STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 185, 17 August 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

"Widdy O'Brien" Sheridan opened what promises to be a successful season at the Opera House on Monday, with "When the Lamps are Lighted," an extraordinary "olla podrida" of melodrama ana farce. From the standpoint of dramatic literature this play is about the most absolute balderdash ever launched on an unoffending public, but its novelty, its unaffected absurdity, and its lightening changes from smiles to shivers seem to catch on in an astonishing manner. It is true in theatrical matters as in all others that what is one man's meat is another's poison, and from the applause with which it was greeted it is evident that there is an important and payable section of the public who find enjoyment: in what others would term the banalities of Mr Sims' latest work.

He came, he played, he conquered is all that need be written about Mona. Jean Gerardy, who will, if the mail boat is punctual, be on his way to 'Frisco ere this reaches the public. Gerardy is certainly a fine performer, whom it is pleasant to have heard, and should he re-visit New Zealand he will always now be certain of a", great reception.

Mr Ernest Pitts, popular baritone aud prime New Zealand favourite, will open under the aegis of Mr Dix next month.

"Florodora" has done record business in Dunedin. The somewhat critical critics of the Southern city find the opera good. Miss May Beatty is, however., said to be scarcely up to the form required of the prima donna in this particular composition.

Mrs Bland Holt has (according to a Melbourne] scribe) developed of late the craze for great, conspicuous ornaments. She has all kinds—Egyptian, Indian, Spanish, besides the more massive of the ordinary pearl-pen-dants. In bright colours, high spirits and these remarkable ear-tailings, Mrs Holt (adds the same admirer) is often a gleam of gladness in Collinsstreet, when womankind is moStl.y red-nosed, dull-eyed, and choked up with furs these unattractive fogmornings.

The revival of the "White Heather" isdoing remarkably well in Melbourne. Bland Holt seems, by the way, rather badly struck for attractive new material. The number of revivals lately is somewhat ominous.

Apart from being a most successful manager, Mr George Edwardes, of the Gaiety Theatre, London, is also a successful horse-owner. By the victory of Santoi in the Ascot Gold Cup, Mr Edwardes won the Gold Cup, value £1000, and 3000 sovereigns, in addition to the beautiful "object of art," which is the prize of the race. The horse has so far won £9453.

Mr Harry Shine has had his engagement extended by Mr J. C. Williamson, and consequently his opening with Mr Dix has been temporarily postponed. The popular comedian is at present in Brisbane with Mr Williamson's Comic Opera Co. When he comes to New Zealand he will be accompanijed by Miss Violett Elliott, who possesses a contralto voice of wide range and beautiful quality.

it is interesting to learn that the second visit of Mr Wilson Barrett to Australia has opened the eyes of several other London "stars" to the possibilities of touring in Australia and New Zealand. It isYiuite on the cards that Mr Charles Wyndham nnd Mr Beerbohm Tree may pay a visit to the Antipodes in a year or two.

The first American star to visit the colonies under the Willia.mson-Froh-man combine will be Mr William Gillette, who will be seen in "Sherlock Holmes." Mr Gillette _■* an authoractor, and wrote the play iv which Mr Kingston made his first appeairance in ■Sydney, "Secret Service." Other stars to follow will be Miss Maud Adams, the greatest of the Frohnvan stars, whose performance in "L'Aigkm" Mr Williamson prefers to Mine. Bernhardt.*, and Miss Edna -May. Arrangements have also been made for a complete. American company to arrive _iext year, with a repertoire of the most successful picturesque character plays which have been presented in the United States of late years.

A novel Passion Play has just been given at Chill iwack, British Columbia, performed by 500 Si wash Indians before an audience of 4000' Indians. Th*_ piece was produced under the direction of the Rev. Mr Ohiroavse, a Roman Caitholic missionary, who for several months past had been preparing the actors in their partis. The Indians. who plumed themselves ' upon their powers of acting,' were intensely jealous, especially those east for the minor pa.rtis, and it required all the director's tact and pai-ienee to make things work harmoniously. But the end crowned the work, and the*reverend impresario was rewarded by_ an exhibition which, how ever odd it might appear to a white man, impressed the Indian audience to a degree unknown in civilised countries. Miss Millie HerbeUt, the talented vocalist, will arrive shortly under engagement to Mr P. R. Dix. Mr Tyrone Power and Miss Edith Crane are to open at the Princess's Theatre, Melbourne, in September next in , "Najesda." They will also stage "The Taming of the Shrew."

Sir Arthur Sullivan's last completed work was, like the first composition, intended for the use the Church. In this instance the setting of the Te Deum has a special significance, as it is intended to be used as a song of thanksgiving for the conclusion of the South African War, Following an established custom, Sullivan has, in this work, made free use of a well-known hymn tune, his setting of the Rev. S. Baring Gould's "Onward, Christian Soldiers," the "Marseillaise," as it has been called, of the Church militant. The Te Deum is essentially of a military character.

Herr Barron Berthald, Musgrove's Wagnerian tenor, in private life nearly always wears a breast pin of unique design. It consists of a crown of pearls, lying across the top of which is a small gold cross. It was given to him by his wife,' to whom he presented a brooch of the same design. Mrs Berthald's crown is, however, made of opals, as Mr Berthald is not superstitious. Miss Lorraine, on the other hand, has just given away an opal ring. She became possessed of it just before coming to Australia, and to it she attributes the fact that she has had but indifferent luck in the colonies.— "Australasian."