ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 9915, 29 January 1896, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE FAUST FAMILY,

No merrymakers that we have had in Dunedin since the visit of the ' Skipped by the Light of the Moon ' Company are to be compared for touch-and-go jocularity and innocent yet smart superficial fun with the company now playing at the City Hall under the management of Mr J. St. Clair. The Faust Family are undoubtedly very clever ; Mis 3 Lucy Fraser is a graceful dancer ; Mr Martyn Hagan ranks as a star in character songs and eccentric speechifying; Mr John Gourlay is, we think it safe to say, the most consistently-comical comedian of our acquaintance ; and the bcllringcrs are up to their work. Judged on their merits, the company ought to bo playing to crowded houses, and such will be their experience ere they leave Dunedin, by which time some of our citizens will be regretting lost opportunities. Go to-night and try for yourselves is a recommendation we make with the fullest confidence. «PICTURESQUE AUSTRALIA.' Mr Isaac Selby, who some years ago delivered several interesting addresses in this City on 'From Atheism to Christianity,' lectured on ' Picturesque Australia, or Life Under the Southern Cross,' in the KiDg street Tabernacle last evening. The large towns of the Australian colonies and of Tasmania were described, the audience evincing a decidedly warm interest in the lecturer's remarks. The lecture was illustrated by 100 limelight views, including representations of memorable Australian convicts. On Friday evening Mr Selby will lecture on 'The Story of the Bible, in Manuscript and Monument.' A THEOSOPHICAL LECTURER. The Countess Wachtmeister, a lady of great repute and authority in Theosophical circles, arrived from Hobart by the Rotomahana, and will deliver her first lecture in this City on Friday night, when she will choose as her subject ' Man, the Master of his own Destiny.' The lecture will be, in effect, a general introduction to the tenets of the Theosophical body; and should prove an attractive one to tho general observer. The Countess, who is described as a very lucid, careful, and moderate speaker, accompanied Mrs Be&ant during her remark-

able toiir through India some time £gb, and was an acquaintance and intimate of Madame Bhvatsky. She has just concluded a successful lecturing tour in Tasmania.

AQUATIC DISPLAY

The aquatic display held last night Was a great success. The evening was fine, arid I \he attendance of the public, both within I ahd without the enclosure oh the tongue wharf (whore the principal attractions wfcre provided), was very large. A concert was given in one of the sheds tin this wharf, the performers beipg Mi'as Essie Jacobs, McsErs 8. Myers* A. Wright, R. Isaacs, J. Swan, C. Peake, and B. Hanlon. There was a continual noise in the shed throughout the concert, caused by the bulk of the people moving about from place to place, so that the audience could not possibly hear the singers to advantage. Mr F. W. Simms gave an exhibition of limelight views illustrating a trip from England to Calcutta by the old overland route. Afterwards., the Citifcena' Band played a number of selections oh th'e Rotomabana> which Was lying alongside the wharf, and as this magnificent vessel Ms open to patrons.of the entertainment her decks were crowded with people. It was at this time that the .mishap Teferred to elsewhere occurred. It put a stop for some time to the evening's fun, but when it was known that nothing serious had happened things again went on merrily. At this juncture, too, a man fell on the wharf in a fit, and several persons were engaged for the best part of a quarter of an hour bringing him round. The display of fireworks wa3 then proceeded with. Some capital irockcts were sent up from the Bteamer's deck, colored lights were thrown from the bridge, and a number of yachts, which had been moored for the occasion at the end of the Jetty street wharf, showed a variety of lights. In addition, a company of rowing boats lit up with Chinese lanterns pulled about the steamer's basin, and the sight presented was truly a pretty one. The entertainment was in aid of the Dunedin regatta funds. The Regatta Committee have an announcement in our amusements column this evening which all who witnessed the fireworks last evening are invited to read. A moonlight excursion by steamboat is being arranged for Thursday, February 6.