The De Vere-Sapio Company has had the misfortune to clash with the Opera Company at Napier this week, and I fear their business must have suffered very much in conse quence.
Mr Warren’s Variety Company at the Criterion Theatre, Manners street, is very well spoken of by those who have patronised the show. Personally, I do not care for “ variety ” shows, but a very large section of the amusement public like nothing better. I hope Mr Warren will be well treated by the section aforesaid.
Mr Marcus agent in advance for the Belle Cole Concert Company, arrived in town on Sunday. The great English contralto was reported by a Dunedin paper to have relin quished her intention of paying New Zealand a visit, but the contrary is the case. The Cole concerts in Melbourne and Sydney were an immense success, aud although the con cert business has been somewhat overdone here of late, no doubt a heaity welcome will be accorded to an artiste of such recognised merit as Madame Belle Cole. The company includes Miss Gwen Davis, soprano, Miss Henrietta Murkens, a young Dutch violinist of whom I hear very good accounts, Mr Charles McGrath, bass, and Mr J. M. Jack son, tenor. The latter is well-known in New Zealand. Mr Jackson is an Aucklander, whose fine tenor has, I hear, wonderfully improved since he has studied in Melbourne. Tho Wellington season com mences on the 9th August at the Theatre Boyal.
