EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4084, 23 June 1900, Page 5

EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE GRAND DUKE.” “The Grand Duke” held his levee at tho Opera House last evening, before a packed audience. Mr W. P. Bastin’s characterisation of the name part improves nightly, and it is an altogether clover ' bit of eccentric comedy. Mr W. D. Lyon and- Miss Mount were also well received last night, the latter’s solos being frequently recalled. Mr E. J. Hill sang well, and was honoured with encores, particularly so for tho introduced number “Julia, Darling Julia.” Dr Tannhauser (Mr G Parsons) and the Baroness Von Krakenfeldt (Miss Alice Maginnity) were well played parts, as was also the Lisa enacted by Miss Leila Spiiler, the possessor of a sweet soprano voice. The Prince of Monte Carlo (Mr Harcus Plimmer) and his beautiful daughter -(Miss Winnie Birch) were accorded: a good reception, and created a most favourable impression. During the evening Miss Mount received_ some beautiful floral tributes, one being from her did singing master in Melbourne, Mr W. Parkinson. His Excellency the Governor and a party from Government House were present, and expressed themselves delighted with the performance. “The Grand Duke” will bo repeated to-night.

The success which, has attended" the P. R. Dix Gaiety Company at the Exchange Hall should be gratifying to the management. Miss Ida Roslyn, Mr Frank Yorke, “Sampson,'' and all the other artists have firmly established themselves in the. favour of theatregoers here, and the excellent orchestra is highly appreciated. To-night mere will be an entire change of programme, and two additional end-men will ap-

pear, while every succeeding Saturday a new artist will be added to the combination. At last night’s performance several members of Parliament were among the aumence. Mr Walter Bentley, supported by the Douglas Ancelon Dramatic Company, will play a brief farewell season in Wellington, previous to his departure for West Australia and South Africa. The company will open at the Opera House on June 28th, with a dramatisation of .ciall Caine’s powerful novel “The Christian.” This piece was produced for the first , time in New Zealand in Auckland on Monday last, and was enthusiastically received, and up to date it has been greeted with crowded houses. Dealing, as it does, with a great religious and socialistic question, the drama should arouse the interest of the thinking public. - , Fuller’s ■ Waxworks-Vaudeville Company played to a. full (house at the Choral Hall last night. The entertainment, now goes with enthusiasm

from the first item to tho last,, with a kaleidoscopic variation of songs and jokes and N dances. Miss Wilson’s coon songs are both quaint and pleasing, while Messrs Will Watkins, Harry Dean and Harry Thomas evoke much merriment by their comicalities. Several now artists will shortly join the company. The employees of Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs held their first aniiual social in the Masonic Hall last, evening. About eighty couples were present, and dancing, which constituted the chief item of the programme, was- kept up with vigour until, a late hour, Mr A. Burnett supplying the music. Messrs Johnstone, Tabor, Finucane (secretary) and Slater acted as M's.C. Songs were contributed by Messrs H. Parsons, R. Boot, J. Gooder, W. Naismith and Tabor. The catering was carried out by Mr Mawson to'general satisfaction, and altogether the first social of this firm’s employees was a highly successful and pleasant one. A very successful concert was held in the R-echablto Hall last evening, when the Star, of Wellington Lodge No. 12, 1.0.G.T. celebrated its twenty-seventh anniversary. The following ladies and gentlemen, took part:—Misses Smith, Johnstone, Hill, Craig and Biggs (pianist), and-Messrs Fenton, Hunter, Lightfoot and O. A. Forrest. Mr J. Hutcheson, M.H.R., was in the chair.

Mr Bethune and a number of members of the Star Boating Club provided an excellent programme for the weekly concert of the Missions to Seamen last night; Mf J. Moore presided, and gave an address on “Have one with me.” Refreshments were provided for ' the sailors by their entertainers, who included Messrs Holdsworth, HunterBrown, Meredith, Menzics, AYiddop, Robertson, Pownall, Costley, Woods (Hinemoa) and Smith (Tutanekai). Messrs Trimnell and Swain were the accompanists. The performance was a great success. ..

,A concert was given at the Skating Rink last night, in aid of funds to send a school football team to_ Christchurch. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. G. W. Aitken) presided. There was a very

f largo attendance. Tho programme consisted of an overture by Miss Sewell, Masters Sewell (2) and Coyle; drill, the Te Aro Cadets; choruses, Rintoul street school; fan dance, Miss Zilla Tabuteau; dumb-bell drill and emb swinging, Clyde quay school; cornet solo, Master D. Coyle; Nigger minstrels, Petone school; Scotch reel, Miss Trask; hornpipe, Miss G. Foley; comic song, xMaster L. Ashbolt - clarionet solo, Master Sewell; recitation, Master Lambert; physical drill, Mount Cook Cadets; and a football tableau.

The first grand Catholic concert and social, in aid of the schools, which; will be held in the Skating Rink next Wednesday, promises to be a great success. The committee is sparing no pains 'to make it as great a success as the previous social.