WELLINGTON WINS WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 37

WELLINGTON WINS WHISPERS.

By P. Romptbe.

June 30.— The Thornton-Arnold combination, thanks to the attractiveness of "Charley's Aunt," have done splendid biz., despite the exceedingly rough weather prevailing. Crowded houses greeted the piece every evening, and on its last appearance his Excellency the Governor and party were present. Thursday saw Mr Arnold as % Hans the Boatman in the first change, and down went the attendance ; but as this piece is mainly a stop-gap, the fall-away is not serious, and it will doubtless come up again with a rush to-night and Monday when "Captain Fritz" makes his appearance, as, everyone wants to hear "Mr Tommy Atkins." Wednesday sees the end of the season with "The Private Secretary," when the company goes up the Manawatu, playing at Palmerston North, and then on to Wanganui. Mr Lohr went north ahead of the T.-H. Company early in the week. Friday evening begins the season of the Camilla Urso Concert Company, the agent for which has been with us during the week. I see by an advertisement in a Canadian' paper that Lydia M. yon Finkelstein (Mrs Mountford) is giving her Oriental lecture in costume in the Land of the Maple. Messrs Arnold and Thornton, at present touring the colony, are members of the Savage Club, that famous resort for the aristocracy of the profesh in London. The Rev. de Witt Talmage, who accompanies the doctor, is a son of the famous divine and is in charge of a congregation in Pittsburg. He is on his way to Syria (Palestine), and his church is paying all his expenses for the journey. Happy pastor, happy people ! It is said that Charley's Aunt" has been produced in Italian at Rome in the presence of the Queen of Italy, and proved a great success. I see by my American papers to hand by the 'Frisco mail that there are at least a dozen companies touring the States with " Charley's Aunt," and everyone doing big biz. The Montague-Turner Opera Company is about to make another tour of New Zealand, commencing at Auckland. The combination includes (besides Miss Annis Montague and Mr Charles Turner) Madame Goldenstedt, Mr Edward Farley, and Mr Gordon.

A sportico-dramico par. from the Post: — "A distinguished stranger who visited a concert one evening last week has just had an amusing experience with a Wellington cabman of sporting proclivities. The gentleman called a cab to drive himself and some ladies from the Opera House, and on arriving at their destination the cabby asked 8s as his fare. This was disputed as extortionate, and finally the distinguished stranger impulsively offered to bet a sovereign that it was not the correct charge. " Done," promptly cried the c ibby, and drove off without further ado. Since then he has visited his late fare to collect 28s armed with a copy of the Corporation Hackney Carriage By-laws, which show that 8s was a legal fare.

The Australian Comedy and Variety Company nt the Cri. put on "Betsy" and a variety after.

part, in which Daisy Thornton skirt danced, Miss Brandt sang, and &o did Mr Will Danvcis.

Mr Mangan Barnctt comes down from Napier next week and gives us two concerts. lie is a clever pianist. Mr Prouse sings. The Government House party will be present.

Mr Herbert Linden, who is at present in Wellington, intends producing one or two dramas at the Opera House with the assistance of some of our best amateurs. The dramas likely to be staged are " All for Gold" and " Retribution," in both of whioh Mr Linden has scored successes elsewhore.