The Lorgnette

Observer, Volume XXI, Issue 1178, 27 July 1901, Page 5

The Lorgnette

By Pendennis

Magnificent business has been done by the Musgrove Opera Company during the week, notwithstanding the exoeptionally inclement weather, and here ia every prospect that tbe crowded houses will continue up till the oloae the season Every Beat in the dress circle has been booked for days ahead, the steps and passages have been iilled|cight after night, with a hue disregard of the city by-laws, and there is a nightly struggle for seats in the stalls and pit. Certainly, the company is a splendid and powerful one, and has staged the operas produced in a style far beyond what .we are accustomed to. The

orchestra, too, is the finest we have eeen with any Bimilar company in New Zealand. But aa for tbe principals, while they are certainly of good average merit, there is no remarkable individual brilliancy. The male artistes are weak. There is not In (he company a Charles Tamer, a WaUhe, or even a Farley, and much more gifted and capable soloists than the lady artistes hive been heard in New ZeaUnd again and again. The strength of the company lies chiefly in its numerical power, in the faot (hat changes of caste are made from night to night, and in the farther advantage that none of the artists are below average talent. Conaequently, the operas are well produced, and the success of the company is marvellous. Dix'a Gaiety, with its present Btrong attractions, ia drawing well and pleasing everybody. The Haytorß, in 'Me Too, Charlie,' an entirelely new act, are drawing forth laughter and applause unlimited. The performance of the Haytors alone is good for tbe constitution, and makes one feel that life is worth living The present act haa more in it than either of the other two. It is full of smart dialogue, and gives no end of scope for the display tbe of Haytors' talents. Frank Yorke, in his new turns, is penalised with encores, and by the the time he is done with weara an all-tired look. Mias Molly Bentley, who renders in pleasing Btyle a favourite ballad or two, is alwayß reoalled, and the all-round applauae tbat greetß her Ib a tribute to her popularity ahe ought to be proud of. Mr ' Jim ' Marion provokea roara of laughter by hiß inimitable funnyisms, while Mr George Dean, in .his character aonga, is no leaa successful. ' Little Alma Gray, the serio and danseuse, ia sprightly 1 and musical, and ahowa a great variety of steps. Miss Annetta Bodin and Miss Ethel Gwynne do capital work, while Johnny Collins and Karl Browne, either separately or together, give a number of tnrnß in firat-class atyle. The Gaiety juat now Ib well worth going to. Tbe programme, like the sunbeams, is alwayß changing, and every artist does hia or her beat to entertain. Tbe concert by the Liedertafel, at the Choral Hall on Thursday, waa one of the best the clnb has given. The items were particularly good and nicely arranged, and the recalls were general. Madame Emily Spada, who caneed quite a furore in Auckland some years ago, was the magnet, of conrße, and her re-appearance had something to do, probably, with the picked condition of the hall Madame waß in splendid voice, and rendered her selections with ali the power and expression that formerly characterised her. Her style was finished and peculiar to herself, and ahe waa alao pleasing. Her firßt notes captured the audience, and the remainder held them None the leßs successful was Mr Philip Newbury, a vocalist who has alao been heard before and won golden opinions. He, too, was in excellent voice —a powerful tenor of very high range— and Bang with vigor and artiatio expression. The audience were quite enthusiaatic, and applauded him nobly. Mr Arthur Hahn, the well known baritone, waa also of value his contributions, and shared tbe honours with Madame and Mr Newbury. There were also items by the olub, rendered with their usual precision. Two of the prettiest things on the programme were the ' Miserere ' from 'II Trovatore,' by Madame Spada and Mr Newbury, and a trio, ' I Naviganti,' by Madame and Messrs Newbury and Hahn. Messrs Arthur Towsey and H. E. Simmonda made very capable accompanists.

It is Baid iD the London press that Mra Brown Potter's daughter is to be married to Mr James Stillman, jun., who ia described as being ' fabulously wealthy.' Two artists who were erst with Percy Dix— lvy ocott and little Eileen Boyd — are appearing at Her Majesty's, Sydney, in the latest Williamson boom, ' The Casino Girl ' Miss Susie Vaughan, who bas oome to Australia under a twelve months' engagement to Robert Brough, shares with Mias Fanny Coleman the honour of being recognised aB the firat ' old woman ' of the London atage. Miss Alice Crawford, who was m Auokland with Nance O'Neil, and who gained very high opinions for her clever acting, was reoently with her company at Bendlgo, her native town, and waa tendered a complimentary benefit by her friends, who alao made her a presentation through the medinm of Judge Hodge.

The annual meeting of the RemoJ era Bowling Clnb ia announced for Mon , day next, July 29th, at 730 p.m. Th meeting takes place in the pavilion, and the Beoretary requests a full attendance.