AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14310, 2 March 1907, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

“ THE BELLE OF NEW YORK.” There was an immense audience at His Theatre last night, when Mr J. C. Williamson’s Company staged a revival of the popular and. bright musical coSiedy “ The Bello of New York.” Tho comedy is probably more appreciated by the average theatregoer than any other composition of its class. It has been played before in Christchurch several times, upon the last occasion by Mr Williamson’s Company. It is, therefore, well known locally, and the audience last night were in a position to be highly critical. The production was a very successful one, and in some respects bettor than the last one. It certainly compared more than favourably with its predecessor. There were a good many alterations in the cast, and these had had the effect of strengthening the performance. Among the men the comedy parts predominated in interest and excellence, for Mr Crane was not really very satisfying as Harry Bronson. Mr Fred Leslie stood out for a breezy and clever representation of Blinky Bill, and Mr Needham and Mr Hogue were both excellent as the twin Italian Counts. Mr ,W. Percy was as useful as ever as the mad German, Karl von Pumpernick, and Mr Arthur Hunter was a fair Kenneth Mugg. Mr Bantock gave quite a new interpretation of tho part of Ichahod Bronson, playing it with more* seriousness than the public has been accustomed to. He probably suffered from tho magnificent heritage of tradition left by Mr Albert Whelan. Otherwise his comedy was good. Oi tho ladies, quite the best characterisation was Miss Alma Barber’s Fifi Frlcot. She played the part with general delicacy and grace, and sang and acted with a quite impressive charm. Miss Olive Godwin played Violet Gray delightfully, and her singing was probably the best of the evening. She had a nice appreciation of the character, and its quaint distinctions were well brought out. Miss Nellie Wilson as Cora Angelique and Miss Tillie Woodlock as Mamie Clancy were both good, and the remainder oi the cast was capitally disposed. The chorus varied, but - the magnificent finale to tho first act was splendidly sung and quite as splendidly accompanied. '■ The piece was, of course, lavishly mounted and lavishly staged. It will be repeated to-night, and on Monday and Tuesday “ The Country Gild” will be staged. OPERA HOUSE. The present programme at the Opera House is attracting large audiences, who arc evidently very pleased with the performances of the large number of vaudeville entertainers in Mr Fuller’s present company. Fresh bioscope pictures are being shown. BROUGH-FLEMMING COMPANY. Playgoers who appreciate the higher forms of dramatic art will welcome the determination of Mr Herbert Flemming to keep the Brough-Flemming Company in existence for an indefinite period. No company did more for the up-lifting of the Australian stage than that headed by the late Robert Brough and his gifted wife, and no actormanager of recent times was missed more than he was when the combination he had organised, trained and taught, finally broke up in 1902. Thanks to Mr Brough and Mr Flemming, the company associated with them has been invested with a considerable share of the atmosphere that was always part of the * older combination’s most treasured assets, and it is coiirsidered that in time the present combination will assume an individuality of its own. Mr Flemming is too thorough an artist and too experienced an actor not to impress his own talent upon those under his direction. The company will inaugurate its Christchurch season at the Theatre Royal on Thursday, producing “Dr Wake’s Patient” for the first time in Christchurch. The box plans will he open at the Dresden on Monday morning, where seats may be booked for the season. WAINONI PARK. The fireworks display last Thursday brought another good audience to Wainoni Parle, when some excellent set pieces were shown. During the week a large number of people have visited the Park, and in addition there have been several large picnics. On Saturday the Avon Rowing Club held their annual outing, and the St John’s Sunday School also held their ■ picnic, yesterday the Spreydon School and the Sumner School were conveyed to tho Park by two special trams, and a good programme was provided for them. To-morrow afternoon there will be selections by Signor Nigro’s ?uartet, and on Wednesday and hursday evenings the fireworks display will include a realistic representation of the bombardment of Alexandra.