WANGANUI THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1649, 7 October 1903, Page 52

WANGANUI THEATRICAL NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) On Wednesday, October 7th, the talented Black Family are to give one of thear delightful entertainments in the Opera House. The Family come to ’Wanganui with the highest musical recommendations, so that a large audience should be in evidence. ... . The Maggie Moore Company will be in Wanganui on the I2tli and 13th inst. Their brief two nights’ season will be followed by the Stin e-L vans American Comedy Company in their great successes “Mama’s New Hu-sband.” “Brown s m Town,” and "Where is Oobbf” Christ’s Church Hall was crowded on Tuesday evening, 29th September, when a concert in aid -oif the funds of the Christ Church Club was given. The programme wa3 much enjoyed by the numerous audience. Songs were rendered by Mrs Hoult (encored), Miss K. Mcßeth (encored), Miss Griffiths (encored). Miss Baker (encored), Messrs R. Stevenson (encored), J-enks, Tarrant, Rcwnall, and Anderson (encored); recitation Mr Pownal'l (encored); bassoon solo. Mr B. Willis ; violin duet, Misses Bringlzu (encored) ; exhibition of feneng, Messrs Whiteombe and J. R- Anderson. The accompaniments were played; by Miss Stewart and Messrs L. T. Brinkley and Newliarn. _ , . Wanganui being included in the itinerary of the popular Westminster Glee Singers this highly gifted organisation will give their only return concert on the 17t.h inst. The November show dates —always remunerative to theatrical managers—have been booked by the T'aylor-Carrington Company. “The two Mr Weatherbys,” lately pro. duced by the London Stage Society with such conspicuous success, will probably be played in Wanganui by the Hawtrey Comedy Company during their return season* at the end of this month. Robertson’s old-time favourite “Caste-’ was produced by the Wanganui Musical and Dramatic Society last Thursday evening in the presence of His Excellency the Governor and suite. Under suoli distinguished! patronage it. might have been reasonably supposed that a large audience would have attended. Such, we regret to say, was not the case, for only a moderate assemblage put in an appearance. This on a race night, too, is. rather hard to understand, -especially as the performance was rather above the average of local amateur effort. If the society is to continue! to exist is it certainly deserving of more practical support "than was accorded it last Thursday. Miss Alice Willis’s Esther Eccles was a consistent po-urtrayal and showed careful study, while Miss Pawson’s interpretation of the role of Polly Ece-les was a most meritorious effort, winning general approval. As the Marquise de St. Maur Mr A. E. Kitchen was becomingly dignified;, and displayed a good conception of the requirements of the characterisation.. Amongst the po-urtrayals by the made members of the caste Mr George Swan’s Eccles stands out clearly. Dur r in" the time that he occupied the stage Mr Swan had the audience invariably with him. His acting was most successful and his lines were delivered with telling effect. "English as she is spoke, bv Sam Gerridge, afforded Mr W Pawson an admirable opportunity to display his versatility and he was much at hc-nie in his part. ’ Mr W. Hall was aoproriately cast as Captain Hawtrey and made the most of his opportunities, and the same may be said of Mr Frank Hatherly as the Hon. Geo. B’Alrcy. During tlie intervals an orcliestra rendeiecl app lopriate selections. Occupants of the Opera. House; dress circle and stalls, are regaled with tlm following notice (which may be read, as -often as one pleases before the performance begins or during the sometimes lengthy Avaits between the act A “Patrons are requested not «.o rest tlieir feet on the chairs.” Four notices in large type have been posted up in tiie dress circle, and- altogether the- things savours of Avlita.t might be more reasonabb* -esxn-ected of habitues of a music hall in the Far West than of highly respectable Wanganui theatregoers.