MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12076, 20 September 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

THEATRICAL BOOKINGS.

, ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE. October 6 to October 13—George Masgrove's Comic Opera Co. October 14- Atom (.'lob (" Oar BoVs"). October 13 to December Pollard Opera Company. December 17 to 20—Auckland Dramatic So-

cieiy (" The Gnv'nor"). December 26 to January 21—Geach and Willoasrhby Company. December 26 to January 25, Pollard Opera Company. HT9 MAJESTY'S THEATRE. _ December 26. 1902. to January 21, IYJi—J. C. Williamson's Comic Opera Co. January 27 to February 14, —Frank Thornton Comedy Company. OTHER. SHOWS. City Hall— Gaiety Co.—Permanent,

The Opera House is now practically ready to be handed over by the contractors, but it is improbable that it will be opened by any public performance until October 6. Since my last notes appeared news has been received of the abandonment of the New Zealand tour of the " Sweet Nell" Company, and the substitution by Mr. Musgrove of his comic opera company, to take tip the dates. Thus it comes about that we shall not, after all, renew acquaintance with Miss Nellie Stewart just- jet. Thfe company to be sent will be the " Chinese Honeymoon'' combination, of which Miss May Beatty is a member. May will be certain to receive a warm welcome from her many Auckland admirers. "The Thirty Thieves" and "The FortuneTeller" are' included in the company's repertoire. Madame Melba lias arrived in Australia, and has had a magnificent reception. What chiefly concerns us ia as to whether or no we. are going to be given the pleasure of hearing her in. New Zealand. As to that, I am informed on high authority tluit; we are. All that has to be settled is the date, and this will probably be in October or November.

There is bound to be a. rush for seats for the one Melba concert to be given in Auckland. I hear that already the hooking agents (Messrs. Wildman, Lyell. and Arey) have been commissioned in more than one direction to save seats at any cost. The opportunity of hearing the greatest of living sopranos does not come often in this part of the world, and it is not surprising, therefore, that already many people should have mode up their minds not to absent themselves when Melba sings in this city. It is doubtful whether everybody in Auckland who desires to bear Madame Melba I will be able to do so, seeing that, there is only to be one concert here at the most, unlesswell, there is one way of preventing it being said afterwards that " hundreds were turned away." Supposing for the sake of argument the Choral Hall is booked as the locale for the concert. (His Majesty's Theatre would be handier, but will not be available until after J. C. Williamson's season in January). What insuperable difficulty would there be in booking also the Opera House for the same night? The audiences at both places might in that way listen to the same programme. It would only necessitate Melba and the artistes of her company taking a cab from the hall to the theatre, and vice versa, after their item in each part of the programme. This scheme is debatable, I admit, because, in- the first place, Melba would have to be consulted, and she might veto the idea, but. on the other hand she might not. and in like manner, ether objections might disappear. At any rate, I make the suggestion for what it is worth, and, in doing so, commend it to Mr. George Musgrove's managerial consideration.

By the mail Sierra, yesterday, George Taliis, the genial right-hand man of J. C. Williamson, passed through on his way to America and London. George is oil a trip partly of pleasure, partly business, and expects to be away three months. He told rne that J.C.W. is likely to open His Majesty's with " San Toy" on December 23, or thereabouts, if the theatre is ready, so that there may be no clashing of dates with the Geach-Willoughby Company, which opens at the Opera House on Boxing Night. Madame Lydia-Yeamans Titus, the clever lady recently here with the Cinquevalli Company, and Mr, Titus were through passengers by the Sierra to 'Frisco yesterday. Cuyler 'Hastings, the American actor imported by Mr. Williamson to play the title role in "Sherlock Holmes," has made a big hit in Australia. The play and the actor will be seen here, probably about next March, J.C.W. having made inquiries for dates at His Majesty's.

Oh Tuesday and Wednesday night at the City Hall there will be included in the programme a fine new series of kinematographie views, depicting the principal scenes of the Coronation celebrations in London. The films to be shown are coming out by the 'Frisco mail steamer to Messrs. Cooper and Macdermott, who have arranged with Mr. Dix for these two nights at the City Hall. The pictures will include " His Majesty Taking the Oath," " Crowning the King," and others of great interest, as well as views of the procession en route through London. As this will be the first exhibition of Coronation pictures it should prove a draw. Miss Lilian Tree will be heard in a repetition of Rossini's " Stabat Mater," assisted by Mrs. His cocks and Messrs. Rupert Mantell and Casier and the choir, at St. Patrick's Cathedral to-morrow night at seven o'clock. The Harvey Boys, who open at the City Hall on Wednesday night, come with a good reputation. Their boxing act is said to be a very scientific one, and is relieved with comedy work. Another artiste of repute who passed through by the Sierra on the way to America yesterday was George Rignold. The famous "actor will stay in Chicago a week, and in New York lor a similar period, going thence to London. Before leaving Sydney Mr. Rignold was farewelled at a supper, largely attended by the profession. Gottfried Galston also went to America by the Sierra. Gerardy left? him at Dunedin, after a very successful season, in order to go Home via Melbourne (where his fiancee resides) . and the Suez route. With Herr Galston travelled Mr. A. H. Canby, who managed the recent New Zealand tour of 'Gerardy. He is on his way to open Signora Duse's American tour in New York on December 18, and having seen that lady started thereon, he goes to England and on to France to settle the details of a contract with the Paris Vaudeville Company for a tour of the United States by Madame Rejane. As the result of a challenge from the conductor of the Holy Trinity (Devonport) choir, the choir of St. Thomas' (Auckland) journey to the marine suburb to-morrow afternoon, there to discover which of the two is the better at chanting the psalms. The adjudicator will be Mr. R. Leslie Hunt. I hope the matter will rest at this conciliation stage, and not be referred to arbitration. Two new artistes shortly to appear at the City Hall are Messrs. Callahan and Mack, described as two of the most artistic male performers seen in the colonies. Their speciality is a blend of drama, pathos, and humour.

I was sorry to miss seeing Mr. G. de Cairns Re go, musical critic of the Sydney Daily Telegraph, who looked in yesterday. Mr. Kego was a passenger by the Sierra on a trip Home. On Wednesday night next the Roman Catholic sisters of the Devonport convent school are to give a concert in aid of the funds of their institution. They will be assisted by Mrs. Clive Collins. Misses Carrie and Lizzie Knight, Anslev, Maud Donovan, Dr. De Clive Lowe, Mr. F. W. Alison, some of Miss Carrie Knight's dancing pupils, and Mr. Rupert Mantel!, who will give a diversified series of items.

His Majesty's Theatre is so well advanced that if urgently required it could be ready for occupation at a month's notice. Geo. Musgrove intends giving another season of grand opera in English at the end of next year. Melba is to give five concerts in Melbourne Already ovei 6000 seats have been booked for these, the lowest price paid being half a guinea. Amy Castles had intended returning Home by the Sierra this week, but changed her mind and will travel by the Suez route. Wilson Barrett is seriously ill. He is suffering from a post-nasal growth which is feared mar affect his brain. The Wirths finished their record Auckland season last Wednesday night, when a packed house marked the event. Walter Bentley contemplates a return trip through the Australian colonies next year. Sir Henrv Irving i.- to produce " Olivia," "Charles the First," "Louis X 1.," "The Bells," and ''Waterloo" during his Australian tour., Musico/Dis.uiaticcs.,