MIMES AND MUSIC.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1910, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC.

IB* OHI'HBOB.a COMING EVENTSopera HOUSE. Fred Graham Comedy Company, season opens to-night. J. C. Williamson, 24th December. THEATRE ROYAL. Fuller's New Vaudeville Company. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty'- Picturea. THE KING'S THEATRE. Royal and West's Picture*. ST. THOMAB'S HALL. Star Picture Company. Whenever Mr. Fred. H. Graham ap pears before the public he is expected to do things that will make the public laugh. His penalty for his popularity is easily paid, for he is never seen except when he is smiling. There are many persona of that unfortunate class known as comedians in Australasia, and Mr. Graham is one of the most fortunate of the unfortunates, because whilst being looked- upon' by everyone as a household possession he is himself quite willing to be a possession, and, like the good dog in the story, he "never even tries to bite the baker." The popular comedian will renew his acquaintance with Wellington audiences to-night, when he and his company will appear in s laughable absurdity,- "The Brixton Burglary." Ac stated last week, Mr. Graham is supported by a very capable band of players. George Marlow's Company is at present playing to good business in .Newcastle. From there the company will go to Melbourne, opening there on Boxing Night in "The Bad Girl of the Family," a sensational drama which has attracted packed houses wherever piayed. When New Zealand is visited next year, "Nick Cartel^ the Detective," a recent London success, "The Bad Girl of the Family," and "j.he Mother of his Child" will be the repertoire. Mr Stanley Grant will manage the New Zealand tour. The new comic opera company which opens here at Christmas has in rehearsal "The Balkan Princess." The new piece enjoyed a very popular run in London, and, indeed, ranked among the few successes of the lyric stage last year. The scene? are set in one of those supposititious E-uro-pean States to which "Zenda" eet the fashion. The librettist and composer comprise Mr. Fred Lonsdale ('who made such a big success with "The King of Cadonia"), and Mr. Paul Reubens. Mr. Conway Wingfield met with a painful accident on the last evening of the "Prince and the Beggar Maid" in Brisbane. Mr. Wingfield, in the character of Prince Olaf, fights his way past four men. While engaged with Mr. Her bert, the latter's sword slipped and cut Mr. Wingfielu's Sngci to the bone. With his hand covered in blood the wounded hero fought on, engaging the others in his usual spirited manner, and finished the scene. Sir William M'Gregor and suite were present. His Excellency sent a message of sympathy to the injured actor. Miss Kate Gair, a charming young actress, who will be remembered for her fresh juvenile impersonations at The King's Theatre awhile back, and who afterwards went out for "leads" with Mr. Anderson's second organisation, leaves Melbourne by the N.D.L. Zieten, on 3rd January (states a Melbourne paper), where she proposes retiring into private life as the wife of Dr. Robert Schwazer, a distinguished scientist, who paid a hurried ) visit to these shores two years ago. Another wanderer early in the year, is that clever little comedian, W. S. Percy, who goes to the city of fog and smoke }n the modest quest of fame and fortune, and with a first-class engagement to start with. — Mi&s Gair is a Wellingtonian, Miss Kate Wrigglesworth. Mile. Antonia Dolores has extended the most successful tour of the Commonwealth she has yet given to Western Australia, where she concluded her visit with a five-days' trip to the muck-talk-ed-of New Norcia Mission Settlement. There the Spanish Bishop, Monsi<mor Torres, was at great trouble to entertain the star soprano, who was delighted with the novelty and charm of everything. Her season in Adelaide was temporarily interrupted by a cold, which led to the only failure to appear, that has so far attended her arduous list of engagements. Dolores will be busily engaged until her one appearance at the Sydney Town Hall, at the concert to Mr. J. Edward Sykes on 15th December, after which she will sail for New Zealand. Hugh Ward, the new member of the J. C. Williamson firm, has been giving his views in Perth on the Australian chances of the intellectual drama, as represented by Bernard Shaw and others, Tecords a Bulletin writer. Ward has always had ambitions to stage better stuff than comedy, farce, and indifferent drama. And while he has too much sense to go broke on his stage patriotism, he is content to lose a little money now and then for the benefit of a smaller section of the public whose pleasure is not tied to the tail-end of a grotesque song and dance, and whose enjoyment can be inflamed without falling downstairs carrying an armful of crockery. "There is such a thing as art for art's sake," he is fond of remarking, "'and in my own way I endeavour to bring ifc home to the public by sandwiching in for short seasons serious efforts like 'The Fencing Master,' or Carton's delightful satirical comedy, "Mr. Hopkinson.' " To an interviewer at Perth, the other day, he expresed the opinion that plays like Shaw's "Man and Superman," with Granville Barker and Lillah M'Carthy, "Major Barbara," or even "Caesar and Cleopatra," if Forbes Robertson and his wife were available, would draw large audiences. "There is, too," he said, "Galsworthy's latest, 'Justice, 1 a singularly virile and vivid kork." So he talks of "special matinees — say, once a week — on the lines adopted by the Court Theatre, in London, in the days of the Vedrenne-.Barker combination." All of which may be a hint of what is to happen later on. Two or three big groups of English artists for Clarke and Meynell's Christmas pieces are now due in Melbourne. At Christmas, whilst Mr. William Cromwell and other Arcadians are appearing at the Sydney Criterion with their new prima donna, Miss Winifred O'Connor, in the comic opera "Tom Jones," the Melbourne Theatre Royal will be occupied by a new company in "The Gay Gordons " Sixteen "Gay Gordons" are on board the Orivieto with Mr. Meynell, but the leading lady, Miss Florence Imeson, is on her way to Melbourne by the Rotorua from South Africa, where she has been leading one of Mr. George Edwardes's musical comedy companies since early in the year. The new leading man will be Mr. Frank Lincoln, who has played the part of Angus Greame over a thousand times, repeatedly replacing Mr. Seymour Hicks in London. The principal comedian will be Mr. Frank Danby, who will be seen as Nat, a bombas'.ii: and eccentric showman. Other newcomers will be Evelyn Ahem, iSTelli-3 Cozens (who has been appearing in ' ( »ur Miss Gibbs" in London), Kathleen ftarling (who made a success as Sallie H<>ok in the provinces}, Esme Edwards (from

Frank Curzon's London Company), IViabel Dark (from Daly's Theatre) ,• A ell Finnis (soubrette from Geo. Dance's companies), and others. Miss Ellen Terry — who on the octa sion of her jubilee a couple of years ago was aptly styled "Ellen the EverYoung" — has undertaken a lecturing tour in America, announced to begin at the Hudson Theatre in New York hst month. The distinguished actress has chosen for her subject, "Some of the Heroines in Shakespeare," and has prepared sufficient material to fill out three full-sized entertainments. From New York she proceeds to Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Boston, and other important centres in the United States. It should be understood that she does not intend to pose merely as a lecturer; she will also give her listeners a welcome taste of her quality as actress as several, at least, of the Shakespearian heroineß whose characters and attributes she has previously discussed. Miss Terry will probably extend her wanderings as far west as San Francisco, delivering her lectures in theatres, halls, and colleges. Mr. Fred Graham possesses the marvellous gift of being able to "gag" with ready wit whenever occasion arises, as J the following, copied from a Hobart newspaper, will prove : — For some months past audiences at the Theatre Royal have noticed that at a certain time every evening the electric light becomes very dim, and suddenly for a few seconds the whole theatre is plunged in darkness. This has proved more than embarrassing to the companies who have appeared here. But Fred Graham, on a visit here last week with his New English Comedy Company, was equal to the occasion. During the second act of "The Brixton Burglary" the electric light went through its usual nightly performance, when "Freddy's" voice was heard coming from the darkness, calling to the servant, "Petunia, put a penny in the meter." Needless to say, this fairly brought down the house, particularly as the light immediately went np again. Inspired by a boomsome season in the West, one of the Asche-Brayton mummers wrote a good Australian letter to the Stage, in London. He said this among other things: — "Perth, perhaps, more than any of the other centres we have visited, presents brilliant prospects of future prosperity, and it would be well for a few hundred young aspiring actors in London and the provinces to shake off the joke of inauspicious stargazing, and make their way out here and get on the land, the railways, or the mines. Workers are all that are required out here, and all those not tied to mother's apron-strings, or not having a wife and family immediately depen-, dent on them, should pack up their props and make for these fair fields If they have to handle a shovel or ply a pick they will be looked upon as gentlemen as long as they behave as such. Now, my actor brethren, get the limelight out of your eyes, light your pipes with your press notices, cast the shadows of an obscure 'future' from you, and strike out for this land of sun and freedom." Unfortunately (says the Bulletin) the able-bodied unemployed mummers in Britain are as impervious to wise advice as they who loaf and have their being in this "land of sun and freedom." To many a mummer whining for assistance J. C. Williamson has said. "Why not look for other work?" And when the fatuous pro. murmurs, " Once an actah, always an actah, you know !'' J. C. W. replies, " But, my boy, you're not an actor." Which blunt statement of fact merely confirms the importunate one in his belief that the managers have conspired to kerrush him. Fuller's new theatre, The King's, in Auckland, was opened last Monday, when the new house was crowded. An Auckland paper gives a short description of the new house of entertainment. It says that the circle will seat 700 people, and it is constructed in such a manner that everyone will have a clear and uninterrupted view of the stage. No pillars are used, and the entire absence of steps lends itself to a much easier mode oi access. The- aim has been, in providing the seating accommodation, that steps should be done away with wherever possible, and a distinctive slope of the passage-ways is piovided. All the seits are commodious, each one being on the tip principle. A pleasant colour scheme of blue and white is carried out in the circle. Th.3 roof is in one span, of ornamental fibrous plaster, and special care has been taken to provide for ventilation. On the floor seating accommodation is provided for 1100 persons, making a total accommodation for the theatre of 1800 people — easily the largest theatre in the Dominion. Here tip seats are also provided, right into the pit. The distinctive slope of the floor gives a fine view of the stage from any position. The stage itself is well suited for any kind of dramatic production, the opening being 32ft by 26ft. The entrance to the circle is through a beautifully decorated vestibule, up two large staircases leading to the right and left. Off the circle are well-fitted cloak-rooms and a commodious lounge. The building is practically fireproof, all the walls being asbestos lined, and as an extra precaution the stairways are constructed ot ferroconcrete. The King'B Theatre is certainly a valuable addition to the entertainment places of Auckland, and should be very well patronised. Unwearied in his efforts to establish a distinction between the drama and popular amusement, Henry Arthur Jones points out that the difference between the drama and popular amusement is that the drama amuses and instructs by the representation and interpretation of life, while popular entertainment is free to entertain and amuse in any way it pleases. He adds : "If it is claimed that this distinction is already present in the minds of playgoers generally, I will merely ask any candid person to write out a list of the sayings and doings that provoke laughter and applause at the next twenty theatres he visits. He will find that the great majority of the things that most please an average audience are mere funny impossibilities without relation to any conceivable picture of life; that is, they have no connection whatever with the drama." Several correspondents of London papers have taken Mr. Jones at his word, and it must be owned that the jokes which were greeted with the most boisterous laughter read but sadly in print. Even the witticisms of "The Case of Rebellious Susan" suffer sadly fi'om being torn from their text, while the jokes which are described as sending music-hall audiences "into fits" should prove a godsend to disbelievers in the British sense of humour. It should be added that in the quotations "The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary" win first place easily for their independence of their context, but the result of the experiment is to establish the truth of Mr. Jones's contention that the funny things of a play have little relation to a picture of life. Theatrical clips : — A hit and a Miss— "Our Miss Gibbs." ... It is said that Caruso may follow Sarah Bernhardt's example, and make his appearance on the variety stage in a popular West End house in London Nearly all the Broken Hill picture shows are in the open air — Sayers'. West's, Hayward's and Lenard's The public, no doubt, will soon tire of the weird and complicated music of toray, and we shall then witness the resurrection of melody. — Revue, Paris. . . . Mr. George Marlow has just signed contracts with fourteen English, artists with great London reputations who will reach Australia at the beginning of next yeart