MUSICAL 'AND- DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 24 October 1903, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL 'AND- DRAMATIC.

ThA* thoroughly delightful play, "Arizona," will be presented at His Majesty's by the Frawley Company at a special matinee this afternoon'i at half-past two. To-night the company will repeat Leo Trevor's comedy-drama, "Brother Officers," in which Mr. Daniel Frawley has a fine role as Hinds. The company's season definitely closes with Monday night's production of " In Mizzou-

ri." The Auckland public are, I am assured, to be treated by Mr. Geo. Musgrove's Shakesperean Company on and after Tuesday next at His Majesty's to as fine a- series of productions as could be, witnessed even at Home. '• A Midsummer Night's Dream," with which the season opens, will prove a revelation in the matter of scenery and lighting. Mr. Musgrcve transported, lock, stock, and barrel, all the artistes, scenery, costumes, properties, etc., from Manchester. The present repertoire will include, in addition to the "Dream," "Twelfth Night," and "As You Like It."

At the Opera House to-night Miss Maggie Moore and her company (under the regime of Mr. William Anderson) commence a short season of drama with " Killarney." This is described as a romantic Irish play, containing many popular features. Miss Moore introduces' several musical numbers.

(heat improvement!? are taking place on the stasre of the City Hall, where Mr. John Fuller's Company has now been performing for three month's past. Extra lights have been fitted up, which tend to greatly enhance the new scenery, which has been specially painted for Messrs. Fuller and Sons by Mr. Sam Pearson, a clever young Auckland artist. His latest set, a "firstpart" cloth and wings, representing a woodland stream, is worthy of many of our older and more experienced artists. Among the many new attractions lor the coming " week will be the Stagpoles (pantomime and comedy sketch artistes, with a good reputation), and >Jl\ Fred. Bluett, the well-known comedian. It is now three years since the latter-gentle-man last appeared in Auckland. His debut as a comedian was made in this city, under the Fullers' management, about five years ago, and since then he has appeared in every town of note in Australasia, and is now recognised as one of the best comic singers on the Australasian stage.

Mr. Charles Kenningham, who conies to New Zealand with Mr. George Musgrove's Shakespcreau Company, is a -well-known operatic artiste, who lias appeared in most •it the principal tenor., roles of the operas produced in Australia for some years past. Mr. Kenningham is also a composer and author of note. His songs are most popular throughout Australia. Mr. Kenningham was a few years ago leading tenor at the Savoy Theatre, London. The Auckland Shikespere Society concluded their first season, with a remarkably tine reading of " Hamlet." The cast was an excellent one, and it was 'evident that the attention of the audience was thoroughly iheld throughout, which is saying a good deal ■when the weighty nature of the play is considered. Mrs. Kekwiek, who read Ophelia, Showed more than ordinary ability. " Hamlet" was decidedly the best reading of the seasow. I understand that next season it is intended to give at least two of the plays entirely from memory, a step which should furthen add to the enjoyment both of the auditors and performers. The inauguration of this society was a capital idea,, capitally carried out, and it is deserving of hearty support. Mr. Geo. Barnes,, Mr. Musgrove's wellknown, representative, who is now in Auckland Making the preliminary arrangements tor • the forthcoming Shakesperean season, holds the somewhat unique record of having piloted no less than five companies through New Zealand during the last twelve months. The Auckland Dramatic Society, who last December gave a clever performance of " The Guv'nor," will stage Mr. Tom Taylor's famous drama, "The Ticket-of-Leave-Man" on November 3 and 4, at St. Benedict's Hall. The society are having scenery specially prepared by Mr. Will Diamond, liotablj, the Beueview tea gardens by night (illuminated), and an old city churchyard. The stage manager is Mr. Horace Baker, the scenic artist Mr. William Diamond; perruquier, Mr. Eagleton ; hou. treasurer, Mr. Herbert; hon. secretary, Mr. Gresham. Preparations have* been actively carried forward for the opening of a Midsummer Night's Dream" at His Majesty's on Tuesday. One has little idea of the enormous amount of labour entailed in presenting this magnificent production, which has necessitated a staff ol 20 mechanists to be incessantly employed for some days past. Visitors to Hamilton at show time (November 3 to 6) will bo interested to learn that the *' Mikado" will then be staged by the Hamilton Amateur Opera Club. The costumes have been secured from the Auck land Opera Club, and special scenery is being painted by Miss Ellerbeck. The following is the cast:— Mikfedo, Mr. Nixon ; Naaki Poo, Mr. C. Walhvutt; Koko, Mr. A. K. Manning ; Pooh Bah, Mr, M. H. Quick ; Pish Tush, Mr. G. Turner;. YumYum, Mrs. Going; Pitti Sing, Mrs. Bos. worth ;. Peep 80, Miss Gillespie; Katisha, Mrs. Biggs. The conductor will be Mr. Boswortb, and Mr. A. E. Manning will stage manage. Miss Dorothy Marsden, of the Musgrove Shakesperean Company, is the daughter of the eminent physician, Dr. Hector Mackenzie, of London, and during her professional career has-been under the management of Messrs. F. R. Benson, Ben Greet, ■ Jerrold Robertshaw, and W. J. liolloway, in each of whose theatres she has played Puck, the part she portrays in the production on Tuesday at His Majesty's. Rehearsals are progressing favourably in connection with the forthcoming revival of " The Guv'nor' ' by the Players at the Federal Hall on November 5. .1 understand the piece has been very carefully cast, and Mr. Haygarth has consented to play Gregory, a part which he excels in. Mr. K. A. Keenan is supervising rehearsals. An excellent orchestra, under Mr. Gerald Ralph, will supply the incidental music to the piece. A name which is a household word throughout England sad America is that of Mr. W. H. Denny, the Bottom of the forthcoming Midsummer Night's Dream" Company: For some years he was a great favourite with Savoy audiences,- but forsook opera bo'uffs for the higher realms of art in Shakesperean comedy, in which he is regarded as the most eminent comedian of the century. " lu Mizzouri," a character drama by Augustus Thomas, ths author of "Arizona," will be produced as the farewell bill of the Daniel Prawley Company. Besides being an accomplished actress j and singer, Miss Gladys Ure, the fairy ! queen in "The Midsummer Night's Dream,'' [ is a composer of exceptional talent, and has written some very popular songs. Miss Ure is still in her teens, and has a great future before her. Mr. Edwin Geach, of the well-known and successful theatrical linn of Willoughby and Geach, was ;t passenger in the Victoria, which arrival at Welliagton recently from Sydney. Ho comes in advance of the farcical combination which has achieved such success in Australia. Referring to matters theatrical Mr. Geach said to an interviewer:—"You can get a glimpse of the present competition in. Australia when I tell you that to fill all the theatres in Sydney last Saturday evening it would have taken 20,000 people. Yet through all this opposition our recent success, 'Mistakes Will Happen,' is more than holding its own. During our brief tour of New Zealand it is intended! to stage ' Topsy Turvy,' "Brown, of Brighton,' ano" a more recent New York success,, 'The Boy from Buffalo.' VVe open in Dimedin, will be in Christchurch on ' Carnival' dates, and in Wellington just afterwards. Auckland we visit during the festive Christmas season, so a brilliant tour should be assured." Musico-Dramaticus.