MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11644, 4 May 1901, Page 6 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

OPERA. HOUSE BOOKINGS. Auckland Banjo and Mandolin Club— ;.tay 3. McAdoo Minstrels— May 10 to 13. Montgomery Biograph Co.-May A to .5. Mnstrrore's Comic Opera Co.—July aj to August Amateur Opera Club—SeniemOer 1. Auckland Amateur Opera dub—September 1. Pollard's Opera Co.—November. Brough Comedy December. OTHER SHOWS. Citv Ball— Gaiety Comnany. Fitzgerald's Circus-Freeman's Bay, May 4. The Auckland Amateur Opera Club will hold a special general meeting in the clubroom, Elliott-street, on Monday evening next. After the discussion of business the members will, if time permits, commence rehearsing their next production. It has been decided to stage Gilbert and Sullivan's fairy opera, " lolanthe," a selection whic-h is more than likely to prove a popular one. The opera is familiar, but none the less welcome on that account, being a dainty work, and replete with fascinating music and catchy airs. It also affords plenty of scope for spectacular effect, and this feature will doubtless be taken advantage of by the club. "Jimmy" Bain, of that ilk, is evidently scoring hugely on his present tour. The versatile comedian wires me that at [Nelson last week he was rewarded with the record house since Pollard's Company visited the town. In all probability friend " Geordie, 'ordie" rever enjoyed himself so much before. City Hall patrons have no reason to complain'of the bill of fore being nightly served up to them "by Mr. Dix's Company. The Williams Siste'rs' return visit is proving a big draw, whilst Messrs. Pope and Sayles, the comical negro comedians, have secured a large following of admirers. Ferry the Frog still continues to " contort" in a marvellous manner, and his double-jointed anatomv wins him continual applause. Miss Kinnaird and Mr. Win. Neilsori are also very great favourites, their operatic duos invariably resulting in general appreciation. Ijlae valedictory concert at the Choral Hall, on Thursday evening last, to Mr. J. W. Ryan, not only drew a record house, but proved the best" all-round musical eventheard in Auckland for many a long day. Mr. Ryan, who has been connected with local musical circles for some two years past, has, in that time, made a host of friends by his unassuming manner and constant readiness to assist at any musical function where his services were desired. He is a young singer of exceptionable promise, and has scored successes as a soloist, though he has done better work still in sacred music and ora-

torios. Mr. Ryan, perceiving that in this latter direction lies his true forte, has, with commendable acumen. determined. on reaching England, to go in for a thorough course of training, with the view of joining a cathedral quartette. In such a sphere his well-rounded bass voice will inevitably be of

good use. Mr. Ryan leaves on Monday next by tfhe Mararoa," via Sydney, en route for Birmingham (England), and will carry with him the"best wishes of his brother and sister artistes, as well as of those who have lis-

tened to his contributions to opera, concert, and oratorio in this citv.

Fitzgerald Bros.' circus is playing nightly to vast audiences in the tent at Freeman's Bay Reclamation. There are many attractive features about the s«;iqw, and its popularity is thoroughly well deserved. — matinee performance will be given today, and the evening performance will bring the present season to a close.

Musgrove's Comic Opera Company has booked dates for a three-weeks' season at the Theatre Royal. Christehurch. beginning on August 26, and for a similar term at Dunedin Princess', commencing on September 16. The company will be in Auckland in July. Amongst their repertoire are " Cinderella" and The Scarlet Feather." in which Miss Nellie Stewart plays the leading roles.

When Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brough return to Australia they will bring some new members in their comedy company. Already one of the new engagements is announced. Miss Susie Vaughan, who will play in Australia, as she has done for years past in England, old women and eccentric comedy characters, is elder sister to Miss Kate Vaughan, who was the leading danscuse of the old Gaiety burlesques.

An American Choral Society has recently performed Mendelssohn's oratorio " Elijah" as an opera, with costumes and scenery. The first performance of "A Child's Love" by Miss Maggie Moore's Company at Broken Hill, recently, was marked by an altogether unrehearsed and sensational incident. Lawrence Dunbar has to interfere in a. brawl dining the piece, and in doing so received a very nasty slash across his wrist from a sharp knife in another actor's (band. The wrist bled profusely, and had to be extensively stitched by two doctors. The Valdares are doing big business in Broken Hill. The following constituted the company: The Valdares, the Attelbas, the Three Happy St. Georges, Tom Powers, Robert West, George Gardner, and Ida De Lar.

It is said that Nellie Stewart has been engaged for the State concert to be given ni connection with the visit of the Duke of York to Melbourne and the opening of the Federal Parliament.

Frank Thornton will arrive in Australia soon alter Charles Arnold gets out of it. Thornton brings a whole bagful of new English comedies.

Prior to coming to New Zealand, it is said that Daisy Harcourt, under mortgage to Mr. Dix, bold a levee in the tigers' cage at Wirth's.

Actor: "When I stand on the stage I see nothing, ap.d I am conscious of nothing but the role lam playing. The audience disappears entirely." Friend: "Well. I can't blame the audience much for that."

Speaking of " Cinderella," which local playgoers will liave an opportunity of witnessing during the coming visit of Mr. Musgrove's Company, the Sydney Referee says : —A wealth of colour, exhilarating music, -arranged ballets, dashing work by .Miss Nellie Stewart, and remarkable danc-

J ing by those wonderful people, f;he Dartos, ! account for the continued success of " Cinderella"' at the Theatre Royal. The production is a magnificent one, and veil worth seeing. -Mr. Daniel Macdonald died at the residence of his son, Mr. James Macdonald. at Bacchus Marsh, recently. Mr. Macdonald was the fatiher of Mr. Donald Macdonald, journalist, war correspondent, and lecturer. The friends of popular John Fuller will be pleased to learn that, according to the Sydney Referee, .lie evidently made a very happy move when he secured a lease of the old Standard Theatre and started it on a new career, under the name of the Empire. The success of the venture has been most marked, and appreciative crowds are to be seen therein nightly. Mr. Fuller sees to it that his patrons go away pleased, and each succeeding week gives an entirely new programme. His artistes are a good, clever combination, taken all in all. and they keep the fur. going from first to last. Ibsen, who has been very seriously ill with influenza, has so far recovered as to be able to resume work. The dramatist was confined to his bed for three weeks, causing grave anxiety to his family. The Marquis of Headfort, whose engagement to Miss Boote, an actress, was recently announced, has married that lady. Miss Hilda. Spong has advanced yet. another step in her histrionic career. Next season she will be starred by Mr. Daniel Frohman, the well-known American manager. At present she is playing the leading role, with unqualified success, in " Lady Hunt worth's Experiment." Sarah Bernhardt has been having trouble with a Fifth Avenue photographer in New York. He sent bur 15 photos, but the divine one sent 13 back again, with a quotation from " Hamlet,""* Horrible, most horrible." scrawled in 'nine across her features. But the photographer was " real smart," and sold each of the rejected proofs, " with Madame Bernhardt'? autograph," at enormous prices. Mr. Beerbohm Tree has made, a practical suggestion towards the establishment of a classic repertoire theatre, in the style if the Theatre Francaise, that has aroused considerable discussion in London. He contends that managers playing Shakesperian drama should devote 2£ per cent, of the gross receipts to a fund for the production of modern plays, which, while artistically worthy, were not likely to be commercial successes. No attempt has been made to take this novel idea beyond the region of academic debate. Probably a Bill would have to be passed by Parliament placing a j small tax on the receipts derived from ail I plays out of copyright. I Mus;cn.DRAMATICU3. I