EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3955, 22 January 1900, Page 5

EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS.

“A STRANGER IN NEW YORK.”

The performance at the Opera House on Saturday night—vice-regal command night—formed in many respects a fitting conclusion .to a memorable day. Through tho passionate enthusiasm, of the crowds in the streets on Saturday ran an undercurrent of sadness which demanded an antidote, and probably no actor on the colonial stage at present is more competent to dispel gloomy thoughts than Mr Harry Conor. From his Excellency the Governor, who was present with the Countess of Ranfurly, Lady Eileen Knox and suite, down to the smallest powder monkey from H.M.S. Tauranga taking it easy among his mates in the stalls, everybody in the crowded house followed tho adventures of the irresistibly funny American as “a stranger in New York” with a determination not to miss a single point. As the smartlooking bluejackets from the warship, now lying amid-stream filed into their seats the orchestra struck up “Rule Britannia,” and the people rose and cheered. Scarcely had the familiar strains died away than _ tho Governor’s party, accompanied by Captain Lcs.be Stuart, R.N., C.M.G., and officers of H.M.S. Tauranga, entered, and the house rose again en masse, while the band played the National Anthem. Tho performance was a notable one, the members of Messrs Hoyt and McKee’s clever company doing their utmost to merit the largesse of applause so freely showered upon them by the 'audience. Tho Sisters McCoy, by their spirited and eccentric, though never ungraceful, dancing was encored thrice. Mr Conor himself was made the recipient of a magnificent bouquet in the shape of an anchor. Mr Wallace Brownlow sang the now famous chant du peuplo, “The Absent-minded Beggar,” ns it should bo sung, and was rewarded with an unusually heavy discharge of coins. In an added verso ho referred to the departure of the second contingent, and asked the, audience to “pass the hat for New Zealand's sake and pay, pay, pay.” But it was in “The Road to Mandalay” that Mr Brownlow revealed the greatness of his art. The picture Kipling painted almost lived before the eyes of tho audience, so intense was tho dramatic force with which tho singer poured oufc his willing, haunting refrain. To-night (Cup night, and the last night of the season), “A Trip to Chinatown” will bo produced by special request.

Fuller’s Waxworks Exhibition and vaudeville entertainment was again well attended on Saturday evening, when a change of programme, which included Kudarz, tho magician, among the entertainers, was provided. The kinematograph exhibition at the Criterion Theatre was largely patronised on Saturday evening, the scones of the Transvaal War being received with great enthusiasm by the audience.