SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1154, 23 May 1912, Page 18

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

WLJLLiINGTON. ?

(By

" Lorgnette.”)

Wellington, May 20. ■’ ' Wellington’s ■latest - picture house, the -A'deiphi, whicn is to be opened to--, morrow evening by Mr A. L. Herdman, M.i'., is situated in the busiest pan 01:\v ibis-street, where almost every tram passes. The. Adelphi has been erected at a cost of between £7OOO and £BOOO on most up-to-date lines. The size of the hall is 02ft. by 50ft., with a yestioie.2sft.'wide. If has. seating accommodation for 659 people on the ground floor and 300 in the dress circie. The sight line .from? all parts 01 the house is first class. " A dramatic season of unusual importance' will- be ; inaugurated at the Opera- House to-morrow- evening, when J. C. Wiiliamson will present Miss Hilda Spong and her specially organised company . 'in the morality play ‘ Everywoman,’ which will be staged tor six nights. The last three nights of the season will be devoted to Haddon Chambers’ comedy “Passers by.” The booking for the nine nignts is first class,-and. the success of the season is assured. The George Marlow Dramatic Company brought its Wellington season to a cxose.on Saturday evening with a performance of “East Lynne.” The English Pierrots opened a four mon.ths tour of the Dominion in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last Thursday evening. The hall was packed to the doors by a most enthusiastic audience. The programme presented will satisfy the most fastidious, being bright and gay from start to finish. . Another important factor is that there is not a trace of vulgarity or anything to , offend the most sensitive mind in the whole of a lengthy programme. The Pierrots are a happy , band of entertainers who make their audience happy, and as long as they continue in the way they have opened their tour, it is a sure box office winner for the enterprising management. The Baillie collection of British paintings is being well patronised. The'exhibition is said to be the .finest collection, ever shown in the Dominion. . The pictures will shortly-be exhibited in Auckland. The Fullertßreunan Vaudeville branch at the Theatre Royal ' are showing to fine business this week. The- show is exceedingly bright in spots, though taking it all through the, entertainment presented is well worth the admission money charged. The plans of the new Opera House which is to be erected in Mannersstreet have been approved by the City Council. Mr W. A. Low has accepted an engagement to pilot Tiny Town through New Zealand. Mr Edward Branscombe, who will be remembered in connection with the Westminster Glee Party, the Scarlet Troubadours, Sousa’s Band, and othei’ attractions that have visited K the Dominion, will inaugurate a two months’ season in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, with his Costume Comedy. Company, “The Dandies,” next Saturday evening. The combination has been selected from

the different companies on Mr Branscombe’s Australian circuit, and will include the Misses, Hilda Lane (soprano'), Evelyn Ward (contralto), Irene Vere (sdubrette), Messrs Oliver Peacock (baritone), Gavin Wood (basso), George Morgan (light comedian and eccentric dancer), Percy Coward (alto), and Leonard Griffiths (pianist). The Kilbirnie Skating Rink continues to be well patronised by devotees of the exhilarating pastime. It is understood that Mr Walter Fuller has been appointed London representative of the Fulier-Brennan syndicate.