THEATRICALS IN SYDNEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 230, 29 September 1888, Page 8

THEATRICALS IN SYDNEY.

(KROM OVR OWN OOEBESrONDENT.)

■ Sydney, September'l7. Time brings its changes; bub, as yet, nothing remarkable in the theatrical world has takeri place within the last fortnight, except the large houses that night after night greet Nelly Farren, Fred Leslie, and others of the London Gaiety Company vow performing at 6he Royal. '-Miss Esmeralda" has bit the public taste and scores a big one. It is not generally known, but Fred Leslie pleads guilty to a part authorship in this wonderful conglomeration of puns, pictures and postunngs under the norn de plume of A. C. Ton- (actor.) This company's time is now almost up here, and aftor a short and brief flying visit to Bris-' bane they return to London, playing America en route. Leslie, or more properly speaking, Fred Leslie, is a wonderful comedian, and when he takes up the running it's "Good-bye, buttons." It is ou the cards that prior to their departure a complimentary dinner will be tendered them by their brother Thespians... Carrie Swain, with her bunch of American novelties, then follows on, and will occupy the Royal till Christmas. Brough and Boucicault are making things hum at the Criterion, where the farcical comedy of "An Arabian Night" is running very strong. Harry St. Maur, as the hubby who goes out for a lark on the lines of "Old Alroun Alrachid,", gets inextric^ ably mixed up with ballet dancers, circus equestrians, and india rubber girls, much, to his wife's disgust and the amusement of the audience. Teddy Royce and Miss Maggie Knighb have big parts; which they do nob fail to take advantage of; in fact, Maggie in low comedy is simply immense, and in impersonating .tjie ," India-rubber Girl," with a penchant for B. and S. and cigarettes, _she fairly astonish*, s her most intimate friends. Thursday next, at this particular theatre will witness a huge farewell benefit, which has been tendered to Teddy Royce, the comedian, prior to bis departure for the English metropolis. Amongsb those who have given their services may be mentioned Fred Leslie, Harry St. Maur, George Rignokl, Danby, Nellie Farren, Marion Hood, and the local Gaiety Burlesque Company. A thorough dramatic treat is anticipated, and Teddy will have a good send-off. George Leitch follows on at the Criterion with an old friend in a maw suit, or ■in other words '-The Madman " dished up as "A Touch of the Sun." The piece has not yet been staged in Sydney. The Hick's Sawyer Combination of Black Minstrelsy and Athleticism at the Opera House ' with Signor O'Grady (as Agrato is now termed), in command,, are playing to powerful houses. Their corner "biz" is entirely new, and the part singing is a show in,itself. During, their short stay they have sung themselves fairly into popular favour. Gaylord and riuvalli.Barnuni's re.presenta> tivea, who were on a visit to Australia in search of novelties for the premier showman of the world,reburned to America by the Zealandia—the former to return at an early date with three professional companies, Patty liosa, Humpty Duropty Company, and Charles Hansen, the phenomenal horse tamer and" Equine Muuipulist." _../, Suvalli, it appears, endeavoured to secure a location to enable Barnum to place his Wild.. West; Aggregation on the market, but failed to come to any arrangement. Negotiations for the lease of apportion of Moore Park are still in progress. ' "^Suspected," or the "Mystery of a Hansom Oab"' is the attraction at the Royal Standard where the adaptation of Fergus Hume's successful novel scores a win. The principal characters ai'e well represented at the hands of Messrs H. C. (Sydney, Harry Power, Frank Gerald, Chas. Burford and Ethel Gray, Miss Alice Norton sustaining the title role. The piece was well received, and promises a long run. • Rignold and Allison are content with the revival of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and at the moment of writing no change of bill is meditated. The management of the Alhambra, at the Haymarket have determined upon launching out in burlesque^ " Fra ; Diavolo" being: underlined to succeed'tlie' Japs,. ~ '■ = ■.- v ;', - . '"■'(■''-' ■ .■■'. : The new Haymarket Music under Hie i management and directorship of Fred Dark, will open on the 26th with some new ' London novelties and the Faust family.;. Harry Rickards and Company to follow. Academy 61 Music and Gaiety Theatre are closed for repairs. : ; Mr J. J.Lohr is still representing the interest: of Messrs Brough and Boucicault with ''Hans the Boatman "in Brisbane. Peter Hughes -passed through town last week on his way to Melbourne ahead of the Swiss Jungfrau Company, who visit New Zealand at an early date. They are well worth seeing from a musical standpointall the members of the company having European reputatione. Another company about pfeing New Zealand a viait is Frank Clark's Variety Company, with H. Ashton in command, and Phil Kirby in front of the show. The acrobatic antica of the Donaldson Bros, are a special feature. The (ujHi&rji:/*t Bondi, Coogeo Bay and Botany, are flll getting their share of support^ and fche ririklag jn&nia is quite as rife a foyer. jSampie? an& Co. and Charley McMahon are at Charts Towers. The latter interviewed by & Jec«l print, gives an amwing ;des; crip&oii pf kin"' jßftflagerial experiehce and' .wi|t» Mmity Irving H ls6sfff§ts F*ivftt9K©«roes'that Minnie f&im&t, ■'♦M.f iW9«th^af*i" pay* Aastralta a

Is qWity in "M»nkind" and ■• Taken From tile," The Melbournepres. u> i to«gl> anceof 'Barnes' is voted a signal failure. This, I beg to state, is a sweeping assertion, entirely unfounded on fact. No objection whatever is taken to my acting "\the part of'Barnes,' but simply as to my conception of the character-.'" ... iwriw Limelight George suffers very badly.. Grattan Rigge is still at Broken Hill, where he had the pleasure of giving a performance before a gubernaUonal audience on the occasion of Lord Carrmgton s recent visit. -' - ' ..- ■ ■ ■ -.