STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Phenomenal business has been the order of the "What Happened 1o .Tones" Company throughout New Zealand, and Auckland is no exeep* lion to the rule. The houses during the last week have been enormous. "What Happened to Jones" certainly takes rank with the funniest of farcical comedies, and the Opera House has not heard, such uproarious laughter since Frank Thornton was here with "Charley's Aunt." The piece is brimful of situations—in fact, one is hardly afforded breathing space—and the whole thing goes with a delightful "swing." Mr Arnold, as "Jones," is, of course, the attraction, and his acting is inimitable. The other members of the company are all well suited to their parts, and they act with the ease that is the result of many performances. ".Tones" certainly provides a most amusingl evening's entertainment.

The many Auckland friends of Miss Jennie Pollock will be interested to hear that she is making steady progress in her adopted profession. She has been with Bland Holt continuously since she left Auckland, and has been in the cast of his last two productions, "With Flying Colours" and "The Gtvnt Ruby" (now running), and on the occasion of George Darrell's "send-off" at Melbourne on Bth February she was called upon to play Miss Jeannie Opie's part in "With Flying Colours," Miss Opie being unable to appear. Miss Pollock won high praise all round for her performance on this occasion.

Tin- "Billies in The Wood" Pantomime Company disbands at the close of the present season in Inverairgill, as some of the leading artists have completed their engagements and wish to return 1o Australia. Consequently the pantomime will not be seen at Auckland or Christchurch.

Irene Franklin, Hie well known variety artiste, will probably join Dixs Gaiety Company in Auckland about the middle of May.

The Patterson Brothers, the American horizontal bar performers, complete their engagement with Mr Dix on March 30th nt Dunedin. They then come up to Auckland, and leave by the outgoing 'Frisco mail steamer, having an engagement to fulfil in New York.

Dixs Dunedin Gaiety Co. commenced a short season at Invercargill last Monday. At the close of the season the Company will occupy its old quarters at the Dunedin Alhatnbra.

11 is currently reported that Miss Henrietta Watson will shortly return to Australia and rejoin Bland Holt's company.

Messrs Tom and Dan Fitzgerald are preparing a new sensation for their already powerful combination. This is a "diving horse," which is actively rehearsing its part with a view to an early appearance. Diving horses have of late been the rage of the hippodromes of the Continent. The circus was to have opened in Hobart on the Ist inst. New Zealand follows immediately on the conclusion of the Tasmanian season, the show commencing its New Zealand tour at the Bluff.

Three new artists will mnke their first appearance with Dixs Gaiety Co. at the City Hull on Monday evening. Miss Nifa Gonzales is described as a clever "wing and buck" dancer and serio, Miss Stella Gonzales is a contortion dancer, and Misa Xora, Martin ii balladist.

Mr Will Diamond, a baritone, makes his first appearance, with Fuller's Bijou Company at the Agricultural Hall this evening, while Mr Jack Williams, an old favourite, reappears.

Among Mr Forbes Robertson's wedding presents 'was- one from Mrs Patrick Campbell. Tt consisted of the acting rights and entire scenery and effects of "The Sacrament of Judas."

Pollard's Opera .Company will visit Hobart, March 4 lo 15; Launceston, March 38 to April 1; Brisbane, April (5 to May (>: Itoekhampton, May 8 to 18; Townsvllle, May 21 to 28; Charters Towers, May 29 to June 17; open at Dunedin early In August; and at. Auckland about November 1.

From the "Bulletin" :— Edwin (leach's profit on Donald Macdonald's lecturing1 tour must have put him into a position to buy some landed property when he returns 'to Melbourne, and, all things considered, that spry young man deserves his luck. A triumphal march like Mac's is not possible without a lot of assistance from the advance agent. By 'the way, Geach's sister Portia ran a. little show in Melbourne the other week. Having just returned from England, she put a number of her paintings and drawings on exhibition by way of announcement that Miss Geaeh is forming an Art class.

We have to acknowledge receipt of a copy of "The Flag Song Book," published by J. Curwen and Sons, Ltd. The book is written in the tonic sol-fa notation, mid appears well adapted for the use of schools. A pianoforte edition accompanies 'the issue.

With' the close of the Nance O'Neil season, there will be an interregnum in theatrical matters in Christchurch. At present 'there is not a single date booked until February of next year, when the Brough Company have taken the Theatre. Such a state of things linn not existed for many years. Bland Holt, who has generally paid a visit to Christchurch in November in alternate years, will not be there this year.

A cable message from London states that Madame Belle Cole, the widely known contralto, who toured Australia in 1894, will sail from .England for Australia on March 23, with a company which includes M. AvonSaxon, Mdlle. Virginie Oheron, and Herr Eaimund Peckotsch. The lastnamed artist was formerly a 'wellknown violinist, in Sydney, which he left for England in 1897." He will be remembered as conductor for a. time of Mr Harry Rickards' orchestra, and was specially engaged to play in Melbourne at the Exhibition of 1881, when he was only 16 years old. It is possible, however, that the engagement is, ■that of his son, bearing- the same name, a talented violinist, now 14 years of age, who was given a great farewell benefit at the Town Hall on leaving Sydney, and d'/ing his studies in London had the honour of playing before her late Majesty the Queen. The young musician was a member of Madame Belle Cole's Company which recently appeared in South Africa, where it will, be remembered he was laid up for some time with fever.