MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

BOOKINGS. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. To-night—Paul Dufauit's Concert. March 9 to Geo. Willoughby's Dramatic Company. March 21 ... to ApriJ —Geo. Willoughby's Pantomime (*• Aladdin"). April 11 to May 2—J. C Williamson. May 18 to 30—Geo. Willoughby's Co. June Ito 20—J C Williamson. June 27 to July 11— J. C. Williamson. July 18 to August 7—J. and N. Tut. 1 August 15 to August 29— J. C. Williamson. September Si to 21—Geo. Willoughby's Co. September 28 to ')ctobor 10— J. C. William

The Cherniavskys are to tour Australia with the celebrated classical dancer, Miss Maud Allan. The Cherniavskys are said to be special protegees of the Russian Imperial Government. Mischel, the youngest, is now regarded as one of the world's most pianist; and Leo, the eldest, is the violinist of whom the great Ysage 6aid, "there is no one like him." To Leo the Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia is said to have presented a genuine Strad violin. Mr. James E. Moore, a brother of Miss Maggie Moore, the well-known actress, and who was himself connected "with theatrical enterprises for some years in Australia and New Zealand as a. manager, died at Petersham, a suburb of Sydney, a fortnight ago. Bom in San Francisco (where his father, the late Mr. J. E. Moore, was a contractor in extensive business), he came to Australia in 1874 as manager for Miss Maggie Moore and the late Mr. J. C. Wilt liamson when they brought "Struck Oil" to that country. Later ,he was treasurer for Williamson, Garner, and • Musgrove, and afterwards acted as manager for the Meynell and other theatrical firms. Sis kindly nature won him a wide circle 'of friends, and the sympathy of playgoers j all over Australia and New Zealand will be extended to his sister, one of the most popular actresses of her time in this part of the world, and to his widow" and family. Mr. Moore, who wag 58 years of age, died suddenly of hekrt failure, following protracted ill-health^ —n

At length New Zealauders and Australians are to have the opportunity of seeing and bearing Miss Ellen Terry in their own local theatres {says the Herald's correspondent). She is to give, in all the leading centres, her series of Sliakesperean lectures. Although there will probably be little in the way of §tage setting, and no attempt at all to produce any of Shakespere's plays in their entirety ; the leading characters which Miss Terry for so many years interpreted seem to have become part of herself, and her chats about the women of Shakespere are always worth _ listening to. Miss Terry has a very vivacious and attractive manner, and, usually wearing a picturesquely flowing robe which seems to suit any character, she deals fluently with them all, one after another, and, of course, it is impossible for her to avoid introducing a good deal of dramatic gesture. For many years Miss Ellen Terry has been celebrated as an actress, yet never previously has she been se«n in the Antipodes, although in years gone by she has charmed untold thousands of visitors to this metropolis. Past her prime, perhaps, in some respects, it will nevertheless be an education for the young people of New Zealand to listen to Ellen Terry's talks and to watch her style. Mi". Joseph Blascheck, who is a well-known entertainer in New Zealand, is the manager of this Australasian tour which is to open in Sydney or Melbourne in April next, and which starts from London under the aegis, of the London Entertainment Syndicate.

. "Never Say Die," the farcical comedy in which Mr. Fred Niblo and Miss Josephine Cohan Have achieved their latest success at Sydney Criterion Theatre, concerns the doings of a man who is declared by his.doctor to have but three weeks to five. Just to assist a penniless pair to matrimony, he marries the bride and makes his will in her favour for a million dojlars. But he does not die as expected. As a matter of fact, he thrives wonderfully, and the complications that ensue from his refusal to shuffle off the mortal coil are ludicrous. " The comedy is described as "a laugh in every hne.'' Mr. Niblo appears a Dionysius Woodbury, who does not die; Miss Josephine Cohan as Violet, the girl he marries Robert Greig as the doctor Maurice Dudley at a French chef; Sydney Stirling, as a valet; and Miss Irby Marshall as a French girl.

The pianist, Harold Bauer, who is to tour Australia this year, has been giving Americans further evidence of his originality by providing them with some delightfully unusual programmes. Recently he appeared in a recital in New York wherein he played nothing but Bach and Beethoven, and at the time was talking of presenting a special programme designed to reveal the dance forms in certain selections from Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, and others. Not long back hie programme at a certain recital was Chopin, Liszt, and Schumann, and he played only the works of each master as were dedicated to one of the other two. What made this concert particularly interesting was that the centenary of the three arch-romanticists was occurring about that time.

At every performance of " Come Over Hers,' the J. C. Williamson "revue," now being staged in Melbourne, there is a thrill of suspense when a motor-car driven by a negro crosses right in front of a railway train during an exciting race. This part of the spectacle is enacted by cinema. The incident depicted provided a very perilous experience, for the actors who took part in it. In the motor-car were Messrs. Jack Cannot, Leslie Holland, _ and a well-known motorist, "Billy" Elliott, who drove. The biograph was focussed on an open crossing on the Sutherland line, not far from Sydney, and presently into view cam© the motor. -It was immediately seen that ifthe car was to cross in front of the oncoming train it would have to take it pretty closely, and the men at the moving picture machine held their breath in suspense, and so great was their excitement that they found it difficult to- turn the handle. On came the train and the car. Then it looked as if nothing could avert a tragedy, but in a flash the car had crossed right in front of the train, and the picture was done. When the car pulled up, Mr. Elliott was laughing, but Messrs. Cannot and Holland looked serious. "Well," said Holland, "I think we're lucky to be alive; the engine was' right on us." "Don't you believe it," remarked Mr. Elliott. "There was a good two feet to spare." <

Instances of Harry Lauder's popularity continue to crop up and afford amusement to the great comedian's innumerable admirers. One of the latest stories comes from a school in an English midland town where a young teacher was giving a class of small children a rather interesting lesson in history. During the course of the lesson he casually asked the infants if anyone could tell him who was the greatest man that Britain had produced in the last 50 years, and was enormously amused to learn from one. small child that it was Harry Lauder.

Mr. H. C. Houghton of Hamilton has had two lyrics set to music by two staff writers of the Dugdale Co., Washington U.S.A. The songs are ''Reflections,and "Will Thy Memory E'er Recall," and in each iase the words and music are of a pleasing type.

The Quralan Opera Company has achieved a great success at the outset of its • tour of America, which commenced in British Columbia. Press notices to hand give eulogistic account® of the company's performances The Daily Colonist, at Victoria, published a leading article perserially signed by Charles H. Lugrin, the editor-in-chief, eulogising the company's productions, and calling upon the citizens of \ictona not to "miss *the rich treat and educational advantages in store for those who attend the season of opera," "I have taken this course," added the editor, " because the occasion is so exceptional, and I feel it is only doing my duty to those whom it has been my privilege to assist." 6

An innovation at , the Little Theatre, Sydney, recently was the, substitution ot a trio, pianoforte, violin, and vocalist, in the place of an orchestra. Musico-Dbamactcub,