Dramatic and musical

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 847, 29 September 1916, Page 12

Dramatic and musical

By Footligl&t.

The Norwoods. THESE entertaining performers, after an absence of some three years, return to the Grand Opera House for a short season, commencing to-morrow (Saturday) evening. When last here their performance drew like the proverbial mustard plaster, filling the theatre night after night. They return with numerous fresh demonstrations of their hypnotic powers. Their season here will be a limited one. The box plan is at the Bristol Piano Company's. « • . .o © «> His Majesty's Theatre. The- singing of Miss Margaret Jewell is the outstanding feature of this week's programme at His Majesty's. Her trill is of bird-like sweetness, and her dulcet notes send her audiences into raptures nightly. Very appropriately her opening number is "Sing, Sweet Bird," which she renders with delicate charm,, following with "Ah, fors e lui," "Coming Home," and other items. Altogether this week's, bill is a very choice one. Lester Brown and Co., stage a comedietta, entitled "A Business Marriage." Their brisk enactment of this spasm carries an interested audience along to.an amusing climax. Miss Lillie Brooke varies this week her delightful caricature of feminine fashionplates so far as to. show off some charming as .well as some startling creations in female attire.- Miss Dora Oberman, another vocalist above the average, pays the penalty of popularity in encores. (Other entertaining performers include: Gerald Griffin, who sings Irish ballads with an American intonation; Orphea, a trombine and cornet player; Miss Grace Compton.. balladist; and the Cerise Sisters, high-kickers, etc. * * * * "As Yon Like It." v The production of this beautiful sylvanplay, which reveals Shakespeare, in his most. genial mood, strengthens my opinion which' "Twelfth Night" engendered that the Allan Wilkie Company are seen at their best in comedy. It. is in that domain that they appear in strongest combination. In tragedy there is a much wider interval -between stars and lesser lights. In comedy the constellation shines with'more even lustre and the general effect is more artistic and satisfying. » * * «■ . "As You Like It" is a complete contrast to "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet." It is played under-the greenwood tree at the happiest time of the •year, and is pervaded by smiles and sunshine. It ends up : with, a country dance, and the stage instead of being piled up with the dying and the dead resounds to the nuptial revels of a stage-full of young lovers. /'*•"* * ■, *. Mr. Allan Wilkie as Jaques, the melancholy philosopher, gave a splendid portraiture of the part, and delivered with masterly effect the noble soliloquy on "The Seven Ages of Man," which erolced loud an<s prolonged applause. Miss Hunter-Watts, as the sweet, gracious and quick-witted Rosalind, looked winsome in her mannish disguise of doublet and hose, with hunter's horn, girded to her side, and played her part brightly and well. Miss Elwyn Harvey as Celia was a charming conjpanion. Mr. Walter Hunt sustained the role of Orlando admirably, and the love-dalli-ance with the disguised Rosalind was prettily done. . Mi*. Edward Landor 'made a. hit as Touchstone (the cleverest of all Shakespeare's jesters), and Miss Valentine Sidney gave a realistic study of Audrey, the uncouth country wench, who captures Touchstone's heart. Mr. John Cave was wise, dignified, and sententious as the Banished Duke, and Mr. F. V. Scully's Adam, the faithful old servitor, was a really excellent study. * * * ■» - The manner in which the plav was staged deserves high praise. Never has the Forest of Arden been more realistically pictured in a Wellington theatre. The scheme W'as carried out thoroughly and very artistically. "As You Like It" ran for three nights and one matinee. * * * * "Othello." '.'■■"■■ With the presentation on Wednesday and last night of Shakespeare's great tragedy of "Othello," which is the strongest dramatic exposition of the

passion of jealousy ever given to the world, the Allan Wilkie season came to an end. It has been a bright and grateful oasis in our desert of artistic commonplaces; The , performance of '•'Othello'' was marked by many merits, but at the same time was more uneven than the other productions.

Mr. Allan Wilkie was a< picturesque figure in his Oriental dress as the valiant Moor. In the softer passages he was tender; manly, and dignified in his famous "apology" speech; strong, martial, and. chivalrous,, in the warlike scenes, and a deeply-wrought man convulsed with over-mastering passion when the crafty la go had poisoned his mind with doubts of his wife's fidelity. It was a powerful impersonation, but the passages in which Othello's wrath blazes out were marred by extravagance of declamation. The shouting voice became thick and indistinct. Miss Hun-ter-Watts' Desdemona was invested with great charm and sweetness, and her lines were delivered with good effect. Mr. Walter Hunt in the difficult role of lago acquainted himself admirably, and Miss Valentine Sidney's Emilia, Mr. Vivian Edwards' Cassio. and Mr. John Cave's Montano were all excellent impersonations.

We hope that Mr. Allan : Wilkie will be persuaded to favour Wellington with another season at no distant time, and that on that occasion he will present other Shakespearian plays—sav "Macbeth." "Julius Caesar." '"Richard III." and "The Taming of the Shrew." a ■» * * "Dr. Bill." Mr. Charles Blake and the members of the New Zealand Natives' Association Dramatic Company associated with him gave a most creditable presentation of the farcical comedy, "Dr. Bill," in the Concert Chamber" of the Town Hall on Saturday, Monday, and Tues- , day. As a matter of fact, considering the disadvantages of such a small stage to operate upon, the little company did surprisingly well. The comedy is so well known that it requires no description. Mr. Blake was first-class in the nanie part, and , s carried the other performers along withhini in fine style. Mr. Prank Mason's character study of George Webster was well thought out and admirably carried through, reminding a lot of Mr. E. Pirie Bush with Mr. Fred Niblo in "Officer 666." The other male parts were well rendered by Messrs. G. Burnett, J. Andrews, John Larsen, and Leslie Holmes. First "among the ladies was Miss Roberts,,who doubled the parts of Nellie Fauntleroy and the serving maid; and the others —Misses Lillian Chapman, Ethel J. Griffiths, and Kate Kutner—capably assisted in their respective roles towards a very successful performance. In fact, the performance would well stand repetition, judging by Satui-day's fine house. •»■»*•» Miss Margaret Jewell, now warbling her. way along the Fuller Vaudeville Circuit and at present delighting Wel-lington-audiences, is a vocalist of some note. She is a Victorian and a protege of Madame Melba's. It was after winning the 1915 scholarship for singing at the • Melbourne Conservatorium that Melba took her up.. The Diva predicted a fine future for her, and towards that end _ assisted by giving her special tuition twice weekly. Melba styled her "The Little Welsh Girl," and some of the_ numbers that the great song-bird trained her in she is now singing to Wellington audiences. Her rendering of these items reveals her to be an aptpupil of an excellent teacher. *• * * » Mr. Allan Wilkie, the Shakespearian star, has the distinction of taking the first fully organised and equipped Shakespearian company through India and the Far East. This tour, originally booked for eighteen weeks, proved so highly successful that it was extended to* eighteen months. * * * * . Whispered that Mr. Walter Hunt—he of the Allan Wilkie Shakespearian Company with the shapely calves—as Romeo and Orlando and other classical stage * lovers—has set many an admiring Wellington damsel's heart in a flutter. By the way, and a propos of those calves, have you noticed how he has a penchant of standing close to the footlights with his back to the audience ? Is this to reveal his aforesaid nicely-curved nether limbs, neatly encased in doublet and hose to better advantage?, <*■ «• * » Miss Valentine Sidney, who is one of the leading_members of the Allan Wilkie Shakespearian Company, in private life is Mrs. Reynolds Denniston. Denniston himself is an actor not unknown to New Zealand. * * ■» aOscar A.sche has written a new play called "Chow, Chin, Chow," and hopes to make another "Kismet" success of it. Frederick Norton has composed music to accompany it, and there is magnificent scenery by Percy Anderson.

_ Mi-. John J. Virgo, the entertaining Y.M.p.A. lecturer, will deliver his lecture, "The Y.M.C.A. and War Work," in the Town Hall next Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. .His Excellency the Governor will preside. On Monday Mr. Virgo will be tendered a civic reception by the Mayor and Councillors in the Town Hall at 11 a.m. In the afternoon a great meeting for women will'be held, when Mr. Virgo' will tell the story/ of women and the war.

His Grace Archbishop Redwood .will. open a bazaar in the Go ring-street Hall to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon. The bazaar will be most attractive and besides the usual -fancy goods stalls there will be several entertaining sideshows and also physical drill and fancy dancing displays will be given. The bazaar will continue open ever.y evening jp to and including next Wednesday.

Mrs. Queree's Students' Concert. A charming little invitation concert was given in the Masonic Hall, Boul-cott-street, on Friday evening last by .Mrs.' E. H. Queree, the performers being her piano and singing students. The hall, which was tastefully dressed, was quite filled, and the entertainment was greatly enjoyed. In general it may be said that all the students in more or less degree manifested by their performance the careful and skilful tuition they had received. All the pieces were memorised, and the singers' production ■of voice was smooth and natural. The pianists showed confidence and taste.

4 » -» « Among the singers, Miss Rene Queree, Miss Frances Barrv, Miss Scott, and Miss Baker. Mr. Frank Charlton, Mr. Hugh Wright, Mr. Goudie, Mr. Rupert Meates, and Mr. Theo. Queree deserve -special mention for their songs. Miss Godier, Metzger, Elsie Rowell, Kutner, • Sunshine Chatwin, and Marie Petersen, and Mr. Elliott also sang acceptably. The. quintette from "The Sorcerer" Misses Barrv, Baker, Messrs. Charlton. ■Goudie, and" Wright) and the,trio from "The Yeomen of the Guard" (by Miss ■Queree and Messrs. Goudie and Queree) were brightly ' done. Pianoforte • solos were nicely executed by Miss Marie •Petersen and Mr. Leslie Holland. Mrs. Queree played all the accompaniments, .and at the close of -the concert was presented with a handsome wreath of flowers. .

Mr. Will'. Douglas, formerly manager of His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington, and now Mr. Ben Fuller's' right-hand man in Sydney, returned to a week or two ago after his visit to the United States, where he went to pick up any new ideas that Uncle Sam had to •offer, in tlie'way of vaudeville. Dressed in Uncle Sam's latest cut lie looked as if he had just, stepped- off Broadway. In fact,, it is said, a propos of his sartorial adornment, that the very first thing that Mr. Ben Fuller said to him when Will stepped off the gangway on the Sydney wharf was: "Oh, Bill, •you're the one!" During his peregrinations, Mr. Will Douglas cut out 40,000 miles in five months, which, taking into account that he spent three months in New York and Chicago, shows that, he 'iidn't let the grass grow under his feet. In his search for new wrinkles in vaudeville he travelled all over the States. even crossing the border to a small town in Mexico, where there' happened to be a bull-fight.

A propos of Allen Doone's experience in Auckland the other day, when, on the point of his departure for Sydney, officials of the Income Tax Department "bailed him up on board the steamer and relieved him of two or three hundred

pounds sterling by way of taxation on excess profits on his New Zealand- tour, Jack Cannot, the- Tivoli Follies comedian, has also a wonderful appreciation of our Income Tax Collector. When he returned on the other "shore recently after his visit to this side of the Tasman divide Jack related to his friends that the Australian Federal and State Commissioners were not too slow at getting all that is due, or likely to become due, but the New Zealand expert puts them all in the shade. The man who could get out of New Zealand with a fraction the better of the Maoriland Income Tax Department, claims Mr. Cannot, would he able to steal the back tooth of an alligator's jaw while it was sleeping. -* * _ * ** Harry and .Nellie Quealy have ' just ended a long run of four years on the Fuller Circuit. »«* . * "Marouf." a new French opera by Rabaud, has carried Stockholm by storm. Forty-two performances of it were given in the one season. Wagner came next to Rabaud with 25 performJances distributed among seven operas, "Tannhauser" leading with 10 performances. a • ° © Henry Kowalski. the Russian pianist and composer, who was "all the rage" in Sydney many years ago. died early in " July rather 'suddenly. The' French liner Lafayette, leaving Bordeaux for New York, July 8, came into collision with another vessel in the river and returned to Bordeaux for repairs. Henry Kowalski,-' who had embarked on the Lafayette for New York, on his way to Canada, where he was to give some concerts, was taken suddenly ill just after his arrival on the ship.' He was taken on shore at once and conveyed to the Saint-Andre Hospital, where he died soon afterwards." * * * * New Zealand is to see Hale Hamilton (the original "Wallingford") and Myrtle Tannehill, the J. C. Williamson Firm having decided to send this clever pair and company on a comprehensive tour of the Dominion. The tour will open at Wellington on October 23rd. The pieces to be plaved will include: "It Pays to Advertise'," "Twin Beds," "The Boomerang," and "A Full House." It is really quite refreshing even to live in anticipation of this all-new repertoire.