Footlight Flashes.

Evening Star, Issue 7189, 18 April 1887, Page 4

Footlight Flashes.

The “Mikado ” Opera Company are drawing good houses in Christchurch. The 'Wellington season commences on Friday next. The Royal Acromatia Troupe arrived in Auckland last week, making their first appearance on Saturday last. The company includes the fiery queen, the lady with the iron jaw, jugglers, vocalists, etc. The New Zealand tour of the Williamson, Musgrove, and Garner comedy company closes at Auckland to-day, and the company leave for Melbourne via Sydney on Tuesday, the 19th inst. Business in the Northern city has been very good. Miss Minnie Palmer will not be able to visit New Zealand this year, as she is under engagement to appear in ’Frisco in August. At the conclusion of her American engagements she will return to the colonies, opening at Auckland. The ‘ Argus ’ states that the eldest son of MrJ. R. Grevillc, the well-known comedian, has just obtained his medical degree in Edinburgh, and been appointed assistant to Dr Argyle Robertson, the opthalmist of the Edinburgh University. John Gourlay has returned to Melbourne, after nine years 1 absence, and opens at the Bijou in that city with a season of comedy. Miss Alice Norton and MrH. C. Sidney are at the head of a dramatic company in occupation of the Alexandra Theatre, Melbourne.

The Holloways aro doing capital business at Ballarat.

Mr L. J. Lohr, the popular treasurer for Mr Riguold during his last season through New Zealand, has taken the Alexandra Theatre, Melbourne, for a term of seven years. Mr Lohr is the husband of that charming actress Miss Kate Bishop. At the second Marchotti concert Mr Stockwcll confirmed the good opinions formed of him, and gained several encores from a crowded house.

Arthur Redwood, well-known in the theatrical profession in Australia, died at Sydney last week. Miss Sophie Eyre has received tempting offers for a “starring ” tour in the Australasian colonies. She is an actress of the Marie de Grey school. Mrs Willoughby and Mr St. Maur have been delighting the Brisbaneites with a round of old English comedy and late London successes. “Jim the Penman” took immensely, and “The Nantwitches,” a story of Belgravia adapted to the stage with very little striving after effect, has proved nearly as successful.—Rignold and Allison’s opera company, in charge of J. P. Macdonald, opened in the Royal in “Falka” on the 2Sth ult.

“ Hans the Boatman ’’ an American play, was produced for tho first time at Sheffield on March 7, and scored a success. It is the first American play ever produced in England in advance of its performance in America.

After her Melbourne season Miss Minnie Palmer will bo piloted through Queensland and New South Wales by Mr James M'Mahon. A New Zealand tour is projected. “ The Pickpocket,” an adaptation by Mr llautrey (of “ Private Secretary ” fame) from the German, was recently produced at the Melbourne Opera House, and scored a genuine success. Mr P. H, Layc, who assisted at the initial performance of the piece in London, makes a useful addition to the company. Walter Bentley, who was best known to Dunedin audiences as 'Willie Bog", was married at Glasgow to Miss Florence Grant. A late number of the ‘ New York Mirror ’ contains an excellent likeness of Millis, the ventriloquist, and a well-written sketch of his career.

Bland Holt opened at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, on Easter Monday, with the latest Loudon success—" A Run of Luck ”—- a sporting drama, which has been playing for sonic months at Drury Lane, Mr Holt, wiio has been playing in London and the provinces for two or three years, having gauged the public taste of the colonies with the introduction of such dramas as “New Babylon,” “ The World,” etc., should have some idea of the pieces likely to prove popular. The cast will include, beside himself, Messrs George Rignold, A. Glover, William Leake, George Ireland, Miss Kate Bishop, Miss Mabel Tracey, and others ; Messrs Gordon, Hennings, and Brunton preparing the necessary scenery. In Sydney M. Simonsen’s Italian Opera Company have been drawing immeuschouses. All the other theatres are doing quiet business. —Brough and Boucicault’s Burlesque Company (under arrangement with Messrs Williamson, Musgrove, and Garner) played at Adelaide over the Easter holidays “Jack Shepherd” was the burlesque produced. The programme of the Hoskins matinee was a long one, but was got through in three hours. Its variety was something remarkable, and it served to bring together nearly all the established favorites belonging to the dramatic and musical professions at present in Melbourne. The Princess’s company were represented in the first act of “Harbor Lights”; Miss Minnie Palmer and Mr R. A. Roberts gave a rendering of the vaudeville “The Ring and the Keeper”; Signor and Signora Majcroni, with the assistance of Mr Musgrave, charmed the audience with “ A Kiss”; and the scene in Blueskin’s Cave, from “Little Jack Sheppard,” enabled the Opera House company and many other members of the profession to signify their sympathy with the objects of the performance. To the musical and miscellaneous portion of the entertainment, the gifted Joran family, Mdlle. Aldini, Miss Robina, Miss A. Wilhelm, Signor Lencioni, and Messrs F. M, Clark, M. Royce, M. Keen, and Mr Manning contributed, while the recitations of Messrs George Rignold, T. J. Hawkins, Phil Day, and W. B. Warner were excellent. Last, but not least, the noblest of Rossini’s overtures was performed by an orchestra of forty instrumenstralists, conducted by Mr Stanislaus. Altogether (says the ‘ Argus ’) it was one of the most agreeable matinee performances ever given in Melbourne.