MR. CLEMENT WRAGGE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 994, 25 March 1909, Page 17

MR. CLEMENT WRAGGE.

The people of Auckland have unique treats in store. As elsewhere advertised, Mr. Clement L. Wragge, F.R. G.S., etc., the well-known scientist, traveller, nad popular lecturer, will give his unique scientific entertainments dealing with the marvels of the universe, and illustrated by the finest and largest limelight pictures and photographs of the heavenly bodies in existence from the great observatories of the world. The canal systems of Mars are particularly fine, and the views of the constellations, sun and moon, with the addition of the latest photographs of Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn, are of. amazing beauty and interest. In the cause of higher education, none should miss these unique opportunities. Special inducements will be given on each occasion after the lectures to those who desire to see radium, the greatest marvel of the universe.

Some pictures from “ Manuella,” the new Cuban operatic extravaganza appear in this issue. The libretto and lyrics are by J. Youlin Birch (author of “ A Moorish Maid,” “ The Golden Wedge,” etc., etc.), and the music has been composed by Thos. Humphreys (composer of “ The Gay Hussar,” “ The Golden Wedge,” etc., etc.). It is to be produced at His Majesty’s Theatre for five nights, commencing Saturday, April 3 next. * * * * Here is a synopsis of the plot of “ Manuella,” to be staged here next week: — Manuella (Miss Alice Vaughan) is the daughter of Senor Murias (Mr. H. C. Borrodaile), an impetuous tobacco

planter of Cuba, who insists upon her marrying a foreigner. This determination on his part leads to a strike on the plantation, all the hands supporting Aguila D’Oro (Mr. Arthur East), Partigas (Mr. Geo. Baghall), . and Manuel Garcia (Mr. Ned Fort) in their demands that Manuella shall be wed by one of the trio. Two pretty little cigar-stall girls, Coquetas (Miss V. von Meyeen) and Florafine (Miss Emily Holmes) are in love respectively with Aguila and Manuel Garcia, and hotly resent the attempted flirtation of those gentlemen with Manuella. There arrives from England Lord Henry Clay (Mr. Laurence Abrahams), who, concealing the fact that he is married, does his utmost to console the angry girls. His flirtatious career is cut short by the arrival of his wife. Lady Clay (Miss Eileen Knowles), who, discovering him in amorous discourse with Coquetas, decides that she too will flirt and pass herself off as single. Murias helps her to this revenge by falling head over ears in love with Lady Clay. Murias, however, is shut in a dungeon by the strikers, and Aguila, Manuel Garcia, and Partigas have a singing competition for Manuella’s hand, with Lord Clay for. judge, and an Irish constable (Mr. King) to keep order. To tell how the plot ends would be to spoil a good joke. The illustrations deal with a few of the situations.

Mr. Rock Phillips, the designer of stage properties for the J. C. Williamson firm, has an axiom that there is nothing that cannot be imitated with cardboard and brown paper. During the past week (says a Sydney correspondent) he has made several thousand cigars out of the latter material —pure Cuban leaf they will masquerade as in “Havana.” They are warranted to deceive even an excise officer, and, as every smoker knows to his cost, it would not be the first time the trick had been perpetrated on that official. It is to be hoped that none of Mr. Phillips’ “ two-fers” will get on to the local market. * * * * Miss Ada Dwyer, recently with J. C. Williamson playing the title role in “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.” has rejoined Miss Eleanor Robson, who has, while on a tour of the United States, won success with a new piece called “The Dawn of To-morrow,” which the star actress was about io take into New York on last American advices.