WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 47

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

By P. Kompthr.

Ju!t 21,

Dear Pasquin, — Pollards and Politics have continued to be the attractions of the week; and of all the successful seasons enjoyed by the Pollards in Wellington the present is easily tha record. "La Poupee " has been the trump card, the house being filled every night. In fact, the original programme underlined by Mr Pollard for the season has had to go by the board, so popular has The Dolly proved. And this in spite of (not to add perhaps because of) the indisposition- of the leading lady, Mi3S May Beatty, who broke down last Saturday night. I understand that the management had no understudy for the Doll, but tha hour found the woman, to turn a familiar phrase, in tho person of Miss Zoe Karkeek, who was by no meaus found Vvanting in playing the part, though the -little lady is weak in singing, despite a sweer voice. But the opportunity which has come to her will no doubt lead the management to cultivate the voice of Miss Zoe.

The company intended introducing Miss Daisy Davis to us in the leading lady parl" in "Boccaccio" last niglit, but " jLa Ponpee's" bookinea were too heavy to justify a. with-

drawal. However, we are to hear the Lyjtelton songstress to-night, to-morrow afternoon, and to-morrow night. " H.M.S. Pinafore " closes the season', as the company leaves for Nelson on Sunday. To-morrow niglit the Exchange Hall is to be occupied by tho Farming-Rivers Royal Specialty and Minstrel Company. Charley Fanning is a well-known " black " artist. Walter Rivers was ■with the- Moore-Roberts Dramatic Company (and is a well-known Wellingtonian, Walter Haybittle), Miss Devoe is in the company, and other specialty artists. M'Adoo's Fisk Jubilee Company passed through en route for Christchurch on Tuesday. The company did good biz in the north. The first of the Maughan. Barnett - Max Hoppa recitals came off in the Choral Hall last Thursday evening, proving successful in every way. Mr Cyril Towsey was tho accompanist. The instrumentalists were Mr Maughan Barnett, Herr Max Hoppe, Messrs J. H. O. Schwartz, H. S packman, and A. Hamerton. Miss Violet Mount, a recent arrival from" Melbourne, was the songstress of the evening, and acquitted herself much better than she did on the evening of her first appearance here, at the Ladies' Musical Society's annual concert. At the Barnett-Hoppe recital Miss Mount sang these items : — (a) " Mit deinen blauen Augen " (b) " All Souls' Day " (Lassen), and " Still -wie die nacht " (Bohm).