THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3197, 22 September 1917, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.).. . "La Mascotte." In view of the first performance here this evening; by tlio amateurs of "La. MascoUe," it is interesting to recall what was written of tho original London performance by Mr. Austin Brereton. the distinguished London critic for "Dramatic .Notes." Ho then said: "'The Slascotte" was produced for tho first' timo in England at Brighton on September 19, 188K It; was selected for the occasion of the opening of tho Soya] Comedy Theatre, London, on October 15, and its production was immediately endorsed by the approval of the metropolitan press and public. The Ensjlisli version of M. Audraii's charming opera was written by Messrs. H. B. Farnie and B. Ueeco. 'Hie incidents are supposed to occur at Piomkino, an Italian seaport near tho i. . ■-■ of that name, on. the. shores of the Mediterranean. Here, on ;i romantic and neglected farm, a superstitious, Dervous, and pretentious old bachelor named Eocco, is with his shepherd, bewailing tho agricolhiral blight which lias spread, over his farm. Whilst deploring his misfortunes he receives a present of some eggs and advice from his more fortunate brother, which are brought by a turkey herd named : Bettina. Disgusted with the. message, and unaw.iTO that the buxom lass who brought the message is the harbinger of good fortune, Eocco treats the girl harshly and leaves her with Pippo, who immediately falls in v lovo with her, and sho with liiiii. They are surprised by Eocco. wh orders the girl off the promises, it. the intervention of Pippo, reads the letter the girl has brought, and learns that Bsttina is no end of a luck-bringer. Tho farmer artfully induces tho girl to. stay, promising, all manner of. concessions. At this stago enters tiie-Duke of Piomkino; otherwise King Laurent, who, having fallen into a, butt'of new wine, is delighted to find , in the farmer's coat lent him, the letter which tells him all about the 'Maspolte. Hβ annexes her to prop up his* own ill— fortunes, and off they all'go to Court to the jingling of mule-bells and the crack of whips, leaving poor Pippo disconsolate. In,the second ant Bettina,has been created a countess. Bocco, installed as Chamberlain, jointly with Laurent, watches over'her actidns, relying on tho legend— , .■•■■■■.'. "If she loves whom slie shall wed. Then the Mascot's flower, is fled."" ' Pippo is frightened, arid the aim of. 1 theDuke and Eocco is to prevent their intercourse, but disguised as a dancer and , singer, the young shepherd penetrates into tho Court'and.renews his suit. Attributing Bottina's coolness to her aspiration To become a' duchess, Pippo becomes, gloomy and 'abstracted.' He is discovall 'in, his disguise, 'but 'tho dashing Princess iKamettii admires Pippo, and, finding Ih'i insufferihg from jealousy, makes love to him and actually throws .herself at him. By. deception she. gets her father's consent to the marriage, the Xhike- realising that. Pippo wed there will be no danger of. the Mascotte losing her powers; There is a fine, dramatic scene where Bottina becomes .aware of Pippo's .perfidy'and' consents to njarry Laurent iu her: pique. On top' of this comes..-Prince .Fritellini to claim the; hand of Piametta, but. as that lady has pledged' herself, to Pippo, the.Prince becomes onraged.'/'andviri-the name of his.royal fdth'cr, dacleres war on Laurent. In the final act, Bettina escapes . from' Laurent's Court' and becomes a vjviandere in Fritellini's army, and there meets her' urave Pippo once more, whilst Laurent and' Co., hope-, lessly beaten, wander■■ round disguised as Milainese minstrels looking disconsolately for their ■ lost Mascotte. . They endeavour at cross purposes to prevent tho marriage of Pippo' aud Bettina in the hermit's cell,-but fail. The Princess vFianietta, who is also one of the troupe, finds that she loves the Prince all the time, and the reconciliation-brings the two royal houses together Again. iThe society's' sensou.'will extend for soven nights. ■' : ■ ■ • ~ J. and'N. Tail's New Company, ( Mr.; Harold Bowderi lias arrived in Wellington to mate arrangements for the initiatory season here'of ISlessrs. J. and N. Tait's new comedy company, which is to introduce Winchell Smith and John Hazzard's' successful comedy .drama "Turn to the Eight," and 'Winchell'.. Smith's : new comedy "The l>Jew' Henrietta." The itinerary! of the conv pany will be as follows October 8 to 19; Palmeiston North, October/20 and 22; Hastings, October. 23; Napier, October 24 and 25; Auckland, October 27 to. November 6; Hamilton, November 7; Wanganui, November 9 and 10; Oamimi, November 13; Dunedin, November 14 to 20." j. ■;.■ •; .

Royal Comics.Coming. J. C. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Co., which includes Ho. Youiig, Gladys Moncrieff, Minnie Love "Bobby"Boberls, Leslie Holland, Villiers Arnold. Phil Smith', Chas. Albert, Claude Bantock, etc.,' will bo the next operatic attraction to visit I\ T ew Zealand, commencing at Auckland next Saturday. The repertoire will consist of "The Pink Lady," "The Kinenia Star," and "The Ked Widow:" ' - ; .... ■ •' Injthe latest .revival of "The Belle of New York" by the company, Hiss lion-, crieff was Violet Grey, Miss Young was Cora Augelique, Mr.-Holland was Bron6on, Minnie Love was Fifi. Frieot, Villiers Arnold was' Kenneth Mugg-. and .Chas. Albert was Blinky Bill. Ada Reeve's Company. ' In Auckland the fame of Miss Ada Reeve,, and in particular the manner in which she saved the life of the Anzac Buffet in Ldndon (for which she has raised about ,£11,000), was recognised by the military authorities, and on her first night she wns played from her hotel to the theatre by the Mounted Rifles Band, and given an escort of returned ' soldiers, many of whom had enjoyed the hospitality of thi ' Anzac. Buffet in London. Miss'Keeve had to sing no fewer than ten songs before the audience was satisfied. The company includes Harry Jacobs, the singing conductor; Lucie Linda, a charming; juvenile danseuse; Louis Nikola, magician and protean artist; Alvin nnd 'Williams, American sagfists and wholesale laughter merchants; Mr Frank Markley,: banjo specialist; Kennedy Allen, a bright burlesque comedian, and the English Comedy Company, playing "In the Future" in which play Mr. Aehby Jarry and Mies Georgie de Lara are extremely aimisinc The company will open in Wellmgton on October 1.. ,J Notes.' : . . • .'...; "The Little/Grey Home in tho West", is the latest Fuller dramatic production in Sydney. ?J.r. TJjos.'E. TiHon.is the producer. ' . ■ ■ . • Walter Howard's, sensational submarine melodrama, "Seven ■ Days' Leave , , has been produced by the Allan Wilkie Company ill Sydney. Mr. Wilkie shows no prejudice in his choice of plays. Denny and Dunigun, an extra smart •Vmericiin vaudeville double, recently booked in Chicago by Fullers, ordered John P. Mulgrew,, who manufactures comedy skits in the 'U.S.A., to write j them a- brand new act. Mulgrew, who contributes notes to Chicago Vaudeville " says ho sent the act to Denny and Dunigan by post. Thoy acknowledged receipt by wire liko this: "Act received. Wβ are leaving for Australia." "Now,, asks the author plaintively, just how •would you take that?" • ■' Mr. B. .T. Tait, of J-. and N. Tail, recently loft Australia for America accompanied by Mr. A. L. Pearco, tho young actor and stage manager who has shown conspicuous ability in tho service of J. nnd K. Tait. Mr. Tnit is bound for New York for the purpose of brinsriv,(r new plays durincr the forthcoming ■theatrical season, while Mr. Pearco has been deputed to'study the latest mothods of in the pnnolpol American theatres.