WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3029, 3 April 1912, Page 69

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Bt Petes Pas. March 29 Dear Pasquin, —There have been rumours and denial of rumouis lately as to tho amalgamation of the Fuller and Bronnan theatrical business. 'That there is something in the wind, however, there can bo no denying, and it would not occasion much surprise if. even before this is published, something more definite is heard about tho matter. There has been a rise in Bronnan shares or: the Sydney market, whicli certainly seems as if there was "something doing." Mr John Fuller, jun., returned from Sydney this week, but he is very reticent about the matter, and now Mr Ben Fuller leaves foi Sydney to-day to take up his permanent residence in the New South Wales capital, If this rumoured amalgamation docs come about. New Zealand will benefit as far as vaudeville entertainments are concerned, foi it, is veil known that Rrennan's have made a number of important engagements with English vaudeville artists, and these, of course, would play the New Zealand circuit. Mr .Tames Brennan has left Sydney for England to make further engagements, and it is understood that one of the Fuller firm will also make a visit to the Homeland. The new firm, if it comes about, will lx- the strongest in its line in Australasia, and will be in a position to treat with tho world's best artists. It is also understood that tho general managership of the new' company will be held by one of the Fullers—probably Mr Ben Fuller.

Miss Rosina Buckman, who was a mem-

' ber of the Melba Grand Opera Company, ba-s been engaged by the Wellington Choral (Society to sing the part of Santussa in Mascagni's opera "Cavalleria Rusticana," to be sung .'n concert form in the Town Hall during May. Miss Muriel Bennett, of Wellington, will take the second soprano part. | Tiie limit Jansen arrived from Australia on Wed- day. and opened the same evening in .■ Opera House. He is all his advance manager said he was —and when a public performer is that, what more can be said'. - Jansen was received with a packed house, and he merited it. He in- ' vests the old familiar tricks with a new ! charm, and his illusions are marvellously i conceived, and carried out in a manner ! which defies detection He is "Great," there jis no doubt. You will like him. So much I do the new firm of Porters and Talbot think of Jansen that they have contracted ; with him for another Australasian tour in 1916. The new firm will also take Jansen to Africa and South America. ! Claude Haigh, who piloted the "Scarlet. Troubadours'' on their last visit to the Dominion, writes from Melbourne to say that Edward Branscombc has booked a tour of New Zealand for another of his costume comedy companies. "The Dandies." The | tour will commence in Auckland iti May, and lengthy seasons will be played in the big centres. " The Dandies" have been running for some years in Australia, and have scored a success equal to the " Troubadours." The members of the company will be all new to New Zealand. Mr Hamilton Hodges, who has taken up his residence in Wellington, gave the first of a series of song recitals in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Wednesday evening. The recital was a great success, the hall being crowded, Mr Hodges, who was in fine voice, earning enthusiastic press notices. The success of the series is assured. Mr Hodges was assisted by Mr Baxter Buckley. | Mr John Fuller, jun., returned from Sydney on Wednesday, and Mr Ben Fuller leaves for that city by the Moeraki to-day, ; where he will permanently reside. Following on Jansen at the Opera House, another conjurer, Van Ark. will open there on Piaster Saturday. With Van Ark will be the Horwoods, mesmerists and secondsight artists. The new picture theatre —the People's Picture Palace—to be erected in Custom House street, with an entrance from Manners street, is to cost £12,000. A start has been made with the foundations, and the building is to be finished in two months' time. _ It has been designed to seat 800, and will contain a gallery. Mr W. T. Loudon, of Sydney, is the prime mover of the enterprise.