AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12935, 30 March 1904, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

ALHAMBBA THEATRE. 1 ] There was a large attendance at the Albambra 1 Theatre last night, and the week's progranuni was well received. The illustrated concort to be given oil Good Friday night promises to bo u very successful one. Views "depicting 41 London Bay by 3)ay" will bo shown, and the first appearanco of Mr Tom Kobins, basso, is announced. The se.iue programme will bg presented this evening. MS J. C. WILLIAMSON'S ItOYAL COMIC _ OPERA COMPANY. The booking for the first three performances of "A Country Girl," with which Mr Williamson's company initiate their season at Ilia Majesty's Theatre on Easter Monday night, lias been such Imit- iiie crowded houses which were the unvarying rule during the loug Melbourne run of the piece are certain to bo tiupjeated here. No musical play of recent years, with the exception perhaps of " Florodoia," has had such a general and world-wide popularity as "A Country G'irl." It hns beeu played—is, in fact, at the present time being played—in the United Kiugdom, in America" in Canada, and in South Africa- with tho greatest of success; and in Australia Mr Williamson has found, it the most attractive production to the public that he lifts had for a very long time. The best evidence of this is that no less than 150 consecutive performances took place in Sydney and Melbourne alone, and that on.y bseause of the pteviouslvarranged tour through New Zealand did necessity even then demand its withdrawal. rearing the end of tho season in the latter eitj a. contemporary wrote;-—''' To a. very largo section of the community the only palatable entertainment is the musical coincdy 4 A Country Girl, for there aro thousands of persona who do not affect any other form oi entertainment. In that tuneful work the playgoer has evidently found something very much to his or her taste; for although tho wee has entered upon its tenth week the theatre 13 crowded nightly, and the lilting melodies and its nil-round attractive features evoke tl-o heartiest demonstrations of approval." The company left Melbourne to-day by the \\ arnmoo, ami should arrive at tho Bluff on sunday, being conveyed thence to Dunedin liy special tram on Monday morning. THE CHARLES HOLLOWAY DRAMATIC COMPANY. Some 100 tons of scenery, in charge of several or Mr Holtoway s mechanical staff, have arrived, and the elaborate preparations for Easter Saturday night's performance arc beiii" rapidly gone on with. A most successful opening is anticipated, and it is promised that no.hmg will ho left undone to make the premiere of this important organisation in JJiuicdin a. great success. Reports of wonderlully good business aro heir.!; constantly received from Wellington, but tlie amiaement confidently expect that the returns from Dunedin will easily eclipse those of tho Empiro Lily. Mr Charles Holloway's enterprise in presenting to Xew Zealand audiences of his very best without any addition to his Austrahan tariff will no doubt receive the heartiest recognition. The box plan is now open jit the Dresden, where seats may be booked without extra charges; and, in view of the success which has attended Charles Holloway's openings in the other centres, it might be wiso for intending patrons to mako an early reservation of their scats. SACRED CONCERT, At the to bo given at the Garrison Hall on Good Friday, in addition to sacred sonjjs, items will ba given from oratorios. Mrs Barber, si contralto from Christchurch, will make her first appearancc beioro a Dunedin audience, and it is confidently anticipated she will delight the Dunedin public. Iho Rev. Mr Mitchell is already favourably known as a singer. Miss Amy Murphy and Mr Percy Denton require no Introduction to the. musical public. Miss Button, of Oamaru, is highly spoken of as a pianiste, The accompaniments will be played by Mrs Murphy. On Friday night last the opening oi the Chatto CTeek School took place under very favourable conditions. Mr Lewiss, the engineer in charge of public works, opened the school, and nmde some appropriate remarks. Tho opening was followed by a social and dance, during which Mr Lewiss, who is leaving tho district, was presented with a very substantial purse of sovereigns, as a token of respect and esteem. The singing, dancing, etc., were all that could be desired, and the social was in every way. a huge success. On the following (lay (Saturday) the children were given stantial tea, after which followed games, etc.