The Lorgnette

Observer, Volume XV, Issue 821, 22 September 1894, Page 9

The Lorgnette

By Prompter,

The Pollards' all too brief season concluded last night (Wednesday). Since our last issue appeared, these clever youngsters performed ' Les Cloches de Corneville ' with much success, and on Monday evening they staged a new opera, which was produced for the first time on any stage. This was by Mr H. T. Harrison, the very capable musical director of the Company. ' Bulbo,' as the opera is called, is a delightful production, strikingly original, full of quaint notions and bright, ' catchy ' music. The orchestra was increased on the opening night of ' Bulbo ' to fifteen performers, wno were admirably led by that popular local musician, Herr Zimmermann. The choruses in ' Bulbo ' are especially worthy of notice. They are extremely beautiful. We congratulate Mr Harrison on his work and on the very clever way in which it was presented by the young performers ; the principals, one and all, acquitted themselves most creditably. We predict that ' Bulbo ' will become popular.

The benefit concert tendered by the Orchestral Union and the Liedertaiel to Mr Arthur Towsey last week at City Hall proved both financially and artistically successful. A feature of the programme was the performance of Felicien David's Symphonic ode ' The Desert,' for orchestra and male voices. This magnificent work, full of Oriental life and colour, charmed the audience. The work is an ambitious one for amateurs to attempt, and yet they acquited themselves, one and all, admirably. The chorus (28) voices could hardly have been better. Mr Towsey conducted with characteristic skill and accuracy, while the fine orchestra was led by Mr Charles Hemus. The orchestral accompaniments were perfectly played. Messrs Tapper, Trenwith, and Morath distinguished themselves in the vocal part of the performance. The connective readings were delivered most effectively by Key. L. FitzGerald. The second part of the programme was devoted to orchestral selections and songs by Mrs Shoesmitb. and Mr Gee. The Liedertafel contributed three vocal selections, which were all most successful. The National Anthem wourtd up a thoroughly good concert.

Monday was a truly awful night, meteorologically speaking, but John Fuller's popular concert at City Hall attracted another big house. Mr Fuller's contributions to the programme included :'My Queen,' 'We Don't Know How We Love Them Till We Lose Them ' (doubly encored) ' Come Into the Garden, Maud,' ' Geraldine,' and,a new song words and music by Mr Percy Abbott (of the Heller Coterie) ' Gwendoline ' which was very well received. Mr Fuller also sang 'Flow Gently Deva,' with Mr A. Tayler, and the ' Miserere,' (II Trovatore), with Miss Warren. Misses Elsie Falconer, Lizzie Warren, Clarice Brabazon, Messrs A. Tayler, T. Adams, Alex. Smith, and Mr Edwards septette orchestra all contributed to the programme which was as usual, a thoroughly attractive one. The programme for next Monday's concert appears in our advertising columns.

' Bubbles ' and ' Lar,' the acrobatic kiddies showing with the Fredos, have just been engaged • (by cable) by Mr George Coppin for his coming Melbourne pantomime. Mr George Callender, manager for Heller's Bonanza Coterie, looked in on Tuesday to tell us that the company had done good biz. in the "Waikato in spite of the very unfavourable weather. The Coterie opens to-night (Thursday) at Ngaruawahia. Mr Calender has now gone to Dareraville to arrange for the appearance of the Hellers in that township. The concluding tour of the Hellers, so far as this part of the world is concerned, appears in our advertising columns. Williamson and Musgrove's Royal Comic Opera Company are due in Dunedin very shortly from Australia. Fred .Duval, of Pollard's Liliputians, tells us the combination is a very strong one. It includes our old friend Howard v ernon, and Nellie Stewart as 'leading lady.' The show is due in Auckland in February and will probably play 18 nights here. The repertoire includes: 'Paul Jones,' 'Mamie Rossette,' 'Vicar of Bray,' 'Mountebanks,' ' Mascotte,' ' Mikado," 'Gondoliers,' ' Mdlle. Nitouche,' and tableaux vivants. . •

On Monday last Belle Cole and Company" opened at Garrison Hall, Dunedin. - The Montague-Turner Company concluded their Dunedin season on Saturday. Dion Boucicault will probably visit England at the close of Brough and Boucicault's present tour. Miss Ina Lawrence and A. E. Greenaway were made man and wife, prior to the latter's leaving for America. Leila" Adair, on whom" fortune still continues to frown, is at Dunedin, where she has been parachuting with more or less (generally less) success. Walter Bentley 's lecture the other Sunday night in Wellington on ' Church and Stage ' realised twenty guineas, which sum went to swell the funds of Wellington hospital. That well-known burnt corkist, Charley Hugo, is appearing (in his specialities) at Christchurch Opera House ' pops.' One of Charles' specialities is — but no matter. ' Professor ' Beaumont, the «manfish,' and the rest of that piscatorial family have seceded from St. John's Pantomime Co. and are running 'on their own.' At latest dates they were at Wanganui. The People's Company seems to have taken root in Dunedin. At latest advices they were playing 'The Bells' (Albert Lucas — who is Albert Lucas ?— as ' Matthias ') and ' His Last Legs.' Pollard's Liliputians open at, Napier on the 24th inst., afterwards playing Hastings, Palmerston North and Wanganui. On October 15th they are due at Wellington. They open at Christchurch Nov. 1, and return to Wellington for Christmas. They come to Auckland again in March, when they will produce ' Tambour Major,' ' Olivette ' and ' JPepita.' Mr Walter Bentley, with an entirely new dramatic company and a fresh repertoire of plays, is doing splendid business at the Wellington Opera House. His trump card is ' The Silence of Dean Maitland ' a dramatisation of the novel of- that name which created such a sensation throughout the Anglo-Saxon world when it came out several years ago. This play has never before been seen in New Zealand, and it has a most tragic denouement, the Dean dying suddenly in the pulpit after proclaiming to his congregation the sin of his youth which had poisoned his life. Mr Bentley bids fair to achieve as much distinction on the lecturing platform as he has won upon the- stage. Last Sunday evening he lectured to a vast assemblage in the Opera House on ' Church and Stage ' (Sir R. j3tont in the chair) and kept his audience alternately amused and fascinated by the funniness of his anecdotes and the splendour of his elocutionary recitalsC He recited the ' Seven Ages of Man,' Hamlet's ' Advice to the Players ' and gave a most graphic description of the ' Tenebrae ' service in a Roman Catholic chapel. He will be in Auckland very shortly and the playgoers . here may expect a treat.

Subscribers and intending subscribers to Coolgardie Prospecting Syndicate, should see announcement respecting same in this issue. At John Fuller's next Monday pop at City Hall Mrs May Olive Shoesmith.. who made such a successful debut at the Towsey benefit on Thursday, will appear. Mr S. E. Hughes, estate agent, etc., announces in our advertising columns that he has removed his office from Vulcan Lane to 81 Queen-street. Mr Hughes has been in business since 1873. Auckland Kennel Club announce that in consequence of a cable received from Mr Coupe, (judge) the committee have decided to postpone the dog show to sth and 6th Oct. They have cherefore extended time for entries to Saturday 22nd Sep., at British Hotel. Mr Samuel John Smith, of the wellknown Terminus Hotel, Helensville, announces in our advertising columns that he has first-class accommodation for boarders and travellers and that his liquors are of the best brauds only. You may get conveyances- at the Terminus to the hot springs, three miles from Helensville. Dorothy annual fancy dress ball in the Choral Hall to-morrow (Friday) evening will be one of the events of the season. Fully 120 couples are expected in fancy costume, and the spectacle should be a most enchanting one. Limelight effects have been arranged for, and are certain to enhance the beauty of the scene. Miss Todd will lead the grand march in the character of ' Dorothy,' her partner being Mr W. Cole as the Earl of Willowdale. Much originality and humour has, we are informed, been shown in the design of some of the costumes. There will be special trams from Ponsonby according to advertisement and a 'bus from Parnell.