STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 256, 26 October 1907, Page 10

STAGE JOTTINGS.

FORTHCOMING ENGAGEMENTS. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. _ Not. 4 to 16 — Edwin Geach. Nov. IS to 23 — "Home( Sweet Home." Nov. 25 to Dec. 20 — West's Pictures and De Groen's Band December 26 to Jan. 11 — Pollard's Opera Co. Jan. 13 to 16 — J. and N. Tait — Clara Butt Jan. 17 to 24 *- J. C. Williamson's "Brewster's Millions" OPERA HOUSE. Fuller"s Variety Company (till further notice) The capital living picture performances presented at His Majesty's Theatre by Messrs MacMahon have secured much support during their season. Several new subjects have been introduced. and one or two of exceptional merit. The present season will come to an end tonight. On Monday and Tuesday next the organisation will visit Jainilton, proceeding thence direct to Wellington, where a lengthy season will be opened on November 2. The new comic opera, "Tfte Golden Wedge," music by Mr Thos. Humphries, and the book by Mr J. Youlin Birch, author of "A Moorish Maid," is well under way. The libretto and lyrics are, as a matter of fact, finished, and the. composer has now completed a considerable portion of the music for the first act. I am told that he has clearly excelled his previous musical work, and has found scope for some ambitious writing in the lyrics. Two numbers from the play were sung at the last concert of the Orphans' Club on Saturday last by Mr Abel Rowe, and both made a distinctly good impression. A budget of songs by Messrs Birch and Humphries is now on :ts way to England for publication. Miss Grace Palotta, being desirous of seeing the sights of Rotorua, prior to her I return to London, has induced the Wili loughby Ward management to play a ; night in the Wonderland district, so in view of the same. Waihi and the other towns en route will be visited—prior to the departure of the company for Sydney.

Mr. Edwin Geach is endeavouring to complete negotiations with Miss Florence Baines for a tour of Maoriland.

Frank Thornton's very latest success, ''When Knights Were Bold," is still going strong in London and New York, so success in Sydney at Christmas should bo assured. The Willoughby and Ward season of comedy starts on Monday, November 4, with '-Mr. Hopkinson," a play which, I have every reason to believe, is a credit even to the cunning pen of Mr. R, C. Carton. . Referring to the acting side of its premiere in Melbourne a few weeks ago a contemporary remarked: —"In the characterisation of the piece two of Melbourne's favourite artists distinguished themselves by giving perhaps the very best example of their histrionic skill in parts some degree higher in the dramatic scale than those to which they have been accustomed. Mr. Ward and Miss Palotta scored decidedly. Mr. Ward's performance of '"Hopkinson" was a capital and most amusing one, his discomfort in uncongenial surroundings and his apologetic manner when he feared he was taking up the time of the Duchess, was as amusing as his painful efforts to repose, and his loud attempts to appear thoroughly at ease. The applause and laughter which Mr. Ward secured were well deserved." Amateurs in Dunedin are very busy at the present time, as will be recognised when it is stated that "The Moorish Maid," for production in December; "Hans the Boatman," for November, and "The Belle of New York," by the Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society, for February, are all in active rehearsal. "The Girls of Gottenberg,"' one of the new musical comedies acquired by Mr. J. C. Williamson,-is to be seen for the first time in Australia on October 28, in Melbourne. On very good authority our Wellington correspondent hears that the balancing of accounts in connection with Musgrove's Grand Opera seasons in New Zealand will disclo>e a sum on the wrong side of the ledger of between £0000 and £ SOOO. Recent advices by Knglish mail record the success of a young New Zealandcr —Mr. R. J. Noble—who having qualified as a pharmaceutical chemist, elected to try his fortunes on the stage, writes my Wellington correspondent. Mr. Noble joined Mr. J. F. Sheridan's musical comedy company, after leaving Wellington, and remained with that comedian for two years, when he took ship for London, whore he placed himself in Mr. Frank Woatherb; "s hands. After devoting serious attention to local studies he joined "The Three Musketeers" Company, and subsequently threw in his lot with the company performing at the Scala Theatre in "The Judgment of Pharaoh." The New Zoalander won the praise of the critics for his artistic interpretation of a difficult part. The piece, however, had a career, and Mr. Noble was offered a re-engagement with "The Three Musketeers," and prior to its close signed on with the famous Mr. Martin-Jlarvey for a six months' tour of the Provinces. He is now (writes our Wellington correspondent) playing juvenile lead in "The Breed of the Trcshams."

According to present arrangements, the New Theatre which Messrs. Fuller and Sons intend erecting at Wellington, on the site of the present Theatre Royal, will be ready for possession on Boxing Night of 1908. The work of demolishing the building now doing duty for the proprietary's purposes will (says the Wellington correspondent) be put in hand after the new year.

"Humpty-Dunipty" will be the title of the J. C. Williamson pantomine next Christmas. The book is by Mr. .7. Hickory Wood, one of the most practised and cleverest pantonine librettists in England. Among many other works, he was responsible for "Mother Goose," and no further recommendation need be mentioned to Australians. At Mr. Williamson's request, Mr. Wood has just completed the work of still further improving the dialogue and "business," so that the Australian production stands every chance of being as big a success as the English one. Messrs. Bert. Gilbert, Harry Phyuora, and Harry Shine will be the three principal comedians.

Messrs. Allan Hamilton and George Bull or have purchased from Mr. Alfred Dampier the rights to produce his wellknown. Australian drama "Robbery Under Arms" in New Zealand and Tasmania, and they intend staging it early next year right through the island with a powerful company and new scenery.

Stage talent is more or less hereditary, points out a contemporary. Miss Madge Titheradge, another of the daughters of the ever-remembered G. S. Titheradge, has appeared with Cyril Maude's company in an English translation of Tristan Bernard's French farce, "L'Anglais tel qu'on le parle." The young lady is described as a very pretty ingenue.

Miss Violet Mount was at latest advices in London. She intends shortly going in for a long course of study, preparatory to trying to win the goodwill of the music-loving public of London.

It is estimated that when the reign of the record-breaking "IVTother Goose" is concluded the festive bird will have won for the management something over £70,000.

Madame Clara Butt advises colonial singers not to look too much towards London. "It is quite pitiful that young people should be induced to go to London by the mistaken kindness of friends," she said in Sydney. "They write out then that they are singing in public and doing well, when, as a matter of fact, they are having a hard battle." She says that they might go Home to continue their studies, but that they should return to €te colonies, bringing the fruits of their studies with them. She states that singers from France and Italy and other European countries, as well as the colonies, flock to London. "And, oh! it is pitiful to think of the fate of many. My advice to students is that, if they have the means to study at Home, they may do so; but that they ought not to stay there unless they have very exceptional voices."

Is the Ethiopian changing his spots— or rather his burnt cork? (asks the "Daily Telegraph," (London). There seems to be cause for the dismal apprehension. The true "nigger" of the "Uncle Bones" pattern is gradually dying out on the sands and seaside resorts. "Mr. Christy" is becoming fastidious, and aspires to be a trim and taut gentlemanly person, free from the embarrassments of his traditional artificial countenance. It may be that the break-up of the Moore and, Burgess combination' in London has set the fashion. Certain it is that the "nigger" —in respect of his old-time trade mark —is fading into a thing of the past. Instead of the cotton trousers, flic grotesque toy top-hat, the blue coat and 'swallow-tails, the huge red lips and the blackened face, he is lending himself to affectations of neat boating costume, and warbles his ditties to the accompaniment of the guitar, which has completely displaced the banjo.

Mr. Harry Norman, who, for eighteen years, was with Mr. Bland Holt, is now touring New Zealand, including the "smalls" with a comedy company. At latest he was taking the famous role of Canaway Bones in "Turned Up," at Petone. Others in the company are Messrs. R. Lewis, H. E. Townshend, S. H. Underwood, and A. Alexandra, Misses Nancy Tenell, Marshall, Ruby Scott, Gurney, and Underwood, and Little Nance Darkbv.

Sarah Bernhardt always does things in a queenly style. As an example of her methods, a London bookseller told a diverting story. The famous French actress dropped into his shop one morning, and she bought quite a pile of books, the principal himself waiting upon the distinguished lady. Just as she was going out jihe took hold of the bookseller's pencil, and asked him something in French. He did not quite catch her meaning; so, not seeing what she wanted on the counter, the great Sarah, quick as a flash, took down a volume of an expensive edition bound in tree calf, opened it, scribbled something on the blank leaf, tore it out, and, after handing it to the bookseller, smiled, and sailed out. It was a pass to her performance that evening; but she had ruined the most expensive set of books in the shop.

The engagement of the majority of the principals for Messrs Meynell and Gunn's new musical comedy company for this part of the world is completed, and Mr. John Gunn, who went to England with this object, returned to Sydney this week. Those engaged include Mr. C. M. Wenman, who is coming out as stage manager and producer; Mr. Vincent Davidson, Mr. Arthur Appleby, nephew of an old comedian. Mr. Tom Appleby; Miss Alice Russen, Mr. Willie Cromwell, Mr. Hay, Miss Lily Hairier, and Miss Lane. Several of the new people have played in recent productions of Mr. Povmour Hicks at the Aldwych and Hicks' Theatres. Mr. Appleby, who is to be the principal baritone, has had parts under this well-known and extremely active manager, as well as in the companies of Mr. George Edwardes and Mr. Gooi-gf- Dance; Mr. Davidson, who is said also to have a finp baritone voice, has played in "The Belle of Mayfair," the piece about which a newspaper sensation was caused last year through Miss Edna May's sudden resignation her part at the Vaudeville. Messrs. Cromwell and Hay will be the comedians of the company. 'One of Mr. Cromwell's parts is Wun-Hi in "The Geisha," and he has played in the Gaiety pieces in London, under the Whoeler management in South Africa, and in the Argentine Republic. Kngngrmonls still pending arc those of Miss Ruth Lincoln as leading lady, and one or two others. The plays are to include "Miss Hook of Holland," "Tho Belle of Mayfair," and "The Oik Behind the Counter."

THE DEADHEAD.