MIMES ANU MUSIC.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 132, 4 June 1904, Page 13

MIMES ANU MUSIC.

£BY OlU'HliUS.] EOMINU EVUNTS. oi'i:u\ itousk. Sanford'a American Players, to 14th Juuo. Woods-Williamson. Company, 15lh Juno to Ist July. Abbott's Musical Comedy Company, 2nd to loth July. J. C. Williamson's "Marriage of Kitty" Company, 27th August. IVulcrewsM Concerts, 12th, 13th, 14th SepLoniber. Stepucnson Comedy Company, 20th October to 2nd November. Hurry Uickards' Company, sth Novemver to 15 NovenAer. J. C. Williamson, Boxing Night to 14 th January. 1113 MAJESTY'S THEATni!. Fuller's Entertainers. How tha old leavon works : A little over three years ago Mr. Charles Arnold acquired a place in Beckenham, Kent, and it was rumoured that he had aottled down for his remaining days to enjoy his otium cum dignntate, cultivate a fair-sized garden* and orchard, and enjoy an occasional run up to London, play a game of "solo" at the- Savage Club, or put his "littlo bit" on any of the Australian or New Zealand "horses that wero racing in England. By laafc week's mail word comes that the .popular actor-manager is tired of doing nothing, so "just for excitement" ho has arranged to play a short season at Hiunniersmith, and later on at Sheffield of the successful farco "What Uapponed to Jones." .Messrs. Denton and Sharpe, Mho were in tho original cast when tho piece hnd a succegsfu l ran at tho Strand Theatre, London, and. afterwards through the Antipodean tour, will play their old parts. What would "Jack" Lohr give to look in and see one of the periouuuuocs. No doubt he would remark,- us he has often done in the past, "God bless Jones !*' The Broughs, who are ploying a season in South Africa, havo been somewJuithandicapped by tho outbreak of piaguo and tho general bad turns prevai.mg m South Africa, and their season has nufiorod accordingly. But as, it is said, they aw playing under a guurunteo, the linancial result of tho tour will not affect them personally. Tho Sanford Company of American Players, now appearing at the Opera House, contemplate an extended tour .of Australia- at tho termination of tho local season. Up to date the company have presented four dramas, all of which have met with approval. A noticeable matter in connection With the performances is tho earnestness of the players, making an otherwise dull portion of a play go with a vim bo lacking in some dramatic comuaniesjt The great feature of the productions has beun tho scenery. Mr. Sanford possesses some beautiful cloths and loud applause greets tho rising of tho curtain on almost every scene. Tho lighting effects arc also novel and well managed. Mr. Allan Hamilton is to be tho guiding star on its Australian tour, which should be a successful one. On its completion Mr. Snnford may again visit New Zealand and a tour .of South Africa i$ on the cards before returning to America Mr. J. C. Williamson has booked dates in M'cllington and Auckland as far ahead as Christinas, 190b. He also hns the Christmas dates at tho Opera Ilause, in Wellington, this year, and for next Eimtor scutum. All London is talking over the latest development of the theatrical season there regarding the plans of S.muli Bernhurdt for the coining summer in London. It has just been announced that with Mine. Bcinhardt wi]l be associated Mrs. Patricjc Campbell, and that the pair will appeur as co-stars in a Fiench version of "JPelJ<mi» nod Melisandn." In just what manner the rival attractions of the two ladies are to nppenr was not known up to 16th April, and ,thero nro not wanting thoso who insist that the twain will never appear together despite the formal announcement. Sirs. Campbell is known to be somewhat jealous of her "position," and she is not inclined to take off her bonnet to any feminine star, says an American paper. Whethor her peoulinr talents are capable of translation in such a munnor as to compare favourably with those of "the Divine Sarah" remains to bo Been, llio outcomo will be watched with interest. Minnie Palmer, who will be remembered for her many years' success in "My Sweetheart," who hns been spending ayear in South Africa, has tired of the theatrical life there, and has returned to London to open in a vaudeville sketch at Chelsea. Mention of Miss Palmer recalls the terms of the 1 agreement entered into between her and John 11. Rogers, "Yours Merrily," whilo that, gentleman whs jufct her hianuger and not yet her husband. The success of "My Sweetheart" wa» marvellous, and the money was simply pouring in. It beenme necessary to clinch mattois, so that the lour could go on uninterrupted, and Rogers and >li*s Palmer signed a hard and fast contract to the effect that in case either of them should marry, that one should forfeit £6000 to the other. As they married each other later the contract managed to adjust itself. • The play whicli it is said Mr. W. S. Gilbert has written for Arthur Bourchier, •wan to have been produced in London this month. Mr. Gilbert until recently! dropped out of the public eye, but that ho hns not abandoned his old-time efforts of play-writing is now apparent. For years he was quietly ordering his life nlong the linos adopted by him an a London Police Magistrate, and it is said the new play will deal largely with spme farcical incidents that have occurred during his occupancy of this office. It is on record, Mr. W. S. Gilbert «aid, nt the Gollerv Fir»t Niphters' Club dinner, that a reporter. de«cribirjg <v case of suicide, concluded: — "No reason ca#be assigned for the rnfh net, seven-and-six-pence having been found on the body of the deceased." Ho wan himself, Mr. Oijboit continued, somewhat in the position of the suicide. His friends weie «ood enough to cay tlu v rc were scven-nml-six-pence ivorth of dramatic invention lemainiug in his cranium} but, notwithstanding, ho hnd retired to an obscure corner of Hnirow Wen Id, nnd, so to Rtieak blown out hii brnins. It wns true tbnt an enterprising actor-manager had_ recently disinteirod him; but he was to be put mi bs a stop-trnn, and when thnt vurpo«e had been fu'filled lie would b<> ci'-cntlv rpintfrrod. So br was there not «o much «i*» the giifst us tho jjlinst of (he evening-— the "Icletoti nt flip banquet— mid felt qui'lifi'vi to roturr. tlmnks for tl>f (li-urm "» if exists in Hade* — a dnimn in < r l'»i thr> iMfd'ence h entirely composed of "r'emiheid'," in which all thn plays lint ft!" prodiire'l nrp "dnmn''l " A fh-nim in axli'c^ the nctor-miirmepr who h"*. ftron in t lm direction of hnrrl-hoil«>d ""«ti«m, a tondpnev to felf-odvertmnnpnt, '" (loomed to find lti« name mentioned in f1, P sm-illest powih'e tvpp, nnd i« shut n^ for fvei frnpi Hi" fierce limHitrht A drntnft. in which Icadimc ladies who have hen iirovfd to bo misionrHntr ladies ihp rWimecl lo "wn'k on" in chenp and i'l* fi'tititf rwich-inp-clowns, cnnntniototd in t'ff fnsliion- of the yenr bffore \;>s>i. A flivrnn in which the eallerv flrst-niiclirfr is doomed to applaud entlnwoslical'v plays of which he In.f n poor opinion. A drartia in which dramatic authors — but

no, on second thoughts, thuie aio nu dniiii.itif iiulhoih ni Uadus. Theho iiob-v unit geuue hpinis went tlu-u w.iy to .r nublei and geiulu* .spiiem. Air. iiisbeit hddtd that he ihoij^iit U u « ji>ivnit.ul» as to the condition of 1 1 he duiu.i v.eio oxaggeiatini. A hundrutl \civ-i ago tlio b.im,: cry that it was o*- tlie down gradu w.is heard. The inuch-vauiiteU 1 "iStiiiday to Monday" recently produced bjy (U<orgt> Aluxandcr at St. James's Theatr<'. Lundou, hn.s piovod but half a suwuss. The play \uts supposed to be a bitUr Hiiluif:il attack nu tho weuk-einl visits nt i i)L? lioii.scn of the aii.stocrucy, but it has. pruved to bo but a milk and water atitiv doomed appuicnlly to \iablo its young • life in a very slim I inn. The life of an American theatrical manager must bo a very busy one. Accuiding to tho New York Sunday Tdcgiam, three nights out of ovoiif week D.inicl Fiohnmn remains at hisiofuVcs in the New Jjyccum Thc-atte in thnt city for the u\piei>s purpase of reading now plays. Tho icsults of this hard tfork will bo apparent noxt firing, an Air.' Froliman has concluded to revive his sHck company at least six months earlier limn he intended. Margaret lllingworth W.ill be the leading lady of the company jMr. Frohman's apartments in his theattro are luxurious, and calculated to niaktj colonial maiiajiei.i sigh. They include, a privato oflice, spacious music and drJiwiugioom, connected with sleepinjjroom, library, buth, and dressiiifrroom ! When in Anvricu recently,- Lily Langtry bought a farccjg "The Living Blulf," and while on tho voynge to London sho hnd ample time to ;read it over. "On arrival," says an -.'ljineiii-.m paper, "tho first tiling the iTer.-4ty Lily loosened from her baggage was Uio mitnns>ciipl of the farco, which she I o George J'ldwaides, who promises a production. The faice was written for a i<iale star, and the Lily nevei hoped to bloi<m in it liprtelf." Cecelia Loflus, tlio well-kuoun comedienne, has been ill in Buffalo, but when the mail left sho M^ts rapidly retoveiing. Her physicians dj agnosi'd her cuse as {over, ;md |\li.ss Loi'tus adds thut sho is "a particularly fetching Flmdo." While talent of ! qtmost eveiy dc^ciiption (writes a coii-espondvnt to a London paper), in cither acting, writing, or painting, i« supposed lo hn accompanied by a want of mtUiixl and untidiness, thia is by no moans a Umiverwil rule. For example, Mr. A. W. Piucro is ono of the most methodical tind the most tidy of men. When ho leaves his study after hours of work, it looks as if it had been recently furnished ■ and finished, and in waiting for the occupant. On Iho beantifu\ large Witing-tiiblc not one sheet of paper is to be seen,; every pen and pencil i.<» in its exact placo — the red pen in fiont of the blue pen, thje envelope* and paper in their uretty bo. , ihe little bits of Hiv&r brilliantly polished, . the books in tho bookcases exquisitely bound — and flmugh many of them arejold friends, they hn\e> been handled so pcjntly that they look as if they had wulkjid ntraight from the bookbinder into thdir shelve^. Fortunately fof thi« happy i couple, Mr. nnd Mr». Pincro are ono in i heir habits ; .vlic i* no loss un exquisite Wousokeeper than ho is appreciative of herj ability. The Pineio* live in a charmhlg flat in Hanover Square, which corninands a most open and delightfyl view of London. This llat lms bm\ arranged according to their design, and fsome thousancll. of pounds have bten spent upon it. It i.l ftlled with cupboards, fitted furniture, imd bathrooms with shower-baths and Weedle-baths, and convenionces of all kjjnds. Jt, partakes of the fashion of the tiny in furnishing, and is very bright, anot full of colour. The greater part of th< furniture is "Id nnd valuable, hut it has« been ,»o polished and restored and lookert after that a fly would hardly dare to wnlU upon «ny portion of it. For onco genims, radiant cleanliness, and order, go hnnc i»i hand. "Notwithstanding the piece is reported to have been a bi g success in England and America — Kyr c Bellcw is tho «tar in it in the Land of Dollars — it does not contain .any exceptional merit, and Mr. I Williamson probably realised this fact I ( when he kept it back for the last two ! weeks of the seosojn The story is well > told, ana* some of j tho situations are ef- ! fectiye, though on ibhe whole iho interest is not feuslnined acid the play is unconvincing." — Syduey , Referee on "Baffles, tho Amateur OrackiitDn.n." Miss Marie Nurjdle, whose success in Great Britain has been both steady and I rapid, is to fulfil' «, seven months' en-, gugemdnt at the \it. Louis Exhibition, during which time the Australian artiste, j it is said, will dravl the hturasome retain- ! ing fee of 50 guineas a week. On thu i conclusion of her jSL. Louia engagement Miss Narelle will make a, concert tour through Australia tand Now Zealand before retui'ning to Glroiit BritaTn. Miss Ellen Terry ha« been questioned as to the leporls Concerning a probable , Australian tour viith Sir Henry ; but ' her reply was an <rvasive one. "1 have nothing whatever bo say. i can make na other answer," &ond the player to an interviewer. Everything (says the Westminster Gazette) waits upon Sir Henry's arrival in England, wl^en the project will i bo discussed. Meantime Miss Terry has j a long provincial tour ahead of her' with her lk'pcrtoiro Company, a now play (which in now engaging all her attention) , to produce, and in* all likelihood ;m ex- • tended autumn tour; so that, quite npnil | from the inevitability- n{ a London tc:i- i son, she cannot very well join Sir Henry's project until noxt year. Since the above I was published, Sir Henry Irving has iv- i turned to England, .and the Era, dealing with many rumours concerning Sir Henry, miys:— "In various London papers it hn» . been stated, in Sir Henry's absence, that I i he was to become the lessee of a new I thentro''iu Tottenham Court-road, that hn I I was going on tour in 'Australia, that Miss j Ellen Teny would join his company, nnd I that he was desirous of undertaking a I tour in America without the assistance I of Mr. Charles Frqhmar. It is hardly necessary to .say that all the?? statements ! were utterly untruo. 11 Sir Henry himpelf, however, haa Alluded to tho'probn- [ bility of his making a lour of Australia next year. Theatrical clips. — Sidney Carton's new comedy "The New Mrs. Roplon" is said to be something starting in its novelty. . . . . An American play "The Wheat King" has ncored a- Success in London. Tho Chicago wheat-pit scene, repicsenting some thing absolutely unknown to Londoners, evoked the greatest applaiusu. .... "La Montuucior," a Uertihnrdt | success, is being translated for Lena Ashwell. . . . Lazern, the Mystic, is at Rasailli, India. ... A secret theatre has boon discovered in f War.-aw, in which revolutionary plays Wern performed hoforo audiences of syinpiithiwiK. Adinixsion was only by invitation, but tho pn . lice raided (lie huildihg 'pud' found two hundred prop'.o prwvnt. The oflicers arrosted tho acton . . . liarnum's Greatest Show on F;»rth carries iU dWn parson, nnd churoli ••erviro foe the hundreds of employees n held ev«?iy Sunday. . . in a lending nrliclo whicli appears in the Kru just to hard. Cu'.lcd "Hrnry Irving'J Return," the writer envs ; "He holds a position as acknowledged head of tlio profession, Avliiili is above rivalry and beyond di.->cii'*ion, nnd tlio advantage of having a ropiesrntativo leader of such dignity is very .f^reat "... According to tho iStape, "The Moifilfj of C!onnie" is the name of a nuv tlnet-uot comedy of modern life, by Aified C. Galmnur, which Ada Hoevo halt secured. . . OHio Stuart and Oscai Ascho, when they finally Bocuro' ii London theatre, will open their season with a new play by Mr. F;igan, entitled "Tho < Prayer of Ihe Sword," with itiridental music by Franco Leoni- . . . Jay W. Winton will reappear at the Sydney Tivoli shortly,

: when « ho will introduce a iww fi^un;---Elijah Don ie. Tho irrepressible M'Ciinty | his ,i good topical ."-on^ comerning the '■prophet." . . . Johnny Cittern in is j n turning to Austinha lrnin Manila by i the T.vin.ui. 110 is .'•eiHiunly ill, and, m*- ! L-oidmi; lo medical opinion, is not likely to be been on the hta^o again. A locont benuilt in Manila realised £60. Mart) n Hawaii li.irf leturncd to Sydney after four years in Now Zealand. . Tom Woottwe.ll rejoices in for waul bookings, Inning signed for four moie nnmuil touis of the. English piovinccs, with a cuhftlnutiiil lise of .siliiry on each. He lias now no open d.ites for provincial cni^ypcmenls till t'ho'end of 1908, as tho le.'t of his time is filled i.i London. . . Melba had all her -lovely destioyed by sea water between New Yoik and Liverpool, and as an entire wardrobe of new things was destroyed, she leekoned licr loss at £6000, witli Mnull eli.'inees of redress. The diva, lolnmed lo Paiis on ])iirposo to older new costumes. . . Nora. Long, the New Zealand soprano, is now studying under Mr. Henry J. Wood, conductor of Queen's Hull Orchestui, confidently recommended l«v Mine. Mclbn. . . . Mbs Julia Davis, a Sydney soprano, has not gone lo Paris yet, but is studying under Mine. Guy d'narbelot, the sonji-composer, in London. . . The New Zealand tour of the Royal Comics is reported to hnve broken 'all previous records by the company in a financial sense.