ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11540, 27 November 1900, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

THE POLLARD SEASON.

After the production of "Maritana" by the Pollard Opera Company, the public were naturally curious as to how the more difficult work of " Bohemian Girl" would fare in the hands of this popular combination. There was a large audience present at the Opera House last night, when Balfe's wellknown work was produced, and though the Pollards undoubtedly set themselves a hard task to perform, they acquitted themselves most creditably. Of course there were a. number of hiatuses inseparable from a first night, but, taken on the whole, the performance was a success. The scenery was very pretty, the opening sets of the first and second acts especially being worthy of praise. Act I. opens with an attractive woodland scene, and the second act —the gipsy camp on the outskirts of the city by moonlight, with sunrise effectscalled forth loud applause. The honours of the evening were undoubtedly carried off by Mr. Charles Carter, who took the part of Thaddeus. Although he has been in better voice, he sang remarkably well, and after his solo, "When Other Lips," he was recalled' twice. . The last verse was sung in falsetto, which, though effective when treated with the skill displayed by Mr. Carter, is not conducive to the improvement of a voice, and he would be wise to eschew it. " When the Fair Land of Poland" was charmingly rendered, and this also gained him loud applause. Miss May Beatty, as Arline, acted with her accustomed finish and cleverness, but in " I Dreamt that I Dwelt in Marble Halls," she was slightly overweighted. Nevertheless, she was encored, and repeated the last verse. Again, in " Home, Sweet Home," she touched , a responsive chord, and she had to repeat the final verse. Throughout she acted well and looked the part to perfection. The Gipsy Queen could not have been entrusted to better hands than those of Miss Maud Beatty, who made the most of her part, and delivered the recitatives with which the music abounds with fine effect. Her decided style of acting just suited the character. As an interpolated item she sang a very fine song called " Too Late I Loved," the words by Mr. Bert Royle, and the music by Mr. Arthur King, th'e conductor of' the company's orchestra. For this she was loudly encored. Mr. D. O'Connor both sang and acted well as Count Arnheim, and his principal solo, "The Heart Bowed Down by Weight of Woe," was one of the best things in the opera, well deserving the encore and applause with which it was followed. Mr. Ed. Nable, as far as the singing was concerned, was not equal to the part of Devilshoof, but he redeemed himself by his acting, which was capital. Mr. A. Stephens made as much as possible out of the rather insipid character, Florestein. The choruses were all well rendered, and the groupings were effectually managed. In the first act Miss Wilmot Karkcek danced a tarantella, which gained her an encore. " The Bohemian Girl" will be repeated this evening. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. The first appearance of the clever Faust trio attracted a very large audience to the City Hall last night, and a first-class entertainment was provided. The trio (young ladies) gave a graceful and original dancing and contortion act, which met with the heartiest approval of the audience. Besides being clever, it was a picture of neatness, and the beautiful dresses worn by the ladies added greatly to the effect. Mi. I'rank Clark was in great form, and created any amount of fun, while the Wingate Sisters' daring trapeze act, and Miss Ivy Scott singing and mimicry were enthusiastically applauded. The audience were sent home in good humour by the excellent farce, entitled, "Casey, the Fiddler," in which Mr. Frank Clark in the name part was most amusing. The same programme will be presented again to-night . ——- / FULLER'S BIJOU COMPANY. There was another crowded house at the Agricultural Hall last night, when the highly-successful programme was again presented. Chas. Failing had to contribute a number of songs before the audience were satisfied. Amy Blackie s singing of a beautiful ballad, Only a Leaf," was greatly admired, and she had to respond to a double encore. Dennis Carney, Wal. Cottier. Ted Hcrbcrtc and Myra James contributed items. To-mor-row evening, being Chas. Failing s last appearance, he will give his celebratco burlesquo sketch on "II Trovatore. On Ihursday evening Mr. Sivroni, a comedian and eccentric dancer, and Miss Silvcni, seriocomic, will make their first appearance.

" COUSTN .TACK'S LAND." There was a very good attendance at the Lecture Hall. Y.M.C.A.. last evening, when the Rev. E. Tremnyno Uunstan, of Pitt-street Congregational Church, Sydney, who is at present furnishing ministerial supply at the Beresford-street Congregational Church, delivered the first of a series of popular lectures in aid of the church funds, the title of the discourse being "Cousin Jack's Land." It was undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable evenings an audience could wish to spend, particularly those hailing from the west, as the lecturer, who is a fluent speaker, related many of his stories in the Cornish dialect, and was throughout humorous, bright, and entertaining, and when occasion called, graphic and eloquent in his description of the life, character, and eccentricities of the Cornish people. Suitable interpolated musical items were contributed during intervals. Mr. G. M. Rcid. who was in conital voice, sang The Skipper of fet. Ives," and Mr. W. Astley was also highly successful in Barnard's "The Wrecker's Li"ht." "The Happy Hunter." a duet by Messrs. Hooper, was well received, and the part songs by the Beresford-street choir were also rendered in a manner that pleased Tho c e who we desirous of a treat should visit the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Monday evening next, when the rev. gentleman will deliver his second lecture, entitled, The Old Folks at Home."