STAGE JOTTINGS.

In the musical comedy "The French' Maid," Miss Maud Bcatty has to say at one time, "Sir, I have a husband." At Nelson a few nights ago, tbe pit, having cognisance of a certain interesting event which has lately been celebrated, rose and applauded her to The echo.

Mr Hrougb lias put into rehearsal "The Gay Lord Quex," which he has* just received from London, a piece of Mr Piuero's, which aroused both discussion and admiration when it was first produced in London lately. Tlie Broughs have done so well in Sydney that they have postponed their projected Indian lour until 1!)0U. The. Moore-Roberts Company, who left for America by the Alameda on Monday, will play a three weeks' season in Honolulu. Thence they go to 'Frisco and through to England, returning to Australia (according to present arrangements) in about two veins' time. "Straight from the Heart" has finished its run tit the Melbourne Then.' Ire Royal, and Mr Bland Holt draws from his inexhaustible repertory another eventful melodrama, called, "The War of Wealth.-' which is said to be equally attractive. It has never been produced before in Australasia. "Charley's Aunt" enjoys perennial popularity in Paris. It has lately been revived at the Cluny Theatre, and will soon reach its 400 th performance in the French capital.

The Steele-Payne Bellringers have been appearing with success at the Opera House this week; and the popularity of Mr P. P. Bix's Gaiety Company at the City Hall shows no diminuition.

Mr Wallace Brownlow, who baa been filling Ihe part of Bronson, junior, in "The Belle of New York," has now joined the "Chinatown" Company, and appears with them at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. .

.Messrs Williamson and Musg-rove'f/ Royal Comic Opera Company arc playing it four weeks' season iv Perth, It is said thai Mr Williamson think, of organising a second "Geisha" Company, which will include Mr 11. Shine, Miss Carrie Moore, and Mr Wallace Brownlow.

Referring to the recent death of Mr Oscar Girard, of the "Belle of New York" Company, at Adelaide, tho "Australasian" " says:—"This is the second occasion of late years in which, an American company has been fated to leave Australia minus one of its leading members. The "Chinatown" company lost Miss Sadie Macdouald, one of the brightest actresses the United States has sent, here; the

"Belle of New York" Company lose in Mr Girard their bright particular star. It was his efforts mainly that secured the piece what popularity it enjoyed in .Melbourne, where it failed somehow to bit the public taste so well as in sonic of the other Australian cities. Mr Girard, however, waii recognised tit once as a comedian not only droll, but, belter still, original iti bis drollery. Bis forte was humour of the dry and drawling type, essentially American, but admirable of its' kind. What singing voice he had was gone before he reached Australia, consequently he did not try to sing his songs, but. talked'them in a style that provoked shouts of laughter."

A new play, in four acts, entitled "Sherlock Holmes," by Messrs William Gillette and A. Conan Doyle, was given for the first time on any stage at the Duke ot York's Theatre, for copyright purposes, in presence of an audience comprising three personsMr Charles Frohman, Mr William Gillette, and Miss Annie Russell. Jt it with "Sherlock Holmes" that Mr Gillette will star during next season., opening- at Washington in October, and appearing as the famous detective at the Gin-rick Theatre, New York, in November.

Nat Goodwin and Maxine Elliott are playing in London. It has been .generally recognised that in "The Cowboy and tbe Lady" the opportunities afforded Mr X. C. Goodwin of exhibiting- his abilities its a comedian are hardly so great its could be desired.', it hits been decided that, lief ore concluding- his engagement at the Duke of York's, Mr Goodwin will appear in Mrs Kyley's piece, "An American Citizen," performed by him with great success in America, as well as iv Mr Augustus Thomas's ilia v. "in .Missouri," of which report speaks in the highest terms.

Mdlle. Cecile Chaminade, the popular idol of the French people, and well-known song composer, hits composed over -100 songs, piano solos, duets, orchestral suites, ballet music, organ music, and has, in fact, written for every instrument. She derives a big income from her royalties alone.

According- to the "Bulletin." the late Gratta'n Riggs was very touchy on the subject of his alleged ancieutness. "For God's sake," he would say to his advance agent, "if you sen any of those wretched pressmen, tell them not to call me 'the veteran Grattan Riggs.' "

Our London correspondent writes

Mr Bland Holt's agents Will be wise to keep an eye on the new melodrama by Seymour "Hicks and G. Latham, to be produced at the Adelphi in August. No name has been selected yet, but tbe plot is to a slight extent indicated by the synopsis of scenery—Act L, the Old Rank, Chatham; Act'll., the Railway Station, Southampton; Act 111., tlie Naval Mess, Chatham; Act IV., On Board H.M.s. Defiance; Act V., Dartmoor, the Quarries. There are thirteen changes of scenery.

On (lit that Mrs Langtry, as well as Ada Rehan, will appear in the Autumn drama at Drury Lane.

An American melodrama called "The. Tornado" filled the Brixton Theatre to the doors last week. The title indicates the supreme sensation scene, but there are many more, and as our old friends the missing marriage certificate, tbe comic sailor, and the atrocious villain are well in evidence the piece ought, I think, to go down well at the Antipodes.

The "Era" this week has two columns devoted to the managerial experience of George Leitcb, now (one is glad to learn) acting-manager of Mr Penley.

Mr Wilson Barrett (says the "Era") hopes to produce his new play at the Lyceum on September 2. He has taken tbe theatre for 100 nights, and therefore will not go to Australia as proposed. Mr Barrett finds that a larger proportion of the population are now theatre-goers. He attributes this in part to education and the. spread of cheap literature, which have a tendency to widen and broaden the imagination, and by creating- a more intellectual taste to force bad plays out of the field.

The pi an of orte recitals given at the Choral Hall this week by Herr Frietlenthal were notable musical events. The reception accorded to the distinguished pianist on each occasion was cordial in the extreme, find his wonderful playing has gained him a host of admirers in this city, it is a, great pity that the visits of such genuine artists as Friedenthal are so infrequent. The virtuoso left for RoItorua to-day on a brief holiday trip, his intention being to return in time to catch the steamer leaving for Fiji next week.

The Australian Dramatic Company commence a tour of the goldtields with a performance at the Thames this evening. They appear again at the Thames on Monday evening, at Paeroa on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Karangahake'on Thursday and Friday. Waihi will also be visited. " Falsely Accused," " The Bells," and " Our Boys," comprise the company's repertoire for the tour. Miss Annie May Abbott, the original "Little Georgia Magnet," who is on her way from the Cape to this colony, is truly a phenomenon, and her fame is world wide. A few oi' the feats performed by this marvellous little lady may be noticed. Miss Abbott, who weighs only ill pounds, stands on the pinnacle ot one heel, while a gentleman tries to push her over. One, two, three, and four men combine their efforts, but fail to shift her. Miss Abbott lifts ten men, but ten men cannot lift her. The Magnet lifts each man separately and then all together. / No 4 muscular strength is used, which is plainly demonstrated by intervening hands being used between her hands and the object upon which the gentlemen are placed, she using merely her open hands to obtain a contact. A pole is held down by six or eight men, whilst a heavy man is seated on the top. Miss Abbott, by placing one open hand on the pole, lifts and carries the entire mass across the'stage. Well may the scientists of the world ask " What is Iter strange power ?" Eugene Suhdow, the great strong- man, attended Miss Abbott's performance while in the States, and he wrote to the " Sew York World" as follows: "The power possessed by Miss Annie Abbott 'the little Georgia Magnet,' is weird and wonderful. 1 cannot explain it. I put, forth, enough strengtth to lift eight men clear of the door. Yet I failed to shift this little fragile creature one inch from her position, so with the attempt to drive her backwards or forwards 1 exerted enough muscular force to induce perspiration, but railed to move her one inch. Whether this remarkable power is duv to magnetism, or whether it arises from some faculty for which no name litis been found, or which is yet unknown to science, it is impossible tor me io tell. Put from my own experience 1 should say that so far as Miss Abbott is concerned till human effort in the same direction would fail." Miss Abbott and her manager, Mr K. N. Abbey, will arrive here by the New Zealand Shipping Company's s.s. Papanui next week. This is the first visit of the original Georgia Magnet to the colonies, and such a powerful attraction should do big business.