WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1144, 14 March 1912, Page 18

WELLINGTON.

(By

‘‘Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, March 11

Miss Ethel Irving opened an eightnights season at. the opera House on Saturday evening last with “ Lady Frederick.” The reception accorded the brilliant English artiste and her talented company must have been exceedingly gratifying to every one of them. At the close of the first act Miss Irving was accorded four curtain calls, at the close of the second the number was increased to about nine, whilst at the final curtain the enthusiasm of the packed house rose to such a state that the whole company were the recipients of several curtain calls, whilst Miss Irving and Mr S. T. Ewart were recalled some twelve times. In fact the enthusiasm displayed by the large audience from beginning to end of the play has seldom, if ever, been equalled in Wellington. ■'Lady Frederick” will be played five times, the last three nights of the season being devoted to A. E. W. Mason’s dramatic masterpiece, “The Witness for the Defence.” The Kilbirnie Skating Rink has opened for the season and is being well patronised notwithstanding its out of the way position. Mr Baxter Buckley who won the pianoforte competition at the recent Wellington competitions, has taken up his residence in Wellington and intends giving a pianoforte recital in the Town Hall concert chamber on Wednesday evening. He will be assisted by Miss Carey-Wallace (vocalist) and Dlr F. R. Johnstone (’cellist).

The Wellington Municipal Orchestra gives a concert in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening at which Mr Hamilton Hodges will be the vocalist. Mr Biascheck's six nights’ season at the Opera House was in every way a great success. He shows at Blenheim to-night and Nelson on Tuesday night, returning to Wellington on Wednesday. The following North Island towns have yet to be visited by this clever entertainer : — Wanganui. March 16: IS: New Plymouth, 19; Eltham, 20; Stratford, 21; Dannevirke, 2~S, Napier, 25: Gisborne, 27, opening a season in Sydney on April 6th. At the close of his Australian tour he visits South Africa, en route to England to fulfil engagements in London and the provinces.

West’s and the Star Pictures have amalgamated their Newtown enter 1 - prises. under entirely new management. Newton will in future have only one picture house. So far nothing is known definitely concerning the Easter attractions for New Zealand under the banner of J. C. Williamson. Ltd. “The Girl in the Train” and “ Everywoman ” were to have commenced their respective Dominion tours in Wellington and Auckland during Easter week. In a convei" sation with Mr Bert Royle on Saturday evening that gentleman informed me that so far he has not received any intimation of these dates being fulfilled by the attractions named. Rumour has it now that the Easter dates at the Opera House will be filled by an attraction under the management of Messrs George Portus and Frank Talbot. If such is the case it is a safe bet it will be Jansen, the Amer-

ican magician, who is at present playing a big season in Sydney.

Mr Allan Hamilton’s Dramatic Company opens a seven nights’ season at the Opera House on Tuesday, the 19th inst., with ‘‘Beauty and the Barge,” which will be played for four nights. “Why Men Love Women” will be staged on the 23rd and 24th and “A Message from Mars” on the 26th. Mr Harry Muller, the touring manager of the company, arrived in town last Friday and got to work quick and lively with the result that the city is excellently billed already announcing the coming of the company. Mr Alf. Linley was a passenger for Sydney by the Maungauni on Friday on a business visit.

The Fullers re-opened the Theatre Royal with vaudeville last Saturday evening. There was a packed house, which bids fair that vaudeville is in for a good time, but it must be firstclass vaudeville. No other class of entertainment will draw for “nuts.”

Miss Renee Queree, the brilliant Wellington pianist, sails for Berlin on Wednesday to complete her musical education under Madame Carreno.