THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 60

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasqlin.

TUESDAY, December 3.

Shows opening in the four principal towns of New Zealand on Boxing Night: — Wilson Barrett at Dunedin Princess ; Hawtrey's "Message from Mars," Christchurch Theatre Royal; Pollard's Opera Company, Wellington Opera House ; Brough Comedy Company, Auckland Opera House. John F. Sheridan Company have been playing to gooel houses since last issue, the class of pieces produced appealing to the majority of Dunedin playgoers. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" came .to an abrupt conclusion after two performances on Saturday, owing to an accident to ■ the leading lady, Miss Maud Gwynne, who, in endeavouring to cross the frozen river, slipped on one of the blocks of stage ice and struck the opposite bank suddenly, severely injuring her ankle. Notwithstanding the unfortunate circumstance, Miss Gwynne struggled to the end of the piece, thereby earning the gratitude of the public and the management,^ although public and management would have willingly foregone the evening's pleasure to have relieved Miss Gwynne of one moment's pain. On Monday and Tuesday nights the Sheridan Co. produced a triple bill — first act of "Widow O'Brien," ditto of "Trip to Chicago," and a burlesque on "The Two Orphans." "The New East Lynne" is clown for Wednesday and following nights, with a realistic railway collision and Johnny Sheridan as Murty O'Flynn, and Miss Maud Gwynne as Lady Isabel and Madame Vine.

A letter to hand from Harold Ashton, dater Hobart, November 29, reaches me on going to press. The genial advance for Wilson Barrett, who is putting in a fortnight's holiday in Hobart, informs me that he is leaving that town for Dunedin per Mokoia on December 6. Wilson Barrett and Company sail direct from Sydney to Wellington, aud tranship for Dunedin, opening in the Princess on December 28. It has been positively decided, says Mr Ashton in his letter to me, that the Wilson Barrett Co. open in "The Sign of the Cross," as Mr Williamson thinks it advisable to introduce Mr Barrett to the New Zealand public in his own play. "The Sig« of the Cross" is now being presented in Sydney to enormous business, which I have no hesitation in saying will be repeated in New Zealand. A little domestic tiff occurreel between two talenteel members of the variety profession attached to the Alhambra Theatre last week. A well-known contralto applied for a separation order from an equally well-k«o\vii comedian. After seriously considering the matter, the contralto felt that she couldn't live without the comedian, and the comedian thought liis life would be a blank with.au,t the cog-

tralto. Settled out of court. The happy couple departed north on Wednesday of ia&t week showered with the good wishes of friends in and out of the profession.

During the past week I have received two letters from Mr Harold Ashtcn, the gentleman who so successfully piloted "The Trip tc Chinatown" Co. through New Zealand. Mr Ashton, who ha« not been through this country since "The Trip" tour, will meet his many New Zealand friends again shortly, as he is the lucky ono selec ed to take charge of the tour of the brightest vgtar which has ever illuminated the New Zealand theatrical firmament — Wilson Barrett. Naturally with such a powerful attraction as Wilson Barrett, supported by the entire English company, with a powerful repertoire, Mr Ashton expects to break all previous records. I shall be a false prophet indeed if he does not succeed in doing so. The genial Harold purposes leaving Melbourne by the Mokoia to-morrow (December 4), for Dunedin, in oreler to arrange the opening for the Wilson Barrett season, which commences in the Princess Theatre en Boxing Night. It has not been definitely decided which piece will constitute the opening bill, but Mr Ashton thinks it will be "The Manxman." The repertoire includes "Man and His Maker," "Othello and Yirginim," "The Christian King,"' "Hamlet."" "The Silver King, ' and several othciv., not forgetting "The Sign of the Cr055."

Mr Billy M'Clain and Madame Cordelia, two of Mr Harry Rickards's imported artists engaged for a /tying Xew Zealand tour by Mr P. R. Dix. who were, in- to Saturday uight, November 23, showing at Dunedin Alhambra, departed that theatre suddenly, never to letuin. Tioublo arose on Friday night when Mr Piv's Jooal manager asked Mr M'Clain to occupy a seat on the corner in the Alhambra fir^t nart. Mr M"Claki refused —

said he was not engaged as an end-man, but as a specialty turn for teoond part. Local manager said he was engaged by Mr P. R. Dix fit stated to work in any part of the programme he might be put. M'Clain fatill r<?fu«ed to sit on the rornpr in the first part, but on being threatened with the loss of four nights' salary, consented to break his rule until matters might be satisfactorily arranged. Saturday arrived, Mr M'Clain at on the Alhambra fiist part end, and was :i great .success. Throughout the whole evening he worked exceedingly hard. The mai'ager congratulated him on hi-s.&uccoss. anJ smiled to think that <he lict'.e Jneese v/.i-s over. Monday morning lr' i a s ury Mr M'Clam received his full ■week's salary: tlicsa;«p tl.ivremoved his boxes from the Alhambra. Mc.iday evening-, no appearance of Mr M'Clain or Madame Cordelia. Next day they werrc 3 one, having departed for the north by t^e Mararoa.

Prior to the departure of the Monovnti from Lyttelton to Dunedin last trip a jalhur exciting adventure (which threatened at \arioi» times to be serious) was witnessed by mai»y hundreds of persons on the wharf. It seem 5 : amongst those booked for this passage were the members of the Sheridan Do. (now staying in this city), who had that morning arrived from Christchurch. Mistaking the time of departure, three of the prominent poop]? — Mr Hendy (the manager), Misses Maud Gwynne and Florrie Failing — were regaling themselves with whitebait in Lyttehon when a breathless messenger arrived and said the Monowai had gone from the wharf. There was a hurry-scurry to the pier, only to discover it was too true. A boat was engaged, and they were rowed out into the ftreain, and after an exciting quarter of an hour, midst the plaudits of tho?:> r>>i the wharf and terrific excitement on Voard, tl'c-v were landed safely. It was a hairbreadth escape, because so much depended upon the arrival of the company to open in Dnnedin on Saturday; but SheridanV good luck predominated, and all went well, notwithstanding their mishap.

AlHa-mbra. Gaiety Company, in ppile of artists on strike, domestic tragedic-. the weather, and other distressing circuinstsiuce!:. continues its merry round from Monday to Saturday without any apparent alteration in its demeanour to the outside worlds The* theatre may be so empty that you oould swing a good-sized cat from pit <o footlights without hitting anyonp, or it misfut bo that full that said oat could only reach <he stago by walking on the heads of the- aiidienee assembled, for all one knows by consulting the faces of the Alhambra officials. The holy calm about this show is exasperating. Jt pursues with a big pursue the even tenor and stray shilling in its own quiet way, md gets there just the same.

Business during the week has been fair to medium, with a big I'pward tendency on Saturday night. Tickets which fail to fee the light of heaven any other evening during the five, come to the surface on Saturday night.

The new faces committed for trial from last week are Austin Rudd and Herr Winschermann, and the performing bears.- Not a long list on the Alhambra calendar, but one which will occupy many juries who assembled at the Moorish-titled theatre to pass sentence upon for some time, to come.

"Austin Rudd, have you anything to say why the sentence of an intelligent Alhambra audence should not be passed on you?" By virtue of your talecit and the refreshing manner in which you sing original songs of your own composition (and those which are not), you are hereby sentenced to appear at the Alhambra Theatre, Dowling street, for one calendar month, or at the pleasure of the management, or as long as you like, at the mercy of Alhambra audiences, and there eiag all the songs in your portmanteau. Your extreme youth has teen taken into consideration, and this jury is inclined to be lenient. Besides the above, you are sentenced to not less than six encores nightly.

The next case is that of Herr Winschermann and his performing bears. " Tony." the sacred bear of India, who is billed to do everything but talk, does a lot of other things better. He is a very intelligent animal for his age, which, by the way, I do not know. As a balancer and see-sawer " Tony " is in. the front rank of his brother bears, and probably draws a bigger salary in consequence. Tony is, I regret to chronicle, a confirmed bear-drunk. His weakness for liquor is shocking, and a pitiful example to the other bears in the Alhambra programme. Here I must assume the black cap, and sentence " Tony " to be kept on bread and water until his turn at the Alhambra expires. The monkey which does a bicycle-riding act and the remaining bears are let off with a caution. Herr Winschermann, in the meantime, is congratulated on his talented menagerie.

Miss Carmen Coleman — Georgie Devoe and Johnny Coleman in one is> a clever mimic of the artists named in a refreshing way. Her imitation of Georgie Devoe in "Hannah Lady," and anything else, is second only to Georgie herself. Carmen Colejuau'a Scareoiow Daace of. Johnny Cole-

j man ia recognised only from the or£^_j\' by the bow at the finish of the dance. Sivroni, the indiarubber dancer, and Miss Amy Silvini are bright spots on present Alhambra programme. They came there by accident, but a fortunate one for Mr P. R. Dix and the patrons of his Alhambra Theatre. There is only one circumstance about Mr Sivroni — he works too hard. The remaining members of the Alhambra Company— Wallace King, Alf. Lawton, Mr Cadzow, Fred Duval, jun., and the Worrall Sisters— continue as bright as ever. The orchestra, under Madame Cadzow, put in useful work six nights a week. The one distressing circumstance at the Alhambra is the dog, which should be taken from the place whence it came, and there lost! There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth and smouldering discontent among the members of the Pollard troupe in Auckland on King's Birthday (says the Auckland Stai), because of the matinee. It was certainly rather rough on the hard-worked principals and chorus, but managers have a habit of looking at these affairs from an £ s. d. point of view, and after all there was a bumper house. Still, King's Birthday and races combined might have' been excuse for a general holiday. Miss Alice Hollander, the 18-year-old Sydney contralto, through Dunedin a few month* back with her mother and teacher, Mr Charles Bethune, has been winning bouquets and kudos in Melbourne and Sydney. At Sydney Town Hall the young contralto gave a concert under the- patronage of "Fighting Macdonald," whoso appearance was but who, in evening dress, was lost amongst the many dress-suited ones present. Mis^s Hollander's numbers were " Laseia chio Pianga,"' " O my heart is weary," •' Aye Maria," and "Douglas Gordon. With all these numbers the Sydneyside contralto treated enthusiastic Dunedin: audiences in the Agricultural Hall, and earned there a largo measure of success, which she is repeating on her own side. It i»-Miss Hollander's inrention to proceed to Europe to undergo a European training. She will probably study under M. Bouhy, the Parisian, who ha? been responsible in % great degree for Mi-.s Amy Castles's ap1 yrenticeship. Edwjin Al Geach, the young and popular Australia^ through New Zealand last with beleaguered Ladysrmth war correspondent Donald Mac Donald, will bo through" this way again shortly with t!:e lesponsibiliiy of man- ; age-menu falling^ hoaiily on his capable ! ihoulders. "Ai* 1 joins hands with leading man* Willoughby, or Arnold Company, and will tour Maoiiland with the great farcical success, "The Wiong Mr Wright." Along with the many X.Z. friends ut the popular A] Geach 1 wish tlio nc.v mr nagement a brilliant future. Empiro weekly pooler to hand. Top of good bill Ida Ro-lyii, M'Kisson— Kcarns tieing for .second place. Gladys J3oyd, Amy Blackie, "Will Stevens (who has recovered from his injury), Denis Carney. Vera Rose, Tod Herberte, Silver-tenor " Geraldine " John Fuller, Watkins, I and " The Octoroon " spread themselves all I over two hours and a-hplf Empiro proj gramme. The theatre in CaotJereagh streefc ! celebrated its thiity -eighth, weekly birthday !on November 30. The manager and staff I are to bo complimented on success achieved Ito date. Three end men— Will Watkins j (bones) and M'Kisson and Kearns (tanibo=) — out of four read good. Fourth, Will Sylvain, i--i not paiticularly well known to fame. A gicat programme — fir-t part ("' Summer ''), finale, dramatic tkcteh, vaudeville, ancl farce for 2s, la, and 6d. Writing from Melbourne on the eve of her departure by the German, mail steamer Rhein, Mias Ennqueta Crichton, late of the Musgrove Opera Company, says : " I will land in Naples and from there travel overland io Munich. I am taking the route Nap.les, Romp, Trieat, Tieuna, Munich, and wilUstay a day or two at each place. The Eternal City will claim the mo?t prolonged ("tay. I have never been in Rome, and sci am looking forward to my visit with greafc enthusiasm. My sister expects me in Munich for Christmas, but I will be too late, as the boat reaches Naples on December 25. so my Weihnachten will be spent on board. I am very sorry to lea\e Australia, where 1 have spent such a happy year and made to many good friend*, but I hop^i to see you all again. Arrangements are being made for me to appear in opera at Mannheim." Miss Pollie Emery (according to a London paper) thinks that one of tlie funniest pieces of business she e\er hart to elo occurred when playing the part of a Maori woman in Australia., in " The Land of the Moa." The Maori salutation required her to greet each newcomer by rubbing noses, and, as the make-up was brown, Miss Emery was much afraid that each fresh welcome would leave her with a white hops. As the situation was a serious one, any laughter on thepart of the audience would have completely spoiled the play, and it was with the greatest difficulty that Miss Emery contrived to keep her nose- immaculately brown and her face perfectly grave. A new programme was entered upon at Fitzgerald Brothers' Circus (says an exchange) in which there are two sensational features, as well as many entertaining and diverting items. To see a full-grown trger jockeying round the ring on the back of a trained horse is a rare opportunity, but it has been seen before at Fitzgerald's Circus. The other sensational act referred to is an entirely new feature, which has not been previously introduced in Melbourne. In the arena has been excavated a tank, 44ft ia length, 20ft in breadth, and 20ft in depth. This tank holds 150,000 gallons of water, and from a height of about 20ft three Arab horses elive into it. In order to permit the equine performers to reach the diving platform, something in the nature of an abbreviated railway has been laid down, and on this runs a monster ramp, up which the horses ascenel in reaeliness for the dizzy leap. 16 is notable that their attitude in diving 13 precisely that of a swimmer jumping from, a springboard. The horses dive with head bent anel forefeet helel in correct position, and the jump is as graceful as it is astonishing. The performance is repeated every evening' before crowded audiences. In the Insolvency Court, Melbourne, recently, an examination, was held intc the affairs of Mr F. Tyrone Power. The latter deposeel that his losses o\er the recent Princess' season were £1900. The receipts "were very wretched." Among the liabilities were £39 for photograph? for advertising purposes ; £145 for dresses foi Mrs Power (Miss Edith Crane), who got £50 a week. Practically that lady received no salary during the season. Insolvent had £700 when he commenced the Melbourne season. That; was all sunk. Cross-examined by Mr Fink, I insolvent said his mother had cabled him. I out £500. She bad abo.ui £60,000, aad 1*

b2 years old. Directly he got back to his profession in England his creditors would all •be paid. He had never received a farthing during the whole of the season. A statement showing the receipts and expenditure, as follows, was submitted to the court: — Receipts. Expenditure. First week, ending 13th Sept £549 111 .. £500 8 8 Second week .. .. 312 0 0 .. 464 1 1 Third week .. .. 357 17 0 .. 516 610 Fourth week . .. 293 10 0 .. 289 19 1 Tifth week .... 298 9 6 .. 182 7 9 Preliminary expensaa <.» .. ... 485 10 1 Total expenditure .. £2538 14 4 Total receipts .. .. „ .. .. ISII 7 5 Deficiency £727 6 11 The examination then closed. The British Australasian has this to say concerning Miss Amy Castles; whose London debut was cabled the other day: — "The announcement of the London debut of Miss Amy Castles has come as a complete surprise on Anglo-Australia, for there wag no thought of her coming before the London public for another year or two at least. Uespite her youth, M. Bouhy considers that she may noiv safely demand a London verdicfc on the quality of her voice and her promise for the future. Mr N. Vert, the doyen of London agents, will, therefore, introduce Miss Castles to the English public at a special evening concert, to be given in St. "James's Hall, for which occasion a number of distinguished artists have been engaged. During the following week the yonHg soprano will make her nr«t appearance .at the Queen's Hall Ballad Concerts. It •goe3 without saying that she will still keep hard at her studies, and that she comes to | ■challenge the public verdict, not as a mature artiste, but as a young student, who hopes 'to profit by an expression of critical opinion. It may be pointed out without any reserve 'that the circumstances of her debut are quite unprecedented, as she has never yet been heard in England-, and that she is ' getting an entree under exceptionally brilliant conditions, and such as has' never 'before been accorded to any Australian singer." In the Supreme Court, Brisbane, recently, an application w.a^ made tc his Honor the Chief Justice (Sir S. W. Griffith), by the defendant in the matter of IJroadhurst and Arnold v. Robert Henry Nioholls, theatrically known as Robert Henry, for an order for his release from custody. Mr Connolly appeared on behalf of the plaintiffs to oppose the motion. Some months ago the plaintiff, who possessed the dole rights of a dramatic piece entitled "What Happened to Jones," took out an injunction to restrain the defendant from staging a representation of this play. The defendant, however, continued to produce a ftiece under the t : *le of "What Became of P*rkar," which he «4^med was antecedent to that for which plaintiffs held the ripht, but a comparison of the dialogue in the twa pieces showed that they were almost ideutical. and the court held that the defendant had been guilty of contempt, for which he was afterwards committed to prison. Defendant said he had to admit disobeying an order ( of the court, and he desired to apologise and express his deet> regret at having in airy | ■way so offended. He said he was absolutely uenniless. withont a friend in the world, and had an invalid wife in Sydney, while his j v <;hild was dependent upon, strangers in New ' Zealand, and if he were detained in gaol -until he could pay the costs he ttrobsibly •would remain .there all his life. Mr Connolly pointed out that the plaintiffs had been put to- very heavy expense over this matter. Tfe cost over £36 for merely arresting defendant, and the whole amount of the casts* and damages incurred after the 'issua> of the injunction was estimated »t nearly £380. He submitted it was not the ■Dractiee of the court to release a defendant in a case of this kind until he had paid the costs, and he believed if Nicholls were detained in custody for a longer period the money to pay some of the costs, at least, would be forthcoming. His Honor consideredidered tbafc an offence such as defendant had b«en guilty of was one deserving of severe punishment, and he thought that the three months' imprisonment he had already undergone was not sufficient. At the same time, he did not think the olaintiffs were entitled to hold the defendant in perpetual bondage imtil their costs were paid, but under the circumstances the only order he would make at present was that defendant be discharged on payment of the costs. Otherwise it was too early to order his release, but he could renew his application at a later date.

November 22, 1901. Deai Pasquin. — Just r> line to let you know «c opened here last night in conjunction with Mathews's Tivoli Company, a very excellent show, which ha« been running here for the last five months. lam happy to be able to tell you that theatre was not large enousrh to seat half the immense crowd which blockaded the Streets, owing to which fact there were hundreds turned away. Our season here will be 12 performances, after which we do Launces■ton a_nd other principal towns. Hop© you are enjoying the best of health, — I am, etc., _ 14 PUBT