DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 32, 9 August 1890, Page 12

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, August 1. Somehow I was disamiointed in ‘Chums.’ If you thought ('hristie Murray good in ‘(’hums’ you ought to have seen him as the ‘ Baron.’ There was no comparison. He was as much better as Miss Seymour was as ‘Jim the Penman’s’ wife, ami her powerful acting in that play made one feel a sense of loss in ‘(’hums.’ I don’t think the Scotch \ ellean ‘ Farr’ was quite appreciated here—not as much, anyway, as it would he in an English community. The night ‘Chums’ was produced was an awful night of rain ami hail, ami the sunny bush scene was very tantalizing, making one wish fervently it was summer again. A week of very rough weather has been followed by bright sunny days ami frosty nights. At the theatre this week I have noticed Mrs Sise wearing a cardinal opera cloak ; the Misses Sise, in white opera cloaks ; Mrs Maunsell ami Miss Maunsell, the latter wearing a pretty white dress and pink plush opera cloak ; Miss Hallenstein, also in white ; Mrs Mel land, handsome black lace and silk, with wreath of red rosebuds; Mrs B. Hallenstein, Mrs J. S. \\ illiams and the Misses Williams, Madam and Miss .Joubert, Mrs H. Mackenzie, Miss Reynolds, Mrs J. R. Jones, and Miss E. Jones. Miss Reynolds, white Liberty silk and long grey cloak ; Miss Rachael Reynolds, white Liberty silk and white cloak ; Mrs Israel and her sister, Mrs Williams, both wore black dresses and red plush opera cloaks ; Miss Rattray, red, and Mrs Roberts cardinal plush opera cloaks ; Miss Frazer, figured salmon silk and cardinal velvet vest ; Mrs Belcher, fawn silk smocked ; Miss Belcher, blue and white silk smocked ; Miss Bird, black silk and cardinal plush opera cloak ; Miss Poppelwell, black lace ; Mrs McKenzie, gold shot silk, opera cloak ; Miss Mabel Maitland looked very well, but I was not near enough to see of what her costume was composed. We have been rich in musical evenings of late. At Girton Hall the ladies’ Liederkranz had a delightful performance. This musical club matches the gentlemen’s Liedertafel, and was formed by Miss Jennie West, who is conductress, with Mrs E. G. Edwards as president, Mrs R. Martin vice-president, Miss Maclean the lion. sec., Misses Pollen, Irwin, and Poppelwell being on the committee, ami Miss Florence Irwin acting as conductress. The hall was gratefully warm and cheerful, well lit and carpeted with Japanese blinds draw’n before the windows, and the pretty bamboo chairs filled with a warmly-clad assembly, while the stage was arranged as a drawing room. The part song, ‘ Hark to the Wind ’ was not only well sung, but very appropriate. ‘ The Three Wishes ’ was sung very sweetly by Miss Jessie Fish, who looked well in a black lace dress with \ -shaped neck. Miss Gertrude Dale played a violin solo, ‘ Air Varie.' She was attired in cream nun’s veiling. The Misses Mills, Hardy and Anderson w’ere dressed respectively in black, pink and blue. They sang the trio, ‘ The Eglantine.’ Miss Poppelwell’s ‘ Ave Maria ’ was one of the gems of the evening. She also looked extremely well in pink tulle with pink feather fan, ami camellias in her hair and corsage. The second part of the programme was opened by a part song, ‘ The Sunbeam,’ which received an encore, as also did Miss Jennie West's piano solo, ‘ Valse Brilliante.’ This lady wore a dark green velvet robe in the Elizabethan style, relieved with pink silk ami pink feathers. Miss Poppelwell gave a reading, which was very well received, ami as an encore, a pretty simple piece of poetry. Miss Florrie Muir, in red tulle, looked nice. Miss Joubert was in pale blue with Suede gloves and large fan. The choir all wore silver stars upon their shoulders. The next night there w as a most enjoyable entertainment given by the I niversity students for the purpose of raising funds for the boys to play Christchurch football. The City Hall was packet!, testifying to the fact that the object was popular. ‘ The Bats ’ and ‘ the Sunbeam ’ were rendered by the ladies’ Liederkranz. Mr A. L. N. Maclean gave a violin solo, ‘Le Reve,’ beautifully, and was recalled. ‘ Steering for Home ’ by Mr A. E. A. Palmer was w ell sung, with a chorus by students in cap and gown. ‘ The Three Chafers,’ ‘ Health tc all Good Lassies,'a double quartette by Messrs Palmer, Won, Rennie, Stephens, Hendey, Salmond, J. R. Montgomery, and S. Montgomery, all in caps and gowns, was very amusing, and made everyone laugh. The second part of the programme, composed of selections from ‘ She Stoops to Conquer,’ was really excellent. Mr C. M. Monal, w ho played so well in ‘ The Octoroon ’ a few weeks ago, took the part of Lord Hardcastle, and played excellently. He looked a real old time gentleman in whit-e satin knee breeches and crimson velvet coat. Mr J. MacDonald was good as Marlow, and Mr Stephens as Hastings. Miss Hardcastle was taken by Miss Alexander. This lady is a great student of Shakespere, and took the character, as I heard one lady express it, ‘like a perfect actress.’ It was a charming impersonation, and she looked lovely in a rich moire gown of the period she represented. The petticoat was of blue moire, the bodice and train of gold flowered broche. The bodice was ma<h* with high ‘ Medici’ collar and side pieces to look like t he quaint style of the period when the play was written. Miss Neville was taken by Miss (’ampbell. Everyone pronounced the evening a most enjoyable one.

Maude.