CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XIX, 4 November 1899, Page 833

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Beet

October 23.

The opening night of “Rip Van Winkle." given by the operatic section of the Natives’ Association, on Thursday last, was not as crowded as it should have been considering the merit of the performance. Taking it as a. whole it is a most creditable production, it is a very long opera, and requires a great deal of staging, especially the second act. but it was more than well done, it was beautifully mounted, and Mr H. H. Rayward, who took the part of “Rip,” as well as stage manager, did more than any prafessional ever undertakes to do, and did it well, being the rollicking careless Rip to the life. Miss Alexander, of Kaiapoi, was “Gretchen," and looked so sweet, especially in the second costume, a peasant’s dress of pale blue with band of tan velvet, tan velvet bodice and white muslin yoke and sleeves, tan shoes and stockings, pale blue hat and tiny white muslin apron. Miss Maude Graham made an excellent “Katrina,” and looked charming in the third act iu an Empire gown of maize silk, the belt of ruby velvet embroidered in gold, large black velvet hat with feathers; the six ladies of quality attendant upon her looked extremely well in Empire gowns of various colours in beautiful shades, the sashes tied high up, and large hats with feathers. Mr Bowring was a perfect “Nick Vedder.” his broken DutchEnglish being quite a feature. All the minor parts were equally well done and dressed. The children, “Alice” and “Hans.” (Master Jack Pollard), were wonderfully good, little Alice looked altout five or six years old. A pas seul by little Miss Karkeek in an acordion dress of scarlet over black, with glittering sequins on the hem, was a pretty performance, especially when the Company formed round her and danced a country dance. The “Rhine Fay-," taken by Miss Julia Sandstein, gave another very graceful dance in a white dress covered with silver spangles. Another very pretty dance was a ballet by eight girls, four in pale and dark blue, and pale blue hats, and four in yellow and old gold, with yellow hats; all carried staffs with long streamers to match the costume; the dance, arranged by Mr Dundas Walker, was a most graceful one, and encored every time, as indeed all the dancing was. Mr Walker took the part of the “Goblin,” and looked every inch a goblin. “Derrick” was personated by Mr Winter Hall iu his usual finished style. Mr F. Hobbs made a splendid “Burgomaster,” and Mr Sydney Bell was excellent as “Hendrick Hudson.” Mr IL Sims, being “Hans,” after the lapse of 20 years, and as a lieutenant in the navy comes home iu a beautiful costume of white satin waistcoat and breeches, and Royal blue coat, all trimmed with gold lace, and a cocked hat. There was a large and efficient orchestra, Mr 11. Wells conducting. Flowers were plentiful, the performers receiving much recognition from the audience. There was also great enthusiasm over the patriotic songs. The first night Mr P. Hockley In uniform, accompanied by eight or ten soldiers.

carrying the Union Jack and our Ensign, marched on at the end and sang “Soldiers of the Queen,” Britannia being shown at the back, and with the ■whole Company on the stage it was a brilliant scene; this went off into “God Save the Queen,” the audience joining in. On Saturday night there was a crowded house, and “Rule Britannia” was sung while the tableau was shown, followed by “God Save the Queen.” and three cheers for the contingent. Among the audience were Mrs Louisson and party. Dr. and Mrs Jennings, Mr and Mrs G. Humphreys and party, Mr and Mrs A. Tyree. Mr and Mrs Sandstein. Mr and Mrs Graham. Mrs H. Sims, Mrs and Miss Barker. Misses Prins (two), Mrs Bowen and party, Mr and Mrs H. Meares; Mr and Miss Connal and party. Miss Lean, Mr and Mrs Marsh, Misses 8. and D. Meares, Miss J. Turner, Mr G. Bonnington and party, Mrs Bruce, Mrs Hobbs, Mrs Bell, Mr. Mrs and Miss Howie, Mr and Mrs Burns, and Miss C. Lingard, etc. On Thursday evening A VERY SUCCESSFUL DANCE

was given by Mr and Mrs Henry Wood at their residence, “Avonside.” The house and garden were beautifully illuminated, with seats about the garden. . The verandah was closed in and furnished with lounges, etc., making a delightful sitting-out plaee. The supper, a sit down one. left nothing to be desired, and the decorations were lovely of white lilac, double cherry blossom and maiden hair fern, interpersed with high stands of caudles, with artistic shades. Mrs Wood, wore a handsome black satin, lover’s knots on the bodice of cream lace, hairvery high with black osprey; Miss Bullock, in black, with bright blue trimmings; Miss M. Bullock, blue silk With white silk braiding; Mrs Bullock, handsome black brbche with old lace; Mr and Mrs Arthur Rhodes, the latter in black and diamond ornaments. black osprey and diamonds in her hair; Mrs Parburv, rich black satin; Mrs Wigney, black; Mrs Walcot Wood, pink, with white ehiffon; Mrs Wardrop, pale blue; Mrs J. Turnbull, bright cerise with white ribbon; Miss Cowlishaw. green; Miss Russell, white silk with violets; Miss S. Meares, white with pale green sash; Miss’hl’ Tabart, green silk with cinnamon brown ehiffon; Miss Prins, white satin and real lace; Miss C. Dean, term cotta satin trimmed with net and gold lace; n,. ’ ’ black; Miss Thomas. pink; Mrs Woodroffe, black Miss Wilson, white; Miss Palmer green silk; Mrs Harley, black relieved YL. 1 rei l ♦ Harley, pule blue satin; Miss 11. Denniston, brown silk; Mrs Denniston, old gold satin with black; Mes? rs Clark. Day. Harman, Collins, Williams, Atkinson. Lawrence, Me” Kellar. Reid. Batchelor. Orbell Winter, Henderson, Flower, Ollivier, .Tame son. Palmer, Cowlishaw, Turnbull Gresson, Denniston. Wood (3), Dr TT V.”i n?S ’ and sev< ' r: • , Officers from "M.S. Mildura. Miss Scrivenor’s band supplied good music.

October 25

Tho first Garden Partv of th»season was given by Mrs Pat Camp bell on Friday at Ham, the loveh grounds looking their best at this sea son of the year. A band was stationec on the lawn and played merrily at intervals, so that we soon forgot the unpleasant journey out through wind and dust, while meeting friends and strolling on the velvety green sward that looked as if dust was unknown. Mrs Campbell received in a black skirt, and green silk blouse, pretty hat to match. Among the guests were Mrs Wardrop, in a becoming heliotrope gown: Mrs Ogle, a dainty pink' Miss Palmer, black and white cheek costume, and black Eton jacket; Mrs Denniston, in black and green; Mrs Arthur Rhodes, royal blue coat am’ skirt. Panama hat, with poppies and wheat: Mrs 11. H. Cook. fawn cos tiinve; Miss Cook, white pique; Mrs J M. Turnhull, pale grey gown and pretty hat; Mrs Carlyon (Napier), black grenadine; Mr and Mm Stevens; Mrs Boyle; Mr and Mis R. MacdonaldMr and Mrs F. Cowlishaw; Mrs and Miss Cowlishaw. Mrs Louisson, Mrs Pitman. Mrs Woodroffe, Mrs and Miss Malet, Mrs J. I). Hall, Mrs and Miss Julius, Mrs and Miss Harley, Mr and Mrs Studholme, Mrs and Miss Tabart, Mrs and Miss Wynn-Williams, Mrs G Harris. Mrs Embling, Mrs G. Gould. Mrs Wigram, Mrs and Miss Harper. Mrs IT. H. Loughnan, Mrs J. Deans, Mrs and Miss Hill. Misses Ainger, Neave. Aitken, Ulrich (Dunedin), Harman. Hardy-Johnstone, Sanders, Dr. Campbell. Messrs Perry. Macdonald, Wilson. Cowlishaw, Harkness, Rhodes Burns, Dudley, etc. “Rip Van Winkle" by the Natives’ Association has run its course, auc given great pleasure to hundreds in

the Theatre Royal this weelf; but 1 uear they will be sadly out of jxx-ket «»y it, which is not encouraging to stage another. Among the audiences were Mr. Mrs and Miss Bloxam, Mrs -Martin, Mrs I’otts, Miss Dobson, Mr anil Mrs W. B. Common, Mr and Mrs Meredith-Kaye, Mr and Mrs G. Way,Mr snd Mrs de Renzi Harman, Mrs and Miss Denniston, Miss Steele, Mr and the Misses Hargreaves (2). Mr and Mrs Foster, Mr and Miss Raphael, Mr and Mrs \V. Hume, Mr and Mrs Fountain Barber and party, Messrs Wallick, Denniston, Ormsby, Mrs Pritchard, Miss Counal, Miss Godfrey, Miss C. Lean, Miss M. Strouts, Mr and Mrs W. Reece and party, Mrs Morton Anderson, Mrs R. Anderson. Mr and Mrs Tyree, Mrs and Miss Wither. Dr.. Mrs and Miss Thomas. Messrs Guise and F. Brittain, Mr and Mrs Izard, Mr and Mrs F. Graham-, Mr Acton-Adams. Mrs and Miss Hiekerton. Mr and Miss Bon nington, Mr and Miss Di-amer, Misses Zairhurst. Grant, etc. On Sunday those who hnd gone iip to Wellington to witness the de parture of the troops returned to Christchurch, some very sad, others only deeply impressed. Amongst them were Mr C. Louisson (Mayor), Mr, Mrs and Miss Lewin, Mr and Miss Dampier-Crossley, Mr and Mrs Radcliffe, Mr and Mrs Neave, Mrs Cardale, Drs. Anderson (2). and others.

DOLLY VALE.