DRAMATIC GOSSIP.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7866, 18 May 1891, Page 6

DRAMATIC GOSSIP.

*' The Butler" by Mr and Mrs Herman Merivale was produced for the first time in Melbourne at the Bijou, on Saturday 2nd iust. " The Old Guard "is still doing well at the New Princess's, and the American Comic Opera "Evangeline" at the Opera House. George Darreil Is playing a round of hia own pieces at the Theatre Rovitl and the Alexandra was seeing the last of "The Lyons Courier," preparatory to the production of "a drama of life and adventure on the Western Plains," entitled "The Scout," in which Dr. Carver, the famous rifle shot, and his company of Cow-boys, Mexicans, Indians, &c, are to be prominent features. The Rev. Chas. Clark is also lecturing in Melbourne.

In Sydney on Saturday, May 2nd, Mr Ptnero's farcical comedy "Imprudence" was staged at the Criterion, and was received by a laru;e audience with undoubted approval. At Her Majesty's "The Corsican Brothers" entered upon the second week of its run, and bids fair to fill the house for some weeks to come. Mr Bland Holt's eminently prosperous season at the Theatre Royal is drawing to a close. "London Day by Day," which has filled the theatre nightly for the past three weeks, is to be replaced by "The Bella of Hazelmere," and a week or two later the Royal Dramatic Company will enter into possession of the and produce "The English Rose* and " A Million of Money." Mr Sheridan's season at the Garrick was also Hearing its close, his lease of the theatre terminating at theend of the week. " Fun on the Bristol" wa>- to see thar season out. Miss Janet Achurch was due at the Garrick next week, and she will commence business with " Masks and Faces." On May 6th afternoon Signorand Signora Majeroni were to be tendered a benefit performance at Her Majesty's. The following paragraphs are from the Bulletin :— *' Charles Cartwright, the English actor, smilingly told an Adelaide reporter that he once "got the sack" for being incapable. "The manager who sacked me,' said Charles, "is at present in Adelaide!" Is this Wybert or Fred Neebe?

"TheTaylor-Carrington Dramatic Company cleared over £1000 duringtheir recent West Australian tour. We don't publish this paragraph for the purpose of depopulating Poverty Point. "R. S. Srnythe. the Much-Travelled, lives again iv his son, Carlyle Smith, B.A. One of the most marvellous sights under Heaven is to note how the young dog has nicked up all the old dog's tricks." The Italian journals state that Verdi's comic opera of "FalstatF" is to be produced at the fetes held in honour of Christopher Columbus at Genoa in 1592. Mrs Iveeley was present at the opening on Saturday, February 28, of the new theatre at Ipswich, which stands'near the cite of that in which Mrs Keeley, then Miss Goward, made her first appearance sixty-eight years ago. The old lady, whose efforts in corned - and farce were so much admired In her day, is a native of Ipswich. Dr Andre has stated what is certainly not generally known, that Madame Sara Bernhardt, when playing Lady Macbeth, is always hypnotised before the sleepwalking scene in order that her impersonation may be perfectly realistic. , There has been a regular storm in a teacup about the box rented by the lato Baron Haussmann at the Paris Opera House, from tbe time the opera was opened till his death. In the struggle for the succession to the coveted coign of vantage were Mme. Humbert daughter-in-law of the great French jurist, M, Humbert, and the wife of Baron D'Erlanger. The Greek Minister, M. Delyannis was mixed up in the affair, which, absurdly enough, caused almost a deadlock in the cabinet. Mine. Humbert, who is a social leader in tbe Republican world, was, however, the successful applicant. The Haussmann box almost faces the stage, is in the first tier, has a projecting balcony in front, and quite a large private salon behind it. The rent for one night a week is £1000.

Mr Richard Mansfield is once more a lively topic of discussion in the New York newspapers. It bad been asserted that Mr Mansfield had spent a thousand dollars in Christmas gifts to five of the principal critics. Mr Mansfield defended his action by a sprightly letter in the Sun, stating that his gifts were of no great value, and expressing his regret that a couple of the recipients had felt compelled by conscientious scruples to return his presents. Whereupon Mr Mansfield fell to moralising over this incident, which, he claimed, proved to him that actors were debarred from the common civilities of friendship and society. He stated that he was so thoroughly disgusted over the entire matter that he intended to abandon the stage for ever, and devote himse\f to painting. There is, however, not much probability that this threat will be carried into immediate execution*