SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1338, 16 December 1915, Page 37

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

(By

“Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, December 14.

Miss Muriel Starr will probably open at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, on the 27th in either “Madame X” or “Bought and Paid For.” The plot of “Madame X,” in a few words, is that a woman shoots her blackmailer and is tried by a jury on which her husband acts, whom she has not seen for twenty years, whilst her ad : vocate is the son she has not seen since babyhood. Neither of the three is aware of the other’s identity. Miss Starr has also scored another big success in “Bought and Paid For.” The company engaged to support Miss Starr is said to be an excellent one. The plays will only be staged for short runs as the season is a limited one in order to fit in with Miss Starr’s arrangements to return to New York. Messrs. Fuller are presenting a fine programme at His Majesty’s this week, and business continues good. The attractions to be presented by Wirth’s Circus and Menagerie this year include a number of acts never previously seen in New Zealand. Huling’s troupe of performing seals and sea lions are unique. One seal, “Mascot,” rides upon horseback, and whilst the horse is galloping he balances a baton on his nose, holds a ball in perfect poise, juggles hats, plates and fire-torches, etc. Another, “Captain,” is a Vsht-rope performer. The group also play musical instruments.

Then there are the Four Ernstonians, trapeze artists, and the Loretta Twins, two ladies who do a special act on the triple horizontal bars. Miss May Martin Wirth is the star act of the combination. Miss Wirth’s wonderful riding abilities have been acclaimed in the older world. The North Island tour opens at Wellington on the 17th January. Mr. John Fuller, jun., returned from an extended business visit to Sydney and Melbourne last week. The Wellington picture shows continue to do phenomenal business. Mr. George L. Peterson, advance agent for Wirth’s Circus, expects to arrive in Wellington about the 28th December.