AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 915, 13 September 1889, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

Tlie Theatre. “JO.” it is generally believed that the fair sex are the greatest readers of the works of Dickens. . Some go so far as to say that to every male reader there are three female readers. It is frequently seep that when any adaptation of Dickens’ is placed upon the stage the audience will number more women than men. This was the case at the Theatre Royal on Friday night. The pathetic story of “Jo” is one which touches to the quick the tender chords of a women's heart. There is pity for the poor waif, homeless and friendless, always being “ moved on.” There is a sympathy with the large-hearted yet meek and mild Snagsby, and there is a revulsion at the irony of Mdlle Hortense. On Friday Baby Ogden was frequently applauded for her rendering of the part of “ Jo.’’ Miss Helen Fergus (Mrs D’Orsay Ogden), although barely recovered from a severe attack of 2 llnoss, played the part of Lady Dedlock with all the force of an intense and accom-

plished actress. Her dual part of Horfconsa was invested with au outbu» st of rare dramatic power. Mr Laurie Dunbar made a methodical Tulkinghorn, a stately, reserved lawyer. Mr Harry Saville, as the Rev Mr Chadband,.-,was unctious, criDging, and subservient —a thoroughly true toiler and moiler. He played the part in a very conscientious manner. Mr D’Orsay Ogden took the dual parts of Inspector Bucket and the Coroner.

Ogden’s Dramatic Company produced the funny comedy of "The Excursionists” on Satuiday night. The matinee in the afternoon was well attended.

“THE COLLEEN BAWN.” Boucicault’s famous drama of the “ Colleen Bawn ” was presented at the Opera House on Saturday night by Foley's dramatic company, aud its production may be said to be a very successful one. The play was well mounted, the cave scene being particularly good. The cast was a strong one, Mr j. W. Foley making an excellent Miles-na-Coppaleen. Mr Harry Bower was a good Kyrle Daly, while Mr E. Alexander was one of the best Danny Mann’s seen for a long time. The beat-acted character in the piece was that of Corrigan, undertaken by Harry Hall. A better Corrigan it would be difficult to find on a colonial stage. His make-up, voice, and by-play showed real dramatic talent. Miss Rosa Beaufort made a very successful Ann Chute. The Eily O'Connor of Miss Robinson was a good representation. Mrs J. W. Foley, who was rather overweighted by the part of Mrs Creegan, played in a very conscientious manner. The minor characters were all fairly well represented. An excellent orchestra assisted the drama materially.

The piece was repeated on Monday night. The play ran smoothly. and the various performers were awarded continued applause. Miss Lily Harding, although playing the comparatively small part of Sheelah, played that part very well. Miss Robinson improved her character of Eily O’Connor, and presented a very attractive “Colleen.” The Father Tom of Mr J. D. Rollins was a careful bit of character acting, and his racy advice with regard to punch-making was well received. Altogether last night’s performance, on the whole, was an improvement on the previous representation.

Hugo’s Minstrels. —The Hugo Minstrels concluded a most successful season last night week in the Opera House to a very large audience. The programme was a long and varied one, and, judging from the fiequent applause aud the number of encores, was a very popular one, the Spanish Students coming in for a large share of admiration, and receiving no fewer than four recalls. During the evening Mr C. Hugo was presented by the members of the company with a handsome gold medal on the occasion of his birthday. -Mr Alf. Santley, the business manager, made the presentation, and referred to the good feeling which existed between the various members of the troupe. The medal bore the following inscription : “ Presented to Mr Charles Hugo by the members ot the Buffalo Minstrel. Company on the occasion of his birthday, September sth, 1889.” The company left for Napier by tbe first boat. Simonsen’s Opera Company. Mr Simonsen concluded a very successful four weeks' season in Auckland last week, and after playing at New Plymouth, Nelson, acid Blenheim, will commence a season of eight nights iu Wellington at the Theatre Royal, on Friday, September 20tb, when Verdi’s grand opera “II Trovatore” will be given for one night only, with “ The Grand Duchess,” “Faust,” " Martha,” " Carmen,” and “Pinafore” to follow. Mr Bosco Wilson, the popular agent, arrived in Wellington on Sunday to make the necessary arrangements. Frank Lincoln. —Frank Lincoln has recovered from his recent attack of bronchitis. He appeared before a large audience at Woodville on Mouday night. Ho is announced to appear for the last time in this city, in the Exchange Hall, to-morrow night.

THEATRICAL NOTES. They do say thkt there is a probability of something gigantic in the way of a pantomine happening here at Christmas time. The details as to names of managers are a great secret, but when the pantomine is here 4 you go.’ If you could read between tbe lines of the list of passengers by the coming mail steamer (says a Melbeurne writer) you would see that we are to have a visit from Lord Duulo, the tali, slim, pale-faced sprig of the Irish aristocracy who has just concluded sowing what should prove a fruitful crop of wild oats by marrying Belle Bilton. Miss Bilton is, or was, one of the well-known sisters Bilton, whose risque duets have for the past year or two proved an attractive feature in the programme of the smarter London music halls. Her charms, which are distinctly substantial, include a much-photographed face, with a profusion of blonde hair, a full pouting bust, usually what shopmen call ‘well-displayed.’ Lord Dunlo is not yet of age. and has only been out of leading strings these last few months. During that time he has, however, 'managed to achieve Corinthian honours—not equal, certainly, to those of Lord Ailesbury, Mr Ernest Benson and Mr ‘Swillingtou Shifter ’ —but of a high order. He was summoned one day shortly before he left by a cabman, who declared that he took hia lordship home early one morning, after waiting some hours for him outside the Gardenia Club. The young man had mislaid his latchkey, and could only effect an entrance by clambering on to the top of the cab and climbing thence into an upper window. Having achieved this feat, with cabby’s assistance, he ungratefully declined to pay his fare. Lord Dunlo allowed the case to go by default. It was stated in court that his lordship habitually declined to pay for cabs, but this was subsequently angrily denied. Mr Harry Rickards was in Sydney recently, but only did fair business. The Lynch Family of Bellringers are in South Australia, und will ge to Melbourne at Christmas. From a private letter received in town I

learn that Mr George Darrell is thinking of another New Zealand tour, but that he doesn’t think he will be able to do it this year. Miss Katie Putnam, the American actress, has not been a great success in Australia. She was recently in Brisbane with * The Old Curiosity Shop ’ and othei novelties. Miss Minnie Palmer will make another colonial tour early next year, Mr Rignold has recently produced ‘Julius Caesar’ in Sydney. Mr Rignold himself placed Mark Antony ; Mr Charles Hall, Caesar; Mr J. F. Cathcart, Brutus; and Miss Kate Bishop, Cleopatra. Dr Lynn, the conjuror, who was here three or four years ago, has gone to the Cape. Buffalo Bill’s show, and Mr Lionel Brough’s company are also in South Africa by this time. Mr Bland Holt produced ‘ The Ruling Passion’ at Dunedin last week. Business continues enormous.

Mr H. R. Jewett has been making a name for himself in Shakespearian parts in Sydney, where he is playing with Mr George Rignold. ‘ Jolly Nash,’ the latest importation from the Old Country, is a great success in Melbourne. Miss Jennie Lee, who is also in Melbourne, has had to take a rest, suffering from severe ulceration of the throat. Mr Stockwell, the tenor singer who was here with Miss Amy Sherwin, has returned to Sydney from Japan (where he was also in the train of the ‘Tasmanian Nightingale’). It will be remembered that some little time ago Mr James MacMahon wa3 alleged -to have been assaulted by one of the Silbons. The sequel, according to an Australian paper, is this :—Mr James McMahon claims £3OOO damages from Mr Silbon for his assault upon him ; and Mr Silbon is ‘going for' a Melbourne newspaper for a like amount for its remarks upon the ease. Mr George Miln, the American Shakes pearian actor, has been lecturing on ‘ Church and Stage’ in Launceston. The Cogill brothers ran opposition to him. Captain William Jackson Barry is also in Tasmania, * collecting material for a new work.’ He was to lectere in aid of the Benevolent Society at Launceston. Miss Von Finkelstein was lecturing in Sydney at Y.M.C.A. Hall at the end of last month.

“ At a charitable concert in Sydney a week oy'.kwo ago Miss Carrie Swain was one of the Singers - on her way, apparently to opera. Autolycus.