DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 57

DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY.

Large audiences are now the ru e at tha Alhambra Theatre, and patrons have had no cause to complain of late of the quality of the programmes put on nor of the lack of vanety in the artists. A new petformer, imported direct from Ame-ica by Mr Dix, made his bow to a Dunedm audience on Monday in the person of Mr John G-eiger, described as " the •wizard of ths violin. ' Mr Gfiger was not longin convincing all that he is something out oE the ordinary as a violinist, and was applauded' most enthusiastically and only reluctantly a - iowed to retire. His imitations are undoubtedly very clever and worth hearing, and the wonder is how they are- done. He imitated in rapid 1 — -very rapid — succession Thirds, a church organ, a German concertina, the bagpipes, a bugla call, and othei performances of -a musical natcire, and then set to work to astonish his audience by playing on his violu^ in some astonishing positions. The position of the instrument appears to trouble him -very little, and ho must be a bad example for beginners to watcb, or worse, to iliiitate. In all this the violinist gave evidence of rare powers of execution, and: the audience were greatly pleastd when he reappeared and took himself seriously in the playing of a nfclodicus number, artistically treated. Compelled to reappear once more ha imitated the playing of " The holy city ' by; two violins. The other members ol the company, as usual, caois in foi then full share of Pl-preciation. Tho audience took a regretful iarewell of the 'clever clay modeller, Gallacdo, an'l his touch of quaint humour. Mr Val Vousden and Mr Sam Rowloy are in particular established favourites, and Miss Alice Lay tor. Miss Mollie Bentley, Miss Pearl Lovell," and Mr Alf Holland are atnl popular. Mr Carl Collier, tho banjoist, made his last appearance. The same programme will be continued this evpnlng, including a new series of pictures now b"ing shown by the vitagraph.

Coronation March — The Bile Beans Ccik pany are to the fore with the "Edward VII Grand Coronation March," composed by J. Michael Watfon. If the Leans themselves are as effective as tho march they should have a prolonged run.

The members of the South Australian House of Assembly, finding that since tha electorates have been enlarged appl : cation9 for subscriptions to football, cricket, and other organisations are becoming coj heavy a tax, have resolved to hold a meeting 1 to endeavour to come to a unanimous decision to decline nil such applications.