DRAMATIC NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6535, 6 February 1882, Page 6

DRAMATIC NEWS.

Bo Miss Grey and Mr J. J. Wallace are rot to be united in the bonds of holy matrimony after all. Mr Wallace was very indignant over the paragraph about his engagement, which he facetiously says caused the lady to reject him. Of course that was nonsense, as she could not have had time to see it; nor is Miss Grey quite the kind of girl to break off so serious ah undertaking on account Of a mere newspaper paragraph. However, as J. J. says, there is now "a chance for a better fellow." ’ f

While talking of marriages, we may as well mention that it seems fashionable in the profession just now. Cue of the last things Mr Leake, known familiarly to his friends as “Bill Drake," did before leaving Dunedin, was to take unto himself a bettor half. The happy damsel is Miss Hettio Lambrette, daughter of Miss Bessie Vivian—a young lady well known on the New Zealand stage. Leake will now have to study a new act of «Mv Partner.”

We understand that Mr J. F. Hydes will probably leave Christchurch for Sydney sometime next month. On Wednesday Messrs J. Pickersgill, W. H. Leake, J. J. Wallace, and Mowry, formerly of tho Pomeroy Company, passed through Lyttelton by tho Wakatipu en route for Sydney. Theodore Hamilton has token service under Mr Allison, of Adelaide, and loft by tho Wakatipu for Sydney. He plays with Miss Pomeroy on the other si**e. Whether this signifies that tho HamUton-Willis Combination is broken up, we cannot say ; but it looks like it. The pretty drawing-room eet in i Snowball u painted, not papered, as most people imagined. Both this and the scenery in Struck Oil are the production of that rising young artist, Mr Frahm. He was hero with the Carden Company, and the strides he has mads oven in that short interval show that ha will take high rank as a scenic artist before many yeare are over hie head. The Variety Entertainment given by Mr F. Doran’s Company at the Theatre’ Boyal, Auckland, under the patronage of King Tawhiao was very largely attended. The ICing, and some of the old cMefs in his suite, were attired in Native costume, but the others wore European dress. Tho Boyal party thoroughly enjoyed tho entertainment.— Owing to their departure from New Ply mouth being accidentally delayed, Bent and Bachelder’s Minstrels did not open at the Lome street Hall, Auckland, till Jan. 24. There was an excellent house on the first night, and at latest advices the Company were still doing well. —Cary’s Juvenile Opera Company opened at the Theatre Boyal, Auckland, on Jan. 23, to a big honse. Owing to the counter attraction of the Minstrels, the business subsequently fell off considerably.— Mr Gordon Gooch’s opera class are busy rehearsing Maritana, with a view to performing itin Auckland. —Professor Fraser is lecturing in the Poverty Bay District—business good. Lewis’ Mastodon Minstrels opened at Napier on Saturday, and according to a telegram received on Thursday, have been play- j ing to packed houses. They closed “a ; remarkably successful season ’’ at Wanganui j on Jan. 25. —Mr Bobson is to open j at Napier on Monday next.—Tho Montague- j Tamer Opera Company are doing a splen- j did business at the Theatre, Boyal, Wei- j lington. The final exMbition of Kohler’s ! Waxworks in Wellington took place on; Saturday last. The Waxworks are now | being exhibited at Blenheim.—Mr Bobson is I giving entertainments to moderate houses j at the Athenaeum Hall, Wellington. A new combination, bearing the title | “Comedy and Burleqne Company,” has been | formed on the West Coast, the leading spirits > being Miss Amy Johns, Miss Lena Wyatt, j Messrs Wilkinson, 'Mack Alexander and Lissant. At latest advices they were playing Struck Oil to good business at Greymouth.— j The Pomeroy Company closed their season at j the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on Saturday j last, and the company is now disbanded. On • the Monday night several members | of the company organised a miscellaneous farewell entertainment at the Garrison Hall, where a large audience attended. Mr Hoskins delivered a very able address on 44 The Unseen Characters of Shakespeare,” for wMch he was rewarded with loud and long-con-tinued applause. Mr J. J. Wallace figured in two recitations, happily selected as affording scope for bold humour and genuine pathos. “ Little Banahar Chapel,” an original adaptation (if such a term be permissible) from an incident in Samuel Lover’s “ Handy j Andy,” was an excellent character recital, j and both in that and “ Christmas Carols” (by 1 Mrs 8. P. Snow) Mr Wallace gave evidence j of power in lines far removed from the low ! comedy in which he frequently appears. Mr \ T. Hamilton gave Mrs Norton’s well-known i and beautiful “ Bingen on the Rhine” with ; appropriate feeling, and Mr Leake essayed a ' character song, “ Simon the Cellarer,” in I which he indisputably pleased his audience, j although not by-Ms vocal proficiency. A sub- F sequent recitation, 41 The Vagabond and his dog,” was also given with moderate success. I Mr Pickersgill, in addition to an introductory j and concluding address, favoured the com- { pany with an original and amusing character j sketch, 14 Ten Minutes with the Actors,” in i which be mimicked with varying success the i voices and mannerisms of several stage cele- j brities. In one or two—notably that of Mr j Hoskins—he was singularly happy, and gave evidence of extraordinary versatility. The j concluding reading was given by Mr Thomas Bracken, who had consented to appear as an aid friend of the promoter, and he selected I Whittier’s “ Barbara Fritchie," a piece which | he has previously recited with great success ■ in Dunedin. It was given with expression and good elocutionary power, and concluded a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment.— Thompson’s Diorama of the Zulu War opened at Timarn on Wednesday night to a capital house.—Mr De Lias’ Speciality Company, with Mr D. H. Harkins in the lead, are now at tho Princess Theatre, Dunedin. Business fairly good.—Lyon’s Tourists are to open at the Queen’s Theatre, Dunedin, this evening.

There is but a small modicum of dramatic no ws to hand by the mail from Sydney which arrived during the week. The late st information respecting the various places of amusement is summarised in the “ Herald ” of Jan. 20 as follows“ In each theatre the managers seem to have been fortunate in selecting, for production works which suit the public taste, for at none has there been a change of programme during the last few weeks. Sinbad the Sailor is likely to run at the Theatre Boyal for an indefinite period, and at the Gaiety Theatre The Green Lanes of England will be kept on for some time longer, and will be succeeded by a grand spectacular drama. Patience, at the Opera House, has lost none of its attractiveness, and last night the performance was under the patronage of the commodore and officers of the flagship Nelson. Blue Beard, at the Queen’s Theatre, will bo performed this evening for the benefit of Mr Charles F. Ooutls, the clown, who has been such a source of fun to patrons of this place of amusement. On Saturday next the last matinee performance of the pantomime will be given, and on the 28th inst. Miss Ada Ward, whoso admirable acting is well remembered here, will make her reappearance on the Sydney stage, and play the principal part in a new drama.”—On Saturday last Pinafore was to bo revived for a short season at the Opera House. —The Patience Company were to leave for New Zealand immediately after the close of the season at the Opera House on Jan. 27. — The Green Lanes of England at the Gaiety Theatre will probably be followed by the sensational drama Michel Strogoff, which is to occupy the boards till the close of Mr Dampier’s season at Baster.—Mr Allison has for the present abandoned his projected trip to Europe, and is making preparations to produce Antony and Cleopatra on a grand scale at the Theatre Boyal during the present month. Miss Pomeroy and several members of the company recently supporting her in this Colony are, it is said, engaged for tbo season. Mr G. L. Goodman is to be acting manager and treasurer.—Phil. Stuart (says a Sydney paper) has gone to Melbourne to take the management of a big thing to travel. Said to be a comedy company—and to include Myra Kemble and W. Hoskins. Mr Maccabo continues to draw crowded houses at the Academy of Music, Adelaide. —

Hudson’s Surprise Party are doing a fairly good business at the Theatre Boyal, Adelaide. —The Pantomime at Brisbane (says an exchange) having run its course, Pinafore was put on with great splendour, and has proved a furious success. There is good stuff in this crowd, including, as it does, Rejuvenescent James, Vernon Beid, Edith Pender and Emma Bogors.—-Bt Leon’s Circus is at Forbes.-—The Clara Stephenson Company made money at Dnbbo. When last heard from they wore at Armidale.

OUB MBLBOUKNE DBAMATIO LETTER

[PBOM OUB OWH 00BB|8P0»DBHT.] 44 Remo me impnne laoossit. 14

Mhmoubns, Jan. 24, 1882.

The hr at during the past, week, both day and night, has been almost insufferable, and has had a visible effect for tho worse on the artists engaged at our different places of amusement, and on tho naturally slim audiences that have attended their performances. For some days tho thermometer has been higher than has previously been known for neariy 18 years. The run of tho pantomime has nearly ended at tho Princess’. Mr Marshall will withdraw Pick Whittington and his Cat on Friday evening, and on Saturday will court the approval of his patrons by reviving tho late Sterling Coyne’s comedy of Everybody'* Friend, which was first presented in this Colony by Mr Joseph Jefferson. Mr Fred Marshall will, of course, appear as Major Wellington de Boots, a part in which he has not yet appeared in Australia. The company will be the same as in the last dramatic season, and will include Mrs George Gordon, Mr Titheradge, Mr Grattan (O’Brien), and other well-known favourites. I note that the management give out this comedy—Everybody's Friend—at The Major , which certainly is not its name, although the Major is the principal character. The Bijou Theatre follows suit, and brings its pantomime season to a cloro on Friday evening, when Miss Carry Nelson (Mrs MoFadyen) will take a benefit, and in addition to the pantomime of Gulliver, will appear in a musical comedy. On the following evening Mr J. B. Howe and Miss Julia Hayward (Mrs J. B. Howe) will commence a dramatic season, an* present a play entirely new to the Melbourne stage In connection with this gem of a playhouse, I learn that Mr and Mrs G. B. W. Lewis will shortly retire from its management, in consequence of their early departure for Europe. Already Mr Lewis’s valuable houses and properties are announced to be sold by auction on Thursday next. By the way, I told you in my last that Mr M’Fadyen, the actor, and husband of Miss Carry Nelson, had been fined £lO or a month’s imprisonment for an assault on a solicitor. Well, as he could not raise the rex pecuniariiim, andjfor his benefit and good his friends would not, he is doing the term at a suburban retreat at the north end of the city. The Christmas presentation at the Theatre Boyal, thanks to tho splendid scenery by Mr John Hennings, the magnificent dresses, the good acting, bye-play and gags of Miss Georgia Smithson, and Messrs Greville and Oily Deering and the splendid vocalisation of Miss Docy Stewart still attracts considerable public attention. If it had been left to the flimsy writing, bald jokes and wretched attempts at wit on the part of the adapter, “ Joseph Brown, Biq.,’’ to pay the treasury, the management would look very glum at the returns. It is said that this is the first attempt at writing for the stage on the part of “Joseph Brown, Esq.,” and I hope and trust for the sake of our long-suffering community and Ms own reputation that it will be the last. It is intended, I learn, to run the pantomime at least for another fortnight. By the way, the generous example of Mr Fred Marshall, in giving free admission to the Princess Theatre to the children of our charities, has had the effect of opening the hearts of the managers of the Theatre Boyal, who notify that 41 School children of Frahran and the neighbouring districts will be admitted to the dress circle and upper circle of the theatre at the nominal charge of one shilling each.” Well done, Mr Fred Marshall ; your liberal example has to a very great extent been speedily followed up.

Messrs Harwood and John Wallace, the managers of the Opera House, are much to be congratulated on the great success attending the production of Olivette, which has been mainly attained by the really excellent acting and singing of Miss Nellie Stewart and Messrs Brenner, John Wallace, and H. B. Harwood. At the conclusion of the Olivette esason I hear that Messrs Wybert Reeve and D. H. Harkins will in conjunction produce the comedy of The Colonel, and again that Mr J. O. Williamson’s Opera Company, now performing in Sydney, will appear for a season pf Patience. I learn that Mr A. T. Dunning, of your Colony, has not yet completed arrangements with Messrs Harwood and Wallace’s Opera Company for a tour through New Zealand. Mr Dunning is also in treaty with Mr Fred Maccabe for a professional visit. Wilson’s Circus, after a three months’ tour of New South Wales, has arrived in Melbourne, and will open for day and night performances this day. Tho posters out are really magnificent, and report speaks well of the artists engaged. Mr Wilson’s own popularity will no doubt ensure public support, but backed up by a good performance, a brilliant season may fairly be anticipated. Mr George Ooppin has engaged the ExMbition building for “an old English fair." Mr Montague Browne, late agent for Miss i Ada Ward, is actively engaged in the undertaking, which will take place early next month.

It is stated, and on very good authority, that the lease of the Opera House here for a lengthened period will shortly fall into the hands of Mr James Allison, who will work it in conjunction with the Theatre Boyal, Adelaide, of which he is the present lessee, and a theatre in Sydney, in opposition to Messrs J. 0. Williamson, Gamer and 00., the future lessees of the Theatre Boyal, Melbourne. Well, the competition for public support will keep things pretty lively if this statement prove correct.

The Pollard Lilliputian Opera Company close their season this week at Hudson’s Theatre, and will leave this day for Adelaide to give a series of operatic performances at the Theatre Boyal in that city. At the Academy of Music, last night, Mr Dewhurst commenced a six nights season, and opened in Biehelieu , On the 18th instant, Mr J. Dewhurst, accompanied by Mr J. F. Cathcart, commenced an engagement for six nights at the Boyal Princess’ Theatre, Sandhurst, opening with Biehelieu, During the week he has also appeared as Othello and Bhylock. Amongst the company engaged are Messrs G. B. Ireland, J. G. Joyce, D. J. Barry, A. J. Byrne, J. W. Foley, J. H. Clifford, and Charles Bussell; Miss Flora Anstead (Mrs J. W. Dodge), and Miss Emma Bronton (Mrs J. G. Joyce). The lessees of the establishment are Messrs Dodge and M'Martin; general manager, Mr J. W. Dodge; stage manager, Mr G. B. Ireland. Very shortly Mr Bland Holt will return from Sydney, and will produce New Babylon and The World at this theatre.

The Exhibition Theatre, Geelong, ig at present tenanted by the Baphaol English Opera Company, The operas produced hare been La Fills de Madame Angot , Maritana, Martha , and M.M.B. Pinafore, and I leam that the business has been exceptionally good. The Ideal Operetta Company, engineered by Mr Willie E. Chapman (late of the Wilhelmj Concert Company)—including Miss Kate Thayer (Mrs W. E. Chapman), Miss Florence Acton, Messrs W, E. Chapman, 0. H. Boyd (violin), J. Barrington, and Signor Zelman (conductor)— is now making a tour through tno Western district. Lately they have been giving their entertainments at the Orderly Boom, Warrnambool, and in Hamilton, Portland, and Horsham.

It is currently reported that Mr Charles Turner, the eminent tenor vocalist, accompanied by his wife (Miss Annis Montague), will in April next take a short lease of the Bijou Theatre from Mr 0. B. W. Lewis, with the intention of giving a series of English and Italian operas. It is to be hoped, most sincerely, that the rumour may prove correct, for the Melbourne public have not yet had a

fair opportunity of totting the vocal abilities of the artists named. There it nothing new in the theatrical world, writes Mra Cashel Hoey from London under date Deo. 2 last. Later in the month wo had several novelties in prospect. I deeply regret to say that Mrs Sothern-—the widow of the famous' aotor who died so recently, and the mother of Mr Lytton Sothern, who was so well known at Mel* bourne, and retains a grateful recollection of the kindness he received there—-is dying. Her illness has boon a long and severe one, borne with cheerful courage, and soothed by the devotion of her son an* daughter, and the sympathy and attachment of the numerous mends of one whose personal beauty was the least of her many charms. Late advices from America tell of the decease of the well-known actor, MrJ. H. Vinson, husband of the late Miss Kate Wards, and father of the graceful young actress, Miss Kate Vinson, of this city. Ho was found dead in a saloon (No. 868, Sixth avenue) adjoining Booth’s Theatre, Now York, on Nov. 21 last. After entering the place about midnight he was suddenly taken ill and was placed on a lounge. Some remedies were applied and two of the attendants remained with him until about three o’clock, when be felt better. He asked permission to remain there for the night, which was agreed to, and he was looked in. When the place was opened at daybreak he was found dead. No inquest was held, at the medical men decided that death resulted from natural causes. At the time of his death Mr Vinson was 62 years of age. In the early days of the old Theatre Boyal, Melbourne, under the proprietorship of the builder, Mr John Black, the stage management was in the hands of Mr Vinson, who was recognized as one of the leading “ old men ”of the Australian stage. After a long sojourn at Ballarat and other upcountry towns he left Australia for America, and was for many years connected with the Californian stage. In December, 1880, he migrated to Now York, being engaged by Mr Abbey to appear at Booth’s Theatre in The Passion play, which, however, was not produced, in deference to public opinion, which was against it. Compensation was, however, made to Mr Vinson by the management, but since then fate has run counter to him, as for some months prior to his decease he had been without engagement. W. H. W.