EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4260, 21 January 1901, Page 5

EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

AI! X OLD COMEDY COMPANY. ■ON AND OFF.” "On and OIL” a comedy of Hie ian-i----c,i 1 order, was produced by the Arnold Ccnied.y Company at the Opera Hou-c on Sat urday night for the first time in New Zealand ill the presence of a large and appreciative audience. The title of •“On and Off, ’ an adaptation of Bisson’s “Le Coutroleur d.es Wagous-Lits,” is as wide a departure from the original ns one would imagine the plot to he. The English version is dependent for its attractive qualifies—and they arc not a. fcw--on the sparkling incidents will; which each of the tii’iic acts i, besprinkled witli no little ingenuity by the adapter. Diverting episodes, such for ,example as that of the handsome young woman .supposed to be suffering from an obscure nervous affection which causes her to wink seductively at certain eligible old gentlemen, and who is in reality an enterprising wine merchant's decoy, are cleverly introduced to help along the action of the comedy. However much modern French writers of 1 comedy depend on sparkling dialogue for their main effects there is always a thread of plot running inrough Their flimsiest productions. In this adaptation of Bisson’s airy farce the thread seems to have occasionally been lost altogether, so loosely are the incidents strung together. Each act depends practically on its own merits and each vies with r

others in the surprises it springs on the audience. Everything depends on the brightness of the dialogue. The men figuring in the comedy are mostly taken from the smartest set in Parisian business circles, and the women are of the most piquanto type. Some of the '.situations in the play demand tho lightest touch. Hence the pace at which tho piece was taken on Saturday night was insufficiently rapid and wanting in verve. The clever speeches occasionally missed tho heat and disordered tiio action. Mr IS. VV. Thomas, in the important, role of George Godfray, appeared mod fully to recognise Hie necessity for rapid action and struck the right note early in tho first act. In vain, however. The pace, became more and more decorous as the piece proceeded and occasionally lagged wofully. .Mr Arnold, as Alfred Godfray, presumably tho guard cf the sleeping cars in tho original, a, man of many and strange cxpc'ricijccs, toned down to tho vanishing point to suit English tastes, quite failed to invest tho character witli the necessary airiness. Miss Agnes. Knight played the difficult role of Made-' hiino Godfray with tact, and Miss Bensusan in tho slight part of Lisette ably seconded the .scheming wine merchant in bis impudent frauds on susceptible old gentlemen. Miss Sally Booth’s Madame Bruinairc, on intimate terms with members of tho astral bodies, was a delightful piece of comedy. All the minor parts were in capable hands. The comedy will bo repented to-night.

THE DIX GAIETY COMPANY. The .company that has for the last month or more comprised fhe Dix Gaiety Company in "Wellington gave its farewell performance in the Theatre Royal on .Saturday evening before a large and appreciative audience. Acting up to his successful policy of placing now artists before the public, ME Dix will to-night introduce to ins patrons an entirely fresh company. There will be no fewer than eight artists making their first appearance here. ‘'The Mintons” are American performers imported to the colonies by Mr Harry Rickards. They are banjoists and trick dancers, and made a big hit in and Melbourne. “The Wingate Sisters” arc daring trapeze! ;art>ists, who have an excellent reputation. At on© time they were playing in four London halls nightly. Miss Mollie Bentley conies with a first-class reputation as a motto and descriptive vocalist. She has a repertoire of new songs, including the latest craze “John Bull, Junior.” Mr Connie Moreni, a horizontal har performer, is well-known in the Australian centres. Mr Tom Dawson comes with the highest credentials as an eccentric comedian. Another new performer will be Miss Maggie Steen, an export jig and clog dancer. Among the old favourites will bn the ever-popu'ar “Leslie Brothers,” who will introduce a new musical specialty. Mr Arthur Hahn, the popular basso, needs no recommendation. Mlibel Maic and Rose Andrews come back with a budget of new songs. Mr John Tudor is another popular (artist. The progarinr.it' is about the most’‘novel that Mr Dix has yet placed before his patrons.

A UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT. The Deaf and Dumb and Blind Entertainers, a company hailing from Victoria, some members of which visited this city two years ago, gave a performance at the Opera House last night in the presence of a moderately largo audience. An interesting part cf a unique' entertainment wero the demonstrations of the three systems used by those deficient in tho power of speech for communicating their. thoughts to others.' Miss Weedward exemplified the manual system,_A.tr AV. Taylor tho sign system, and Air A. Alorgaii the oral system. They repeated tho Lord’s Prayer, “The Charge of the Light Brigade,”, and the National Anthem. Mr Morgan' also recited Longfellow’s “Psalm of Life.” The lightning sketches done on a blackboard by Air Taylor were clever, and the drawings of celebrities of the day were immediately recognised by tho auomnem Aliss Drummond sang “Life’s Lullaby/’ Air-A. Solomon ‘‘Tho Nightless Land , and Mr iJ. Irwin “If With All Your Hearts.” The vocalists joined in the. trios, “Oh, Father, Hear Us” and “O, Lovely Peace.” Mr Solomon plavod' a pianoforte solo, .and Air Irwin ga've an excellent interpretation of .“The Lost Chord” on the tenor hern. FULLER’S BIJOU COAIPANY. At tho Choral Hall on Saturday night the audience was an overflowing one. Air Will Stevens made, his reappearance, and was received with acclamations, while tho facile trio of acrobats —Lennon. Ifyman and Lennon—contributed soycral quaint songs and queer dances with, groat success. Tho Misses Alae Alarlow pud Rose Belmont also had good receptions. and the farewell performances of “Tho Mahers” and Air Ted Hcrberte were demonstratively effective. SEYAIOURS KTNEAIATOGRAPH COAIPANY. There was a large attendance of the public at the Federal Theatre on Saturday evening .to witness the initial performance of the Seymour Kinematqgraph and Concert Company. An eminently successful entertainment was gone through, tho moving pictures being interspersed with vocal items and feats of legerdemain. The films depicting operations against the Chinese were realistic, especially so being the blowing up of Tientsin Gate. The lithe-limned Lottie Collins was presented in tho act of dancing, and the Prince of Wales’s horso Diamond Jubilee again won his Derby amid tumultuous plaudits. The apparent, suspension in mid-air of a Indy was tho principal feat of “Paulu, tho Alagician.” Aliss Le Boy danced' well and sang a “coon” song with good effect. Aliss Lcstrang contributed a serpentine dance, and Air Phillies won an imperative encore by a yodelling speciality. The performance will be repeated this i evening.

THE NANCE O’NEIL SEASON

The opening of Miss O’Neil’s season hero on Wednesday evening will have added interest ana importance from the fact that Suderman’s famous drama •‘.Magda’’ will then bo produced for the first time here. “.Magda.” known throughout Germany as '•Heiiuat,” has been as much canvassed and discussed in Europe as ‘‘A Dolls House.' and similarly has been played in every language. Of Nance O’Neil’s interpretation the "Age” says—" Lot it at once be said that Miss Nance O’Neil s first appearance was a veritable triumph. The reputation that has preceded her, far fiom being exaggerated, has by no means done justice to her remarkable histrionic powers. Gifted with a presence and a voice, a face and figure, sufficient in themselves to enable their-pos-sessor, given only moderate intelligence, to take°high rank on the stage, she lias in addition that faculty for realising a character which, in the. actor, is genius. Free from the faintest suspicion of staginess, she is the kind of actress that is born, not made. It may bo suggested Bthat the part of Magda suits her, but it must he remembered that it is ono ■ which has taxed all tho resources of Saiah Bernhardt and Eleanore Duse, and overtaxed tnose of Airs Patrick Campbell .’n London, and Airs Aiinnie Aladdern Fiske in America. It calls for the display of a veiw wide range of emotions, tenderness and contempt, revolt and playfulness, the despairing and the moiling mood, imperious scorn of the world at her feet and passionate devotion. Tho unstudied case with which Aliss O’Neil passes from one mood to another, portraying each with admirable force, yet without an unnatural gesture or a strained intonation, held tier audience spellbound. But yet a greater tribute to her art was tho instantaneous hushing of the applause that was about to •break out after the finest passages. The vast majority of the audience had forgotten the actress in the character. It pas Magda they were interested in, and Miss O’Neil could wait for her plaudits until the end of the scene.” The Auckland season, which closed on Saturday night, was a highly successful one. Miss O’Neill and company sailed for Wellington by tho Moura immediately after the performance, and are due bore to-morrow.

WIRTHS’ CIRCUS. Wirt-hs’ well-known circus and menagerie arrived in Wellington by the Rotomahana yesterday, and will open a six nights’ season on the reclaimed ground, Mercer street, this evening. Since the last visit of this combination tiie menagerie has been replenished in many parts of the world, and the company itself now includes many members who are now to the Wellington public. The lady members are; —Miss Libra, on tho slack wire; the Misses Wirth, equestriennes ; and Miss Adele. The principal male equestrians arc Mr John Weblcy Cooke, Mr Carl Wirth and Master Alec Wirth. Mr Fred El Zobedie is a. clever acrobat, and Mens Souck-i figures as the trainer of the wild animals. While the company was performing at Christchurch a Christchurch lady. Miss Marie'Carmen, ‘wished to cuter the tiger’s cage, and Mr Philip 'Wirth announced that she would enter with M. Soneki and himself, and asked that perfect quietness Should be observed while the lady.was in the cage. While in the cage Mr Wirth presented Miss Carmen with a gold medal, suitably inscribed, as a souvenir of that evening and a token of bis appreciation of her pluck. On account of the shortness of the .season a matinee perfofinanco will be given every afternoon, commencing to-morrow.

The complimentary benefit, tendered to Mr and Mrs Martyn Hagan at the Opera House oh Saturday afternoon was not so well attended as the artistic merits of the programme warranted. Nevertheless, a fairly substantial sum will be available for the purpose intended The programme was carried out by members of the Charles Arnold, Dix and Fuller Companies, now performing in Wellington. Mr John Coleman, formerly a leading comedian with Williamson and Musgrove, also took part. Mr Hagan was too ill to appear, a circumstance that caused considerable regret. The Hou J. G. Ward. Acting-Premier, and the Hon C. H. Mills, Slinister for Customs, gave the entertainment their patronage. Amongst the prominent items of the extensive programme was a come, dietta, “In Clover,” by Miss Agues Knights and Mr E. W. Thomas, of the Charles Arnold Company, ana the sing, ing of “Wo Take Off Onr Hats to the Queen/’ by Mr Charles Arnold, both of which were thoroughly appreciated. Mr George Willoughby’s descriptive song. “ Only a Penny,” was a very fine vocal sketch. At the conclusion of the programme, Mrs Hagan thanked the performers for their generous assistance and the audience for its attendance, expressing the hope that she would at some future time meeit both ' under more prosperous conditions. The interest taken in Miss Alice Hollander, the young Australian contralto, has been steadily infareasing, and she has had a most enthusiastic reception wherever she has appeared. The Dunedin‘season closed on Saturday, the house having been packed each evening. Sue will make a reappearance in Christchurch fop a short return season this week, after which she wall come on to Wellington. Her concerts will he given here under vice-regal and leading patronage next- week. Experts have pronounced- her voice superior to that of the famous Clara Butt, and to this are added a charming personality and high artistic skill. Aft-r completing her New Zealand tour die will visit- each Of the Australian colonies in turn, and then tour the United States en route to London. Mr Charles Wright arrived h>st evening from Christchurch to compieto arrangements for her 'Wellington season.