WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 69

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

By Peter Pah. April 4. Deer Pasquin,—Edward Branscombe's company, "The Dandies," will be in Wellington'on May 23. With the exception of Leonard GroLthfi, the gilted pianist who was here with " The (Scarlet Troubadours, ' all the members of the company will be new to the Dominion. The personnel is ag follows:—lrene Vere (soulbrette), Evelyn Ward (contralto), Hilda Lane (soprano), Oliver Peacock (baritone). Claude Dam pier (comedian), Gavin Wood (bass), und George Morgan (comedian and eccentric dancer). " The Dandies" were fonned in 1910, and have been showing continuously since then under the Branscombe banner. Their Australian success should be repeated in Now Zealand. Jansen, the great illusionist, concludes his season to-night. It has been a fine season, full houses being the rule. On Monday and Wednesday afternoons Jansen's Offer of £5 to anyone detecting his disguise was the means of attracting thousands to Post Office square. It was a merry time on Monday, the efforts of a section of the crowd to penetrate the magician's disguise causing much amusement, and in some cases no little embarrassment. On Wednesday Jansen was discovered in a few minutes. Von Arx, another magician, took up the running at the Opera House on Easter Saturday. This company includes the Norwoods, hypnotists and thought transference artists. The interest aroused by Jansen in things mysterious should be reflected on this company. Petone's new theatre is to bo commenced next week. ll is to be a brick building. and will seat 1000. There will be a dress circle, with lounge, smoking room, and a cloak room. The total cost will be in the vicinity of £IO.OOO. The new place will be used for pictures. The Wellington Musical Union has decided to go Into recess. This lias been occasioned by the fact that Mr Robert Parker lias retired from the position of conductor, and a suitable successor is not in vi< w. The idea of going into recess is that if a suitable conductor arrived in the Dominion the rociety could almost immediately resume operations. Mr Hamilton Hodges has volunteered to sing the part of Lucifer in "The Golden Legend," which the Musical Union is to perform at the farewell concert to Mr Robert Parker. Nowtown is still to have two picture shows. St. Thomas's Hall, recently vacated by West's Pictures, who. with Hay ward's Ltd.. have taken over the Star Theatre, is to be reopened by Fuller's, on Easfer Monday.