NOTES BY “LORGNETTE.”

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1626, 29 April 1903, Page 28

NOTES BY “LORGNETTE.”

. So well was “The Lady of Ostend” appreciated at *Na.pier last week that, although arrangements had been made to produce a new piece last Monday night, it was owing to innumerable requests decided to repeat this popular farcical comedy on the last night of the season. The company plays at Hastings and Masterton, and the members are expected in Wellington on Saturday night. Wirth’s Circus and Menagerie continues to do immense business in Melbourne. A late innovation is the introduction of hippodrome races, which have caught on. It is probable that the Westminster Gleo and Concert Party will pay a return visit to New Zealand after the Australian tour. Mr George Musgrove ha- arrived from Melbourne, and has joined his Comejj Company at Christchurch. Mr William Anderson’s Dramatic Company are clo-irg good business in Auckland. It has not berm decided yet whether the company pi.*.y a return tour of the colony or net

The following under date Adelaide, April 14th. has been received from MrM. Marcus:—“l beg to inform you that I am about to leave Melbourne for Dunedin on Wednesday next. April 23rd, to make arrangements for our forth coming New Zealand tour. Mr Rickards has formed this company in order to introduce to New Zealand Monsieur Jacques Inaudi, the famous lightning calculator, whose success in scientific and mathematical circles, as well as from a theatrical point of view, has been phenomenal. Although Inaudi is quasi the main attraction, thei other members nevertheless are absolutely the best Mr Rickards has under engagement at present. They consist of Miss Gracie Eimmett and her company of four American dramatic artistes; Mr G. W. Hunter, one of London’s great est comedians and raconteurs; Mr Wallace Brownlow, of whom no doubt you have pleasant recollections as a member of Mr J. C. Williamson’s opera cmpanies; Mr Sam Holdsworth, a very popular American tenor; the well known prestidigitateur, Clive; Miss Madge Thomas, soprano; little Baby Capel; and Ivy Scott. I am in charge of the company, with Mr Larkin as my treasurer. Our season in your town opens on June Ist.”

A really bright and wholesome farcical comedy is ahvays acceptable to the general public, and if we are to judge by common report, something quite exceptional in this branch of theatrical entertainment may be expected from the production of “The Lady of Ostend,” which is to be staged by the Hawtrey Comedy Company at the Opera House on Mondav evening next. The Dunedin season of Mr George Musgrove’s English Comedy Company was in every way a huge success. Owing to the success of “Sweet Nell of Old Drury” only two pieces were' staged. The second production of the season was Mrs Madeleine Lucette Rvley’s romantic comedy, “Mice and Men.” In criticising the first performance the “Otago Daily Times” says:—“Mice and Men” is described as -a romantic comedy by Madeleine Lucette Rylev. Wise-after the event, one can hardly forbear saying that in the character-drawing, construction, and tone of the play a woman’s hand is evident, To call it, however, a romantic comedy does not convey exactly an adequate notion of what is to come. The romance is there in plently. but not such a vast deal of comedy as to ever call for unrestrained merriment, while, on /the other hand,, the element of tragic pathos is never absent from the start, and works up in the end to a, very powerful climax. An emotional play is a not inapt description of "Miceand'Men,” for after all the action is quite subordinate to emotional interest and expression. The author has concerned herself purely in setting forth the working out of a, difficult situation, and to be appreciated “Mice and. Men” must be listened to and followed closely. It is no scrappy composition. the gist of which can be picked up by a casual glance now and again, the incident explaining what lies between. For this reason the play may possibly not find favour with all as not" dramatically stirring in the way the-v like. But this can be asserted with confidence, that “Alice and Men” is a remarkably clever composition, full of real human interest, the humorous and the pathetic happily mingled, and though less dramatically assertive than the company’s previous production, is certain to leave behind it the impression of fin evening spent in good company. Last evening from start to finish the' attention of the audience was thoroughly riveted, and the final drop of the curtain was followed by _ applause of the most unstinted description. The plot is ingenious and well worked out. The connection with the title is vague enough, save that the story shows how “Tho best-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley,” and for the rest it is a of self-renun-ciation of the noblest kind. A finelydrawn character, by far the best in the play, is that of the scholar, scientist, and philosopher. Mark Embury, a man who in tlia first stages of his appearance shows that a, studious life lias made him too much of the self-concentrated; pedant, confident in his ordering of things— a precise calculation of results. It is for him to learn the lesson of the abovequoted line. Mr Emburv decides that to perpetuate his race he*Avil] eventually marry, and he adopts as his ward a young lady from, a foundling hospital, whom lie designs to educate according to his methods, and to finally espouse. Peggy, as she is called, is about 16 when first adopted;—not a very mould able age one would think. On the very first day of her arrival Peggy unfortunately sees the philosopher’s rather scapegrace nephew, and their mutual liking" is established from that time. The nephew is exiled from Old Hampstead, the scene of operations, for a couple of years, on account of liis uncle’s discovery of an affair of liis with a married lady", and, during this interval Peggy becomes duly an educated (on certain lines) and very beautiful young lady, of amiable disposition. The philosopher decides that it is now time to apprise his intended bride of liis matrimonial intentions. Just at this period the nephew, Captain Lovell, returns. Mark Embury makes .such a bungle of proposing to the young lady that she imagines he wants her to marry the captain, and astounds the poor philosopher with a revelation that she has a partiality for that gentleman. The play continues for two acts beyond this point, in the progress of which the captain vindicates his character in his uncle s eyes by refusing absolutely to meet the approaches of his former moret nan-friend, Mrs Goodlak© wif© of Mark Embury’s best friend. It is by Peggy’s splendid behaviour that Roo-er Good lake never hears of liis wife’s misconduct, and the third) act closes by Peggy imploring her uncle to marry her. He is not hard to persuade, and arrangements are all made, but in the last act Embury sees that the girl j s really sacrificing herself, and, with the finest magnanimity. Vteps himself to one side leaving the young couple to their hap’ pi ness. The last act is particularly powerful and pathetic, and the garden scene depicted one of rarely effective beauty. It is the cleverest of touches that shows the parting of the ways ere the fall of the curtain—and lovers within bending over the harpsichord in song; onlside the man whose experiment has fn led so terribly, for he too has loved deeply, and revealed the man deep down

within him. and who passes sadly out of the story with the click of the closing gate. The character of Mark Embury, as drawn, is indeed a fine one—even in its first moods he is never shown as anything but a man of high principle, a true gentleman, whose mistake is in thinking he can mould and improve nature. The fact that the time availed of is the eighteenth century gives opportunity for the display of the most picturesque costumes and fashions, and a second beautiful scene is that showing a masquerade ball. The dialogue is cleverly written —humorous, too, in unexpected ways, and unobjectionable always. The sentiment, in fact, of “Mice and Men” is unimpeachable. As may bo gathered, the principals last evening had very different roles from those in which they appeared in “Sweet Nell.”. In the character of Peggy, Miss Nellie Stewart was not a whit less delightful than in her previous part. In her hands the part was most attractive and acted with consummate and versatile skill, and though it is by no means devoid of difficulties. Here was a charming presentation of the part of a fresh voting girl, full of innocent surprises at life, always making discoveries and naive remarks, and by a charming disposition winning the regard of all. That a foundling hospital should have left so much is surprising. To Mr Harcourt Beatty must be accorded the highest praise for his admirable presentation of the philosopher Mark Embury. a man of middle age and sober demeanour. The performance stamps Mr Beatty as an actor of high ability, and was, in its quiet setting - , a feature and dominating influence of the play. Nothing could have been better than the calm impressiveness of his acting in the last scene, and the applause that followed was as much due to the actor as to the part he played. Miss Minnie Sadler took the part of Joanna Good lake, a clever but mentally unattractive "lady, with a large measure of success, and" Mr E. B. Russell can be deservedly commended for his acting as the bluff, rubicund old Roger Goodlake, an amusing example of a man all unwittingly quite under petticoat government. The part of the nephew, Captain Lovell, was taken by Mr Sydney Stirling in a way that was generally quite pleasing. None of the other parts stand out prominently. Miss Emily Levettez as "Mrs Deborah, housekeeper to Embury, did well what was required of her. and Mr Harry Hill, as an old servant, Mr Lawson, as a gentleman of fashion, and Mr Flemming, as beadle of the Foundling Hospital," were all quite satisfactory in their parts, as were the remainder of a limited cast. The mounting of the play is on a splendid scale throughout, and the production characterised by completeness in everv detail. A curtain-raiser, entitled “Counsel s Opinion,” by Frederick Bingham, will precede the production of “The Lady of Ostend,” by the Hawtrey Comedy Company at the Opera House on Monday, May 4-th. This pretty comedietta met with much favour when presented at the Melbourne Bijou, and the Melbourne “Age” referred to it as “a. unarming little work,” and drew attention to the fact that the audience “insisted upon the curtain being raised no fewer than four times.” “Counsel’s Opinion” introduces a small boy in the leading part (Master Percy Corke), who is instrumental in bringing about a. reconciliation between his widowed mot her (a part taken by Miss Mary Bancroft), and her estranged father, an eminent K.C. (presented by Mr Hawtrey). There is only one other part, that of Morgan, the lawyer’s clerk, a role which. Mr G. TV. Elton sustains with considerable humour. The Tasmanian tour of the Musgrove Comic Opera Company was a great financial success. A season at the AdelaideRoyal follows the Tasmanian tour. Montgomery’s Entertainers are at present touring the Otago goldfields with fair success. Hyland’s Circus is successfully touring the “smalls” of Otagu at present. The show goes into winter quarters in the vicinity of Timaru shortly. It is stated that Mr Thomas Hudson is organising - a. company in Australia for an East Indian tour. The members of the Hawtrey Comedy Company have been very fortunate in regard to their cricket fixtures while in New Zealand. The weather has invariably been propitious, and the results of the matches—about 20 in all —have with two exceptions been equally favourable to the comediape. The eleven is without doubt a strong one, and it is certainly creditable that a first-class company should shine in such a game, for to excel in cricket means much practice and a sound physical condition not generally improved by late hours, to say nothing of late suppers. Mr J. C. Williamson’s Dramatic Company last Saturday evening concluded a highly successful season with a production of “Sherlock Holmes.’* The Messrs Fuller have no reason to be dissatisfied with the support tendered them by the Wellington theatre-going public. The programme submitted- this week is one of the best yet put on at the Choral Hall. The Jones Brothers give a lot of stuff which is heartily appreciated. Mr Albert McKisson also scores heavily with his contortions- The other members of the company also do - good work. Of “The Laty of Ostend,” ac presented by Mr Haw trey’s popular company, the Melbourne “Argus” says: —“If farcical comedy can amuse unrestrainedly, without bewildering, its mission is achieved very handsomely. This praise can be heartily accorded to the piece, and as the situations steadily increase in humour and the characters are boldly drawn, laughable types, the result is a capital entertainment.” Praise of the most enthusiastic character is given for the production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, on the 11th inst.. by Mr George Musgrove’s new company. The ''Leader” says: “Forethought. intelligence, and 1 liberality are manifested in every phase of this production, andi the results attained reflect the highest credit upon all concerned. Mr Musgrove deserves well of the public in having courage to essay Shakespeare after this manner, and his enterprise should not go unacknowledged.- Within the limits of attainment, everything has been done to reproduce the poesy, con-

ceived within the brain of the great master magician. Although the charm of 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ lies mostly in its spectacular attractiveness, the company engaged is fully entitled to a large share of praise.” The representation of Oberon and Titania are both counted as very delightful impersonations. Miss Dora Eignold “exhibits grace and dignity in her bearing as the fairy king.” and Miss Norah Kerim “has the quality of beauty for the wilful and wayward Titania, but this is not her only recommendation. She displays an intelligent appreciation of .what is required.” All the other principals—Miss Cynthia Brookes, Miss Maud Milton. Miss Dorothy Marsden, and Mr W. 11. Dennv, in particular—are praised for their efforts. Mr Charles Holloway has just concluded a highly successful season at Newcastle. After a tour of Queensland Mr Holloway will play a season at the Sydney Criterion. Mr Henry Lee, who in conjunction with Mr Rial, brought the World’s Entertainers to the colonies was. at latest advices, appearing at Brooklyn. New York. Tlie Palmerston North Operatic and Dramatic Society will stage the famous Comedy “Caste” to-morrow night and also on Thursday evening. The following is the full cast of characters: —Hon. Ge-orge D’Alroy, Mr C. Liggins; Captain Haw. tree. Mr C. H. Warden; Eccles. Mr H. Bowater; Sam Gerridge, Mr Harry Palmer; Dixon. Mr V. Cox; Marquise do Saint Maui', Mrs Whallev; Esther Eccles. Miss D. Wood; Polly Eccles. Miss J. Cameron. Mr TV. F. Hawtrey belongs to a family with pronounced athletic proclivities, and was born with a fondness for open-air life. His father, the Rev. J. TV. Hawtrey. was third master at Eton, and the actor about to pay Wellington a return visit was born under the wing of Windsor Castle. The reverend gentleman subsequently controlled a large preparatory school, first at Slough and afterwards at Westgate-on-<Sea. and the work is now carried on by the actor’s eldest brother. Edward, who in 1873 ran a dead heat for the ’Varsity three miles. The younger brother, Charles, is the famous London actor-manager. Mr Sheridan, chief electrician of Mr J. C. Williamson’s “Sherlock Holmes” Dramatic Company, left for Sydney by the Warrimoo last Saturday. Mi Sheridan will superintend the electric light installation c-f the new Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney. It is stated that the Australian theatrical manager who some months ago was running his concerns at a weekly loss of about ,£SOO lias by the judicious use of the pruning knife reduced his weekly deficit to about £250. One of the inosc attractive “turns” at ono of the London theatres at present is Miss Belle Stone’s “Spiral Act.” The element of mystery attaching to the performance is, perhaps, its most interesting feature, since no one quite understands how the feat is carried out. Acrobats have ascended on revolving balls and trick cyclists have ridden their machines up equally steep slopes, but Miss Belle Stone climbs the spiral in a tightlyclosed steel globe. Taking one half of tho ball on her head, Miss Stone steps into the other at the foot of the ascending road. Then, crouching into a wonderfully small space, she screws the two halves together, and slowly but surely the ball winds its way to the top. The descent is, probably, even more difficult, and is naturally a little quicker; but this also is accomplished successfully. No secret wires or any similar contrivances are used. In ascending Miss Stone throws the whole of her strength forward and revolves the globe on its own axis, and in descending she does exactly the opposite and prevents it from rolling at too great a pace. Miss: Stone says that F.lie had the germ pf the idea from watchin cr a squirrel in .its revolving cage, and, after years of practising in the interior of a tub she found that, by tho aid of her shoulders and elbows, she could manage a hollow sphere from the inside more adroitly than most people could from without.—“Sketch.’ There are two clever children travelling with the Hawtrey Comedy Company, Master Percy Corke, who takes a pretty part in the playlet, “Counsel’s!’ Opinion,” and also: appears as the Emperor, in “A Message from Mars,” and little Addie Lorkings, who appears as Minnie, the waif, in tho last-mentioned play. A woman who was arrested in the act of picking a lady’s pocket lately in Vienna has turned out to be Carola Berger, a onee-famous opera singer, who disappeared from the stage eight years ago. She had gained fame when twenty years of age, and for five years was tlie foremost in her profession, earning a royal income. In 1895 she was injured in a railway accident, losing several fingers, and sustaining a, serious shock to her nerves, with the result that she lost her voice. Her reason became affected, necessitating her temporary detention in an asylum. After her discharge she sank into a state of destitution, and hunger drove her to theft. She is only 33. “Simply a concatenation of the most comical and convulsing situations.” That is what a well-known Victorian newspaper says of “The Ladj~ of Ostend.” the farcical comedy which is to open the second season of the Hawtrey Comedy Company at the Opera House on Monday, May 4th. The scribe so alliterativelv inclined might also have added] “A clever conglomeration of cachinna-tion-compelling circumstances.” Miss Hilda Spong continues her successful career in America, and is described everywhere as the “beautiful Australian.”

“Dei' Fechter von Ravenna,” a tragedy in five acts, by Friedrich Halm.-was produced at the Luisen Theatre. Berlin, on the 30th January. Mr Charles TV. Co-gill, who was well known in New Zealand and Australia as a vaudeville performer, died in San Francisco, on the 19th March, from consumption. Mr Cogill, who - was fifty-three years of age. was a native of New York. ' “Le Tasse.” an opera in three acts and six scenes, libretto by M. Jules amd Pierre Barbier, music by Eugene d Harcourt, was produced at tho Monte Carlo Theatre on the 14th February. Madame Lydia Yeaman Titus was ape pearing at the Avenue Theatre. Detroit, on the 28th March*

Mr Bert Roylo on Saturday received the following cablegram from Capetown: —“Arrived safely. Everything complete for ‘Dj in-Djin/ New dresses for princes, etc., made. Booking good. Advise Mrs Pollard and Mrs O’Sullivan with love and kind messages to them from all/'’ Mr Stan lev Walpole, who is a member of Mr J. C. 'Williamson’s Dramatic Company, joined the profession at the age of eighteen. Mr Walpole has fulfilled a successful engagement with the CranePower Dramatic Company and the Bland Holt Dramatic Company. He was a member of Mr Wilson Barrett’s Dramatic Company during his last Australasian tour. The present is Mr Walpole’s third engagement with Mr J. C. Williamson. He has visited New Zealand on three occasions. and alwaias looks forward to a visit to this colony with the greatest pleasure. Miss Nora Kerin, the fairy queen of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Melbourne Princess’s) is among the favoured few actresses who have attained to charming young heroine characters in famous plays whilst they themselves are. in real earnest, both charming and youthful. Also she has the exceptional merit of being even p ret her than her portrait-. She was appearing in Manchester with one of George Alexander's touring companies when manager Courtneidge, struck bv the thought that she Would make an ideal Titania. engaged the young lady for his forthcoming production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the local Prince’s Theatre. Her talent was equal to the opportunity. Miss / Kerin is a natural actress; the art is born in her. Julia Nciison and Lily Hamburg are her cousins, and Melpomene and Thalia were probably related to the family in ages past. After her success, as Titania she appeared in “Ben Jlur” at Drury Lane, returning to the Prince’s Theatre to play Rosalind in 'As You Like It” last October. —“Bulletin.” Poor old Wallace King, after a short and painful illness, crossed the bar at Oakland, California, last month. The immediate cause of his death was a paralytic stroke, which occurred five hours previous to his decease. In a letter which Mr .T. C. Leete. of Sydney, received from Mr O. T. Jackson, of Oakland. California, and which has been forwarded to Mr Dix. Mr Jackson says: "Wallace’s arrival and condition was announced in the daily papers, and that is how we found out that he was here. I went to the Receiving Hospital and found him in the insane ward, where he had been placed on his arrival, and he ("Wallace) knew me the moment he saw me. He feared something was going to be done to him. and asked me to take him to my ‘house, which I did, and he lived just one month and a day after his arrival. He had a naralHic stroke, and ho. struggled and suffered intensely just before his death. The doctor told me that when he examined him on his arrival that he could get his mind clear but tnat he could not live, so that we were prepared for the inevitable He did not reach either liic brother or his daughter—he could not stand the rest of the journey. The Freemasons of this city and San Francisco took charge of the body and performed the funeral ceremony with full Masonic rites, and he was laid at rest in Mountain View Cemetery, here in Oakland, California/'’ Colby and Way. who were in the. colonies some months ago, were at latest advices in the bill 'at Hyde’s and Behman’s Theatre. Brooklyn. Mr Will Whitburn, the well-known burnt cork comedian, has re-joined the forces of Mr Harry Rickards at the Melbourne Opera House. "A Rogue’s Daughter,” a drama in four acts, was produced for copyright purposes at the Theatre Royal. Maccm.-field, England, or. the 4th February. Mrs Brown Potter has recently received from Queen Elizabeth.. of Roumanin, known as Carmen Sylva, four poc-ms which the Royal authoress desires her to recite. TIIO Willoughby-Ceach. Comedy Comliany commenced a season at the Melbourne Bijou on Easter Saturday, with the curtain-raiser “By Special Request,” and the farcical comedy, in three acts, entitled “Mistakes Will Happen,” by Charles Dickson and Grant Stewart. The “Argus,” in .commenting on the performance. says:—“Mistake? Will Happen” is a merry three-act play, .full of rollicking, wholesome fun. Good farce-comedy has a happv levelling influence. It reduces all healthy adults to children again, and the throaty laughter elicited by the rapidly-developed and novel situations of “Mistakes will Happen” was strongly reminiscent of the school playground. Tire dialogue is sprightly and very often smart, while the action has all the bustle and briskness of genuine farce. The story is written round a young actor, Tom Genowin, and a charming young actress, Dorothy May land, who. desire for professional reasons to keep their recent marriage secret. The actress therefore retains her maiden name, and has separate room® at the boardinghouse of Mrs Price. The actor, like most young actors. has written a play, which has gone the round of the managers, “who were too busy running theatres- to read plays.” In consequence Genowin is on the lookout for an “angel,” which in theatre language means a backer with money. The first trouble begins when Linda Kurtz, the German serving-maid at the boardinghouse, tells Mrs. Price and her sanctimonious landlord, Hunter Chase, that Genowin and Dorothy Mayland had supper in the latter’s rooms at 2 a.in. The manager of the theatre, tod, discovers that they are married, and ' discharges them. The hunt for an “angel” then becomes very pressing, as on taking accounts the young wife finds that her purse contains but “one dollar and a dress pattern,” and the husband that he possesses only “thirty dollars and some chicken feed.” What seerms to be good luck however, favours the voung couple. Hunter Chase, although “unutterably shocked’ to find that Dorothy is an actress, falls in love with, lier, and consents to allow* her to read her husband’s play to him, with a view to his becoming an angel. On the other hand, Mrs Hunter Chase, who, although no longer youthful, is yearning to become a star apia.teur actressy engages to pay Gfenowin to ooach her

in his own play for a charity entertainment in aid “of the funds of the home for Japanese poodle dogs.” Genowin and hi* wife both decided to keep their good fortune from each other, in order to give each other a surprise; while Chase and his wife come to a like determination, in order not to surprise each, other. Tt is here that complications, set in the most comical surroundings, arise. Mrs Chase, by illchance, fixes flic hayloft m her husband’s carriage-house for her first lesson in acting, and Chase brings Dorothy into the carriage-house itself for the purpose of reading over with her her husband’s play. By a pretty and effective piece of stage mechanism the car-riage-house and the loft, and all that goes on in both, are in full view of the audience. To add to the complications, Chase’s coachman, Hawley, has an appointment in the carriage-house also with Linda, the German maid. When the three pairs endeavour to find out who are the other persons present the seeno is an exciting and intensely amusing one. Instead of the usual rush throng'll the doors of one stage room, the hunt, is up and down the stair--lead-ing to the hayloft, in and out of hayrucks, horse-boxes:, harness-rooms, and a brougham, all of which can be seen by the audience. The action, of' the play is thereby greatly increased and strengthened. The entanglements are unravelled in a third act. which suffers somewhat in comparison with the) first and. second acts. The play is elaborately mounted, and the company is a good one, some excellent work being done by the principals. Miss Roxy Barton, who has greatly improved, made a very pretty Dorothy May land. The acting of Mi?-? Roland Watts-PhiHips in the part of Mrs Clia-se, the giddy elderly person, was excellent. M*ss Lillie Bryer, as Mrs the boardinghouse keeper, and Miss M. Ilardinge Maltby, her German maid, made their characters realities. Mr George Willoughby, as Tom Genowin, had one of those hustling, bustling, jovial roles of which he is such an admirable exponent. Whenever he was on the stage, and he was very seldom off it, the laughter: was loudest. His light, airy style, carried everything along with a delightful swing. He was ably assisted throughout by Mr Tom Cannam. whose- work as Hunter Chase was first class. Mr Edwin Lester made a. capable (coachman, and Mr T. E. Leonard and Mr George Leopold had minor parts. Mr Forbes Robertson, who will be supported by Miss Gertrude Elliott and his entire London company, will commence a tour of America next November. The tour will be under the management of Messrs Klaw and Erlanger, and the trump card of the repertoire will be “The Light that railed.” Mr Knote’s. threat at the Vienna Onera to stop in tlie middle of a performance of “T'annhauser” if his night’s salary was not fort with paid over recalls a weil known story of Madame Patti. Tn this case. Colonel Maples on being the impresario, Patti refused to go on at all until she had received her money. With immense effort therefore Mapieson raked together half the sum and presented it on account. Thereupon Patti put on one stocking and awaited developments. Then Ma-nleson, by further exertions, got together the balance. Madame Patti put oji her other stocking, and the performance began. According to- an American paper, Shakespeare’s “Othello” lias been translated and localised for Japanese presentation, and noted Japanese actors are arranging for the production. In the .translation the Moor becomes a Japanese general. Florence becomes 1 Tokio, and Cyprus as Formosa. Desdemona is Lomoiie. a- Japanese maiden. Callahan and Mack, the clever Irish comedians round New Zealand somo months ago, were at latest advices appearing at Keith’s Theatre, New York. A sensational drama in four acts, entitled “The Greatest Scoundrel Living,” by McLeod Loader was produced for copyright purposes at the New Theatre, St. Helens, England, on the 2.9 th .January. The Four Rhinos (“The Monkeys and the Farmer”) were showing at Poll’s Theatre. New Haven, America, on the 28 th March. It is almost certain that Mr J. C. Williamson’s next venture in New Zealand trill be his New Comedy Company with the farcical comedy “Are you a Mason?” the present attraction at the Palace, Sydney. The next attraction will be the new American combination, the Neill-Frawley Dramatic Company, who open at Her Majesty’s. Melbourne, on May 31st, in a very strong repertoire of English and American plays; and the Musical Comedy Company will in all probability revisit New Zealand, v ith new attractions, about the end. of October. Then we will have a visit from a strong combination of English and Australian artistes, headed by Mr Julius Knight and Miss Maud Jefferies, with the plays “The Eternal City” anj “Resurrection.” It has not been decided yet what Mr J. C. Williamson’s attraction will be for the opening of the new Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney. In all probability the opening performance will be done by the Royal Comic Opera Company. Mr J. C. Williamson’s New Comedy Company is doing splendid business at the Palace Theatre. Sydney. The “Sydney Mail” in noticing the first production saj-s: —“Are you a Mason ?” which seems likely to repeat something of the success won by Von Moser’s famous “Bibliothekar,” in its British guise of “The Private Secretary,” is from the German of Laufs and Kratz, by Leo Dietrichsen. Like its predecessor of so many years back, it proved on presentation by the new Williamson Comedy Company to a crowded house at the Palace ou Saturday night to depend for its success on situation, and not on dialogue; but the “situations” are numerous andi laugh-provoking enough for three ordinary farces, and so the Sydney audience, like previous audiences elsewhere, was convulsed 1 , time and again throughout the evening by what is a triumph of its type in skilful construction. The materials out of which the plot is constructed! consist of an aggressive woman who has held' in terror over her husband’s heads for more than 20

years a letter from a previous wife whom he had divorced, alleging that she was about to commit suicide as a protest against his conduct. "Remember Angelina” closes every effort of the poor man to assert himself. To secure relief at least once a week he had represented himself as a Freemason, and in his supposed progress in the lodge his wife Look keen interest. When the story opens he was represented to be $ “worshipful master.” The young husband of their first horn, at the instigation of tho mother-in-law, was also adjured to become a Mason, and promised to do so during his wife’s absence, but forgetting it, agreed with the proposal of a Machiaveiian friend to claim that he had joined the lodge. On the antics of those two men, each believing that the other was a genuine article, and each imitating the other’s most trivial gesture lest they miss the all-important sign. much of tho fun depends, but it i-s deepened by a strolling player and blackmailer, who also falsely represents himself as a Mason, and by the determination of tlie womankind to discover all the secrets of the lodge. By -way of side plot, the friend who advised Masonry disguises himself as a French milliner so as to entrap the old man and impersonate a supposed daughter of Angelina. Angelina herself turns up, _ so/d.ocs a genuine Mason, and there is further fun from the efforts cf a retired farmer to win admission to the lodge. The new company shaped excellently well. Its leader, Mr George Ciddens, is a. noted comedian of the easy dry variety, who gets his effects without apparent effort, lie is admirable, and is likely to become a great favourite with Australians. In his hands, as the father, Amos Bloqdgoorl, and in the very capable hands of Mr Cecil Ward as the irresponsible son-in-law. Frank Perry, the weight of the piece mainly rests, but there are a number of other parts well played, such as the low comedy farmer of Mr Han ray, the broken-down tragedian of Mr .Jarman the ex-actoi’-stockbioker friend, George Fisher, of Mr George Desmond. These are new people, but Mr Norman M 4 ‘Ke-o\vn, & young* Sydnpy milatoni, cilso made a very creditable' debut as Ernest Morrison, the only genuine Mason. Miss Mcllison,’ a clever American actresshoaiitv, handled well the part or Mrs Perrv and Miss Eileen Munro. the contrasting part of tho militant motuer-in-law. Others of the new ladies arf Miss Kingston and Miss Pearson as the Bloou.-(-ood girls, and Miss Drew as Mrs Halton (Angelina). Miss Gunn as a milliner. Miss D’Alton. an Australian aitist £ tlm servant, and Mr Ilarcouit as a "policeman complete the cast. The Fitzmaurice Gill Hramatic Company did good business ac the Clii.stSck Royal. The company is now ivm-kin" overland to Dunedin. TUe Oswald Dramatic Company me still* 1 appearing at Christchurch. The Lenton trio, who some months ago FN/IiTH/LYunccd in America of lou'S. Seri., a once »-eU-k«onn Ci °^ l , a i i 1 Bernhardt has decided to com- ' ii'i-i Pads season wit a R aci/J? -FtheW fop which both costumes and scenery are already being prepared The late Dr. Joseph j iS mner ' died a poor man. says an Lngf.» 1 1 ’ ami his most intimate friends have opened a memorial fufW. to provide means of support for Mrs Parry, and to perpetuate t some way the distniguishe Welsh composer s memory At a mea j... o' of the Cardiff Commitee the sum of ,£350 was promptly subscribed. . Tho Dublin Musical Festival prize for the best orchestral composition has been won by a London clergyman, the Rev. Dr. Collisson. of St. Saviour’?. Walton Place. His suite m E minor for full band is the successful piece. Dr. Coins sou’s name used to be very well known in Ireland in the eighties and early nineties in connection wth the Dublin and Belfast Popular Concerts and the State Concerts at Dublin Castle. “Yiv and the Blue Wolf,” a romantic musical piece. by S/cpiien Bond, the scene of ivhich. is laid in Hungary, was produced at the Coronet Theatre. London, on the 2nd March as a curtain-raiser to the revival erf “Cliilperic.” . Captain Jack Sutton. Rose Aqumaldo, Adelina Savina, and Amy Tasman were, at latest advices, touring America with Orriso Brothers’ Circus. Ml- Howard Vernon and Company were at latest touring the “smalls” of Victoria. An Aberdeen minister, the Rev. William Stoddard, having made a speech of the usual character m attack upon the theatre, lias induced a letter from Mr Albert Voyce, of V eriio and V oyce, at present louring the English provinces with the sketch “Old Pals,” who says: “For the first twenty years of my existence I was cradled in the lap of religion, my surviving parent being an evangelist of no mean order. Since that period I have fought the world singlehanded, and have had sufficient time to compare the lives of theatrical people with those of my professedly religious associates. I find very little difference. Of the two 1 prefer my theatrical acquaintances* Their friendship is more genuine. The danger that exists in niy profession may be found in every walk of life. I have seen it in the Sunday School, the chapel choir, tlie Bible class, and the Y.M.C.A. The modern drama extols virtue and denounces vice. Like the parables in the Scriptures, it endeavours to pour tray tlie difference between right and wrong, and always show's right to the best advantage.. The drama teaches us to despise the evil and admire the good; to uphold virtue and destroy vice. How, then, can it be the greatest enemy of religion and morality? There are, doubtless, many plays totally unworthy of public representation. There are also many sermons (and Y.M.C.A. speeches) which equally deserve our condemnation. Woman for woman, my professional sisters will compare very favourably, both morally and physically, with the. female section of any religious community.” A new opera entitled “Siddfiarta,” by Isidore de Lara, was produced last month at the Theatre des Arts, Rouen. The principal roles were played by Mdlle. Char-

pentier and MM. Victor Maurel and Sylvian. Notwithstanding cable advice to the contrary it is quite possible that Mr Edward Lloyd, the English tenor, and his concert company, will find time to make a flying tour of New Zealand before they leave the colonies. During the Wfignerian fetes, to be held in Berlin in October, when the inauguration of the monument erected in the musician’? honour is to take place, a series of his operas will be performed at the new municipal theatre, Leipzig. Great preparations, it is said, are being made to give eclat to these performances. Very little was said about the death of Meyer Lutz, who preceded Kate Vauglia.ii to Shadowland. What time Kate was a dancer at the London Gaiety, and for many years after that. Meyer Lutz conducted the orchestra and served the management os composer-in-ordinary. Lutz was quite a brilliant composer of the sort of music wanted for a Gaiety burlesque. Ife wrote some pretty graceful pieces for “Faust-up-to-Dare,” which introduced the third Gaiety Company ter. Australia in ’92. He never made the most of himself professionally. or called attention to the fact that he had a famous- brother in Baron Lutz, the Bismarck of Bavaria.“Bulletin.” a Mr Brandon Creemer. well known in New' Zealand, is acting as manager of Mr George Musgrove’s Comic Opera Company during the Tasmanian tour. Mr Oscar Asche. who lias successfully appeared in England and America, has been engaged by Mr Beerbohm Tree to play Bill Sykes in the forthcoming London production of “Oliver Twist.” Mr Asche is a native of Australia. Mr George Rignold, who went to London after the death of his wife, will (savs “Table Talk”) soon return to Australia., as he finds the English climate much too severe after his long sojourn # in the Sunny South. Miss’ Maude Adams, the American actress, has gone to London to confer with Mr Charles F roll man about litfr appearance in a new play next season. Miss Adams on leaving New York appeared to be in good health. Last month an appropriate memorial was ■ erected in London to Sir Arthur Sullivan. Tlie County Council authorised the placing of a bust to the. composer of “Pinafore” on the Thames Embankment. The site selected is as nearly as possible opposite the Savoy Theatre, and faces that building where Sir Arthur scored his greatest successes. So the memorial will be erected on a spot which almost echoes to the strains of “The Mikado” and “lolantlie.” Modern enterprise! M. Giron, says the Geneva correspondent of the “New York Herald.” has had many offers from people v. ho were 'filling to make, his fortune —and incidentally, theirs. One on er go tic. manager of a London music hall offered him an engagement at an enormous salary, -while a gentleman from New York suggested a series of lectures in the States. The princess in this case was to accompany him on the stage, but would not be expected to speak. Another astute business man wanted him to write an advertisement eulogising a certain well-known patent medicine. The strangest, offer of all came from a circus proprietor, who offered to organise a, gigantic outdoor fete, at which M. Giron would make am ascent in a balloou. Padereswki. the world-famous pianist, does not depend upon piano playing alone for liis princely state. The artiste derives a handsome income from the wine, fruit and vegetables produced on his estate at Merges in Switzerland, Paderswski takes great delight in showing visitors a-bout the place, which really does credit to his ability as a farmer. The orchard contains -5000 cherry trees, from the product of which some excellent Kirsch is distilled; and the vegetable garden is large enough to stock a market place. New Zealanders may never have heard of Septimus Winner, but I (.writes an Aemrican correspondent) am sure that some of them recall at least one of his songs. ‘‘Listen to the Mocking Bird,” a great favourite here with the people in past years. Mr Winner died in Philadelphia a fe\p weeks ago, at the age of 74. The “Mocking Bud” was suggested to him by the whistling of a negro boy. He sold it for 35 dol.. and the publisher’s profits exceeded IOO.OOOdoI. Another of hi* popular melodies was “What is Home Without a Mother.” with the composition of which, an affecting incident was connected. On the door-step of the house next to his own. one cold evening, fie feu lid a little girl weeping and waiting for lier mother, whom death had taken a few days earlier. This child he carried into liis own house, where he composed tho song before the following morning. Winner was a prolific writer. Many texfc books of music bore his name, and more than a thousand compositions. He had the gift of reaching the hearts of the masses. During our civil war, at the time when General McClellan was displaced by the Government, fiis song, “Give us Back Our Old Commander,”* so excited public opinion and had such an. eneormous sale that it was suppressed by the War Department. At the conclusion of one of the recent seasons at Durban the stage-manager stepped before the curtain to make a few remarks appropriate to the occasion, and in t-fie course of liis speech intimated that the company “would be going away for four weeks and would return in about five.” He secured by this “Irishism” the biggest laugh of the evening; and it so tickled the famous comedian, Mr Harry Nicholls, that before leaving the company to return to England he presented Mr Rowitt with the following effusion: In loving memory of a certain valedictory speech, delivered in Durban. South Africa, June 30th, 1902. We may part from a friend with a smile or a sigh, Or a nod—or a drink at the bar, A fervent “God bless you old fellow I Good bye!” Or an offhand “So long!” or "Ta-ta/’ But what humour and pathos that man can convey. In a few farewell words that he speaks, When he says, “For a month I am going away, And shall be back a train in five weeks/'

Mr Arthur Roberts produced his new musical play. “Bill Adams,” at the Royal Theatre, Brighton, on the 2nd March. Miss Mary Shaw, a well known American actress, is about to play “Hamlet” in Hew York. The present summer will witness the performance of the Passion Play at Horitz, in the Bohemian Forest. The play is given once every five years. Dating back, like the .more famous play of GherAmmergau, to the middle ages, it was revived by a parish priest of the region in 1816. Prom that period till 1840 the play was given for the people’s edification by the inhabitants of this place on every Sunday in Lent, and on the last days of the Passion Week. The actors were only dressed in their Sunday clothes. In later years elaborate stage effects and costumes have replaced the simpler form of presentation. Miss Lena Ashwell, who may claim "Resurrection” as her triumph, is one of Canada’s gifts to the English stage. The daughter of a naval officer, Ashwell was born in the Dominion, and lived through her girlhood on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, across whose rushing channel she is said to have swum, to the astonishment of stalwart men. She is Miss Ellen Terry's discovery. Miss Ashwell found her opportunity and realised it in the revival of “Richard III.” at the Lyceum, and her Prince of Wales is still remembered even in the annals of Sir Henry Irving’s house. Portia, in Mr Tree’s "Julius Caesar,” was another part which greatly added to her reputation, and in “Mrs Dane’s Defence” she played the title-role.