New Plays for the Colonies.

Evening Star, Issue 8506, 4 May 1891, Page 3

New Plays for the Colonies.

In the course of a conversation with a representative of the Sydney 'DaiJy lefeeraph ' Mr James Macmahon gave interesting particulars of the various plays the Australian rights of which he and his brother bought during their recent visit to the States "Our experience of Chicago, said Mr Macmahon, " was that it must be one of the best paying theatrical cities in the world. All the houses were packed nightly at high tariffs, and we saw some good companies there. Amongst other shows we saw a representative spectacular piece which everyone was praising, though there was no such scene painting in it as Messrs Gordon, Brunton, Spong, and Goatcher are giving in Australia. Mr Goatcher, the new scenic artist now in Melbourne, is claimed over there as an American, though he is, of course, an English artist both by nativity and training. In Chicago, as elsewhere throughout the States, the unfortunate actors play nine times a week-that is to say, their engagements are always for seven performances nightly (including our Day of Rest), and two matinees per week, without extra pay. The only play which struck our fancy here was 'The Still Alarm,' with its fire brigade scene in which horses and engines are got ready in sight of the audience—a splendWly executed piece ot realism. We got the Australian rights from the author, Mr Joseph Arthur, and the harness and special machinery for the sensational scene will be Bent on from New York shortly. Wo stopped at Buffalo City, where we found J. L. Sullivan, the champion boxer of the world, drawtog immense houses in 'Honest Hearts and Willing Hands,' in which he has been starring for a year. At first we found him unwilling to leave such business; but when he was v reminded that the Bummer monthß, when his theatres shut np, are our winter season, he at once signed for a short Australian tour He will sail in June with the author of the piece, Mr Duncan Harrison, who is a capital actor, and will bring with him seven new artists. We spent some.time, in New York, where we purchased Rces «Evangeline.' The character of the lone Fisherman will be played by Mr Joseph Hirris, the original creator of the only stage part of importance which contains no spoken dialogue whatever. Our new opera company also includes Mr George Fortesco, who plays his original part as Katharine. This comedian is famous as a delineator of female character, «nd in spite of his height and weight (22st 21b) his make-up is wonderful. Mr E. B. Rice, the composer of «The Corsair,' the ' Pearl of Pekin,' etc., will conduct. It was he who discovered the geniuß of Mr H. a. Dixey, who made Buch a sensation at the Gaiety Theatre, London, in Rices * Adonis.' Dixey's first engagement was as the hind-legs of a heifer in * Evangeline 1 Six monthß hence we hope to have Mr Dixey over here to star in burlesque. During the last two years Mr Niel Burgess, a clever journalist, has amaßßed an immense fortune Man author and actor in his piece «The Country Fair.' The secret of his success has been a realiotic invention, by which horses are made apparently to race upon the stage at full gallop. The mechanism approximates to that of a tread-mill. The horses throw away the track, spwning it behind them with their hoofs at full gallop, whilst movable slips enable them to pass and

repass each other as on a real course. The effect baffles description, and we socured tbe patent rights for Australia at once. Mr Currier, the author's stage manager in New York, will arrive with ail the machinery and effects by the next mail."