring to warble "Good-bye, my Lady Love." Her gestures, her facial expressions, hex* beautiful assassination of the melody tickled the audience into upToariousness. Then tlhe mistress of the servant got her turn- She was reproduced in a pathetic attempt to acquit; herself 'nobly in a sentimental uautiical ditty. These soothing efforts, however, were Only the prelude to the crowning glory of the artifit's repertoire. She appeared in her famous role of a tiny girl in the throes' of her first song. So» suddenly and so well did Madame's face change to the contour of a child's that one fancied tfhat her flesh was plasticene, Convertible into any mould at will. Her mimicry of a child proud of remembered! lines and reduced to tears when the numbers failed to come to the lisping lips was exquisitely funny. Equally meritorious was a coon Bong "I wouldn't Leave my Lititle Wooden Hut for You." Her intonation was the voice of a n egress, and her features followed suit, for the moment. The end had come, but tha audience persisted in applauding till the enbertainer gave "Sally in Our Alley" very pleasingly. Mr. P. J. Titus was the accompanist for his wife. Other artists who mode themselves very agreeable were the Golden Duo, the Brady Sisters, Profeasor Bernard with his performing dogs, Miss Gertrude Emery, a. clever gymnast), Mr. F. Rosevear, Air. Will Hollow, Miss Ethel Leslie, Loydell and Berry, and others. A great "hearing" was won by a couple of very small children, the Bernards, a dot of a girl | and a boy a little bigger, who play cornets and ttrombone with all the aplomb of full-fledged bandsmen. A similar entertainment will be given to-night. ANDERSON'S DRAMATIC COMPANY. Mr. William Anderson's Dramatic Company gave its final performance of "The Mariners of England" at the Opera House last night. This evening the company are to present for the first time in Wellington Arthur Shirley and George Conquest's London dramatic novelty, entitled "Tha Work Girl." Mr. Anderson has produced this play throughout Australia with, marked success. , "The Work Girl," says the Otago Daily Times, "was received with many manifestations of approval, and the play in question lacks none of those requisites for a large popularity with certain audiences that the imagination can suggest. Laefc ' night's large audience could find little fault' with the manner in which their meal was served. Mr. Anderson's Company proved quits equal to ' the . demands of 'The Work Girl.' " The scenery , which is a feature of the production, is said to be excellent, especially that of Charing-cross, Blackfriars Bridge by night, and the Toad on the way to Tooting. THE GARRISON BAND'S CONCERT, The popularity of brass bond music is less pronounced in Wellington than it is in many other centres of population, but the large und discriminating audience that assembled at his Majesty's Theatre last night to hear the Wellington Garrison Band's second grand concert of the third season was testimony to an increasing taste for this excellent claas of music. The several performances by the band were uniformly excellent, but the popular natureof the airs ;n; n the descriptive fantasia entitled "A Trip to Blackpool" evoked enthusiastic demonstrations of approval. In this piece the progress of a team of excursionists is pourtrayed: its star}, by train, progress, merry-making at the seashore, steamer embarkation", vocal entertainment, a passing storm, dancing to ' the strains of the beautiful "Blue Danube" waltz, the progress of a lively cakewalk, and the happy return of the trippers. The whole fantasia was given with vim and realism,, and the conductor (Lieutenant Hetd), after bowing acknowj ledgments, was compelled to let his band i accede to the demands of the audience for ■ a repetition of the selection. In contrast, but equally good and pleasing, was a lengthy selection from the work of Verdi entitled "The Masked Ball." Vocal items were contributed by Miss Nina Oaldow and Miss Chegwin, encores being insisted upon in each case. A clarionet solo by Sir. H. Moschini woe an excellent item, which also met with a hearty and sustained demand for <»n encore. The programme as a whole was well chosen, and it gave full satisfaction to the audience. THE EDISON PICTURES. The Edison Pictures Company has been compelled, through the late arrival of the Sonoma at Auckland, to postpone that parti of the company's programme which concerns "America at Work and Play." The management, however, has decided to present a programme that has many attractive features, foremost amongst) which is a reproduction by moving pictures of the funeral of the late Premier, upon which arti6fe have beer working night and day since Thursday last to expedite its completion. This film should prove specially interesting to the large number of people who were unable to obtain a good view of the funeral procession. There are many other pictures of interest, including some very fine humorous films, and Mr. Avalon Collard and Miss Olive Merton will appear in humorous musical sketches. The views of the earthquake ,at San Francisco and America ab M'orlc will be shown on Tuesday next. "THE FATAL WEDDING." Keen interest has been created in tlhe forthcoming production of "The Fatal Wedding" at the Opera House on Tuesday next, 26tb June, when Messrs. Meynell and Gunn will present tihis celebrated musical drama for the first time in Wellington. Since yesterday the mechanical: staff has been busily engaged in scenic preparation for the production, and all is now well in hand 'or the opening. The children of the company, numbering over 30, will arrive on Tuesday, and will be conveyed by special drags to their residence during their 6tay in this oity. These young folk have already become famous through their delightful scenes and the wonderful "Tin-can Band." Mr. Charles Vane, Miss May Congdon, and tihe other leading members of the company, who have so contributed to the success of this play, may expect a hearty welcome. The management announces elsewhere tihat the performance will commence at 7.50 each evening. The Missions to Seamen nautical bazaar was well patronised yesterday, both afternoon and evening. In the evening a musical programme was contributed by Mesdames KiTgour and Swinburne, Misses G. Kennedy and Rash, and Mr. Cldow.. An exhibition of cutlass drill by a

*qua<l of men from H.M.S. Encounter was •well given. Tho prize for the bestrigged ship at the bazaar Tias won by Messrs.- Ryan (Encounter) and Robinson (Goromandel). The bazaar will be opened again iliis evening. • . A benefit social gathering will be held in- the Alexandra Hall on Wednesday evening. The annual social gathering of the Wellington Brick and Tile Union was * ield in the Victoria Hall last night and was well attended. The chair was occupied by the president (Mr. W. H. Moore). A musical programme was gone through, and dancing was kept up until an early hour. During the evening Mr. Allan Orr, formerly secretary of the union, received a presentation from tho members as an evidence of their regard, and Mrs. Orr was also honoured in. a similar way. The presentation was the second made to Mr. Orr witihin a sbort time. Mr. B. O. Johnson was secretary to the committee. A concert and dance in aid of the Brooklyn Catholic Church will be held in Fuliford's Hall, Brooklyn, on Tuesday evening.