WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 70

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

By Petee Pah. January 8. Dear Pasquin,— At the present time J. C. Williamson bae four companies—Tithex-adge-Kolker-Ola. Humphrey, Titoell Brune, "The Red Mill," and Ada Crossley Concert Party— in New Zealand, and three in Australia—Julius Knight, "Jack and Jill' panto, and the Royal Cornice. Three of the ferst-nanied companies follow one another at the local Opera House— Titheradge, etc., Company finish on the 15th, and Tittell Brune opens the neit night, and immediately on the close of this company "The Red Mill" opens, followed by Ada Crossley in the Town Hall. The smaller towns of this province will also be deluged with big companies this month. F'riinstance, in Palmerston North, Brune, Titheradge, "Red Mill," Ada Croi-s---ley, Cherniavskis, Bland Holt follow on one another ; the same almost in Masterton — in this town Ada Crcssley, Brune, Titheradge companies follow without a break. In Wanganui 17 nights of this month aie booked tor J. C. W.s companies. Then the "small fry" are to be accommodated. Can these small towns stand if; Just listen for the crash ! •> Charles ParneH, late leader of the band for Fuller's and tKe Royal Pictures, who, you will remember, played the piano afc local Theatre Royal for some 30 hour* .whilst Tom Burrows swung olubs, returned to Wellington from Auckland on Monday. While' in the northern town Charles played the piano for 52 hours lmin at th© Royal Albert Hall, under the management of the Royal Pictures. He 6tarted Oh hifi task at 8 o'clock on Tuesday, the S9th December, and ended up just after the olooJ. announced the arrival of the New Year. During- teh long hours the recordbreaker played something- exceeding 1500 separate items, and concluded with the 'March Hongroise" ! Be was heartily cheered at the close. The members o£ "The Red Mill" and Florence Baines Compames helped to ease the strain by impromptu concerts. If ever ho makes anpibex "long distance" attempt it will be For 70 hours ! Mr Bart Royle will pilot the TitheradgesEKunpfrrey Comrany during its tour of New Zealand. 'J-liie company is having a iproeperous time at the Opera House, "The Taming of the Shrew" drawing crowded C^aodAnces in the higher-priced) portions of j|Jie house. Last 'night acquaintance was rgnewe^i with Abbe Dubois Tith«radge in ;"-%Piie Village PriesL," when there was a jpJusfced house. , |S£r Ben FuJle-r is in GuTistchuroh superintending the arrangements for the exhibition pf the Burns-Johnson fight pictures. vT&lking with. & well-known theatrical Snajna&ar last night, he confided to me his |>pftuon tiwfc this year would prove to be «te 6f the roost disastrous, theatrically, $J&t Jiew Zealand hee krio\yn ! %£% Vfaiter MoaaS: ie ip torrti heralding ffwtell Brune., who opens on the 16th in * t Tbo Girl of the ttoWem A ihgrt 8&& xx ooly iwiU be plant } feo thai th« V.Qv»" wyl be staged IqJ fiTo nights, ■"paffi* of Dobeoji'e fiW nigotfi, the old, MUable "Soiaday" three, and "Romeo and Alf. Xuftiey, p? th« BoyaJ Picture iptfaafrflrefei bS» returned from AuokJ&nd, tpoenine t«We* *b* the opening of ttie ffrilßefa'* s^r ocsmpaas in t& Boyal Mdbejl Hail en Baviolr KigJrt. Ht rfejpdrai

1 that the prospects for a lengthy season in the northern city are good. By the way, the syndicate celebrate their first birthday m Wellington this month, they having bean in possession of His Majesty's Theatre for 12 months, giving seven performances a week — a record for a picture show in Newi Zealand. The Hellers passed through Wellington en route for the couth on Thursday evening-. Their tour of the province was satisfactory. The Burns-Johnson fight pictures will bo shown here en the 19th irist. at Fullers' Theatre Royal. These pictures were witnessed by the Earl and Lady Dudley in Sydney. i * i