WELLINGION WING WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3103, 3 September 1913, Page 61

WELLINGION WING WHISPERS.

Hi Petek Pan

August 29. Excepting for the fact that “Milestones drew crowded houses at the Opera House all the week, and that “Bella Donna” goes up to-night, there is not much to chronicle this week. “Milestones” could easily have run well into next week, for it is indeed a charming play. M'Kay’s Royal Pantomime Company, which is to tour New Zealand under George Stephenson and Alf Linley’a direction, opens hero on 16th October. Victor Loydeil, who has been through the Dominion with J. C. Williamson’s Pantomime Company, has been engaged to play the dame parts. Miss Kathleen Mack, a handsome and shapely artist, will Mac the principal ‘‘boy’’ and Miss Rita Webb the principal girl. The company will travel fifty strong, and will carry its own “theatre,” gas and limelight plant, seating accommodation, and stage, so that when the small towns are visited the pantomime can be staged in the same maimer as in the cities.

Added to his multifarious duties, Mr Bert Roylo is acting as manager of the Julius Knight Company. “Tiny Town” i.s to tour New Zealand again. Mr K. B. Young writes me from Toronto that he shall arrive in Wellington by the Manuka from ’Frisco on 9th October, and will immediately leave for Auckland, where tlio tour opens about 22nd October. “Tiny Town” is just now touring Canada, Mr Young having arranged that tour, lie sends kind regards to you.

A number of Wellington amateurs are busy rehearsing ‘‘The Private Secretary,” which they intend staging in the Town Hall in October. Those taking part are Misses Ruby Scott, Ethel Lissaek, Mario Fix. and Iris Lennox, and Messrs Norman Aitken, C. (iambic, F. W. Mijjar, C. K Russell. Ernest Luke, and Dr Norman Males. All the above hud some experience behind the footl-ghis, and should give a good account of themselves.

KING’S THEATRE. That the popularity of Blots oe’« Crimson Ramblers is by no moans on the wane was further amply demonstrated at the King’s Theatre on the Ist. The Ramblers provided the major portion of the entertainment us usual, and they were accorded a unanimous verdict of appreciation by the big audience that filled the house in every part. The repertoire of the various artists might almost be called inexhaustible, for. with the exception of some which were given “ by request,” most of their items were new. The opening chorus by the Ramblers was appropriately bright and enlivening. paving tlie way as it did for the pleasingly diversified mindters that followed. Tiie second half of the programme, comprising a strong selection of vaudeville items, is an entertainment in itself. Probably the most interesting, and certainly the most novel, turn was that given by Max Duffek, a musical contortionist, who, according to the programme, is touring the world in a million different ways—the “ ways ” being ways of progress judging from the slides which wore (brown on the screen at the commencement of the turn. Duffek is shown making his way along by all manner of means, from being carried in the arms of a Tyrolean giantess to skimming aloft in an airship. During his turn Duffek plays various musical instruments while contorting himself into all sorts of shapes. The turn is at once uov-l and very clever, and almost balks description. It should be seen to be appreciated. Jennings and Gerald presented a clever sketch, entitled “ Rent, Day.” Orher artists who contributed items were Gertie Johns {scrio and dancer). Miss Essie Jennings (vocalist), Harry Collins (coon impersonator), and Lgvarto and Collins (comedy jugglers'. A word of praise is duo to the orchestra. FULLERS’ PICTURES. Diversified, interesting, and amusing, the new programme of pictures screened at the Princess Theatre on the Ist was accorded a warm reception by the large audience that assembled in the popular picture house. Nothing dull or tame finds place in the series, and those who like their entertainment garnished with a spice of sensationalism will find many of the new films eminently suited to their taste. The dramatic section is more than usually well represented, and of the three fine films in this class the best is probably that entitled “The Web.” The picture is some 2000 ft in length, and the fact that the capable Vitagraph artists have been entrusted with ♦ ho delicate duty of playing upon the many-toned instrument of human emotion is at once a guarantee of its quality. “ Arabia, the Equine Detective,” is an ex-

tremely clever Selig drama, in. which a beautiful grey horse plays a prominent part, and, in a startling denouement, is instrumental in establishing the duplicity of a man whose hands are stained with guilt. “In God's Care” is a tender, touching story, full of deep pathos and some very human sentiment. “ Rosie's Revenge ” is a thoroughly delightful and refreshing comedy that shows in iruwf amusing fashion how a woman, who has become a cook after failing in life as a stenographer, gets even with her former employer. “By Mutual Agreement ” and “The Flirty Husband” are two other very fine comedies. Some splendid scenic* and a new Pathe Gazette complete an excellent list.