WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 76

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

(By

Peter Pan.)

February 25. Dear “Pasquin,”—The Stanley M‘Kay Australian Pantomime Company opened here last Saturday night with their '‘BoPeep” offering, and scored an instant success. There is hardly any plot, but the story of the shepherdess and handsome Jack Straw makes an admirable excuse for some splendid individual acts. Rene Rich is a yioliniste with strong talents; Ruth Bucknall reaches a dazzliugly high top note sweetly and effortlessly; Mr A. E. Y. Benham, an English basso, has a voice of uncommon depth and rare sweetness; Maudie Stewart and Arthur Meredith are Simon and Dame respectively; Marjorie Abrahams is BoPeep; and the Wonder Rascals perform all sorts of amazing gymnastics, handsprings, and contortions to the huge delight of all. The company concludes its short season to-night, and leaves tomorrow on a country tour embracing Levin, New Plymouth, Hawera, Eltliam, and Wanganui. The Butt-Rumford recitals take place on Thursday and Saturday next, and are described as “concerts for the people.” There is only one price of admission to all parts of the house, and all seats reserved. These two concerts will be their farewell to Wellington. Claude Kingston is again directing the return visit. Work is to commence almost immediately on the new J.C.W. picture theatre for Wellington, simultaneously with that for Auckland. Plans and specifications have arrived from the company’s architect, and tenders are to be called for in a few days. Wellington’s new theatre will be known as the Regent. Mr Beaumont Smith, managing director for Williamson Films (N.Z.), Ltd., announces the extension of the company’s enterprises to Christchurch. We renew acquaintance with the Williamson Musical Comedy Company on Saturday night, when “Whirled into Happiness” will be submitted. Athol Tier, Jack Cannot, and the ladies have big parts, and a new English comedienne in Miss Rosie la Varde is to be introduced in an important role. Mona Bailee, the; talented daughter of Phil Smith, is with the company, and she will be playing at the Opera House, while her fathor holds the boards in revue at the Fuller house a few doors further towards Courtenay place. An unusual coincidence! The latest revue offering by Phil Smith at His Majesty’s is “Autumn Love,” with a strong military flavour, and full of fun. There is a fair vaudeville programme in support. There is hardly a woman, or, for that matter, hardly a man, who has not read Mrs Henry Wood’s novel “East Lynne.” It has been staged and filmed, but the new version by William Fox is said to be different and better. It commences a season at the Do. Luxe to-morrow, with a specially selected musical programme to enhance its screening. The' following week Lon Chaney’s big success “The * ! f a m, toll l le Opera” will be shown. rrr 9,,. on Horse” is in its second week in Wellington, concluding to-night at the King’s.