DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9172, 29 September 1888, Page 4 (Supplement)

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

JHarr? Richards and his new English company open in Dunedin in November, under the management of Mr. A. L. Cunard. I hear that Clark's All Star Variety Company opened in Dunedin to a crowded house. They will reach Auckland in November. The company includes Misses Clara Spencer, May St. John, and May Wilson, and Messrs. Tom Gordon and Harry Gilbert, vocalists; Svlvo, a clever "equilibrist;" Alfred Lawton, a nigger comedian; the Bovis Brothers, song and dance men ; and the Donaldson Brothers, " Les Homines Elastiques," of whose exhibition Professor Halford, Lecturer in Anatomy to the Melbourne University, is reported to have said: • "It is the most marvellous and artistic exhibition of muscular power and skill I have ever seen." The orchestra of the company is under the baton of Professor Summers. Says the Bulletin "I hear that when the hour arrived for dividing the money raised for the French Comedy Company by the recent benefit performance, one ot the leading members claimed that, as he drew a larger salary than most of the other performers (when there was any salary to draw), he was justly entitled to receive a larger share of the benefit receipts than certain others of his confreres. \\ hen the interpreter explained this to the gentleman who held the money, however, the latter, with a wisdom worthy of Solomon in his best days, replied that, as the star had drawn the greater part of the salaries, he should have less necessity for relief than the others ; a decision which sent M. Graball away in high dudgeon. We are all equal when we need relief." The Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Mail writes It is always good to see a clergyman stand forth as a supporter of high - class amusement. Archdeacon Julius^speech with regard to the legitimate drama at the last annual meeting of the Trinity College Dialectic Society is quite a "sign" of the times." Archdeacon Julius is well known as a well-read and intelligent man and his opinions are worth attention. The A hen am m, where the Dialectic Society meeting was held on Thursday last, was tilled with a fashionable audience. The ■chief feature of the evening's entertainment was an admirable address on "The Stage us a Means of Culture," by Mr. W. Lewers, the pre-lector of the society for the year. He contended that the stage, even in its present suite, was a factor for good, because it kept people away from more questionable amusements. He compared Gilbert to Aristophanes, and held that while Gilbert's plays were refining in their influence, the productions of the Gaiety Company were low in art and cheap in effect. The Archdeacon spoke in enthusiastic terms of the acting of Mr. Henry Irving, and said that he believed in raising ihe tone of the stage, so that it might become an educator for the people. The wger demand for tickets for this meeting /hows the interest taken in the subject at jhe present time. The secretary of the Actor's Fund in New York has put forth a request that the bouquets and wreaths of flowers which are so prodigally showered at the feet of popular performers on the stage may be forwarded to him for distribution among the sick in hospitals. This is the fortunate institution, says the Daily News, to which Mr. Lester Wallack, who it appears is in the rare and happy position of not being in need of the money, has signified his intention of handing over the large sum of £4500 derived from the recent benefit performance in his honour in New York. No fewer than four additional theatres are now in course of construction in London, and will probably be completed in the course of a few months—the Garrick, the Lyric, the New Court, and the theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. It is related of Paganini, that visiting Lucca on one occasion he created a great sensation at a nocturnal festival in a convent chapel, and it is stated that the monks were obliged to leave their stalls in order to repress the applause that burst forth, despite the sanctity of the place. He was then only twenty-one years of age. " The British public," remarks the World, " knows its own mind in the matter of melodrama ; the critics are like the person scurrying along in the extreme rear of a revolutionary mob, who being remonstrated with for following such a rabble, replied, ' but I must follow them—l'm their leader !' " On Saturday night, 30th July, the curtain •was rung down on the stage of the California Theatre (San Francisco) for the last, time. It was opened in January, 1869, and during its twenty years' existence many of the stars of the drama have trod its boards. An.jng those whom Australians still hold " to memory dear" may be named the sisters Zavistowski, Augusta Dargon, Charles Matthews, Joseph Jefferson, and poor Walter Montgomery. In an article on face powders in the pharmaceutical Journal for July, the writer, Mr. H. W. Snow, gives some useful information on the preparation of harmless powders. By the aid of these prescriptions a powder can be very cheaply made up, for which, under some fancy name, one would be charged an extravagant price. Fraulein Schwarz, of the Royal German Theatre, Berlin, recently related the following amusing incident,: —Some time ago I was to appear at Linz, in Austria, as Desdemona. I was in the habit of rehearsing in my room, and as I sat one night in my hotel going through the murder scene in the last act, doing my best to imitate the sound of choking, I heard a great hubbub at my door. As, wrapt up in my part, I exclaimed, "0 banish me, my lord, but kill me not ["somebody shouted from without: " Open the door !" I continued : " Kill me to-morrow, let me live to-night." I went on pleading in the tenderest tones that I could command. The response came : " We'll break in the door if you do not open it." "But while I say one prayer," I began again. At this point there was a tremendous crash, the door burst from its hinges, and in rushed a motley crowd of half-dressed guests, th*3 terrified landlord, and half-a-dozen waiters. It appears that a rather simple-minded and timid old gentleman, who had a room next my own, was aroused from his sleep by my recitation, and, imagining that an awful crime was being committed, had awakened the whole house. The most disagreeable part af the whole thing to me was that the vexed landlord insisted upon my quitting his hotel, and the jext day I had to seek quarters elsewhere. The Kendals have again under consideration a very tempting offer for a tour in A 'istralia. Miss Lydia Thompson, the celebrated •burlesque actress, has been telling a few stories of her life to the interviewer. Here is one of the most interesting. In her youthful days the actress travelled all over Europe, dancing Highland flings and Bailors' hornpipes in all sorts of countries. In Russia Miss Thompson had the honour to interest the highest personage in the land. She had been playing Fenella, the dumb girl in " Masaniello," at St. Petersburg, Moscow to follow. But a fire terminated the St. Petersburg engagement, and burnt poor Fenella's dresses at the same time. There was the Moscow | engagement ahead; but neither music, dresses, nor means to replace them. A petition to the Czar was suggested— Highness used to receive them during his daily walk round the palace between nine and ten. A petition accordingly was prepared, and Fenella, dressed in her best, ■waited upon the Emperor of all the Russias. But, alas ! ten o'clock had turned five minutes, and the monarch disappeared through a gateway just as his petitioner approached. "I went again next day," says Miss Thompson, " and in good time, depend upon it. It was half-past nine, and I was so fortunate as to meet His Majesty face to face. As I made my courtesy to him he stopped and . said pleasantly in English : " I saw you yesterday, little girl; I was told you were coming, but you were five minutes late. Now what do you wish?" Having heard her apology and explanation, Alexander promised to befriend her, and asked whether she would prefer to have money or a benefit performance at the Italian Opera. Naturally Fenella preferred the benefit, in which she was an interesting figure. She left St. Petersburg richer by £600, and numerous presents ; also, the admonition of a King: "Always be punctual, mademoieelhjf" !§!r * The following items are extracted from the Mercury of August 15 : — Remenyi is still entertaining Capetown folks. They evidently appreciate the eccentric but fine old fiddler down there. {J uijfc jhiiik, he was to give his 39th concert

there on the night of the 2nd inst., and every seat had been taken in advance. What can Natal do against that ? About November you will have the opportunity of listening to him again, for he contemplates being in Natal by that time. On leaving Capetown he goes to Grahams town, where—just think of it, ye fiddlers, who, though still in your a b c, fancy you know a lot—he intends to study for two months. I suppose even the public who have attended the Philharmonic Theatre and seen the original operas have not caught the idea that Mr. Searelle is no mean poet. His lyrics show that, but a little publication has come into my hands which contains a poem occupying eight pages of small type written by Mr. Searelle. The title is " The Madman's Story," and it is capitally told. The poem is not a mere jingle, but written in choice and wellmeasured verse, full of thought and dramatic effect.

The Searelle Opera Company has now an open field, but I hope that will not lead to any carelessness. I don't think it will, but if it does the Press must be critical. The company certainly keeps up its reputation, Mr. Searelle is keeping his promises to the public, and the production of " Estrella" has increased the popularity of the company. Those who had not the good fortune to see " Bobadil" should not miss the opportunity to-night, when it is to be re-pro-duced. "You'll laugh, you'll appreciate the music, and you'll see much to make you enjoy the entertainment. " Martha" is to be presented next Monday and the old opera is sure to draw a big house. Musico-Dkamaticcs.

*** All communications ihtended for this column should be addressed " Musico-Dramat ieus," Herald Office, Auckland, and should be forwarded as early as possible. _______________