WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS. By P. Rompter.

Otago Witness, Issue 2116, 13 September 1894, Page 37

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS . By P. Rompter.

September 8.

Dear Pasquin,— Walter Bentley, Wilfred Denver, the Silver King, and Manfred Rose (the man from Coolgardie) were all very much, about our Op^ra House on Monday evening last, and were greeted with a bumper house— such an one as makes the actor play his very best. Personally I have an affection for "The Nilver King," mainly because the villainy and the heroism goes on so quietly. Even the Spider's firing of the pistol is in the subdued key, and when Bentley at times forgets to subdue all things there is an apologetic suppressive remembrance about his waking up to the fact which causes instant forgiveness. There was a large dose of Parliament in the house, and between the acts the "popular" actor held quite a reception Sir Robert Stout was there, and so was Watty's old law master, Lyttelton Joyce, from whom history hath it W.B. ran away, breaking indentures. I wonder whether either of the gentlemen (perhaps both) rejoice over the following of the bent of mind rather than matter ! 'I here were some good enough things in the performain c — Walter Bentley himself was very enjoyable ; and so was Reg. Reid as Jaikes, which he plays as well as we have seen the part done ; and Boothman Spider was a good bit of work ; and little Lily Cole was really touching as Denver's child. Certainly the weak part of the cast was that of the women folk. The piece was repeated Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Cn Friday the first change was made, "Lifes Shadows" being the piece, which is as full of senxatioo as the proverbial comparisoning egg is of good chicken W.B. paid the visiting footballers the compliment of an invitation to last night's performance, and the Wellington Football Union, not to be outdone in generosity, sent 25 invites to the Bentley Company for this afternoon's match— New South Wales v. Wellington. On Monday that great " siko-illogical " play, " The Silence of Dean Maitland," goes on. All playgoers are looking forward to this study." I think some of their faces will be a study before the piece is over. I can't say I appreciate the dramatisation of such novels. Others, again, are anxioustojgejnd^hear— sy?ecially to hear—Sar-

dou's great comedy, to see if the 'script of "Friends" is equal to the bonk of- "Nos Intimes." Well, maybe so— l don't think !

Our dram-ittic crickets have been poking fun at the Bentley Company over " Life's Shadows," which is billed a st.irtlingly realistic melodrama." To-night the Pot calls it ' a farcical comedy. . . . There is very little of life's shadows about the play. All is pure, unadulterated fun, and this the audience at once grasped, for seldom have the walls of the Opera House resounded to more genuine, hearty, and continuous laughter than they did last nu-ht. . . . All, save the actors, thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Not the least peculiar part of this peculiar faicical comedy is the f.tct that the actors persisted in enacting it in all seri< .usness. It ia full of delightful incongruities and the moat impossible situations and stage sensations." The Times this morning said " ' Life's Shadows' is one of the most remarkable plays we have ever neen. . . . Provides a series of sensational situations almost unparalleled in their variety and for the rapidity with which they succeed each other. ... As a mirth-producer it is fully equal to 'Charley's Aunt.'" Mr Charles Sanderson left yesterday for Nelson and Blenheim to paint those towns in all colours with the name of Walter Bentley. C.tf. is unique, some of his boards here being a study in designing and optical illusions and delusions ; but he told me, with all the enthusiasm of an artist, that ha has struck a dandy " idea a letter which leaves an avenue for the man who is buttonholed by a bore to escape through, and he straightway began to draw on the wall a copy of this idea. But lie suddenly ceased when I told him I failed to find that avenue of escape he spoke about, and his face wore one of his far away looks. He said he wished he was alone. We ha^ c not met since.

After Blenheim and Nels' n the Bentley Com pany go noith, and I believe will do the We3t as well as East Coast. After Auckland, it is probable a return visit will be paid us of a week, or maybe a fortnight W.B. delivers his lecture on "Church and Stage" tomorrow evening, Sir Roherfc Stout being in the chair. The Pollard Opera Company have started their New Zealand tour, doing good biz. in Auckland. Wellington, it is said, will be avoided until the Christmas senson comes round. ! hey may,-how-ever, play here on their way south. A circus company some years ago were footing it Richmond way. Two of tbe acrobats were in advance of the main body and baggage, when thiy came opposite a washing-day party consisting of mothe»- and daughter, who h <d just finished that operation known among housewives as " handingout," and the mother, turning iv tue direction of the circusi:uiß, beheld the party -an important event •in country life ; at the same moment a cloud came over the scene and rain fel', when the passing acrobats were astonished to hear the cry fiv>m the mother: "Ma y, Mary, for the love of heaven' brin_< in the clothes— here come the actors!" Herein lies food for reflection. Did the mother order the clothes in because it was going to rain, or because ? His Excellency the Governor attended "The Silver King" on, Wednesday evening. Miss Madge Tempest, who played the boy parts with the Bentley Company, notably the clerk Corkett. in " The Silver King," lef the company during the week. Mr Crossley filled the Corkett vacancy. Whether the change is permanent, I hae me (loots.

The boys Bubbles and Lar with the Freilq Party at the Criterion are better than good. Their grotesque duets are a feature of ttie show. The friends of Mr Bloum, a well-known local teacher of boxing 1 , gave him a benefit at the Exchange Hall on Wednesd<y evening. Tommy Wood was among the tiance solis.ts. A revival of th« Wednesday pops, was made by a syndicate this wenk for the purpose of exploiting Mr Farquhar Young, of your city Ther« was a big house, and &tr Young contributed five songs, including " In cella; cool," " Father O'Flynn," and " Off to Philade phia " ; and liv also < ecited ' The Tragedy of Alice." Ilieothe' contributors were Mrs Miller, Miss Florence Holloway, Mr E. J. Hill, and Mr Dodd

On Wednesday evening the Thorndon < latholic Dramatic Club made its first appearance, tbe pieces rendered being "Henry Dunbar," a f'>ur-aot-drainn, and a farce, " U'ye Ki-ow Me Now?" They repeated the pr gramme on Thursday. A Nelson lady, Mrs Ambrose E. Moore, is s -"nding Home for publication a b ok of original acting-charades for evening parties. They are sadly needed, and should go off well— both on the (amateur) stage and olf. The friend in the Bulletin may deny that Miss Cicely Staunton has learnt anything operatic under Miss Anuis Montague, but if a y who aie auquainte i with Mi^s St Clinton's styli- • hen she made her first trial at opera will c -nipare it with her method now they must give credit where credit is due ; and if then a doubc e\ists ask the lady herself anil all doubts will be set at rest. On the 19th our Amateur Operatic Society opens its " Mikado" season. The last production was Jones and Bridge's " Monarch of Utopia." Mr G. S. Allan, a local artist, has done the scenery for the coming season, and has <*one it well, I am told, although scene painting is a departure for our comi' ai tist's brush. The concert on Ha. urday ni«ht last in the Theatre Royal was a great success, the great faolt being a too lengthy programme. Mr A. S. Paterson, who is deservedly popular is a reciter, got chief honour- in the-giving of the " Cookie shine," his broad Scotch failing \p hide the humour from even the dullest "foieigner" in tne house. Ay ! but Paterson's a gran' Re .t !

In connection with the above concert an out-of-the-way contribution wag given by one of Wellington's pioneers, this be ng the singing by Mr T. W. M'Kenzie of Thos. • Campbell's verses, " ->teer, helmsman, steer." Mr M'Kenzie explained that the verses were written by Campbell on the ocpartur* 1 cf the Wellington pioneers for this then terra incognita. The appropriateness of this song being sung by one of trie pioneers in aid of a home for the aijed in which hn takes so much interest was manifest, and Mr M'Kenzie was warmly applauded and recalled, both for the excellence of his performance and its as-ociationa. The above concert will net some £100 for the Agcl N edy Home. The St. John Burlesque Company finished up their season at the Opera House on Saturday night to poor biz. They have suffered severe desertion, but what is left of the old combination has'goue into the country On Saturday night last the Vaudeville Company, which is managed by Mr Lane, and has the Fredo Family as stars, openeo to a good house at the Cri. The best artists in the show are the boys Bubbles and Lar, who are good.

Madame Belle Cole and her concert party came down by the Takapuna from the north on Tuesday and gave a monster concert in the Skating Rink in the evening, going south on Wednesday. Mr William Angus, business manager for the ! Newbury-Spada Concert Company, has been the week in Wellington making arrangements f >r the opening concert of the company, which takes place next Tuesday at the Theatre Royal. The company met with great success in Auckland. They are billed for Monday ; but they are detained in the country, so the date i* altered. An amusement advertisement in our papers the other day read rather curiously, to thiswise : " Come and see the bones, the profe-sor will box." Now what do you make of that? Was the pro- i fessor the bones ? or was he to box the bones ? or I were folk to see the bones the professor was to J put in a box? or should it read right on without the comma? or what is it, anyhow? It is enough to put one in a coma, which might lead to a box, and then some professor might get hold of one's bones— then indeed we would have the box the professor boned. Ring off ! The Fakir of 00100 (Sylvester), with Marie de : la Roche (who figures as " manageress ") is doing , the Wairarapa. Mr S. Charles is agent. , The same dtstiict is being worked by the Be-u-monts, Mr Georg* Warren d"ing the advance biz. Grey town and Mssterton during the week. Donald Dinnie i* also up that way, delighting , the Maoris at Martinborough during the week. "Living Pictures" are all the go just now. What are described by the Standard as tlieytf§3t artistic tableaux vivants yet seen in Melbourne were given in the Austral Salon recently, under the direction of Miss Sophie Osmond, assisted by Mr Harold Annear, a clever architect and watercolour artist. . The novels of Sir Walter Scott were chosen for tbe pictures, and were further interpreted by appropriate readings and songs. Amongst those who took part were Miss Alwc?

guerite Johnson, daughter of Mr R. P. Johnson, of Wellington, "the clever pupil of MadameSteinhauer, who made so favourable an impression at Lady Maddens tableau and operatic entertainment.