ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 55, 3 August 1874, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

" All the world's a stage."

— As You Like It.

That veteran entrepreneur, Mr John Smith' whom I recollect so many years ago, that I am almost afraid to say the date, has cause to be highly satisfied at the result of his sojourn amongst us—the clever troupe of which he is the director now being in their third week, and playing to capital houses. No one, I think, will deuy that the artistes, one and all, are first-class, and the entertainment one thoroughly deserving support from our amusement seekers. The De Castro family are, certainly, without exception, the cleverest gymnasts I ever saw ; but this is not all ; everything is done with such ease and apparently little effort, even to the most difficult of their varied feats, that one almost forgets to applaud, in the admiration caused by the rapidity and gracefulness with which the particular act is gone through. De Castro pure is a finished gymnast excuting his portion of the programme splendidly. Those used to gymnastics will, I know, appreciate his performances on the flying rings at their true value ; they are simply grand exhibitions of muscular strength and science combined. Of the littl epeople,what can I say, except that they arc astonishing,YoungEngland especially, while Young Alberto has such a keen sense of the ridiculous, and displays so much dry humour in carrying out what our old friend Bent would call " foolishments," that it is impossible to avoid laughing " consumedly " at him. though the tricks themselves may be somewhat antiquated. Little Annette, though not so brilliant in her performances as her brothers, does all she has to do capitally, and Madame De Castro also renders good service. I know that it is considered hardly " the thing" by Mrs Grundy to patronise gymnastics, but it seems to me that this is as absurd, as the prudishness that refuses to see " Formosa," but crowds to see " La Traviata" which is several degrees worse. In the case of gymnasts so able as the De Castro Family, it is simply a practical exposition of the degree of proficiency in athletic exercises obtainable by training, and I must say I am quite at a loss to see any tangible objection thereto. Of the remaining members of this talented company, I may note that Mr Airec has completely by his wonderful performances, revolutionised the matter of feats possible on the trap:ze, and shows what can be accomplished by dint of careful training and nerve. Mr Voae's portion of the entertainment to my mind, is one of the cleverest and most enjoyable parts of the programme, but I hope he will allow me to suggest that the singling

out of some unhappy wi(?ht in the audience for ridicule, would be better omitted. From what I have seen of the ready wit of Mr Vose, he can, I am sure, very easily supply this hiatus with far more entertaining dialogue. From the natural way in which the figures work, and the rapidity with which a dialogue is carried on, the illusion is perfect, and Mr Vose has thoroughly established himself as a prime favorite with theatre goers, too much so I believe for his own personal comfort, as only the other day while taking a constitutional in the Domain, he was saluted by a crowd of gamins with cries of " Johnny Riley!" &c. ala Johnny Trotter. Professor Saunders is an old friend here, and though not sufficiently imbued with the predilections of the Cyrari to profess that I like the melody of the harp solus, I must admit that Mr Saunders' rendering of the various pieces, shows him to be a thorough master of his instrument.

Mdlle Montebello and Mr Vincent will do very well to adhere to the duets a la Rickards which they have given us lately, but I quite agree with what has been said about " The gaslight swells." As an exemplification of how closely a lady can both in dress and manner, impersonate a not very reputable type of the lords of creation, it may be all very well, but certainly I incline to the belief that *fc is far better left out altogether. Mr Vincent himself has a good voice, and would be very much more successful if he got rid of one or two little mannerisms on the stage. His aptitude for composing local songs of a superior class to those usually sung, has been markedly shown during the stay of the company. I should like to see Mdlle Montebello in one of those sketches Rickards used to give us. She has plenty of acting power, and with a judicious selection of music to suit her voice would, I feel sure, make a hit Taken throughout the company is good, and I hope Mr Smith will reap the reward his pluck and enterprise entitle him to. Outre nous, I hear it whispered that we may see him here again shortly with more novelties. I hope so, as I feel certain he will always receive a kindly welcome from Christchurch playgoers. The Kennedys have paid us a flying visit and bade us farewell. Of all the entertainments it has been my lot to see—and they have been not a few—this was the most thoroughly enjoyable. To me it had not the air of a public entertainment. Mr Kennedy himself took every one as it were into his confidence—made them feel so thoroughly at home with his stories and his songs, that one almost could fancy that with slippered feet on the fender you were listening to tales of olden days. His happy way of giving the history of the song he was about to sing in such well chosen language, varying from deep pathos, as in " The Land o' the Leal" to the " pawky" humor of " Come under my plaidie," had such a charm about it that although not nearly all hailing from the Land o' Cakes, his audience became to a great extent identified with the particular song or story being given. Then, as a narrator of those quaint old stories illustrative of Scottish life and character, Mr Kennedy was unequalled. Take, for instance, " The Minister's fiddle ;" every character stood out distinct and clear as a photograph, his keen sense of the humorous enabling him to make every point. The young ladies sung nicely, and I may note a great improvement in all the other members of this talented family since their last visit. The part singing was, except the Carandinis, by far the best I have ever heard here, and lovers of music have to thank the Kennedys for having brought out of that oblivion to which they have been so unjustly consigned some of the sweetest glees ever written. I believe they go to Australia en route for Scotland, but the memory of many pleasant hours spent with them here will not soon be forgotten amongst us. Having now noted what I may call the home circuit, I will just string together a few items of news respecting old acquaintances and expected arrivals. From Dunedin I learn that the Emerson Minstrels, without, however, the redoubtable Billy, have commenced a very prosperous season. They made a bee line from Auckland to Dunedin direct in order to get ahead of our friend John Smith, whose combination is somewhat of a terror to other " shows." We may expect a visit from them shortly, and I hear that they are something big in the " burnt cork" line. I only recognise two old friends amongst the thirteen comprising the troupe, viz, Messrs Amery and Herman, the former gentleman will be recollected by many here as having a magnificent bass voice, one of the best heard here for many a day, while the latter is a violinist of some repute. Messrs Steele and Keogh, with the dramatic company they had here, and the addition of Misses Bessie Vivian and Marion Willis, have been playing a good season at the Princess.' I note that Miss Lily Hill, Mrs Hill, and Mr Steele have gained greet kudos from the Otago journals. They purpose opening in Christchurch for a season shortly, when I shall have something more to say anent them. Meanwhile I may be permitted to express pleasure that a daughter of so worthy a member of the profession as Mr Walter Hill has made so successful a debut. In Wellington the " Grif" Company are doing good business, and receiving unlimited laudation from the local press. Of the talents of Miss Rosa Towers, no one has a higher opinion than myself, and the same may be said of Messrs Towers and Hydes; but when one reads such extravagant and fulsome praises of the other members of the company as are daily appearing, it is hard to understand why we in Christchurch never found out the talent which appears to have burst with tenfold brightness upon our neighbours. Mr Towers, with Miss Rosa Towers, intends visiting Melbourne about October, and I have no doubt from the wellknown anxiety of Messrs Coppin and Harwood to secure novelties, that this clever little lady will get a "show" in the metropolis of Australasia. We are promised a second season of the Allen English Opera Company in November. At last advices they were in Auckland, but I don't think business very good, judging from the newspapers who speak very guardedly as to the attendance. Miss May, of course as elsewhere had firmly established herself as a favorite, and Mr Willis' scenery is deservedly praised, but I am somewhat surprised to see the very lavish praise bestowed upon Mr Hallam's singing and acting. The various operas in the repertoire of the company had been produced—" Satanella " and " The Bohemian Girl," as here proviDg the great draws of the season. Strnnge to say " Barbe Bleue"' with its beautiful music and attractive costumes appears to have pleased our Northern friends less than " La Grande Duchesse." I hear that the company will be somewhat reconstituted in

Auckland prior to coming South again; A new tenor and a new contralto are spoken of as being likely to join Mr Allen's forces from Australia, and both were very much needed ; nothing definite however is yet settled. Arrangements I hear have been entered into with Mr John Smith as agent for the composers, to produce H. B. Farine's musical extravaganva "Nemesis," and Herve's opera bouffe, " L'CEil Creve," both of which have had a lengthed run in Melbourne ; having been played by the comic opara company now established at the Melbourne Opera House. These with Rossini's " Cinderella" Arthur Sullivan's operetta "Box and Oox," and one or two more will vary the season's programme somewhat, and should ensure a successful repetition of their visit to Miss May and Mr Allen. From Auckland too comes a few items respecting "show folk" erstwhile in Christchurch. A correspondent writing respecting the production of the grand equestrian spectacular drama of " Mazeppa" gives a very ludicrous description of Miss Docy Mainwaring's debut in the part rendered famous by Adah Menken. It appears that the steed so far from being " a fiery untamed courser," was quite the other way, and required a great deal of persuasion on the part of the supers to make him go. When he did, however, make a start he was a caution, for he made direct to the centre pole of the tent and disembarrassed himself of his fair rider. I don't think tne combination of dramatic and equestrian talent was a success. One can hardly fancy the tragedian Mr H. N. Douglas in the ring supported by the corps dramatique, who we have been accustomed to see on the orthodox stage with green baize and footlights and all the pomps and circumstance of the regular drama, Sarely must have been exceedingly funny to s ay the least of it. Mr W. Hoskins writes a genial chatty letter from Mormondom, where Mrs Hoskins and himself have been playing a very successful engagement at Salt Lake City Theatre —a very large building holding 1600 people. The papers speak very highly of Miss Colville's impersonations throughout, especially of her Nell Gwynne in "The King's Rival." Mr Hoskins I notice gets high praise for his Puff in jthe " The Critic," and Dr Pangloss in " The Heir at Law." Mr Hoskins speaks of an early return to New Zealand, but at present they are en route to New York, playing at Chicago and other large towns. I need hardly say that Mr and Mrs Hoskins will be warmly—nay enthusiastically on their return.

One word as to two or three other old Christchurch favorites. The Carandinis are at Brisbane, where Mr Cotterel and Mr Landergan are spoken very highly of. Mr Fairclough is still in Adelaide, and Mr Steela was touring in Tasmania at last advices. Billy Bent, surely the best exponent of nigger " business " was at the San Francisco Opera House with a good company when the mail left, and no doubt " the ball i 3 still gwine on." Props.