MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12070, 13 September 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

THEATRICAL BOOKINGS.

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

July 21 to September 20—Closed for alterations. October 6 to October George Mrxsgrove'a Company ("Sweet Nell of Old Drnry"). October Atom Club (" Our Boys"). October 13 to December 4 Pollard Opera Com pan j'. December 17 to 20—Auckland Dramatic Society ("The Guv'nor",) December 26 to January 21—Qeack and WilJcnghby Company. December 20 to January 25, 3904—Pollard Opera Company.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

December 26, 1902. to January 21, 1903— J C Williamson's Comic Opera Co. January 27 to February 14, Frank Thorn ion Comedy Company.

OTHER SHOWS. City Hall—Dix's Gaiety Co.—Permanent. irths' Circus—Amphitheatre, Customs-street June 9 to September 17.

| There will be genuine disappointment. amongst playgoers generally at the postponement of George; Musgrove's "Sweet Nell of Old Drury" Company's season at the Opera House from Sept-ember 22, to October 6. The alteration in the dates lias been effected by cable, and until the arrival of Mr. Barnes (.Mr. Musgrove's representative) on Monday next the- season will remain mostly a matter of conjecture. The most probable solution in tlio meantime is Miss Nellie Stewart's indisposition, following upon the death of the popular actress' father, Mr. Richard Stewart sen. It is known that this caused Mr. Musgrove to alter his plans somewhat on Lis return from England. J.est there should be any misunderstanding as to whether the alterations to the Opera House had any beating noon this postponement it should be cleariv understood that had the "Sweet Nell" Company arrived to play the dates originally fixed they would have found the theatre" read v. .Looking in yesterday I found the last "of the scaffolding coming down, the dresscircle seats all in position, and receiving their second coat of paint, the whole of the decorative plaster in position, and the painters busy upon it, and the finishing touches being put in in all directions" With a week to run, therefore, to reach the time limit allowed for the completion of the alterations all that remains to be dona constitutes less than a full week's work. As to the. result of the renovation process the public will soon be able to judge for themselves, and it is certain that the'handsome appearance of what is to all intents and purposes a new theatre will he very generally admired. The City Hall is once more occupied by a company of P. R. Diss, and business has been good all the week. Amongst the new artistes appearing Mr. Tom Woottwell, a droll English comedian, has rapidly established himself as a firm favourite. "The old favourites on the bill include Olive Lenton and Alice Layton, Geo. Dean, and Fred Rivenhall. and all give a good account, of themselves.

The Wirth Bros.' season definitely ends on Wednesday next, hen a benefit will be taken, and an unusually strong programme will be put on. Those who have hot yet seen the amazing performance of the Howard Pros, should really take an opportunity of doing so. Frankly, their thoughtreading act, or second sight, or whatever it may be, is enough to make one gasp. The rapidity with which the blindfolded brother in the arena describes the various articles the more curious or unusual the article the better they like it—handed to the other brother by the audience would seem to demolish the theory that there is any trickery in it. They have been engaged" in their profession from childhood, and their gift is an inherited one.

It is funny to see the races of some of the people who offer articles to test the Howard Bros.' gifts. The other night a young lady handed up a ring, and in a Bash the name of the donor was announced as " Jack," whereupon the young lady's face became suffused in blushes. Equally blushful was the countenance of a gentleman when it was revealed to the audience that the article he had wrapped up in a piece of newspaper was a brittle of stout. But what strikes most people as particularly remarkable is the fact that even their names are correctly called. Certainly the Howards have a way of probing secrets which is a little uncanny when you coma to think of it.

A performance of the musical sketch, "A Dress Rehearsal." takes place on Friday next in St. Mary's Parish Hall. Parnell, in aid of the Ladies' Guild. ' It has been the topic of much talk in our eastern suburb for some time, as such favourable accounts have been circulated regarding the general excellence of the piece. I can quite believe this, for G. R. Sims is not the man to put forth any dialogue which is not at once clever and smart, while the composer of the music, Louis Diehl, although not much known perhaps here, has, it is said, given an excellent rendering of the words to which he had to adapt his score. It is, of course, to be an amateur performance, but all the singers have been so busily engaged in rehearsing during the past two mouths that they should be well up to everything connected with the piece by the time.it has to be given. They have "worked hard to make themselves proficient in every way, and I hope to see their charitable efforts rewarded by a bumper house. The Auckland Amateur Opera Club and the societies assisting are to be cougratulated upon the success of their "Hinemoa" concerts at the Choral Hal! last Wednesday and Thursday. Alfred Hill's delightful cantata received an excellent interpretation. The only difference one might have wished was that there should have been more voices. The choruses, well sung as they were, would in one op two instances (notably in the stirring "Ra-ha" war song) have been greatly improved had theie been more vocal volume.

This leads me to the expression of a suggestion let fall to me by a, local singer recently which might commend itself to promoters of musical functions. It is that cantata or oratorio should be performed once a year by the combined choral societies and choirs of the city. If some such movement were unanimously taken up under a good leader the result- should be it, strikingly good one. The Atom Club young ladies and some friends are rehearsing steadily, and the 14th of next month will show Byron's comedy of " Our Boys." They hope" to do credit to the famous author in their performance. The popularity of the "Atoms" should ensure a bumper house. A very interesting little function took place at the Orphans' Club's last meeting, on Saturday evening. Mr. Clifford Walker. who was again the guest of the club, and who had been made au honorary member, was presented with the club's"badge by Vice-president Milrov, who was chairman for the evening. Mr. Milroy referred to Mr. Walker's high artistic qualities, and the pleasure it had been to welcome him to their meetings. Mr. Walker replied in a short speech, thanking the president, secretary, and members for the courtesies shown him during his stay here, and said he would always look back with unfeigned pleasure to'his visit to Auckland,

Sandow, the modern prophet of physical culture, is not confining himself during his Australian season to appearing as a showman in different town's, but his greatest object is to establish schools for the teaching of his system of physical culture in the different centres of Australia and New Zealand. Such an institute has already been stalled in Adelaide, a company with a capital of £10,000 having been formed in that city to work the same. Mr. Sandow is chairman of the company, and lie will exorcise personal supervision over its affairs. For this purpose he proposes to occasionally visit the Slates at his own expense, when he will deliver lectures and give demonstrations.

Bounding billiard-table artiste Ashby, late of World's Entertainers, who is now out on the North Island roads with a company of his own (says "Pasquin"), has secured Ids old-time partner to replace acrobat Kelly, at present with Dft's Gaiety Company, Christchurch. The new-old acrobat who turns somersaults off the billiard-table is none other than clown Joe Morris, of Fitzgerald's Circus. Mr. Hurry Rickards has definitely made tip ins mind to leave for England shortly, and to remain six months out of each year in the Old Country. By this means he hopes to be able to personally see every act before making an engagement. $1 psico:-I) ( u.u.uticus. j