NOTES BY "LORGNETTE."

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1648, 30 September 1903, Page 28

NOTES BY "LORGNETTE."

Mr George Mtisgrove’s Comic Opera, Com nan y inaugurated a fourteen nights season at the Wellington Opera House last Monday evening with the Fouitune Teller.” There was a packed house, anU from the very commencement to the hnal chorus the opera went splendidly. Although styled a comic opera ilie Fortune Teller” apro-aches serious opera so far as the music is concerned and makes greater demands upon the voices of the principals than the usual bonne, some of Mr Herbert’s'melodies being of a really liigh-class character. Miss !May Beattv, in the dual char acter of Musette and) Irnm gave a splendid performance. lief songs, “The Song of the Serenade” and “Always Do as Other People Do” were well rendered. Miss Beatty has improved wonderfully as a comedienne. Miss Lilian Green has not much scope to- show her ability as Mdlle. Pom-Pom, but what little she had to do was done well. ■ Mr Lempriere Pringle, as Sander, the gipsy", his a part which might have been specially written for him, so well did he impersonate the character. Mr Pringle s fine resonant voice was heard to great advantage in the solos the “Song of the Sword,” “Oh, Ye Townsmen,” and the love song “Slumber On My Little Gipsy Sweethearts:,” one of the most delightful numbers in the 'opera. His acting was in keeping with his singing, both being exceedingly meritorious. Mr Edward Lauri has an excellent part as Fresco, the conspiring balletmaster. Mr Foster Courtenay, as Boris, and Mr W. R. Shirley, as Count Berezowski, ably assisted Mr Lauri in making the fun go fast and furious. Mr J. C. Piddock played excellently as Ladislas, while Mr Henrv Hallam was good as General Korboy. ~ Several minor parts were ably filled.

The orchestra which is under the conductorshiip of Mr Alberto Zelman, did Bom© splendid work. “The Fortune TelJeir” is staged l in a] lavish manner, the dresses and scenery being of the most gorgeous character. The opera, is produced under the direct supervision of Mr Edward Lauri, who is also responsible for all the dances in the piece.

Tlie second production, of th© season will be another'of Mr Victor Herberts operas entitled “The Serenade,” which will be staged on Saturday night. The Auckland “Star” referring .to the performance of "The Serenade” says:—The second production is in almost every way an advance upon the first. From the musical point of view tine work is more even and sustained, while from thait of the libretto l the humour is usually finer, there is full scope for a larger proportion of the actors, and the action is „cinicker and more diversified’. The first act, which passes outside the Duke of Santa Cruz’s mined castle, though it Iras, some good points musically, lacks the dash and brilliance of its successors). Neverthelessit contains the fine "Stang of the Carbine” (sung by Mr Pringle as Alvarada) and the brigands’ highly effective chorus to their chief’s relation of the story of the ghost of the castle. The second act is undoubtedly the triumph of this opera. The scene is laid in ai monastry and a convent (separated by a wall), and includes the magnificent “Angelus” chorus 1 , the solo to which is admirably sung by Mill Lilian Boanas. The chorus, rich, tuneful, and glorious in its orchestration, is assuredly the best of the many good items of the performance. Also in this act are Mr Pringle’s "Serenade,” and Mr Lauri’s evergreen, “Woman, Lovely Woman” (which is sung in a way to make the old thing new). The final scene is tli© as th'© first, th© denouiii©nt is skilfully managed, Mr Pringle is heard to advantage in the song. Love and Polly,” and the comic side of the Piece •works out to an admirable climax. Mr Pringle was almost the only actor who did not profit in his material by a change of piece. None of his solos were., in composition, equal to the "Sword Song much less his “Oh, Ye Townsmen —in “The Fortune Teller.” Nevertheless, his glorious voice was finely heard in some of the songs mentioned above, to which he more than did credit. Miss May Beatty’s Yvonne was of the

prettiest —dainty in the extreme charmingly vivacious. As a boy m tne monastry these qualities appeared to special advantage. In this scene she treated with much sweetness the pretty song, “In Fair Andalusia, besides its admirable predecessor, “Cupid and I.” Mr Lauri last night excelled himself, which means that he excelled something already extraordinarily good. His part in the new piece was altogether brighter and more original in Mr Sprague’s libretto than the other in that of the author of “The Fortune Teller.” Sometimes indeed he was compelled to make jokes with a purely mathematical point, and “The Funny Side of That” had no side that in a critically accurate sense deserved the adjective at all. But that was not Mr Lauri’s fault, and, moreover, it was one that .was an exception that proved the rule that •otherwise this brilliant comedian was well provided for. His reading of the character was more Gilbertian than anything in either of these two pieces, and tho quaint little Duke, who goei3 about with a blunderbuss seeking the singer of the “Serenade,” and weeps out his song' of “Lovely Woman,” and dances one of the most original dances ever seen on the New Zealand stage, is a satisfying feast in itself. “Mr Piddock had a far better chance than in the pereceding piece, and availed himself of it to the full. Dashing and vigorous in his acting, he sang with admirable clearness and much strength his solo “I Am a Jolly Postilion,” and took a brilliant part in the duet “I Love Thee, - I Adore Thee.” Mr Courtenay s Gomez—a smaller part than that in which he was last seen —is highly humorous, and he kept his audience smiling all through, his work in his disguise of a. nun converting those smiles to loud laughter. As Dolores Miss Boanos had a real chance, and availed) herself of it. In the solo to the “Angelus” she sang most admirably. Mr Hallam’s clever work as Colombo closed the list of really brilliant principles. .The ensembles, with all the dash and verve of Victor Herbert’s music, owed much to the fine work of the orchestra, conducted by Mr Zelman. The scenery is again remarkably good, and in all respects this production may be described as uncommonly successful.” Fuller’s Entertainers are “’hoeing their end of the row” to soma purpose this week at the Choral Hall, business being excellent. The Mintons made their reappearance on Saturday evening and met with a hearty reception. Mr Will Watkins is “getting off” a lot of new stuff which is appreciated. Mr Sheldon Kindiey does a good turn. The other members of the company all appear in acceptable items.

Mr P. R. Dix has got a very strong combination in the bill at the Theatre Royal this week. Miss Malvena Moore met with a hearty reception on her first appearance laid Saturday evening. Her “turns” are really good. Miss Addie Frederick’s does a very clever act for which she receives enthusiastic applause. The De Wynnes give a first class performance of balancing. Miss Nellie Yohe is as great, a favourite as ever, her songs being greatly appreciated. The Delavales also give acceptable turns. The other members of the company also appear to advantage.

The Sydney season of the Westminster Glee and Concert Party .was of such a successful nature that four additional concerts Avere given. In noticing the tenth concert, Avliieh Avas given on the 18th September, the “Herald” says: —“An immense audience, without doubt one of the largest that ever thronged the vast chamber, filled every seat in the T’oaati Hail lalst night, clustered in every doorAvay, and encroached upon the passages to the fullest extent that, municipal regulations would permit of. No one has eA r er ascertained accurately hoAV many people can be crammed into the) building, but at any rate 3000 Were seated last night, Avliilst as for the unfortunate people unable to get in, they might have been numbered by hundreds. This amazing success on the top of nine concerts Avithin tho previous eleven days was richly won by Mr and Mrs Bran scorn be and the b'ovs and artistes he lias brought with him. They slroAV us tlie pure Etnglish style of part-singing at its best-,- and in doing so furnish an entertainment that is as instructive as it is charming. Last night’s programme included two; afithems, Gounod’s “Bethlehem” and Fayrant’s “Lord, in Thy Mercy,” and! thesis were beautifully rendered. Mine. Marie Hinton, Mr Mr Dudley Gauston, and all tlie so'lists Avon encores during the evening.” The prices of admission for Miss Ada Crassleiy’s Sydney concert was fixed! at ten shillings for reserved seats, and five shillings and half-a-croAvn f-f r unreserved seats. The latest information about Miss Nance O’Neil is that the massive tragedienne lias entirely lost her voice. Doctors think they can -find it for her, however.

Owing to ill-health, Mr Edward Lloyd has decided to abandon his Aimericam tour which was to have commenced in January. . A star ’cellist’s marriage engagement is off (writes "Akenehi” in the "Bulletin”), joyous news for the girl’s mother; she would not welcome the star ’cellist as a son-in-law. Stars are not good as matrimonial mates. This ’cellist’s ralet use to brilliantine his hair and manicure his priceless paws. Such pets should never be taken out of the water-lily lake of elegant bachelordom to be thrown into the suds of domestic life. On the termination of the farewell tour o-f New Zealand of the Westminster Glee and Concert Party, which commenced at Invercargill on Tuesday evening, the company will sail for America where they give eighty concerts. It is probable that a. tour of South Africa will also be undertaken next year. Mr Daniel Frawley and Company will commence a tour of New Zealand at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, on Monday evening, the 12th October. The first production will probably be the American drama "Arizona.” In a notice of "Arizona” the Melbourne "Argus” observes: "The evil genius of the piece is a Captain Hodgman, of a frontier cavalry regiment, who is responsible already for the ruin of a girl employed upon the

ranch, a daughter of one of his own sergeants, and who has now cast some devil s spell ever the colonel’s young wife. Both Miss Van Buren, who plays the latter part, and Mr Plinimer. as the libertine officer, bring out very credibly the nature of the snare set. The woman is inexperienced, weary of the loneliness and m on tony of existence on. the outskirts-.of civilisation, hungering for a glimpse of a fuller life she has only dimly dreamt of, easily fascinated by an unscrupulous scoundrel, who plays his role of tempter with some magnetism of manner. She flutters feebly, like a frightened bird, but yields. One night, when Colonel Bonham has ridden away on duty, she gives her jewels into the keeping of Hodgman, and prepares for an elopement. Mr Frawley, in the character of Lieutenant Denton, appears, and checkmates the villainous scheme of his superior. Revolver in hand, he takes possession of the jewels, and puts the erring wife upon her parole. But. while he is left momentarily alone with the lady, the colonel returns unexpectedly, ancLHodgman succeeds in making it appear that Denton, not he. is the would-be seducer.” Mr J. C .Williamson’s Royal Comic Opera Company produced “The Toreador at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, o» the 19th September with the following cast of characters: —Augustus Traill, Air YV. B. Beattie; Pettifer, Mr Spencer Barry; Sir Archibald Slacki.tt, Bart., Mr Reginald Roberts; Rina,ldo, Mr Fred Young; Governor of Villaya, Mt P. Bathurst: Bandmaster, Mr W\ Stafford: Carajolo, Mr Harold ThorTey; Mr Probitt Mr L. Franks; Moreno, Mr A. Hunter; Waiter. Mr Fitzgerald ; Porter, Mr R. Keiley; Sammy Grigg, Mr George Lauri; Susan, Miss Rose Musgrove (her. first appearance with this company); Dora Selby, Miss Maud Chetwvnd; Mrs Malton Hoppings, Miss Celia Ghiloni; Cora Bellamy. Miss Sarah Hyman ; Ethel Marshall. Miss Kate Milner; Isabella, Miss May Galletly; Casilda, Miss Rose Mitchell; Inez. Miss T. Bennett; Venosta., Miss A. Mcßae; Nancy Staunton, Miss Evelyn Scott; Dona' Teresa, Miss Florence Young The Sydney season of Mr George Musgrove’s Shakesperirian Company is proving a huge success —“A M'dslnn m er Night’s Dream” and “Twelfth Night” lias been played to packed houses. The third production of the season, “As You Like It ” was staged last Saturday night _ at the Theatre Royal, with the following cast of characters: —The Lake, Mr A. Croker-King; Duke _ Frederick, Mr Arthur Coe; Amiens, Mr Charles Kenningham ; Jaques, Mr Alfred Buckl'aw; Le Beau, Mr Stanley Lathbury; Oliver Mr Thomas Holding; Jaques. Mr B .H. Everard; Orlando,, Mr Norman Part- ; Adam, ISlr A,tiliol ITord-Gi; Denis, Mr J. R. Shaw; Sir Oliver Martext (a vicar), Mr F. Cullen aina; Charles (a wrestler) Mr J. R. Stuart; Touchstone, Mr W.’H. Denny; Corin. Mr Charles Daley; Sylvius, Mr Macolm Laughton; William, Mr G. B. Ross; Rosalind, Miss Nora Kerin; Celia., Miss Dora Rignold; Phebe, Miss Margaret Cellier; Audrey, Miss Maud Milton. For the New Zealand! tour cf Daniel Frawley and company two strong dramas, new to the colonies, will be included in the repertoire, namely “Barbara Fritchie” and “On the Warbash,” Referring to Willoughby and Geach s “Mistakes Will Happen” Queensland tour, an exchange says:—The company are turning crowds from the doors nightly in the Towers, arid according to the “Telegraph” “only on one occasion has the booking at Evert’s for seats in the Theatre Royal for the WilToughby-Geach season, which opens to-night, been eclipsed, and this was on the occasion of the visit of the songstress, who in the opinion of the best judges, rivals Melba in the world of song, Madame Dolores. Upwards of 200 seats have been booked throughout the season of six nights. Nearly 100 seats have been already secured' for Saturday night, so that those who have neglected to book early null have to be content with seats a Lew toaa s back ” The No. 3 “Mistakes Will Happen”’ New Zealand tour starts at Dunedin in October. Mr George Musgrove’s Negro Opera Company is having ai successful season at tho Shaftesbury Theatre, London, with “In Bahomev.” The company numbers one hundred‘strong, and the colour ranges from the pure-bred negro to the fair quadroon or creole. The company is du© to appear at Adelaide next April. Miss Olga Nethersole has achieved an eminent position in America, as may be inferred from the announcement that Mr J. L. Tyler hals offered her over =£Booo to’ play tke leading part in “The Eternal City” f#r an American tour. Miss Nethersole - visited Australia some years ago. Reviewing the dramatic season of 19021903 Mr Archer, in the “World,” says —And it will interest New Zealand and Australasian playgoers to hear it, seeing that Mr Williamson, ha® secured “Admirable Crichton” for this country—that Mr Pinero having been silent, Mr Barrie stands easily predominant throughout the season. He opens it with Quality Street.” and presently follows up that exquisite fantasy with the more daring, but not more ingenious. “Admirable Crichton.” It seems to me that the latter p,lav has rather unduly overshadowed the former in critical estimation, if not in popularity. Fascinating as it is, “Adiiiir’&blo ■te.ntalis&s one a little by seeming to be always on the verge of a really profound criticism of life, and then sheering off into mere whimsicality. Both plays, at any rate, are full of rare and individual talent, and! well deserve the extraordinary success they have attained” Mr Hdnry Arthur Jones, says Mr Archer, produced in "Chance, the Idol” an interesting play, which for some mysterious reason was coldly received. Its real fault, I imagine, was that of coming after “Mrs Dane’s Defence,” and not being quite so effective. Speaking of other plays, either seen or yet to be produced in Australia and! New Zealand, the critic says:—“Two romantic plays of considerable ability rank among the great successes of tho season. Much the stronger of the two was Mr J\ H. McCarthy’s “If I Were King,’ but the personal charm of Mr Lewis Waller’s performance of Monsieur Beaucaire secured for Mr Booth Tarkington’s play an even

larger measure of popularity.’* Misa Fletcher's very able dramatisation of “The Light That Failed” is set down aa a little aitticult to classify “but it must be written down a romance, and certainly a success.” “It would be ungrateful,” writes Mr Archer, “not to put on record til© delight afforded to large and appreciative audiences by Mr Walter Melville’s lurid and yet rollicking creations, ‘Tho Worst Woman in London and ‘Her Second Time on Earth.’” On the termination of the Adelaide season of Mr J. C. Williamson s ‘ Sherlock Holmes’’ Company a tour of vY estern Australia will bo undertaken. There is a probability that Mr Daniel Frawley will pay a return visit to the colonies next year with new dramas and a new company. „__ _ ... The Shakespeare Society of New South Wales visited the production of “Twelfth Night” at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, on Tuesday evening, the 15th September, about 150 strong, and occupied the greater part of the stalls Gf the theatre. At the close of the performance they presented each of the lady players with a floral tribute, with a suitable text from the play attached. To Miss Norah Kerin, who appeared as Countes* Olivia, a bouquet of red and white roses was presented, with the motto, _ln beauty truly blent, whose red and white nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.” To Miss Dora Rignold, who took the part of Viola, was presented a harp ©f violets, with the couplet. Oh it came o’er my ©nr like the sweet sound that breathes upon a bank of violets. To Mias Maud Milton, whose part was Mary, a bunch cf purple violets _ and marigolds, with, for motto, the particular line ' Miss Mary brings out with such telling emphasis, “’Tis a colour sli© abhors.” , _ „ The report that Miss Janet Waldoit, who visited Australia last year, is dead, happily, proves to be untrue. Miss Waldorf is at present taking a holiday with her mother in the United States. Mite® Bulls D’Apcy, the pretty and clever American actress, who recently toured New Zealand with the Frank Thornton Compaov, has been engaged by Mr Dauieil Frawley' to tour New Zealand with his company. Herr Hermann Sudernmnn s new play, “Socrates and His Companion in Arms, ’ deals to a large extent with thief difference that exists between socialism of the highest class and the base mercenary substitute which so often parades in its name. The whole performance is essentially German, the last scene being devoted to a fete commemorative of the battle of Sedan,' and it seems unlikely, even if it attains in its own country the success which friends of the author predict, that it is a play which could! ever be performed with any hope of a good reception in' Paris. When Mascagni was in San Francisco one of his accomplishments which most attracted attention was hie ability to conduct almost entirely without a score* Richard Wagner in the fifties was ones severely criticised’ in London for this very thing. He was conducting the Philharmonic concerts in the British metropolis for a season, and being a very ardent admirer of Beethoven, and. in fact, knowing that master’s nine symphonies by heart he selected several of them for performance in the scries of concerts'. After the first performance one of the! prominent newspapers scolded the author of “Lohengrin” for directing a symphony by th©.immortal Beethoven without the score in front of him. Accordingly, at the next concert, young Wagner had a, book of music open before him on his desk. The next day a commendatory article appeared in the aforesaid: newspaper, which praised him for a very much better interpretation of Beethoven than his last. due. of course, to the use of the score. Whereupon Wagner secured his revenge on Ms presumptuous - critic by announcing the fact that the score in front of him the previous evening was that of Rossini’s opera.. “ The Barber of Seville” —turned upside down. The opera world is the same) all over Europe. It is a seedy world, a dissolute world, a world that often, cannot write its own name. It is a world that hang© about the stage or green-room all! day, and spends its evenings on tlie stage or in the green-room. It is not often a drunken" world, but it is a world of cards, dominoes, billiards, gossip, intrigue, false friendship and 1 smiling faces, and' goodhearted fellows who stab each other in the back. I know this world ; I could writ© down tlie naim.es of certain important opera.-directors —which is more than they could do themselves. —J. F. Runcimail, in the “Saturday Review.” The Stine-Evans Comedy Company produced “Where is Cobb P” at the Opera House on Wednesday evening. The piece is not of the same hilarious character as its predecessors, “ Mama’s New Husband ” and “Brown’s in Town,” though funny in a way. The Company as a whole are not afforded the opportunity of displaying the undoubted talent which they possess, though all worked at high pressure to make the piece “ go.” Miss Olive Evans did well a® Dolly Dexter, her singing and dancing being very clever. Miss Marshall gave another of her Character studies as the Irishwoman with expectations. Mr. Stine played the part of an Irish butcher in a humorous mataner. and he was ably seconded by Mr. Bate who pourtrayed an eccentric Dutchman*. Mr. Bicknell was very clever as Ferdinand Prince, while Mr. Win Douglas played Leander Cobb acceptably. Mr. A Julian played Philip Cobb. The piece was well staged.. Taken on its merits, “ Where is Cobb P” is exceedingly clever m “ spots,” though the management could with advantage “ cut ” some of the dialogue and introduce a few more songs and dances. , , The company ma £it its last ap■ptearamce at the Opera House ibis i>. c when a special programme w® filfi presented. It is not generally known that Miss Nellie Yohe, who is one of the principle attractions of Mr. P. B- Dus Gaoety Company, is the second and youngest daughter of one- of Garibaldi s 1 bravest generals and warmest friends. Of course “Yohe” is only a stage name, the clever lady’s own being something Italian, and infiinitely more high sounding ana poetic*

The Stine-Evans Comedy Company is. at present playing a twelve* nights’ season at the Theatre R-oyal, Christchurch. At the conclusion of the Christchurch season the company will visit the following town® : —Palmerston. North, Oct. 12th to 13th ; Wanganui, October 14th, 15th and. 16th ; Ha Oct. 17th and 19th ; Stratford, Oct. 20th and 21st ; New Plymouth. Oct 22nd and 23rd ; Nelson. Oct. 26th to 28th ; Westport, Oct. 31st to Nov. 3rd ; Grey mouth. Nov. 4th to 7th ; Hokitika, Nov. 9th to ll'th ; Ashburton., Nov. 16th ; Timaru. Nov. 17th, I8t)h, 19th ; Dunedin (show dates), Nov. 21st to Dec. sth ; Hobart, Dec. 11th to Dec. 17th : Launceston. Dec. 18th to Dec. 22nd ; Sydney (Palace), D;ec. 26fch;.

l - The Majeroni Dramatic Company have conclud'edi their New Zealand tour, and left for Sydney by the Victoria last Saturday. After a season at Newcastle a tour of Queensland will be undertaken.

Latest report® state that Dr. Henrik Ibsen’s health has greatly improved, and that the great dramatist intend® making an excursion to St. Petersburg and Finlard.

The last four nights of the Wellington season of Mr George Alusgrove’s Comic Opera Company will be devoted to productions of “The Daughter of the Raiment” and “Fra, Diavolo.” In noticing the recent production of “The Da lag a tor of the Regiment” at Auckland the r ‘Herald’ 7 says:—Very infrequent axe revivals of old and well-tried and '‘The Daughter *of the Regiment” mi ms a pleasant change from the frivolity cf modem opera-comique. None the bse, cf course, is modern comic opera, w•.'h ail its frivolity, an agreeable o’ "ng * c fttim°<; from the nnera of d ic *ys gone by—but that by the way. The Musgrovo Comic Opera Company 7 reduce 1 Lmuzetti’s delightful work at Hi* Majesty's Theatre last night in. a manner which did them entire credit. It is no child’s part to present ambitious mu •re v crks of the kind so well that everybody in front shall go away pleased and refreshed. Ah 've all thjnrro. 'T'm f ‘h Regiment” reuires good vrc'd’satton, and we must say that it was sung last night exceedingly well. As ain after of fact, the music was rendered with, surprising ability. The opera; was also handsomely mounted, tiro scenery and dresses being elegant, and the colouring very pretty. Great calls were made upon the orchestra, and cei*t.n,sv>lv the to ptru *r>o*71 •• • ■» r t° under Alberto Zelman, acquitted themselves Uncommonly well. Thus, all things considered, a decided success was- achieved. Of the performance of “Fra, Diavolo” the same paper remarks: —“Prsuant to their plan of giving the public both Comic opera and opera of more ambitious kind, the Musgrove Femic Co mpany produced at TT' C * TVftv’s T l ' ' v ~ to> lust night Auberhs Tra Diavolo.’' T * the extent of earnest and most praiseworthy efforts the performance was a good one. Tot-night it "will be a better one. This, because it was apparent last night that a natural anxiety '•prevented the ]>rincipals from doing themselves full justice. Anxiety giving place to confidence the result is obvious. To point out weak spots and to overly ok the strong points would be quite unfair. In the present instance the strong points predominated over the weak. Thus we mav safely fov that the irerformance was a good one.” The New Zealand tour of the Majeroni Dramatic Company was not too successful a venture.

That clever artiste. Miss Rose Musgrcvve, who recently toured. New Zealand with. Mi* J. O. Williamson's Musical Comedy Company, has joined the Royal Comics and is playing the part.-originally-played by Miss Carrie Moore in "The Toreador/'’ Congratulations to Miss Musgrove on her success. , Emile Lazeni' was m the bill at the Adelaide Tivoli at latest advices. Mr George Musgrove’s "Sweet Nell " Gouipany were duet to- open at the Theatre Royal Perth, on the evening of the 7th September, bitfc owing to the la.be arrival of the Orizaba, the steamer encountering extremely heavy weather during the passage across the Right, the opening performance was put off until the next evening. The first production waa " Sweet Nell of Old Drury/' In the* course of an interview with a L< Morning Herald" representative Mr. George Musgrove said : —" Nobody is to blame, certainly not the' officers of the Orizaba. We must blame the elements —it was in the middle of the Bight that we struck bad weather. The instructions of the Orient Company to the engineer were to burn coal and bring- us here by 9 in the morning. They did burn coal —it must have cost them <£loo extra —they were taking us at 14 knots an hour- through gales-, and of course the increased pace made the- weather* all the worse for usi It was all in vain, as it happened-, but still it was very good of them to makethe attempt, and I should like them to have credit for it. Yes, Miss Stewart is naturally very much disappointed at being unable to appear tonight. I am going to refund the money to all the people who booked seats for. to-night. I believe.this arrangement will be most satisfactory to tine public, and it is the public that I have to consider." Miss Grade Emmett and her American Company have joined Mr. Harry ICiOkard's Vaudeville Company at present touring the West Australian goldfields. MV. ilaau.bourg has abandoned 1 the idea of touring West Australia. Hill and Silvainy, the marvellous ti*ick cyclists who recently appeared at the Theatre Royal under the l>)x banner, are taking a vaudeville company to the Hast. Mr. victor Kelly, who toured this colony with the World's Entertainers and afterwards played a long engagement with Mr. X)ix, has been engaged fox* the. tour. The company will make its first appearance at Manila. Mi*. J. C. Williamson’s “ Sherlock Holmes*’ Company are appearing to firstclass business at the Theatre Royal, .Adelaide. _ The- recent Adelaide season of Mr. William Anderson's Touring Dramatic Company was a financial success. Mr Beer boh m Tree's- Company met with a fine reception at Her Majesty’s Theatre-, Melbourne, on Saturday evening, the 12th September, when the season was inaugurated by the production of the much discussed <£ which, fir mxeht be exuectfld. has no relation to-

the great sacred drama of all times. It is an intensely interesting play, showing the awakening of two souls to the consequences of an early '‘indiscretion” —to the supposition that the past may he atoned for by sacrifice, and l>3 r the unselfish devotion of their lives to assist the suffering and helpless. A good deal of the disagreeable is eliminated, though the drama is none the less solemn and magnificent, with its lighter side emphasised for stage purposes. Almost every act is differently cast, and some of the scenes are very beautiful. Many phases of life are represented, beginning w’-th the yonvg seMtor to his own home; the jury scene —a fine dramatic cempostion—in which bis former sweetheart, whom., ten .years before he had seduced and ruto-od, is °n her trial for murder; a magnificent Russian drawing-room, its splendour liiegh.tened by contrast with th* sordid prison scene, and winding up whh a great snow scene on the road to RiPov-jn, •vv"l'*e l ’o th.fi day ends. Prince Dimitry Nehludof is a very arduous role, but Mr Julius Knight is quite equal to it Hence an excellent assumption. Miss Maud Jeffries well sustained the part of Katusha (known as “The Maslova”), and f n her ivaH"> imp'»rsm;.a-tion the success of the ptoce is due to a great extent. Melbourne “Sportsman.” Mr William Ander-nn & Dramatic Com pan v are playing “The Power and the Glory” at th e Sydney Lyceum to good business. The Bioss-ett’s Troupe of acro-*mts and pantomimists have concluded their engagement with Mr. Harry Rickard s. and sailed; f*o-r Lo*tkloti I>y* "Mug* Orizal)a % which left Free man tie on the 7th September. It i«» said that there is a great scarcity of first-class advance agents in Australia at 7-iro.tient. George Haekeusohmidlr, a Russian wrestler, who is appearing at the English provincial halls, offers J2IOO to any man that ho fails to throw in fifteen, minutes. Plenty have tried to earn the century, but up to date the Russian was still on top, A atrrrifv 'imre wjM Ty» ente I’ta:ir>pd 1 ’ta:ir>pd h°re (cavs the ‘'Sydney Morning Herald”) by all good judges of acting who have seen the best performances of Mr Daniel Frawley. Miss Mary Van Buren., and their essociatos in the recent season at the Palace. Theatre, that they may be induced te return here at the etui “of the year. Their sr-und. consistently restrained style of acting, following m>on the Nat Goodwin season of seven years ago. shows us that the quiet school of dramatic art that is; admired in NewVorkcan also be fenud as far west as San Francisco. Mi&s Van Buren declares with great warmth that good acting is the genera! all over tire United States, and we bone this is GHtioa.lflv accurate, and not the outcome of a burst -of patriotism on the. pa-rt of the- popular beartty-actress. This term, bv the way. wa.3 invented in America, and mar have seme secret significance, there that Australians .wot not of but in this instance its sense must needs b° wholly one of compliment. Mr Frawlev -has shown us how gend a Californian eom-pa-nv can be. and if be accepted IMz* J. C. William son’s invitation -to return to a larger nto vltouse in January, our a.udiences would, no doubt, support him cordially. The Daniel Frawlev Company new 0 fortnight in Brisbane (onen■Jnr- rHn ‘MVridto.v notr-D. stars to hWc'.sHe fnnr nights and appears, at Auckland cm and Dunedin will be visited, and two strong pieces will be added to the repertoire during that four —“Barbara FHtehie” and “On the Warbash.” After December 19th. Mr Frawlev’s movements are uncertain. Ho is xmder contract with. Messrs ‘Wheeler Brothers to tour the Transvaal for twenty weeks, beginning at Jobannesburg on February I.oth. but bis repress ta five (Mr D. T). Kinmont) sailed from; he*re for Capetown by the Moravian kst week, -and on his arrival! the question of rearranging matters in South Africa will be practically considered.

Derive 1 the Wesfrvlmrz tour of' Mr. Mrove’s “Sweet Noll” Oornrvanv Air. Brandon Crem-eir plays; Lord Rochester in pi nee of Air. Webster Lawso' r * who has returned to England. Th Q Svclnev sea-son of Mirth’s Circus and Alenagerie* is turning out an exceptional lv good one, the huge tent which is erected in Philip Park being well filled at every performance.

lii noticing the first oro duct ion of "Resurrection.” at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, the writer of "A Woman’s Letter," in the "Bulletin," says:— surrection is sob^* l7 !- It is years since women sniffed, blew their noses, and shed the brine of sympathy as they did at the first presentation of the Tolstov tragedy on Saturday night. Maud Jeffries’ under-lip has a curious little twist at moments of strong anguish that moves the heart of an audience to an instant pity. Her pathos is genuine; her groan real. It's a far cry from the quaint and arch Katusha of the demurs twin-plaits, the scarlet knots, and the tremulous tongue in the country house scene, to the Katusha. of drunken habits and evil records. in the prison yard. She plays the derelict in the proper key. and screeches her drink curses with horrible realism, while the tearful audience mops up the forine of ilopt> f"«H”<r Tv> fire Siberian davs of her reformation Katusha is still pursued harrowinsty bv the moist eye of the females, and her fin oil strokes of pathos before the crucifix of her dead past and her present purification brings this aotiaroPTo. in «-T*t to.-fl, iro«t wat»ry conclusion. J.CT.W. should stretch a few clothes lines over the stalls fc-r drying of cambrics between the acts. No woman's Vine' can stand the strain of 'Resurrection/ " Mr Fuller Maitland, the musical critic of the London “Tames," writing of a recent concert, says Miss Crossley sang the solo part in Brahm's "Rhapsody" with an absolute purity of voca-l art, true poetical feeling, -and very remarkabie dignity of interpretation. Her phasing of the opening movement was go admirable that tire intention of« the composer was fully realised. The "Daily News" deserbes Miss Crossley as "our finest oratorio contralto," and" the "Times" says she excels equally in oratorio and modern songs. The American critics unite in classing her voice as A genuine contralto, one of the kind which is. becoming as rare as

the genuine tenor. “Its low notes,” says one enthusiast, “are those of a ’cello, its medium tones are like a clarionet, and 1 its upper register recall® a flute. With the exception of Madame Melba, no* singer of the present day has received such genuine praise or is so highly appreciated by audiences as Miss Ada Crossley. & The Willoughby-Geach Comedy Company are having a. very successful season at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, with Messrs Charles Dickson’s and Grant Stewart’s farcical comedy “Mistakes Will Happen,” which is preceded by the domestic drama in one act entitled “Harmony.” The following is the east of characters in “Mistakes Will Happen”: —Tom Genowin. Mr George Willoughby; Mr Hunter-Chase, Mr Tom Cannain; William Hawley, Mr Edwin Lester; Joe McCann. Mr T. E. Leonard; John Q. Montague, Mr George Leopold; Dorothy Mayland, Miss Roxy Barton; Mrs HunterChase, Miss Roland Watts-Phillips: Mrs Price, Miss Lilliei Bryer; Linda Kurtz (imported), MLss Mabel Hardinge-Maltby.