NORTHERN FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2251, 22 April 1897, Page 39

NORTHERN FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

By Svengali. Auckland, April 13,

Dear Pasquin, — During the past fortnight the Opera House has been crowded nightly, " The Lights o' London " proving a great draw ; " Tommy Atkins " also going well.

" Confusion," for the first time in New Zealand, was produced on Monday evening. Mr Rignold and company leave for Wellington on Thursday. The Monday " pops" at the City Hall are drawing packed houses every week. Mr P. R Dix has always three or four new artistes appearing at each concert. Miss Gladys Leigh, Leslie Dix (comic), Wynyard J039, E. Schatz (comic), etc., are some of tho new 'uns. On Saturdey evening Crawford and Moore's company appeared at the City Hall before a fairly lar&e audience. James Driscoll made his first appearance last week in a wire-walking act, and proved himself to be a very fair pei former. Mias Di L<!vy also appeared, and pleased everybody pivsent. "Horrors" Bent, Hugo, Mahers, May Voye, E'.hel Clifford, C. Moore, Crawford, and others forat the company. 'J'he Greenwoods oped for four nights at City Hall, commencing on Jfiaster Monday iv a double bill— " Barbara," and for the first time in New Zealand, '"A Cup of Cold Poison," or "llomeoand Juliet Up to Date," an amusing musical burlesque, alias Maribel Greenwood is manageress. Wext Saturday nigh 5 the Ada Delroy company open at the Opera Hoiue for a season of seven nights only. I wish them success. Sir George Rignold sustaiued a slight injury last, Tuesday nieht whilst diving into the tank which is used iv "The Lights o' London." It must, have been a very unpleasant experience for Geoigo. Th'i Greeewoods ava advertising for a youth with a strong resemblance to Shakespeare. " Oh, where is my wandering boy to-night ?" I hear that the Opera House will be closed for about three months after the Ada Delroy season for repairs. An addititional gallery would make a wonderful improvement to the house. By next 'Frisco boat Mr Kennedy's wonderful .trick horses and ponies are to arrive. They vill be quarantined l.ir about a fortnight at Mofcuhihi. Mr T. A Kennedy is busy here making the necessary arrangements for the opening performance. Miss Olive Stokes, the "kiddy," had a capital benefit last week at the Foresters' Hall. The Sydney Referee cays :— " The Auckland gold boom has collapsed. Shows had better be careful." Nothwithstaudiog this, Mr Rignold is showingto crowded houses nighly; Mr P. Dix is doing the same every week, whilst Crawford > and Moore's Novelty Company are doing better than ever at present. They say that there are some pros, hanging around Auckland that would do a " turn " for a j beer. t • >ne of the oldest actora in Auckland is Mr Tom JTord. I see that Charles Godfrey was appearing at two theatres on the same night in Sydney— The Palace and Tivoli. I wonder if he rides on the steam roller -which goes from theatre to theatre with the raridity of an engine. Mr P. 11. Dixs ns.me appears to be thining at the bottom of nearly every show in Auckland. He i* undoubtedly one 'of the best managers in New Zealand. Mr Dix is a commission agent in ' Auckland. v *' Tommy Atkins," played by Geo'ge Rignold at tho Opera House, is not exactly what it's represented to be. The pretty name "Florrie" appears to be a common one on tin Australian stage. . There's I'orrie Ford, Flo Younr, -Flo Esdaile, Flo St. ; Glair, etc. Charlie, oa the other hand, appeara to be the commonest name of variety artists — Charles Godf . ey, Charles Cogill, Charles Fanning, Charles M'Carthy, etc.