ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4607, 11 March 1902, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. “ THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.” Tho story of persecution in tho bad old days of Roman history was followed by a very large audience at the Opera House last evening. Tho picturesque drama will bo repeated to-night, when tho persecuted Christians will for tho last time bo ordered into tho ampitheatro to form food for tbo lions and a gory entertainment for tho debilitated Nero. “ OTHELLO.” Tho first of the two Sbakosporcan productions which are to take place during tho season will bo given to-morrow night, 'when the immortal tragedy “Othello” will be presented, with Mr Wilson Barrett as tho Moor of Venice and Aliss Lillah McCarthy as Desdcmona. Throughout his present Australasian tour Mr Barrett has produced "Othello” with very great success, receiving the brightest encomiums not only for his individual impersonation, but for tho general all-round excellence of tho acting and tho mounting of tho piece. When produced in Auckland three weeks ago, tho “Herald” wrote; “Amongst tho productions of the present season which will remain behind in tho memories of theatre-goers long after tho famous actor has gone from amongst us, few, wo take it, will rank so high as tho magnificent ‘Othello’ given last night. Complete in every detail, acted with a general intelligence and skill, mounted superbly and with rare artistic taste, costumed with lavish regard for the rank of the characters and tho period in which they lived, and with the chief roles in tho hands of artists in all respects fitted for their task—-such was the production. As a spectacle alone it has never been surpassed in this city. But in other respects, one thing is certain, that in this magnificent interpretation of our national poet’s tragedy, tho Wilson Barrett Company has set a standard whereon wo may safely base our estimate of similar productions.” On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights will bo staged that fine melodrama “The Silver King.” in which Air Barrett will appear as Wilfred Denver, the part written for and created by him in the original. London production. THEATRE ROYAL. The Craggs, certainly tho finest acrobats ever seen in this part of the world, attracted another crowded audience ai tho Theatre Royal last night, and were recalled repeatedly. Their feats are marvellously clever, and are performed with the greatest ease and coolness of nerve. Tho Craggs were seen in their pedestal act, in which one member of the troupe reclines on a high pedestal with his legs iu the air, while a second turns a backward somersault from the feet of the first, alighting on tlto shoulders of a third, who stands on the shoulders of a fourth. This remarkable act was a great success. In fact all the feats performed by these clever acrobats are distinctly of a class superior to anything yet seen here. The audience were enthusiastic in their applause. The other performers received their due share of •puhlio recognition—Air Alf. Lawton, Mdllo Lucretia, Sivroni and Silvini and the Coleman Sisters contributing to a programme of varied merit. WHITE’S CIRCUS. Wirth’s Circus will open on Monday next for a six nights’ season. Since its last visit hero the circus and menagerie have been considerably augmented. Popular prices will be charged, and many novellies are promised. Tho Victoria College Students’ Association will give a concert at the Sydney street Schoolroom on Wednesday, I9th fist. The extravaganza “Horace at the University of Athens” will ho produced. A grand operatic festival will bo held at the Skating Rink, commencing ' on Easter Monday night. Among the operas to he produced are “Les Cloches de Corncville” and “Tho Pirates of Penzance.” There were large audiences at the two hiograph exhibitions given last night at the Boxers* Rendezvous and the Federal Hall.