NOTES BY “LORGNETTE."

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 22

NOTES BY “LORGNETTE."

Mr Christie Simonsens arrived from 'Wanganui on Saturday to prepare for a short farewell season of the Bland Holt Company, commencing on Monday evening next. The repertoire includes “New Babylon," “In London Town," “The War of Wealth" and “The Absent-minded Beggar/' This last-named play will be produced, for the first time in Australasia, Mr Holt having only received the text from London during his recent visit to Auckland. Mr Simonsens informs us that the opening of the new Opera House in. Wanganui was a very brilliant affair, the inaugural ceremony being performed by the Premier. On this occasion Mr Holt took the opportunity of presenting a cheque for ASO to the “More Men Fund," The members of the local contingent were also present ar Mr Holtzs invitation, and grreatly appreciated the kindness.

„ -^ e -Lyceum Dramatic Company proauced the sporting drama, “The Double Event," at the Opera House again on Saturday night. The attendance was fair, the audience being enthusiastic. The play was realistic and exciting. Mr Walter Balgleish as Jack Marston and Mr Charles Blake Tiger Fletcher, as on Friday, Mine in for a fair share of the applause, and Mr George Harpur, as Sol Sloinan, an eccentric Tew, caused roars of laughter. Miss Muriel Nation as Daisy Fletcher and Miss Nina Bums as Edith Kingdon were also much appreciated. On Monday night the company staged Hery .T. Byron’s sensational drama. “The Lancashire Lass.” * * * *

Mr Hal. George, the advance agent for Fitzgerald Brothers’ Circus, leaves on Thursday for the Bluff, where the circus Arrives on the 20th inst from Melbourne and Tasmania. Mr George has succeeded in making arrangements with the Eailway Department for the use of a special train, by which the circus, now bigger than ever, will be conveyed through the South and North Islands. The approximate dates for the tour are as follows:—Bluff, February 20th; Invercargill, 21st and 22nd; Gore, 23rd; Balclutlia, 24th; Milton, 26tli; Dunedin, 27th February to March 3rd; Oamaru, March sth ; Timaru, 6th and 7t.li ; Temuka, Bth; Geraldine, 9tli; Ashburton, 10th; Christchurch, 12th to 17th; Lyttelton, 19tli; Wellington, 20th to 26th, and Wairarapa, etc., to follow.

Flushed with recent and, I may say, well - deserved, successes, the Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society has boldly determined to stage for their next production something that has never been seen in Wellington, in New Zealand, or in fact, south of the line. The choice of the com-, mitten h .a fallen upon Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera “The Grand Duke," which has nothing at all to do with “The Grand Duchess," though, like that merry vrcrk, it has a German setting,'and the characters with one exception are German. A strange thing about the original caste was that the exception referred to—the part of the English girl, Julie .Tellicoe—was played by a German actress, Miss Ilka Von Palmay. “The Grand Duke" was first produced at the Savoy Theatre, Loudon, on March 7th, 1896, and had a fairly long run, besides being played on tour in the provinces with great success. Writing about the opera the London “Sketch" says that “The Grand Duke, or The Statutory- Duel,” is likely to hold its own among the town amusements for a long time to come. The latest “Gilbert and Sullivan” is perhaps, not of equal value throughout. Opinions differ as to the first act —it seems over-complicated and ultra-mechanical, but everybody is agreed that the second act is conceived and acted on a very high level indeed.” The caste is rather larger than is usual with Gilbert-Sullivan operas,, and contains seventeen parts. Among the names in the original dramatis personae of the opera figure those of Misses Florence oiid Beatrice Perry, who appeared here quite recently in “The Geisha" with the Pollard Opera Company. It is decidedly a risky venture on the part of our society to tackle this opera, but the unbounded success which attended their production of "Ruddigore,” which at that time and even up to date, has. not beep.segndn Australia, warrants the risk. Added To this the splendid financial position of the society and the' eternal craving for “some-

thing new,” there is no need to fear that tlie performance will be either a financial or artistic failure. The scores have arrived from Home, and tlie first rehearsal was held at the Art Gallery last Monday evening. . ' . ■ • • *-., *• * • * In the writer’s recollection Shakespeare’s fantastic- comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” lias never been produced in its entirety in Wellington, but on seve-, ral occasions scenes from the play have been acted from time to time. Fifteen years ago some extracts from the comedy were enacted in St. John’s Schoolroom, "Willis street, when our old friend Mr H. E. Nichoils played Bottom, and subsequently the play scene was presented at the Qi'iental Bazaar in the Drillslied by some scholars of the Thorndon School. Seeing the long lapse of time since this delightful pastoral play lias been presented, the idea to perform the principal scenes at tlie carnival being organised by Lady Douglas, to take place in the Government House grounds on the Bth inst., is decidedly a. good one, and lovers of Shakespeare will doubtless be looking forward to the production with interest. Of course the play has been cut down—to about half its length—and the pruning knife of the stage manager, Mr Alfred Levi, has almost eliminated from tlie book the many scenes set down for Lysander and Hermia and Demetrius and Helena, excellent though they be. Prominence is given to the supernatural or fairy -part of the tale, and the comicalities of Quince, Bottom and Co. The play scene (“Pyramus and Thistle") will be given without cuts.

The principal characters have been alloited as follows:—Titania (Queen of the Fairies), Miss Kate Wrigglesworth; Oberon (King of the Fairies), Mr Hareus Plimmer; Puck. Miss Dimock; Bottom, Mr W. D. Lyon; Quince, Mr H. E. Nichoils; Flute, Mr W. P. Bastin; Snout, Mr W. Leathani; Starveling. Mr W. Parsons; Snug, Mr S. Parsons; Hippolyta, Miss Burnett; Thessus, Mr P. R. Fordham. A ballet of pretty little girls, forming the fairy Oberon and Titania, wili be seen in some cleverly-arranged dances, to which the play so admirably lends itself. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be performed in the open air, but as the well-laid-out grounds are to be brilliantly lit with electricity there will be no difficulty in arranging for a very large number of people to view the production, which promises to be quite unique hi the annals of amusements in this city. Mr Hugh Ward whose clever delineation of comic “old men” cliarcters with the "Trip to Chinatown" Company caused so much admiration here, has been engaged. I hear, by Mr Williamson for an Australian season, and does not retain to the States for some months.

Henry Irving gave ~£2OO to the Pairiotic Fund tlie other day. Among the passengers by the Zealandia for Sydney was Mr Tom Pollard, of tlie Opera Company. Mr Pollard w :1 l. it is expected, return in about a fortnight with a new opera or two for New Zealand, and probably the pantomime “Little Red Riding Hood,” which Las been produced with so much success by Mr J. C. Williamson in Australia. Charles Holloway is running “The Power and tlie Glory,” at Sydney Lvceiun, to big audiences. Charles’s luck lias been “in” now for a good three years or so. He has a touring company—all the same as “tlie Firin’ —out, under tlie pilotage of experienced Joe St. Glair. • * * * •« Johnny Sheridan ran “Little Christopher Columbus"' for nearly six weeks at Melbourne Royal, and has. now- put on “The New Barmaid” musical comedy, socalled, of course. " n # fr Howard Vernon is running a show of his own, “Rip Van Winkle," at Sydney Opera House. Maud Hewson is in tlie cast. ***** “The Firm’s" panto, of “Red Riding Hood” continues to go strong at Her Majesty’s, Sydney, Dorothy Vane and George Lauri having fat parts. Mr Williamson moves tlie panto, on to Melbourne very shortly. What a. change from the once order of things, when all the “Firm’s” big productions first saw light in the Victorian capital.

The Dante (Dante the Second) tour has come to an end. It was only a fair success, and not enough money in it, for Edwin Geaeli, who lias gone back to Sydney in search of a new berth. The auburn-haired one lias some capital yarns to tell of his adventures in Burmali, Japan and other countries visited by him since he was in New Zealand two or three years ago. *#* ■ * # Alfred Dampier is reviving “Robbery Under Arms" at Melbourne Alexandra this week. By the way, Kate Kelly, sister of Ned the Bushranger, drowned - herself recently. She had married young, and left a family of six. * ‘ * - * is Death is reported of Chevalier de Kontski, the venerable, silver - haired pianist, who toured New Zealand some four or five years ago, and as to whose bonatides as having been pianist to the German Emperor there was some discussion. * * * * * John Hollingshead, who kept what he jocularly the. “sacred lamp of burlesque burning so long and so brightly at London Gaiety, was to have a big benefit on January 30th, when Nellie Farren Kate Vaughan, Edward Terry, and Teddy Royce were to appear in a scene from one of the old Gaiety pieces. Hollingshead says in Ins book, the “Gaiety Chronicles" that he made over 41100,000 in, fifteen years Apparently it has all gone. The Gaiety is to be pulled down, for street improvements but a larger and handsomer theatre will take its place.

-Mr Williamson’s new American importation Miss Nance O’Neill opens in Sydney at the end of this month. She has a large and varied repertoire, including “Mamla "

“The Jewess"; “Peg Woffington, Guy Mannering," “Oliver Twist’ and * Macbeth." Her principal male support will be Clay Clement, Barton Hill and G. Leek, all well known, on the American stage. The venture is partly under -tlie control of a well-known American manager, Mr D, McKee Rankin. # ... * * . * .. .

The Neiv. York correspondent of “Melbourne Punch" contributes tlie following piquant little note on an Australian actress who made many admirers during her brief tour of New r Zealand. He says:

—“Miss Hilda Spong is really tlie dramatic sensation of tlie New' York season. Her performance in Carton’s 'Wheels Within Wheels’ is voted superb. Hilda, since leaving here, has .developed a trifle more embonpoint, a swagger-English accent, a thorough knowledge of her art and a wonderful talent in taste and dress. Looking at the superb creature who, billed now as Hilda Spong, rustles through a “Vere de Vere" role one scarcely realises that it is tlie same woman who made tlie mild success on her debut as Lavender in Pinero’s prettiest play only a tew' years' back w'itli the Bronglis. 7? * * * *

Contrary to expectations “The Belle of New York” ended her successful season at London Shaftesbury on December 30. Bad business, ow'ing to tlie war excitement, was tlie excuse, but the true reason is saiil to have been a row between George Musgrove and the American manager, George Lederer. The profits are said to have been AIOOO a week, and the piece ran 690 nights! The original company are billed to appear at New' York Cameo, but Miss Edina May says she will remain in England. * =* * ■*

Miss Nellie Stewart is photographed in “Sketch’' wearing the pearl necklet which was presented to her by an anonymous donor for doing the most substantial begging at Mrs Potter’s concert, in aid of the hospital ship, Maine. The plioto. is a good one, and our own Nellie does not seem to have altered one particle since she left ns. She is now- appearing as Jack in the Drury lane pantomime of “Jack and the Beanstalk.” In the last panto, there, Nellie Stewart created a sensation with a wonderful snake-dress. She designs all her ow-ii costumes, and it is said she is appearing in this year’s panto, in a glorious armour-dress, in which it is said she looks a perfect “dream.” * * * *

Charles Arnold was playing at Pietermaritzburg, Natal, wdieii the last mail left. He is due in Melbourne at Easter.

The Broughs did good business at Napier, a'nd have gone on to Auckland. The company is due here on the 3rd March. *****

Mr Bland Holt opened the new Wanganui Opera House, a very handsome building, so I liear, on Friday last. He is due to open in Wellington on tlie 17th. *** * .

At the Choral Hall Fuller’s Waxworks anti Variety entertainment continue to prosper. Patrons certainly get enough for their money.

Harmston’s circus is still at Calcutta. A good circus is always a safe draw in the East, but an enormous tent is required, as the prices of admission for the natives must not be above eight annas for the pit. So Hal George, of Fitzgerald’s, tells me.

Pollie Emery, a eleven actress, who appeared here in the ill-fated “Land of the Moa" production, is playing; Bella in “Our Flat’ in the English provinces.

* * -:t # McAdoo’s Georgia Minstrels and Original Alabama. Cake Walkers, quite a distinct organisation .from MeAdoo’s Jubilee Singers, have been doing well at Brisbane, the Opera House, so I see by a Brisbane paper sent me by the management, being crowded nightly. Tlie company includes dusky jugglers, acrobats, as well as comedians and solo instrumentalists, and is said to present a most varied and attractive Air McAdoo sends this company on to New' Zealand very shortly. * * *- * '

Fitzgerald’s circus opens at Invercargill this week.

J. K. Enimeftt, tlie original “Fritz” went through tlie court recently in America with liabilities of 170,000 dollars and no assets! And yet he must have made several fortunes in his time. *****

Tlie Phinmer-Carey comedy company did yert' well in their tour of New South Wales provinces, and commenced a tour or Tasmania, at Launceston, last week. Petey Hughes, of the flowing locks is acting mauager. “Camille” and “The Eachot Lyons have been added to tlie repertoire. ***** The “Stage," of December 28tli, chronicles tlie death of a beautiful and popular actress, Miss Dorotliy Dene. Her career was a most interesting one. A pupil of Mrs Dallas Glynn, who has trained so many ladies who now occupy leading positions on tlie English stage, her first hit in London was made at the Schoo' of Dramatic Art, in Argyll street. Previously she had played in “Tlie School for Scandal and "Called Back” on tour liien came another success in. “Gringoire ’’ PW'duced at the Prince’s, now the Prince ot Wales s, on June 22, 1885. Later on Aliss Dene made a beautiful picture and snowed great talent in the series of Greek plays produced with such care and attention to detail under a well-known professor. Afterwards she appeared as Cassandra in 'Tlie Story of Orestes.” produced at the Prince’s Hall on May 13, 1886; and m the June following as Madge in •iac.-k at tlie Royalty. Then came tXV i««fi yrdol V , at V le Criterion, on July 3, 1886, m which she played tlie heroine. Among her successes also must be included Maud Denison in “A Noble Vagabond, produced at tlie Princess’s on December 22, 1886; Olga in 'fA Secret *? e » Gjiera Comiqiie, August 27, 1887Victoria in “Mirage,” Princess’s matinee, February 9 iSSS; and Alice Verney in Forget-Me-Not during Miss Genevieve Ward s season at tlie Lyceum in 1888. Miss Dene was a member of Mr F. R. Bensons company at the Globe for a series ot Shakespearean revivals, wliibli com-

menced on December ]9 Midsummer 'Night's Drea«! 11, 1890, Mies Done great success as Helen ,w„ ’‘“d-Wafc? Favourite of the Kina ” ii m ’“Tk foui-acPplay written eLeciullv F. S. Boas and Jocelyn h piece ran for five conspcutnY ■’Hi the Comedy, and others iff-« Messrs Royce Carleton, lWw'fif R. Cranford, Allen BeaumrinflV? o *’} D’Orsay, Thomas Lewin (afteywV as Thomas Terriss)," ’Annie Rose, and Kittie L. Carson). Since then pearauces which have been, speaking few, include a parS» Not Out,” done at Prince of February 29, 1892, in which she iV'fl three sisters filled the entire Mrs Arbuthnot in “A Woman mVI-im-portance/ on tour in 1894 ™ 0 ah- - * * . * V / Pollards’ Opera Company Lave i ing “The Geisha” at ChrLtS» crowded houses. The season niinate on Wednesday. *°-t»

, i ) The “Trip to Chinatown” rw; ' ' were at Dunedin last week, ulavin?'/ large audiences. Mr Wallace a great favourite wherever he ’uissmms * * * # > The Henry Dramatic Companyplaying in tlie Manawatu towns; aS due at Masterton and DauLeVirke'®' week. • ■ ‘‘.r 3 *** * " ' Sir Edward Russell, in his recent K-i, lished "That Reminds Me,” telle a story of Lord Randolph Churchill an% way in which lie- was introduced to-Shak spearian plays. The story is as follows•! When Henry Irving was playing Hamit in Dublin, Lord Randolph Churchill was then married, and whose father was Viceroy of Ireland, came to eeshim k hind tlie scenes. In the course of their talk Lord Randolph asked Mr Irving sta was going to happen in the play,, and wss much interested in having the acWs description of the fate of Ophelia, and tie climax of the tragedy in the fifth act;— He said as he was going, “I am nofmwl of a play-goer, and in point of fact I have never seen a play of Shakespeare’s before nor have 1 ever read one.” He wenLto the theatre the following night, and tie next, thus seeing “Hamlet” three-nights in succession; and on the third--.night again obtained admission to Henry Trying) room, and askecl him whether : he had s free Sunday, and whether lie would com* and luncli or dine with liim and" Lady Randolph Churchill, who was that night at the Vice-regal Lodge. Irving consented, and went on the Sunday. He had a raj pleasant day, and in the course of it Lord Randolph Churchill said to him,* “Mr Irving, I believe I have to thank yon for as great a boon as ever one man conferred on another. I assure you that I knew nothing of Shakespeare and had not sees any of his plays. Since that night 1 hare seen 'Hamlet’ twice again; I hare read four of the other plays, and I feel that yon have really introduced me to it nes world.”

There is desperate competitionififhgst the London theatres, says a ; London.copes' pondent, as to which can’ hohfathe smartest benefit for the Widowi anifQrphans Fund. At presont. the- Tecwd lie* between Mr Charles • Wyi>dlia%iaadkWs Ellaline Terriss. On tlie.first- of liis new theatre the former crammed into the house, and at an Albert Hflto l * concert on Friday Miss Terrisframaireda not very crowded audience by.tmuouncu! similar results. Without pluifaering tiE guests (which is after all a ffiibMs.P® of charity) Messrs John Hare and in™ Barrett have also given successfdl.pwf* ances in aid of tlie fund, and aitKe halls young, fair, and (in tlie 'wap change) exceedingly with tambourines beg ltiglit after lyaMjne porters have learnt now. to riinj%t|ift® tinkle of the insidious men are neither! respecters of.tM prtsyw povertv. They clean a./poor ing to work up ten shillings ; , “copy” out of the show asrtemoKeteJ as they would a imilti-nullionaire. - there is no doubt a certain being robbed in the sacred cause of by a live Duchess. I Y c »? S o ' let poor little Binks of the himself go at the Albert Hall, and it hot in consequence front Mr don’t care. I tell you I had to d ' Grace came up to me and s . a rt.ini- w knew my name 1 cant imagine), B you-do, Mr Binks. You are 1 * the “Owl,” aren’t you? Wmff help us all ways as c l e^„ P .J|nU/if “But,” said Binks. “But me lie torted the merry duchess, ??1 o-iyei left the luckless reporter had been P . conclusively. ‘ __ NJi ’ The.following paragraphijg®'Sjf Weekly Despatch” lars of the “snublmig of a e a g a foii I alluded last week :-I some tmie h you of tlie impending dis P friendly relations existing /jgjft Sr Manager George Edwards jaird^ prano Alarie Tempest. L. , TaSP*! bourne’s Ministry, Miss M »»j a psts. has “gone out” 011 9 av, ssf 6^ otherwise frocks. That ,s . -a-forker 9 jected to. tlie-costume esl f n "Mif “San Toy” by Mr Percy o j Tß leiif (j Tempest took the position. that in the diplomatic 'jo p«g on tlie part of an ambassa andjT ; port, for she sent for her . cated her dressing-room, _ tinctly ani act of war in t /^.jjijigbos^ 1 understudy, Miss K has noiv been singing th ?ji s Hed than a week, and has as a prime favourite, an > . & "pntreached the coveted an( js, I pal.” Miss Tempest command , a stupendous honorarium justified in ÜBin S. tlie^?fi n ehonmb AIOO a week. Miss JE1I)0»C —well,l don’t know, b rind g°l e ’i s | Let me see. Miss BetfT Marie Tempest gone,,a aU jt to j, Hayden Coffin was going’.. nwn Mr George Edwards, i• gre^i little way, is settlini I * mf , ;» 'hi known ns tlie s t a ”, pp 6 {fr ( mind’s eye I seemtoseeM Ejf j. sitting at the feet.; of u ‘ f = greedily drinking m wolds . J results of experience.

„u 0 records tlie death of a The Mr Mat. Rob--oB fe Klo , t - avouri te m the Lugi aofl,'^ 0 -1° a He shone principally in / .list P ro ' ,n ”:,' one ra boutfe, and was in principal comedian for . '.pSfitomiie vork. t , • * . * *x. ~ --.or-1 '•Taou,” music by that Vrait 'of Mr Adams appears in this week’s "MailN , * *

V an action about a theatrical comwardrobe, at Bloomsbury (Eng.) 8? oy D. r m ,rt Judge Bacon asked to lie T U! n J the "playbill.” Counsel: Here is rtforooraWe.' Jdmge Bacon s People say -loiv I am old-fashioned enough to t! "I‘ '•plav-bill.” Later on his Honor Pyr,i ness Were you one of the chorus ‘ Tlie veil ness: Chorus ladies ifn re liter.) Judge Bacon: I beg their artium I will say chorus ladies in future.

In Mr" Clement Scott's bock. "The 'Br'una of Yesterday and To-day,” are re’’Etinisceoces of dramatic authors, Pal■f grave Simpson, 'for example, which relate how successful plays were written in the old days: '■“l had Leen suffering from a bad rheumatic fever. For many days I was delirious; arc! how T dreaded closing my ayes in sleen, to suffer from those terrible dreams! A more pleasant vision came early one morning. 1 dreamed that Backbone sat by my bedside and said, ‘Cheer up, my boy, you are getting better. And I’il tell you .what you shall do for me. You shall write me a comedy, in which .1 c(m play the devoted cousin of a blind girl. She shall treat me like a faithful dog, name me 'Two,” and wear a whistle for me round her neck. Before 1 come on she shall ‘Tido! F'do! ’ and whistle; I shall toy "Bow-wow, ' behind tiie scenes, and everybody will laugh.’ The memory of the dream remained strong on me 'as Ji woke. As soon as I could get to work I wrote my drama, starting from this little .basis, Buckstoue played the faithful • doggie; Miss Reynolds called ‘Fido,” and for him; Buckstoue barked 'Bow--1 wow’ behind the scenes; the audience ■laughed (as it v.j-s sure to do): and ;HI turned out as prophesied to me in undream of fever. Toe piece was it great success; and for a long time it remained a, favourite stock-piece in America. ft ** sb; 1 Payed frequently in the country ’ M The blind Girl’s Fortune.’’’

- „V. r Cjemeut Scott also recalls the wavs ®JA he waiter” at Evan’s, who made out a uni tor die nervous in this ai>-,-pulling, manner:— - ■‘Vt'ijat have you had. sir?'' "Chop." One chop, two ami six. three ami nine. Anv bread'”” Ao bread. "iVo bread, four and two.” Hue tankard of stout.” <2iM«?’- aUkartl of stout - tive ail<l tei! - ‘To cheese.” six and four. Sixpence for ' seven ami Next please!” 8 * 1 i3 '° = - l ' Uilli - ; you, sir.' ra ai r „ B „£k ar K s 6a , n wt-.s a lady of august Sf, An actor who hud to hlav fehta and ftn 8 P a J nlet llad lost ' Id's Mtrlet worsted P1 ° VIS 6 SoH,etlli “» out of /ffandlreml B f "Paired ■ anilJLi • trembling to see Charles Kean l'v att" I !® tte ” s ; He k »°oked nervousOWIpT * aoor ‘ £t, ' d t 0 ] ds horror Mrs &,o>l L v an f' vered » with tragic air fiiLof di- urlf-"' V’ al ' ll " K on U l ; toe, feartip partner “ S her uemms KU(I sensi- - 7™ kat dpyou want, sir?” Wwf* ' Mr ,phMles Kean.” s It ■ P O5l Mrs Kean made a state] v and Ste ” U i S l ,e rc turnef!, stdll im ■ •rrrni ien . e y V dramatic gesture. wlemnK asked ■ TOUr bnsines( * be?” she y « ; ikS n ,0 0 t- X t.? ! “ i l ie<l , as ' V(dl » s !ie could the ;'r,V ,t'-e scarlet tights. give C himP' ir Gl,i,rleß KciUl Possibly i'or- ■ KeSm in One^j C esit , on ' lle part of Ah-s oerene and « r T sl ’ e ’’PPeared with a “if- tt eixipbic countenance. mg wstffiv F* l t° U you ‘ Bui ” lor.int- ' fenriveh th“ii” ° Heaven) > m ron be

• A • * * to mter--i,w C! f mo '¥ v c ' ot t’s book here is StoeratioiTaJo •—* scriptlo n ofe playgoing a the Theatre I 'Tm tO , gi X e S' OU some idea of first saw it D V u 'y Lane, when I n <> lounoiim u el ’- v mi’ 6 luxury; tue orclie-hu ,’i e . b**' ri gbt up to en’hard wli’, J 16 d J lt:,llul pittites sitting between the i H co,l ~ s tant ly disturbed ciumsy £ iP witli huge and gin^rTeer ap l jleS ' 01?ail^s! Of the piav wbiri JOt fi 61 stout > and bills Public in sh’riim t]l f' y offere d to the w.v descemU.ii h^da,lt voices the % Programmes-or K?/ 1 G " TUue Lei-self. abl.v Eimmel-snn, , 0i bills—were no fashion-.' r ¥ed things 4 e 't d or ( a «istically decotoeets of thinnisii e lmeS; but long 7/ dh bad ink “Si, p , aper * vilel V printed tod that soiled t fo'f; 116 ' 61 ' seemed to dry, bo;, to giovfTs toe fingers and was ruinab’Haiu; A eie " iis a green baize asi of a tragedy agree,, baize car .e\ - M' 6 Tron Chest.” and a - '( »!”- lt ? vm . considered tragedy y-jiu le ‘ ui 'ical crime to piav fio much for the ' '.•rt ar^ t ° f * TCen »»i S e. F s ' IJ iU. on t£ '’"'''.ruth disa.lvant!re - such a r„>V m t! 'f r Sl,!e oi tl;e pic0t je audience as r V ,on 011 tllo Part of u r ‘ ce - No chat ter i„» Te never discovered b-ase of indiffew i"' n ° coll versation. no '-sst between Vhc i® f nes> no , breaks in iu--oaused bytJiat him’' r lul lhs audience and late ntw ■ dn ;eraion of late Ln n ?Ver C r ri ,:"f stalls”— and (Uunicatio,, from V ~’ 1 an electric comtorunn. rroin lll(; stage to the aurlid'd-.” B aul°Chur!e« y \r Vl M l plaved to the >ue. hews again and iwM™’ p»tSJ?» oro profilable - Biuger-beer 'i' 0S i C a PPles, oranges,

■The chief character in‘ Sullivan’s new cpera, The Rose of Persia, or the Storyteller and the Slave/’ is Hassan, a philanthropist who angers Dancing Sunbeam the chief wife of his harem, by his disliko to entertaining visiters, for lie prefers •‘the society of beggars to the beggars of society. She accordingly conspires against him with a priest named Abduliah. In the iueautune Hassan is condemned to deatii by the Sultan for harbouring the ■ bulimia, Rose-in-Bloom. Rose begs for a reprieve until Ilassan has finished'"a Peautiful story he his telling her; which the Sultan grants on condition that he also shall hear it, and that it shall have a hippy ending. In this the philanthropist sees a chance of escape. At Ihe end of an episode, the Sultan asks if the story'is ended, and Hassan then explains that as it is the story of his own. life it cannot be finished until .his life is ended. Tlieretore it. must not end soon or the finish will be unhappy. " The potentate, thus entrapped, pardons Hassan and ail ids friends.- -Nothing could possibly be more flattering; than the press reviews of “The Rose of Persia/’ the book being declared lull ot wit, and tlie lyrics “very clever and neat.' The music is described as being ratlier more complex than Sullivan formerly wrote for the stage. The “Pall Hall Gazette’ explains that the master who first captured his public with his swift snort, musical phraseology, is now serener in his flight and longer on the wing. The Pall Mall Gazette” closes its laudatory remarks with the astonishing assertion. Sullivan to-day is Mozart’s legitimate successor. iLis ‘Rose of Persia’ has proved so much. « * * The union of Church and Stage is making rapid progress in America. A theatrical road company in Pennsylvania on them arrival received a letter from the rector of one of the churches in the city in which they were playing, inviting the members of the company to attend the services of his church. This they did. in a body, and found pews reserved for them, and a deputation, consisting of the rector, the wardens, and the vestry, received them. I urthermore, the worthy rector

preached at them, choosing for his text Acts xix. 29, “They rushed with one accord into the theatre.” This is, indeed, very gratifying, and in accordance with the very best stage traditions. But it seems, however, that there is no particular necessity to make the attendance at a place of worship on the part of theatrical people a function more than in the cases of other members of the community. However, this is their little habit, and no doubt the "show” ju question did a good week’s business, because it goes without saying the whole affair was duly chronicled in the local newspapers. =* . #5 y& # Jn spite of the very general impression that are many ex-oifieers of the army on the London stage, when the subject' was discussed in connection with that ot the war in a green-room a few evenings ago. only one could be named as belonging to a present London Company (says the Loudon. "Daily Chronicle”). Mr H. Stephen soil —whose real name is Garni way—a memher of Mr Hawtrey s Company, was formerly a subaltern in the Ist Norfolk, and when at Simla was as distinguished an army signaller otherwise "fkig-wogger” he was an amateur actor at tlie Simla Theatre, in a company in which nady Simons also played leading parts. Mr Charles Collette, many vears ago a Dragoon subaltern, is seldom seen in'London now, and poor "Willie” Herbert, formerly adjutant of an infantry regiment at Aldershot, and later Ihe handsomest of “juveniles” on the London stage, died some three years ago. One of Air Tree's erstwhile "extra gentlemen,” and subsequently private secretary, was an officer at_ Majuba Hill. Another of the same manager s “extras,” who, in a blouse of a Paris student, danced at Trilby’s and Little Biilee’s farewell supper at the Haymarket, was an officer in the Crimea. One night he caught a chill during a run of 'Trilby/ and a week later the Havmarket company followed him to his grave at Brompton Cemetery.

* » « * « If the late Sir Augustus Harris could have witnessed the production of "Hearts are Trumps” at Drury Lane Theatre he would have been tlie first to congratulate the present manager, Air Arthur Collins, on his latest success, which in some respects may be said lo eclipse all previous records at that historic house. The "avalanche scone,” for instance, was a triumph of stage management, and well deserved the enthusiasm which it evoked. One writer, who has had the curiosity to inquire "how it’s done,” says: "bn order to get the/chasm effect’ the back of the stage is sunk about 12ft by means of the electric lifts. The whole scene is built up in twenty minutes. During that time a hundred and fifty men are employed on the stage; there are seventy more in the 'flies,’ about forty machinists, thirty electricians, and a number of other workmen. If each nan did not know exactly what he had to do, and wliat piece of scenery he had to assist in moving, where it is kept and where it is going to be put on the stage, they would all get in each other’s way. But they don't. The rocks and earth and snow come tumbling down and the little bridge is broken before you’ve hud time to find out ‘how it is done.’ The rocks are so realistic that at the dress rehearsal Air Italeigli was himself deceived, and protested that the scene was dangerous! The avalanche and the Alpine pass are put 'back again” in a quarter of an hour,” says the same writer, "and where dees it all go to? Ask a stage hand ami he will tell you ‘behind.’ Ask him where the music-hall scene has been put, and he will tell you 'behind.’ You will get the same answer if you inquire for the whereabouts of the Botanical Gardens; in fact, if a scene were made of solid bricks and mortar they would be able to put it 'behind’ at Drury Lane.”

Air Bland Holt will no doubt produce the p ’ a >' New Zealand, and will equal the effects, as he has always done.