AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 873, 23 November 1888, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

[lnformation from members of the theatrical profession respecting their professional doings in this and the neighboring colonies

is invited. Communications to be addressed to the Editor.of this column."] The Theatre. Miss von Finlcelstoin concluded her New Zealand tour last Dight week in Dunedin, where she drew the largest audience ever gathered in that city. She left on Friday for Tasmania. The Hicks-Sawyer Minstrels gave their last performance at the Theatre Royal last night week. The announcement of a programme largely consisting of Jubilee songs drew a large audience, who were well pleased with the performance, although one or two of the principal items promised wore not given. The entertainment, however, showed that the company could give a much bettor performance even than any they have yet shown us. Mr Sayle’s silent act and Mr Hosoa Easton’s banjo solos are both exceptionally good, and should never have been left till the last night or two. THEATRICAL NOTES. Miss Randell and Mr Prouse were in Christchurch last week, and sang at a Wesleyan concert at Sydenham. They appear to have-heen very successful, judging from the following remarks in The Presß ‘ The lady possesses a beautifully pure soprano voice, of great power and sweetness, added

to which she is a cultivated musician. .. . Of MrProuso, one cannot speak but in terms of the highest praise. He has the finest bari-tone-voice yet beard in Christchurch. It is full of melody in the lower notes, and he has great range and power. For his first solo he selected Roeekel’s grand song ‘The Storm Fiend.’ It waß given with a power and wealth of vocalisation that made it a great musical treat to those who heard it. . . It is to be hoped that an opportunity will be given to our metropolitan audience to hear these two really gifted vocalists, as certainly we have not had any so good here for many a long day.’ Our old friend, the Rev L. M. Isitt, was there, and sang a few. Miss vou Fiukelstoin has been iocturiug at the Garrison Hall in Dunedin, where she drew very large audiences. Dunedin is such a hot corner for freethinking lecturers, that it must be quite a novelty for the people there to hear a lady who believes in the religion of our fathers and mothers, and withal, advooatse it in an altogether new style. What I like about Miss von F. is the style in which she lets up on tho infidel. When she was in England, she says, she heard a lecturer say ‘ Ladies and Gentlemen, can you believe so and so ? Is it not ridiculous ?’ Then she geos on to tell you how at first she was indignant at hearing-him say that; but as she listened she grew sorry for the lecturer, because she perceived that he was labcuring under an entire mistake, and so on. Miss von Finklestein never, by any chance, varies the formula. That is her way of showing up the freethiuking lecturer, what time R, S. S. stands on tiptoe iu the dress circle in order to look over the rail and see how the people take it. The result of a week’s performance of * The Mikado ’ by amateurs in Christchurch lately, was a profit of nearly £2OO. From away up in the backwoods the following facetious complaint against ‘ ruin ’ was recently sent to * Aulus ’ (of the Australasian) ; NOTICE. In active preparation, shortly to be produced upon au extensive Beale, the wellknown play of ‘THE ROAD TO RUIN,’ on the boards of the ‘ Great Western Divi. sion Theatre.’ The leading part will be taken by ‘Mr DROUGHT,’ A name that requires no puffing. The greatest pains will be taken to render perfect in every way tho Charming Chorus of ‘RUINED SQUATTERS,’ Whilst •Mr NEVER RAIN’ Will sing the sparkliag and side-splitting song, Entitled, ‘DRIED-UP TANKS,’ Which created so much sensation a few yoars back. The ‘Wail Chorus’ or ‘Winding Them up,’ will be given with the greatest effectiveness, all the best talent in the district having been engaged. The whole to conclude with the screaming farce 4 What shall we do with our wives and children,’ in which ‘Mr INTEREST MORTGAGE' And ‘MISS BANKRUPTCY COURT’ Will sustain the leading parts. Commence at 8 pm sharp,with the ‘Rabbit Overture,’ und<.r the able baton of Herr Carbon.’ Full particulars at a very early date. Popular Prices. Free List Suspended DAVID CLEAROUT. Business Manager. N. B.—The management have arranged for a liberal supply of that refreshing beverage ‘ Liquid Mud,’ for the use of the ladies between the act 3. The Crawford. Hunter family, Scotch vocalists and variety show people, arrived at the Bluff last week, and are about to work northwards. Miss Amy Sherwin is in Queensland with an opera company. Mr Dampior, who is now in Melbourne, has produced 4 A Royal Pardon ’ and will put up other big dramas there. One night a week he will devote to Shakespearian drama. That i 3 wliat it ha 3 come to : tho rapid things that are called sensational dramas now-a-days, hold tne boards and and draw thousands of people for five nights a week ; and all the wit of Petruohio, Touchstone, Dogberry, Falstaff, Beatrice and Benedick and the rest —all the magnificent tragedy in Hamlet, Othello, and Macbeth—have so little interest for the people that one night a week is sufficient for it. It was Macaulay, I think, who said that the wit of all Sheridan’s characters could be taken away from Falstaff and not be missed ; but for U 3 now*a-days, the boorish, cheap humour of a low comedy clown who need not be able to act, and the wit of men who write plays to order to fit scenery, is good enough. And the world is getting better they say 1 An English paper has been 4 had ’ about tho popularity of the Gaiety Company in Australia. It says that in consequence of differences of opinion as to the respective merits of Misses Lett}- Lind and Sylvia Grey, 4 fights are frequent,’ and adds the following ‘ tall one ’ :—J Two millionaires are in love with the Bame lady, and the eagerness of each to keep the other out of the boxes suits the management exactly. One of them the other night played a big trump card in an SOO guinea bracelet, and the other is hesitating whether to see him or to go one better. Mr Robert Kudarz, a colobrated English magician from the Egyptian Hall, London,

has been performing in Nelson and Blenheim and will doubtless show here shortly. The Hicks-Sawyer Minstrels opened in -Napier on Monday. night for a four-nights’ season. There is just a probability that they will play in Wellington on there way south again. _ /. ■ 1 . ' _. Miss Georgia Smithson is giving Saturday night popular concerts in Auckland. The All-Star Company are in Auckland doing well. »' , Miss Mary Hume did not have a very successful season in Blenheim last week, and her last performance was very poorly attended. Autolycus.