ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11680, 15 June 1901, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

THE STANTON OPERA COMPANY. To those who enjoy a really hearty laughand their naino is legion— may be confidently recommended the musical comedy "Dorcas,' as produced for the first time at the Open House last night by the Josephine Stantor Opera Company. The book of this exceed ingly funny comedy is by those practise laughtermakers, Harry and Edward Paulton whose- contributions to the mirthful muse o drama include those favourite pieces, ''My Friend from India" and " Niobe." " Dorcas 1 has a elevor plot, which lends itself adtnir ably to the introduction of "killing" situations and most comical misunderstandings. Lord Lamboume. a county magnate, in the picturesque old ISth century days, is a roue with a keen eye for ? pretty fare. Notwithstanding that he is a married man, he re.tai:ihis propensity for flirting, and hearing that tho young wife of the landlord of the Lambourne Arms is good-looking, he bids her husband bring her to the hail under pain of losing his tenancy of the* hotel. Lubin Mti«?hy, mine host of tho inn. being terribly jea'oits by nature, and mistrusting his lordship, schemes to keep his wife (Dorcas) away from him. There arrives upon the scene the Baroness Honoria, Lord Lambourno's sister, disguised in male attire, as a pedlar. Desiring to become acquainted with her brother's friend, Lord Boauregardo, for whom she is designed in marriage, she offers to to j to the hall in Dorcas' stead, and dressed in the hitler's cloth''-. Lubin is only too delighted, and, thinking Honoria is really a man, looks upon the scheme as a huge joke. Honoria carries out her plan, and she and Beauregard?, who is also pacsing under an assumed name, fall in love with each other. The complications which arise out of Lord Lnmbciirnc'? efforts to make love to his sister, under the. impression that, she is in reality the innkeeper's wife, »'"' the ludicrous mistake of Lubin in persisting in thinking the fal.se Dorcas to lx v a male pedlar, are many ami humorous. How- they unravel themselves satisfactorily is well told in three laughable, acts. The piece is interpolated with a number of bright and catchy solos, duets, and concerted numbers, all of which wore loudly applauded. Tho comedy in snort made a pronounced hit. As Honoria. Mi=s Stanton gave another of her delightfully winsome performances. She had a role which suited her charming personality to a nicety. Needless to say, her singing was as artist** as her acting. In her first solo, "With You." a beautiful little love melody, she sang with great taste and feeling, and was deservedly encored, in addition to receiving a floral tribute over the- footlights. She displayed a true comedy vein in tho duet, "As a Good Little Girl Should Do," sung with Lubin, and encored four times; and in a love duet win Beaurefiarde was sympathetic and pleasing. The great hit of the evening was made by Mr. -1. Clarence Harvey in'the part of Lubin Mujrby. So long as he was upon the stage- laughter reigned supreme, his whole impersonation entitling him. to rank as one of the cleverest comedians over seen in Auckland. His first opportunity came in tlo duet with Miss Stanton (written by himself) before mentioned. In tins he aped in turn the antics of a lap-dog and the mannerisms cf a monkey in such a legitimately comic way as to fairly bring down the house. In the second act. however, he gave the cleverest bit of comedy work -cot, here for a long time. Mr. George Cycling won much kudo; for hi, portrayal of Lord Beauregarde, and was justly encored for his forceful rendering of tho melodious solo, "Good-bye, Claudino." Mr. Kunkol (as Lord Lambourne), .Miss Bertha NeiHon (as Lady Lamboume), and Miss Clara Wisdom (as Griselda) played well. The la.-it-named ladv deserved great praise for her share with Mr. Harvey in the minuet scene. The piece was prettily" costumed, and the work of the other performers and the chorus was creditable. " Dorcas" v.;]) ]*> repeated to-night, when, in order that the public may witness tho departure of tho Royal yacht, the curtain will not rise until halfpast eight o'clock. This afternoon als matinee will be given of " Said Pa*ha." DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. Mr. Dix's popular organisation has attracted large crowds to the City Hall during the week. To-night there will be presented an entire change of programme. Miss Irene Franklin, the clever young American comedienne, will sing "My Wild Irish Rose" and "I Don't Like no Cheap Man." Little Alma Cray will sing "I like My Dolly Best" and "Honolulu Lulu," and will introduce another of her snccisliy dances. .Mr. Arthur Morloy will sine "True Till Death" and "Tho" Gauntlet." Tic? Tylers will be seen in th.eir Japanese screen, the popular comedians, Messrs. Pope and Say lea. will be heard in new songs and duets, and will also appear in the finale and the laughable farce, entitled "Juke Johnson." SMOKE CONCERT. A most, interesting smoke concert was held at the Royal Mail Hotel by the officers and troopers of the Hokianga Mounted Rifles. Captain Henderson (in the chair) and. 30 noncom-, and troopers were present. Tho meetin/ was opened by Captain Henderson proposing the health of " King Edward VII." A song "The Phonograph," by Corporal Droit, followed, and Trooper Moetara gave '■"Where Did You Get That Hat?" Sergeant Condon proposed the toast of " Captain Henderson." thanking him, on behalf of his (Scigeant Clendon's) comrades for the efficiency the troop had attained in so short a time, (six months). The toa«t was given with musical honours, concluding with hearty cheers. Captain "Henderson responded. The Captain said he was proud of his troop, and considered that they proved themselves Jieond to none. lie convoyed the message of thanks which he was instructed to give from His Royal Highness the Duke of York and Cornwall for the guard of honour at the raiiv/'vy station on Thursday morning. Quartermaster-Sergeant Burke fang "Beautiful Neil," and «;•■; encored. Mr. Collins (:. . dene's?) gave a song, and "Soldiers of tile King" was effectively rendered by Captain Henderson. Mr. Pettis f.-.s. Glenelg) and Sergeant Freeze also gave songs. Sergeant Webster proposed the toast of "Absent Friends," and included the names of Trooper.-, Burr, Page, and Hop!:, members of the Hckianga Mounted Troop, who are now fighting in South Africa. Mr. Collins followed with a song, and Trooper I {racy sang "' Charlie Labor." Quartermaster-Sergeant Burke proposed the " Health of the Visitors,' and was responded to by Air. Petti* and Mr. J. C. Webster. Captain Henderson san- "Royal Fusiliers." Trooper Freeze also g.v. e a song. '("he last toast of the evening was "The Health of the Host and Hostess." "Sons of the Sea," was sung by Captain Henderson, and all joined in the chorus with zest. "Anil Lang Syne," followed by the National Anthem, concluded a most enjoyable evening.

NATIONAL SINGLE TAX LEAGUE. At the Tailoresses' Hall last night, Mr. Gerald Peacoeke spoke in reply to the address given by Mr. Samuel Vaile, at the previous meeting' of the l<\y.;ue. Mr. (i. M. Johnston presided. Mr.' Per.eorke traversed the arguments adduced by Mr. Vaile. and maintained that the ground rout of land was the just mid oat lira) soo/no 01 public revenue beer, line it arose solely from the presei.ee ami industry of the fteimral public, and was not created by tin- labour of any individual, lie insianeed (he L-'liikon allotment in support oi the contention that hind-value is not wealth, hut privilege. We could trace tin) •. rec .-.•.;!, of the landlord's privilege in L'nirhnd, and we knew that the social misery of the country was doe 10 land monopoly. Wo were toii'ur on (he same track in this colony, and unless we cheeked the growth oi privilege by taxation of hindvalues, wo should arrive at the same result. Mr. Vaile was present, and replied to Mr. I'eacocke a) .sonic length, maintaining that the single tax system was impracticable, and that socialism was more logical, although he did not approve of cither. Several socialists were present, and a very lively discussion followed. THE .TITWLEE SINGERS. At me Agricultural Mail last evening, the Jubilee Singers gave another entertainment, which from every point of view was a splendid success. The audience were more, than delighted with Hie programme submitted. The choruses-, which comprised the first portion of the programme, were well rendered, resulting in tho inevitable ("'.cores. Tonight the company give another change of programme. SEAMEN'S HALL. There war, a very good attendance of seamen from the war vessels in port at the Seamen'.-: Hall last night, when a social evpning and concert was provided by Mr. }{. Little, man. ager of the. Sailors' Hi.inc. A pleasing programme of vocal and instrumental items was contributed by the Misses EnUican, Moses, arid .Jones, ami Messrs. Harding and Willis, Mr. Little also giving a number of selections on a loud-sneaking phonograph. Refreshments were bonded round during the intervals by the ladies present.