WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 8 July 1903, Page 67

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Bt P. Somttu.

I I July 3.

Dear Pasquin, —The Musgrove Comedy Co., which clos?s its three-weeks' season at the Opera House to-night, has hr.d the irost sue% cessful financial season probably ever experienced by a company in Wellington. The company played every night to crowded houses. In fact, Mr Musgrove was served with three notices lor having accommodated patrons in passages where seats are r.ot usually allowed, and he was fined at the Magistrate's Court for such breaches of the bylaws. Again, the attendance was so large that the orchestra was sent under the stage, and the space usually allotted to the musicians was given over to playgoers. Yet again —and this the most remarkable feature of the season —the house was filled on early-door charges, not a seat being available in any part of the house at a quarter to 8. "Mice and Men" was played on Monday and Tuesday, "Dolores" (a problem play) on Wednesday and last night, and to-night, the final, a double bill is to be presented, containing "A Country Mouse" and "A Pantomime Rehearsal." The Governor and his Countess attend to-night. To-morrow the company leaves for Sydney. To-morrow night Mark Hambourg and his musical party occupy the Opera House for four nights. Harold Ashton is here putting the preliminary query about town, RU a Mason? T&e wherefore of the question will be answered at the Opera House after the Hambourg season. The following is the roster of Dixs Gaiety Company at the Theatre Royal: —Tod CaOoway (just fiom Sydney, a musical comedian), the Flying Mou'tons, Harris Trigger (New Zealand Ssuodow), Steve Adson, George Dean, Emmie Smith, Jessie Thome. Walter Anderson, and Eva Esdaile. In its latest change of programme the company's first part consists of a one-act farcical comedy, "Living Models." Roster of Puller's Entertainers at the Choral Hall. —Will Stevens, the Mmtons, Harry Hart, Amy Biackie, Ted Herberte, Tim Howard, Dr Rowe, and Jack Steele. Fred Bluett comes back next week. Mr Musgrove has been shaking up the directorate of the Opera House Company regarding its claim to permanent seats for every performance given in the house Many other managers ha-ve kicked, but none so effectively as Mr Musgrove, who has sent a copy of the following circular to the directors and shareholders of the company —"For a number of yeais leading companies of Australasia under mv management have been visiting Wellington, an<l dining their seasons here I have been a tenant of the Opera House, in which property I note that you are interested I therefore vish to call your attention to a clause in the lease set before te.ia.nts by you/ directors: a clause to which I take such exception that unless it is eliminated I shall h.-.ve to discontinue my business arrangements with you, and shall make arrangements to play my attractions elsewhere. The clause I object to runs zs follows: —'Seven seats in the dress circle shall ba placed at the disposal of the directors of the Wellington Opera House Company, Limited.' The directors have not even been satisfied with this clause, but have on most occasions demanded and received seven tickets each admitting two persons, and they have made a wrongful use of these tickets by lending them to then friends, so that you can easily imagine how many of the people of Wellington (and the people, too, that we look to to support our expensive productions) have free admission during the season. I have made direct application to the secretary of the company to book me future dates, and he refuses to do bo without the clause referred to remains in the contract. There is notlung for me to dj but to go elsewhere, and I think other managers will do the same, and then what will bo the value of your property? I desire to point this out to you in order that you may take action to protect the value of your property before it is too late. I may mention that ! have already booked dates at the Theatre Royal. The future of the Opera House is in your hands if you insist on your rights of fair play, as against fre<» admissions to rich residents of Wellington." A meeting of shareholders is to be held on the 13th inst to consider the circular. I underslnr.d that, quite a number of shareholders agree with Mr'Musgrove's rortcntion, and will support him at the meeting, whic'i promises to be lnely.