NOTES BY “LORGNETTE."

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1681, 18 May 1904, Page 28

NOTES BY “LORGNETTE."

Mr J. O. Williamson's Opera Company revived the ever-popular “Dorothy" on Saturday evening to a full' house. The* ' manner in which Collier's favourite work was interpreted was altogether excellent. Miss Florence Young sang and acted Splendidly as Dorothy Bantam. Miss Celia Ghlloni played Lydia Hawthorn with charming abandon. Miss Vinia de Loitte. was a dainty Phyllis. Miss Maud Ohetwynd as Mrs Prevett and Miss Sara Hyman as Lady Betty were both excellent. Mr Reginald Roberts was in splendid voice and sang the music allotted to Geoffrey Wilder in excellent style. And the same may be said of Mr Haigh Jackson as Harry Sherwood. Mr George Lauri) revelled in the part of Lurcher - and scored heavily all through. Mr Claude Bantock had a congenial part ns Squire Bantam. Mr Fred England and Mr W. B. Beattie played John Tuppit and Tom Strutt respectively. The chorus and orchestra did their work effectively. The opera is Bumptiously staged. Last night the company produced "The Mikado," and this evening the company wall bid farewell to Wellington when the same opera will be staged. Mr W. A. Low, who is well known in commercial and atheistic, circles throughout New Zealand has decided to enter the ranks of the profession. Mr Low some time ago received a very tempting offer from the young theatrical manager, Mr George Stephenson, to enter his employ as confidential secretary. After due consideration he has decided to accept it, and leaves, for Sydney by the- Moeraki next Saturday to take up *■ hie new duties. Judging from what “‘Lorgnette*" knows of Mr Low's business ability Mr Stephenson is to bo congratulated on hie choice. Mr Low is one . of those genial persons who ingratiate themselves- into the good graces pf all with whom they come in contact. Mr-Low, who is a fellow-towns-man of Mr Stephenson, has been resident in Wellington for some time past, and to bis new sphere Mr Low carries with him the good wishes of all his friend 0.. V That ‘‘‘Variety in charming" is fully exemplified in Fuller'sr popular entertainment just now; for a more varied prohas:* seldom been presented at this theatre than that submitted on Saffcurday night. Long before the curtain rose the house was crowded in all parts.' : The first part consisted of a very pretty •setting Springtime" in which was in- ' troduced a ntimb.er: of lively songs- and dances- Miss Addie.Widght scored a distinct success- in "Sweet NelL" Mr Ted Stagpoole was; responsible' for a deal of • mirthu his quaint, songs, and dances being Several; times encored.. Miss- Connie Denton made* her . first appearance and sang "Sammy" in good style. Mr Will Dyson also made: his first appearance, and at ; . once created a favourable impression. Mr Dyson is a good, comedian with good songs, well rendered, and without the slightest, tinge of vulgarity. Mr Teddy Kalman and Miss Daisy Chard also appeared and succeeded in pleasing their , ;:heaTerg. _ The; first part conchided with a ■prightlv., acrobatic song and dance bv

the Delavales, which gained for them a well deserved recall. In the second part the Stagpoole Trio appeared in a sketoh which had not the merit of novelty about it, having been seen several times before. Mr Will Watkins appeared and sang several songs, but latterly be is inclined to be too prolix. The Lentous introduced a new act, a juggling and live torch specialty, which proved to be the cleverest thing they have done yet. The Delavales also introduced a new cycling act. Miss Kitty Lenton is a prime favourite. She sang two new coon songs, repeating the oharming song "Anona.” She also sang a ballad in the first part. The performance concluded with a farce, "Solving the Mystery,” which sent the people away in a very good humour. The Auckland season of Mr George Abbott’s Musical Comedy Company was a very successful one in every way. "Once married, we shall see very little of each other; it will be charming.”—"The Marriage of Kitty.” Mr Mel. B. Spurr commenced a tour of New Zealand at His 1 Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, last Monday evening. . Mr Steve Adson and Miss Jessie Thorne left for Sidney by the Warrimoo last Saturday. Mr Ben Fuller was in town from Saturday till Tuesday on business connected with the Fuller Proprietary. The Walter Sanford Company of American Players will commence a season of melodrama at the Wellington Opera House to-morrow evening. The Company is said to be an exceedingly strong one, though it does not possess any "star artists in its ranks. Excellent business has been done wherever they have appeared, and both public and press have been unanimous in their eulogies of the excellent performance which the Company gives of each piece staged, The initial production of the Wellington season will be the drama entitled "The Power of Gold.” The following is the full cast of characters and synopsis of, scenery: — 1 Hadgi Zambra Mr Sanford Paul Judson Mr A , C. Henderson Mark Harley Mr George Kunkel Sammy Smudge Mr Griffith Wray Dr. Stephen Saunders...Mr VV. H. Johnson Tom Burley Mr L. C. Bell Peter Maguire Mr Bart. Wallace Cabby .Mr C J. Vincent Lady Brandon ...Miss Laura Wall Meg Judson Miss Maude Barber Norah Donnelly... Miss Adelaide Boothby Sister Marie Miss Mary Lynton. .SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY: —Act I.— Scene 1: The English Thief. The Garret of the London Tenement House. Scene 2: The Abduction. The Foundling Asylum in St Hilda’s Lane. (An elapse of two months.) Act ll.—The Adventuress. Drawingroom in Lady Brandon’s London Mansion. (An elapse of six days.) Act lll.—The Insane (?) Patient. The Mad House on the Sunken Marshes. (An elapse of one day.) Act IV. —Scene 1: The Murder, The Deserted Toll House at Victoria Lock. Scene 2: Feeling the Way. Corridor in Lady Brandon’s House. Scene 3: Retribution. Apartments in Lady Brandon’s House. The Charles Holloway Dramatic Company will tour Tasmania before returning to Australia. Mr J. C. Williamson has purchased the Australasian rights of the latest London success "The Cinga-lee.” "We can’t stand it any longer, she and I, I and she, always alone together; its appalling.”—"The Marriage of Kitty.” The Dunedin season of Mr Walter Sanford’s Company of American Players was a very successful one. The Marist Brothers’ Old Boys Dramatic Club have decided to produce "The Wearing o’ the Green” at Carterton on the 3rd and 4th June. The performances, which are in aid of the local Catholic Church funds, ought to be liberally patronised by lovers of Irish drama in the Wairarapa district. The following is th© cast of characters: —Edward Griswald, Mr T. Marshall; Harry O’Connor, Mr Geo. Adams; Barney Rooney, Mr Chas. Gamble; Humpty Dargon, Mr D. Kelly; Michael O’Connor, Mr A. Mcßae; Warder, Mr 3D. J. Healy; Raffles, Mr D. Jones; Sergeant, Mr T. Miller; Grace Redmond, Miss Ada Gurney; Molly Miss E. Gurney. Mr T. Marshall will also' act as stage manager.

Before leaving for Australia last Saturday Mr George Callender was presented by Mr Clement Wragge with a massive gold band ring set with a large ruby. Mr Callender, who rejoins Professor and Madame Mandeena Heller’s ' new company, acted as touring manager for Mr Wragge during the past fourteen months. Mr J. C. Williamson's English Comedy Company will commence a Sydney season at the Criterion Theatre on Saturday evening with the successful piece “The Marriage of Kitty. 5 ' This comedy has been played to immense business both in Adelaide and Melbourne. In referring to the Melbourne production the "Bulletin" says: —“The Marriage of Kitty," staged at Melbourne Princess's on Saturday, must certainly be “withdrawn at the zenith of its, success" if the merry little show is restricted to a two weeks' season. It has alFthe fun and none of the foolish, ness of a roaring farcical comedy. Every witty line in the dialogue is of value to the closely-knit story. Not so uncompromisingly French in character as the brilliant "Marriage of Convenience” which the Cartwright Company introduced to Melbourne some years back, ‘“The Marriage of Kitty” is quite as entertaining as, that older-fashioned play, and more congenial to Australian taste. Kitty gets the- sympathy of her audience all round; •When, from purely mercenary motives; and under false pretences of personal unattractiveneSs, she commits herself to a formal alliance with the avowed adorer of another woman, she is seizing an opportunity that any ordinary wise virgin of 28 would likewise jump at. She doesn't cease to be winsome in a moral way of speaking because she has no reverence for the “high sacredness of the marriage contract." The matrimonial tie (at a registrars office) presents itself to her wide-awake-eye as a pleasant financial arrangement involving no domestic responsibilities. A formal marriage—an incidental divorce —a lifelong settlement—a shadowy, iieeting husband—a substantial fortune—a romantic reminiscence. The plot of a

sentimental tragedy has been converted to the purpose of a broadly humourous romance. The first act shows the disguised charmer of 28 agreeing to marry a gentlemanly Reginald, for the immediate benefit of both parties and the ultimate benefit of the other woman, a whirlwind widow from Peru. Act 2 provides a suitable opportunity for Reginald to discover that his formal wife is more charming than the stormy relfbt who holds him 'n thrall; moreover, it gives him the chance to kiss her neck, which is a breach of contract. Kitty cries “How dare you!” with absolute sincerity, but her maiden heart was almost at the mercy of the first affable man who might dare, and this memorable outrage confirms her in her resolution re the Other Woman. Act 3 shows how a husband is but potter's clay in.the hands of a nice, new wife after she has decided! to make the best of him. The tempestuous Peruvian widow ’S robbed of her Reggie by ms lawful spouse, and the happy pair flee from Peruvian wrath in a hansom cab. Miss Rose Musgrpve gives the necessary charm of manner to the all-important Kitty, a woman who might be dangerous if she were not so anxious to fall in love. The actress makes the character tender and graceful as well as cute, and her performance seems to justify the climax by suggesting that she is just the sort of feminine "hard case’’ who will take a masterful lover very seriously when she gets him. Miss Florence Hamer is an equally convincing picture of the tempestuous adventuress from Peru, an expert in the outward signs of jealousy, and a mistress of the art of impatience where her slaves are concerned. Wilfred Draycott is satisfactory, though somewhat too effusive, as the sentimental Reggie-abouutown. And Athol Fm*de is forcible rn the easier part of the lawyer; also Miss Le Clercq makes a good impression as a French maid rejoicing in the belief that Madame and Monsieur are two souls with but a single apartment. The French maid bears the brand of the translated comedy, "made in Paris.”

Mr Edmund Gwenn and Miss Minnie Terry (Mrs Gwenn), both well-known to New Zealand 1 theatregoers, will terminate their engagement with Mr J. C. Wiliamson on the 25th Jnne. These artists had played the Two Kings and the Two Queens in "Alice in Wonderland” in England, and Mr Gwenn was accordingly engaged for the Australia version, which he stage-managed and produced for Mr Williamson on Boxing Night, 1901. In Melbourne Mr Gwenn played a number of Shakespearean characters during Miss Janet Waldorf’s season —Touchstone, Peter, Glown in "Twelfth Night,” etc. In Wellington and throughout New Zealand he has been, specially identified with two important parts in modern pieces—Syd. Prince in "Sherlock Holmes,” the Earl of Loam in "The Admirable Crichton,” and Beeton in "The Light That Failed.’ Characters more widely contrasted could hardly be named, and all three of them were cleverly interpreted. Miss Minnie Terry, who is a niece of Miss Ellen Terry, came here principally for health, but has played gracefully a number of minor characters, including that of Lady Agatha Lazenby in Barrie’s comedy. As both these artists are,, young, playgoers in the colony will confidently anticipate their rfflturn. It is now said that Miss Nellie Stewart will return to Australia towards the end of the year. She will make her re-appear-ance in Melbourne about the second week in October, being due to appear in Sidney at Christmas. Mr Tom Nawn’s Vaudeville, Musical Sketch, and comedy Company commenced an Australian tour last Saturday evening at the Sydney Palace. The Company which Mr Nhwn has brought to Australia from America is said to be an exceedingly strong one and comprises Tom Nawn, Irish comedian, supported by Misses Hattie and Katherine Nawn; Peter G. Baker, formerly of Baker and Farien, of "Conrad and Lizette” fame, and known in New Zealand to playgoers of a quarter of a cenutry ago; the musical Johnsons, champion expert xylophone jsdayers; the Hiawatha Troubadours, in Indian extravaganza; the Tossing Austins, in an original juggling cum comedy act; Miss Katherine Dahl, operatic soprano; and Miss Dorothy Drew, coon singer and serio. In addition the company brings along a biograph specialty, in which the chief feature is a living picture series depicting a train robbery, said to be watched, with unrestrainable excitement by the spectators. New Zealand mil be visited about, the end of the year. "People in America,” says a recentlyreturned actor, "never hiss a play. If they don’t like it they get up and walk out. In thffi Way a performance may be killed in a night. in the towns of the West spectators expectorate in nearly every part of tho house. On the stage of one theatre I saw fixed in front ot the footlights a board bearing iu largo letters the announcement—‘This is not a spittoon.’ ” .

"Of course you don’t live with your husband."—<“‘The Marriage of K ; tty." Mr Charles M.acuaugJitou, who is a member of Mr George Btopheneoria English Musical Comedy Company is universally acknowledged as being about the best "dude” impersonator on tho English stage. Mr Macnaughton has recently been touring the English provinces with one of Mr George Edwardes' companies a 9 principal comedian, playing the same parts that Mr G. P. Huntley impersonates in the pieces to be produced in Australia by the London Gaiety Company. Although at some of the Chicago theatres Business has-been resumed, the managers are still subjected to innumer- , abed restrictions and interferences fncxm the city officials. Travelling companies are also subjected to exorbitant charges .on arrival for fireproofing their scenery, the scale being 5d per square foot.

Miss Nora Kerin, who visited New Zealand with Mr George Musgrove's Shakespearian Company, has been engaged by Mr Beerbohm Tree for his Londpn Company. During a performance of "Faust" in a theatre at Ghent reoently. the tulle petticoat of Jauret, the second, dancer; caught fire through her having advanced too near the footlights. She was very seriously burned*

Mr Harry Roberts contemplates trying his luck in London before returning to Australia. Miss Susie Vaughan, who is well-known' to New Zealand theatregoers, terminates her engagement with Mr J. C. Williamson’s Dramatic Company on the 28th inst, and shortly returns to> England. Miss Vaughan first visited New Zealand with the Broughs, when she became a great favourite. After a tour of the East with the same Company she returned- to Australia under engagement tu Mr J, C Williamson. Miss V aughan played in Melbourne with Mr Daniel Frawley’s American Company, supported Mr Williamson on his return to the stage for the.reopening of Her Majesty's dlieatre as Rip Van Winkle last August, supplying a vigorois and effective piece of portraiture as Gretchen, and then journeyed as far West as Perth with Mr George Giddens in "Are You a Mason ?” Last Christmas Miss Vaughan joined the present dramatic Company, headed by Mr Cuyler Hastings, at Dunedin.. Miss Vaughan’s striking personality will make her long rememberd here, and her place will not be easily filled. Miss V a-ugnan, in referring to her approaching departure, says: ‘T need not say how mucii I shall feelleaving Australia, but I shall, live in hopes ox returning at no very distant date.” One of the attractions at present in the bill of Fitzgerald's Circus in Sydney are the Gascoigne Brothers, European exponents of the. art of bond breaking. Attired in evening dress,, they are shackled in what seems a hopeless- fashion in body and neck belts, ankle cuffs, chains, and all the paraphernalia of "irons.” Then they retire into a curtained retreat, and in an amazingly short time appear free from all their fetters. If the Fitzgerald. Brothers want to "paralyse” Australians in the art of escaping from handcuffs etc., they ought to- import the incomparable iioudini, the ike of whose art has never been seen in- the -Southern Hemisphere, and is without parallel in the Northern. Houdini is absolutely without comparison the champion master of locks of every description. His last exploit at the London Hippodrome has been acknowledged by the London press to be tho cleverest piece of work ever witnessed in the- "Big vrinoke” in its- especial line, null particulars of Moudini’s wonderm! performance appeared on page 4 of last week’s "New. Zealand Mail.’’ Mdile. Antonia Dolores forwards from Vienna a copy of the "i'remden, Rlatt” for March 10 th, with a criticism of her first concert in the A/ustrian capital. Two more performances were to follow. The critic speaks of the gifted French soprano’s singing in an enthusiastic manner, saying tiTac her popularity will quic-Iciy be established. He remarks of the perfect evenness of her two-octanes of range, on tfie skill of her technical equipment, and in particular on the “bel canto” which seems "as the daughter of the once so celebrated' Trebeili-Bettiui, to be in the blood.” Mdile. Dolores sang . evidently on the same lines as to selection as when in Australia, giving l'rench, Italian, English and classical selections. She was "vortreffiicii begleitet” by the Viennese pianist, JtLerr fund Fruhiing. The recitals were given in tne JBosendorxer Saaie.

“The- marriage I am going to- propose to you. is not an ordinary marriage. s ' “The Marriage of Kitty." Mr Walter Sanford, proprietor and star of the Saniorcl. American Players who appear at the Up era House to-morrow evening, although comparatively a young man is an actor and manager of fifteen years' experience. Speaking ic± dramatic art, Mr Sanford, in the cource of a recent interview, remarked: "There is art in everything. An art. in. playing the fool as well as an art in\ being wise. The difficult art is to at all. times copy nature. I remember many years: ago. when beginning my career as -an. actor, a vivid impression was made on my mind by a circumstance that happened, in my native state of Pennsylvania., 1 then learned a lesson in dramatic art from a coal miner who couldn't even read. Before the miners’ union was organised in the great coal mines of Pennsylvania, a number of the owners of the coal mines had succeeded in getting before the StatG Legislature a Bill detrimental to the interests of the miners and favouring the operators. Sent there by a vote of the miners to protest against the passage of the Bill, the old miner of whom I speak walked twenty miles- to the nearest railway station. Arriving at the State Legislative building, and entering it. he attracted no attention, and seemed to understand little of what was going on. But when the Bill against the miners' interests came up he didn't cry, “Mr Speaker!' or say. “with your permission !’ He just cried out, ‘Hold on, there!' Then he tried to rise but his baric was bent double, through stooping in the mines- all his- life. He tried, to- make a speech, groping about for his words hesitatingly; bit by bit his back straightened up as he warmed to his subject. As the wrongs, sought to be inflicted upon his comrades grew upon him, at last he stood erect, and. made as great a ( speech as had ever been heard within these walls. Eloquent words and pathetic sentences ho didn't oven know the meaning of, but always the best and most appropriate flawed from his lips. He delivered one -of the most impressive speeches qvou spoken in that legislature. The Bill was defeated] ho had. conquered, and ha walked twenty miles back home again. Then big corporations and monopolies- offered him money to advocate their cause and make* speeches before the workingmen. “I can't talk worth a cent*' he answered. ‘But we heard you, talk in the Legislature.' “Ah. that wasn't me,' said I he, ‘that, was my heart a. tajkiA . lou mav buy a man’s brains, but you can t buy his heart! Will, you please move on ? You're in my way,' and. lying on. his back, fie once: more commenced, picking the dusky Because it, was the natural outpouring of his- heart,, that miner's address to- the Legislature- con- - tainedi more real art than the efforts, of many good, actors. Fidelity to nature is true art,, hence, the line is. almost invisible ! that separates them."’ The Brisbane;season of'the* WilloughbyI Geach Comedy Company was- a* highly successful an®

Miss Mabel Garstang, one of the principals of BFr George Stephenson's new English Comedy Company which commence a season in 0j T dney on Saturday evening is regarded as one of the beauties of -the English stage. Until recently Miss Garstang was playing Lady Belviile, the leading part in “Kitty' Grey,' witn Mr George Edwardes's Gaiety Company. Mass Maud Beatty continues to please the eye with her handsome personality, and the ear with her vigorous singing, infusing plenty -of dash ana go into her work (says Melbourne "Table Talk”). It is said to be Yvette Guilbert's intention to found, with the assistance of her husband, a new theatre in Berlin after the style of the Paris Qpera-Goinique. Having been able, owing to her popularity. to make such large sums of money by singing a few simple airs, which oc : cupy but half an hour at the most, it seems a pity (says the "Stage”) that the artist should burden herself with the cares of management. Her husband, Hr Schiller probably knows -less of theatrical management than she dees. Mr George Briekhill, the energetic Press writer in advance of Wiritis Circus, writes to the “Queenslander” from the s.s. Gracchus, at Torres Straits, from which we gather that he has been despatched to the Straits Settlements and India, to obtain a large supply of animals, with which the menagerie connected with the circus is to be extended. The menagerie has grown since its last appearance in Queensland, but Mr Brickhill hopes to add three or four more ele phants and a large collection of many varieties of Eastern beasts, including, if they are obtainable, pythons, crocodiles, a hippopotamus, tapirs, ©rang outangs, Himalayan boars, tigers, leopards, and especially animals not well known in civilised countries. He hopes to return in about, four' months with a big shipment. Ac. the same time he will look out for_ mew performers and novelties with which to remforoe a number of additions being made from England and elsewhere. Our London correspondent writing by this weeks mail, says:— “Death has just removed one of - the most finished and popular conjurors who have ever delighted and mystified British audiences, m the pei'gon of Herr Dobler, who for nearly 40 years held pride of place among stag* wizards. He was one of the few conjurors who despised 'patter/ and his shows depended entirely upon his executive abilities. He oernid perform the disappearing bird-cage - teat .with unparalleled celerity, ancl as a com palmer was unsurpassed .by any living cm juror. Some'amusing stories are tola ot Dobler s adventures in railway carriages with card-sharpers. A tall .gentlemanly man, wearing gold-rim spectacles and with the mein and manners suggestive of entire innocence of the wicked .ways of this world, Dobler was naturally 'a mark' for the crooked fraternity. Many times he taught card-sharpers a severe lesson. But one trick he played can hardly be commended. It was smart, but it was inure or less cruel, being played upon an elderly orange vendor who could rll-afford the lossßobler's cleverness and her own natural cupidity caused her. One evening in Bristol -Dobler bought an orang© from an old woman who was soiling fruit in the Old Market-street. -Cutting it open the customer amazed the vendor by extracting a sovereign from the heart of his puichase. He bought another with the same result, and again a third. Thereupon he offered to buy up the entire stoex, but the old lady would have none of that. She seized her basket, went to her dwelling at once, and eagerly dissected the fruit, but, alas! the auriferous output of Seville Lad been exhausted in the oranges she had unfortunately sold, and not even a penny-piece could be found in the remainder.”

An elderly gentleman who had heard Patti 40 years ago, when both were young, went to hear her again during her recent tour of TLS. A. “Why/* he gasped, putting down his opera-glass, ‘‘her hair is red, and it used to be black, and it ought to be white !” Miss Grace Palotta denies that she i 3 aspiring to the grand operatic stage. Comic opera is more in th„ line of this beauty. Madame Slapaffski gave a series of conceits, at the Opera House, Honolulu, during March, and achieved success. The Honolulu "Bulletin,’' writing of the performance says, "Again and again were the dramatic renditions of the magic Slapoffski applauded and encored, and in 'Mipheth's Prayer/' from ‘Tannhauser,* she held the vast audience .spell-bound. ’ Madame ...Slapoffski, according to Melbourne “Punch/'’ refused at Honolulu a cabled offer of 500 dollars a week for a tour through America, and subsequently closed with another manager 'for just double that amount, <£2oo per week, for a tour extending over six months in the States and Canada. The Sjydney season of the Haw trey Comedy Company terminates on i riday, after which a nine night's season will be played in Brisbane. Prom Brisbane the Company "jump” to Westralia where they will play ten weeks. Mi«k Ada Berrar was in the cast at latest date in The Marriage of Kitty” in America. .Ada's part was that of Madame Be Semiarno. The Auckland season iof Mr William Anderson's Dramatic Company was brought to a close last Saturday evening. The Company have gone on a tcxur of the "smalls” of the Aucidand province. IVf-T* J. O. Bain writes that business at hoth his Hobart and Launceston houses is on the "boom” scale. .Mr George Eldwardes’ London Gaiety Company opened its Australian season last Saturday evening at the Melbourne Princess's with the brilliant musical play "Three Little Maids.” Notwithstanding the enormous cost of transportation, the loss of time and heavy expenditure in-, yolved on all sides in bringing this company to Australia, Mir Williamson has decided to fix the tariff on the moderate scale of 6s, 4s, and 2s, less than half the prices charged bo witness the same performances in London and New York, which is nothing more nor less than a regular "throw in” for, Australian playgoers* ;