GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1886, Page 4

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

The most populnr serio-comic song in j America just now is entitled "It's English, you know." A theatre, to be called the Bijou, is about to be erected in Sydney, at a cost of £23,000. Mies Louise Pomeroy is doing well in the Western States, still playing Sbakospeanan roles, and occasionally taking tho male parts. Mr Frederick Pitman proposes to issue the first part of " Paul Clifford " in shorthand. This will form tho third work of his well-known Shorthand Library. The youngish widow of the late Sir Julius Benedict is engaged to be married to Mr Lawson, who, by the death of hie relative of the "Daily Telograph," has inherited an enormous fortune. Dion Boucicaulfc is said to bo writing a now drama which is to be played simultaneously in the Adolphi, London, tho Opera House, Sydney, and the Imperial, Mr Joubert's now theatre, Melbourne.

The Grattan Riggs Dramatic Company, under the managament of Mr Charles Macmahon, was to commence a four weeks season at the Threatre Royal, Brisbane on Dec. 26 (Boxing Night). Misa Ethel Adele is leading lady,

The death is reported at Pietermarintzburg, South Africa, of Mr David Kennedy, eldest son of the Scottish vocalist. The deceased some years ago settled in Africa, and devoted much of his time to literary work.

The Nugget Theatro, under the able management of Mr Frank Weston (of Wizard Oil renown), with Messrs Leon and Cushmaa as the stars, is fast becoming one of tho most fashionable and crowded of our places of amusement, making a hoap of money.

M. Bucalossi, the composer of " Les Monteaux Noirs, ib busily engagod on a new work which he proposes to call an operacomody. Tho aim is to give tho comody olemont as important a part in tho work as the music. The titleof tbo next piece will be "Tho Roformor. "

A N.Y. paper says that "on the return trip of the steamer that brought him to America, Mr Kyrle Bellew, the groat English actor" (once of Melbourne) "wont back to Ilia native London with a bad black eye and a wholesome contempt for the institutions of this vulgah country."

Miss Nita Steele, who appeared in Sydnoy some time ago with Grattan Riggs, at the Gaiety, has ju3t made a successful debut as a vocalist at Madame Vogrich'a concert, in the Town Hal!, Melbourne She has a deep mezzo-soprano voice, her lower notes being remarkably rich and powerful.

A vocalist complains in the " Musical World" that while singing the song "Hononr and Arms" at a concert, a wasp settled on his nose. Tho words of tho verse ho was singing became peculiarly appropriate to the situation—"Though I could despatch thee at a blow, poor victory to conquer thee."

Poor Maesartic, Melbourne's well-known master of the ballet, baa done hia last dance, and has gone to his laet home. Hβ will figure as Harlequin no longer in the Xmas pantomimes, and train no more troopa of supernumeraries to do thoir fancy groupings and limelighted ovolutions. At the last two concorts of tho Sydnoy Liedortafel, given in Christmas weok, Mr Delunoy made hie first bow to the public as conductor of tho Society. It is said that he is quite at homo as a driller of voices. As for tho orchestra ono papor considers the loss said about it tho better. In the " Zauborflote " the discords at times from the "winds" woro something quite too awful. "The Evil Genius," Mr WilkieColline's new novol, which is now running in the " Herald " Supplement, has alroudy been played once in dramatic form, at tho Vaudville Theatre, London, in order to protect the dramatic rights. The title will probably bo changocl before tho pioce is seriously placed upon the stage. Tho story is Bufliciently full of human nature to promise a strong play when finally polishocl for the footlights.

The "New York Horald" dismissed with a two-line paragraph a lnvish production of "Romeo and Juliet "in which Miss Margaret Mather mado her Now Yorktkbut. The event was considered by all the other papers worthy of nearly a column of their space, lnthesequelthe " Herald's"business manager called upon the theatrical manager and explained that no seats had boon scut to tho nowspaper office, and if the " Herald " was not sufficiently important to receive seats the production was not sufficiently important to receive a notice.

Many thousands of English folks havo read M. O'RoU'a amusing books, but they do not all know that he is a native of Brittany, that ho is on tho sunny side of forty, that ho has been an ollicer in the French army and was severely wounded in action, that ho was for several years a ma9tor at St. Paul's fJchool, and that ho is married to a fair and talented daughtor of John Bull, who, in fact, translated "Les Chers Voisins." There is therefore no doubt about the reality of his affection for England and her people, or one of them.

Under the title of " Short Studies from Nature," Messrs Cassell and Company will issue a series of short papers on interesting natural phenomena, Amony the contents of tho volume are the following subjects :— Birds of Passage, by Dr. Robert Brown, F.L.S., &c, ; Snow, by 6. G. Chisholm, M.A., B.Sc, F R.G.S.; Dragon Flios, by W. 8. Dallas, F L.S. ; Oak Apples, by Dr. F. Buchanan White, F.L.S. ; Comets, by G. Soabrooke; Caves, by James Dallas"; Flamo, by Professor F. R. Eaten Lowe ; Glowworms, by G. G. Chisholm, M.A., B.Sc, F.R.G.S.; Minute Organisms, by P. W. Bulkmill; Bats, by W. S. Dallas, F.L.S.

Says tho Sydney "Bulletin :"—Tho last lecturo but one of Mr Charles Bright's remarkablecoursoof lantern illustratcdlectures at Sydney Theatro Royal was devoted to tho subject of " The Devil." A young lady from New Zealand made her bow to a Sydney audienco on this occassion, and performed two pieces on the piano with such skill and dash as to greatly delight her hearers. This little maiden is only 11 years of age, but exhibits all the verve and brilliancy of oxocution of an adult proficient. Her namo is Clarice Brabazon, and,young as shots, she has made quite a reputation for herself in Auckland. At Mr Bright's last lecture, next Sunday, Mies Brabazon is to appear again and play a duet with her brother, a lad who is said to be as groat a phenomenon as herself.

Cardinal Moran, of Sydney, appears to dislike the stage and all its belongings. There is to be no more music by theatricals at St Mary's. Pooplo who, in the pursuit of their profession, are obliged to wear tights on Saturday night are not to be allowed to compound with the Evil One by singing psalms on Sunday. The* oddest part of the affair (says the " Bulletin "), however, ia thnt tho Bishop, is blind to tho raffles, the bazaar, the fortunetellings, and the well-favoured trapezienne at the Soudan Encampment, It is surely as conducive to purity to listen to Mozart's glorious twelfth mass, though tho performers make a living by their gifts, as to witness a young lady, however virtuous, hanging by hor feet from a horizontal bar, Like " grace," the ways of ecclesiastics are hard to understand,

The Sydney Philharmonic Society performed "The Messiah "on Christmas night. Tho mass of voioea and effective orchestra did splendid work, and the grand oratorio was, with few exceptions, satisfactory from beginning to end. About 20 or 30 boys gave material assistance in the chorus " For unto us," their young voices ringing out clear and sharp throughout. M. Henri Kowalski, the eminent musician, who has just been appointed conductor, wielded the baton on tho occasion. M, Kowalski is a Breton of old and distinguished race, the terminal " ski " being not unußual in that province of France. Aceordingtousage,he is entitled to assume the title of Count, and the traditions of his mothers race claim a descent from the ancient kings of Ireland. Although the recipient of no less than 93 crosses and medals, M. Kowalski, with consistent modesty, never Wears a decoration.

Emerson's Minstrels, piloted by Mr Litherland Cunard, opened at Dunedin on Bixynpf Night to a crowded house, and have been doing very " big " business since. The "Star "says: They are certainly the best burnt-cork troupe we have had in Dunedin for a very long time past Both in the mußical and comical lines they aro far above the average, and they have at their head a " corner " man who is a host in himself. Mr Emerson ia perfectly justified in designating himself "therefined leader of minstrelsy," for he ia much Ibbs

boisterous and ludicrous than the ordinary run of " tambos," and be is infinitely more humorous The company is particularly strong in dancers and funny men, and some good farces may bo expocloi! unilu the company are hero. In connection with " chair " business, reference to tho comic songs and jokes of Messrs Emerson and Lawton must not bo omitted. These gentlemen had the whole house in roars of Jaughtor whenever they liked, and thoir jocularities had the merit of thorough novelty and originality.

On tho occasion of Lord Carington's first visit to a Sydney theatro, Mr John Bennett secured all or most of tho seats ( in the dress-circle at five shillings oach, and let them at a guinea a head. The "Bulletin"man grimly remarks thfttit is not the first time that Mr Bennett has behaved with a magnanimity which bids fair to keep his memory green in many Australasian homes. Many years ago there was a concert given in Auckland on the occasion of the Duke of Edinburgh's visit, and tho throng besieging the doors could ecarcoly find language incisively loud enough to express ther gratitude on finding that seats could bo had for two guineas. Outside the concert hall that night more intricate profanity in various European tongues ascended to heaven than a battalion of recording angles could blot out with tears, wept they never so- moistly. But then there was a baronet on the stage, and a Royal duke fiddling the orchestra. Had some other member of tho reigning family only been there, such as tho Prince of Wales or the young Duke of Connaught, to dance a Highland fling or even an Irish jig in national costume, it is hard to say where the enthusiasm would end. The conductor of tho concert on that historical occasion was Mr Quin, afterwards well known in Sydney, tho bandmaster of tho 18th Royal Irish Regiment. When he turned round in his seat to tell tho Duke that it was to the hurdy-gurdy rather than to tho violin he should have takon, we felt that the British Constitution was in danger.