ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4605, 8 March 1902, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. “THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.” Mr Wilson Barrett appeared at the Opera House last nigllt in his own play, “The Sign of the Cross.” The story of tho Roman prefect's love for the Christian maiden Mercia has been made familiar to the people of Wellington. It is a story which in its essential part appeals to most persons, and yesterday evening it was the means of attracting 3' very large audience. There was, of course, a general desire to see the actor-author in his impersonation of Marcus Superbus. Mr Barrett pourtrayed tho noble Roman in a manner which carried conviction not only to the heart, but also to the mind. The scene in which the revellers leave tne banquetting hall, and surround Marcus, and by song, dance and banter seek to induce him to return with them and leave Mercia is one of the most striking in the play. Mr Barrett’s method during this incident was in keeping of what might have been expected to bo the demeanour of a man of the prefect’s calibre in such circumstances. No distraction was allowed to relax the gaze rivetted on the white-robed maiden, until the point at which tho wine-ex-cited throng were driven from the anteroom. The passionate supplication of Marcus for Mercia’s love, for the love of one young being for another, was made with a strength which, tempered as it was with an artistic perception of the borderline that had not to be crossed. held the breathless attention of tho audience. The way in which the appeal to Nerd was delivered caused it to stand out with prominence. Mr Barrett conveyed ahly and skilfully the nobility of the man who spoke what was in his mind, even to his Emperor. By momentary but significant little touches, introduced with telling effect, the actor showed tho gradual change that was being wrought in the prefect’s attitude towards the Christian faith, so that when the climax was reached, and Marcus and Mercia walked hand in hand from the dungeon into the amphitheatre, to face death in a most terrible form, the probability of the thing was scarce to be doubted. Mr Barrett’s fine voice was heard to advantage, and the intensity of his impersonation was another feature which impressed the audience. As Mercia, a part whose very passivity makes it difficult. Miss liillah McCarthy was all that could bo desired. Mr J. B. Athol wood brought out with vividness the infirmity and decision which warred one against the other in the person of Nero. Miss Gertrude Boswell, tho original impersonator of Stephanus, played the part very convincingly. Mr Ambrose Manning was an amusing Glabrio. Miss Nellie Bonser appeared as tho implacable Poppaea, Miss Daisy Belmore as tho gossiping Dacia, and Miss Alice Crawford as tbo sensuous Ancaria. In tbo character of Berenis, Miss Edyth Latimer was perhaps overtragic. Mr George Barrett was Philodemus, Mr J. Carter-Edwards was Tigellinus, and Mr George Majeroni was the rough soldier Licinius. The play was mounted in splendid style, and the scenery was admirable. Several of the groupings were exceedingly fine. There will be a matinee of “The Sign of the Cross” this afternoon, and the play will be repeated in the evening also. THEATRE ROYAL. Since the Craggs have arrived in Wellington the Theatre Royal has been crowded nightly, and'last night’s audience was no exception to the rule. Amongst those present were Sir Joseph and Lady Ward." The company was further strengthened last evening by the first appearance in this city of Miss Florrie Ranger (serio) and Miss Stella Ranger (balladist). These two performers, who have come from .Mr Harry Rickards’s Company, are clever and entertaining, and each of them had to respond to a well-deserved encore. LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT. Musical Wellington was taking a rest last night, consequently there was not a very large audience at the Liedertafel concert at the Sydney street Schoolroom. Those who were present enjoyed the tasteful and varied programme presented. The'concerted singing of the Liedertafel was on the whole very good. The part song “Lovely Spring” (Wilhelm), which opened the concert, was particularly well sung. Hutton’s “Warrior’s Song” which followed, a more difficult composition, was not so successful, unevenness and lack of absolute tunefulness, owing apparently to want of confidence, being noticeable. Dudley Buck’s “In Absence,” on the other hand, was strongly attacked and sung with much spirit and feeling. Schubert’s “Great is Jehovah” was hardly up to the Liedertafel’s usual high standard; and Mr M. C. Rowe, the soloist, was not in his best voice. Reichardt’s “Image of the Rose,” and Jungst’s “Spin, Spin” were admirably rendered. A complete success was also made of Smith’s tuneful choral hallad, “Song of tho Little Baltung.” The soloists, Messrs J. Searle, R. B. Williams and O. T. MoManaway, were in good voice, and the chorus handled the florid passages with which the composition abounds confidently and very pleasingly. The soloists were Mr Jas. Searl, who sang “An Evening Song” with taste and feeling, Mr T. A. Revell who gave Buhner’s “Love’s Spell”—with a part song accompaniment—effectively, and Mr A. S. Ballanoe, whose “ Fraakadillo ” was tunefully and well sung. The instrumentalists were Miss Janet Ross, Miss Grace Kennedy and Mr L. Cohen. They gave a most enjoyablo performance of Gade’s trio for pianoforte, violin and ’cello. The allegro moderate was a little weak as to time and vigour, but the performers gained confidence as they proceeded; the scherzo, andante and finale were so well handled as to leave very little to be desired. Miss Janet Ross subsequently gave a finished exposition of Paderewski’s “Melodic,” and Poldini’s “Etude in A-major,” and was liberally applauded. Miss Joan Parker played the accompaniments with her accustomed skill. WIBTH’S CIRCUS. Mr G. L. Petersen, advance agent for Wirth’s circus, is now in Wellington, and making arrangements for the opening of the circus on March 17. The show is said to be the finest Wirth’s have had since the days of the Wild West. There are a number of novel items being put on at present, notably three tigers that do an act in which two are driven round the ring by the third seated in a cart to which the two are attached. There are amongst the attractions bears that play leap-frog like young schoolboys; also tTTe usual performing horses, lithe acrobats, clowns, and many other indispensable units of the aggregation which makes up the galaxy of dnsna glories. . Mdllq. Dolores’s series of song recitals in Wellington will not commence before

May. Advices from Wanganui refer to the furore created by the delightful cantatrico there. The New Zealand tour will bo conducted by Mr F. Vert, who is now on., his way to this colony. Persons interested in pugilism witnessed the biograph exhibition of the fight between. Jeffries and Fitzsimmons for tho last time last evening. _ This evening there will be an opportunity of seeing the fight between Dixon and McGovern.