FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Evening Star, Issue 13016, 10 January 1907, Page 8

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

JBt Caix 80t.3 Mr John Frdler, jun. r will commence his •our of the world, leaving Dunedih on the 19th inst. for Sydney via Auckland, picking up the Orontcs at Sydney on February 81. Mr Fuller will visit Naples, Rome, Florence, Venice. Milan, Lucerne, Bale, Paris, London, United Kingdom, New York, Chicago, Vancouver, Japan, Shangfcai. and Hongkong, arriving back in New Zealand about October 1 via Manila aud Brisbane. Mr Gil Hoskins, the firm's sceJetary, will be acting-manager during Mr I'uliers absence. Every succeeding performance since the apening night of the pantomime at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, seems to add to the enthusiasm with which it is received by the great audiences which havo been the rule there, as well as to the attractiveness of the efforts of the different performers, one and all of whom have already firmly foundee! an enviable rernrtation in their respective parts. It is little wonder that this should be to, for 'Mother Goose' has in it all the qualities which go to the composition of a big popular success. The youngsters delight in tho funniments of Queen and Le Brun as the ludicrous donkey and horse, in the toy ballet, the gooscland procession, and in the various dance's of their tinv contemporaries on the stage, while their elders find complete enjoyment in the multiplicity of tuneful ballads, the »ngagm>' acting and singing of Miss Florence V-otmg, o Mrss Olive Morrell, and Miss Celia Ghilooi, in the uproarious humor of Mr Harry l'hydora and Mr Harry Shine in the many effective novelties, and in the wholegorgeous mounting, dressing, and prex'.uetion generally. To judge by the exc. ptioiial favor that is being shown fe>r it, ' Mother Goose' is destined "to a long and prosperous care-ex in Melbourne. Madamo Molba is a collector of old furniture. She seldom passes through any important town without visiting the shops for Ihe purpose oi finding curiosities in this lino. Mr George Edwardes says that so long as tbtffe is no public market for improper, rrreligknre. or offensive pieces the censor is not. necessary; but. he does no harm, and managers are frequently indebted to the present lioklei of the petition for valuable hints and suggestionc. Victor LovdaJl. tho clever comedian now with J. C." Williamson's 'Mother Goose' pantomime, was recently through New Zealand with Messrs Fullers' Vaudeville Company. A few days ago a miserably-clad woman was picked up in a fainting condition in the Boulevard Strasbourg at Paris, and died while being conveyed to the hospital on a stretcher.' The body was subsequently identified as that of Blanche Meryem, who fifteen years ago was a musichall "star" in the gay city, and in her prime, earned £SO a'week. She died of privation. An extraordinary demonstration. °t which Mis Ada Reeve was the victim <x - rurred at the Resent Theatre, Sa.lford._on November 19. Miss Reeve, as charming and daintv ==s ever, was interrupted as soon as she appeared by three or tour occupants of the gallery. They did not hiss, but bv applauding out of pbice achieved what apparently was their object. Thev rendered Miss Reeve so nervons that she "was quite unable to finish her second pong, or even appear again at that performance. As the house was in darkness the culprits could not be located, but the directors of tho theatre were strongly of opinion that it was a piece of deliberate, and organised opposition. At the second "house?' Miss Reeve, though very nervous, was so successful that she had to sing five songs. She then came to the front of the stage and asked the audience to allow her to refer to the incidents that marred the entertainment at the first house. Evidently laboring under intense nervons excitement, she s;ud she wished to express her regret that any refereneo to what happened at the first performance was necessarv at all. She. explained what had happened, and thanked hex hearers for the reception thev had given her at her second performance. Miss Reeve shares the opinion of the theatre management !hat the opposition to ber was deliberately Drganised. ~. Our London correspondent writes :—Muss Henriquette Maude, the nineteen-year-old New Zealand elocutionist whose experiences of "ronghin- it" in America have jlready been recorded in this colony, has been bv Mr Adney Payne for the .Pvndicaie' Music Halls. Miss Daisy Davidson, another New Zealand artist, will appear under the same management, while AKss Joan Zeala baa been engaged fox the Criterion Sunday evening concerts. Although MiS Tittell Bnme is prated unreservedly for her fine dramatic and irna<r'raative interpretation of Kundry, and the Test of the cast are also favorably noticed, it is reallv to the magnificent spectacular effects of ' Parsifal.' as produced by Mr J. C Williamson at Her Majesty's Theatre, Svdnev, that- the public eye is directed. It i*" not'srrrprising that this should be so. for \u*tralian audiences have never seen anything to equal the gorgeous and elaborate settings that have been given to the ,-ev. T HiUhouse Taylor's drama. The Sydney newspapers dwell particularly on the complete realism of the cataclysmic earthquake upon the weird grandeur of the Tribulation, and the splendor of the Garden of Temptation as contrasted with the idyllic freshness of the opening scene, the deeply religions air of the Temple, and the mystical uplifting of the Grail, upon which the curtain falls. Nothing finer than the firstlamed has, *o 14 emphatically declared. been seen on the Sydney stage, and the whole drama from first- to last is greeted with «uch an outburst of enthusiastic eulogy as must be most gratifying to Mr J. O. Williamson, whose enterprise made the production possible. Mrs Irvine (nee Rose Blaneyl, wefl known ■jn'local musical circles, is still in London, rtudvin- music under Madame Nam Fischer? and i* makmg capital progress Q her profession there. Madame Fischer •brought out Miss Ada Crowley and several other well-known singers, and entertains bright hopes for Mrs Irvine's *"*>"«• There is a pleasant reference to Madame Calve, who is about to marry *&"*[•. ™ Miss Olive Christian Malvery's book, The Soul Market.' Mis Malverv ears: Or*> dav at lunch in a friend's We. m New York I met Calve. As I entered the room she got up from the table and came to moot me with that charming and warmhearted friendliness which u. jo i.tic of ber. She is a beairUful woman, and has a lovelv smile. I was completely captivated. No one. of course, in a private house would think of a.*ing Calve to Bing. but that, afternoon she sard: Is there anything I can do to give you plea- «„©? "Shall I sing something * or youT Ynd sho got np, there and then, and stood T>v the piano, and sang three exquisite little chansoncttes- Rrovencal songs. More loverv, spontaneous mus-ic I lia-ve never heard. Two vearst after, when m Pans, .oirtmucs Miss" MaKery. "I sent Calve a Frtle note, merelv stating that I was in the citv for I did not know whether she would "have time, or care to renew the acquittance. In answer, she «***>«> her companion in her motor, and bade her ferin" me to her box at the opera, livery ,iav 'after that Carve, or some friends to •whom. Ae introduced mo. sent their ear--daces for me. and took me to every performance of any merit that was going on in Paris We sometimes drove along in Ikt beantiM electric brougham into the country places, and there, in the clear air, this beautilul child of the am would open her mouth and sin? like a bird—naturally and carelcauy. There are not manypeople. I fancy, who have had the pnviW of bearing one of the worlds most cilted angers trill forth lovely little aongd, one after another, in those beautiful countl7 \lr rTa Hayward, of West's Pictures and the Brescians, leaves for at the end of the month. He joins the Mongolia at Sydney on February 2. ' Daring her tour in America next year Mrs Patrick Campbell will introduce on the 'stage ber daughter, Mies Stella Campbell, earliest appearancea will be as Euean ic 'The Second Mis Tamjueray' and Marie in 'Magda.' Mr William Fawtrey, who recently gave ap management in Australia-, has evidently atade a hit in America. His engagement i» 'The Tan ill WaauWhu' having tor-

' mutated, lie hits been specially .engaged for Weber's Theatre in New York, -where Mis. Hilda Spong is also appearing. Information has been received from Mr OeorgoMusgrovc that he has completed tho engagement of tho proposed grand: opera, company-, and requires tho amount guaranteed 'him for preliminary expenses by the Australasian Grand Opera Company to be forwarded by the 20th inst. The amount subscribed up to tho present is not enough to make this payment, and unless further subscriptions are received before tho date mentioned tho proposed tour may have to bo abandoned. In view of the enthusiastic reports received as to tho excellence of tho artists, it is to bo hoped that the public will make up tiic 'required subscriptions without delay, says a writer in a Melbourne paper. At Eastekime Miss Tittell Bruno returns to Melbourne once- more, the initial production being, of course, 'Parsifal.' Mr J. G. Wiiluimon has received advice speaking in th-a higliesl terms of ' Robin Hood,' the romantic drama which Mr Julius Knight bus chosen for bis opening piece in Melbourne. Mr Knight saw Mr Leu is Waller's first appearance irj it in London, and watched the play's reception through the wick following. His opinion, based on the.-e impressions, is that ' Robin HwJ' will

achieve a very lemarkable success in Australia, and as'for his own part he is deeply in love with it already. Another great advantage be speaks 01! is the fact that his company also had an opportunity of seeing the piece before they left London, and of having their costumes made and fitted in exact copies of the original ones. The stage, model? and sets Mr Knight brings with him, with a full knowledge of the rac:rc mechanical side of the stage management, and in this, as- in -Brigadier Gerard," • Uaflltc.'am! - The Scarlet l'iuipernel,' he intends to act as his own producer. The latent- sensation of the London music hall stage i* " Juno." otherwise Miss Jennie May. a"voting lady 6ft 2in higli and 18«t in wei"h"t. who claims to !x> the champion woman" wrestler in the world. Trained by •Vi'tonio Pie.rri, the (hock wiestler, who brought out MadnUli, the "Tciriblc Turk," Juno, who is dc.*crilied as an extremely handsome girl, with nothing coarse or excessively nv.rsuular about l;er form, challenges "the female, world to a match for £l!b00 in the Gneeo-Roman style. Miss .'.-lav. whose father i« said to bo a. man of independent uh-.uas in South Africa, has so far found nobody to accept her challenge, and she is giving exhibitions on the music-hall stage. The Musical Johnsons, who toured the Fuller circuit after a successful tour of New Zealand, wore l>ooked to appear at the Hansa. Theatre, Hamburg, from October 22 to December 1.

The engagement of Mark Hambonrg to Miss -M'Keuzie brought! a shower of congratulations on hint. But it is not everybody that is pleased with the great Russian pianist's proposal to enter into the state matrimonial. The other day he received an vptstle breathing lire and slaughter from a pei'M.n who apparently has several tiles loose fn the course- of a lengthy rambling sorted the writer states that he has sen: photographs of Mark and his fiancee in thi papers". Mark Hamhourg being a foreigner a.nl Miss M'Kenzie a Scotswoman, the. writer does not approve of the engagement, and ar the concert next Saturday says " I will do for vou."' The concert in question was to have taken place at the Crystal I'al.ice on lK'eember 1.

At the heginning of next month, when Her Majesty's Theatre. Melbourne, will be wanted for'Mr Julius Knight aud hi> new Knclish company. 'Mother. Coose' will he transferred to Sydney, following 'Parsifal at Her Majesty's" Theatre there. Caroline Otero, the- Spanish dancer who has become famous in the music-halls of Kurope under her stage name of " La Belle Otero." has been married to an Englishman named Webb, who is s-iid to be connected with the woollen trade of Yorkshire. Oto.ro is known from Loudon to St. Petersburg for her beauty, her graces, her jewels her enchantments. The men who'have 'died for love id' her. or have wasted their fortunes to win her smiles, are so many that Mr Bene Webb is a bold man to follow in their footsteps. There w.-.s Chretien, the young Irene-h officer, who haunted her. ami when she snubbed him, blew cut his brains. When Otevo was told of his fate, she replied that she could not permit him to make love to her. because she had never been introduced to him! Then there, was the Englishman, from Manchester, who spent £50.000 on her in four years. When they parted Otero sued him for £BOO. the value of furniture which tho Englishman bad given her, which was seized by the lanelForel who distrained upon the flat in which she and he had been living. This fairly cool action failed in Paris, the Court:-, holding that it ought to have been brought in London, where tho Englishman harl by that time returned. Apparently La Belle Otero thought better of it. for the action never came to trial in England. -MiRene Webb, the ballarina's husband, is tut a millowner, but is the American and Continental traveller renresenting large spinners in Bradford. He is in a- good position, voung. handsome, and well educated, "just" the sort of man to captivate the heart of the susceptible dancer. Mr Rene Webb seldom visits Bradford, and is but little known there.

The Brough-Flemming Compiny scoiod another emphatic succecs at Auckland with 'Mrs Gorringe's Necklace.' In a highly laudatory criticism the 'Star' remarks that it would be difficult to imagine any of the three leading characters better played than bv Miss Beatrice Day, Mr Herbert Flemmiug. and Mrs Brough. The one scene was excellently staged, and the performance was in every "way a fine artistic success. The season "closed with one-night revivals of 'Quality Street.' "Die Walls of Jericho.' 'The Village Priest,' and ' The Passport.' Quite a novel eleparture in musical comedy enterprise has l>een recorded. A famousauthor has "floated" himself as a> limited liahilitv company, with a capital of £12.0C0. "Owen Hall, Ud.," is the title of the new venture; tlio name, of course, is that of the writer of the libretti of 'Florodora.' 'The Geisha,' "The Gaiety Girl.' and other equally well-known musical plays. Mr "(fwen Hall" is Mr James Dav-fl in private life. When interviewe><l recently, he frankly stated his reasons for the. step he has taken. "It has always Maemetl to ine." he said, " that the author of a piece is its natural managc-r. In musical comedy the author rarely, if ever, gets his own idea presented to tho public in tlie manner in which ho intended it. A favorit' actress is introduced, and a part has to lie written to suit her; a new song corner from America or Vienna, and in it goes. Next, the d;uicing master has a turn, and a special number must be written for his 'show' girls, until, in the end. you have a hotch-potch of varieties. ;rnd the original play is gone. We shall take a tlieatre. and start with a piece I have entitled 'King Silly.' This will not be until the beginning of 1907, however. As managing director, I shall ntn anything in which I think there is money, although T may say tho syndicate were formed really to run my own pieces."'

In addition to his Melbourne success in 'Mother Goose,' Mr J. C. Williamson has achieved a second with another pantomime in Svdnev in the shape of tho juvenile production of 'Alice in Wonderland.' which fills in the afternoons at Her Majesty's while ' Parsifal' is running. The fairy pantomime, by children for children, has scored a remarkable triumph, the youngsters, under the experienced eye of Miss Minnie Everett, making hits both individually it: tho various characters ;md collectively in the eharmingly-dancexl ballets and splen-didly-executed specialties which were introduced, includinir tho military liallet from 'The Little. Michu.' which is always emphatically redemanded, and the famous pui dance and chorus from Alfred Hill's 'Tapu,' which is done in the cleverest fashion. Mr Leader Williams has just completed two elaborate models of scenery for the Dunedin Operatic Society, whose intention it is to produce 'Tho Geisha' within a short time. Those models arc exact copies in miniature of the stage as it will appear. Tho scale is half an inch to the foot, and the stage measures 18in by 21in, the prosccnirun opening being _l4in by llin. The models are so complete in detail that artist and meehanifit can measure at a glance the sizes and quantities of material required for the making of tlie scenery. The scheme-in the-modal for Aci 1 is the

Tea-house and Bridge, where the English visitors interview tlio geishas. The foliage of tho scene is of the warm tints of autumn. The scene for Act 2 is a very elaborate one depicting the gardens which surround the Tea-bouse, with Mount- Fujiyama, in the far distance.. Tho usual arched bridges in tho peculiar Japanese style of architecture are shown crossing from island to island. The gardens are covered with a luxuriant growth of chrysanthemums of various colors, while the wild climbing wisteria, liangs from all prominent projections. Tho ' Lyttelton limes,' speaking of Percy Denton's appearance with tho Fullers at Ohristchurch, says: The programme announced several newcomers, bib the most popular was the well-known robust Percy Denton, who, fliting back to. the days of his earlier life, made a reappearance to the Christchurch public in the burnt cork of the nigger minstrel. His beaming rotundity was in itself sufficient to evoko laughter, but lie amply proved that he had not forgotten the ways of tho comer man, and after 6inging a humorous and dainty ditty called ' Our Sally,' he had to respond to four encores. Later" in the evening he contributed two illustrated songs, which were hoartilv applauded. Miss" Maud Branscombe, the whilom beautv of the London burlesque stage, was one of tho " has bcens" who figured at tho Soldeno benefit last month. To a London ' Graphic' interviewer she narrated an amusing incident that occurred in tho days when she was herself one of the greatest favorites on the stage. The youthful son of a, colonel fell in love Math her. and followed her for many weeks while sho wa.t on tour, although lie never saw her except across tho footlights. This was unknown to his parents, who, not hearing from him. feared that he had come to a.n untimely end. When they discovered what w.is afoot tho colonel went to Miss Branscombe and implored hor not to marry his son. She told him that sho had uo intention whatever of doing so. " I'll give him si. sound hiding," said the colonel. "Don't do that." said Miss Branscombe. " There's a better way of curing him. After the performance this evening I'll put on an old dress and hat, and inako myself up to look quite ugly. You bring your boy round to the stage door, and point in© out to him as 1 come out." This was done, and so cleverly was the ruse carried out lliat Miss Branscombe heard the youth exclaim to his father as she passed them : "My gollv ! I tliought she was pretty !' The King commanded Madam© Mclba. to sing at Windsor Castle on November 1-j at tho reception tendered by His Majesty to tho King and Queen of Norway. The great prima donna enjoys tho unique distinction of having been summoned tothe Court for every similar function since King Edward s accession to tho throne. On November o tho King and Queen heard tho Imperial prima donna in ' La Bobemo' at Sandnngham bv electrophone, over 200 miles of Iclophouo wire being used to transmit the < pent from Covont Garden to the Royal residence. Madame Melba sang at Liverpool on the 30th ult., on her departure for America. . ~ Miss Annette Kellcrniann was specially eiii<a"cd by the l»ndon Hippodrome manage tnent for tlteir Christmas spectacle, which took the shape of an aquatic extravaganza for childro.il. Miss Kellcrmann aiipropriafdv impersonates a mermaid, and one of tho features of tho water ballet is a novel sort of natatorial pas dc seal performed bv the Australian swimmer. Miss A'mv Castles l,as been specially en■M.'ed bv Mr Harrison for four years tour ~r°London, Scotland, and the provinces. \t piesent sho has under consideration an offer to appear at Nice for two concerts, for which a very big fee has beer. me:i tinned Miss Dolly Castles is expected to •irriv-e in London early in the, year. .w.ss Eileen Castles is studying with her sister •\mv, prior to going to Mons. Bouhy. It U whispered that in the very near future Mr George Castles will appear in musical eomodyia London with Mr bcymour Hl At S 'Fullers Wellington Theatre Royal Apollo Belvidcre, the living bron/e statue, •is he is called. ha*» received well-merited am.lause for his posing in imitation of famo'us statues. Toe works nustratod wore ■Grof ' ' Apollo,' ' Dying Gladiator Mereurv in Mhwc' ' Ajw Cowering before the Ligntning.' 'Extracting tho Thorn, Battle Scene ' The splendidly proportioned figure of this voung man is seen to advantage in each of'the above poses, and is very striking indeed. Apollo Belvidcre appears tit the Alhambra Theatre on {Saturday next. Remarkable scenes have been witnessed ■,t. Turin in connection with the visit of Mww Vivienne Ch&rtrcs, the English chilei violinist. At the close of her fourth concert practically tbe entire andience accompanied her carriago to her hotel, in front of an enthusiastic demonstration took •■There is one. episode of my recent American tour," writes Mario Hall, the iamous English violin virtuoso, "which is i-nv to me to recall. At the .■oiie-lushm "of one of my concerts I received a hasty nolo from a woman, unknown to mo," begging for an interview in the most striking language. I was so much impressed by tho terms in which the reiuost was couched that I fort too much •utio<itv to refuse it, and arranged a meetp.g. to 'find hi my strange visitor an elderly ivomaii, obviously in profound distress. Eves red with recent tears and a voice breaking with deep feeling betrayed her emotion) and I felt more than ever anxious to learn tho cause of her sorrow. She at last informed me that she had been connected some years before with a series of frauds, for which an entirely innocent person had been brought to book. Although •Ju: had often felt before the twinges of conscience, she bad never, she said, had the eoonnity of her offence brought before her with such full force as she had that duv during my performance, which had so touched her heart that she was determined to give herself up to justice, and make what reparation she still could for tho wrong she had done, by rescuing the innnceiit suQ'erer from punishment. She had come, she) said, to thank me for the change I had effected in her feelings. Needless to sav, I reckon this tribute to tho power of music ** one of my greatest triumphs. Not so pleasant was an incident somewhat resembling this, where a man, in this case, was very tAmilarly affected. It was soon if.er I had mado my debut that I was persecuted by this gentleman with an offer <ii marrkgo. I received a letter from him staling that he had recently heard my music for the first time, and had begun to ivaliso, as he had never done before, liow lar sh»rt lie fell of goodness. For years, he said, he had never given, a single thought to religion or the future life, but had gone on, loading a selfish, self-centred existence, always putting profit beforeduty. It was only during my playing that he had been led to see tho error of Iris ways, and had begun to feel the longing to be good. Not sufficiently strong in himself, ho said, he could only do this if he had always the opportunity of ltcariiig_ me play, and he therefore implored me in the most esvriKst terms to become his wife, and so savo his soul." But Miss Hall has preferred a life of single blessedness —for a time at least. She attributes moxo than half her success to her " Strad," which is a veritable part erf lierself, and which she values at £1.600. There was a large attendance at Sotheby's rooms, London, on November 13, when a number of interesting souvenirs of the fimous Blowliu's remarkable feats were brought under the hammer. Tho most interesting article* on the catalogue were, the diploma, and gold medal presented to him by tho citizens of Niagara Falls in commemoration of his: eiossing the Niagara River on August 19, 1859. The medal is emgraved with a view of the falls, and it is suspended) from the American eagle. Iu the year 1859 Blondin made several trips across the Niagara,, and on the 30th of June, in tho presence of a crowd of 25,000 persons, he did the journey in five minutes, A week later he crossed blindfold trundling a wheelbarrow. On the 19th August (which is presumably the performance commemorated by the medal sold on Tuesday) he carried a man on his back. The latter, however, 'became nervous, and Blondin was threatened with calamity. He recorded that when he was halfway across the river he quieted his companion by saying t "If you don't sit quiet I shall have I to pat you down." A month.- litter Blondin j made another trip -across, .tho Niagara, in I the prmwoe of the Prince of Wales-(now | King Edward). Tie souvenir Was pur-

chased'by Mx Barwood for £lO 15s. The diploma to Blondin on his election in 1870 as Knight of the Spanish Order of Queen Isabella Catholica, and a can© with tho cross of the same Oreler, realised five guineas. —Theatre Profile.- — [ Two important London theatrica*! -enterprises recently announced their results for lino past year. The report.of the jTheatre jltoyal, Drnry Lane, at first sight contrasts advantageously with the corresponding document of a year ago. But if the results [ secured are more closely examined it' wilh 1 be found that the improvement in the comI pony's position is more apparent than:real. The gross trading profit lrom .prc.ductioß'l and refreshments has increased from £8,092 to £26,066, but, nevertheless, the 1 amount, available for distribution, after meeting all charges, is only £5,087, or barely sufficient to pay 5 per cent., whereas twelve, months ago, after providing for all charges, .there wafi a balance of £BB to be carried "forward. Thus the net improvement revealed on the present occasion is just £5,000, although the increase in gross profits was. about £IB,OOO. Twelve months ago the companyhad to provide for alterations costing over £27,000, and the reserve fund was utilised to write off as much as £25,000. On the present occasion no special charges of thin character have to be met, so that the directors find themselves with a balance of over £5,000. Instead of attempting to re-estab-lish tho reserve fund, exhausted last year, they propose to devote practically tho whole of the amount available to the payment of a dividend of 5 per cent., a distribution requiring £1,700. The I'alaco Theatre report reveals a big drop in profits, the amount earned last year being only £4,800, as against £IO,IOO in the previous twelve months. Fox some years pa»t the salaries of music hall artists have been steadily rising, and tho Palace Theatre itself lias ret the fashion of giving generous remuneration for .special turns. The shareholders, for the first time for some years, get no final dividend, and havo to content themselves with the 5 per cent, distributed six months ago in the form of an interim instead of the 12 per cent, elistri•BJcajC sttoiAaid Oit) oqi jo rpco joj suopnq