SPECIAL INTERVIEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10124, 6 May 1896, Page 3

SPECIAL INTERVIEWS.

MATTERS THEATRICAL.

THE COMING SEASON. Things theatrical have boen tery dull of late in Auckland. Bub it was nob to be

expected that this would long continue, Mr. Abbott, of the Opora Bouse, liaring recently returned from Australia, whore it it was known he had improved the occasion by " booking dates," a Hkrai-d representative yesterday had a chat with him as to what lie had in store.

" Yes," Mr. Abbott, "things have been very dull, and as there was nothing coming along immediately, I thought I would stir matters up a littlo bit. Thebesb thing I could see on ray arrival was the company at present at tho Opera House. On my visit to England a few months a£o, I saw what tho variety class of entertainment hud become, and what an immense advanco it was upon anything wo had heen used to in the colonies. Seeing just such a combination as one would find in tho variety theatres in London I availed mysolfof the opportunity. It is tho kind of thing everybody likes once they know itnothing is so successful in England or in tho colonies. In the Old Country large masses of ordinary theatre-goers prefer tho ' varioty«to any other theatre. Ono night there I failed to get into two they were so full." "Some people hero, howevor, have an objection to ' variety.' They aro afraid of it." " Why should they be After all, public catering is a matter of L s. d., and it would pay noithor management nor artists to offend their audionce. Reverting back to my visit to England, I was struck with the character of the audiences at the best variety theatres. There is no reason why a man should not take his wife and daughters to a 'varioty show' without the risk of their being either shocked or annoyed." " I understand you made arrangements for future dates, on the ' other side,'" said our representative. "I did. The Rev. Charles Clarke has been booked for here by Mr, R. S. Sruythe in July. Then in August come Williamson and Muserove's Opera Company tor three weeks. Following them como the TaylorCarrington Dramatic Company, now on their 14th annual tour through Australia. Thoy were in Auckland before with Sheridan, the comedian." " What of " Trilby "Oh, thab is coming, too. I went over in the Monowai with the company engaged in America by 'the firm.' 1 saw tho company play tho picco in Melbourne, and without doubt tho Srengoli of Reuben Fox was one of the finest bits of acting I ever saw south of the lino. Ho was magnificent in it; when ha appeared, a movement seemed to run through the whole house, and ho kept the interest up wonderfully. Succeeding " Trilby," which wo shall have at the end of August, "Westmacott" is booked; he has pretty well the whole of Rignold's Company. September will be taken up with the Pollards. Then, the Auckland Amateur Opera Club will have a week to be followed by another of Williamson and Musgrore's engagements, Hoyte's American Company, with a musical comedy called "A Trip to Chinatown." Dan Barry, who wanted to take tho Opera Houso for a whole year, comes next, and he gives place to tho Potter Bellew Company, a fourth of Williamson and Musgrovo's engagements. Mrs. Brown-Potter is, I hear, making a great tiling of " As You Liko It " and "La Tosca ;" the latter v ill make those who have not seen it open their eyes. My Christmas dates are again booked by Bland Holt, and then I want to persuado Williamson and Mu»grovo to bring over "Djin-Djin." This is a grand affair. I saw it in Sydney, where enormous business had been dono to it. Two or three hundred people wore on the footpath outside the theatre bofore the public doors wero opened, and just before the announced time of opening the manager had to let them know that there was no room. All

tilt) seats had been taken, and tlio place p.ickod through the early doors. The piece itself is a most elaborate affair, and if it does come to Now Zealand, the firm will have to bring a big electric plant with them. On the stage at, Sydney there are at least 150 girls, munificently dressed; these enter in a dim light. Suddouly the olOCLric light flushes out, the stage is m a blaze of light, while the effect of hu id reds of Chinese lanterns instantaneously illuminated is superb.' " How did you find matters theatrical in Sydney and Melbourne!" " It was a holiday timo when I was in Sydnoy, and the theatres there wero crammed. Sydney was very gay. I paid a hurried visit to Melbourne, and there it was'bho other way. I was very sorry to see it, for I have a bit of affection fur Melbourne, for it was the first place 1 lived in in the colonics. There was not much more traffic in Melbourno streets than there is in Auckland now and the theatres there were—well, if not deserted, not far from it—compared with Sydney.'' " Yes," went on Mr. Abbott in conclusion, " I intend to keep on the variety business if I get support, and then constantly bring over new things."