MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14133, 7 August 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

July 26 to August 7 —J. C. Williamson (Nellie Stewart Co.). . Auerust 9 to 23—" Jack and Jill" Pantomime Co. September Bto 28— J. C. Williamson.

f . OPERA HOUSE. In season— Wide World Pictures.

ROYAL ALBEi.; HALL AND TIVOLI. In season Pat he Pictures.

Dates for concerts in leading'centres throughout the Commonwealth and New Zealand- have been fixed for the concert tour of Miss Amy Castles, which commences in Melbourne on August 21. When it was announced some time ago that Miss Castles would leave the beaten track and sing in many of the smaller towns, Messrs. J. ,and N. Tait were inundated with requests from many places, the residents of which expressed the hope that they would be favoured with a visit. It is desired that no time should be lost in communicating with the management regarding outside fixtures. New Zealand ruralists should note.

The time has come for Auckland to part with Miss Nellie Stewart, who, for the past fortnight, has been dispensing delightful draughts of richly-flavoured drama. By her pleasing creation of the picturesque Sweet ; Kitty Bellairfi," her charming revival of " Sweet Nell of Old Drury," and her final triumph as Rosalind in Shakespere's "As You Like It," the popular Australienne, has added lustre to the memories which attach to her many Auckland successes. After her final appearances in the Shakesperean role this afternoon and "to-night, Miss Stewart and her company will continue their New Zealand tour southward. - •

The past week has. witnessed further good business at the Royal Albert and Tivoli, where wise (selections for the formidable Pathe Pictures have formed attractive programmes. ' The usual matinee entertainments will take place this afternoon.

The principal feature of the new programme at the Opera House this afternoon is a pictorial reproduction of Sardou's "La Tosca." It is sustained by members of Madame Sarah Bernhardt's Parisian company. The French players have contrived to present the tragedy in tabloid form, the plot is crammed into a few minutes, and none. of the essentials sire missed. The . gesticulations of the principals give a most vivid idea of the dialogue, while the action is swift and sharp. The management promise another attraction in "On the Fighting-top of a Battleship While in Action" shortly.

Haydn Beck, the child violinist, who gives promise of etill more brilliant achievements, providing the avenues of a higher musical education are opened to him, played by invitation before members of the Orphans' and Savage Clubs prior to his return to Wang&nui. The brilliant playing and interesting personality of the youthful genius struck a decided note of appreciation on each occasion, with the result that the Orphans presented him with a cheque for £20, and members of the Savage Club with a. donation of £22 Is. Master Beck was also made a member of both institutions.

As the principal boy in the pantomime "Jack and Jill," which is due at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday night, Miss Stella Gastelle is said to strike the keynote of merit, while establishing herself as a vivacious and popular favourite in her optimistic song, "Climb Boye, Climb." This little lady came to.Australia as one of the principals - in the English Opera Company Miss Gastelle excellent voice was trained in Paris and Leipsig. In this she has the advantage over the majority, of stage boys, and is a dashing little Jack in every eensc of the word, though many of the discerning "Jacks" of the community would doubtless prefer to regard her as their bright and particular Jill.

By . special arrangement with Mr. J. C. Williamson, Mr. Edwin Geach's powerful and specially-selected dramatic company, numbering over' 20 artiets, will shortly visit Auckland with "An Englishman's Home,'' which caused all the eeats at Wyndham's Theatre, London, to be booked months in advance, and when produced in Sydney at Easter, at the Theatre Royal, and subsequently at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, resulted in a repetition of the London rush.

Miss Betty Obis, the dainty young actress who took Sydney by storm as "The Merry Widow," is to visit Auckland next week as Jill in the pantomime "Jack and Jill." She has a number of bright songs, one of the most popular of which is " Splashing in the Briny," in which she is the leader of a bevy of lady bathers on an ocean beach, and by a mechanical contrivance and illusion they all, end up in Hi" combers and foam of the long wash of tlio Pacific.

Much of the credit for the success of " Jack and Jill" is said to be due to the chorus, ballets, and children, who combine with the principals in producing what is adjudged "the brightest, merriest, and most dazzlingly production ever achieved on the Australasian stage.''

"A „ Chimerical Combination in Four Bursts" was the description of Sir Charles Stanford's " Ode to Discord," which was produced at the Queen's Hall, London, just before the last mail left England. It was a mirth-invoking affair. The ode is dedicated to the Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers. To get the necessary unusual effects some wind instruments were used. One was a hydrophone, a thing resembling a large coffee mill, with peas or pebbles inside. It produces sounds ranging from the roar of angry waves to the murmur of a stream. Another was a "contra-bass macaroon," which produced a sound like a loud sob. The " Dreadnought drum" stood 10ft high, and when the drummer had smitten it three strong men had to lean against it to stop the vibration. For 20 minutes pandemonium reigned, and the audience laughed as probably no Queen's Hall audience had over before laughed at music.

After a six nights' run" The Hypocrites," which has been played «o effectively at His Majesty's, Chrietchurch, gave place on Tuesday night to ".Lucky Durham," the last play written by the late Wilson Barrett.

Mr. Allan Hamilton's dramatic company will commence a season of stirring drama to-night at the Theatre Royal. Christ-church. The opening production will be "In the Ranks,' a melodrama of the military type. The company tins just finished up a Successful season in Wellington

Mr. Hugh Ward and his company are being cordially received in Melbourne. In " A Bachelor's Honeymoon" Miss Grace Palotta appears in tights; but that is not, as. reported, a new experience, for she wore "the cooler garb" " In Town."

It is possible that Mr. Oscar Asche and Miss Lily Brayton will appear in their great poetic tragedies, " Attila" and "The Virgin Goddess," during their season. For Cup week in Melbourne they will play " Count Hannibal." .

The Municipal Theatre at Invercargill will seat 1350 adults. The building cost £23,800.

After his Melbourne season Allen Doone, the Irish comedian; will visit New Zealand under Allan Hamilton's management. - Mcsico-Dbamatiocs.