ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4635, 14 April 1902, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. The vocalists at present contributing to the programmes presented by Dix’s Gaiety Company at the Theatre Royal, had their ranks materially strengthened on Saturday night, when Miss Bello Ray, a contralto from Australia, made a successful first appearance. She sang “Out on the Rocks,'’ and on being encored she added “Ron Bolt.’’ The applause which rewarded her efforts was quite enthusiastic. Her voice has many excellent features, including a remarkably attractive smoothness and richness, and her method is good. Mr Wallace King' was called upon for throe songs, and Mr Charles Howard gratified the large audience by his vigorous declamatory singing of “The Song that will Live for Ever’’ and “Dolly Gray,’’ both of which aro semi-military numbers. Miss Amy Silvini and Miss Beryl Gilman were the other singers. On the humorous side, the Allisons took a farewell; they have proved popular as entertainers. Mr James Harvey, who was assisted by Miss Madge Morris, made a hit with his raucous comicalities, which included some capital imitations of actors well-known on the Australasian stage. Coster and descriptive songs were given by Mr Charles Melton, who repeats the oft-told tale of the peculiarities of the he-buttoned vegetable-seller’s “missus’’ and “kid” with an earnestness which of itself entitles him to the reward which he invariably receives from the floor of the house. The Lingard Sisters, a clever and riotously cheerful pair, raised laughter by their song and dance character sketches, “Our Threepenny Hop” and “You Stay at Your Own House.” Sivroni and Silvini once again did their full share as mirth-provokers, and in the same capacity Mr Alf Lawton was not behindhand. The evening was notable for the disappearance of the traditional first-part, whose semi-circu-lar incongruities had strangely enough survived fitter devices. Under the new system the evening’s entertainment is more varied than was possible under the rule of an interlocutor and his irrepressible end-men. OPERA HOUSE. The Anderson Dramatic Company repeated at the Opera House on Saturday evening before a fair audience the stirring drama “The World’s Verdict.” The humour and the tradegy of the piece w eT e alike well brought out to the punctuation of applause, laughter and hisses. The spectacular effects are particularly good. Miss Kathleen Duggan’s patriotic song, “There’s Something in the English After All,” was well received. The will ho brought to a close this evening, when the same drama will be staged again. The Empire Bazaar, which had been so successfully conducted at the Skating Rink, terminated on Saturday night. The gross takings during tho season were £1321. Winning numbers in the grand art union are announced in our advertising columns to-day, and also a list of persons who have drawn prizes and have not claimed them. These articles may be obtained at St. Patrick’s Hall this evening between 8 aijd 10 o’clock. It is also intimated that all claims in connection with tho bazaar must be sent in at once to Rev Father O’Shea, Boulcott street. Tho interesting hiograph entertainments given by Mr St. Hill at his saloon in Willis street on Saturday evening were well patronised. Extra performances by special request arc te ho given this evening. Tho pictures are te he shown at tho Upper Hntt tomorrow evening, at Potone on Wednesday, and at tho Lower Hutt on Thursday. A well-filled house at the Exchange Hall on Saturday evening enjoyed a capital entertainment provided by the Hugo Variety Company.