WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1158, 20 June 1912, Page 18

WELLINGTON.

(By

"Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, June 15.

The Grace Elton Comedy Company returned, to Sydney by the Ulimaroa yesterday, after a successful eight months’ tour of the country towns. The company returns to the Dominion next October, opening in the Town Hall here.

"What is particularly pleasing to me,” says Mr Leo D. Chateau, the manager for "The Dandies,” "is that once people see- "The Dandies” they come again and again. ■ - I have noticed the same taces here twice a week at least, and as we keep the fun goingon bright, clean lines, I don’t, see why the little show shornd not become a popular institution in Wellington this winter.” There is no doubt about “The Dandies’ ” success. It is a matter of difficulty for late-comers to obtain seats on any evening. There is a probability of Mr Branscombe placing a similar company in Auckland or Christchurch.

Vaudeville is booming at the Theatre Royal. Just now there is a fine show there, quite the strongest bill for some time back. “Kara,” the deft juggler, is the head-liner, but there are good turns as well. O’Dell and Hart and Gus Harris conclude their local engagement to-night.

Our numerous picture shows are all doing well.

Joseph Biascheck and Miss Mildred Wrighton had a most successful three nights’ season at the Opera House, and have now moved further northward.

Monday will see the Opera House tenanted by Wykeham and Nable's Musical Comedy (Company in “Mr Blaster of Paris.” This combination should do well, for the city has been without a big show for some time.

Word comes from America of the continued success there of Mr Ethelbert Hales, a young Wellingtonian. Just recently Mr Hales was appearing in support of Miss Grace George on tour in “Much Ado About Nothing.”

There was sincere regret expressed here when the notification was published of Mr Reynolds Denniston’s serious ilness in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Air Denniston was suffering from rheumatism, which was affecting the heart. Once or twice he was at death’s door, and a relapse, with pneumonia supervening, occurring on June Ist, all hope was given up. Later news was more assuring, to the effect that Mr Denniston had fought well for life, and that there was a prospect of his recovery. Mis Rosina Buckmann is in Wellington at present, and is making arrangements to leave for Home as soon as possible. She will be given a complimentary concert here before she leaves. Miss Buckmann will give concerts in Nelson and Blenheim next week, at which she will be as-

sisted by Signor Truda, the wellknown flautist. On Friday night Miss Buckmann sang in “The Golden Legend” at the Robert Parker complimentary concert.

The complimentary concert on Friday to Air Robert Parker was a brilliant success, the Town Hall being packed. Mr Parker is relinquishing the conductorship of the Musical Union after many years of good service.

A new song by Alfred Hill, “Waiata Maori,” was sung for the first time by Miss Rosina Buckmann at a concert at Lower Hutt this week. It is a love song, in which is introduced, with good effect, a fine dramatic passage, in which the old haka of welcome, "Komate, Komate,” forms the theme. The number Includes an invisible quartette.