HUDSON'S SURPRISE PARTY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3331, 13 January 1898, Page 2

HUDSON'S SURPRISE PARTY.

A three weeks* season, marked by steady and satisfactory patronage from the public, was closed by Hudson’s Surprise Party at the Exchange Hall last night. Mr and Mrs Hudson had been so long absent from Wellington that many residents knew their ‘‘party” by name only. The company, however, soon had its merits recognised, and up to the end of its stay did good business. While the entertainment presented was of the variety class, and good in every department, it is interesting to record that the serious vocal and instrumental items of the various programmes seemed to be the most eagerly received contributions. Miss May ITabgood, the talented pianiate; Miss Lillian titanbridge, the accomplished soprano; Miaa Violet Elliott, whose contralto voice is of especially good quality; and Mr Wallace King, “ Christy ” tenor and excellent singer of ballads ; all stood high in favour with the audience*. Mr Hudson was chief funmaker, and the wide extent of his fund of humour was well .illnstrated in his “ talks,’* his songs, and in the farces. The leaditg “ bones,” Mr J. Kearns, scored in his songs with terpsichorean and acrobatic “ fixings.” Few brighter serio-comic singers have been seen hero than Miss Ida Rosslyn. The song and dance artiste, Miss Amy Thornton, was distinctly clever. Leading attractions each evening were the juggling and balancing feats of M. Aitro, and the musical sketches, at once ski’ful and funny, by Messrs W. Watkins and Shirwin. The ” social gathering,” with which each entertainment opened, had a ready and charming hostess in Mis* Lily Linton, The company leaves for Napier, where another successful season should bo recorJed.