STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Issue XXXVI, 21 October 1905, Page 10

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Two miscellaneous entertainments have been given in Auckland during the week—an admirable lecture on "Liquid Air** by Mr Andrews, of "Magic Kettle"' fame, and the West-Brescians, wbo in their return season have supplemented their films by an admirable series of local pictures, which have added still further to the drawing capacity Of the organisation. The company may be said to have had a wholly remarkable run during their two seasons in Auckland. I I always do my readers the compliment of thinking that they are more or less devoted playgoers, and that they 'do in some sense cherish the higher ideals of the stage. If so, I shall not be wrong in assuming that everyone of them will join mc in profoundly regretting the death of Sir Henry Irving, the man who has done moie to raise and enoble the drama than any actor of our time. To whom will fall the. cloak of Irving? will be one of the most frequent questions these, next few days. Will it. be Tree, or could it be Forbes Robertson. or Martin Harvey, or. again, will young H. B. Irving carry on the work of his father in a sort of semi-facsimile? Personally I am convinced that the two young livings—•Harry and Laurence— have more real indisputable genius between them than the rest of the British actors together. Note that I say genius; art is another matter. And the fact has to be recognised that the choice lies with the majority whether ihey shall I prefer art to genius or genius to art. George Alexander has made his fortune on art (I am tempted to write artistry); Irving fought with generosity to keep a fortune made by genius. But if genius is allowed another change and finnikin graces are not made the test I believe that stage sovereignty will for the nonce prove hereditary, and that in a double sense the name of Irving will live still.

The performance by the snake charmer, Cleopatra, under the management of Messrs Fuller during the. ensuing weekwill be the first thing of its kind for 25 years. And the difficulties in getting the venomous reptiles through the Customs do not promise very well for a similar venture in the future. Cleopatra deals not only with snakes but with a crocodile, if not with some yet other fearsome creatures. She is supported .by Bonita. a remarkably fine rifle-shot whose "'living target" is one Carlos, The whole, "turn has obtained warm commendation in the South.

The Brough-Fleming Company, which is now in Wellington, produced "Beauty and the Bargt*" on Thursday.

The coming week will see the last.' at any rate for a while, of 'The Oingalee" at Her Majesty's, Melbourne. The piece proved most popular throughout its run, and the fresh interest infused into it last Saturday in the shape of additional numbers sewned really likely to prolong its course indefinitely, had not Mr Williamson been desirous of giving Melbourne a long season of ""V eronique." Chief among the aforesaid numbers were a dainty melody. "Rainbow." admirably done by Miss Margaret Thomas, and "Teasing." archly sung by 31iss Rose Musgrove. Next. Saturday The Orchid" will be revived for a short spell. Mr Reginald Ford, who has been turn- . ing bis experiences with the Discovery ! Antarctic Expedition to excellent account on the lecture platform, has been | engaged for a New Zealand tour by Mr IJ. C. Williamson, commencing towards j I the end of this month. In addition to I a- most interesting story, Mr Ford is ' fortunate in having a complete series of , j admirable lantern slides depicting the scenes and experiences about which he ! lectures. ThcTodds, which were lengthy, against his completing his gentle stroll from Brisbane to Sydney, undertaken by Mr Albert Gran, are now rapidly shortening, such improved form is he snowing along 1 the route. So far he has gallantly vej sisted all temptations to take the train, and is still gaily plodding along through \ New South Wales. He is keeping well within himself, and shows every indication of finishing strongly ahead of his l limit.

The benefit matinee performance in aid of the Distressed Actors' Fund which Mr George Lauri is organising has had to be postponed from last Thursday, the date originally fixed for it to take place at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. The two companies participating in it have so much to do at present — the Knight-Jeffries' Company with, "David Garrick" and the Royal Comic Opera Company with "Veronique"—that they found it impossible to give the required time to its preparation. The entertainment will take place instead somewhere about the second week in November.

The concluding nights cf the Perth season oi the Gilbert and Sullivan Company (Tuesday and Wednesday last) were occupied with a revival of "Tbe Yeomen of the Guard." The company are now playing at Kalgoorlie, and on tbe 30th instant open in Frernantle for the Show week there. Afterwards they return to Sydney for their season at the Criterion Theatre, during which "Trial by Jury," "The Sorcerer" and "Princess Ida" will all be staged. A season in Melbourne foDows, beginning about Christmas time.

It is now practically certain that the Knight-Jeffries' Company will be completely disbanded on the termination of their "New Zealand season at the end of the year. The theatre-going public would much desire to hay* it otherwise, but' the fates are against it, and the organisation will cease to exist in a veTy few weeks now. Miss Maud Jeffries is looking.forward to a .prolonged visit to her friends in the United States prior to taking up domestic life on her husband's station in New South Wales. Mr Knight's plans are not complete, but jit is probable that he will treat himself 'to an extended rest, wisely deciding that alter a long bout of typhoid fever he wnl jbe all the better for a cessation from I the cares of leading man

Miss Nance O'Neill opens her season next Saturday with ""Magda," after which she plays -Elizabeth, Queen of England."

Messrs. Fuller and Sons now control sis theatres in the principal cities of this colony, owning four (the Alhamjbra and Princess, Dunedin; Opera House, Christchurch: and His Majesty's, Wellington). and holding the leases of two (Opera House, Auckland, and Theatre 'Royal, Wellington). It is the firm's initention to enter into occupation of the Theatre Royal, Wellington, at the end of this month, transferring thereto their vaudeville company. His Majesty's Theatre will, when the transfer of the vaudeville to its new home takes place, be held for letting purposes by the firm, who contemplate rechlistening it the I '-Athenaeum."

Miss Nance O'Neil, who finished her Wellington season last night, will spend a week at Rotorua before leaving the colony (by the Sonoma on the 16th December) for the United States of America. It is probable that Miss o'K.eil will keep in touch with Australia and New Zealand by making periodical tours with a few years' interval. It is not at all certain "that Mr. McKee Rankin will be seen on tour in the colonies again. He considers that it is about time he settled down in the States.

With this "absolutely farewell" feeling the Knight-Jeffries' Company are plainly eager to leave behind them in Melbourne a host of pleasant memories of past successes, as well as new impressions. "Comedy and Tragedy" and IC David Garrick" (a new version) succeed "The Darling of the Gods," made memorable- by Mr Knight's interpretation of Zakkuri, the evil-minded Minister of War. The last week will see several revivals and in addition the production of "Everyman," the old English morality play recently produced in Auckland. There will he two performances in the Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday afternoon (October 26) and Saturday evening (October 28L The. company will then proceed to Bendigo and Ballarat. while Hobart will also be visited before they j finally take ship for New Zealand. TrTF. DEADHEAD.