MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11825, 30 November 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

OPEBA HOrSS BOOKINGS. Pollard's Opera Company—Playing. Eronsjh Comedy December 35 to January 22. W. F. Ffawtrey's Comedy Co.—January 23 to February 3. Williamson's Opera Co.—February 5 to 26. Pollard's Opera March 27 to May 9. Hollow ay Dramatic Co.—June 9 to 30. OTHER SHOWS. City Hall—Dix's Gaiety Company. The Pollards have put on two changes of bill this week. "The Geisha' holding the boards for the first three nights. Though [ the opening performance of this Japanesque ! piece was not on such a high level of ex- | cellence as could have been desired full amends were made on the two ensuing nights. when the performers put a deal more energy into their work. The revival of "The Belle or New York'' on Thursday drew a very large house. It is questionable whether a better all-round performance has ever been given by the Pollards, and certainly they have increased the popularity of an already popular musical comedy. Miss May Beatty has fully recovered her powers since the commencement of the season. .She is once more the charming cantatrice and actress wo knew before. Her Violet Gray in "The Belle" it would be difficult to find a fault with. Mr Alt". Stephens has earned this scribe's gratitude for his clever character study of Ichabod in "The Belle." It is a real treat ; to see such a part, filled with so much I ability. It is one which might become ridiculous with unskilful handling. By-tke-by. Ichabod's get-up in the undress uniform of the Young Men's Rescue League is a stud} in the comic. 1 haven't quite madeup my mind whether it makes Alt'. Stephens look more like a boiled lobster or a rooster. What a useful lot of artistes the members of Pollard's ;ue. Take the case of Dave O'Connor, whose tine voice has made him such a strong favourite- He not only makes a most acceptable comic opera hero, but the manipulation of straight parts only constitutes a section of his talent. lie lias a decided knack for playing low comedy, as he has shown during this season. Another member who will inevitably make his mark is Jack Ralston, who has a powerful and musical baritone voice. ' With a little training his acting will improve sufficiently to entitle him to be given a chance in a leading role.

I wish, to remark that those who are fond of good chorus singing should.endeavour to hear the final ensemble and chorus in the first act of "The Belle.'' It is as fine an effort as: the Pollard choristers have been heard in. and is magnificently worked up. A matinee performance of " The Belle of New York" will be given to-day and the last production of the piece in the evening. On Monday "La Poupee" enters on a two nights' season. At the City Hall to-night Harry Shine. an English patter comedian, with a big reputation, opens with Dix's Gaiety Company. Misses Elliott (contralto) arid Lilian Tree (soprano) and Zobedle, the hand balancer, also make their first appearance^ During the week the City Hail programme lias been a strong one. ' Madame Celina Bobe has proved "a big draw. whilst the comic element supplied by Mr. Charles Failing has been of a unique character. Miss Alma Gray closes her season to-night. Miss Jennie Opie only stays for one more week. The Choral Society's presentation of the second and third parts of Coleridge Taylor's '" Hiawatha" on Tuesday last was thoroughly enjoyed. The "Median" is likely to form the next programme. Several well-known artistes are to assist at a concert in the Wesley Rail to-night in aid of the Children's Home. The programme arranged is a delectable one. On Thursday next, Miss Boult (vioiiniste) will give a select concert in trie Y.M.C.A. Hall. The talented young lady, who has been pursuing her studies in Sydney, is down for Greig's "C Minor Sonata," Coleridge Taylor's " Gipsy Movements." and German's " Saltarello." The Auckland Liedertafel's fourth concert of the season took place in the Choral Hall last night. The society had on this occasion the aid of Mrs. McConneil. a Gisborne lady, and Mr. P. Hockley, of Christchurch, as soloists. A notice of the performance appears elsewhere in this issue. The large audiences which assembled in the Albert Park last season on every occasion of a band performance have given the various bandmasters of the city and suburbs sufficient encouragement to renew the experiment, and by permission of the City Council band concerts will be given every Sunday afternoon, and every Wednesday evening, until further notice, commencing to-morrow. No more sensible or delightful means of recreation could be devised than the opportunity thus afforded to the public of taking a little music with their fresh air. As to the financing of these concerts the public should bear in mind that a good deal depends upon them. Voluntary contributions are asked to assist towards the expenses, as the bandmasters have declined the full amount of the subsidy offered to them by the authorities, thinking that the public would like to feel that they were doing their fair share towards the funds and thus secure a certain independence in their enjoyment. The lOlsS musical evening in connection with Mr. W. H. Webbe's School of Music, took place oft Thursday. The pupils' items included piano solos by Chaminade, Bohm, Mendelssohn, and Heller; duos lor two pianos by Gmiitt, Beethoven, Verdi, and Clarke; duo for organ and piano, organ solo, and piano quartets, " Egmont" (Beethoven). "British Guards" (Bauer), "Don Juan" (Mozart), "Rhapsodie Hougroise" (Liszt). The visitors' items, which were highly appreciated, included vocal selections by Miss Nora Sibbaid aid Mr. Horace Stebbing, and violin .solos by Herr A. L. Kreutzei The music-room was filled to its utmost capacity. " The Second in Command' has been having a very successful innings at the Princess' Theatre, bourne. Tho reappearance of the Dartos at Adelaide Tfvoli resulted in crowded houses during their week's season. They sailed fen Europe on Saturday last, per G.M.s. Bhein. Herr and Madame Slapoli'ski have made arrangements to remain in Australia for a further two years. This would almost look as though Mr. Geo. MuSgrove contemplated their engagement for another season of

ipera. The Theatre Royal, Christchurch, is to be sold by auction on January 17. Captain Basil Hood has contracted to sup ply fom operas for the Savoy Theatre, and will call the next " Merrie England." Mr. Arthur Hahn is organising a concert and variety company to tour New Zealand. Mi. C. H. Silbon is to act as advance representative foi the new organisation. The following artistes have been engaged by Mr, P. R. Dix for his New Zealand circuit:—The Howard Sisters; Rodda Berry, a phenomenal male alto; Lennon, Hynian, and Lennon. acrobatic dancers ; Billy AlcClain, American comedian; Madame Cordelia, a talented vocalist; also Alf. Law lon, and Dan' Kieldersen. » " San Toy" has been running at Daly's Theatre, London, for over two vears now. When the last mail left England preparations were being made to celebrate the second birthday of the piece on October 21. " San Toy" appears likely to run for a long time yet. H. H. Vincent, J. C. Williamson's new dramatic stage manager, is due in Sydney before Christmas. Thomas Kingston and Percy Brough abruptly closed their engagement with Miss Nance O'Neil in South Africa, and have gone on to London. Miss Brenda Gibson (Mrs. Hewson), formerly a member of Mr. Brougb's Comedy Company, is about to revisit Australia, together with her husband. Mr. James Hewson, of the Savoy Company, who comes out on a trip for the benefit of his health. Mr. Hewson has lately been playing tne part of the Lord Lieutenant in the " Emerald Isle." the last opera that the late; Sir Arthur Sullivan ever wroteMr. George Musgrove's dramatic company, which has been organised for Australia, will arrive there next March. For the forthcoming production of " .Ben Hur" in Sydney in February next Mr. Williamson has engaged in London Mr. Austin Melford, Mr. Conway Tearle, Mr. Hamilton Stuart, Miss Ruby Mackey, Miss May Chevalier, and Miss Mabel Lane. Musico-Dramaticcs.