WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2923, 23 March 1910, Page 69

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

By Peter Pan

March 18. Dear Pasquin,—There is no mistake about "Peter Pan" opening on Easter Saturday, for the advance guard, has been at work, and posters -brazen forth the news of the day and date from every wall and window. Mr Bert Royle, who returned from the south this week,. anticipates that • "Peter Pan'' will suit New Zealanders,: and predicts a successful tour. Mr Harold Ashton will manage the company, which is due here next Wednesday. . The Besses o' th' Barn Band is at the Town Hall, but the excellence- of this musical combination has not been appreci-ated-as-it-should. From 1 here the -band goes through the Manawatu district, playing, where possible, two towns per day. /Mr S. Grant writes from Auckland advising, that the Marlow Dramatic Company opens there on Easter Monday.' Mr Duncan Neven, a New Zealand pressman, is manager of the company. ■Wednesday was a great night for the Royal and West Picture Syndicate. The new King's Theatre was opened, and the first exhibition of pictures .was witnessed by a packed audience. Every seat in the dress circle and stalls had been booked previously. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were present, and the opening ceremony was performed by Mr T. M.Wilford. M.P., who, in a. neat speech .complimented the joint proprietors on their handsome and well-' appointed-theatre. There is no doubt about it, the new theatre is a decided acquisition to our amusement houses. - . No sooner was the new theatre opened, however, than it was given out that a syndicate had been formed to erect another picture house, and yet another company is mooted for the purpose of building a theatre which is to be superior to anything in the Dominion! • : - And talking of theatres reminds me that a prominent citizen of, Dunedin has been in the city this week, making inquiries as to the cost of buildinc theatres,-.: and it is whispered that <he intends erecting his theatre in your Octagon. , - - Fullers took over the management of His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday, when the Roval Pictures' lease expired, and had the satisfaction of show ins...a new programme of pictures- to-"a packed house, several hundreds having to be accommodated on the stage. The firm intend making a number of improvements to His_ Majesty's, including placing- tip-top chairs on the ground floor for sixDennv and shilling natrons alike, decorating, the interior, and improving the ventilation. The stasre is also to be removed, which will allow seating accommodation for about 200 more patrons. There was a great, rush to get the new Kinsy's Theatre -finished in time to allow of the opening on Wednesday, and men were workintr at cleaning, up rierht until 7.30. Mr- Aif. Linlev was indefatigable in hie efforts, and for three dav.s and niffhts he did not leave the buildina-. He bad quite a small army of carncn+ers. namters. and labourers at work, and all credit, is due to him that the theatre .was opened in such a finished state. Of course, evervthinsr .was not. exactlv apple-pie. but it was complete enough. Since the opening the decorators have taken matters more leisurely, and it will be some weeks before they will have completed their work. Vaudeville is 'still prospering at the ■'"ieatre Royal. The Orot+ons are due from sfcrtstralia to tour the Fuller circuit. Tenders -were called for the of the Town Hall on Eas'ter Mondav' nicht, but none were received. Mr "R Q n Fuller then secured it at the usual bolidav rental, and .will give an exhibition of . pictures on that .night. ' ,', .'..' ~...'.,..,