NOTES BY LORGNETTE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1197, 8 February 1895, Page 16

NOTES BY LORGNETTE.

“The New Boy” Company concluded a successful season on Saturday night, when “The Foundling ” was given. “A Night Off,” which was staged on the previous evening, dragged dreadfully, and anyone who witnessed the production would be astonished to learn that the same piece was played for hundreds of nights by the Daly Company in America and England. But the latter played it, I imagine, just a trifle better than did our friends of last week. The company have gone South.

At the Opera House, Mr George Leitch has been appearing during the week in the domestic drama, “The Old Homestead.”. Well supported by Mr Manfred Rose’s Dramatic Company, Mr Leitch has been seen to considerable advantage' in the character part of Joe Stammers. The company ought to do well in their forthcoming Southern tour, which begins at Dunedin on the 13th inst., “ Night and Morning ” being the opening piece.

The well known form of Mr William Hughes, better known perhaps as “ Petey,” has been a familiar sight in town during the week. Mr Hughes is here in his old capacity of avani courier for the Royal Comic Opera Company, whose Wellington season commences at the Opera House on Monday next with “Ma Mie Rosette.” To the personnel of this first-class operatic combination I have alluded at some length in previous issues, but a few words more may not be out of place as a reminder of the good things in store for Wellington theatre-goers.

Place aux dames and pride of place to our old favourite, Miss Nellie Stewart. Always deservedly popular, Miss Stewart is an experienced and conscientious artiste who has an excellent voice, a charming personality, and a stage training of which few ladies can boast. She comes to us again, so I am informed, in fine voice and act, and dances with all her old grace and entrain. Supporting her are Misses Florence Young, whose Casilda in “ The Gondoliers ” was such a fine performance when last the Royal Comic Opera Company visited us, May Pollard, Marietta Nash (whose dancing is very highly spoken of), Lucy Cobb, Nina Osborne and others, whilst the gentlemen include our old friend Mr Lauri, Mr Wallace Brownlow, the new baritone, Mr Joseph Tapley, the new tenor (both English artistes of high reputation), Messrs Howard Vernon, Sydney Deane, A. Lissant and others. Mr George Musgrove himself accompanies the company as general manager, Mr Henry Bracy is an excellent stage manager and M. Leon Caron wields thebaton over a strong orchestra. The repertoire includes “Ma Mie Rosette,” “ Paul Jones,” “ The Mountebanks,” “La Cigale,” and “La Fille de Madame Angot,” and when I state that, all told, the company numbers over 90 people, it will be seen what a big enterprise this is of sending the Royal Comic Opera Company over to this Colony. The box plan is now open at Holliday’s, and seats are, I hear, being booked in large numbers.

“The Barber” writes as follows in the Ashburton Mail :—“ A dab of lather on Saturday stopped the yarn for a time of a circus man I was scraping. When he got his jawing tackle clear again he told me that the three acrobats in the circus who perform under the circus name of the Rizzio brothers were Wellington lads, and had - been pupils in the private gymnasium of Mr H. V. Sawtell, an athlete at one time well-known in Ashburton, where he used to peiform as one of the Roselle Brothers. Certainly Harry has every reason to be proud of his pupils.”

The editor of the New Zealand Times has kindly placed at my disposal the following interesting letter from Mr Charles F. Searle, a well-known journalist, who was for some years an actor:— “ Lady Hamlets.” Sir, —In your last Saturday’s issue “ Lorgnette ” of the Mail invites correspondents to furnish him with the names of any actresses they may remember to have undertaken- the role of Hamlet in Shakespeare’s tragedy. He states that he himself can only remember one lady who has essayed the character, and her he designates as a Miss Marriott. The actress in question occupied a more prominent position on the British stage than would be inferred by “ Lorgnette’s use of the indefinite

article. I append for his information a list of more or less celebrated artistes who have shone in the arduous role of the melancholy Dane : —England—Miss Goddard (Sadler’s Wells and Drury Lane Theatres), Miss Adelaide Ross, Miss Bouverie and Miss Rose Evans. In the colonies —Mr 3 Melinda Jones (mother of Avonia Jones and widow of G. V. Brooke), Miss Louise Pomeroy, Miss Eloise Juno and (Calcutta) Miss Cicely Blaine. I can personally vouch for these, but there are probably others known to the “profession.”— I am, Sir, Yours &c., Charles F. Searle. “Actor.”

The following lively letter speaks for itself:— Dear Lorgnette, —What’s the difference between “ The Old Homestead ” and the following “bill of the play”? or which is which ? Theatre Royal, Wellington. (June, 1885.) TWO BROTHERS; OR Sithors to Grind. (A dramatisation by the author, Mr George Ralph Walker , of the novel of the same title published by Tinsley Brothers f ) Joe Stammers ... ... Mr George Leitch . Tom Stammers ... ... Mr Robt. Vernon Ted Bluff ... ... ... Mr H. R. Jewett Lord HenryTomplemore Mr Chas. Thompson Mr Haekute ... ... Mr Frank Harcourt Eleanor Stammers ... Miss Maggie Knight Milly Stammers ... ... Miss Gwyn. Herrick Mrs Eglantine Stammers Miss Kate Douglas Finette ... ... ... Miss Carrie Davey I also saw the piece produced at the Garrick Theatre, Sydney, about ’9l or ’92, under the title of “ Sithors to Grind.” While on this subject, what is the matter with George Leitch producing either “Cricket on the Hearth” or “The Madman” during his present Wellington season? —Yours, JIBLET GuLLIVAN, ESQ. Crumby Corner. N.B. (No Bricks). —l might tell you that “ Crumby Corner ” is the Poverty Point of Wellington.— Jiblet G.

Mr H. Baillie, the bookseller, of Cuba street, showed me the other day a copy of the Christmas number of the New York Dramatic Mirror. Without exception it is the most beautifully-illustrated publication I have ever seen. In half tone engraving the Americans can fairly claim to lick creation, and in this particular instance they have beaten their own record. The cover is in colours, and is a magnificent specimen of lithography, the design being very French, and reminding me very much of Le Figaro Illustre. Full-page portrait groups of prominent American actors and actresses are given, and the literary matter is excellent, there being entirely wanting that objectionably vulgar “ note ” so noticeable in some American theatrical papers. It speSks well for the popularity of the American stage that such an artistic and wholly admirable production is devoted to its inteiests. There is nothing like it either in London or Paris.

A most scathing article, entitled “ Bentley’s Revenge,” appears in the last issue to hand of the Auckland Observer. Mr Bentley owes it to himself and to the public to give his version of the affair alluded to.

There has been a good deal of washing of dirty (theatrical) linen in the Wellington S.M.’s Court during the week. Some of the evidence was of a very extraordinary character, the most curious statement being that a theatrical tour of this colony was calmly entered upon with a capital of L2O 1 Thexe is nothing like pluck.

Mr Bland Holt, lam glad to hear from a gentleman just returned from Sydney, has been coining money at the Theatre Royal with “Span of Life,” and Mr George Reynolds’ pantomime of “ The House that Jack Built," at Her Majesty’s has also done excellent business.

Hall Caine, in speaking of the modern drama at the Shakespeare Birthday Celebration in London the other day, said the productions of the modern stage were magnificent, but one necessity of a costly production was a long.run, and the system would not foster another Webster, for the world would have no room for his two hundred plays. Even Shakespeare, with his shorter tale of thirty odd plays, would keep two theatres going for twenty years il each ran two or three hundred nights. Then a bad effect of elaborate productions was the increased risk of failure. Was it not conceivable that we should have more of the Native Drama if the risk of trying examples of it were not so serious ? Yet another shackle on the art of the dramatist was the domination of the actor. The actor had not always dominated the theatre. The author was once the master of the playhouse, and ought to be so still. The rule of the actor had been good for his art, but not so good for the drama. He would not say that the interests of actor and author were opposed, but only that they were not identical. If Shakespeare were living now, he would undoubtedly be both dramatist and novelist. He would want his say on the great questions of life. We do not discuss these questions on the stage now as they did when Shakespeare lived. It would be a pity to turn the theatre into a dissecting-room. Let it be kept as a breezy playhouse for the people. But there is no need to make it a general playground. The spirit of our time seemed resolved to make it so. Were we not gravitating towards the music-hall ?

The actor’s long hair! Says the London Stage :—ln his lecture on “ Individuality,” delivered before the professors and students of Harvard University four days previous to his departure, Mr Irving told an amusing stery. “It was only the other day,” he related, “ that a gentleman wrote to me from Paris, asking for a little temporary assistance, on the ground that his life had become a burden to him from his painful resemblance to myself. He was an Englishman, he said, and the people in the

streets and cafes wherever he went pointed to him —I hope not with the finger of scorn —and said, ‘That’s Irving, the actor.’ In consequence of this prosecution he solicited from the loan of 100 francs. I replied, suggesting that his misfortunes would come to a speedy end if he. would take the first opportunity of having his hair cut.”

Sarah Bernhardt is a great lover of animals of every description. In an interview the other day she is reported to have said : “ They tell me that in England your old maids, when they have no longer the chance of being loved, turn all their affections towards animals. To my mind, a noble dog, for example, is much more worthy of love than a man.” This looks as if the divine Sarah was approaching the time of no longer having the chance to be loved.

The Sydney season of the B. and B. company is to last 12 weeks. Some recent London novelties, “ A New Woman/’ “The Ideal Husband," “John A’Dreams,” and others are to be produced

Ma/gie Moore has again been wonderfully successful in pantomime at Melbourne Royal, a recent edition of “ Aladdin '* being produced and being pronounced" up to date ’• and very lively. Maggie is a remarkable woman, and cecidedly the most popular actress Australia has ever known. I wonder how she 11 get on in her forthcoming trip through the States.

Amongst my readers there are, I make no doubt, a good many who are not so long away from the Old Country that they have lost all interest in London theatrical matters, and for their benefit I now give a few jottings which I have compiled from the amusements columns of the London papers by the last Frisco mail. I take Dec. 27 as my date. At good “Old Drury” there is of course a pantomine, “ Dick Whittington,” in which Herbert Campbell, Dan Leno, and Ada Blanche, Maria Montrose and Agnes Hewitt are chief amongst the stars. A t the Haymarket, Mr Haddon Chambers’ “John A’Dreams” was to be played for the last time at the Adelphi. “ The Fatal Card,” with William Terriss and Miss Millward in leading parts was the attraction. At the Princess’ in Oxford street a sporting drama, “ The Derby Winner,” was on the bill, amongst those artistes being the well known Australian actress, Miss Pattie Browne. At the St. James’, Mr George Alexander was shortly to produce a new three act play “ Guy Domville,” by Mr Henry James, the A merican novelist. The Gaiety bills “ The Shop Girl,” by an author rejoicing in the curious cognomen of Dam, and at the Prince of Wales, that old London favourite, Arthur Roberts is appearing in a new burlesque entitled “ Claude Duval.”

“ His Excellency,” the new comic opera by Mr Gilbert and Dr Carr, seems to be “ going strong ” at the Lyric, and the Carl Rosa English Opera Company were in temporary occupation at Daly's, a splendid mw theatre in Leicester Square. ~ “ Charley's Aunt" had seen its 730th night, but was still coining money for lucky little Penley at the Globe, and our old acquaintance “Dr Bill ” is on the programme at the Court in Sloane Square, At the Garrick Mr John Hare was to produce a new and original play by Mr Sydney Grundy, whose “ Sowing the Wind " was recently played here by the Brough and Boucicault Company. The new play is entitled “ Slaves of the Ring.” At Toole's Theatre the veteran comedian was to appear for the IOOOIh time in Mr J. “Walker, London,’ raid “The New Boy," with clever little Weedon Grossmith in the name -part, was still boomiug at the little Vaudeville in the Strand. That strangely named play, “ The Case of Rebellious Susan," by Mr Jones, was the attraction at the Criterion. A fairy pantomime, “ Santa Claus ”, is in temporary tenancy of Mr Irving’s home, the Lyceum, and at the Savoy there is a new comic- opera “ The Chieftain,” music by Sullivan, libretto by Frank Burnancl, the genial and witty editor of Punch.

At the Comedy we find another of Mr Grundy’s plays, “The New Woman”; at the Strand a rattling musical farce, “A Trip to China Town”; at the Avenue, “The Lady Slavey ” and “ The Future Mrs Ransome,” the first a “ musical comedy.” “ Der Fledermaus ” (“ The Bat ”) was being produced by a German comic opera company at the Opera Comique, and at the principal East End and South and North London houses the cry is all “ pantomime.”

Looking through the music hall bills I find the Craggs—the acrobats who made quite a sensation in Melbourne some three years ago —at the London Pavilion, and Alice Leamar (“ Twiggez-vous ?”) at the Oxford.

Frances Saville is Jewish. So are Florence Young and Florence Graupner, and Florence Esdaile, and Ray Jones. Also charming Lalla Miranda. All Melbourne girls. Again, what is the matter with the Sydney girls ? Where are Sydney’s Melbas, Nellie Stewarts, and Yi. Yarleys ?— Bulletin.

The Kennedy Company are still .at Garrison Hall, Dunedin. Latest production “ Peep O’ Day.”

Novel advertising dodge. Says the Bulletin : “Novel playbills for ‘The Judge, at Melbourne Bijon, are blue writs issued by attorney Phil Stuart, in the suit of William Elton and Co. v. “ You. ’ They are quite genuine-looking articles in their folded form, so much so that a number of bank clerks turned ghastly pale when a man came round with a bag and solemnly served them across the counter. In several cases the unhappy “ tellers ” denied their identity on the spot, and told the supposed limb of the law to haw I—bed1 —bed -d. By the time he had served all the available customers and heaved a dozen or two up among the ledgerkeepers the writ-man lost his terrors Adolphus and Ferdinand smiled across their, lofty collars and thought it a splendid

advt. But imagine their feelings when the real writs arrive, at the instance of a brutal tailor, or a beastly boarding-house proprietor ! The dear chappies will grab the documents greedily, expecting more jokes, and, Oh, what a difference iu the morning !

Phil May. the well-known caricaturist, had a very early connection with the stage. A writer in the London World says:—“Phil May s artistic career may be said to hav e begun when he was alout twelve, at which time the Grand Theatre, Leeds opened. Mr May used to skeich sections of other people's designs of costumeß for use in the wardrobe room, and eventually got to designing comic dresses and suggestions for masks and makeups in the property-room. This brought him orders for actors’ portraits, for which he received at first Is, and later os. Remuneration bred independence,and betook to living with three or four other boys, their lodgings costing 5s a week. After a year or two of this life, the late Fred Siimpson, who had a travelling burlesque company, engaged him to play small parts and do six sketches ever y week to serve as window bills in the varicus smail towns they visited. When he first went to London Phil May begged the broken dry biscuits at the public-houses ; he quenched his thirst at the street fountains. The best bit of luck he had was when he induced a child on the Suspension Bridge to part with some bread and bacon for his walking stick. He led a terrible life of privation, and by night slept in the Park, on the Embankment, or in a cart in the market, near the stage door of the Princess' Theatre.

Taking a list of 100 pantomimes to be produced at Christmas throughout London and the provinces, says The Stage, an analysis gives interesting results. For the second year in succession “ The Forty Thieves ” is absent from the London and suburban theatres. Last year in 20 London and suburban pantomimes there were eight different titles. This year in the same number of pantomimes there are eleven varieties of title. In the provinces we record 81 pantomimes with 23 varieties of title, and this year we have 81 with 18 varieties of title.

Mr and Mrs Kendal were playing at Abbey’s Theatre, New York, in December. “ Lady Clancarty ” was a big draw.

In December last, so I learn by a London paper, Mr Henry Russell, the “ Grand Old Man of Seng,” whose inspiriting strains have brightened many lives, and given hours of pleasure to thousands, entered on his 83rd year; and his countless friends all over the world will be glad to know that he is still as hearty and as young in spirit as ever, still animated with the same aspirations that gave us “Cheer, Boys, Cheer,” and hundreds of other inspiring lavs.

Fraulein Alice, the popular German actress, who was the rage last winter in Berlin, announces her marriage in an original manner. In a public notice sbe says “To all my .friends and acquaintances —I desire herewith to make known that I am to appear in a new character, which I have never played before. The drama is called * Marriage.’ The part of the hero will be taken by Herr Hans E—. Upon him it depends whether the play will be a comedy or a tragedy. It will certainly not be a farce, for we are both terribly in earnest. Besides, all my married friends tell me that in ‘ marriage * there is nothing to laugh at.

The Gourlay-Stokes Company was at Napier last week. Only indifferent business, I fear. *

Becker : “ I see by the posters that Footlights, the tragedian, travels under his wife's management.” Decker :“So do most men, but they don’t advertise it.”

Fitzgerald’s Circus is working down to Dundin, playing country “ stands.” The show opens at the Southern city on the 15th.

“ The New Boy ” Company were to open at Dunedin last Tuesday for a week’s season, and then work back to Christchurch, playing Oamaru, Timaru and Ashburton, and opening in the Cathedral City on the 18th.

Burton’s Circus, now touring Tasmania, is made up of Abel and Klaer’s show, which went bung in Melbourne not long ago. Henry Burton is solo proprietor, Frank Clark (of variety-show fame) is manager, and in the company are P. H. Montgomery, Ida Vernon, Pearl Akarman, Lahl Singh and others.

Mr William Holloway’s two daughters, Miss “ Dora Paul ” and “ Juliet Sydney,” are playing in “ The Foundling ” at the Grand Theatre, Islington. A provincial tour is on the cards.

Mr and Mrs Lohr’s clevei little girl “ Baby Lohr *’ makes quite a hit every night in Mr Rignold’s pantomime in Sydney. She is said to display quite exceptional talent. Heredity again. Her mother, Miss Kate Bishop, was a fine actress in her day.

The Sydney correspondent of the Otago Witness says that Miss Florence Young, of the Royal Comic Opera Company, has accepted an engagement with tbe London Gaiety Company, and will leave for London at the close of the New Zealand tour.

The Waihi, with the Pollard Opera Company on board, stuck upon the flats off Blenheim. The passengers were landed with assistance from another boat.

The new Theatre Royal built at Marton by Mr McChesney was opened on Wednesday night with a concert.

A company has been formed at Hawerft to build a town hall,