ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4608, 12 March 1902, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE WILSON BARRETT COMPANY.

There was a packed audience in the lower parts of the Opera House and in the family circle last night, when Mr Wilson Barrett and his company played “The Sign of the Cross” for the last time this season. Tho acting of Sir Barrett as Marcus Suporbus, and that of tho other principals, was followed with eager interest, and the stirring final scene, when Mercia goes out to meet the lions iirtho amphitheatre, and is accompanied by Marcus, who has become a Christian, was a powerful climax to a stirring play. “OTHELLO." Shakespeare’s great ' tragedy . will be presented to-night. This will bo tho only production of this work. Mr Barrett will appear as Othello, Miss Lillah McCarthy as Desdemona, and Mr Carter Edwards as lago. Ajiart from tho histrionic value of tho .portrayal, tho mounting of tho play is made a special feature, tho scenery having boon painted and prepared for the Australasian tour by Messrs Stafford Hall, W. Harford and Walter Haun, three of tho finest scenic artists in London. The management are particularly desirous that patrons should remember that the performance commences at - a quarter to eight o’clock precisely. On Thursday Friday and Saturday evenings “Tho * Silver King” will bo staged, with Mr Wilson Barrett in the character of Wilfred Denver. THEATRE ROYAL. The season of tho Craggs in Welling, ton is drawing to a close, and those who have not yet seen theso remarkably clever acrobats • will have only three more opportunities of doing so. Last night’s performance was as successful as ever, and provoked rounds of applause. The feats of these acrobats ate performed with such neatness and alertness that the spectator feels no sense of danger, and yet tho tost upon tho nerves and courage of the performers must bo very great. The remainder of the evening’s programme was of the average merit of tho Dix Gaiety Company, and tho contributions of Mdllo Lucrotia, Sivroni and Silvini, Miss Carmen Coleman, Charles Howard, and Alf Lawton were received with appreciation, Mr Wallace King, who re-appeared last night, was greeted with enthusiasm. WIETH BROS.’ CIRCUS. . One of the best-known shows to visit! the colonies, Wirtb’s circus, will open a , six-nights’ season on Monday (St. Patrick’s Day). Tho combination, circus, hippodrome and menagerie, has just concluded successful seasons at Invercargill and Dunedin, and is now showing at Christchurch. The circus Ims been improved by the addition of a number of novelties. Among the features now introduced are “the boxing ponies, tho bucking elephant and a bear that turns somersaults on horseback.” Mons, Eahoul perforins some startling acts with tigers. The season .in Wellington is limited to six evening performances, 1 and two matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Messrs Wirth’s agent has secured tho Town Hall site, where the tents, specially constructed, will bo erected on Mon- , day morning. Mr Arthur Hahn’s company is appearing during tho week at Otaki, Levin and Shannon. Mr Hahn whs for four years with Mr H. Rickards in Australia, and was the first to sing “ Tho Absent-Minded Beggar ” in Australasia. The fight between Dixon and McGovern, as shown by biograph at the Boxers’ Rendezvous in Willis street, maintains undiininished popularity.