DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 193, 12 March 1904, Page 14

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footlight.

IT was either the reputation of the Hol'oway Dramatic Company or the hold which "The Two Little Vagabonds ' have already gained upon the" public heart, or, mayhap, it was the combined effect pf both influences. At any rate, there was a full array of seats, both below and above stairs on Tuesday night to see the start of the new dramatic seaso.i, Circus attractions to the contrary notwithstanding. The audience were not disappointed. There is a youthful look about this dramatic combination, and for the most part it is youth of very promising talent and distinct cleverness. Let there be no mistake about it. As for the old faces, they are all old favourites. • * * "The Two Little Vagabonds" is mounted in a style that leaves nothing to be desired. And the smoothness and realism of the action are quite on a par with the mounting. In both points, the present production stands the fullest comparison, with the presentation of the Sims-cum-Shnley drama with which one of Mr. J. C. Williamsons carefully selected troupes toured the colonies seve>ral years ago, and drew many tears from the ladies and gathered in abundant shekels. Sooth to say, there were many feminine eyes- suffused with moisture on Tuesday night, much furtive work for more or less fashionable h indkerchief s wh le the lights were lowered and, as for the shekels, the treasury department was very busy, thank you. Of course, you know the pith of the story? How a young married woman helps a sister-in-law to conceal an event that happened in pre-nuptial days. How the impetuous husband of the innocent young married woman jumps to the wrong conclusion, and, with a curious idea of revenge, bribes a surprised burglar to kidnap his child. This is the start of one little vagabond. The other is his mate. There is much searching after the lost ewe lamb a good deal of blackmail is levied by the scalawags who have it, some pathetic touches in the case of mistaken identity which leads to the adoption of the wron^ lad, and much heart-wringing as in the end he lays down his life for his new-found friends. •' * * Miss Beatrice Holloway and Miss Sophie Lashmore played with signal success their associated of the two little vagabonds — Dick, the little lad transferred from luxury into thieving, and Wally, the child of misery and victim of consumption. Miss Holloway has a petite figure, and her fresh young voice and winsome oval face lend themselves easily to the boyish role which she plays to the life without the least taint or suspicion of staginess. Her action is perfectly easy and natural — no gaucherie or self-consciousness about it. Miss Lashmore furnishes a companion portrait of great merit and her acting in the dying scene invested it with real pathos. • • • Miss Ida Gresham, who took the part of the sorely-tried mother, is already a favourite of the Wellington public, and sustained her reputation by earnest and forcible action. Miss Irby Marshall, who appeared as Barbara Scarth, is a graceful young actress, who, although only four months o_n the stage, has already won high praise. She graduated from the same school of education at Sydney where Miss Alyce Holroyd, of Wellington, finished her course. • • • Mr. Godfrey Cass (Captain Darvill©) and Mr. Vivian Edwards (Geo. Thornton, the impetuous young husband) are both well set-up young actors, of the intense school , who rl^ ample justice to their tailor, don't murder the King's English, and easily win the sympathetic admiration of the feminine heart. No need to introduce Mr. John P. O'Neill, a popular favourite on both sides of the Tasman Sea. The house simply rose at him as he came forth from the wings in the role of Bill Mullins, alias "the Gaffer," an unctuous rogue to whom nothing comes amiss. Mr. O'Neill was born a low comedian, and he simply can't help it. He merely looks at you, and a titter shakes the house ; he opens his mouth, and the "gods" yell with delight. Needless to say, all his points went straight home right up to the hilt.

Frank Hawthorne was his able lieutenant as "the Cough Drop," and Mr. John Hesford's stammer as Dido Bunce was simply all right. Miss Florence Failing's Biddy Mullins, and Mr. C. R. Stanford's John Scarth are the only other parts inviting special mention. Let me not forget to salute the orchestra, which, under Mr. Frank Eugarde, furnishes a nice confection of music in a very satisfying style. The first change of bill takes place on Monday night, when "Why Woman Sins" goes up. • • * Wirth Bros. Cucus, Menagerie, and Travelling Zoo have the largest circus tent ever seen in New Zealand. As the monstious green house was filled to overflowing, and every available chair and bit of board brought in to make extra seating accommodation on Monday night, you will gather that Wirths 'drew some people. Although the astounding Howard Bros, have been here before, their turn is perhaps the most eagerly followed. One brother sits in the centre of the big ring blindfolded, and the other, with great rapidity passes through the audience, hundreds of people who keep on handing him odds and ends it is impossible he or his brother have ever seen before. * * * The rapidity and minuteness with which the articles are described is startling. Thus "You aie looking at a ring — a gold ring. It has the word •Mother' in raised letters on it. . . You are looking at a cheque, it is numbered (correct number given), and the amount stated is £16 7s sd. . . That watch was given to the gentleman as a present. His aunt gave it him. The name of his aunt is Mary." And so on as fast as the telepathist can talk. Herr Pagel is a most impressive strong man. He is large and fair, smooth and well-nurtured. His proportions are not unsightly or abnormal, and his weights are genuine. Calls for "Jimmy" Doyle were made to lift the big Pagel weight. Others tried, and failed to win the £50 challenge. Mr. Doyle merely went into the ring to testify that Hen Pagel is the only "genuine strong man who has come to New Zealand in twenty-five yeais," and Mrs. Pagel, who watched her doughty young husband, beamed on "Jimmy." But, Herr Pagel in his lion act is sensational. The lion is a big fellow, and remarkably 111-tempeied. Her Pagel relies entirely on courage, strength, and quickness to grab the huge beast, for he is no animal-tamer He has no whips, irons, or weapons but his own powerful aims. He enters the cage expanded to his full size, darts with lightning rapidity at the great yapping, sna-rllng, evillookmg lion, and, seizing his jaw, opens it to its full extent, an agitated gurgle coming from the beast's cavernous throat. Then he lets go, and the enraged beast lashes round the bars with its dog companion. The big man. dives again, and, lifting the beast, holds him high above his head. Mrs. Pagel anxiously opens the door, the strong man hurls the great cat into his little cage, and he is safe once moie. "Thank God!" says Mrs. Pagel. * * * The Cherokee Kid is a slim chap, who toddles into the ring with a couple of lassoes, and does anything in the roping line with them, talking all the time. He gets near, fore, or off fore-leg of a falloping horse, or loops the rider — or oth — with a lassoo thrown with either hand. Also, he afterwards throws a half-hitch over each of a dismounted man's limbs. He is the most expert rope-thrower seen here to date. Moreover, his rough riding, on a grey_ mustang wearing a Mexican saddle, is very fine. # * * M. Rogalle gives a "nervy" act with his three fine Bengal tigers, one of which walks a tight-rope. He harnessed two of the snapping beasts, and a third drives them. Also, he makes the lion lie down with the lamb, or rather the goat. The beautiful horses, the fine serpentine and butterfly dances on horseback, by Miss Wirth, the boxing ponies, the bucking elephant, the jumping dogs, the finished acrobats, and the extraordinary ladder-balancing by the Cantons, all excite the utmost interest. The Ministry was well represented at the circus on Monday ni<?ht, for Sir Josph Ward, and the Hons. J. McGowan, J. Carroll, and C. H. Mills handed up their little keepsakes to the Howard Bros. # * * The esteem in which Mr George Dean, the well-known actor-vocalist, and his clever wife (Miss Ethel Gwynne) are held in Wellington was shown by the benefit tendered to them by amateur and professional friends at the Exchange Hall on Saturday evening last. Despite the unpropitious weather, the attendance was good, and the programme a really capital one. Miss Beatrice Vartha and Miss Hilda Fraser were the pianistes and both were at their best. Miss Jessie Thorne, well-known on the Dix circuit as a dashing comedian, contributed bright items, and Miss Ethel Gwynne (Mrs. Dean) co-operated with

her husband in fetching the "gods" with their lively musical sketches. As for George himself, he had to run, through quite a list of topical songs before they would let him off. The other gentlemen performers included Messrs. Stilling Duff, Dudley Trent, Bob Hall, E. Hill, C. Naujoks, J. Williams, and Fleming. * • • That popular actress, Miss Fitzmaurice Gill, with a strong dramatic company and a fine repertoire of new pays, obtained direct from Mr. W. J. Holloway, at London, is due m Wellington for the Easter season. She will open in either "The Bank of England" or "A Sister's Sacrifice," both strong dramas, and promises also to produce "The Serpent's Coil," "The Girl of My Heart," and "Bearing Her Cross." * • Mr. Jch 1 Prou:e, of Wellington, made his debut at St. James's Hall, London, on January 28th last, in a concert given by Madame Kalhwoda, under the management of Mr. Hugo Gorktz, who is Amy Sherwin's husband if I mistake not. Mr. Prouse's contributions were the "Pilgrim's Song" (Tschaikowsky), and then, biacketted together, "When the Swallows Homeward Fly" (Maude Valeric White), and "Prince Ivan's Song" (Allitsen). "The Daily Telegraph" says "Madame Kalliwoda was assisted bv Mr. John Prouse, a baritone hailing from New Zealand who nas a good voice, and enunciates clearly. By his artistic treatment of Tschaikowsky's very beautiful "Pilgrim's Song" he crepttd a favourable impression."