DRAMATIC GOSSIP.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9326, 29 January 1896, Page 6

DRAMATIC GOSSIP.

" Weekly Press and Referee." [By Prospzro.] The Fausts removed to the Christchtirch Theatre Royal for Thursday and Friday evenings last, when I was sorry to see such scanty patronage. Really the items on the programme by the Fausts alone were well worth a crowded house in any part of Australasia. The Risley act is fit to take its place on any stage in any part of the world —clever in the extreme it is, and Ted, his little daughter, and Master Freddy are a ( trio who, with the "exquisite fooling" of Eugene, acquit themselves with much artistic finish. One can always witness such a performance with infinite pleasure. When the variety items by Miss Fraser and Messrs Hagan and Johnny Gourlay, and the other specialty acts of the Fausts are considered, one wonders what the amusement seekers in Christchurch are thinking of. The company are now doing a tour of the country, prior to playing overland to Dunedin. " For the New Year " is the title of Mr Hill's latest song, a complimentary copy of which has been received by Mr Woodhouse, and was sung by him at a Masonic evening last week, being received with enthusiasm. The words are by Weatherly, and the composer has been particularly happy in wedding an appropriate setting to the words. There is no doubt that the song will command success. The combination recently travelling in New Zealand as Woodloch's circus came to a sudden stop in Christchurch, and after being held for some time the tent, ponies, dogs, monkeys, &c., were sold by auction in Christchurch on Thursday last under bill of sale. Prices realised were ridiculously low, the tent, seats, &c, being snapped up by a local publican for £16, while the live stock went for " cats' meat money." Mr Morris, the acant courier, has been in Christchurch during the past few days, making arrangements for the opening on the 28th inst. of the circus, which will only remain for a short season. Since the combination was last in Christchurch | the brothers Tom and Dan Fitzgerald | have toured the world in search of novelties. As has been stated in a previous issue, the attractions secured for the colony are of the most startling kind. I have referred very fully to the specialty performers that are being introduced to New Zealand for the first thne. I think I am right in saying, from what I have heard from the North, that nothing like them has been seen in the colonies before. On Tuesday my Wellington correspondent wired as follows:—The circus attracted a crowded audience last night, and to-night the Eclairs , contortion act, the talking horse Mahomet, and Madame Antonio and Captain Peart in their great dives caused immense enthusiasm. The Holts are on the way South for the return seasons. The season in Auckland finished up to very big business, and though the circus is also catering for the Wellington people, the claims of Mr and Mrs Bland Holt are not forgotten. The new pieces, "Saved from the Sea" and "The Fatal Card," have this week drawn large audiences io the". GpHra'HolSie at "popular" prices. The name pieces will be presented during the forthcoming return visit to Christchurch, where the popular favourites are sure to be again heartily welcomed. By the way, Mr Holt has just made another purchase in England. This time he has gone for the latest Adelphi success, as a change from Drury Lane, from which popular house he still has one piece yet to produce, this being " The Derby Winner," one of Sir Augustus Harris' greatest achievements, notwithstanding his latest triumph " Cheer boys, Cheer," which Mr Holt finds would be altogether too gigantic a thing to do as he wishes on colonial stages. However, judging from what I read in my English exchanges of the Adelphi piece it promised to be a great spectacular event. Its production was announced for December 21st, under the title of " A British Soldier," although when my latest advices left Home that name had not been definitely decided upon. It was probable, however, it would not be altered. Mr Holt writes mc that he received cable advice that the new piece was a great "go," and that he at once secured it for the colonies. "A British Soldier" is a military drama, in which a gallant regiment play a prominent part, by "George Seymour" (Messre Geo. Edwardes and Seymour Hicks). It has effective parts for Miss Milward, and Messrs William Terns, Abington and Harry Nichols, while Mr Edward Sass is also in the cast at the Adelphi. When Mr Holt next comes round New Zealand he will, I presume, introduce to us " A British Soldier." The St. John Gaiety Burlesque Company brought their Invercargill season to a close on Friday night, and next evening they gave a farewell performance 'at the Princess , Theatre, Dnnedin. On Monday the company opened at Oamaru, and on Wednesday night they, were to have inaugurated a season at Timaru. The Newbury-Spada Concert Company gave their final concert in the Public Hall, Greymouth, on Thursday lost. The Fredo Family were to have opened at Invercargill on Tuesday last. The Cadzow Family are in the Nelson district. The Wellington Amateur Operatic Society brought a season of "Princess Ida ,, to a close on Friday; business was notes good as anticipated. Will Johnson, the basso of the HicksSawyer Minstrels, died at the Prince Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, recently. Miss Marie Lloyd, who was playing the name part in "Trilby," commenced in November to give to the homeless poor in London one hundred and fifty beda every night for three months. various opinions are expressed by the Sydney critics of Mies Maud Beatty'a efforts as a comic opera artiste. The majority are favourable to the Christchurch member of Pollard's " Liliputian " company, and referring to her Paul-Jones the Referee says:— "In Miss Maud Beatty Mr Pollard has one of the most promising young actresses and vocalists seen here for many a day, as everyone who saw and heard her play the name part in ' Paul Jones' m3y perforce admit. In 'Upon a Mayday Morning,' 'The Lee Shore,' and other soni»s falling to her share Miss Beatty sang in the most pleasing .and acceptable style, whilst she also looked and acted the part." Another paper says " Maud Beatty is a tower of strength in Pollard's Juvenile Opera Company." Miss Cissy Sandford (Miss Samuels of Wellington) Indian Chief Cigarettes are the latest and best obtainable. Mild, fine-flavoured, and undoubtedly the coming brand. 9 Boom in Cycles.—We are determined to establish a reputation for low prices. J oat landed some first-class English machines, with ail the latest notions, which we offer during this month at specially low prices. W. Ctxbties and Co., Sv»ift Cycle Works. —[Advt. Sergeant-Major Towler, the well-known Danedin Drill Instructor, eajs he suffered for years from lirer complaints and indigestion, and could only got the slightest benefit from aoy medicine until he Cried Loasbj's " Wahoo." He says he is a new man again.—[Advt.] Matchless Teas - Is 6d, Is 10d, 2s 2d, 2a 4d. Other jewellers can copy S. Cia.HU and Co.'s advertisements, bat not their inimitable 18-carat wedding and engagement ring*. Co and see for yourself. S. Gll&kxasd Go.) 148 Colombo street.—[Advt.] „

comes in for much praise at the hands of the critics for her singing and acting. 1 After several representations of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a revival of famous and popular operas was commenced on the Bth ; inst. The company were to commence < j another New Zealand tour last night at ] I Auckland, when " Paul Jones," was to be ] produced. " Girofle Girofla " is the next attraction. The Sunday Times says:—Miss Maud Beatty has scored two big successes so far ] during the present season at the Criterion, 1 and this with two chances only, viz., in , "Olivette"and "Paul Jones." Her Paul Jones was marked by a graceful and romantic presence, effective acting, and most acceptable singing. Miss Beatty has not only a tuneful singing voice, but a most agreeable speaking voice. Her success has been most , pronounced. Professor Kennedy, the " King laughmaker" will shortly commence a tour of New Zealand. It* is likely that he will come under the management of Mr L. J. < Lohr. Carl Hertz, whose clever performances in New Zealand will be remembered, is amongst Harry Rickards' latest engagements for Sydney. He also secured during his trip to the States and England, whence he has just returned, the Martinetti troupe, Will Crackles, the Hayters, George Beauchamp and Marie Loftus. The " Land of the Moa " Company was at latest at Brisbane. Mr George Leitch is not now in the cast. Referring to the production of " Trilby," a London paper says :—We have not noticed that any critic has picked out one point in which Mr Tree is incorrect in his wonderful impersonation of SvShgali. When the villain thinks that he is dying he goes on his ! knees and repeats the most holy of all prayers. Now for a Jew to kneel when he prays is against all the tenets of his creed. The prayer that Svengali says is so sacred to the Jews that in Christianity we have no parallel to it, our Lord's Prayer being the nearest approach. It is said at births and marriages and deaths. The words of it are, " Shemah l r isroile Ahdownoi Alowhynoo Adownoi Aachod." " Hear, 0 Israel! the Lord our God. The Lord is One." Sir Samuel Montagu, the great authority on all Jewish rites, was amongst the first-night audience of "Trilby." We wonder what he thought of Svengali's prayer. "The Silver King" had eight years ago brought H. A. Jones £10,000, and it is still running. " Pygmalion and Galatea " has brought W. S. Gilbert some £25,000. From " The Private Secretary" the profits to Hawtrey were some £100,000. " Charley's Aunt," has returned to Brandon Thomas about £30,000. No wonder that authors turn from fiction to drama. It is quite probable that " Trilby" and Williamson and Musgrove's new company from home will make their Australian debut in Sydney—not at Melbourne Princess's. " Djin-Djin" the "firm's" pantomime goes to Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide after doing five weeks at Melbourne Princess's. The firm expects the Melbourne season to pay the cost of preparation only and looks to the other three capitals for profit. Monsieur Blondin, the eminent tight-rope ai'tist, was, as I noted last week, married on November 29 th at Brentford to an I English lady. It is now thirty-five years ! since the intrepid Frenchman first startled visitors to the Crystal Palace with his feats on the high rope. At that time he used to be paid something like one hundred guineas a performance ; and the hero of Niagara must have earned a vast fortune during his career, a substantial part of which fortune was annexed from him by an ambitious agent, who " did " his employer for something like £15,000. Monsieur Blondin, although well into his eighth decade, has not yet done with rope-walking. He was engaged to appear at the World's Fair, at the Agricultural Hall, for the Christmas holidays. The "evergreen" one is, and has ever been, exceedingly temperate in the matter of alcoholic refreshment. A munificent and probably unique act of generosity (says a London exchange of December 4th) has to be recorded in connection with the Alhambra Theatre. On Saturday morning the sum of nearly £1000 was handed to Mr Alfred Moul, the general manager, by Mr William L. Winans, for distribution amongst the ; lady principals, the members of the corps de 2t«j£tetr and all children 'taking part in the perf&ilmaiices of the ballet of " Titania." The distribution of this large sum was made by Mr Moul under precise instructions from the generous donor, according to the rank and status of each performer, and the fortunate recipients of the gift were each handed their allotted sum by the general manager at the usual hour of treasury. The number of performers so participating in the gift amounted to 100, and in no instance was a smaller amount than £54 (that sum being for each child) apportioned, whilst the majority received £10, or over that amount.