"A TRIP TO CHINATOWN."

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 51

"A TRIP TO CHINATOWN."

Under the direction of Messrs J. C. Williameon and Geo. Musgrove, the famous American comedian, Mr Harry Conor, and Messrs Hoyt and M'Kee's Company from the Madison Square Theatre, New York, commence a six nights' season at the Princess Theatre on Friday evening. The stay of the company in this city is limited to this short period owing to their having to return to Auckland in order to catch the outgoing mailboat foi San Francisco. Opportunity, however, will be found of presenting the two musical comedies " A Trip to Chinatown " and " A Stranger in New York," the two pieces which have practically constituted the repertoire of the company during their entire six months Australasian tour. Considering this tour included very successful eight weeks' seasons both in Melbourne and Sydney, it speaks volumes for the drawing power of the plays, and the ability of the artists to portray them.

Mr Conor, who paid his first visit to Australia some three years ago, is said to be one of the finest comedians ever seen on the colonial stage, and in the character of Welland Strong", in " A Trip to Chinatown" — a part specially written for him by Chas. H. Hoyt — splendid opportunities are afforded him of "displaying his humorous work to the fullest degree. The leading lady of the company is Miss Allene Crater, a charming soubrett'o from the Frances-Wilson Opera Company, New York, who has in each of the comedies mentioned, a part in which she has won the highest encomiums from the Australian press. Miss Viola Gillette, contralto, and Miss Marie Adams, soprano, have a great deal of the work in connection with the musical portion of the programme, whilst the Misses Nellie and Lizzie M'Coy and Miss Emma Siegel are the principals "in connection with the various unique dances which are introduced. Messrs Hugh J. Ward and Sam Marion are the second comedians of the company, and arc said to ably assist their chief in the carrying out' of that portion of the dialogue and situations which has for ts aim the coercion of the heartiest laughter.' Mr Wal'ace Brownlow, so favourably remembered as the principal baritone of " The Firm's " Royal Comic Opera Co., is included in the cast, and has been making a great hit in the rendering of patriotic airs, specially introduced as appropriate at the present juncture. In Wellington and Christchurch he added to his other items "The Absent-minded Beggar," ■with musical setting by Sir Arthui Sullivan, -which caused a perfect furore of enthusiasm, evidenced by the fact that in nine nights in the former city over £56 was thrown on the stage in response to the appeal of " Pay, pay, pay," whilst in the latter over was contributed in the same way in four nights. All amounts thus received are handed over by the management to the Patriotic Funds.

Mr Arthur Pacie, tenor, has also several solos to render in each piece. An attractive and most unique feature introduced amongst the specialties is the double-note whistling of Mr Tom Browne. This artist is said to have the marvellous gift of being able to whistle an air in two keys simultaneously. " A Trip to Chinatown- will be played on the first four, and " A Stranger In New York " on the last two nights of the seasou, after which Oarnaru will be visited on the 9th and 10th, and Timaru on the 12th and 13th, this concluding the Australasian tour, which has proved an exceptional success from beginning to end.