MASTERTON MURMURS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2915, 26 January 1910, Page 69

MASTERTON MURMURS.

Dear Pasquin,—After the drought!, a deluge! In my last I had to chronicle a quiet time theatrically, but I am how able to report a better state of affairs. The Thompson-Payne Pictures are in their fourth month at the Foresters' Hall, and still going strong. I looked in last night and found the hall crowded to the doors, standing room even being at a premium. So pleased is the management with the success achieved that they have made a start with big improvements to the hall, including a sliding roof, which can be opened up during the hot weather, two electric fans, alteration of seats so as to gradually rise to the back wall, and addition of space. The programmes presented nightly are uniformly good, hence their popularity. More pictures! A novelty was intro-

r duoed by the Uniscope Company in the shape of cpen-air cinematograph displays on the Show Grounds. The new idea caught on, and a very satisfactory week's i.ijsiriess resulted. Really, the innovation could stand extending in the summer months. Carter the Magician faced a well-filled house in the Town Hall last. week, and quickly "made good" with his clever trinks and smart patter. The entertainment was mysterious and pleasing, and quite to the ' taste of the delighted audience who j heartily applauded what they could not understand.

'"The Flag Lieutenant"—the play without a, villain—drew a good house, although . the audience was not so large as usually '. attends a Williamson production. Messrs i Thomas Kingston and George Titheradge I received flattering receptions on their en--1 trance, and, with Mr Cyril Mackay, gave i finished interpretations of their respective roles. The ladies of the- company are some- ! what weak, and one or two scenes that . should have been tense (notably that in I which Mrs Cameron learns the truth con- , corning the telegraph incident) lost much of their strength owing to this fact. Miss , Emma Temple, as the scandal-mongering : Mrs Gough-Bogle, was the one iady in the c&st whoso work stood out prominently. It was a delightful sketch. ! ''Uncle Tom's Cabin" can still attract- a. large number of sympathisers, as was exemplified the other night when the Tay-lor-Carrington Company put on the old drama. Miss Ella Carrington appeared ,as lopsy, the black imp who " 'spects she just growed." ) The Maoris in Mast<-rton are becommg i keen playgoers, and at every e-ntertain-men*, there is a'wa-ys a good sprinkling of ! .-Natives.

: ..\ar.ives. -| "Ea,st Lynnc" was the bill, and the audi™?f. were becoming rather weepy. Little Willie was joining the angels, and at the cue tor 'a little tremolo music" the pianist broke into—" Swing me up a little bit i higher, Obadiah" ! | According to English papers which I ve- , ceived by last mail, Miss Marie Lohr has , made a great success in London as the ; newiy-marned bride in "Little Mrs Cuni- , mm, m which Miss Lottie Venne takes , ttos ti.tte .role. I During the next week or two we are ; to have the Scarier Troubadours, William- , sons Opera Company in "A Country Girl" (much disappointed at not seeing "The Ivmg of Cadonia"), Pollard's Opera Company Hackenschinidt/and Pollard's Men-" midgets.—Sincerely yours, J i • v .. FSA DIATOLO;