THE MYRA KEMBLE SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9401, 6 January 1894, Page 5

THE MYRA KEMBLE SEASON

PRODUCTION OF "JANE." Great as was the success of "The Late Lamented," ab the Opera House, the production of " Jane," last evening, was even more signally successful. Everyone present simply, as Gllberb bath it, "Roared their ribs out." Miss Myra Kemble could nob have chosen a character in which she could appear to greater advantage. She played it to perfection. And, as ladies in the circle pub it, " her dresses were simply lovely*" Mr. Sara,. too, as the butler and husband, whose newly-wedded wife, Jane (the domestic), agrees, for a consideration, to impersonate a non-existent Mrs. Shackleton, and so deceive the moneyed guardian of Shackleton himself, was at his best. Bub one of the best parts was Mr. Geo. Leitch's Mr. Kershaw. As an old man Mr. Leitch excels, but yesterday evening he had a part in which few could touch him. He convulsed the house. In his tete-a-tete with Miss Chadwich (Miss Floia An a bead) he was exceptionally good. And Miss Anstead's impersonation was one of the best bits of acting seen in Auckland for many years. This evening Miss Kemble will introduce to Auckland an entirely new drama, entitled "A Peer of the Realm." The work is from the pen of that brilliant writer F. VV. Broughton, who is best known in the colonies as the author of those delightful comedies, " Ruth's Romance," " Withered Leaves," " The Bailiff," etc. When recently in London, Miss Kemble witnessed a performance of " A Peer of the Realm" ab a West End theatre, and was so much impressed with it, that she there and then purchased the colonial rights. That her judgment was correct was amply proved by the suocess achieved on its production ab the Imperial Opera House, Sydney, where "or seven consecutive weeks it enjoyed an uninterrupted run. The Sydney press were unanimous in pronouncingit quite one of the best things in the comedy drama line Been on the stage for a considerable time. In noticing the initial production the Sydney Morning Herald writes " Playgoers may be cordially recommended to seo Mr. Broughton's piece, nob only because ib is stimulating in itself, but also because it is thoroughly well acted." The comedy-drama will oe played for this night only, as on Monday night Miss Kemble commences a • series of five farewell performances, after which she leaves Auckland for England via Sydney. The first production next week will be Pinero's magnificent play, " The Profligate," which has been described as "the play of the century." Throughout the New Zealand tour Miss Kemble has found "The Profligate" the " trump card '* of her repertoire, and that she will find the same thing to be the case in Auckland admits of no argument. Auckland playgoers know thoroughly well how to appreciate a good - thing, and in "The Profligate" a work is offered to them that will nob soon fade from their memory. We are requested by the management to state that "The Profligate" cannot be played for more than three nights, in consequence of prior arrangements. The box plan is now open at Wildman and Lyell's.

The Devonport Ferry Company's steamers will run to-day bo St. Heliers Bay, as notified elsewhere. They will also on Sunday call at short intervals from half-past one p.m., at the French and German warships in port. During the afternoon the Eagle will run to St. Heliers Bay and round some of the beautiful islands of the Gulf, calling at St. Heliers on the return journey. On Sunday afternoon the Payne Family will give a grand sacred concert in the City Hall, commencing at half-past three o'clock. An entire change of programme will be given from that of Sunday last, and admission will be by collection, a silver coin. , The usual ecclesiastical notices will 5 be found in the eighth page. . The Rev. F. D. Pritt will preach in . the * morning at St. Mary's Cathedral, in the evening the collection will be in aid of the Melanesian Mission. At St. Matthew's, Master Lake, leading soprano of the. Christchurch Cathedral, will sins solos at the morning and evening services. At St. Benedict's, Haydn's " 13th Mass" will be rendered in the forenoon, when Mr. John Fuller will sing the tenor solos in the " Adeste Fidel and Moorat "Sancta Maria." Rev. A. H. Collins, of Ponsouby Baptist Church, will to-morrow evening deliver an address entitled " New Year's Sermon to Young Men." A New Year's address will be given by Mr. U. a. Button at the Y.M.C.A.* to-morrow afternoon at three o'clock. . . " The annual meeting of the Grand Orange Lodge' of New Zealand will be held in the Protestant Hall, Newton, on Friday evening next. ; . ■ ■ ' ' ■ The City Council invite tenders for supplies of engineer and # ping # station stores, and waterworks service materials. The p.s. Tongariro will leave the ferry tee with the Newmarket Fishing Club, this, afternoon. „.. , •< the Profligate," Monday next.