MIMES AND MUSIC. [By Orpheus.] COMING EVENTS, OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1909, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC. [By Orpheus.] COMING EVENTS, OPERA HOUSE.

Harry Rickards, 14th June to 25th June. Mcynell and Gunn's Opera Company, 26th ,3-une. Pollard Opera Company, 26th July to 18th 'Augubt. Nellie Stewart, 16th to 28th August. J. C. Williamson, SOth August to 12th September. TUEATHE ROYAL. Fullers* Pictures, in season. HIS MAJESTTS THEATBK. Eoyal Picture Syndicate, in season. A most merry and pretty and quite remarkable conscientious littlo party is "Miss Hook of Holland," remarks a leading critic, and a lady who is likely to be always popular. Tho chiefly delightful thing about "Miss Hook," who will make her first appearance in WelJington next Saturday night, it ;s; s claimed, is that it is amazingly true to the Dutch atmosphere. The plot deals .with the fato of pretty "Sally Hook" in relation to her two admirers^ — Captain Adrian Paap and Bandmaster Van iVuyt — the latter of whom she loves, and with tho doings of old Mr. Hook, ,who celebrates his fifty-eighth "birthday by losing the recipe for his -famous ''Cretin of the Sky." Simon Slinks, the town loafer, whose forty years have been passed in leaning up against a canal in the' hope that someone might fall in for him to rescue, finds the document, and pells it to Captain Paap, as a weapon against Sally's obdurate father, and he also sells his newly-acquired placo in the Amsterdam Factory to Van Vuyt. "Miss Hook, of Holland," is declared to be rich in attractions, which pleaso the average theatre audience more than anything else— light, sparkling, and earhaunting music, continuous fnn, and accomplished dancing. Quito a distinctive company is associated with tho production, and the talent of the artists, comprising Messrs. Meyneil and Gunn's (English Comic Opera Company has been extolled everywhere. Miss Ruth Lincoln, the prima donna, of tho company, is said to be charming on and off ith.e stage. Hers has been a short career, but a brilliant ono. An artist who has made himself particularly popular since his advent to Australia is Mr. William Cromwell, whose quaint Dutch character of Simon Slinks is regarded as one of ifche finest comedian expositions that the Australian 'States has seen. A third change has been made in the part of Jill in tho J. C. Williamson pantomime, and after her recent illness, ■Sliss Betfy Ohls has again taken up her theatrical work, and is now filling the role of principal girl in th© popular production. Miss Meredith Meredro, tho principal fcoy of Rupert Clarke, Meyneil, and Gunn'e "Cinderella" 'pantomime, appeared in grand »©pera at tho Opera House, Vienna, Covent Garden, London, and the Metropolitan Opera House, New STork, where sho appeared in tho same production of "La Boheme" as that in Jtvfcich Madame, Mefba was the star. Mr. William Gillette, whose creation of "Sherlock Holmes" has been ono of the dramatao masterpieces of the present generation, is about to retire from the stage. Mr. Gillette has* been playing the exa-cting role of Samson at the Cri.terion Theatre, New York, and afterwards resting in North Carolina. Upon his physician's advice, he will -withdraw froro the stage after a short tour next

season. He sails for- Europe this month, in order to try the waters at Kissingen. He is to direct a theatre in New York, in association with Mr. Charles Frohman. Miss Gillian Scaife, whose clever performance as the maid Eliza Dibb, assisted considerably to the success of the Australasian production of "Mr. Hop 1 kinson," had a leading part in the London production the other day of a notable play, "Chains,"" at the Court Theatre. This piece is notable because of the achievement of tho author, Miss Elizabeth Baker, a young girl, who has written it in the intervals of her duties as a city typist, and has demonstrated, though possessing very little knowledge of the theatre, that sho has keen appreciation of the qualities that make the successful play. The piece, which has been cordially praised by tho Daily Chronicle and other journals, relates to tho humdrum existence of a city clerk who endeavours to break his chains by I emigrating with a friend to Australia, but is prevented from doing so, and goes back to his office-stool. A vivacious actress and n delightful singer, Miss Ruth Lincoln, the leading lady of Meyneil and Gunn's "Miss Heok of Holland" company — a piece that has proved such a brilliant success in Melbourne and in Sydney, and is to open at the Opera House next Saturday night — combines with her vocal and histrionic talent a most attractive stage presence and a charming personality. Though she has only been on the stage for five years, eho is already in the front rank of comic opera artists. Previous to joining the theatrical profession, Mies Lincoln won a scholarship at the Royal College of Music, London, where she studied for three years under Henr.y Blower, who was also Madame Clara Butt's teacher. Sho had intended devoting herself jto concert work only ; but Mr. George Edwardes happened to hear her sing one day, and immediately got her to sign a contract for two years. Miss Lincoln commenced her stage career in "Tho Girl from Kay's," and was understudy to Miss Kate Cutler. After that she created the principal part in "Madame Sherry" at the Apollo, and was a great success, though she had only five days in which to prepare. Then camo her appearance as Veronique in Ixsudon, followed by a two years' tour in the provinces in that role. Prior to coming to Australia, sh,e was a member -of Mr. Frank Cnrzon's company at the Prince of Wales' s Theatre. Her favourite hobby is the collecting of raTe china. Mr. Hugh Ward's Australian tour has I begun trnnaphantly in Perth, where the success of A Bachelor's Honeymoon" has been so pronounced that its season has been extended. According to a private telegra'ra received in Sydney, people are turned away nightly. Mr. Ward plays & role very much like Pitzhugh m "The Man from Mexico," a hero, one Benjamin Bachelor, who resorts to persistent mendacity to save himself from being disinherited under tho eccentric will of his father. Miss Grace Palotta appears as the actress whom Bachelor marries in spito of his father's wishes ; Miss Rose Musgrove plays an uncouth domestic servant, Marianna; Miss Celia Ghiloni is Minerva, Bachelor's guardian, another Katisha; Mr. H. H. ; Wallace is a manservant, Joe ; and the ' cast also includes Miss Florence Redf em and Miss Ruby Baxter as twin sisters, Mr. Reginald Wykoham (Cook in "The Man from Mexico,"), Mr. Arthur Eldred, and Mr. Robert Gregg. Mr. Oscar Asche, Miss Lily Brayton, end a complete company are now on their way out, and Knpert Clarke, Meyneil, and Gunn have received .from Marseilles tho following message, cabled | by the actor-manager :—": — " All well, and eager for Melbourne." Tho season will open on 17th July, either with a Shakspearian production or the new romantic drama, "Count Hannibal." This firm is

now considering the question of pantomimes at Christmas, both in Sydney and Melbourne. The former would necessarily be " Cinderella," at present the feature in the New Zealand repertoire, which, includes " Miss Hook of Holland " and t "The Belle of May fair." Looting forward, there is a vi&ta of ! good things for playgoing Australia (says Melbourne Punch). And most of the good things promised are big propositions. During the last year we nave seen many good shows, with fine allround casts and staging, ever elaborating and improving, not only as regards setting, but lighting effects and stage management. Australia has always been hailed as very up-to-date theatrically, but managers are beating all their own records. New firms have formed, new interests iufused into the theatre. Results to all concerned have been and aro good, and the effect on tho actual productions has been great, and of artistic importance. It's the old story of com- : petition, etc. During the next few ! months we aro to have Hugh J. Ward and his company ; Oscar Asche, Wiss Lily Brayton, and their fin© organisation j I(a truly gigantic undertaking) ; William Gillette (Sherlock Holmes"), and a strong support ; a now comedy organisa- 1 tion ; and Georga Willoughby, backed by new faces. Of course, tho first attraction is the new Williamson MusTtol Comedy Company. Mr. Walter Bentley is to make his reappearance on the Australian stage n&xt Saturday at the Theatre Adelaide as tho Wilfred Denver in "Tho Silver King," under the J. C. Williamson management. Subsequently Mr. Bentley will play a three weeks' season at His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbano, and t»ur through the north, with a tour of New Zealand tv follow Tho title rols in "The Silver King" is one of tho most successfuT played by Mr. Bentley, so that Sydney playgoers would hava been glad of the opportunity of seeing his performance had this been possible. It was as Wilfred Denver that Mr. Bentley starred in America, when he was selected by ilr. Wilson Barrett, to play the part in succession to Mr. Osmond Tearle. Afterward he appeared in it in London, and then m Australia. America has not caught on to "An Englishman's/ Home" (writes a correspondent to a Sydney paper). Naturally they don't see anything in it. Conditions of life are so different in tho two oountries. Tho little % villa bjr tho sea, the home and its arrangements, don'b appeal to them. Suppose it will be- all right with you. But already here it is possible to book a seat. American critics, worked up over reports of abnormal success in London, slash the play unmercifully as a play, though fche New York American admits ihai " 'An Englishman's Home' has an idea, rather a bright idea ; all is ruin ad in tho cooking." The same genial critic says : "Ifc is dull enough, crude enough, amateurish enough, and inelegant enough to drive every man jack of them, not to arms, but to drink." A compliment t» Mr. William Hawtrey r "In tho main, the acting was all that was required. Mr. William Hawtrey has certain natural gifts that enable him, without half trying, to impersonate the stupid, fat, stolid, bewildered, typical middle-class Mr. Brown." Mr. William Collier, who paid s> flying visit to Australia under Che J. C. Williamson management two years ago, has gone to London to play "Tho Patriot," a New York success, under engagement to Mr. Charles Frohman. That manager cabled him recently to send the 'script of tho play, on ahead, to which Mr. Collier cabled back, "Never was a "script." This is said to bo largely a fact, as most of tho lines were talked over and tho actors wrote them down as they were decided upon, so that the original of the play practic- ' ally ceased to exist. "Caught in the

Rain," the play Mr. Collier wrote in collaboration with Mr. Grant Stewart (who was in his Australian company), will ako probably be played in London. Hffiss Maggie Moore, representative of Lizzie Stofel in "Struck Oil," has ad1 ded a new character to her repertory at the Sydney Criterion Theatre, where she is appearing as Bridget the cook in "The Fatal Wedding." _ The versatility of the clever •actress is indicated by the fact that tho range of her work includes, in addition to such, voles aa these, Shakespeare and comic opera. She played Ophelia and Parthenia in America to John M'Cullagh's lead, and Queen Elizabeth to the Mary Stuart of Rose [ Evana — both noted artists in their day. Then .she has played in turn the child, ] tho grown-up daughter, and the mother in "Rip Van Winkle," and sido by side with those parts such, extremely opposite I characters as Topsy, Lizzie Stofel and Fanchette in "Tho Daughter of the Regiment. Sho claims as her greatest sue- } eessea Bettina in "La Mascotte," the Duchess in "Tho Gondoliers," and Katisha in "The Mikado." Theatrical Clips. — Arthur EHred, hero ! with Angusto Van Biene, is with Hugh, J. Ward's Company. . . Miss Eva Dennison, hero with Dan Frawley, has made a first appearance, and quite a hit, in London, supporting an American star, Miss Roso Stahl, in a play entitled "The | Chorus Girl." . . Watkin Mills is fcliinkinj seriously of another trip to Australia . . . George Musgrove intends reviving his gorgeous productions of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Aa Ybu Like it." . . Mr. Edwin GeaehW "Englishman's Home" Company has experienced a very successful time in its country tour, in Nevr South Wales, appearing to overflowing audiences. ■ . Tho work of the chorus is said to bo «no of the striking features of the Meynell-Gunn pantomime "Cinderella." Mis» Meredo, tho "principal boj," who has appeared in many theatres "in England, America, and the Continent, states , that she has never heard better chorus singing anywhere. . . Miss Ola Jane Humphrey will conclude her engagement with J. C William&on on 18th, July. . . Mr. Roy Redgravo has written a one-act musical farce, "Tho Merry Widow Twankey," which was produced for copyright purposes in Wolverharapton last month. . . Mr. and Mrs. Harold Parkes, lato of tho "Red Mill" Com-, pany, havo retired from the Australian stage for a tima, and intend residing in Adelaide for six months, prior to Mr. Parkes's raturn 1)d the Engilish stage. . . Australia may see Charles Frohman's new stock company, aa it is the famous American manager's intention to send it on a world tour. . . Tho Royal Welsh Male Choir, prior to aailing for South Africa,, gave a farewell concert in Adelaide Saturday we«k. . . Tho Kilties Band has been touring tho South Australian smalls, and doing well. They- yisit tho West. . ; Harry RickaTda has given up the Adelaide TiToli, and Spencer's Bioscope will occupy it indefinitely. Mr. Rickards will «oufin.« hi» managerial efforts in future to Sydney and Melbourne, with an occasional touring company.