WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 37

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

By P. Romptep. Dear Pasqujn,— For some time past we have had quite a colony of stranded pros, dwelling in oar midst, wb,OBQ numerical and.

financial strength increased and decreased with the arrival and departure of each travelling company. The Wednesday Pops, and Surprise Parties managed to keep the colony of bohemians in tobacco and " tea- water" — but nothing more. The break-up of the Collet Dobson Company enabled a few more members of the purfesh to study the beauty of our public buildings. All this by way of introduction to another par.

An amalgamated force, bearing no strange device— for the combination has not a name — made its appearance in the Opera House last Monday evening in that highly " original " and "gentle" drama known by the humble name of " Uncle Tom's Cabin." Although there were many well-known names in the cast, only one appeared in what they call "caps." The names in the bast are worth reprinting, as bearing out my introductory remarks. Here they are:— Mr Walter Clifford Mr H. Thomas Mr E. Alexander Mr James M'Lean Master Austin South Mr Paul Creyton Mr Newton Griffiths Mr Washington Mr R. A. Gen<son Mr Caselini Mr Harry Cowan Little Dixie Mr Cyril Drake Mr F. Herrick Mr A. Brandon-Cremer Mr W. Sanders Mr Milton Moss Mibs Amy Vaughan Little May Mogridge Miss B. Simmonß Miss L. Germaine Miss R. Murray Miss Nellie Sound Miss B. Russell Miss Ada Cowan Miss Annie Wyniard Mr George Seaton

/ MISS FANNY WISEMAN. Mr Harry Thomas pourtrayed Uncle Tom to the life. As Harry has been " down south in Kentuk" he has a big advantage over the average run of Btage Uncle Tom's, and in the introduced melodies, breakdowns, hymns, and songs his, rich and well-trained voice was of especial advantage. Miss Fanny Wiseman as Topsy made things hum, and one wishes there was more of Topsy and less of Legree and his whip in the dramatisation. How Ido hate that whip crack. Topsy gave us a dance that would do credit to Alice Leamar's kicking, and of course she had to do it over again to an enthused pit ! That was their legacy. Miss Amy Vaughan, as hard-working a little woman as is to be found on the colonial stage, did her duty well and faithfully as Eliza Harris. Cassy, the 'quadroon, could not have been more handsome in life than Miss Wyniard made her appear. Harry Cowan made a high (or low) burlesque of "I'm a lawyer" Marks. Mr Brandon-Cremer (who is managing the combination) was Van Tromp. The part of Eva waß taken by Little May Mogridge— and very well it was taken, the death-bed scene dialogue being particularly well rendered. The company is strong in singing talent, and a trio by Messrs Thomas, Caselini, and Washington was a treat to listen to. " The Ticket-of- leave Man " is to be the next production, to be followed by " The Octoroon."

On Thursday night Topsy had the bad luck to step on a loose tack, which crippled her for the rest of the week, but Miss Wiseman showed that pluck is not the monopoly of "the other sex," for she went through her part most creditably, although it was evident to us all that she wassuffering. The British public always admires a display ot real grib, and this was plainly evidenced by the plaudits from the house. Professor Richards, M.E., still holds the boards of the Exchange Hall, which is crowded nightly. The Evening Post bars the electrician from its columns, but that does not appear to hurt anything but his feelings — and takes so much less from his pockets for advertisements.

The books of our Opera House show engagements running from the present time right through to nigh on the end of the year, including such goodly companies as those of Bland Holt, Myra Kemble, Brough and Bouoicault, &c.

The recently formed Wellington Reed Band gives its first concert on Arbor Day, the 4th. In addition to the other items of interest which will be given by the band will be the vocal quartet from Mr A. F. Hill's new eccentric opera, " The Whipping Boy," sung for the first time in public, also a trio for euphonium, baritone, and horn, This ought to be a decided draw to lovers of music, as such a chance may not occur again soon. The quartet includes the Misses Parsons, and Mr E. J. Hill as tenor. Mr Robarts has been engaged as baritone. Wednesday's pop. was an Irish night, and certainly the fun went fast and furious, and it was as rowdy as Donnyhrook Fair. Robarts sang, and so did Miss Stamford, and then a local " genius " started to recite " The Death of Montrose," which the audience would interpret as a comic, in spite of the young man's protests that he meant to be impressive—and then they encored him, and he cavie out again; but do you think they greeted him with a respectful silence P No, they cheered him to the echo, until at last it entered even his pate that he was their guy. Oh ! how those 3000 throats roared with laughter when they perceived that he had tumbled to their little joker Ab the immortal R.B. says :—

Oh, wad some power the gif tie gi' us, To see ourselves as itliers see us 1 The Comic Song Competition was not a brilliant success, the entries being few, and of humour there was none— in fact, one of the songs contained as much of that element as you can find in " Montrose." Mr W. D. Lyon acted as judge, giving the award as follows :— Mr H. Cranby (assumed name), "My little lot," 29 points, 1 ; Mr J. H. Fairbairn, "Musical specialty," 26 points, 2 ; and Mr E. H. King, " Ducksie wucksie," 21 points, 3. Miss Little played the accompaniments in the concert, and Master S. Cimino in the contest. . Iv the first part of the programme Master Cimino's original, gavotte was performed by the orchestra. It is a tuneful and sparkling composition, and the reception given its interpretation must have greatly pleased the young composer.