BOOKINGS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1675, 6 April 1904, Page 28

BOOKINGS

The Fitzmaurice Gill Dramatic Company commenced a three week’s season at -he Opera House last Saturday evening. The initial performance of Max Goldbergs drama ‘‘The Bank of England’’ was witnessed by a very large and appreciative audience. Miss Fitzmaurice Gill did: excellent justice to the part of the American widow, Mrs. Aminta J. Beane. Mr. Charles Blake, as Holmes, did good work. Mr. EL B. Russell’s pourtrayal of the Jew Gordon Isaacs was a particularly good studv. The other characters were ably filled by the, other members of the company. “The Bank of England’' is excellently staged, and should enjoy a. good run. . The second production of the season will probably be the melodrama entitled “A Sister’s Sacrifice.’’ Mr. P. R. Dix’s Gaiety Company have been during the past week appearing to excellent business. The "Wiliams Sisters contribute several very acceptable “turns." Mr. Tod Callaway continues to be as great a favourite as ever, and lias to respond to numerous encores nightly. Carleton and Sutton, Mr. EL Hill and Mr. Tom Hall also contribute to the entertainment. .

The company appearing at His Majesty’s Theatre during the past week is an exceedingly strong' and versatile one. Mr. Fred bluett is enthusiastically applauded for his various songs. Mr. James Williams is the. possessor of a very fine oass ■voice, which he uses to great advantage in his songs, The Stagpooles and Mr. Dick Davis are also successful in their respective “turns,” a lot of the “goods” they deliver possessing the novelty *.f newness. Miss Daisy Chard and Miss Kate Maher also receive enthusiastic applause for their contributions, while Miss Iris Kadamo l gets a fair share of thei applause for her vocal efforts. «Miss Millie Clare, the Travena Sisters, Mr. Walter , Melrose, and Joe Cowan assise in various ways to make the entertainment a successful one.

Our readers will he pleased to learn that

Herr Friedenthal gives two of his interesting piano recitals in the Sydney Street / School on Friday and Saturday, the 3th and ffth April. 'The Auckland recitals were phenomenally successful, and aroused much musical interest. Owing to some Australian dates not being imniediately available the eminent piano virtuoso will give recitals in Nelson on Monday. April 11th. Wanganui Monday 18th, Palmerston Tuesday 19th, and Napier on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd, after which Herr Friedenthal goes southward to Christchurch,' Dunedin, aud Invercargill, from which latter place he sails for Tasmania. Mr J. C. Williamson's New English Comedy Company commenced a tour of Australia and New Zealand at the Theatre Royal, Adelaide, last Saturday evening, > with “The Marriage of Kitty,” a play, judging from its career in England end America, where it was one of' the biggesf successes of last season, should be equally as popular in the colonies. Rumour hath it that Miss Maud Jeffries, of the Beerbohm. Tree Company, now playing at Her Majesty’s, Sydney, has become engaged to an Australian gentle. man, Avho is said to be not only handsome, but very wealthy. Mr. I. Zavgwill has written a play ntitled “Tire; Serio-Comic Governess” for Mr. Daniel Frohman. It is founded on one of his short stories. Miss Cecilia Loftus will play the leading part. The jealousies of operatic stars are proverbial. “I shall never forget,” records Mr. Mapleson, the impresario, in his memoirs, “the rape which the tenor Fancelli once displayed on seeing the name of . the tenor Gampanini inscribed on a. large box at a railway station with these proud words appended to it:—‘Prime Tenure As solufo. Her. Majesty’s Opera Company.’ If ‘ was the epithet ‘assoluto’ Avhich, above all, raised Fancelli’s ire. He rushed; at the box. attacked) the offending words with liis walking-stick, and with ch© end of it tried to rab off the white letters composing the too ambitious adjective 'absolute. ’ ‘Assoluto’ was an epithet which Faneelli reserved for hfo own private use', and co which he alone among other tenors considered himself justly entitled." F'ancelli could ;j.ot write, and Avlien he was asked by admiring ladies for his siguature he had to employ a friendly chorister to eign for him. Sometimes the chorister , wag not at hand, and then Fancelli found himself in a difficulty, Avhieh he now ami then got out of by upsetting the inkstand.

Mr. J. C. Williamson's Royal x omic Opera Company inaugurated a tour of New Zealand at His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin, last Monday evening with the successful musical play, “A Country Girl.’’ The theatre was packed to the doors with a most enthusiastic audience, who were lavish in their applause to all the principal performers. Miss Florence Young scored heavily as Marjory Jory, whilst Mr George Laurie gave an excellent performance of the part of Barry. The Pierrot Entertainers cpininenced a tour of the Commonwealth at St. James’s Hall, Sydney, on the the 39th March. The performance is said to be a unique one. The Company will visit New Zealand later on. Mr. Percy J. O’Brien is business manager. In the course of a conversation with Mr. Henry Braey, stage manager of 'he Royal Comice, that gentleman informed ‘‘Lorgnette” that Miss Rose Musigrove has only appeared in one of tire pieces tiiyt constitute the repertoire of the combination at present appearing in Dunedin, namely, “A Country vjirl." The part -he played (.Sophie) is being played during the New ZeaJand tour by Miss Aland vjlieic-wynd,-who is said to be an exceedingly clever artiste.

“The public are warned that the stage gossip column ot the New Zealand “Spoiling and Dramatic News’ is not a Secidonland 'edition of 'die ‘Newsletter’ theatrical column/-’ The above paragraph from “The Newsletter" (Sydney) “hits up" quite a number of theatrical writers wuo have not the sufficient courtesy of acknowledging the papers whence rney get tiro bum ot their information. Week after week paragraphs are culled from the “Mail” without recognising their source. Mr. Gavin Spencm and Miss Flora'Donaldson, Scottish E'ii'oertaaners. arrive ..it Auckland front San ra.ncisco on the 11th inst, en route for Sydney, where they commence a tour of Australia and New Zealand on the 20th. The tour will be under the direction of Air. George Abbott. Air. George Aiatheson, who is: touring representative of the Ada Cros&fey Concert Company in South Africa, writing under data 24th February, says:—“Dear ‘Lorgnette,’—Am doing the sights of Ladysmith en route to Durban. Miss Crossley has met vtiih phenomenal success -o far. Capetown, Kimberley and Bloemfontein record concerts. Au revoir.”

Mr. Claude Whaite, who is touring- manager for Air. Mel- B. Spurr, is due to arrive at Auckland about the 23rd inst. to make arrangements for the approaching New Zealand tour of the clever English monologue entertainer. Harry Fulton, formerly a: newspaper writer in Chicago (says the Chicago ‘Record Herald”), lias solved, the secret, of musical comedy success to hi s' own satisfaction, and reveals it in these words: Analyse modern comic opera, even when it is disguised by nomenclature and terminology. Precipitate the principal ingredient in whatever compound of the musicalcomedy - extravaganza/- burlctta- operetta group is offered. Apply the re-agent of observation and behold the approximate result: —Catchy music; 10 parts; lyricsingable, 9 parts; gags and laughs, 29 parts; lights and lingerie, 20 parts 1 ; girls. 51 parts; total, 100. Ergo, the basic quantity is girls, pretty girls, graceful girls, girls who can wear chic, brief, saucy, fancy costumes and dignify them. Minus .ho quantity “girl/’ there is 1 no virtue in any compound of librettist’s wit, poet’s lyrics or composer’s arias and rhythm. Hence in constructing or compounding light, lyrical stage shows, the sine qua non is "girl,” and the astute stage manager seeks the wide world over for the b© £| t examples of her in all phases of personal pulchritude. Really, “(girl” in the aggregate matters most in the light musical snows. These are just “girls”—they may burst, their professional cocoons some nay ana make their names significant outside the pleasant fields of gyroiuancy. Axeantime they are-important because they are gills amt beautiful. .Mr. Ernest Hagan, who came to New Zealand with AI. B. Curtis’s Minstrels, was in the Bill at the Temple Theatre, Detroit, on tire 27th February. The special train which, conveyed fire Royal Comic Opera Company fipm \he Bluff to Dunedin cost just under <£lso. The steamer fares, including freight, from

Ale 1 bourne to Sydney via New Zealand, will cost <£lsoo, which has rendered it necessary for Air. J. C. Williamson :o increase the admission tariff slightly above that ordinarily charged by Air. J. O. Williamson’s companies. As the prices stand, they are in no way excessive when compared with the London and New York tariffs.

“My part” (says Sir Henry Irving, speaking of his early experiences as an actor) “called in the first act for a dark stage. In this darkness- I fought with an o’d earl, threw him heavily, and when he did not rise after the loud tliud of his fall 1 cried out, ‘Great Heavens! What have I done ?’ Usually the scen e impressed and moved my .audience tremendously, but one night in‘Birmingham a coster, with one little witticism, turned my outcry, and the darkness, and, the old earl’s trage fall into ridicule and laughter. He had a. slow, dry Voice, like Mark Twain’s. The earl had dropped heavily, and in the silent obscurity I had cried, ‘GreatHeavens! ’What have I done?’ when the coster spoke up, ‘Strike a light, young fellow, and we’ll have a look !’ ” Fitzgerald’s Circus is at present showing to good business at Sydney. During a concert in Proctor’s Theatre in New York a few weeks ago, a singer in the midst of a pathetic ballad suddenly made a, grimace of paiu. A lady who followed gasped in the midst of a patriotic song and put her hand to . her face as if stung. Next an incandescent glob© was smashed, and the audience became mystified and alarmed; in fact, several persons left their'seats, and the manager had to appeal for calmness. In the meantime a policeman had observed the offenders—two boys l in a far corner armed with peashooters and convulsed with laughter. They were ejected and afteward taken to the Yorkville Police Court and fined 8s each. ‘.‘Sergeant Brae” is the name of a new musical farce written by Owen Hall, with music by Liza Lehmann, which will 1 e produced at the Comedy Theatre, Lon-

Mr. George Alusgrove. who is lessee of the Lyceum Theatre, Sydney, ha§ refused to let the house after September, which lends colour to the surmise that he intends returning to Australia towards the end of this year. The Four Ilia nos (“The Monkeys: and the Farmer”) were appearing at the Fulton Street Theatre, Brooklyn, on the 20vh February. The Hawtrey Comedy Company are at present staging “The Two Air. 'Wetherbys” at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney, to fair houses.

Thei Cnarles Holloway Dramatic Company commenced a Dunedin season last Saturday evening with “Two Little Vagabonds.” “The Shadows of a Great City” gees up tomorrow evening. Miss Florence Young, the leading oprano of Air. J. C. Williamson's Opera Company, went to Paris about five years ago to study under Aiarchesi. Gifted with a fiiiiO natural organ, the training seems to have boeji most beneficial. A Aielbourne paper says that the* inclusion 1 n a comic opera of Miss Florence' Young, whose voice is worthy of grand opera, makes every work produced memorable for the exquisite song soprano soli. Mr. George Abbott’s Alusical Comedy Company, which is headed by Mr. Fred d. Graham, commenced a tour of New Zealand at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, last Saturday evening with the musical comedy, “In Town.” A new miracle play has been produced at Boston, U.B.A. The title is “The Star of Bethlehem,” the action being founded on the Bible story, and dealing witii .he nativity, the passion, and the resurrection. The gospel narrative is followed closely, and uke entire play is markedly simple. Miss Priscilla Verne, at present in America. has doubled with a Aims Kitty CBiiem and will in future be known as the “Rose- and Shamrock.” A trust in theatres announced by' a paper in Rome. The headquarters, it is stated, will be in Rome, but it? influence will extend over all Italy. The Willoughby-Geach. Comedy Company commenced a six weeks’ season at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, last Saturday with “A Stranger in a Strange Land.” During the present New Zealand tour of Mr. .I. C. Williamson’s Royal Comic Opera Company, two new pieces' are to bo produced, namely, “A Country Girl” nd “Aly Lady Alolly,” both of which have been, produced in England, America, and Australia with great success. Referring to the production of “My Lady Alclly,” at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, the “Leader” says:-—Mr. Sidney Jones, in his latest work, has not disappointed the <'%- pectations of there who looked for a great deal from the author of “The Geisha” and “San Toy.” There is higher musical quality in “Aly Lady Molly,” though the popular taste for light and catchy ins has not been neglected. The story of the play, both in scene and incident, is *eminisccnt of “Dorothy,” but there >s enough of originality to give it a distinction of its own, and the attractiveness is increased rather than diminished by the recalling of pleasant recollections". Aliss Florence Young takes the part of the heroine aud gives a clashing' representation of a very charming character! She hasmany opportunities of distinction musically and "histrioniciaJTy, and she may be complimented cm making' good use of them. As the wilful woman who will have her own way in spite of the tempestuous fathers and adverse matrimonial designs, she has to don male habiliments, and strut and swagger in this disguise with all the assurance of a young blood of thei period. There are many humorous complications, including a duel scene, something after the style of the “Adventures of Lady Ursula,” and the love-mak-ing with Alice has to be played in the manner of real comedy. In the: music her voice' is heard to f\>o-d advantage, and both in solo- and duet her singing is a. pleasure to be appreciated. Albs Carrie Moore, in the part of Alice', the young lady to whom “My Lady Alolly” makes vigorous love in the false assumption of the genuine suitor, has scope for the disri play of vivacity and charm. She exhibits characteristic 'archness, especially in the manner in which she plays the scenes after penetrating the disguise. Her most taking song, “I Alcan to be a Good Girl Now,” is sure to tickle the ears of the public. Aliss Celia Giii/oui, who as Lady Molly's maid and companion has also- to appear in male attire, is effectively placed, and -she sing's most acceptably, especially in her solo, “Thcue’s a, 'Word That Maiden* Often Speak.” Aliss Aland Chetwynd and Aliss Alarietta Nash, in minor parts, are not without the chance of momentary prominence. Mr. Harolcl Thorley has rhe place of principal among the male characters, and as Harry Romney, the lover whom Lady Alolly impersonates with a desire to secure him tp herself, is a notable figure. He bears himself right gallantly, and his robust voice is heard with- excellent effect. His solo, “To You, Sir Miles,” is one of the best numbers in the piper a. and another, “At Aly Lady’s T'e’cf/’ is almost equally good; ’ Air. Reginald ‘Roberts, as the lover favoured of Alice', das some chances of which he avails himself, and his song,. “There’s a Little Alaid I Know,” is well liked. Air. George Lauri has a part of which a great deal can be made. Alickey O’Dowd, a free appropriation of Lever’s Alickey Free, is really the pivot of the play, and the low co’medy requiml to do it justice differs from, -he amusing buffoonery On which Air. Lauri has generally relied for his effects. It cannot be said that he altogether realises the conception, but he make?' great fun, particularly in the scenes with the French .governess. Air. Bathurst a* Sir Miles Cbverdale. and Air. Arthur Hunter as the landlord of the inn do useful service. The choral and orchestral work, both of great importance, are admirably done, and the mounting of the opera is as brilliant as could be desired. Mr. Charles 1 ‘Warner, who is at present Successfully touring America with ’he drama “Drink,” has been selected to play Jacques in the all-star cast of “The TSvo Orphans,” which Messrs. AY. A. Brady, A M Palmer, and Daniel Frohman will shortly stage. Mix Ivyrle Bellew will play the Chevalier, Mr. James, O'Neill, Pierre, and Aliss the Marquise.

Mr. Alei B. Spurr, the clever English monologue entertainer, is at present playing a return season in Sydney with the same success that attended his first one.

’The second production of the Fitzmaurice Gill Dramatic Company will be the melodrama entitled “A Sister’s Sacrifice. ’ When produced in Auckland a. few weeks ago it met with considerable success. It is .says the “New Zealand Herald,” “an infinitely better melodrama than many that have been staged here to ‘standing room only.’ Alontague Turner’s play is one of' colour, interest, sensation. It has a strong motive, a partly military atmosphere permeated with British patriotism, and a flavour of the East—of Kipling’s Mandalay. A sad little love story witn a happy ending, a tale of noble sacrifice—such are the main lines upon w.uch: the piece travels. Interwoven is a really amusing comedy element, whilst adventures, perils, villainies and hairbreadth escapes are strew around in plenty. Above all, ‘A Sister’s Sacrifice,’ unlikely as perhaps some of its situations may be, is fioe from that glaring! improbability which your clap-trap melodrama, is always redolent of. Celia Rochester’s sister Frances is secretly married to Captain Norman Swaine, wiio, when the play opens, .is ou duty in Burma,h. A newspaper account of an engagement at the, front contains ms announcement of Swaine’s death. Before she has time to recover from the blow Frances is forced by her father (SiF Harry Rochester) to become the wife of his old friend, General Duncan, McLean. The latter, recognising- one Major Danion as in reality a deserter from IBs own regiment, unmasks him in time to prevent him extorting .£20,009 from Sir Hairy. Captain Swaine,• not dead after all, leturns to claim his wife on the day of her second marriage. Seeing her m her wedding dress lie becomes angered, leaves her, and-returns to Bu-nwah. Frances has sent for her child to *©© her before leaving home, and unfortunately the mr.se and baby are discovered by Ernest Conway, Celia’s lover. To> save her sister from making a confession that will embroil her in trouble, Celia says the little one is *»crown. Aiost oi the characters are, for various good reasons, next seen in Burmah. They go through many sensational experiences, finally winning through to safety and a return to England, where all misunderstandings are set right again, and the curtain is rung down upon a promising outlook for ail concerned except the villains.”

M. Edmond Rostand, the author of ‘Cyrano do Bergerac,” the more successful pi y of tire lasv half-century, Ires- admitted that lie is just finishing a new play for AI. Coquelin, who “created” Cyrano, and who is, in the opinion of many competent judges', as far above any other accor <f tho present day as Madame Bernhardt vs above her sister players. Coquelin is .10,

whilst B-erhardt is turned CO. Madame Rejane has just joined forces with Ocquvli’i, thus forming the strongest dramatic coalition that has been known in Paris- within the memory of the present generation. But AI. B>rel, the husband of lie jane and manager of a rival theatre, has applied to the courts for an embargo upon his wife’s peifornranc'-cia with Coquelin. L'ho Divorce Court, however, is likely to settle the difficulty. Mr. Clement Wragge is at prevent touring the South Island with considerable success. Air. Wragge is due in Welling, ton about the end of the present month, when he will give a series of his popular scienti fie lectures.

One of the consequences of the terrible catastrophe at the Iroquois Theatre, Chicago, is curious and convenient. Air. Conlied, wild is manager of the Opera Kou-e, New York, has inaugurated the practice of printing on the back of the coupon of each ticket—thei portion retained by the patron—a miniature plan of the theatre, with the nearest fire-escape to the holder’s seat plainly indicated. Moreover, the purchaser of each ticket, is requested to leave the auditorium always not by the regular entrance, but by the fire exit marked on his ticket, so as to accustom himself to learn the special escapes in case oi lire. In America, as in France, every seat in the house has a numbered ticker. Consequently Mr. Con rivet's ingenious plan should help to reduce to a minimum the danger of a panic. The J. F. Sheridan Comedy Company commenced a season at the Tivoli Theatre, Adelaide, last Saturday evening with “The Lady Slavey.” They do not do things by halves in America. As a result of the Chicago firo scare all the tapestry and curtain* us'od to hide the exits in New York theatres have had to be removed thus seriously nterfeiing 1 with the colour sell cine of lie houses. As it is new the- big iron doors ai’e in full view of the audience with the word “Exit” painted upon them. Air. Cyril Halward, literary secretary and.play<-taster to Mr. Frank Curzon, lias written a play entitled “The Sadducee and the Sinner.” It had a trial performance at the Theatre Royal, Manchester, on the 2Sth February.o. -; - Sarah Bernhardt, with,her nestles* ambition for novelty, has.decided to revive Racine’s play will nor. be a male.in th© cast, asrali the parts wi'i be played by women, thus following the example of its presentation at the Convent dei Sk. Cyr in 1689. While in America Air. J. C. Williamson commenced negotiations (says the C hicago “Sunday Tribune”) for a fourteen weeks’ tour in Australia, of Aliss Maxine Elliott and her company in Her On uY\aj , the departure from Sail Francisco to be next March. , Mis* Nina Osborne, who went to Soußt Africa with the Pollard Opera Company, has been fortuualto enough to secure an engagement with Mr. Frank Edwards, dp ha* a company at Capetown at present. Miss Nina Osborne is to play small, parts i n Mr. Edward’s company, and at the conclusion of the South African tour gees to London with the company. London’s latest theatrical novelty is a tworishows-arui ghc theatre. Robertson’s comedy, “Caste,” is now presented at the Empire, Balham. Before each representation is the orthodox curtain-raiser. The first performance begins at 6.45, and tbe second alt 9.15. Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew* were appearing at the Haymarkec. Theatre, Ghicago,,on the 27th. February.

“Tile Darling of the Gods*' want up for public, approval at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Melbourne, last Saturday evening. Mr. George'Stephenson’s New English Musical Comedy Company, which is headed by Mr. Edward Lauri, will commence a tour of Australia and New Zealand at the Lyceum Theatre, Sydney, on the ,14th May. A new musical comedy entitled The Blue Moon,” by Harold Mil is and Robert Courtneidge, with music by Howard Talbot. was poduced at Northampton, England, on the 29 th February. Mr. J. C. William**m has adopted * novel way of advertising the appearance of his New English vo.nedy Company in “Th e Marriage of Hi tty,” the ingenious manner of which will cause widespread amusement, and make competition tor tan ownership of the advertisements keen. P-eces of very good wedding cake nave been pflt up in dainty boxes, all silver tme lovers’ knots and whit© ribbon, and ..re being s'ent abroad to those lucky enough to have been put on a lengthy list. In J he box is a card, presenting the cake with the compliments of the bridal couple; also along with the box goes an envelope enclosing a card, all scent and silver printing, which conveys an invitation from Mr. Williamson to witness the marriage of Kitty to Sir Reginald Bel size (the hero iof the play) on such and such a date at- such and such a theatre. After the Adelaide season of Mr, J.C. Williamson’s New English Comedy Company a season will be played at the Criterion Theatre, Bydhey. Bland Holt lias just received a new !o f of melodramas',, all typical of Australian li Jo: “A Rank Outsider.” “Won By a Hoad,” “A Hot Favourite,” ‘‘Beaten In the Straight,” “A Close Finish,” and “Bound to Win.” Five of the six plays have scenes depicting Victnrian race 1 - courses, Flamington having tour Cup day? and Caulfield one Cup day, while the principal scene in “A Close Finish’’^takes place on the Eandwick course. No dearth of sporting flavour there. — “News Letter.” The Willoughby-Ceach Comedy Company revived “What. Happened to .Tones'” lor the last two nights or the recent Melbourne season. The Bland Holt Dramatic Company commenced a twelve months season at he Theatre Royal, Sydney, last Saturday evening with the Drury Lane success, “The Great Millionaire.” Preliminary arrangements have been concluded for the erection of an up-to-date theatre for Gisborne. A contract has been let for a building, at a cost of <£U),Ot>o, providing for the acconimiouation of ?00 persons in the dress circle, 500 in the stalls, and .TOO in the pit. It is to be finished by the end of August. Extensive improvements are being made to the Criterion Theatre, Paerca., and -when they are completed it will be the most up-to-date theatre in the province, outside of Auckland. The body of the theatre is bo be considerably fen gthened and the stage to be enlarged,- besides which numeipus other improvements, m the shape of dressing-rooms, an upstair? firomenatle, etc.,'are.to be made. M. Fuld, a singer in the local Opera at Rouen (France), won the first prize of A'Booo in the recent drawing of the City of Paris’s municipal bonds. Mr. Tom Yvootweli, who toured Neiv Zealand under Mr. P. R. Dix’s management. some months ago, has been engaged by'Mr. Arthur Collins for next Drury Lane pantomime.