MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14223, 20 November 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

November 13 to 27—Hugh J. Ward Co. (" A Bachelor's Honeymoon," etc.). November 29 t> December IB—J. O. Williamson. December 27 to January 15— J. C. Williamson (" King of Cadonia" Company). OPERA HOUSE. In season—Fullers* Wide World Pictures. ROYAL ALBERT HALL. Xn season— Pictures. , TiVOLT THEATRE. In season—Vaudeville and Pictures. Tito has been passing merrily at His Majesty's Theatre since Saturday' last, when the revelry of "A Bachelor's Honeymoon" commenced. The' laughter-producing qualities of the popular farce have never failed to release the mainsprings of mirth, while Mr. Hugh Ward, Miss Grace Palotta, Miss Rose Musgrove, and Ghiloni have been voted merry-making stars. The company will not move quarters until after Saturday next.

• This afternoon's matinee will be the occasion of a new programme at the Opera House. Matinee entertainments will also be given at the Royal Albert Hall and Tivoli Theatres, both places change night occurs on Wednesday.

, A large number of new songs have received publication of late, but local repertoires have been none the brighter for the fact. The screw of enterprise is surely loose. I am in receipt of a batch of new songs from Chapell and Co., publishers, amongst which are some really charming numbers. Frank L. Moir is represented by " Charm Me to Sleep" (the words by Herrick), a dainty solo. "Sleep, Little Blossom" is a pretty setting by J. B. McEwen, of Tennyson's lines from " Romney's Remorse." That prolific lyrist, Fred E. Weatherly, provides a new theme in "Haven After. All," which is most acceptably treated in the music by Florence Aylward. Charles Braun is melodious in his treatment of Harold Boulton's "My Love's Like a Shower" and in " Take, Sweet Maid" (words by Harold Simpson). A characteristic composition from the pen of Liza Lehmann is "The Clock," being No. of the portrait series of this composer's al- ' bum. Mrs. Eden's verse is quaint. On the whole the budget to hand is comprised of excellent selections for the concert "platform or drawing-room.

The New Zealand tour of Mr. J. C. Williamson's " Flag Lieutenant Company" will commence at His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, on Friday next. In addition to this successful naval drama, the repertory will include "The Cheat," which was presented in Sydney recently, and revivals of "Brewster's Millions" and " Sherlock Holmes." Mr. T. Kingston, who was last through New Zealand with Miss Tittel Brune's company, will share the leading roles with Mr. George Titheradge. Two new faces in these parts will be those of the English actresses. Miss Dorothy Grimston and Miss Ethel Warwick.

Mr. J. C. Williamson has secured Miss Rosina Buckmann, the young New Zealander. who has alreadv made such a bier impression with her brilliant soprano, and she will make her first appearance with the Royal Comic Opera Company in "The Lady Dandies." This company is certainly becoming wonderfully equipped vocally— with Miss Florence" Young, Miss Nellie Wilson, and Miss Buckmann, and in a few weeks Miss Fanny Bauer, the Sydney soprano, with a Continental training, who left London last week under engagement to Mr. Williamson.

Although Miss Amy Castles has travelled far and wide, she has never forgotten that early training that taught her a reverence for healthy homely things. " Some day," said Miss Castles with a smile to an interviewer recently. "I want a beautiful home of my own, a husband, and some nice children." All the Castles love children, you know." To thof=e who only know Miss Castles as the brilliant singer, there is something surprising in that statement; but those who are well acquainted with her in her private life know that she has that refreshing way of expressing such pleasant sentiments.

Mr. E. T. Sayers, at one time one of Wellington's most prominent amateur actors, and who for many years past has been touring in England and South Africa as principal comedian in musical, comedy companies, is now acting as press representative at Montreal, Canada.

It is rumoured that Bert Gilbert is not coming to New Zealand with Mr. J. C. Williamson's "The King of Cadonia" Companv, which will commence a tour at Auckland on Boxing Night. The English comedian has. owins to ill-health, been out of the bill in Sydney for 1 some weeks. Possibly this has given rise to the rumour.

Mr. Edwin Geach's Midnight Wedding" Company, which is also staging "An Englishman's Home," has been playing at Invorcargill during the week to satisfactory business. The company will pass through the main centres for the North Island, taking the small towns en route.

Mr. Bert Royle, New Zealand representative for the. J.- C. Williamson firm, will pilot " The Flag Lieutenant" Dramatic Company through the Dominion. Mr. Royle arrived in Dtincdin yesterday to arrange the opening preliminaries of the tour.

It is reported from Wellington that a mixed party of Maoris, about 50 in number, has been engaged to cater for the entertainment of the London public at the Hippodrome. They will be mostly Rotorua natives, and it is expected that they will be absent from New Zealand for about seven months. The performances will consist of poi dances and hakas. It is understood that after a season in London the troupe will tour the English provinces and Scotland. '•'*,"

Thus Mr. John Fuller, jun., to a Sydney press representative: —" The show business —despite all reports —in New Zealand is as good .as ever. The only difference is the public are a little more discriminating. I don't blame them. Some Australian managers are under the impression that anything is good enough for New Zealand audiences. Thus, at the end of a tour they find a very substantial debit balance to juggle with."

The foundation-stone of the new picture theatre in Wellington, which is to be named the King's, was to be laid on Monday last by the Mayor. The building has already advanced a good deal.

Miss Marjorie Chard and Langhome Burton, of the Nellie Stewart Company, will leave Sydney for England on November 23. Harcourt Beatty and Gaston Mervale will join the company towards the end of the month.

The cinematograph pictures of the dash for the South Pole by Sir Ernest Shackleton, which he exhibited before Their Majesties the King and Queen, were to be seen for.the first time in New Zealand this week at the Town Hall, Wellington. \

Mr. Matheson Lang and Miss Hutin Britain have arranged to tour Australia this spring with Hall Caine and Louis N. Parker's drama " Pete." These artists played the chief characters in this new version of " The Manxman," lately adapted for the stage by Mr. Hall Caine, .upon its first production at the Lyceum Theatre, London, last year, when the success prolonged the run into the early part of the present year. Both are well-known artists, and Mr. Lang recently appeared in London as Hamlet. They are visiting Australia under engagement to Clarke, Meynell, and Gunn. .

Miss Grace Palotta, who is said to be regarded as one of the best dressed actresses on the Australasian stage, spent (so I hear) a six months' vacation, searching the European capitals for the most unique ideas in gowns. The result is stated to be an astounding collection of dresses, which caused so much comment in Melbourne that a reporter devoted two columns to an "interview" with them. MuSICO-DRA.SUTICr/8.