AROUND THE WORLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2499, 5 February 1902, Page 57

AROUND THE WORLD.

Wellington, January 28. Dear Pasquin, — I am sending you an article from Pearson's Weekly. I don't know whether it is faked or not, but it may interest you. We are having rather a feast of ccmedy and vaudeville up this way. The Broughs and "Dixies" are both playing to good houses. Say, can you explain why some of the English artists (variety) generally manage to spoil their good efforts by introducing something vulgaT? Now, one of the artists at present appearing here sang a song that fairly shocked even some of the sterner sex. He is_ good, mind you, but by doing that he spoilt his better efforts. The other artists are Al at Lloyd's. By Jove, old' chap! wait till you see Lizzie Kirk. She is one of the best.

Are you aware that the oldest living actor is a man named Jimmy Doel? He will celebrate his ninety-eighth year in March next, and still performs casually for philanthropic objects. His repertoire extends from characters such as Mrs Malaprop to First Gravedigger. He has pla-ved Gobo to Edmund Kean's Shylock.

Have you had one of Percy Denton's cards? He .gave me one, and I was surprised to find a lot of anticipated questions answered on the back of it, referring to his weight, etc. Just like Percy. Heard a good yarn the other day. A certain actress, who prided herself on her "death" scenes v was playing up the line somewhere recently. It was at the end of the act, and she was just "dying," when the audience and herself were surprised to hear someone say in a very audible whisper: "Die quick, miss; die quick, the limelight's going out." I suppose you have heard the yarn before, but it is worth retelling. Did you know that Wilson Barrett .first started in Dublin in a company that played "Conn the Shaugraun, ' and other Irish pieces? Hiß share of the performance consisted of dancing a jig between the acts. With all good wishes, — Yours truly, DAGO I.

S.s. Mokoia, at sea, January 28.

Dear Pasquin, — Just a line or two to lot you know I am returning to the Land of the Moa— this time with Mx E. H. Stevenson, English entertainer. He has had a very good time in the Australian States, and I think gcod business will result in New Zealand tour. I am going right down to Invercargill to start, a?cl trust to see you as I pass through Dunedin. With best wishes, — Yours truly, HARRY ABBOTT.

Queenstown, January 30.

Dear Pasquin, — Manna is at last commencing to fall, and we have just had a refreshing shower in the shape of a visit from the Austral Singers, who lightened our darkness for a couple of hours on Tuesday night. Miss Alice Appleby was perhaps the most popular performer, her violin playing giving great pleasure, more especially as this form of entertainment has not been much in vogue locally of late. The song. "Massa's in de cold, cold ground" met with much approval, and the vocal banjo accompaniment delighted the audience immensely. A very clever vocal imitation of the bagpipes by the company was highly appreciated by the Scots worthies present. Miss Florence Appleby's patriotic song, "The Union Jack of Old England," was enthusiastically received, and pro-Boerism was evidently at a discount. The whimsicalities of Bobby Howells caused much amusement, and he was singled out for general applause. The other members of the company kept their end up in a most satisfactory manner. Next week we are to be favoured with a visit from the Newbury-Spada. Company, and are all looking forward to a good time. The succeeding week, of course, the Valdares appear, so we are well piovided with amusement at last. Moral : If you want ar^'thing, write to the Otago Witness about it. — Yours truly,