THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2362, 1 June 1899, Page 47

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES

Bt Pabquin. TUESDAY, May 30.

The popular musical comedy " In Town " was the attraction at the Princess Theatre on Friday night, when the Pollard Opera Company appeared for the la3t time during their present season in Dunedin. There was a numerous audience, to whom the play proved very diverting. The fun was fast and furious from first to last, and, as a reward for their efforts, the performers were the recipients many times of the spontaneous plaudits of the whole house. The impersonations that call for special remark are Captain Coddington, Cord Clanside, Shrimp, and Marie Belleville. Mr Percy, as the captain, acted most creditably. His singing, too, was satisfactory. Miss Maud Beatty made up capitally as Lord Clanside, the youth who determines " to make a night of it," and carried out her part with capital verve and humour. Her solo, "Dear papa," with Mr Stephens, evoked an undeniable encore. Mr C Albert's Shrimp is always a good performance. Last night he was as .amusing as ever, and his solo, " Keep your eye on the call-boy," was enthusiastically ' applauded. Miss May Beatty, as Marie 'Belleville, was in her element, ■ and her portrayal of the part was all that could be desired. The other characters were ably represented. Mr H. Quealy had a suitable role as the Rev. Samuel Hopkins, and earned for himself a large share of the favours of the audience. Miss E. Metcalf was the Duchess, Mies L. Stephens Lady Gwendoline, and Miss Gertie Campion Kitty Hetherington. Miss W. Karkeek, as the principal dancer at the Ambiguity, was accorded a warm round of applause for her contribution, whioh |vas redemanded, and Mr Fitts's solo and Mr 0. Lawrence's whistling of " Killarney" were items that were very welcome. The company leave Dunedin to-day for Auckland.

Fuller's "Waxworks at the, Alhambra Theatre "etill continues to draw large houses, the last change of programme on Saturday proving as popular as any of its predecessors. The musical comedy "A Lord for an Hour" waa given as a first part, and the usual variety olio and farce concluded the entertainment. Messrs P. Bluett, H. St. George, Thos. Curran, Will Stevens, Misses A. St. George, L. Walters, and Jeannie Johnson are all prime favourites. There will be special attractions for show week. Melbourne Punch says that John Ooleman has been very ill, and is at present invalided in a private hospital in Carlton. Mr Robert Lynch, of the Lynch Family Bellringers, was taken seriously ill at Deniliquin in the middle of May with a very painful internal complaint, and was removed to Mooroopna, where he was placed under the care of Dr Florence. At latest Mr Lynch was improving, although the doctor pronounced his condition as critical. Mr .John Fuller and his Myriorama Company are to make their welcome reappearance in Dunedin on Saturday next, when they will give one of their popular illustrated concerts the "Land of the R*>Be, Shamrook, and Thistle." The company have also booked the Garrison Hall for Show nights, June 7, 8, 9, and 10, which will give visitors to town a chance to hear this popular company, which now includes Mr Arthur Hahn, the Sydney baeso, and Witty Willie Watkins, the humorous vocalist.

Kate Vaughan, who recently visited Australia for her health, is to appear in London in a Charles I drama entitled "For a King." Miss Georgie Smithson, an actress, wellknown in New Zealand, died at Maitland, New South Wales, on the 17th inst. A telegram in the Sydney Daily Telegraph says that Miss Smithson went to Maitfend to fulfil an engagement on show nights, but was suddenly attacked by illness, and died in the hospital. In private life Miss Smithson was Mrs Holloway, and resided at Suny Hills, Sydney. She was a native of London, and came to the colpny under engagement to Mr George Coppin in 1882. She was licensee for some time of the Excelsior Hotel in Dunedin.

Mr Frederick Villiers, the well-known war correspondent, intends to visit the colonies at an 'early date, when he will recount the etory of the fight at Omdurman, illustrated by about 300 pictures taken by Mr Villiers during the action.

"Last Call" sends me the following items culled from the files of the Dramatic Mirror, N.Y., to date April 15: — Kyrle Bellew will not accompany Irving to America.

Dorothy Usner, here with Nat Goodwin, is in London appearing in "Why Smith left Home "

Nellie Butler, of the Australian "Trip to Chinatown" Company, is at Wallack's Theatre, N.Y., in "The Cuckoo." Rudyard Kipling will write a piece for the Xmas production at London li»eeum,

j Haddon Chambers is busy on a play for George Alexander. Alice Holbrook, remembered in Australia, in association with Walter Bentley's Shake1 spearian tour, is appearing as Hattie in "A - Stranger in New York." I Blanche Walsh, Nat Goodwin's quondam i leading lady, has been appearing at Galves- ! ton in "La Tosea" and "Fedora." Guy Standing will be in the N.Y. production of "His Excellency the Governor," as also will the Earl of Roslyn, the impecunious Earl recently appearing in the London production of "Trelawny of the Wells."

A. Guy Carletton is dramatising Daudet's "Sappho." Lily Post, who visited Sydney in 1896 with the Flying Jordan Vaudeville Company, died on April 4 last at the Agnews Inpane Apylum, 'Frisco. She was 40 years of age, and a native lof 'Frisco. In 1881 she sang with the Emily ("Melville Opera Company at the Bash Street , Theatre, and later on was in Augustin Daly's Company; Her husband died insane in Nov- ' ember 1895. In 1896 she visited her brother | in West Australia, and Williamson and Musgrove endeavoured to get her to join their Opera Company, but she joined tho Jordans and with them made her last professional appearance.