MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12419, 14 November 1903, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

THEATRICAL BOOKINGS. HTS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. October 27 to November 23—Mnsgrove's Shakesjierean Company. ■ ■: . December 7 and 9—Ada Crossley Concert Co. December 26 to January 22-Willoughby and Geach. ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE. November 7 to December 12-Alfied Dampier. December 26 to January 24. I?Q4-ilacMahon s Dramatic Co. CUT HALL. Fullers' Entertainers. The Musgrove Shakesperean Company's season at His Majesty's Theatre is proving a veritable artistic triumph. A Midsummer Wight's Dream" was a generally admired production, "Twelfth Night" (which is to be staged for the last time to-night) has gained even higher eulogiums, whilst I am assured br those who witnessed "As You hike It" "in Australia that it is quite the strongest card in the company's repertoire, and lias been described as the most elaborate vet attempted. This comedy will ue presented on Monday next, and will rim for seven nights, when the season closes. Mr. Allied Dampier and his company give their first change of programme to-night at the Opera House. Chas. Keacle's evergreen drama, " It's Never Too Late To Mend," is billed as the attraction. The piece should give the veteran actor full scope, and will doubtless prove popular. ; At the City Hall to-night patrons will be ! introduced to a duo ot strong men (the* Franz Brothers), who are announced to appear in a series of novel and remarkable teats of strength. A Southern contemporary, describing their turn, says that they proved bv theii aoility to handle heavy weights and bar-bells up to 2251b, arid other feats, that their description as champion strong men is full warranted. The " living see-saw," the latest London sensation, which consists in carrying a 2251b bar-bell with two men on it, of a total weight of 5801b, up a ladder; the modern Vulcan, the great original anvil act, in which a 4001b anvil is placed on the bare chest of the performer, and on which two blacksmiths flatten a piece of iron with sledge-hammers, and other feats of a like kind, were remarkable performances, and were done without, any appearance of strain. All these acts showed that the brothers are thorough experts in their own particular line of business. Phillip Franz accomplished the feat carrying a mule, with a boy on its back, up a ladder, amid a storm of "applause. Tho act promises to draw well. / The Auckland Liedertafel have been prevailed upon to repeat the performance of Felicien Davids' " Desert" at their concert on Friday, November 27. It will be remembered that at the last performance the Choral Hall was crowded to overflowing, the universal opinion being that it was one of the best musical performances given in Auckland. The soloists for this performance will be changed, Messrs. M. Trenwith, W. Aspinall, and J. Morath taking the parts. The first half of the programme will consist of songs with full orchestral accompaniment by Madam Chambers and Mr. Geo. M. Keid. The Liedertafel will give the "Village Wedding," " Night Winds That So Gently Blow," unaccompanied. Special selections will be given by the orchestra. The extra provision being made for sitting accommodation will prevent the excessive crush which was so annoying to patrons at the last performance of the "Desert." Miss Nora Kerin was described by Clement Scott, the doyen of English critics, as the most charming Rosalind he had seen since the days of Helen Faucit. Miss Kerin will assume this role in '* As You Like It" next week.

Messrs. Willoughby and Geach, who have the Christchurch Carnival dates, are making a great success with " Mistakes Will Happen." An exchange says :The reappearance of the Willoughby-Geach Company in a season of light and frivolous farcical comedy sufficed to draw a large house at the Theatre Royal last night. Probably no more appropriate fare could be provided for the holiday time than the airy persiflage which is associated with Mr. Willonghby's name in matters theatrical, and as his latest venture possesses all the recognised features of the type to which it belongs it will probably be fouud to be a Carnival "winner" all down the line. Like most plays of its class, " Mistakes Will Hapnen" has no excuse constructively. It is founded frankly upon the most ingenuous fiction, and it has a quite shockingly admirable disregard for both sense and common sense. These apparent disabilities, however, are generally counted as virtues in farcical comedy, and to them must be added the welcome fact that the comedy itself is as clean and as free from unpleasantness as it is farcical I learn on good authority that Mr. Daniel Frawley, recently through here with his dramatic company, contemplates bringing out to the colonies from America next year one of Frohmanu's Opera Companies. Mr. Frawley will, in that case, not appear himself, which seems a pity. I have received from Miss Gladys Ure, of the Musgrove Shakesperean Company, copies of three soags written and composed by herself. Miss Ure shows great promise as a, composer in these numbers. "The WonLand" (a song in F) is set to music of a bold and spirited type, very marked in character. The words are of a fine., healthy nature. It is a good song, and easy in the rendering. " Silver Lining" is a solo with a waltz refrain, not up to the standard of the first-mentioned song, the words being father less meritorious, and the air somewhat hackneyed. In "Love's Lullaby" Miss Ure has produced a pretty little song, both words and music being very taking. All three numbers are widely different in character.

Mr. Clifford Walker was at latest advices touring America. Mr. J. C. Williamson has disbanded his Musical Comedy Company. Miss Blanche Wallace, Miss Elsie Moore, and Mr. Claude Bantock rejoin the Royal Comics, while Mr. Fred Graham and Miss Lillian Bigges return to England. Miss Maud Milton's performance of Audrey in "As You Like It" is said to be distinguished by a charming gaucherie, which, added to her own good looks, lends exceptional prominence to the character. The Daniel Frawley Company did splendid business at Wellington with*"Arizona," which ran for five nights. Mr. W. F. Hawtrey has added "Tatterley" to his repertoire. Mr. J. C. Williamson has decided that the prices of admission for Miss Ada Crossley's concerts in New Zealand will be the same as Australia, namely, ten shillings, five shillings, and half-a-crown.

Miss Dora Kiguold, as Celia, in "As You You Like It," is said to look like an artist's ideal in an Old World picture. Mr. Frank M. Clark was at latest advices producing a first part entitled " High Life on Deck." at the Melbourne Gaiety. The Willoughby-Geach Company are rehearsing "The Boy from Buffalo.'*' It will be staged in Auckland on New Year's Night. Mr. Willoughby is said to be most enthusiastic concerning its good points, which, in his opinion, will prove it one of the best pieces yet produced in the colony. There are no "fill-ups" or "stop-gaps;" it runs straight through from eight to forty minutes past ten.

Mr. W. IT. Denny's Touchstone in "As You Like It," is slated to be conceived on usual scholarly lines, while the business he introduces reminds old playgoers of the days when he drew all London to the Savoy. Mr. Charles Kenningham sings the songs allotted to Amiens in "As You Like It," and according to the Sydney press sings them most delightfully. It is said that Herr and Madame Slapoffcki are organising a concert company for a tour of New Zealand.

Ada Crossley will in all probability start her New Zealand tour at Invercargill. She also sings in Timaru, Masterton, and other " smalls," in addition to the four centres.

Mr. J. C. Williamson is stated to Fe contemplating a return New Zealand tour by his Sherlock Holmes Company, strengthened by the inclusion of Miss Susie Vaugban, Miss Olga Beatty Kingston, Mr. Desmond, and Mr. Jar man.

Mr. Geo. Musgrove is to revive " Masks and Faces" on a sumptuous scale in Australia, with Miss Nellie Stewart as Peg Wofnngton. Musico-Dramaticus.