WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 56

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Bi Pbteb Pas.

Juno 23. Dear "Pasquin"—Williamson's "Mother Goose" pantomime was unfortunate on its opening here. In the finst place the Sydney boat was late in arriving, and the stage mechanists were hard put to it in getting the scenery and effects in order, and toil how they -would, it was not until well after 8 o'clock on Wednesday night before the signal to raise the curtain was given. Then, after ail this arduous labour, it was found that the machinery for the greatest of all the mechanical effects, the rocking ship scene, had been mislaid. The scene, of course, had to be cut out, but as everything else went smoothly, the management can be forgiven. It was not until the hands of the clock wero approaching midnight that the final curtain was rung down. However, everything is in working order now, and John Farrcll and Charlie Berkeley havo lost their worried look.

Victor Prince's Revue Company is still popular at His Majesty's where good business is maintained. Dorothy Gard'ner and her "Merriuns" (Kitty Checkctt and Cuthbort. Rose) made their first appearance under the Fuller banner on Monday night, but the audience pleased to be very critical, and did not take kindly to turns which wero popular when these artists appeared here with one of Branscombe's Dandies' companies. It is a funny thing, but you can never guess the mood of an audience. The Pink Dandies are having a successful run at the Town Hall, and finish up next week. Then they go south, and will be in Dunedin from the 13th to the 22nd July. John Hopkins is on his way south now. Paul Dufault's last concert, lure was a memorable) one. The Grand Opera House was packed, and the huge audience cheered the artist until the Welkin was working overtime. Mr Dufault was very generous and mot the clamourous demands of his auditors with song after son!,'-. At tlie conclusion of the concert a great crowd remained outside to give, the tenor rousing cheers as he drove away from the theatre.. The parly are now en route to Sydney. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The new vaudeville bill that was presented at His Majesty's Theatre on the 26th was received with cordial and, at times, enthusiastic approval. The Fuller management just, now is catering generously for its patrons. There were no fewer than nine new artists figuring on the bill. Head and shoulders above the newcomers stood Nelson and Nelson, mounted on a pair of stilts'. From this precarious elevation they presented some of the best comedy acrobatics that have been seen in Dunedin for a considerable time, the humorous effect being greatly heightened by the variegated garb of tho performers. Their turn was of the whirlwind variety, and feats of balancing

wero followed by a succession of amazing tumbles ami somersaults, in which the elonj gate,] limbs of the acrobats served to enI nance the ludicrous nature of their extraordinary performance. These artists defy description, and have to be seen to be appreciated. Morton and Rydon arc a pair of English artists who fill in an exceedingly breezy 10 minutes, and indulge in a spell of volubility that would be difficult to equal by the most gifted slump orator. The Two Kcrlines appear in the picturesque ccitumo of Western America, and show much skill in doing several things at once. The male member does some excellent balancing on n sphere, and by way of climax he manages to maintain his own equilibrium and that of the sphere on a rapidly-rotating surface that had previously brought about the speedy downfall of a number of small boys. Two young ladies, called Galo and Sadie, sang duets in a robust manner, and the younger of the pair danced attractively. Miss Nina Alix appeared as a soubrctto, singing several songs, and also indulging in some dancing. Among the artists remaining over from the previous week chief interest centres in the Bunty Comedy Company. "MacPherson's Wooing" is the title of their new sketch, and it is full of characteristic Scottish humour. Los Warton's popularity is unabated, and Miss Hazel Morris's ragtime ditties continue to find a welcome, as also do Miss Nan Taylor's songs. Charlie's Canine Circus and Madame Marve'lle's cockatoos still form a part, of trie entertainment, which will be repeated this evening, and will br> strengthened by the inclusion of Vernon and Reid, a duo of English dancers and equilibrists.