MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11872, 25 January 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

OPERA HOUSE BOOKINGS. W. P. Hawtrey's Comedy Co.—January 23 to February 3. Wilson Barrett Company— 5 to 26. Pollard's Opera Co.March 27 to May 9. • Qeach and Willoughby Co.—May 26 to June 4. Anderson Dramatic Co.—June 9 to 30. George Musgrove's Company—September 22 to October 13. , _ , „ Pollard's Opera Company.— 19 to November 22. OTHER SHOWS. City Hall— Gaiety Company.

The Haivtrey Comedy Company opened successfully in "A Message from Mars" on Thursday night. The piece made a very favourable impression, and was pretty generally voted unlike anything staged here pre-' viously. It will run for four more nights, being followed on Thursday by " Tom, Dick, and Harry," a laughable comedy of an original type. Herbert Ross, the leading man in " Mars," has a style all his own, and one which is going to win him hosts of admirers. His rolo requires not only a great deal of acting, but rather a remarkable memory likewise.

Those who like the mysterious and the ghostly won't apply for their money back for lack of either in "Mars." Sometimes tho mechanical and electrical effects, introduced , aro startlingly akin to conjuring tricks. On the whole the play is with its worthy moral a decided acquisition to the literature of the stage. P. 11. Dix continues in the way he should go. That is to say, he remains indefatigable in his determination to give his patrons the best entertainment money can buy. This is meant to preface the announcement that the New Zealand impressario has engaged the world-renowned Craggs. These performers—eight in number-are beyond all shadow of doubt the leading acrobats of the world. Needless to say they require a fee proportionate to their reputation, and I am informed on the best authority that P.R.D. will pay them £150 per week. Ihe Craggs go through all their feats attired in immaculate evening-dress, and in their line rank equal in public esteem to the great Cinquevalli. They open in Dunedin on February

6 ' Present programme at the City Hall is strong, though the clever trio of London artistes have now gone South. On Tuesday next Sivroni and Selvini, clever English sketch artistes, will debut, and on Wednesday Lemont and his performing canines reappear. In the meantime amusement-seekers might do worse than spend an hour or two with the company as now constituted. Playgoers will note with pleasure that George Musgrove is sending another company through New Zealand. Dates booked at the local Opera House are September 22 to October 13. At present no particulars as to the type of company coming are available, though it is likely to be tho " Alladm combination. _ r , During the regime of the Hawtrey Company at Sydney, while "A Message from Mars" was creating great interest, many incidents of a charitable nature were constantly occurring, indirectly attributable to the wholesome teaching of philanthropy which permeates the play.- An instance worth recording is the following. An opulent-look-ing gentleman was being accosted by a lagged urchin, who solicited alms by way _of "Buy a box o' matches, sir. The kindly individual's response was the gift of a shilling, and a " never mind the matches. As the astonished lad took the proffered com he was heard to exclaim, " God bless yer, gove'.nor! I know, don't clier know, you ve seen 'The Message from Mars. _ Mr. Sydney Grundy has named his newplay "Frocks and Frills," and each act is to be dressed by a different firm.. Mr. Grundy is keeping the source of his inspiration a secret, but it is rumoured that it is a play more than a generation old, brought thoroughly up-to-date by the English writer.

Mr. Charles Arnold leaves Adelaide for England next Thursday. His Australian tour has lasted 21 months.

Jean Gerardy, the famous violincellist, whose remarkable playing caused such a sensation when he gave concerts here, is contemplating another visit to Australia, Mr. John H. Tait having received advices that Gerardy .will probably arrive in June next. His next appearance in Auckland will be in September. At the conclusion of the performance of " The Sign of the Cross" at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, recently, Mr. .Barrett addressed tho audience, and said that he could not allow such - a large and appreciative audience to leave without thanking them for the manner in which they had received the play. When be had written it, lie had shown it to several critics, who told

him that after the first two acts it would be howled down. Despite this, he had produced it at St. Louis, where it had heen well received. Then he had played it in the provinces in England, and, lastly, in London, and nowhere had the critics' prophecies come true. Messrs. Enoch and Sons, the London publishers, forward a batch of new music, mostly of a very high standard. A tastefully got up book, containing 20 songs, by Edward Greig, with English versions by P.. H. Elkin, is amongst the number. The composer is found at his best in the selection, all the songs being distinctly good. A piece for violins, " Reve d'Enfant," by Eugene Ysaye, with accompaniment for orchestra or piano, is written in a fairly difficult method. The melody is good, and the piece ought to be popular amongst violinists, as it is of an original vein. Guy d'Hardelot is represented by a song, " Awakening" (words by Lena. Guilbert), which is after the composer's well-known style, and lias a good melody. A semi-sacred song, " Peace on Earth," by Gerald Lane, is a very fine composition. It is splendidly accompanied, and is bound to be a success amongst voca-

lists. It has an organ or harmonium accompaniment ad lib., and is one of the best songs in the collection. " Flower of Morn" ("Fleur do Matin"), by C. Chaminade, the English version by R. H. Elkin, "and the French words by Charles Fuster, is an uncommon type of song of much attractiveness. The music throughout is good. A little song, "Love Me Little, Love Me Long," by A.L. (Mrs. Rudolf Lehmann), words anonymous, has ?. pretty air, and is very suitable as an encore number. The same composer contributes a song, " Tell It Not" (" Ne le dis pas"), the French words by Eugene Manuel, and the English version by R. H. Elkin, which is of very fair merit. There is an effective change in the third verse. " Love's Request," a song by Laudon Ronald, words by Edward Teschemacher, is one which has decided claims to popularity. The syncopated accompaniment has a specially pleasing effect. William H. Speer is represented by "Merry May Land," a song based on verse by Edward Teschemacher. This is a really good song, which will require a lot of study to make it successful in rendering. " Night Fairies," a song by Charles Willeby, words by R. H. Elkin, has an enticing melody. The accompaniment is beautifully arranged, and the vocal range is easy. The musical public will bo pleased to hear that there is every probability of Mr. J. C. Williamson sending the young Australian soprano, Miss Amy Castles, through New Zealand. Mr. Harold Ashton is now inquiring about the best halls in the four centres. Miss Castles will most likely be supported by the leading members of Mr. Williamson's Italian Opera Company, including the celebrated tenor, Signor Dani. Miss May Beatty has decided to study singing with Herr Slapoffski in Melbourne, during her present holiday. Miss Ada Crossley will tour Australia in 1903 with a concert party of her own. Mr. Tom Pollard has just completed ari rangements with Mr. J. C. Williamson for .the production of "The Rose of Persia," " The Messenger Boy," and " The Runaway Girl."'

Miss Mabel Manson, the New Zealand soprano, who sang with such great success in Madame Patti's stead at Manchester recently, gave a vocal recital at the Salle Erard last month. Harry Rickards is said to have booked engagements in America representing £42,000 in salaries and fares, and extending to 1904. Messrs. Eady and Co. send me two pieces of music for review. The first is a pianoforte selection, "The Night Patrol," by Walter Impett. This is a fair composition and not difficult, and is played by Professor C. A. White, of the Jubilee Singers. Tho second is a sacred song, " Abide With Me," by H. Gladstone Hill. It has a rather : pretty melody, and a simple accompaniment to commend it. ; r MuSICQ.-I) s