WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 39

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

By P. Romfter.

i - June 25. The shades of night were falling fast As through a Hawke's Bay village passed A troupe of broken burlesquers, Whore fly-by-nightning hastenera. Excelsior ! Dear Pasquin,— The above isn't personal, nor is it applied to any suspicious or other occasion. It's just a Cuttle-fish— a thought caught on the spur-hook of the moment, baited with the thought that I must drop you the usual lines on, the times, so I struck some rhymes upon the mimes and mummers round these climes. Which reminds me that It's pretty hard sometimes to write nothing, and do it gracefully; for in attempting this feat one is apt to remember the philosophic jaw that writers are born— and this faads to the reflection that most of 'em are dead. To take the name of a confrere of this page in vain, let's to Bis. Alf. Lawton's capital, clever, comical, cometoamuseyoucabcompany has been "a-going of it' at the Opera House throughout the period since my last. Some that Lawton is strongly reminiscent of good old Horry Bent— well, ao he is, for his bent is lauahgomiosity ; others recall Shakespeare— but that » not fair to A. L , as the other fellow has the advantage of being dead ; it's much fairer to compare the wliolo company with the late lamented Melbourns boom, for they'll bust you up every time; If you don't believe me, deposit your stakes, at the door when tho .company comes along y our jvay, and I can assure youthe management will be only too happy to convince I you, and hold the cash. This real old-timer, ' genuine variety company should not be missed, especially rb we have lately been troubled with wearisome travellers whore just about aa funny 1 as a piece of wet string round the trilby of a wish-ing-bone 1 I have read somewhere that the Queen of Italy is very musical, and is always willing to assist musicians. Judging by those we meet in the streets (with handles and monkeys), the query arißes from Smith; Does she assist them to emigrate? They're certainly great 'graters. Mentioning music reminds me that at the invitation of Messis Hill Bros, self and best girl visited " The Academy " last Saturday afternoon, and met a largo crowd of people who also were "on the nod 7 ' with Alfred and John. The occasion wa» the second concert of pupils, and, compared with the first, comparisons ore melodious. Undoubtedly the conductors of tho Academy are men of note, an d their pupils for the mo3t part proved to be sweet-sounding instruments in their hands. I should like to pick out the taltnt: Miss Pownall, who wanted us fceverally to be her "dearie," waß "good" (why will women slnfj men's songs ?); A. F. Hill's very own (orchestral) Gavotte) was "better' ; but Miss Barber was " best." Miss B.s violin playing is so near an approach to Mr Hill's that the master must be very proud of his pupil. A really enjoyable matineo. I read that on the 24th May Mark Twain was in Pretoria, and visited the Reform prisouers-in gaol thsre. The Stale prisoners must have been pleased I to see Mark 11, for he is certainly no Bore. , The despatch adds that Murk " found them in I good spirita." Italicise found, and ono wonders if he " shouted" for 'em, or— (Come off I). Wellington talent, amateurs and professionals, benefited Miss Ruby Gordon last night. < To-night the Burns Musical Society are concertising at the Exchange Hall. This ia the second concert* of the society. One wouders why they didn't hold off for the Burns centenary (aext month), and make a big and national affair of it. Burns is doaif— long live Burns 1 You will notice I am death on dead 'una this I week. I must be in a weak state, so'll emulate , the oyster. As a community, Wellington is delighted to • read the laudatory noticea Mr J. Prouse, our baritone, in getting on T'othersido in connection I with the Trebelli concerts. We are looking jealously towards your people in 1 having first sight of the Royal Comics, and want them to hurry up real bad 1 VVe're having the anticipation ; you've had the realisation. Here is a New York Hem I have juat lit upon of antipodean interest :— La Shclle and Clark, managers of "The Wizard of the Nile," have received an offer from Williamson and Musgrove, the Australian managers, who wish to produce the Herbert and Smith opera iv the antipodes. They are music-hall rivals, playing ia the same city, so this is how one got back on the other by ' means of a footnote to the programme :— "N.B.—Sig. Fregoli desires to announce that every act, play, and opera in his repertoire is copyrighted and fully protected against infringement, but that out of pure kindness he has given permission to a performer named Biondi to use a few of his creations only, Biondi haviug formerly been in l'Yegoli's. employ as au assistant on the stage." Knark ! fair knark I How the dog does bark ! The chic Signor Fregoli and the chap called Biondi ; with the heart of such kindness and manner so tart 1