WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XV, 13 October 1900, Page 703

WELLINGTON.

Dear Bee, October 4. It is a long time since we have had •ueh a charming entertainment as that whieh took place on Moudav and Tuesday last in the Kydney-street School-room. 'l'tie programme consisted of about eighteen beautifullyarranged and dressed tableaux vivants, with several songs and pieces in the intervals. The entertainment was organised by Miss Williams, in aid of the building fund of St. Marv’s Home, and with the avistanee of a number of her friends, certainly made it a most undoubted success. The programme opened with the tableau. "A Dream of Fair Women,” from Tennyson’s beautiful poem, and included Helen of Troy, Cleopatra, Iphigenia. Fair Rosamond, Jepthah’s Daughter, and Joan of Arc. The characters were taken in this by Mrs 11. Gore. Mrs D. Nathan, Miss Simpson, Miss Seddon. Miss Reid, and Miss M. Douglas, and the dresses were really splendidly got up. The poem was recited by Mrs Fell during the different, scenes of the tableaux. An amusing tableau was "There’s no fool like an old fool.” impersonated by the Messrs A. and H. Cooper. One of the prettiest and most artistic pictures was the "Legend of the Brim- Rose” (after Burne-Jonws). six sleeping maidens, gracefully poised among a perfect Ixnver of briar roses, and dressed in various shades that blended beautifully. "The Queen of Swords” was very effective. Miss E. Fell looked very nice in her pretty old English costume, with powder and patches, and the gentlemen in their wings, ruffles, etc., holding their swords over her head, looked everything that they should. "Ordered to the Front,” and “The Soldier’s Dream,” were effective tableaux also, especially the latter. These were impersonated by Miss Alice Johnston and Mr G. Williams. A series of Marcus Stone pictures were very much appreciated. “The Peacemakers’’ was particularly pretty; the pa.rt of the gentleman was taken by Mr Arthur Duncan, and the ladies were Miss Una Williams ami Miss J. Parker. A large

Grecian tableaux wu beautifully staged, and I heard many remark that it was the best of alt Ln the fear pictures of “Auld Robin Gray,” Miss Duncan, Mr L. Tripp, and Mr Alga Williams looked very well, and each suited their part capitally. One very pretty tableau was "The Game of Life,” represented by two gentlemen (Messrs Williams and Dunean) drwwed in old English costume, throwing dice with an angel (Miss O. Gore) hovering above them. "A Corner of the Studio” was about the most cleverly staged tableaiu of the evening. It consisted of an artist's studio, with the artist working at a portrait from life, and here and there a marvellously real-looking statue. Mins Hilda Williams, who posed ax the picture, was arranged in a large frame, and her sister. Miss Una, waa the sitter. They were dressed exactly alike, in evening gowns and dark cloaks about the shoulders, and large black picture hats, and the effect ami likenesses of the two sisters was wonderfully good. The last item of the evening was a scene in Bluebeard’s chamber, and though ghastly in the extreme caused much amusement. We saw Bluebeard in the act of slaying Fatima (Mrs H. Crawford), while a row of apparently lifeless human heads hung along the Curtain at the back, tied up by their hair! The sight was decidedly gruesome, and very cleverly carried out. The scenery all through was really splendid, and the lovely large poppies which appeared in the earlier part of the evening were greatly admired. Some very good music was heard during each evening, the performers being Mr and Mrs Worxley, Miss Flannagan (who was encored). Miss StHill, and Mr Twiss, while Mrs Bailey presided at the piano. On Monday night the hall was simply crowded, and the audience included the Conte tess of Ranfurly, Istdy Constance, and Lady Eileen Knox, with Hon. Mr Butler tn attendance. Lady Ranfurly was wearing a rich black satin trained gown, with chiffon and diamond ornae ments on the bodice, beautiful sabl* fur cape; the Ladies Knox wore simple white silk frocks trimmed with long frills, and white opera cloaks. There was also it very good audience ou Tuesday, so that 1 should

think tlir (inaueial result w.?uld he lx*y<>!i<l «*.X|>e< tntioiis. Aiimug those I noticed in the audience* <m» bath nig*hts were: Lady Stunt. Bi Atop a’id Mrs Walli>. Sir Arthur ami l.adx Douglas, S|ia> Douglas. Mrs Williams, and ML* lUGe Williams, Mrs Arthur Russell (Palmerston), Mrs Bell, and Mrs H. Johnston. Mr and Mrs ('. «luhust< n, and Miss Johnston, Lady Tanertd, Dr. and Mrs Grace, Mrs lan Duncan, Mr ap<l Mrs John Duncan. Mrs Pharazyn, Mix and Miss Stowe, Mrs and Miss SoiiKTvillc, Dr. and Mrs Collins. Mr and Mrs James Mills (Dunedin), Major and Mrs Owen. Mr and Mrs Simpson, and Miss M. Simpson. Mr and Mrs Mrs and Miss Jliclimond, Mrs Riddiford, Miss Coates. Dr. and Alls Martin. Mrs Butler. Dr. and Mrs Henry, and Miss G. Henry. Mrs Gore, and Mrs Marchbanks. Mrs McPherson, Mis*. Reid. Professor and Mis Brown, Mr ami Mrs E. B. Brown, Mrs and Miss Barclay. Mr ami Mrs Nelson, and Mis* NoLon. Mrs Ikisterfivld, Dr. and Mrs Rawson. Mr and Mrs Young. Mrs and Miss Edwin, Mrs Moss-Davis (Auckland). Mrs and MLs Tn gear. Mrs and Mis- Barron. Mrs Findlay. Mrs. Heaton Rhodes. Mr and Miss Hard»uri. Mr and Mrs Pearce. Mrs Fitchett, Mrs and Miss .Medley. Mrs Tuckey. Mrs and Miss Friend. Mis Cooper. Mrs Tweed, Mr/and Miss Blackett. Mr- Biss, Miss Swainson. the Misses Coleridge. Miss Rattray, the Misses FitzTitrberi. Mis* Brandon, anti Miss Higginson. and Messrs .lohn-ton. Hadfield, Gore. Cox. Harcourt. Sir Kenneth Douglas, and others. His Excellency Hie Governor entertained a number of gentlemen at a. dinner party last Saturday. among them being the Chief Justice *(Sir Robert Stout), lion. 11. William**, M.L.C.: Messis W. W. Tanner. R. Thomson. J. T homson. T. M. Wilford, ami J. Witheford. M.H.R.s: Dr. McGregor: Mtssr- W. S. Reid, L. Stowe. A. T. Boihamlv, 11. Otterson. A. J. Rutherford. A. *J. Willi-. 11. Pollen, T. K. Warburton, J. B. Heywood.;J. McGowan. F. Waldegrave. E. T regear, ‘A. Smith. W. Fraser, J. AV. Boynton. H. T. Blow. T. Ronayne. W. Gray. H. J. Eliott. W. T. Glasgow, Hickson, G. Itegben. .1. 11. Richardson. A Barron. amt Commissioner Tunbridge. His Excellency Lord Ranfurly. accompanied by the Hon. C. Hill-Trevor, left Wellington on Sunday in IL M.S. Mild urn for the Cook Islands., where he will probably remain for several weeks. We are also to lose Lady RanJurly and her chrM-ren next week, a- they leave for a six months' trip to England. travelling via Sydney liy the F. and (). steamer Arcadia. The opening of the boating season took place last Saturday al the Star (Tub shells. His Excellency the Governor performed t‘he opening ceremony, and was accompanied by the Countess of Ranfurly. Lady Constance Knox ami Hon. Hill-Trevor.

OPHELIA.