SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 3 April 1913, Page 22

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

WELLINGTON

(By

“Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, March 31.

Wellington theatregoers are anxiously awaiting the coming of Maurice Maeterlinck’s fairy phantasy, “The Blue Bird,” which J. C. Williamson stages at the Opera House on Saturday evening, April 19th. Mr. John Farrell, the energetic touring manager, is due to arrive in Wellington about the end of the week to complete arrangements. The box plan for the season opens at the Dresden on Wednesday morning, the 16th April. Mr. W. A. Low left for Christchurch last Wednesday evening to take up the duties of touring manager of Geo. Marlow’s “The Monk and the Woman Company which is at present playing a highly successful season in the City of the Plains. Since he joined the profession the genial “Billy” has managed successfully various

shows of Mr. Tom Pollard, Air. Allan Hamilton, Air. George Stephenson, The Brennans, etc. The Stagpooles, after a very successful tour of America, returned to New Zealand by the Tahiti last Thursday, and immediately “signed on” for a tour of the Brennan-Ful-ler circuit. They open at the Theatre Royal this evening. Mr. Baxter Buckley will submit a varied and interesting programme of piano music in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, the 19th April. The programme includes the Liszt Concerto, which will be heard for the first time in Australasia. It is a work requiring extraordinary power. Madame Gow-er-Burns, of Christchurch, will be the vocalist, and her selection of songs includes the famous jewel song from “Faust.” Mr. J. H. Johnstone will also play Rubenstein’s ‘Cello Sonata, which will be heard for the first time in Wellington. The Allen Doone Dramatic Company is playing a very successful season at the Opera House just now. “The Wearing of the Green” ran for six nights. Last Saturday evening “Molly Bawn” was staged to a large audience. On Wednesday evening “Sweet County Kerry” will be put up for three performances. The last six

nights'the season will be devoted to “The Parish Priest” (three nights) and “A Romance in Ireland”,. (three nights). - The Town Hall Concert Chambeir f has been booked by Mr. Edward Branscombe from June 9th until July 16th, and from July 21st to July 25th, when seasons will be played by “The Dandies.” Last Friday night’s gate did considerable damage to the Kilbirnie Skating Rink, with the result that this popular resort is closed indefinitely whilst undergoing repairs.

Business at the Theatre Royal this week is very fine. The programme includes some real good turns including the Stagpooles, the Serenaders, the Lyntons, the Dentines, the Marsdens, the Esma Dub, and Miss Louie Duggan. The Olympia Skating Rink is being well patronised at each session. The Wellington Liedertafel purpose tendering a complimentary concert to Mr. W. D. Gorham, the hon. secretary and treasurer of the Society, on Thursday evening, April 10th.