AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 13002, 22 December 1906, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

FULLERS*. A host of ne.w people appear at tho Alhambra Theatre to-uight. The foremost attraction is no doubt Miss Ida Bemdge, a serio who on a former visit achieved a most unique popularity at the Alhambra. Tho other new acts are Master Norman Mumferd (vocalist), Mr Lai. Newton (baritone), Mr Harrv Linden (comedian), and Miss Annie Cavendcr (serio). Mr Graham and Miss Dent appear for only two more nights m their farcical sketch ‘The. Lady Sport,’ and the rest of a strong company will be seen in a new bill. Special sacred Christmas performances are promised. . ‘THE VIRGINIAN.’ Mr J. C. ■'Williamson’s Company again presented ‘ The Virginian 5 at His Majesty's Theatre last night, when a very large audience gave clea»* indication of their pleasure in the piece. The play has the wholesomencss and breezmess of its Wyoming environment, and pleases by its directness. Mr Waldron, Miss Humphrey, and the other members of the company gave fine expositions of their roles. Tho company conclude their Duned'n season this .evening, when ‘ The Virginian ’ will again be staged. ■THE -LITTLE STRANGER.’ Full particulars arc advertised elsewhere as, to Meyneil, Gunn, and Varna’s new English Comedy Company, who, under the direction of Allan Hamilton, will commence a brief Gooson of five nights at His Majesty’s Theatre on January 1. The new work is simply what it pretends to be—a pure farce, manufactured for “laughing purposes only.” Unlike most faices of recent years, ‘The Little Stranger’ docs not depend upon the usual plot in which the “festive husband” ami the “ much-worried wife” play conspicuous parts. Happily, both these personages arc absent from the coming attraction. The plot is said to be entirely novel, possessing the great charm of originality. In reviewing the first performance in Wellington, where a record season was encountered, a contemporary wrote :—“Nearly everybody enjoys a good laugh. It is not every playwright who con be relied upon to give it. But you can in this case. Michael Morton, who is responsible for ‘ 'The Little Stranger,’ has an uncommonly droll turn of mind. His imagination has given him a peculiarly humorous theme, and he has made the utmost of it. Shortly, it consist* *'in having a manmidget substituted for a throe-year-old infant. Whereas the real child cannot oven speak, it* impersonator is an old hand at that, am 1 many other accomplishments of ;vn ordinary full-grown man. Iho bogus babv scares the real infant's mother, and nurse, and grandfather, and grandmother, and all their friends into hysterics when ho Lakes charge of tho household. Mixed up with the general fun of it all there is a deal of burlesque spiritualistic experimenting in which ‘The Little Stranger’ plays a prominent part. A lot of the dialogue was drowned in the ’laughter evoked by the resultant situations last night. It did not. matter, though, for the whole audion<» had their risible faculties taxed lo the bursting point, and Uk»v did enjoy themselves. And so will futaro audiences.” Dunedin playgoers will Ik?, introduced to Master Will To Parke, a youthful “star of eight summers, who has been specially imported from the Criterion Theatre, to assume tho title role on the present lour. Tho box plans for the season will be on view at the Dresden on Thursday morning next. EDISON’S PICTURES. Some months ago a short .season of bioscope pictures entitled America Illustrated was raven, under the management ot Profcssn' Andrews. Encouraged by the success then met with, a return visit has ueeu ueeided on, and it will begin at His Majesty s on Boxing Night. The company have just completed an excellent season in Sydney. HOLLOWAY DRAMATIC COMPANY. The Charles Holloway Dramatic Company, than which there is no more popular organisation in New Zealand, will commence a season at the Princess Theatre on Boxing Night, when will bo produced for three nights that excellent drama ‘ Why Woman Sins,’ Tho following well-known artists are in the company: —Miss Beatrice Holloway, Miss Alice Dcorwyu, Miss Fitrjnaunce. Gill, Miss Mabel Bussell, Miss Rosa Conroy, Miss Pattie Gourlay, Mr Robert Inman, Mr John p O’Neill, Mr Godfrey-Cass, Mr Jefferson Taitc Mr Wilton Welch, Mr Franklyn Kenny, and Mr John Hesford. The whole of the* production will bo staged under t/ie personal supervision of Mr Charles Holloway. ’Why Woman Sins’ will be followed by the four-act drama ‘The Shadows of a Great City.’