MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

:" : \ BOOKINGS. ; ''•••'■■-' :'" 'S. , ntS MAJESTY'S THBATnE. . ' November 29 to December 18-Andenon Dramatic j DBcemlSr^ v to January 15-J. 0. Williamson . ("King of Cadonia" Company). ■ "\ OPERA HOUSE. In ■eaaon-FuHera' Wide , World Picture*. :'*','' ROrAL ALBERT HALL. ! In acason—Paths Picture*. ' /; .' TiVOLI THEATRE. " In season—Vaudeville and ricturei. The melodramatic season now being played ;by Mr. Wm. Anderson's Company: at His Majesty's 'is once more demonstrating ! the ingrained taste for the sensational possessed by large numbers iof people. Ji " The * Great World of -London" is well produced,; and the company is an evenly-balanced -one. On Monday night the piece named will ;be replaced'by another of the same author's (Walter Melville), which answers to the appalling title of "The Female Swindler.

Pictorial entertainments continue in season at the Opera House, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Tivoli Theatre. : The usual changes of programme are given periodically, that at the Opera House taking place at to-day's matinee. ; * ■ •

The present spell of warm weather is eminently calculated to cause amusementseekers to take such outdoor relaxation as may be put-in their way. , Consequently the musical cruises being run on the harbour nightly are proving very popular. J. he innovation is likely to.be continued. ~:.-._

Another, open-air attraction that has been widely taken advantage of for the last three nights is.the fete in Government House grounds, organised in aid • of.- bt>, Paul's building fund.: The 'illuminations, and electric effects have turned the pretty gardens into a veritable fairyland, lonight is the last night of this fete. :: :,

Haydn Beck, the young New Zealand violinist, is pleasing the musical critics ot Sydney. The Sydney. Morning Herald says:—"Little Haydn made this* principal success in De BeriOt's 'Seventh Violin Concerto.' The boy at present plays a half-size violin, a fact which precludes him from profiting by the tone of a famous instrument, so that many people reasonably doubted whether he would ,be properly heard in so vast a chamber. His very remarkable talents triumphed over this difficulty, however, and in the composer wonderfully, spirited 'Allegro Maestoso* he exhibited a timbre that carried admirably, though not large in volume, and with great determination he cleverly played the intricate chord-nassages and high harmonics of the melodious movement. . There was sympathy, too, in' the rendering of the Andante Traaquillo, showing that there was much more than a mechanical facility to astonish the ear. No doubt little Beck' have something to unlearn, as well as a great deal to learn, before he becomes an artist, but, as already noted, is an extraordinarily gifted little player. There was overwhelming enthusiasm at the conclusion.

Mr. Edwin Geach is shortly sending through New Zealand a company of juveniles, known as the Merry Midgets. Iney give a vaudeville performance, combined with ballets and! specialities. f: '

Important changes in the constitution of the theatrical firm of Clarke,! Meynell, and Gunn are announced byMr. Clyde Meynell, and mav be presumed to ensue upon the death o'f the late John Gunn. For some time past, beginning with the production in Australia of "Miss Hook of Holland, two managers of note in England have shared in the musical ventures of the Australian firm. During the past month Sir Rupert Clarke has conferred with one of them, Mr. Milton Bode, ,in London, with the result that the i new man will identify himself more actively with affairs in Australia, and will follow the senior partner (now on his way out), so as to arrive ,in Svdnev in February next. With him will come "Mr. St. John Denton, the foremost theatrical agent in London, who assisted materially in securing the artists for " Miss Hook of Holland." and also shared the.responsibilities of the "Cinderella" venture.

Miss Amy Castles, the talented young Australian soprano, lias not been heard in complete oratorio : during her present tour of Australia. But, it is now arranged that she will appear in oratorio in Adelaide during the course of her forthcoming return season hi that city. The Adelaide Choral Society, with whom Miss Castles will sing, in the rendering of these special musical compositions, is now rehearsing in readiness for. the performances. ,/hree nights are to be devoted to oratorio in all, and it is understood that one night will bo given up to the famous " Stabat Mater, another to the equally famous "Messiah, while the third will be occupied m the singing of popular excerpts from other oratorios altogether. •

Nat Goodwin, who was" in Australia under engagement to J. C. Williamson a few years ago, made his first success on the lyric stage, and is to make a return to that class of theatrical entertainment in a piece specially written for him :by Ivan Carvll and C. S. M. McLellan, the author of the famous "Belle of New York."

Nellie Stewart has commenced her Sydney season at the Theatre Royal, with Mr. Harcourt Beatty once more in the cast as King Charles in " Sweet Nell of Old Drury." In such circumstances the revival was warmly welcomed.

Madame Emma Calve, the renowned European soprano will commence her Australasian concert tour on April 2 next year. '- ' ~

The Scarlet Troubadours, with Mr. Hocton Smith in charge, have reached New Zealand, and have proceeded to the West Coast, where their Dominion Campaign begins. .;>■ ■ - ~,',."

An an early date, "Pete," Hall Came play, wliich ran for 250 nights at the Lyceum London, and Jerome K. Jerome's remarkable play, "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," will be staged in Australia by Clarke, Mrynell, and Gunn. It is interesting to note, with regard to the latter play, that it was recently taken to New York by Mr. Forbes Robertson, and won a remarkable triumph, being one of the few English plays the transplanting of which, in America, met with success.

Miss Rosina Buckmann will play the leading "arts in "La Boheme" and "Madame Butterfly" with Mr. Williamson's opera company at Easter. ' *

Mr. J. C. Williamson's new dramatic company, at present in Dunedin, have a fine repertoire. Thev will produce the new pieces, "The Cheat," which created quite a furore in Australia, and "The Flag Lieutenant," a naval plav which has been highly spoken of. In addition they will revive ''Sherlock Holmes" and "Brewster's Millions." In the former, Mr. Kingston will play Sherlock Holmes, and Mr. Greenaway Dr. Watson, both for the first time. Other first appearances in parts in the 'piece will be Messrs. Harrv Plimmer as James Larrabee and Gregan McMahon as Professor Moriarty. Mr. Redge Carey will be seen in his original part of Billy. Mr. G. S. Titheradge will appear in the two new pieces.

Mr. George Stephenson, for some time the head of an operatic organisation, but who is now settled in Gore, intends opening the new Gore Theatre on December 8, with Carter, the magician.

Mr. J. Benson North, an old Christchurch boy, who has had a distinguished career on the Australian and English stage, is at present " starring" in the London provinces in Henry Arthur Jones' play. " The Hypocrites," which was produced in Christchurch a few months ago by Mr. Harcourt Beatty. Mr. North is a son. of Mr. A. A. North, of Christchurch. '

It. seems that Mr. Harry Lauder is a great student of . poetry,' his favourite authors being Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Ferguson, the. Scotch poet, and Omar Khayyam >■ Of the ; Persian j?oet he has justfinshed a course. . . - MOSICO-DBAMA33CU3.