ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6745, 17 February 1909, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THrJ RED MILL.'Tho •'• C Williamson Comedy Company which is appearing in tho farcical musical play 'The Ked .Mill" drew a, largo audience to the Opera House lust evening, "nil the clcve-r horseplay which is tlin cliicf item of interest found great acceptance. Apart from tho fact, that them is not n lino of real humour in the ''book," the two loading comedians with by-plny, gag, acrobatics, dancing and sliding, together with catidovillu' items and American repartee, make, tho performance an interesting one. Mr John Kord and Mr I'Ved Leslie, the comedians in (portion, hold tho hoardi for Ihe greater part of the entertainment and nearly the whole performance is merely a foil to their evolutions and Krolcsqne drolleries. Thorn in a suspicion of grand opera about, at least one of the singing tiuinh(MH, and there is a distinct flavour of tlio "penny unit" variety about much of Mm remainder. 'Miss Ada Stirling is happy an a. French counters who bursts into tlio crowd round thr> Red Mill unci talks in tolerable French, waving excited bunds and looking piquant in a tobacco-colourod silk dress. Aiijarfc from tlio playing and .singing of tho principals there, is much decent work dono, ''tlio host of auxiliaries" performing their allotted pieces with Huflicioab vim. "The Streets of New York." sung without special merit by tlio two comedians, is made, interesting by tho parade of variously dressed ladies who range from those of the "oxoluuive" set to the girls of tho Bowery. Artistically considered, Miss C'rrfwiti'.H "Lugend nf'the'Mill" and Mr Shorras's- "Klvery Day is Ladies' Day with Mo" are quite the best things. Tlin groupings are adequate, but the orchestra is too loud and not too musical. There, is insufficient restraint amonx tho strings. Miss Marie Eaton's "Moonbeams" is worth montion, but Mr Hofftlo nntli the orchestra in tho duet "felc of Our Breams" (piite spoil tho effect that might be got out of a number that presents possibilities to artists. But tho vivid horseplay, tho colour and tho speed carry "Tho Hod Mill" through successfully. ROYAL WELSH CHOIR. Tito appreciation shown by the Dublin of Wellington to tho Royal Welsh Male Choir is thoroughly deserved. La«t night tho choir again delighted a largo gathering. The most, popular item, was tho soldiers' chorus from Gounod's "Faust," sung in a vigorous, martial stylo that could not fail to stir. As- an encore number tho choir gavo tho " March of tho Men of Harlech " in u manner which caused long (Mid enthusiastic applause. Tho part songs "Peaceful Night".-and "Robin Adair" wore .beautifully rendered, and wore in -finn contrast to tho two martial choruses which preceded them. Tho soloists were, Mr Anourin .Edwards, who sang " There is a Green Hill " (Gounod), Mr Robert Jones, and Mr Lewis- Trevor. To-night the choir will give its lastconcert in Wellington. Tho chief choruses will ho "Strike tho Lyre, " Destruction of Gaza.," and' Handol's '! .Hullolujab." Tho part song " Oawg " will'also ho rendered. WTRTH'9 CURCCB AND MENAOERH3. . Wirth'a monngerio will open with the circus on Monday next in Wellington near tho To Are- Railway station for a season of six nights. Nowadays no circus ia complete- without a strong show of wild animals. In this respect With Bros.' Oirctts is far in advance of any show- that has claimed attention in Australasia. Tho zoo ia presented in conjunction with tho circus, and is composed of four combined monageries, besides a_ number of rare animals that have been added recently. Cages of elephants, dromedaries, buffalo and sixty horses and ponies presont a fine, spectacle. Tho numerous cages contain monkeys, bears, hyonas, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, baboons, tigers, lions, lionesses, jackals, civet eats, kangaroos, Gorman boarhounds, wolves, etc., and a Barbary sheep. Tho fine lion "Mustifer" is a magnificent specimen, and) is provided with a cage to himself. Tho throe performing royal Bengal tigers are also a majestic trio. A portion. of tho menagerie is allotted] to "freaks," and theso include "Hpmulus" an .extraordinary hybrid', and tho giraffe, . obtained by Mr Philip Wirth from the Hamburg zoo at a cost of over £IOOO. It is tho first live giraffe that has ever been in Australasia, and though it is yet a baby it stands over fourteen feet high. The zoo will bo open from 4 to 5 o'clock in tho cftornoon when tbo animals aro fed, and lectures will be given by the trainers. The first matinee will take place on Wednesday afternoon. ADA OROSSLEfY CONCERTS. Tho plans for jVladama Crossley's two farowoll concerts will be opened at tho Dresden this morning, and it ia anticipated thoro will be a great demand for soatsj as the prices are populal", and the ohiraeter of tho concerts so high. Madame will sing her most popular numbers, and Mr John Harrison, Mr Jay Ryan, M. Loon Saniet.ini, and Mr Porcy Grainger aro all down for tho most taking numbers in their repertoire.