MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12663, 17 September 1904, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

BOOKINGS. HIS MAJESTY'S THEA.TKE. September 19, 21. 22, and 23-Watlrin Mills Company. September 24 to October B—Harry Rickards. # October 10, 11, and 12—Auckland Dramatic Society {" Sweet Lavender"). October 19—Mrs. Malcomson Boult. October Auckland Band Association ■■'■;•(" Maritana"). October 21—Navy League Concert. November 1 to 18—Woods-Williamson Company. November 19 to December 17—Knight-Jeffries Company. December 24. onwards— Stephenson's Company (" The Hose of the Riviera"). OPERA HOUSE. Fullers' Empire Company.

From all source- come really enthusiastic accounts of Mr. Watkin Mills, the eminent English basso, who gives the first of four recitals at His Majesty's on Monday next. It is said of Mr. Watkin Mills that he stands to-day the foremost in his profession, and that lie is recognised as the leading basso of Great Britain. The demand for his valuI able sevices as an exponent of all the great oratorios, together with innumerable cantatas and works of a lighter order, has not been- confined to England alone. This great artiste has been to Canada and the United States no less than eight times; where he went, he sang, and he conquered. Mr. Mills, accompanied by bis pianist, Mops. Eduarcl Parlovitz, and his manager, Mr. W. Spencer Jones, are due to arrive in Auckland about midday to-day. Madame Lilian Tree's forthcoming production of " The Bohemian Girl" at the Choral Hall on Wednesday next is likely to prove one of the most attractive of this lady's popular series of opera in camera. An excellent cast of principals, including Mr. Frank Graham, will interpret the solos, and Madame Tree's selected operatic, choir will j sing the several beautiful choruses. The Opera House is becoming a favourite place of amusement in the hands of Mr. John Fuller and his company of vaudeville, artistes. There is plenty of variety in the present Dill. Mr. Harry Richards has booked His Majesty's for a two-weeks' season, commencing on Saturday next. It is probable that he will fill the dates with the American Travesty Company which he recently took over in Australia. Mr. Allan Hamilton is expected here in a day ox two "in advance." It is pleasing to notice the success achieved by the Auckland Shakesperean Society, and I understand , that their next reading ("Henry V.") promises to be or quite exceptional merit. An unusually fine cast has been secured. The performance takes place next Tuesday evening. "The Skirt Dan'cei," produced for the first time in Australia by George Stephen-' son's Musical Comedy Company. at Melbourne Princess', on August 27, scintillates with brightness (says Tabic Talk), and will surely prove a serious rival to " The Rose of the Riviera." At the conclusion of its initial presentation approval was loudly expressed, the curtain having to be raised three or four times in response to enthusiastic Calls. :'••:'.:■

The Auckland Dramatic Society are progressing admirably with their rehearsals of "Sweet Lavender," under Mrs. Malcomson Boult's able coaching.. , A really good performance is anticipated next month. Mr. Ednard Parlovitz, who appears at the Walkin Mills recitals, is an Englishman of Polish descent, born and educated in London, where his father and uncle, friends of Rubinstein, resided after leaving their own country. Always showing a talent for music, the little Parlovitz was sent to the Guildhall School of Music unusually early. He was the youngest student who ever secured the Associateship of that institution, & feat he accomplished when between 12 and 13 years of age. His first tour as pianist was with the late Mme. Antoinette Sterling's company five years ago. Mr. Parlovitz has twice touted Canada and thf; United States with Mr. Mills, and has appeared throughout England with Mme. Alice Esty and the Meistersiagers.. The Italians in New York are, about to erect in that city a magnificent statue of the composer Verdi, to be executed by M. Pasquale Civiletti, of Palermo. The star ; attractions' at Melbourne Opera House recently have been Historiens, a child who instantly answers all sorts of historical questions thrown at her by the audience, and th; Salambos, a couple of portly Americans who give a sort of scientific exposition of the mysteries of electricity, the most remarkable feature of which is their trick of blowing flames from their mouths, not small flames, but foot-long flames, that are kept going for half a minute or more. A Chicago actor has been granted a divorce because his wife smoked cigarettes despite his protestations. Mr. Wilson Barrett's death was due to j heart failure, consequent upon three opera-1 tions for cancer. j *••;<" The Geisha" will probably be revived in j the near future by the Royal Comics. « Messrs. Maskebne and Cook's Australasian . tour has been practically fixed to j commence at Easter, 1906. Miss Alice Hollander was to sail .from London for the Cape on August 6, under] definite engagement to support Jean Ger-; ardy in a South African tour until next j ■March. ;■..".. ' j Mr. Dennis Harvey, of the Harvey Boys, who appeared here with Richards' Company, was married last month in London.

I Anxious Amateur {his first appearance): : " C-c-c-an you suggest anything, old fellow, i b-b-before the c-c-cnrtain goes up?" Friend | (.stage manager): "Well, I think you ought to put some pads on your teeth, to keep them from chattering." Mr. J. C. Williamson has arranged for a visit next year to Australia of the renowned Irish comedian, Andrew C. Mack, supported by a specially-selected company, whc will appear in Irish comedy. Mr. Mack is described as young, of fine appearance, and the possessor of an excellent tenor voice. Melbourne Royal, says the Bulletin, will be a most attractive theatre in all respects when it gets its new interior. The old gallery and family circle are to give place to e fine, sloping amphitheatre. The dress circle will be brought nearei to the stage, the proscenium will be altered, and the reconstructed house is to have an up-to-date roof with a sliding dome. All this will cost from £16,000 tc £18,000, of which I amount the Theatre Royal Proprietary Company, must borrow about £12,000. I At a concert given by Mr. Watkin Mills shortly before leaving Australia the encores , were so excessive that the famous basso had to take out his watch, look at it intently, and shake his head with a smile at the musical gluttons. Even this did not check the applause. So, after contributing a supplementary number, and finding the audience unappeased, the singer had to protest. " There is some limit to human endurance," he told the audience, and thaib reproach effected a silence, and subsequently a, reasonable regard for the artiste's efforts. A recent marriage in London was that of Miss Lilian Wheeler, the well-known Australian actress, who for some time played with Mr. George Rignold. The bridegroom was Mr. Ernest C, Mainwaring. It is announced that Mr. J. M. Barrio is writing a new play for Miss Ellen' Terry, under the management of Mr. Charles Frohman. The work will exhibit the modern feeling" shown in the attitude towards each other of a mother and daughter, and will be a straightforward play, in four acts, without satire or fantasy. Hall and Valentine's Entertainers (will shortly commence another tour of the North Island with a complete new set ot films. Miss Beatrice Vartha, pianiste, was married in the Napier Cathedral on August 31 to Hen Lehmann, alsc a musician. Mi: sico-Dramatic us. , j