WELLINGTON JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 206, 5 July 1894, Page 3

WELLINGTON JOTTINGS.

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PROTEUS.

We have not for an intermission of nearly two months been visited with a decent combination, but the long spell has been broken by a visit from the Thornton — Arnold Co., who have engaged the Opera House for a season of eleven nights. For some time theatregoers have been eagerly looking forward to the production of Charley’s Aunt, fortified with the knowledge of its popularity at Home, where at the Globe Theatre it recently attained its 500th performance, and with the fact that the Southern critics were obstreperous in their praise of its exceptional qualities. The Opera House was filled in every part, many being unable to find room. I have often noticed when attending the theatre the marked peculiarities, individually, of the audience. One person at a certain -juncture is convulsed with laughter, whilst his neighbour characterises the scene as absurd, and assumes a satirical appearance. The dissimilarity thus proportioned will always be found. Often we are disturbed by outburst of joviality, thought by ourselves improper. Charley’s Aunt, obliterates all this, as there is no restriction placed on mirth; it cannot be in subjection, every part, line, and movement has its allotted division of fun; it is indubitably the funniest play extant. Mr Thornton as Babs, in Charley’s Aunt, from Brazil, where the nuts come from, excelled in the role, which he vivaciously sustained. The other members of the company acquit themselves well, and ably support their talented coadjutor. The United Hunt Club gave one of its popular concerts last Thursday evening July 21, in the Opera House. The premier and party from Government House were present, and the entertainment was witnessed by a large audience. In the first part a song by Mr D. G. A. Cooper entitled The Man in the Cellar, was ineffectively sung, the rendering being notable for the absence of proper intonation (probably through a cold). Miss Orr, from Martinborough, sang the Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond artistically, and was obliged to respond to a unanimous encore, the audience not being satisfied with her bowing an acknowledgment. Mr, Holdship, the well-known rep. cricketer, gave the public a taste of his abilities as a comic delineator, his song, The Waiter, receiving a; recall. Miss Z. Dryden’s singing of Behrend’s exquisite' composition, The Gift, was a good performance,

which the audience readily appreciated. Madame Rosaly Merz contributed Stea’s Sognai in a delightful manner, modulating her voice with clearness arid effect. Mr Cameron creditably sang The River of Years, and was followed by Mr Hugh Wright with the Stag Hunt. This concluded the first part. After the interval Messrs C. Pearce, W. Reid,"J- Duncan, and F. B. Muir played banjo selections, and songs were given by Misses Skerrett, Myers, and Madame Rosaly Merz. Messrs J. H. Whittali, W. H. Day, and T. M. Welford also assisted with vocal selections. The latter gentleman, dressed in full hunting costume, accompanied by about twenty horseman in a similar uniform, each mounted on his 1 particular hunter, sang Drink, Puppy, Drink. Miss Myers and Mr Hoffamen played the accompaniments to the various pieces. The hon. sec., Mr Jas. Myers, deserves a word of praise for his ardous duties in connection with the affair, which must be regarded as a success in every way.