OTHER SHOWS.

Observer, Volume XXII, Issue 51, 6 September 1902, Page 6

OTHER SHOWS.

Dixs Gaiety Co.— City Hall (permanent). Wirths' Circus — Amphitheatre, Custom -street — June 9 to September 30.

SUCCESS smiled on Mr Harry Rickard's Company on the occasion of its Jirst appearance in the City Hall, and it has smiled ever since. Large audiences have greeted the performers every evening, and hearty applause has been the reward of their meritorious items. A change of programme was made on Monday evening last, and, consistent with that of the previous week, was of a most interesting and entertaining character.

Miss Henrietta Byron and Mr Barney Fagan were very much appreciated in their sketch, and had to respond to many recalls. Mr J. W. Winton, with his irrepressible McGinty and other automatons, created a perfect furore of laughter, and Derenda and Breen were very successful in their club juggling comedy. The Jackson Family, the versatile musicians, were again enthusiastically received in their many new items, and the aluminum organ, an, instrument invented and introduced by themselves, was the cause of much interest and wonder. Miss Jennie Opie is heard in new ballads and illustrated songs, and Miss Neva Carr Glynn, the contralto soloist, is well received. The Clarence Sisters introduce a number of new serio-comic songs, which are an appreciable acquisition to the programme. The last nights of the season are announced, so that there will be few more opportunities of seeing this excellent company.

A large audience assembled at Messrs Wirth Bros.' Circus on Monday evening to enjoy the change of programme, which included, beside a number of new acts by old and well - known favourites, several fresh items by artistes who made their first appearances. Sadie and Joe Deltorellis provided a very amusing item, and much interest was centred in their singing dog. A hurricane bar act, by Miss Flo Bartele, was very cleverly executed, and^ Messrs Alexander gave a skilful performance on the double trapeze. Mons. Ragoul, who introduced his tight-rope walking tigress, Kitty, was greeted with hearty applause. Mr Phil Wirth has given still further testimony of his skill in the training of horses by the exhibition of his horse Major in a high school act. Amongst the attractions for Saturday next is a high jumping contest for local horses. The Howard Bros., described as marvellous second sight seers, will arrive here on Tuesday next. It will be learnt with regret that the circus season closes here on /September 13th, and Mr Peterson has proceeded to Wellington to secure ground there for a permanent building.

The drawing-room entertainments given in the Choral Hall last week by Mr Clifford Walker, the English society entertainer, created quite a diversion amongst amusement seekers in Auckland, and proved very success-

fill'. The entertainment provided by Mr Walker is unique, and he displays a histrionic talent of high order, and convinces one, even before the termination of his first item, of his mastery of the art of elocution. His store of humour is unlimited, represented not only in words, but by action and facial expression. To give a monologue performance of this kind —to keep a large audience interested and amused for a«pace of two hours — requires extraordinary power, but Mr Walker is more equal to his task; He came to Auckland with a splendid reputation a^ an entertainer from the South which leeway fully sustained, and his concerts Jttkiye been accorded the patronage theyso'weli deserved.

The Auckland Amateur Opera Club intend giving two Hinemoa concerts in the Choral Hall on Wednesday and Thursday evenings next. The first part of the prop ram me will consist of orchestral and vocal items, and part songs by the Auckland Liedertafel. The second part will comprise Mr Alfred Hill's Maori legend, " Hinemoa," by combined choirs, Opera Club Liedertafel and members of other societies. The box plan is now open

Mr George Musgrove's Company, headed by Miss Nellie Stewart, continues to do- capital business at the Melbourne Princess with " Sweet Nell of Old Drury."

Mr Brough has staged upwards of 300 plays during his managerial career in Australia. The mounting of each production has been worthy of the very best London West End theatre?.

There is a movement in Melbourne to tender a jubilee benefit lo Mrs G. W. B: Lewis, who has been a prominent figure in Australasian stage life for many years, and who made her first appearance at the Strand Theatre in London exactly fifty years ago.

The Pollard Opera Company brought their Wellington season to a close with a revival of the successful " Florodora." The business during the season was first-class.

The Geach - Willoughhy Comedy Company will inaugurate a tour of New Zealand at the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on the 25th October. The piece de resistance of the company's repertoire will be Mr Broadhurst's farcical comedy, " The Wrong Mr Wright."

It is stated that the Ada Willoughby Comedy Company intends shortly to tour New Zealand with the play entitled " The Wrong Mrs Wright," which is said to be nothing more or less than the comedy " Jane " re» named.

The friends of Mr Alf. Stevens, of the Pollard Opera Company, will be pleased to learn that he is slowly recovering from his serious illness. He has been a member of the present Pollard Company ever since it was inaugurated, some eleven years ago, being then but a mere lad of some thirteen summers.

Miss Jeannie Pollock, a young Auckland lady, has met with much success in Australia under Bland Holt. She played Mrs Elsmere in the recent production of " The Great Ruby" at the Lyceum Theatre, Sydney. Miss Pollock is the eldest daughter of the late James Pollock, a weil-known Auckland printer, and was a clever elocutionist even as a tiny child.

Fitzgerald Brothers have sent Mr Harold George, their well-known agent, to Chicago, to establish a permanent agent for the supply of circus novelties to them. In the meantime, it is their intention to erect permanent circus buildings in Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane on exactly similar lines as their huge circus amphitheatre on St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. They expect to be .able to supply the latest novelties, making a tour of Australia and New Zealand about every four months with an entirely new show.

Mr Tom Pollard has just received from Mr J. C. Williamson the manuscript and models of dresses and scenery of Mr Alfred Hill's new Maori opera, "Tapa." Mr Pollard intends to put the opera in rehearsal at once, ana will most likely produce it for the first time during the forthcoming Auckland season.