ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4621, 27 March 1902, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

AN INDIAN TROUPE. A display of feats of skijl and dexterity was given before a fair-sized audience at the Federal Hall last night by a troupe of three East Indians named Praim Singh, Sunda Singh and Ganda Singh. The leader of the trio is Ganda, whose long pole and fancy wheel-spin-ning was so well and rapidly done as to elicit loud applause. Sunda and Ganda are swordsmen of some ability, and they took part in bouts with heavy and light swords as well as with singlesticks, using small shields in most of the encounters. The men, clad in tight-fit-ting garments of bright colours, looked ideal athletes. The performances of Ganda Singh were of special merit. All three worked with a will to interest the spectators. Yerto. conjurer and illusionist, neatly and successfully accomplished several feats of palming and passing. The overtures and incidental music were played by Miss Vircoe, pianiste. To introduce variety into the entertainment, two comedians have been engaged, and will contribute to the programme at future performances.

Tho present programme was repeated last night by the Dix Gaiety Company. Athas and Collins, in their variety entertainment, provoked great laughter, and Wallace King was encored twice for his-singing. To-night Athas and Collins will make their last appearance in Wellington. An attractive programme is promised for Saturday night, when the Allisons, described as “duettists a.id specialty dancers,” Harvey and Morris, of “The World's Entertainers” and other new performers, will take part in the programme. Mr William Anderson’s Dramatic Company is to make its first appearance before a New Zealand audience on Saturday next at tho Opera House. Tho drama selected for the opening production, entitled “The Ladder of Life,” is so far as strong dramatic incident and sensationalism are concerned, one of the most “advanced” dramas of the times. One of the leading scenes is the storming of Dargai Heights by the Gordon Highlanders. Over 200 men take part in this particular scene. There is a most realistic fight between them and the Afridis. Then there is the return of the Gordons to England, and their welcome by excited citizens, brass bands and pipers. The plot is exceedingly dramatic, and at the same time interesting. It contains incidents of pathos, tragedy and humour. The “Palace of Moving Wonders,’* which has been open during the week at Wilkins and Field’s buildings, with new attractions, has been drawing large audiences, and visitors havo expressed delight at the marvellous movements and wonderful construction of tho various figures and working productions shown. Tho exhibition is open in the afternoons and evenings. Professor Newman has decided to give a special exhibition to-morrow in the afternoon and evening. The annual “social” of the tramway employees was held at the Druids’ Hall last night. An enjoyable evening was spent by the men and their friends. Musical items wore contributed, and at intervals, dancing, to tho music of Miss Hawthorne's string band, was heartily entered into.

Stainer’s cantata, “The Crucifixion,” wiis given at St. Mark’s Church last night, in the presence of a large congregation. The beautiful solos, with which the cantata abounds were entrusted to Messrs Si Ridgway, J. M. Xsatt and 'll. Hamerton. Mr L. F. Wutkins presided at the organ, and placed with fine effect. The choir sang the’ chorus parts admirably. Its rendering of "God so Loved the World,” unaccompanied, was especially good.