ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 14 October 1903, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

THE DANIEL FRAWLEY COMPANY. " Unless you see it, you have not the remotest idea what it is like." This remark (overheard from a patron-of tho reserved seats) aptly enough expresses what will be the general opinion of the Daniel Frawley Company's first performance at His Majesty's last night of "Arizona." What a lovely play ! A page torn bodily out of nature's book of frail humanity, and put upon the stage as sweetly and as truly and as naturally as any man could wish." It could not possibly be that, a play so natural and so true as Arizona" had only come to stay a while. .It is on© of thoso sweet human plays that time itself cannot efface, a piece. which everybody ought to see if only because it is so sweet and true to nature. "Arizona" is the very essence of the best. Wo cannot too strongly recommend it to the notice of everyone who is fond of witnessing good acting of a human story. Acting ! That's the point. There is no acting (as the term is used) about it. Each character in this play play that will astound the average person because of its simplicity, and therefore its ideal fidelity to nature a living, breathing, human being. There does not soem to be an actor or an actress in it. All the folk one sees are real folk, then trials real, their joys real, their ordinary every-day experiences just as real and as meaningful as reality. At times the onlooker is moved to tears, so touching is the story. Again the interest it . creates keeps every nerve at tension point in following out some tender passage in a moving episode of life. Is this a theatrical company at all '! Is it not rather a preconceived plot on the part of a few well-meaning people— : people who used to live on a ranch out West, to come down east, to come out to the colonies and tell their story to a band of sympathetic listeners 7 " Unless you see it, you have not the remotest idea what it is like !"—a phrase caught up, and well worth catchhftar up, for it justly applies to "Arizona." The author of this sweet play (Augustus Thomas) has been clover enough to realise that stage characters can be human, and ho has picked his types of characters accordingly. Moreover, he teaches an innovation—the descending of the curtain upon a quiet scene without the usual blare of trumpet and the bangin-* of the drum. Of "Arizona" as a play, and of its plot, the merest suggestion is all that would be fair to give. Picture an ideal ranch out West. Two girls— married and one singledaughters of a fine, high-spirited man of splendid grit, and a woman moulded to the stern necessities of western life. The lover of the younger girl and husband of the elder become entangled in a natural yet a pitiful quarrel. Of course there is a villain' (a most naturally conceived one) at the bottom of it. all. In the end sad turmoil gives place to happiness, and all is well. Good as the plot is it is tho atmosphere of this play that counts. There is not a moment of artificiality in it; there is nothing ! but a continued sense of pleasure, with a mingling of pain for those who witness_ it. Mr. Daniel Frawley plays the role of Lieutenant Denton, a true lover and misconstrued friend. Ho acts with consummate art, convincing by his freedom from artifice and impressing by his earnestness. He is beyond doubt an actor of quite uncommon ability. Miss Mary Van Buren portrays a faithful wife (Estrella Bonham) under stress of great temptation. She aots so sweetly as to bring herself into direct sympathy with all her auditors, giving one of the most sincore performances that could be imagined. Miss Eva Dennison is more than good as Estrella's younger sister. She give 3an entirely fresh idea of the typo of character and makes it welcome and most charming. Mr. Jeffrey Williams cleverly portrays the part of Henry Canby, a western ranchowner, putting many touches of pathos into contrast with its comedy element. Miss Christine Hill plays the rancher's wife to tho very life. Her work is that of an accomplished artiste. One of the finest-played characters in the piece is that of Colonel Bonham br Mr. Harrington Reynolds. . Hero is a complete study in reserved dramatic •worka role most worthy of the seeing, so well is it presented. Miss Belle D'Arcy is admirable as Lena, a victim of the villainous Captain Hodgeman. Her work is indeed worthy of more than passing praise. Mr. Harry Plimmer as Hodgeman gives a forccfid and most convincing study of the villain. He has done nothing finer in our recollection. Mr. Wallace Shaw is good as Sergeant Kellar, and other parts in a long caste are filled with unusual ability. The play is mounted beautifully. " Arizona", will be repeated to-night and following nights. It should- not be missed by any lover of really meritorious work.

THE WOODS-WILLIAMSON COMPANY. There was a large and enthusiastic audience at the Opera House last night to witness the second performance of ' In Old Madrid" by the Woods-Williamson Company. Mr. Alf. Woods as Don John of Austria, Miss Williamson as Dolores, and the other leading members of the company in their respective roles were in all respects excellent. The handsome drosses, all designed and made in Auckland, were greatly admired, as was also the tasteful scenery, lonight the company give their farewell performance after a season of eight weeks. A crowded house is expected. Certainly witri such a first-class j?lay as " In Old Madrid to attract there should be no lack of patronage. ; ' ;

FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. ■ The present programme at the City Hail is drawing large audiences, who are certainly well catered for. To-day being a holiday, a special programme has been propared., and two shows will be given, one at a-quarter to three p.m. and the other at eight p.m. In addition to a special programme, Miss Tillio Dunbar, a servo with-a good Australian reputation, will make her first appearance at the matinee On Saturday next other new artistes will appear for the first time. '

THE COOL STORAGE SAFE SYNDICATE, LIMITED. At a meeting of directors of the Cool Storage Safe Syndicate, Limited held at the office of the secretary (Mr. J. H. Maekie), Mr. R. T. Michaels, in the absence of the chairman, presided. A further allotment of shares was made, and other applications were reported to be pending. Mr. Edwards, the inventor, stated that already a large number of orders for safes could be booked. those who had seen the model safe in operation at the Mercantile Chambers were highly pleased with the utility and convenience of the invention, both for commercial and household purposes. It was resolved to invite tenders for the construction and completion of a number of safes of various sizes, ready to place upon the market. The secretary reported that papers relating to the patenting of the invention in Australasia and other parts were now being received. It war, decided that the date of Mi. Edwards' departure for Australia for the purpose of exploiting the invention in the various States be deferred until next meeting. •

MOUNT EDEN BAPTIST ANNIVERSARY. The 39th anniversary in connection with the Mount Eden Baptist Sunday-school was further celebrated last evening, when an anniversary tea, followed by a public meeting, was held in the church building. _ A large number sat down to the tea, which was presided over by lady members of the congregation. The minister, the Rev. .7. B. Sneyd, occupied the chair at the public meeting. The secretary's report on the Sunday-school work showed that goof 3 progress had been made during the year, the scholars on the roll numbering 223, as against 220 for the previous 12 months, while the average attendance was 14-0, as against 133. The members of the teaching staff and other officers were 20, with an average attendance of between 17 and 18. Ten of the scholars presented themselves at the annual examinations ill connection with the Auckland Sun-day-school Union Scriptural Society—one taking a prize and eight gaining certificates. Band of Hope services had been successfully conducted during the year, and a sum of £4 153 lOd had been raised towards the building fund for a new mission house in India. The treasurer's statement showed receipts to be £69 Os 6d, of which £11 lis remained in hand after meeting disbursements. The Band of Hope accounts showed a credit balance of £3 9s. The prizes won by the scholars were distributed, and addresses were given by the chairman and the Rev. R. L. Walker, M.A. Musical items were contributed by church members and anniversary song? by the scholars. The children's tea and entertainment take place this evening.

POONA SOLDIERS' MISSION. Mr. N. Dannefa-rd, founder and director of the Soldiers' Mission at Poona, Bombay, delivered a very interesting address on his work in India at the Presbyterian Sundayschool, Devonport, last evening. There was a very good attendance, over which the Rev. R. Ferguson presided. The lecture was illustrated by a large numbe, of excellent limelight views, shown by Mi. R. Gclston. [ Amongst these were pictures of the plague and famine-stricken districts of India. The

lecturer, who was listened to attentively, received a vote of thanks for his address. Air. Dannefasrd will repeat his leoture at. lauipuna next Sunday evening.

SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY. The Auckland Shakespeare Society f read "Hamlet" last evening at the. Y.M.ua. ; Hall, and the following were the dramatis persome: -Claudius, Mr. E. M°Vcagh; Hamlet, Mr. E. -the Ghost, Mr. W. R. Walker; Polonius and Francisco, tho ,- ue . W. Je'Uie: Horatio, ' Mr. H. Herbert; Laertes, Mr. R. H. A. Potter; Marcellus, a player and first graved! Mr. Montague; second gravedigger, Mr. E. W. O. Jtatnbone; Bernardo and a messenger, Mr. xv. A. Singer; Ophelia, Mrs. Kekwick; Queen. Miss Ockenden. In the opinion of ■■ manypersons present "Hamlet" was the ne»t piece of work the society has yet produced. It was remarkable, too, for the decided mi-. provement noticeable in most of the older members of the society. The Ophelia ot Mrs. Kekwick was a very artistic reading, marked by considerable dramatic knowledge and a nice' senso of the fitness of things. The Queen, as read by Miss Oekenden, was also an exoellent reading so far as the part permitted. Hamlet was nobly handled by Mr. Earl, who plainly showed a more than textual knowledge of the character of the Prince of Denmark, and produced a very real and living personage to the audience. Mr. Montague and Mr. Rathbone avoided the shoals and quicksands upon which somany amateur gravediggers have floundered and foundered. The'other parts were also intelligently bandied. Extensive "cuts were necessarily made in the tragedy, but the intelligence displayed in the excisions was most marked, the whole .reading, notwithstanding its curtailment, running smoothly and with coherence from beginning to end.

BEATRICE VARTHA CONCERT. The gifted pianiste, Miss Beatrice Vartha, makes her first appearance in Auckland on Friday, October 16. The programme will include many gems of musical art. l.ne chief item will be Mozart's "Concerto D minor." The Right Hon. Richard Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward have'extendedbtheir patronage for 1 these concerts. Mr. « e ™ writes:-" It affords me much pleasure to add my patronage to Miss VarthaV and wish the artiste success in her visit to America and Europe."

THE MEMBER FOR GREY LYNN. An influential meeting of electors of the Grey Lynn electorate was held in the Newton West school last night, when electors from Eden Terrace, Mormngside, Archhill, Glenmoro, Richmond, Suss and Surrey wards were present. Mr. O. Md&rtor was chosen chairman, and explained that the purpose of the »"»«*» to discuss what steps, if any, should be take regarding Mr. George Fowlds' action at Wellington g over the cablegram winch Mr FowldVhad sent to Sir Henry Cam P; bell-Bannerman opposing the Chamberlain resolution. After several gentlemen had spoken on the subject it was unanimously agreed that the meeting be formed into a Vigilance Committee for the purpose of tok, i„g g note and watching the actions of the Tr,n{nhr»r for Grey Lvnn, and that the meetSl iSete that the' time had elapsed when have been taken to pall upon the member for Grey Lnn to -plain fixations It was further agreed to call meei S of the committee from time to time as occasion arose. -