Amusements.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 606, 15 September 1883, Page 13

Amusements.

The final match for the Senior Challenge Cap will be played on the 22nd iostant between the first fifteen of the Wellington F.C. and the winning team in the match between Greytown and Masterton, which is expected to come off on Saturday (to-day). A practice match between the first fifteen and the rest of the members of the W.F.C. has been arranged for Saturday afternoon at Newtown, and a practice will be held on the latter ground tomorrow afternoon, when a full attendance 13 requested. The following players.will comprise tbe team for Saturday next :—Aitken, Clifford, Firth, Fleming, Lynch, McCardell, Moore, Pearce, H, Roberts, H. C. Roberts, RonaldsoD, G. H. Smith, J. E. Smith, J. Thompson, and Webb. The annual ball in connection with the Widow and Orphans’ Fond, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held .on Weddeaday at the Foresters’ Hall, and was attended by upwards of fifty couples. The opportunity was taken advantage of to present Bro. S. Levy, P.P.G.M., with a handsome silver-plated biscuit box, suitably engraved, and also an illuminated addresc, in recognition of his past services to the Order, and especially as regarded services rendered by him to the Widow and Orphans’ Fund, of which he has, owing to failing health, juat resigned the trusteeship. The presentation was made by Bro. J. Smith, jun., P.P.G.M., who referred in highly eulogistic terms to Bro. Levy’s connection with the Order, extending over a period of -30 years. The recipient having feelingly responded to tbe compliment paid him, dancing was resumed. Conspicuous success marked Wednesday’s performance of the famous comic opera The Pirates of Penzance.” The juvenile troupe at the Theatre Royal realise completely the. spirit of this merry and picturesque opera ; the principal characters looking and acting their parts'with a dramatic realism which exceeds the expectations even of exacting critics. The romantic pirate band—the unromautio policemen—the model major-general aud his many marriageable daughters—all act their pirts with clever completeness, on a juvenile scale., yet admirable even in comparison with full-blown professionals. This diminutive edition of “ the model of a model major-general ” could hardly be improved upon by one of larger growth ; and his (or her) famous patter3ong is rendered with a clear enunciation and a strictly professional drawl which are surprising in one so young. The heroic young pirate appreptice, wSofle trouble lies between his love and his. duty, is admirably impersonated by the star of the little company. The music, too, is more within the range of juve-

nile voices than was the foreign operatic music of the “ Grand Duchess the comical incidents of this plot are of a kind more readily relished ; and this opera of English manufacture, set to music that is flowing and tuneful, forms a bright and pleasing performance. The Theatre Royal, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather on 6th inßt., was crowded on the occasion of the second annual concert given by Mr G. Rivers Allpresa, by a fashionable audience, among whom were His Excellency the Governor and suite. The concert was opened by Mrs Holt (piano) and Mr Allpress (violin) with a selection from “ William Tell.” The initial performance served to show the audience wbat a musical treat was in store for them. We need scarcely say that Mr Allpress, in all he did, gave the utmost satisfaction. Some of his solos have never been surpassed in this city. Of course, as is usual at a concert so largely attended as this one was, the most telling effort wa3 not that in which classical music was the theme, but when he gave the grand fantasia cn Scotch airs, the simple melodies that spoke of other lands, nnd which are endeared to every heart by recollections of other days, the applause of the audience was deafening. Mrs Greenwood was in splendid voice, and gave “La Seranata ” in a style, and manner which few amateurs could equal. Miss Randell’s rendering of “It was a Dream,” could scarcely be considered successful, there being too much jerking of the voice. “My Queen,” by Mr Hill, met with approval, aud was encored. The string quartettes by Messrs Allpress, Trowell, King, and Schwartz to the lovers of classical music, were treats, the harmony and blending of the instruments being perfect, and such results as only highly trained musicians could hope to attain. Mr Mackintosh with his clarionet, showed what a master he is of that instrument. An entertainment of an enjoyable character was given by Mr Ree 3 Mogg last week, under the auspices of the Mount Cook School Committee, in the schoolroom, Councillor Brown occupying the chair. Mr Mogg gave a choice variety of readings, commencing with Byron’s wel'-known piece, “ Waterloo,” which met with the warm approval of his audience. The annual meeting of the Ashley Cricket Club was held on Wednesday last week at the school-room, Sydney-street, when the following officers were elected fof the ensuing year : —J. A. Pownall, Captain ;G. Easton, Vicecaptain : E. H. Eton, Secretary ; and W. Curtis, Treasurer ; delegates to the Association, C. A. Pownall,, E. H. Eton, and A. Blncklock. A remarkably good house greeted the reappearance at the Theatre Royal of the Juvenile Opera Bouffe Company, on Saturday night. The downstairs places were crowded; the new orchestal stalls being also filled, and the dress circle well tenanted. The “ Grand Duchess” is one of those fantastic operas that is apt to go off like flat champague, unless. there be merry vivacity in the acting, sparkling charm in the music, and superb spectacular dressing. To expect all these in a juvenile company would be too exacting. Remembering, also, how few professional actors are equal to the exigencies of comic musical operas, the average playgoer will be rather surprised.' at the comparative excellence attained by these little people. The musical execution would be more satisfactory if the voices were equal in quality and power to the difficult phrasing. The choruses are particularly shrill. The managers, Messrs Stanley and Darbyshire, have made the most of their materials, and the public seem satisfied to applaud generously. There is talent and stage capacity in the young lady who impersonates the Grand Duchess ; her clever acting and pleasing singing being the main causes of this opera going off so .well. The little miss who acts the part of “ Prince Paul,” is worth seeing as a pretty dandy princeling in miniature.

3 he first of a series of Protestant lectures, in connection with the Loyal Orange Lodge, was given on Monday in the Rechabite Hall, Manners-street, which was well filled by members and friende. Brethren of the Order wore the regalia, the platform being embellished with emblems and mottos arranged affectively by Bros. J. Sexton and J. Harris. Mr J. G. W. Aitken 1 occupied the chair, and delivered the opening address, adding also to the amusement with opportune puns and remarks. Brother the Rev. P. N. Hunter, of the Primitive Methodist Church, gave a forcible eketch of the reign of William of Orange, particularly describing bis campaigns in Ireland agamst James and his Catholic adherents. The ever memorable story of the siege of Derry stirred the feelings of the audience, and the lecturer was frequently applauded. The object of these lectures appears to be, not a revival of the old feuds of race and creed, but rather to demonstrate the grounds for that fervent Protestantism of which Otangemen are the militant champions. The lecture was diversified with two clever selections on the dulcimer by Mr Arraadio ; the “ Chorister ” was nicely sung by Miss Seager, the “Children’s Hme ’’ by Miss Crichton, and a bass song “ The Bellringer ’’ by Mr J. A. Todd. The benediction closed the proceedings. The Juvenile Opera Bouffe Company were, on tbe occasion of their second performance on Monday at the Theatre Royal, greeted by an audience which, in respect of numbers, was second only to that of Saturday last, the only vacant seats in the auditorium being in the dress circle, the other portions of the Theatre being more than comfortably filled by an audience which was most liberal in its applause. The children have had the advantage of bemg taught the stage portion of their business, as apart from their lyric studies,, by two gentlemen who are veterans in their profession, and they display the most ' perfect self-possession ; there is nothing approaching “ stickiness ” in any of their actions, from the tiniest vivandiere to tbe Grand Duchess herself, and though, perhaps, one may deplore the fact that the children have been trained to become infant prodogies who, as such, except in very rare instances, will never develop into mature actors or singers, it cannot be gainsaid that the members of the Juvenile Company have proved themselves apt pmpils thus far in their profession. The opera is c ipitally mounted and most accurately dressed and, as a mere spectacle, is well worthy of a visit from playgoers. We understand that the Secretary of the Wellington Chess Clnb has forwarded a challenge to the Christchurch Club to play a match by telegraph at an early date, either fen or twelve players a side.