WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2409, 3 May 1900, Page 57

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

By P. RoMPisa.

COMING EVENTS AT THE OPEKA HOUSE. Walter Beixtley Dramatic Company — 30th April to 12th May.

Pollard Opera Company — 18th May to sth June. Amateur Operatic Society, in " The Grand Duke," about the end of June.

April 27.

Dear Pasquin, — Variety we have had in. plenty during the past week; but whether it has been altogether or only a wee bit charming is quite another matter. That, oi course, is for those who have taken theii choice and paid their money to say. The pars hereunder will give an idea of all the shows which had open doors.

At the- Opera House, the Henry Dramatic Company has been giving us what in literary circles are termed shilling shockers. I was really surprised to find what a good audience turned out to see the weeper, " East Lynne." "Uncle Tom" has been shown, and " Shamus 08. Just now " Outlaw ELelly "is their attraction.

The ReT._ Charles Clark came * back to the Exchange Hall and put in another good week, opening on Monday, whicb happened to be the anniversary days of both St. George and Will Shakespeare, so that the oratoi, with a special programme, drew an ovei crowded house. He has had the assistance every night of two such sweet singers as. Miss Murphy (soprano, of your cityl and Mrs Howie (contralto, of Christchurch, and .daughter of. Lieutenant-colonel Porter, Hawke's Bay)

The Fullers haye been no small attraction at the Choral Sail, Courfcenay tolace.

Two young Wellington artists, Claude Whaite and H. Fifczherbert, have set up a topical povelty in the Criterion, Theatre. It is a model of Ladysmith ■ and a cyclorama of the siege thereof, and it has broiight much grist to their mill.

The Festival of the Birth of the Empire has continued its gaiety a + the Drillshed. It closed, so far as its -object was concerned, last night, and the takings are said to be £1100, with a, profit of about £900. This goes to the furnishing of the Thorndon Catholic basilica. Tonight the designer of the festival (Signor Borzoni) is receiving a benefit.

On Monday Walter Beatley is to open his season in the Opera House with " The Silver King."

A novelty is now being rehearsed by the choir of St. Mark's, Susses square, in the " Gypsy Operetta," arrange for production in the schoolrcoin on the Bth May. The operetta will consist of a short history of events strung together with musical numbers, " cribbed, coffined, and confined," from successes of the day. The principals will hunt in couples, and the sequence of events leads to many comical situations. Mr J. M. Izett, a well-kno\"3 reciter, late of Christchurcli, now of Wellington, is responsible for the " book " and the stage managing.