EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4262, 23 January 1901, Page 5

EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. NANCE O’NEIL, TO-NIGHT. Theatrically speaking the most interesting personage in Wellington this morning is Miss Nance O’Neil. This F because .she visits this city for the first time, with a very high reputation for so young a lady. As ■ everywhere she has appeared, she makes her debut in ".Magda,” which this evening will lie seen for the first time here. “Magda - ' i.s tlm work of Herr Sudermann, a German poet, novelist and playwright, r.T.u,- after writing many tales, tragedies and poems, first became .specially notable by the drama “Ehre,” a. highly realistic production. “Magda” i.s not so Hindi a play of plot as of dialogue and character, and in the main part Miss O’Neil is said to give a most forcible, powerful and remarkable impersonation. I: is an interesting prool of. Miss O'Neil’s genius and her power to enthral an audience that although the character which introduces her is entirely antagonistic to tho sympathies of her audiences she yet with it has scored some of her greatest triumphs. The support which is given, her here is identical with that which assisted in Jier performances in Sydney and Melbourne, and includes a number of artists who came with her from America. Others are already well - known here as having been members of Ah - J. C. Williamson's companies. The. support, it is acknowledged from all accounts, is excellent, and assists materially in tho performances. Amongst the artists we find Mr McKee Rankin, appearing- as Colonel Schwartze, Mr Thomas Kington as Pastor Heffterdingt, Mr Henry Plhnmor as Dr Von Keller, Mr Geo. Bocks as Professor Beckman, Mrs Henry Bracy as Augusta, Miss Ricca Alien as Franziska, rnd Miss Josephine Thymic as Marie. The scenery and the general appointments will be on the usual scale adopted by Air Williamson. Mr McKec Rankin is director of all the productions. “Magda” will only bo staged to-night and to-morrow, evening. On Friday, “Elisabeth, Queen of England” will he played. We have been requested to state that the present ten nights’ season will he the only visit Aliss O’Neil will pay here, as she departs from Dunedin for Brisbane on March 7Mi. Rumours regarding a return visit at the end of March are entirely without foundation.

WIDTHS’ CIRCUS. The spacious marquee of Wirth Bros.’ Circus was again crowded last evening. The trained horses are an exceptionally clever lot, the performance of the Transvaal stallion “ Moncrieff ’ ’ being particularly good. Little Alec Wirth gave a finished exhibition of trick riding over hurdles, and Messrs John Welby, Cook and Carl Wirth preformed a number of startling horseback feats in ineir sketch, “ Mashers on Horseback.” The “ dummy ” arid clowns of the show are a clever trio, the equine act of the former evoking much merri, merit. Quite the best “turn” in last night’s programme was the hand-balan-cing of Mr Fred El. Zobeide. The triplehorizontaFhar work of Alessrs Moulton, Vantellc, Guillnne and the clowns was likewise highly meritorious. In his

“ champion jockey act ” Air Cook gave a clever exposition of barebacked riding feats, his spring from the ground with his feet encased in huge wicker baskets evoking hearty acclamations. Aliss Edith Wirth’s “ five-horse picture act” was a tasteful performance, and Aliss Adole 'balanced on a rolling hall, and propelled: it up an inclined plank, to the great delight of the audience. The bucking elephant caused great amusement by the consummate ease with which he disposed of the half-dozen individuals who essayed to bestride him. Other features of the show, which evoked commendation last night were the boxing ponies and the performing hears and baboon, the somersaults on horseback of the latter being cleverly executed. The circus as a whole is excellent.

Tho Charles Arnold Company’s season concluded last evening with the third performance of “On and Off.” Immediately after the performance the company left in the Takapuna for Blenheim and Nelson.

The Dix Gaiety Company again performed to a large audience at the Theatre Royal last night. Miss Mollie Bentley once more had a good hearing for her ballad singing, and Mr Arthur Halm and the Leslie Brothers were especially well received. The company as at present constituted is very strong. At the Choral Hall last night there was a good house in spite of the many counter attractions. The acrobatic feats of Lennon, Hymau, Lennon were highly successful, and the whole of the lengthy programme Was received with favour.

At the Federal Theatre last evening the Seymour Kinen.atograph Company gave a good performance before a large house. New films representing the Albion disaster, the “Umbrella Brigade at the Paris Exhibition,” “Tom Green the animated clown,” arid burglars at work on the roofs of Paris were shown. jl he concert company was well received, Herr Panins, getting great applause for Ins two illusions.

r . -Pomton will lecture this evening before the Wellington Association of Spiritualists on “Tho Spectroscope and Its Uses.” 1