WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 37

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

Br P. Rompteb.

February 12. Dear Pasquin, — The "Busy B.s" have been gathering honey all the week at the Opera House, and are just as merry as full houses do make people of their profession. And they deserve it, for never have we had a better allround company playing such pieces as they have treated ns to. Mr Brough tells me that their "grand tour" experiment has even exceeded tht-ir expectations, and they intend to make it a fixtuie. The tour of the colonies, playing in the chief cities just occupies about a year, and the route goes as follows : — New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Tas-

mania, and New Zealand. B. and B. have had several offers to take their company to America, and they are still thinking the matter over. One or other of the B.s goes to London in the near future — probably Mr Boucicanlt. May the firm prosper. I met Mr Sb. Clair in town on Saturday — just come down in front of the Frank M. Clark Alhambra Variety Company. Of the combination, I am assured by outsiders who have seen 'em, they are " all wool." Tnere is no doubt that the present clear field will pan out well to the enterprising J. St. C. and A. H. Messrs Brough and Boucioault, when the New Zealand representative footballers were in Sydney last winter, made them their guests at the Criterion Theatre during their stay and the run of " The Amazons." As some recognition of this kindness, the Wellington members of the New Zealand team on Monday night presented to Mrs] Brough, through their captain, Mr Ellison, a handsome floral trophy cecorated with the New Zealand representative olours. A unique concert was given at Blenheim last week, the principal performer being Master Hillier Cheek, renowned as the musical wonder of that district. The youngster, who is in his sixth year, played upon the pianoforte various compositions of his own, besides others, also giving demonstrations of the accuracy of his ear in distinguishing the pitch of various musical sounds. Mr Robert Brough, he of the Busy B. Company, took part in a game of cricket at the Basin reserve last Wednesday, but didn't do enough to make him tired. He is an old member of the London Thespian Cricket Club. To-night the Payne Family open for a threenight season in the Criterion Theatre. A bit from a local critique on one of last week's plays: "The pulsating 'hush' which went round the theatre whenever ill-timed applause broke out showed how rivetted was the attention."