Dramatic And Musical

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 49, 8 June 1901, Page 7

Dramatic And Musical

By Footlight.

DIX'S Gaiety Company are eclipsing all previous records this week, and the crowd that nightly struggles to get into the Theatre Royal would comfortably fill the Opera House. The cause of all this excitement is the advent of the Haytors, a troupe of clever pantomimists and eccentric dancers, and the Gallardi Sisters, a couple of song and dance artists of special excellence. The Haytors — Edie, Frank, and Arthur — appear in an extravagant comedy sketch entitled, "She Would Sing." Its humour consists entirely in the stage business which is introduced, and that is certainly of the most laughter-provoking kind. It also involves a considerable amount of acrobatis skill. * # # The Gallardi Sisters are about the most successful pair of song and dance artists who have so far figured upon the Gaiety programme. They made their debut on Tuesday night, and their opening song and dance, "Mignonette," achieved an instantaneous "hit." All the other members of the company are easily sustaining their popularity. * # * The Empire Vaudeville Company are still on the beat of terms with the public, for crowded houses are the rule at the Choral Hall. Professor Kudarz's exhibition of conjuring and sleight-of-hand is the latest novelty, and is distinctly good of its kind. Mr. Denis Carney, who has had a remarkably long innings as chief comedian, and is still scoring as hard and as fast as ever, is about to leave for Sydney, and will carry out his bat on Friday evening. On this occasion also there is to be a ballad-singing competition for men. A special attraction is announced for Saturday night. The Jones Brothers, fresh from Sydney will make their first appearance. They are said to be the most expensive artists who have been imported since the Flying Jordans were here. «■ r * Messrs. Cooper and Macdermott's biograph exhibition can be strongly recommended as the best show of the kind to be found in the colony. The series of entertainments just finished at the Exchange Hall were full of change and variety, the kinematograph views were quite up to date, and were most vividly produced, and the musical selections on the colossophone were very effective. The proprietors have a remarkable fine repertoire of pictures to select from. * * * At the special request of Lady Ranfurly, an extra performance of "lolanthe" was given on Monday night, for the benefit if the Victoria Home for Incurables. It was a regular bonanza of a benefit, for the house was filled, and it is said there will be a cheque for £100 to hand over to this new chanty. * * * Miss Kate Best, who has just come down from Auckland to take up her residence in Wellington, will be a welcome acquisition to local musical resources. She has a sweet soprano voice of even quality, good compass, and much flexibility and has won for herself an established reputation as a cultured singer. Miss Best will be prepared to accept concert engagements in Wellington. (Continued on Page 17.)

The death of Mr. W. Letham, custodian of the Parliamentary Buildings, which took place on Friday last week, has been received with feelings of deep and general regret. He had been identified with Parliament House for the last thirty years, and was quite an institution there. Kind and genial in his disposition, and faithful in the discharge of his duties, Mr. Letham won and retained the respect of all with whom he was brought into contact. The well-known patent firm of Hughes, Ray ward, and Baldwin has been dissolved and by advertisement elsewhere, it ia 'announced that Mr. W. E. Hughes has taken over, and will carry on, the business of patent agent and consulting engineer, at Queen's Chambers, Wellington, and at the other parts of New Zealand where the firm has established itself. Mr. Hughes further notifies that he alone is the successor to the business of Henry Hughes and Hughes, Rayward, and Baldwin, and that no other person or firm has any right to represent himself or themselves as carrying on such business or succeeding thereto.

The methods of conducting business adopted by Mr. D. Lennie, who has recently commenced operations m Vic-toria-street, as a horse-dealer, are bound to commend themselves to> the public. When selling a horse, he is prepared to arrange that the purchaser shall have the privilege of returning the animal if, after a reasonable trial, he is dissatisfied, and receive back the- purchase money less a moderate charge for hire during the time of trial.