DRAMATIC NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6874, 12 March 1883, Page 3

DRAMATIC NEWS.

The Jennie Lee Company are to remain at the Theatre Royal till March 28, and will, it ia expected, be succeeded by Stanley and Darhysure’s Juvenile Opera Company. The latter wish to open here for the race week and, being unable to obtain the Royal before the 29th, may play their first week at the Gaiety, afterwards changing their quarters to the Boyal. The following extract from the “ Oamsru Mail ” refers to a young lady who appeared several times as an amateur in Oamaru, and who subsequently joined Miss Pomeroy’s Company for the Indian tour The friends of Miss Nelly Harper, who, it will be remembered, recently adopted the theatrical profession, and is now a member of the Pomeroy Company, Will be pleased to hear that she has met with great success in India. Files of the Calcutta papers have been sent us, which declares that all speak in mo it favourable terms of Miss Harper’s representation «f Cynisca in Pygmalion and Galatea, The “Englishman,” for example, says that “Mias Harper supported Miss Pomeroy in a way which promises a brilliant career for the young lady. She possesses, in a high degree, both the physical and the mental requirements of an actress —a fine presence, a graceful carriage, a powerful, clear, and sympathetic voice, united to a keen insight, a nice appreciation and command of the subtleties of tone, and a capacity for painstaking, evident in her every gesture and inflection.” The “ Indian Daily News ” also says ; “ Mies Harper Is a tower of strength to the Company. Her Cynisca fairly divided the honours of the evening with Miss Pomeroy.” And the “Statesman" said:— “Miss Nelly Harper very much enhanced the favourable opinion we have been led to form of her capabilities aa an actress. She is undoubtedly a talented and charming actress, and her elocutionary powers are considerable. She created a most favourable impression as Oy nisoa." On the day following the production of Pygmalion and Galatea , Miss Pomerov and Miss Harper were the guests of the Viceroy at a picnic held ia their honour. During the “ special dramatic season ” of the Jenny Nye Company at the Opera House, Auckland, Aurora Floyd and The Octoroon were produced. The season was only a short one.—Woodyear and Boss’ Royal Australian Circus re-appeared in Auckland on March 3 to a crowded house. Since their last visit to Auckland several new features have been introduced into the performances.— Maooabo opened at the Opera House, Auckland, on Tuesday evening to a large audieno). —Simonson’s Opera Company still continue to draw fair houses at the Theatre Royal, Auckland. On March 2 Madame Simonson had a fainting fit just after the rendering of the principal solo in The Hermit's Pell, and the performance was brought to an abrupt close. Pinafore was performed on March 3, and on March 6 Poaoaccio was produced for the first time in Auckland. The Company are likely to pay Gisborne a visit for a week, provided a hall or theatre containing a stage sufficiently large for the proper mounting of the pieces to be. played there can be obtained.—Mr Maooabo closed a very successful season at the Theatre Royal, Napier, on March 3.—Mr Archibald Forbes gave his concluding lecture, “ All Europe in Arms,” in Wanganui on March 1. His season was very successful, from a monetary point of view.—A local Christy Minstrel Troupe, entitled the “Masterton Ethiopian Serenadors,” has been formed at Masterton.—At Morton, the week night services in St Peter’s Church were put off on the occasion of Mr Forbes'lecture there.—Stanley and Darbyshire's Juvenile Opera Company made their first appearance in H.M.S Pinafore at the Theatre Boyal, Wellington, on Feb. 26. On Fob. 28 Lts Cloches dee Corneville was performed, and on March 5 the pantomime Jack the Giant Hiller was substituted for it. Business so far has been very good.—Captain Jackson Barry is lecturing in the townships of the WestOoast.—The Willmottcombmatleu is still on the West Coast,— Tambour Major was replaced at the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on March 8 by Patience. Mr Drayton was still too unwell to appear, and Qrosvenor was taken by Mr Laurence. Ho was only a partial success. The local papers speak highly of the acting and singing of the other members of the Company, but think the piece suffers when the present rendition of it is compared with Williamson’s. Good houses have bean the rule. The Pollards Juvenile Opera Company ate playing at Brisbane.—The Towers season at •the Gaiety Theatre, Sydney, closed on Feb. 23 with a farewell benefit to Miss Rosa Towers. A grand special performance was given on the occasion, and Mr Sheridan took part in it. Miss Towers next appears in Melbourne.— Henry V, continues to draw good house* at the Theatre Boyal, Sydney.—Mr W. E. Sheridan made his ro-appeap»noe at the Gaiety Theatre, Sydney, on Fan. S 3, when Tie Corel • oa« Brothers was played. Tbs season will only be a short one.—The Polks are doing good business at the Opera House, Sydney.— The “ Sydney Morning Herald ” of Feb. 24 says i—At the Gaiety Theatre last night a lady was made the victim of a disgraceful act

of lonrikinum. She occupied a teat on the floor of the house, and daring an interval between the act* a bottle, thrown from the gallery by a larrikin, struck her on the head, untieing an ugly wound. She wai carried out of the theatre amidit considerable excitement. Medical attendance wae procured, and eventually the recovered sufficiently to be taken home. In the meantime the larrikin had made hie escape, bat he ie known to the police.Mr B, 8. dmvthe arrived at Sydney on Feb. 26 from Auckland, having made arrangement! for the remainder of Mr Archibald Forbes' Hew Zealand tour, Mr Forbee will return to Melbourne in about three week*.—Miee Kbits Juno opened at the Academy of Mutio, Sydney, on Feb. 24, in Jeannie Deant, or A Sitter i Devotion, The piece hae not been produced in Australia before,— Boccaccio continue* to draw good bouses at Adelaide.— The Egyptian War Diorama is only doing moderate business at the Academy of Mutio, Adelaide.—Johnny Moran, the well-known Irish comedian, died in Adelaide in January, He was blind, and in very poor circumstances when his death took place.—Mr George Darrell has concluded a successful teaiou at Hobart. After a very satisfactory two months' season at the Theatre Boyal, Hobart, the Dodge Dramatic Company left on Feb. 26 for Launceston, where tney opened on the following day in Lei Atirag, Hext night Mr Grattan Biggs appeared for four nights in his New York sensational drama The Iritk Detective, —Tho last weeks of the exhibition of the Mirror of the Zulu War at Hobart are announced. The inaugural performance of the Montague Turner Company at the Theatre Boyal, Hobart, on Feb. 26, woe not well attended. The attendances have, so far, been only moderate. Prior to appearing in Hobart the' Company played at Launceston for a few nights to crowded bouses.—Mr John Foley is giving his entertainment in the townships near Hobart. OUE MELBOUEHH DSAMATIO LETTISH. [raou ottb own oobbespoiojbst.] "Nsmo me impose lacesait." Mbxhotokb, Feb. 21,1883. On Friday evening lost, to the great satisfaction of numbers of playgoers, the pantomime season came to an end st the Theatre Boyal. On the following evening (daturday) a marked contrast was made in the programme. Grand Italian Opera was again introduced, after a lapse of some three years. Bossini's grand opera, It Bariiere de Seviglia was the initial performance of the Cagli-Paoli Italian troupe, the oast being as follows : Eosins, Signora Matilda Boy Gilbert j Figaro, Signor Ignario Vigsnotti; Comte Almaviva, Signor Enrico Bbmoia; Ddn Basilio, Signor Filippo Graziosi ; Don Bartolo, Signor David Benferreri ; Berta, Signora Rachele Benedetti ; Sergente, Signor Alfredo BorzonL The performance was but a meets Settime, many ef the artists being seemingly oat of voice. The prima donna, however, showed herself to be an artiste of high rank. Verdi’s serious opera, Aida, is underlined for the next presentation. On Saturday night also, charming Miss Emilie Melville commenced what promises to be a most successful opera bouffe season, at the Opera House. She presented You Suppe’s spectacular opera Faianitza in a style never excelled on the Australian stage. Miss Melville has gathered round her a large and excellent Company. The sensation of theevening was unquestionably the first appearance in the Australian Colonies of Miss Grade Hoisted, a prima donna of petite but splendid appearance, accompanied by most charming vocalisation. The new comer appeared as the Princess, and fairly divided the honours of the evening with Miss Melville. I was really glad to see that Mr Oaselli had so far recovered his health as “ to be about,” (hough not to resume the active duties of his profession. On the opening night of the Melville Opera season he was supervising the “ free list ’’ at the dress circle entrance, and condoling with the doorkeepers on (he heaviness of their duties. The Ad Byman-Olorke-lawton company of minstrels and Irish comedians finish their season at the Bijou on Thursday next, when the troupe migrate to Adelaide. St George's Hall and the handsome Victoria Hail are still closed. A telegram from Sydney says:—“ Mr J. Allison, of Adelaide, has just completed arrangements for the erection of the new theatre to be known as Her Majesty’s, at the corner of Pitt and Market streets. The estimated cost is £60,000. Mr G. B. Johnson, the well-known theatrical architect, will be the designer of the buildings, which are to include a palatial hotel. All tho money required for the venture was obtained within a few hours from several Sydney citizens who approve highly of the speculation. A late communication from Bombay states that a number of the members of the Dramatic Company now pteying at the Gaiety Theatre in that city, are bent on visiting Australia and Now Zealand, in search of professional engagements, as all India is overdone. The names of the Company are as follows : —Miss Agnes Birohenough, Miss Madge Antoinette, Miss Gertrude Dor£, Miss Edith Wilson, and Miss Hampden; Messrs H. B. Teesdale, J. S. Hewitt, S. Sievier, 0. Cartwright, and A. T. Tapping. Mblxovbkx, Feb 28,1853, The Grand Italian Opera Company will not, 1 fancy, create a great sensation. As histrionic artistes many of them are excellent, especially the comedians, but as vocalists one must write of them in the past tense—and a very long past too. They are almost all of them only remembrances of dayrf gone by. No young and lively voices among them. Unfortunately of late years—at least so far as the lyric drama is concerned—the general opinion in the old world has been that anything will do for Australia. All a mistake. Artistes who have worn themselves out by long and incessant labour in the old world had much better keep.there, because their advent in this new world leads to loss to the artistes, and possibly to the managements, and annoyance and weariness to the audience. Verb, tap. Since my last Verdi’s serious opera Aida has been produced, introducing three more of the opera troupe in the persons of Signora Marietta, 8011 l Paoti, and Signora Clementina Prampolini. This work was considered by the impressario* sufficiently successful to be played during the whole of last week. Last Monday night, however, Lucia di Lammermoor was presented. Before the opera season closes, it is, 1 learn, the intended to produce, if possible, a revival of Bossini’s Don Oiovanni, and for that purpose tho management have secured the services of Signor Verdi, to represent the hero of the work—apart in which Signor Verdi has never been excelled on the Melbourne stage. The last nights of The Mascoiie are now on. On Friday night next it will be per. formed lor the last time, and on the following evening a revival will take place of Audran’s charming open oomique, Olivette, The character of the heroine has been entrusted to Mrs Dr Warren (is ie Agnes Mitchell) specially engaged. Mr Greville will also appear in the opera, vice Mr Harwood, who will take a well-earned and well-deserved rest. 1 regret to hear that Mrs Williamson (Mies Maggie Moore) has determined never again to appear in her professional capacity in Melbourne. She has gone to Sydney, where the Williamsons have provided themselves with a perfect, peaceful, and comfortable home. She has absolutely broken down under (ho bitter, unmanly, and uncalled for attacks mode upon her hr a section of the Melbourne Brass. That such a benevolent and charming ladv and excellent actress, should have felt herself compelled to take thin step is a publio misfortune. The Bijou Theatre will be re-opened on Saturday evening next with a new and select Company under the management of Mr Frank Towers, late manager of tho Gaiety Theatre, Sydney. The troupe will bo known as the Bosa Towers Company. The opening piece will be Mr Frank Scudamore s great sensational English drama entitled Ftghhng house* are Bo » th ® day at the Opera House, where -Fafinjfza has thoroughly got the people by the wool Stage versus Trass, The case of Moul .

against Moore for assault again can* before the Bench of Magistrates in the City Police Court on Monday last. The building woe filled to its utmost limits, a large number of members of the dramatic and masieal professions being present. The matter u time reported James E. Moore was charged with having assaulted Mr Alfred Moul, the wellknown musical critic. Dr Madden prosecuted, and Mr Purve* defended the accused. 'The evidence of Mr Moule and a number of other witnesses conclusively proved that on the evening of the 17th inet, juet oe Mr Moul was leaving the Opera House, he was met by the defendant, who, without the slightest provocation, struck him in a most cowardly manner in the face and below the left ear, which so completely staggered Mr Moul that he was unable to defend himself. Some of the defendant’s acquaintances were present, and urged him on in his unmanly attack by crying out, “ Give it to him, Jim.” After the defendant had committed the assault be disappeared, and Mr Moul was conveyed home, where hi* injuries, whi-h consisted of a black eye and several 'bruises, were attended to by Dr Fisher. Mr Purvee asked Mr Moul if ho would bo willing not to pres* the charge if the defendant made him a public apology and paid hi* costs, to which Mr Moul most generously assented. The bench, however, insisted on the case going on, and on the conclusion of the addresses of counsel on either side, the Magistrates adjourned for a quarter ef aa hour. Upon resuming, Mr Panton, the Stipmdary Magistrate and Chairman, said—“ I have to say that the Bench is unanimous in the decision lam about to give. We consider from the evidence that a premeditated and most cowardly assault was committed on the complainant, and our feeling wae, on bearing the evidence, that nothing would meet the cose but imprisonment. Wo wish men coming from the other side of the Pacific slope to clearly understand that in this country we will not allow them to take tho law Uto their own hands. If they have any cause of gieraaee let them appeal to the court* of w and they will find their satisfaction there. In consequence, however, of the statement on the part of Mr Mod in this case that he does not wish the defendant imprisoned, the Bench do not wish to make aa order for imprisonment, bat they impose the heaviest fine the law admits of— £lO 10s with £lO 10* costs, or in default three months’ imprisonment. Perhaps this will he a lesson to men like the defendant, and we trust that we will not have anything of this sort in this port of the world again.” By the way, our dear old friend J. C. Baiuer is once more amongst us, after a very satisfactory tour through Queensland with his Diorama of the American War. It will leave this to-day for a tour through Hew Zealand, engineered by Mr William South, the well-known manager and actor. The following extract from a late letter, received from Adelaide, tells of the movements of the Dunning Oomic Opera Company: —“Since our opening, business ho* been excellent, but the non-appearance of oar old friend and favourite comedian Johnny Wallace, and the absence of the tenor of whom we have heard so much, Mr Knight Aston, were indeed disappointments. Miss Kate Chord, as Boccaccio, nightly carries all before her. She is iudeed first favourite here. Miss Josephine Deakin acts and sings well, and se does Mr Loredan, though he has sot a strong voice. Mr Appleby is one of the driest comedians ever seen in Adelaide—a very Compton of the stage. There bare been signs lately of a rumpus on the stage, caused thusly: Miss Chard is now deservedly in the hey-day of her fame here, and efforts have been made to compel her to take a rest. Outside influence has been brought to bear, bat with no effect, as Miss Chard insists on her rights, and Banning to his credit, sticks by her. 1 believe some of the fast and sporting men wish to see another—woman in the part.” In the well known three act farce written some few years back by Mr W. 8. Gilbert, and entitled, The Wedding March, there is a character by name, I think, Bopaddy, who throughout the piece is continually watching the blandishments and quarrelling* of a pair intended for marriage. The day is fixed, and to bis satisfaction he exclaims, “It’s on again”—another tiff—and he announces, “Ho, it’s off again,” all through the play. How for some time past I must acknowledge that so for as our respected citizen and comedian, Mr George Coppin, and his intended visit to the land of the Maoris is concerned, I have been a veritable Bopaddy to the “Canterbury Times.” But now I con say with a certainty, “It is off,” as the honorable gentleman bos just been elected at the head of the pell as member for the Legislative Assembly for East Melbourne. The elections took place on ffhursdaj lost, with the following result: Mr George Coppin, IS3S; Mr F. Walsh (one of tho late members), 991; and Mr E. L. Zox (also one of the late momb«r«), 1337. The two highest were elected. Being such a great favourite with all classes of people the veteran acter’s success was received with cheer upon cheer. The following paragraph appeared in the “ Evening Herald ” of Saturday last, Feb. 2-4: —An application was made to His Honor Mr Justice Holroyd in Chambers to-day on behalf of the defendant in the action Saville v. Gill bee, to postpone it to the next sitting of the Supreme Court, on the ground that owing to the defendant’s absence in New Zealand, he would not be able to be present at the sittings which commence on the SBth inst. The action is brought by Mr Saville and his wife, who are well known in the theatrical profession, to recover £IOOO damages for alleged assault and malpractice. Mr Hodges, instructed by Messrs Lyons and Turner, appeared to make the application. Mr Hood, instructed by Mr Woolf, appeared to oppose and read affidavits showing that the plaintiff would have to break an engagement in New Zealand if the case was postponed till next sittings. His Honor ordered the ease to be set down at (he bottom of tho list, and the defendant to pay the cost of the application, and in the event of the case being made a roma.net, the defendant to pay all costs incurred up to that time. Some time since one of the choristers engaged for Miss Emilie Melville’s operatic season was summarily discharged by the latter, who was mads defendant in on action which was heard on Fob. SO, and in which she came off second best. The cose is thus related.-—"ln the case of Dawson v. Derby, heard at tbo County Court, Emilie Melville Derbv, well known in musical circles os Emilio Melville, was sued by Emma Dawson, a young woman' who had been engaged in September last for a term os a chorister in the Company at the Opera House, for breach of contract. The amount sued for was £3B, the salary fur which plaintiff was engaged being £3 per week. Shortly after tho agreement was signed it was broken, defendant’s manager alleging that the services o! plaintiff could be dispensed with at she bad not been found suitable for the position for which she was engaged. On leaving the Opera House the plaintiff was only able to obtain an engagement at (he Theatre Boyal at 15s per week. His Honor gave judgment for the amount claimed, loss the amount which plaintiff hud received from the Theatre Boyal management, the costa to be taxed.” W.H.W.