PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1165, 29 June 1894, Page 26

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

" Here come the actors, Buz, Buz." —Bamlht The theatrical oditor of the Nbw Zealand Mail will be happy to receive and print route dates and any other information concerning the movements of companies. A post card giving ** route dates " for tho week is recommended. Address all communications for this column to "Lorgnette," New Zealand Mail office, Lambton quay, Wellington.

NOTES BY LORGNETTE.

"Charley's Aunt" is a most amusing production, but why so much fuss has been made about it, both in London and Australia, is more than I can understand. There is very little that is original about the plot, and the fun is spun out too long. There is enough motif for a capital one act farce, but to spread the fun over three acts, of which the first drags lamentably until the old lady from Brazil is introduced, is giving the public too much of a good thing, Of course the comedy is most laughable, indeed I have not laughed so much for many a long day, but " Charley's Aunt" would never tempt me to see it a second time. Mr Thornton heightens his farcical effects, I should fancy, a little more than does Mr Penley. Perhaps, like Mr Elton and other comedians who have come to the colonies, he thinks a colonial audience like an exaggerated rather than a subdueU humour. If so he-is mistaken. The rough, slap-dash picture in glaring colours. may please a few, but the.average colonial playgoer's taste is quite as refined as that of a Londoner, and in future I hope Mr Thornton will bear this in mind. The support given to Mr Thornton is by no means brilliant, and why it was considered necessary to make the "special importations" I am at a loss to understand, for much better actors could easily be picked up in Melbourne and Sydney than some of those who now make their "first appearance in Wellington" The company which supported Mr Thornton the last time ho visited New Zealand was infinitely superior to the combination he has now with him, always excepting Mrs Walter Hill and Mr Harry Hill, whose capital character sketch as the Oxford scout shows that this gentleman has the makings of a first-rate comedian.

".Charley's Aunt" has drawn splendid houses, and on Thursday gave way to the veteran " Hans the Boatman," in which our old friend Mr Charles Arnold made his first appearance with this company. The production comes too late in the week for -notice in this column.

'On Saturday Mr Arnold's new piece "Captain Fritz," is to be staged, I hear this is a most amusing and lively piece, Mr Arnold's songs in which are really capital. One, indeed, "Tommy Atkins," causes quite a furore. On Tuesday the evergreen "Private Secretary—in more senses than one—will make his reappearance, and Mr Thornton will, I feel sure, convulse all those that patronise the performance. As the Private Secretary, Mr Thornton is facile princeps. Those who have only seen the version (The Librarian) as played by Mr George Leitch, should not fail to see Mr Thornton's "good yonng man." As played by Mr George Leitch and the MyraKemblecompany, "The Librarian' was a dreary and wearisome inanity, but Mr Thornton's version and his acting therein I well remember to have been a great treat.

The Southern papers speak In high terms of praise of Madame de Vere Sapio, who is the chief vocalist of tho Urso-Sapio Company. The Otago Daily Times says :—Madame de Vere Sapio came not with the great reputation of Madame Urso—still, she was preceded by a high reputation, and having the world 'it.* aet practically before her, the chance is rnrs" of building up a reputation that will extead throughout the world. There were few in the Garrison Hall who were prepared for NKjh a genuine vocal triumph as she acbievea. Her voice is a high and admirably trained soprano of splendid power and great compass. Her intonation is virtually flawless in its purity, the flexibility of her voice is remarkable, and the' evenness of its quality is rare, but in the upper register it is especially " full and sweet. Her singing throughout the evening afforded an artistic treat of great richness. Upon her first ap pearance she s ing a difiicult aria from Felicien David's " Pearl of Brazil," with which she fairly took her hearers by storm. The number abounds with florid passages, which, however, were given with great precision and without apparent effort, and the exacting caUs upon the upper register were ail~me£ with great success. Her artistic treatment of the aria revealed herself at once to the audience as an exceptionally gifted vocalist.

Madame De Vere—Sapio is recognised as

a great artiste by tho leading English, Continental and American papers. She has sung in opera with Campanini, Tamagno and other artistes of the first rank, and appeared with great success at tho Philarmonic and Wagner concerts in London last year. In New York she was recognised as a worthy successor of Pauline Lucca and Etelka Gerster. Her husband, Signor Eomualdo Sapio, the conductor, has had a long experience in operatic enterprise. He conducted Patti's last operatic season in the States, and also at the inauguration of tho Chicago Auditorium three years ago. Of Madame Urso it is not necessary for me to say more than she is recognised as one of the finest violinists in the world, HerrßennoScherekofMelbourucacls as pianist to the company, which commences its Wellington season on Friday, July 6th, and should be well patronised.

The Montague-Turner Opera Company will arrive in Auckland shortly, and commence a tour of tho Colony. Miss Cecily Staunton, a New Zcalander, will bo one of the company.

Bland Holt has opened at Sydney Lyceum in "The Prodigal Daughter." "A Life of Pleasure," and " A Woman's Revenge,' to follow.

lam sorry to 6ce that Manning's Opera Company, of which Miss Kathcrine Hardy, the cx-We!lingtouian, is a member, have recently been stranded in Perth, Western Australia. Benefits have been organised and subscriptions raised, the proceeds being use 1 as passage-money. Lots are drawn as to who returns first.

The St. John Burlesque and Pantomime Company " bust up" at Dunedin, and several of the members, Priscilla Verne and Charles Provo amongst them, passed through Wellington last week by the Mararoa, eu route for Sydney. New Zealand wants a long rest from vanety companies.

The KennedyDeering Company continue to give performances at Dunedin City Hall. Popular prices.

The Blind Students have been working through the small towns in Northern Otago, and are now in Dunedin.

Mr Herbert Linden, an actor of some considerable experience, is, I hear, shortly to produce three dramas at the Opera House. He will be assisted by local amateurs, and has also engaged the services of Miss Carrio Fischer. The three plays to be produced are entitled respectively-; "All for Gold," "The Count's Revengo" and " False Colours." Rehearsals will start at once. Mr Linden expects to open about the 26th of next month.

An entertainment of a somewhat novel character is aftout to bo givon in the Colony by Professor Beaumont, the " man fish," his two daughters. They are to open at tho Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on Saturday, with an exhibition of their marvellous performances under wator. A huge glass tank is provided, which is filled to the top, and in this the performers disport themselves, playing cards, drinking bottles of milk —it should delight tho Isittites that nothing stronger is used—and picking up coins. The entertainment will be given in Wellington at an early date.

" Pasquin," in the Otago Witness, is my authority for the slatement that the Hellers have clearel over £2OOO during the past two months. Truly a "Bonanza" Coterie in fact as well as name, if this report bo true.

It is fourteen years since Madamo Urso was last in New Zealand.

Carl Hertz's .new illusion "After the Flood" is said to be wonderful, An empty ark is placed on the stage, and after a few pails of water have been poured in, rabbits, duck?, dogs, cats, &c, issue forth from the windows, and Madame D'Aton is found reclining inside.

The Music Hall says that Katrine Vincent, violinist, who has been touring with enormous success through Australia and New Zealand for the past two and a half years, will make her reappearance in London at a West iind hall at an early date. This is our old triend, Ma-lame Katherine Vinceni.

Hearken unto this all ye who are anxious to possess countenances which shall be a satisfaction to yourselves and an everlasting joy to all the world :— 4 * Mrs Kendal, who is so justly notec][ for her lovely complexion, gives the following as her complexion recipe: Ten hours' sleep every night, a four-mile walk every day, vigorous rubbing in cold water, brown bread, no sweety, and no coffee." Now go and do likewise, and be happy for evermore. «

H. K. Roberts, formerly round with Walter Bentley, had a singing part in the new play, "The Circus Queen," written i »r Yfiss Maggie Moore by Toso Taylor, ila'iry u.*j»l to sing " Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, ' and " Under the Greenwood Tree," when he was playing with Essie Jenyns.

A young man made an application to George Rignold for engagement at Hor Majesty's Thoatre, Sydney, and amongst other things said that he did so wish to see his name in print. "Then, why don't you get some visiting cards printed," said Henry V.

Tho Wirths dropped .£3.000 with their circus at first in South Africa, but in ten weeks they had netted a profit of £7OOO. They talk of remaining two more years in Africa.

Gracie Plaisted is engaged to be married to a San Francisco man, her original mash. He wiil made he: fourth husband.

A young alleged Circassian, who played in Australia on the strength of a tremendous head of white hair, is now in the States, billed as an Australian aboriginal I

Johann Strauss, the waltz writer, used to be a clerk in a Savings Bank.

A client of a Birmingham newspaper advertises for a " Pianist and vocalist who can cleau windows and make himself generally useful.

A Paris ballet dancer died recently, leaving £120,000 that she earned in her calling. Caustic writers are intimating that she put aside £2OO a year.

This is from an irreverent American paper, the Brooklyn Eagle :—" A German named Cronow makes up as Queen Victoria in the London variety theatre. His personation is applauded. Probably he flatters Mrs Witton, or she might object. The Qaeon in private life has four chins and lishv-ejcs."

Edwin Booth, tho American tragedian, said:—"The sweetest music to ray ears is the shouting of the boys in the gallery. I know they are not applauding because I have a reputation or becnuse they wish to make a display. When they shout I know that Inm giving a good performance. As for the stalls, it may clap its hands out of politoness.

Our London correspondent writes; " Go-Bang," at the Trafalgar Square Theatre, has made a palpable hit, and Letty Lind's ** Di, Di, Di " song promises to rival even "Marguerite" in popularity. At Meyer Lutz's benefit it was the triumph jmr excellence of a five hours' entertainment, embracing bits from all the burlesques on the London stage. Mike Mac, one of the original "Two N 5 acs" (who were the first and best " Knockabouts" on the Music Hall stage) died in Brompton Hospital of tumour last week. The mere memory of the business of " The Two Macs " makes one smile. They had many imitators but no equals, and for years repeated the same mutual assault and battery performance with unabated success. When, some time ago, Mike Mac fell ill, his comrade took a new tartner, but "the turn" didn't go as well as of old, and I don't know where they are now.

In the revival of " Money " at tho Garrick on May 10th, Mrs Bancroft and Mr Arthur Cecil will resume their oid parts (last played in 1880) of Lady Franklin and Graves, Ferbes Robertson should make an admirable Evelyn, Kate Rorke will be Clara; Maud Millett, Georgina; Mr Kemble, Stout; and Mr Brookfield, Deadly Smooth. The pick of the Adelphi has, like that of the Garrick, been but so-so of late. To-night the " Cotton King " will disappear from the bill, and for Whitsuntide "The Two Orphans," with Oharle3 Cartwright and Marion Terry as hero and heroine, takes its place.