EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4291, 26 February 1901, Page 6

EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS

“PEPPER’S GHOST.” 'Die weird and mysterious are ever attractive, and Northcote’s “Pepper’s Ghost’’ and Spectral Opera Company last night drew a large audience t> the Opera House, where it opened a short, season. In accordance with a notice, admission to the house was confined for spectacular purposes to the lower parts or the building, but the pit and stalls filled so rapidly that the overflow was

allowed to drift into the dress circle, where a number of members of the Indian Contingent eventually found seats. The performance'opened with a dramatised version of Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” supported by the full strength of the company. Mr Frank Smith (specially engaged in London) enacted the part of .Scrooge, and Mr E. Humphries that of Bob Cratchit. Mr M. < >., Meadows appeared as Frank Froehearl, ami the rest of the male characters were taken by Messrs T. Newell, L\ Clarke and J. Harvey. The spirits of Christmas) Past and Christmas to Come were represented by the Misses Lillie Octavio, and Nithsdall, and other characters by the Misses F. Wilton, Nita Bores ford and Little Eileen Foley. The apparatus used in the production of the gluostly effects proved rather small to he altogether convincing. The production, however, was greeted with laughter and applause, being quite a novelty in Wellington. In a musical interlude Messrs Humphries, Harvey and the Misses Beresford and Octavia appeared with success. Lcno, the juggler, by his clever feats, contributed in no small measure to the enjoyment of the audience. The programme concluded with a laughable farce entitled “The Haunted House. The music, under the direction of Miss Olive Fitzsimmons, was a pleasurable element in the evening’s entertainment. The performance will bo repeated tonight.

The audience at the performance of the Dix Gaiety Company in the Theatre Royal last night included a large sprinkling of Indian warriors, who applauded frequently. The whole of the performers had good receptions. To-uight two old favourites will join the company, in the persons of Little Eileen Boyd and Miss Marie IJcynton. Miss Gladys Beutb, a serm, also appears to-night, for the first time in Wellington. The Fuller Bijou Company appeared befoiG a large audience at the Choral Hall last evening. Mr Fred Bluett was recalled twice. Miss Katie Lynn was similarly honoured for her song “Alone on the Raft.” Mr Joe Watts danced with deftness, the Lester Brothers were warmly**applauded for their trapeze act, and the whimsical remarks of the burntcork minstrels were received witli general approval. A large numbet of persons are being ■attracted to Meech’s auction rooms, where the remarkable children from Foxton are on exhibition. To-night they will he t.n view for the last time.