SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1346, 10 February 1916, Page 37

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

(By

“Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, February 7

The Royal Comic Opera Company brought its fourteen nights’ season at the Grand Opera House to a close last Saturday evening with “The Dancing Mistress.” The season frcm start to finish was in every way a huge success, big audiences witnessing each performance. The company sailed for Lyttelton on Saturday night, being due to open a season at the Christchurch Royal this evening.

His Majesty’s Theatre has been well patronised at both matinee and evening performances during the past week. The chief attraction on the present bill is the Bletsoe Revue Company. This combination includes some very clever performers, and the revues they present are right up to date.

I received a letter last week from Mr. Richard Stewart, the well-known manager, who is now looking after the interests of J. C. Williamson in South Africa. He says: “Johannesburg is a really wonderful city, possessing about 130,000 whites and I am afraid to say how many blacks, of about eight different castes. The city puts me very much in mind of a Continental city, with all the life of same, and all appear to have plenty of money. The theatre proposition is quite a unique experience, for there are but two really good nights in the week, and they are Friday and Saturday. We also give matinees twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday. There are about twelve theatres here,

including picture houses, but only three where they play the legitimate. Ours is His Majesty’s. Then there is the Palladium, where they are playing drama. There is a trust here who have in this city alone six theatres, including a vaudeville house and a combined vaudeville and picture house. I like Johannesburg very much; the family also like it. Remember me to all inquiring friends, and let them know that I shall ever look forward to a return visit, if only to complete my 100th tour of dear old New Zealand. I expect to be here about two years, and hope to have the opportunity of visiting London ere I return, as the wife and children are all keen to go there.” The fifth annual meeting of the Wellington Performing Musicians’ Union was held last week, Mr. H. B. Oakes (president) being in the chair. The report and balance-sheet showed that the union now numbered one hundred and forty-five members, also a surplus for general and benevolent funds. Five guineas was voted to a member who had been in delicate health, but is now progressing favourably. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. H. B. Oakes (re-elected); vice-pres.dent, Mr. T. T. Joy (reelected) ; secretary, Mr. J. F. Woodward (re-elected); treasurer, Mr. Reg. E. Hollow; committee, Messrs. J. Garry, F. Johnstone, E. J. King, G. Lawrence and B. Jacobs; auditors, Messrs. A. M. Donald and F. Wolfgang. Mr. H. Moschini, who for the past

four years filled the position of treasurer, was presented with a handsome souvenir in recognition of his untiring efforts on behalf of the union.