WANGANUI THEATRICAL NOTES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1626, 29 April 1903, Page 30

WANGANUI THEATRICAL NOTES

(From a Correspondent.)

Coming to those shores with a brilliant reputation it would have been indeed surprising if the Wanganui concert of the Westminster Abbey Glee and Concert Party had not been largely attended. At 8 p.m., on the evening of the 21st. the spacious Opera. Housei was filled with an expectant crowd of music lovers. The English speaking people, whether in the Old Land or at the Antipodes, are ever fond of part-singing, be it sacred or secular. The form exploited in the glee and madrigal is essentially of English origin, and in the carefully selected programme submitted at the Wanganui concert might be seen such familiar composers' names as William Beale. AV. Knyvett, Sir 11. R. Bishop, the Earl of Mornington, and others. It is the sincere desire of local lovers of music that a jreturn visit of this gifted r .-gani'-.rtion <?]&ay be possible; should it eventuate it safe to say that another- crowded house will greet them. On Thursday, 23rd April. Mr F. D’A C. Do Lisle presented two of his original plays at the Opera House to a somewhat ecaittered attendance. The first piece was a curtain-raiser entitled "A vision of the Night.” In the hands of a capable company this playlet would no doubt prove as effective as many similar efforts, but as it was many of the situations were xinconvineing, and the climax left one. with a hungry feeling, notwithstanding lilie vigorous accomxraniment of the orchestra. Tho second piece, “The sport of Kings,” contains many good ideas, and some of the remarks about honest sport made by Algernon Swimmerton (Mr F. C. De Lisle) were applauded. The Taylor-Carrington Dramatic Company will play a brief season shortly. When here some months since they were very successful.