AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11943, 17 January 1901, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

ALIIAMBRA THEATRE. The last three nights of the present sea-son of Dix's Gaiety Company are now announced at the Alhainbra, where last night there was a large and appreciative audience. The Mintons, with their clever banjo playing and wonderful dancing, were again .greatly admired. ' Miss Ethel Clifford, a great favourite with the public, was received with the usual marked favour, whilst Mr Frank Yorltc, whose popularity* seems greater than ever, was received on each occasion with the heartiest enthusiasm. This sterling comedian will make his last appearance in Dunedin on Saturday night, when there will doubtless be a crowded house. PRINCESS THEATRE. ' Mr Dix, who has secured a lease of the above theatre, will on Tuesday next and following evenings present his enormously successful pantomime " The Babes in the Wood," which has been playing to crowded houses for the past four weeks in Wellington. From favourable press comments to hand, nothing but the highest praise is given for the elaborate manner in which the production is mounted and dressed. Every scene, property, and costume will be entirely, new. Among the scenic beauties maybe mentioned the transformation scene, depicting the four seasons of the year, which is described as an admirable piece of stage work. The cast is said to bo the strongest vaudeville attraction ever placed on a local stage, the company comprising several new faces and old favourites, and being supported by quito an army of auxiliaries. The box plan opens this morning at the Dresden. CHIEFTAIN RANGIULVS CONCERT. The attendance at the Garrison Hall last' night was not at all commensurate with the excellence of the concert given by Chieftain Rangiuia and the ladies and gentlemen associated with him on the occasion. Mr Rangiuia. at his first concert given a short time ago made it quite evident that he has studied vocalisation and pianoforte playing to such good effect that he may justly claim a recognised position amongst the foremost musicians of the colony. His singing is characterised by taste and skill, and, that being so, it is a matter for some littlo surprise that he has not been accorded mbro substantial patronage. Last evening's programme was admirably compiled, and was Eone through in a. manner that left no loom

for adverse criticism. The Chieftain's vocal solos were "The death of Kelson," "Non ? ver," and "Home, sweet home." Each ol these was rendered with such excellent taste that encores were insisted upon. " Non over" was sung with harp accompaniment, played with sympathetic feeling by Hen Vjgnola. " Home, swei=t home" was also ft very successful number, being sung in the Maori language. As encores" Ah die la- inorte" was given and portions of the other solos repeated. Chieftainoss Rangiuin. made her first appearance in public here, and created a distinctly favourable impression. She h possessed of a soprano voico of much sweetness, and sings with considerable taste and effect. Her rendering of " Ben Bolt" was one of the most pleasing features of the evening. She also achieved much success in her rendering ot the encore ■ number. " Geraldine." A Maori duet entitled "Nga. Wari to Rere" was sung to the air of "Juanitii" by the Chieftain and Chieftainess, and evoked an emphatic round of anplause, the vocalists being honoured with a recall. The Chieftain's pianoforte solos were a composition of his own entitled " Waikaremoana" and a transcription of the "Last rose of summer." Both items were effectively played, and, encores being demanded, the instrumentalist' contributed some lianpily-conceivod improvisations. Miss Lizzie Wignall was suffering from a severe cold, but gave a decidedly pleasing rendering of "Dream anpel," for which she was deservedly recalled. With Mr Rangiuia she sang "Oh. for the wings" most acceptably. Mr W. P Young, as usual, met with, a warm reception, and with his customary ability he rendered the new and popular song, " Who carries the gun?" and as an encore added a local verse. He also sang in capital style " Asleep on the deen," and as an encore "Who shall be king?" The accompaniments during the evening were played by Madame Von Look. MISS ALICE HOLLANDEE: The interest in the talented young contralto Miss Alice Hollander has been steadily increasing, and shonld ensure for her a large attendance at her first concert,, which takes place at the Agricultural Hall to-night. She is to be supported by a strong combination of talent, and the concert will undoubtedly be 0. very attractive one. Miss Olive Little, the well-known and popular pianiste, arrived lost evening by the 5 o'clock train from Queenstown, having returned specially to Dunedin in. order to take part in the concerts. She will no doubt be warmly welcomed by her numerous admirers and friends. A large number of seats have been already booked at the Dresden, where the box plan is open.