THE Lorgnette

Observer, Volume XXI, Issue 1179, 3 August 1901, Page 5

THE Lorgnette

By Pendennis

The Mußgrove Opera Company are still drawing crowded houaea, standing room only being available, even on the wettest nights. Some of the operas pro. ducedat the beginning of the season are being repeated, with new caate, and theßinging and actiDg are generally adimred. The season has been extended, with no intimation aB to When it will terminate, which is an evidence of the immensity of bnsineas the company la doiDg. The operaa are all well mounted and lavishly coatamed, and the weakness of some of the members is compensated for by the ability bt others. Big houses, high encominms, much mirth and great applanae, are the state of things at the City Hall. An entirely new programme ia now in fall swing, and going merrily, The Haytors, in another new act, are giving farther exhibitions of skill and versatility. These people do almost anything, from the cleverest acrobatic work to getting throngh a six-inch drain pipe, or something of that sort. As pautomimißts, too, they excel, and their dialogue is simply side-aplitting, Their Eeaaon, I notice, ia closing, bo theatre-goers who have not already seen them shonld avail themselves Another draw this week is the Sisters Worrall, two charming and accomplished serios. The Bisters are pleaaiDg and original, have exoellent voices, and dance with neatneEs and vigour, and are jast the kind to leap into popularity at once and never come oat of it. Frank Yorke, the burnt cork humourist, does satisfactory things in the first and second parts, and in song or story keeps the fnn going at a really f uriouß rate. MiBB Molly Bentiey, the popular balladist, obliges each night with a descriptive or patriotic number, and is roundly applauded, while Miss Ethel Owynne, in her serio turns, ' fetches them' beautif ally. Mr George Dean, the descriptive vocalist, is maintaing the high opinions formed of him, while 'Jim 1 Manon gets off some very funny things at various stages Miss Annetta Bodin is as good aa ever, and comes in for many plaudits. Messrs Johnny Collins and Earl Brcwn, two very old favourites, complete the combination, and add much to its strength. On Monday night the appearance ia announced of Mr Herbert and Miss Lily Roberta, a tenor and soprano respectively, two of the artißta who have recently been engaged by arrangement with Harry Biokards. The Dartos, who are now en route to New Zealand under engagement to Mr Dix, are the highest paid variety artists that have ever come this way. What the politicians have failed in has been brought about by two theatrical managers The reciprocal treaty between Haxry Rickards and Percy Dix haß federated, at any rate, the music-hall business, and is the first step towards that great movement. The WhitehouBe Biochronoscope, after a highly successful tour of the country districts and goJdfields, has gone to New Plymouth, and If the people down there know a good thing they will turn up in large numbers. The Bhow is one of the finest, and perhaps the most complete, that has toured thiß colony, its features being improved mechanism, unbroken series of pictures lasting fifteen minutes (and animated pioturea at that), and by this by economy in working, giving three programmes In one.