ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5008, 4 July 1903, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Musgrove's New English Comedy Compa; y ccrncluded at the Opera Hems© last night one of the most successful seasons of comedy ever given, in Wellington. Two Lnxdon successes, entitled *A Country Mouse" and "A Pantomime Rehearsal" wore presented. His Excellency the Governor and suite were present. The company leaves for Sydney by to-day's steamer. THEATRE ROYAL. The Dix Gaiety Company performed before an enthusiastic audience at the Ti c tre Royal last night. Mr Tod Callaway gave a change of songs that greatly pleased tho patrons of the theatre, and the remainder of tho company had each hearty receptions. The last four nights of the Flying Moultons are announced. - CHORAL IIALU At the Choral Hall last night. Mr Jack Steele mado his rc-appearanco with the Fuller Entertainers, and received! a quartette of encores from a large audience. On Monday night the greatest of all favourite amongst Choral Hall habitues —Mr Fred Bluett—will make bis re-ap-pearancc.

“ARB YOU A MASON ?” On Saturday evening next'at the Opera House, M r J. C. Williamson. Trill intro duoe his new comedy.' company in the latest, and—ni(!irifi'r.fror,L published, ,opinuioa's elsewhere—probably t.ho most amusing of all farcical comedies, "Are You a Mason P” This comedy was first produced in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre some eighteen, months ago, when it had a brilliant success., meeting with such favour that it ran for twelve consecutive months. Immediately after its Loudon premiere, Mr Williamson, invariably on the look-out for the best, secured the Australasian rights from Mr Charles Frohmau, amd had it first presented at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, on April 11th last. The success of the comedy, interpreted r.s each .character Trashy spec!a I ly-sclectr*<i artials, complcxe, the result that for six Tveekn it vta-s played to croirded and enthusiastic audiences, a, remarkably fine record for farcical comedy, "It wmld b© difficult " ivr te c.n© prominent critic, "to conoc-ivt of anything more irresistibly funny than ■im. fare©; comedy. An audience that was bo*]! fashionable and intellectual crowded every part of the theatre, ant? by thejr almost continuous laughter expressed their high appreciation of this mastermece. The box plan will be open on Tuesday morning at the Dresden, MARK HAMBOURG/ The first appearance in, Wellington of the wor.d-faraod pianist Mark Hambourg takes place m tho Opera House to-night, xhe enthusiasm created by this player appears to be without parallel in this part of the world. The concerts in Dunedin and Christchurch-were attended by very large audiences, and there is no doubt that the musical public of this city will have a treat of a very high order, ihe programme to be submitted at the first concert embraces all styles of music, including the classical, romantic and dramatic. Beethoven's wonderful “Appassionato. Sonata," with which Mr Hambourg opens the programme, is one of the masterpieces of musical art, Chopin'c -Nocturne" in G-major, “Study" in Gflat, “Ballade" in A-ftat, Mark , Hamown “Volkslicd," Liszt's arrangoo* Mendelssohn's **Mldsum;nicr Night's Dream" music will be some of .tho items performed by the great pianist. Boris Hambourg, a 'cellist, is the younger brother of the pianist. He was a pupil of the famous Virtuoso Hugo Bocker, of Stuttgart. The young artist, though only eighteen years of age, is already regarded as one of the finest performers of the dav. Miss Mabel Batchelor, the only vocalist of the company, is a native of Sydney, and is stated to be tile possessor of a remarkably pure soprano voice. The remaining member of the company is Mr John Lemmone, who is known all over the world as one of the greatest of flautists. Mr Lemmone has not appeared in New Zealand for ten years, but those who heard him during that tour have not forgotten him. "The Times" (London), in speaking of Mr Lemmone in 1897, stated, “For purity of tone and facility of execution, he is. the

finest flautist living.” Tho box plan is at the Dresden Piano Company’s, and day sale tickets may bo aad at Ross’s, Willis street.

"The Outlook” asserts that Mr Herbert J 100 til, third sou of the ‘‘General,” is arranging to take a theatre in Now York for the presentation of "Bible dramas.” Iho railway "social” held in Sydney street Schoolroom lost night was a great success. Over one hundred couples attended, and dancing was maintained until an early hour. The committee which has in hand the arrangement lor the concert and “social" m aid of the Sisters of the Poor and tho Home for Incurables guarantee a good evening’s entertainment. The gathering is to take place next Wednesday evening, in tho Dritlshed. A first-class conceit pic-gramme has been prepared, including selections by Miuifie’s orchestra, and by tho champion baud of New Zealand. It is hoped that a largo number of the public "-ill attend, and so second tho estimable efforts of the promoters