FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Evening Star, Issue 9387, 8 May 1894, Page 3

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

[By Call Boy.]

If is understood that the stock company ' now occupying the Princess's, emboldened by the successes of a popular tariff, have made up their minds to stay with us for a lengthened season, resting when any groater attraction comes to Dunedin. ( , "Daddy" Lohr arrives by Talune next week to arrange for the Arnold-Thornton season, beginning with ' Charley's Aunt' on the 22nd inst. At the farewell season in Melbourne last month business was phenomenal, and the company are now taking immensely at HobarK Mr Henry Slockwell (who budded as a vocalist in Dunedin) and Mr John Lemmone (the Australian solo flautist) took their passages last week for London by the steamer Hubback. Pripr to their departure they were entertained by members of the Victorian Metropolitan Musical Club, Mr Stockwell being presented with, a purse of sovereigns and Mr Lemmone with an illuminated address. B. and B. are negotiating for Miss Elizabeth Robins to join their combination. She is one of the intellectual ladies of English theatrical life, is an admirer of Ibsen, and is "an advanced 'woman, who is not afraid cf shocking the conventionalities.'" The wife of Mr Walter Bentley committed suicide fn New York under very sad circumstances. They had been separated for several years. John Hesford, an old - time . ,Dunedin favorite, had a good benefit in Melbourne the other night. Mr Albert Marsh, the South African manager, has gone to Melbourne to bring Mr Bentley to book for breaking his Sduth Australian engagements. The " Lady from Brazil" will be the next novelty in Dunedin, opening next week. When it was cabled that the Rev. Dr Do Witt Talmage had withdrawn his resignation of the pastorate of Brooklyn Church it was feared this might prevent him from visiting Australia. By the last American mail, however, Dr Talmage wrote to Mr R." S. Smythe to say that he had taken passages for his wife, his son, and himself by the Alameda, sailing from San Francisco on th 6 31st inst. ; but that his leave of absence would not permit him to extend his lecturing tour to India, where, however, he would preach once in the three Presidential cities. The rehearsals for ' Maritana,? which is to be produced shortly at the Princess's Theatre by Mr Albert Richardson, are progressing. There will be a large and efficient orchestra, and the following will probably be the cast: —Maritana, Miss Beatrice Richardson; Lazarillo, Miss Vivian and Miss Hewson; Don Ciesar De Bazan, Mr J. Blenkinsopp and Mr E. Packer ; Don Jose, Mr W. Scott and Mr W. Woods; King of Spain, Mr W. Bray and Mr A. V. Richardson. The role of Don Jose will be sustained by Mr Albert Richardson at the final performance. This is a character in which he has achieved much success in the leading Australian theatres in the Lyster Opera Company, Amongst the numerous floral offerings received by Miss Hilda Spong across the footlights on Saturday evening (says the Wellington ' Post' of April 16) was one of quite touching interest. An old man in the pit asked the conductor of the orchestra to give Miss Spong a tiny bouquet, to which was attached a handsomely-carved serviette ring. This, he said, he had carved with his own hand, and he wished it handed to the lady personally as the only evidence he could give of his appreciation of her talent. The Howe-Spong company are now at Napier. ' The Pro:ligal Daughter,' a modern play by Mr H. Pet tit t and Sir Augustus Harris, which had a long run at Drury Lane in 1892, is now being presented at the Princess's Theatre under Mr Bland Holt's management. 'Queen's Evidence' forms the bill of Mr Dan Barry's company at the Alexandra, and the prosperous run of 'Struck Oil' still continues at the Royal. On Saturday week two concerts took place at the Melbourne Town Hall. In the afternoon an orchestral programme, including Schubert's symphony in C major and Mozart's overture to ' Don Juan,' was given by a combination of local performers, under the baton of Professor Marshall Hall; and in the evening Mr James Wood, an Australian tenor, who is about to proceed to the Old Country, was accorded a benefit.

Mr D. M'Donald will be the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club delegate to the Agricultural Conference at Wellington this month.