THE CARNIVAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 141, 16 June 1915, Page 8

THE CARNIVAL

"BARDELL v. PICKWICK" A NOTABLE SUCCESS Pickwick's circumstantial promise to marry Mrs. Bardell, made famous by Charles Dickens, under the title of " Bardell versus Pickwick," was staged at the Grand Opera House 'yesterday afternoon, on the occasion of the matinee performance by the J. C. Williamson Pantomime Company in aid of the Wounded Soldiers Fund. The principal characters in the cast were pla-yed by the leading comedians of the company, while the subsidiary roles were taken by well-known citizens. Mr. Rupert Darrell took the part of the Judge, while Mr. Jack M'Ardle made an excellent Sergeant Buzfuz. As counsel for the plaintiff the latter wa-s distinctly amusing, giving a capital impersonation of the fussy, crotchety, old lawyer. The major share of tha comedy business fell to Mr. Barry Lupino, who played the dual part of Court Usher and Sam Weller. While he was in the witness-box he was responsible for much genuine merriment. At the same time he did not show any tendency to exaggerate the humorous element, and the result was that the character was a truly Dickensonian one. Other parts were played by Mr. Leslie Gaze, Sergeant Snubbin ; Mr. Murray Thompson, Mr. Weller, sen. ; Mr. George Thorne, jun., Mr. Nathaniel Winkle; Mr. James Dykes, Mr. Phunky ; Charles Albert, foreman of the jury; Tiny Tot Marjorie, Master Bardell ; Mr. Geo. Young. Mr. Pickwick ; Miss Gertie Lat-chford, Mrs. Bardell ; Mr. Arthur Stigant. Mrs. Cluppins. Twelve well-known Wellington citizens acted as the jury. The sketch was splendidly staged and was very appreciably received by the audience. In addition to those vaudeville it-ems mentioned in last night's Post the items included an acrobatic specialty by Tiny Tot Marjorie and Little Eileen, a violin solo, " Yankee Doodle Variations." by Mr. Keers. a military song, " Make a. Man of You." by Mies Minnio Love, and the beautiful' spectacular finale, " Britain's Allies and Her Dominions," in which the part of Britannia was played by Miss Ghiloni. At the close of the entertainment an auction sale of goods presented was held by Mr. Lupino, assisted by Messrs. Jack M'Ardle and J. Dykes. The list of articles and the bids were as follow :—: — Italian flag (with " Aunt Lucy " thrown in), C. H. Izard. £3; J. J. M'Grath, £2; Dr. Cahill, £2; total, £7. Salad bowl and service, Mr. C. H. Izard, £2; Mr. M. Marks, £1 ss; total, £3 53. Two boxes grapes and two big bunches of violets, Mrs. W. H. Atack, £1. Silver cake-dish, Mr. Louisson, £12. Doll's cot and doll. Mrs. Kennedy, £3. Lady's bag, Miss Minnie Love, 10s. Cake-dish, Mr. Bert Royle, £1. Camera, 'Mr. C. H. Izard, £2 ss; Mr. J. Dykea. £2; total, £4 ss. Box cigarettes, "Trentham," £1 (to be sent to the camp). Spirit tantalus, Mr. Chaffey, £2 ss. New Zealand flag (from '"'Trentham Boys' " Queen Committee), Mre. Joseph, £25. Silver shoe-horn and button-hook, Mr. W. A. Flavell, 15s. One case 888 pipes, Mr. Sinclair, £1. Case pipes. Miss Campbell, 15s. Smokers' cabinet, Miss Kennedy, £1 15s. Cradle, Mrs. Mitchell, 10s. Stop-watch, Mr. J. M'Grath, £2. New Zealand flag (presented by Mr. Alec Wilson, treasurer of the "Cinderella" Co.), Travellers' Club. -£10; Mr. C. H. Izard, £10 10s; total, £20 10s. The auction concluded, Mr H. G. Hill, chairman of the Patriotic Society, moved a warm vote of thanks to all who had assisted— Messrs. J. C. Williamson, who had allowed the theatre to be used free of charge, and the various performers. He announced ihat the auction sale had realised £88 15s. On behalf of the company, Messrs. Lupino and J. M'Ardle said that what they had done was a pleasure, as they all wished to aseist the boys at the front as much as possible. (Loud applause.) THE BIG BAZAAR. The Carnival Bazaar last evening was a very cheerful place to visit, the gay flag 'decorations, the Japanese house which has now become the "Marble Bar" of the place, all the prettily-decorated stalls, and costumed girls and boys who were assisting to sell tickets or goods, made a very bright scene. The Mayor's room is turned into a perfectly charming tea room ; with its cosy chairs and thick carpet and electric heaters, not to mention the best of tea and cakes, and nice girls to do the waiting. Surely Mayor Luke must be a paragon of kindness and patriotism ( considering how often and how readily he gives up his special "sanctum" for diiferent patriotic purposes. The room is prettily decorated with Dr. Platts-Mills's colours, and last evening Mr. E. J. Hill and other friends sang and played delightfully to the great pleasure of visitors and attendants. Messrs. Gamble and Creed are giving the lea, coffee, and milk to the tea room, any many of their girls are kindly assisting in waiting and cutting all sandwiches required, which is a most substantial donation and help. A feature of the bazaar was the orchestra music supplied bj Turner's Mandoline Orchestra. A delightful display of national dances was given last evening by the ex-pupils of Miss Flora Shaw and members of the Wellington Scottish Society. The following gave items:— Missed Jean Jelley, Doris Dodd, Jean Miller, Hinemoa, Bollard, Rona Bitlosi, Daisy M'Lellan, Annie Grant, Jean Main, Masters W. Brown and D. Bollard. Pipers Donald Young and W. G. Brown supplied the necessary accompaniments. POSITION OF CANDIDATES. The position of the Queen candidates as announced laet night by Mr. E. J. Colley (returning officer) was ais follows :—: — I— Miss A. M Senior, Hutt Valley (No. 14) 2 — Miss K. Doughty, Commercial Travellers (No. 8) 3 — Miss Low, Combined Drapers (No. 2) 4 — Miss M'Kcgg, Manawatu (No. II) s—Mi's.5 — Mi's. Algar Williams, St. John Ambulance (No. 1) 6— Mies A. M. Palmer, Public Service (No. 13) 7 — Miss M'Cormack, Trentham Boys (No. 15) B— Miss M'Enroe, West Coasters (No. 7) 9 — Dr. Platts-Mills, Tramway Boys (No. 10) 10— Nurse Everitt, Combined Sports (No. 9) 11 — Mies Jessie Lewie, Young Boys' Society, (No. 4) 12— Mrs. W. H. Smith, Overseas Club (No. 3) 13 — Miss M. E. Roseingrave, Trades and Labour (No. 12) 14— Mrs. A. M'Vicar, Highland Society (No. 6) 15— Mrs. S. Hempton, Te Aro Residents (No. 5) The Watchmakers' Union has donated 'A tea and coffee service, valued at £15 15s. to be raffled in the interests of the Trades and Labour candidate (Miss Roeeingrave). The committee has also published a email pictorial souvenir, which is being sold at & small sum.