WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 66

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

By Petek Pan.

June 11.

Dear “Pasquin,”—Williamson’s “Cinderella” pantomime opened on Wednesday cven’ng to a house which made Charles Berkeley and John Farrell wear the glad eye for the whole evening. The big theatre was packed, and the panto, was worthy of the house, for, certainly, it is the best that the Williamson firm has sent to New Zealand. It is a riot of splendour and gaiety, a kaleidoscopic succession of beautiful pictures, with enchanting music. “Cinderella” is in for a prosperous run here. On Tuesday afternoon the members of the Pantomime Company are to give a matinee performance in aid of the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. A special programme is being prepared, and it will include the scene Irorn Dickens, “The Bardell versus Pickwick Breach of Promise Case.” The Peter Dawson Concert Party returned to Australia last week. It is Mr Dawson’s intention to tour Australia and the East, and in this connection has engaged Mr John Hopkins as his manager. This means that the gonial “John Hop” will sever his relationship with Branscombe (Ltd.), for which he has acted as New Zealand representative for some time. Mr Hopkins went south on Wednesday night to arrange the Christchurch season of “The Violets.” He will return here next week, and leave for Sydney next Friday to take up his new position. It is quite likely that victor Beck will take up the advance work for “The Violets.”

“The Violets,” by the way, under the care of Leo D. Chateau, are claying the smalls up Wairarapa way just now, but leave for the south next week. They have been meeting with success. When Peter Dawson and his concert party were about to sail for Sydney last week the male quartet of'“The Violets” serenaded them. Mr Dawson, with a_ plea of “Penny, Lady!” took up a collection, with the result that the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund will benefit by £2 11s. The Wellington Amateur OporaLc Society have booked dates at the Grand Opera House from September 25 to October 2 for the production of Planquette’s opera “Les Cloches do Corneville.” Rehearsals commence ‘ next week under the direction of Mr Bernard Pago, our city organist. “Pardon Me!” another Paul Stanhope revue, has been running at His Majesty s this week. This company has now been hero four weeks, and has earned much popularity. It moves on to fresh fields on Thursday. Tom Dawson, one of the best of Australian-grown comedians, is back again, and is as funny as oyer. George Edwards and Rosie, Parkes, “The Australian Sundowner” (a good violinist), Lumley and Rhodes, Courtenay and Shaw, and Ida Jarvis are the ethers in the bill.