NOTES BY “LORGNETTE."

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1685, 15 June 1904, Page 27

NOTES BY “LORGNETTE."

The Walter Sanford Company of American Players concluded their New Zealand tour on Tuesday evening with a performance of ‘‘East Lynne.” They leave for Sydney by the 'Warrimoo on; Saturday afternoon. His Majesty's Theatre was filled to : ts utmost capacity on Saturday evening, when Fuller’s Entertainers submitted their weekly change of programme. Everything went with a swing from start to finish the audience seemingly being in a good humour, for they were extremely lavish in their applause. After the usual medley overture had been given Mr Ben Menzies sang a comic song, which had not much to recommend it, he being ..more successful in a coon song and dance. Miss May Marlow sang a song “Mother’s made ir up with Father,” which was deservedly encored. Mr Joe Ricks then followed with a couple of lively comic songs sung in excellent style Miss Dolly Lamont, who is suffering from a severe

cold, did not appear. Mr Will Stevens, like good wine, improves the longer he is kept, and on Saturday night his humour was simply irresistible. Mr Stevens is a comedian who never descends to vulgarity, and his comicalities are clean, clever and always well-timed, consequently his audience never seem to tyre of him. Miss Aggie Steele sang a serio-comic song of the accepted type with considerable success after which Miss Rose Belmont sang a song of the sentimental order “Somebody’s Mother,’’ which found considerable favour. with the majority of the audience. The first part concluded with an amusing sketch “Lyddite.’’ In the second part

Professor Antonio caused considerable amusement with "Punch and Judy.” Miss Tillv Dunbar mad© her re-appear-ance on 'Saturday evening and was well received. Lennon, Hyman and Lennon appeared in an entirely new aot “The Travellers’ Rest,” which served to exhibit the .well-known acrobatic and contortionist acts of this versatile trio, their introduced comedy causing roars of laughter. The act finished up with a marvellous exposition of acrobatic antics performed on a kind of spring mattress. Miss Aggie Steel and Miss Rose Belmont also appeared. The performance concluded with a farce “Married Bliss” The performance will be repeated every night this. week.

Mt is said that the proprietary of a newspaper in one of the inland towns of the North Island <of New Zealand has issued a mandate that no theatrical advertisements will be inserted .unless three double tickets, and season ones at that, are given to the staff. Two agents when they ’had the proposition put to them were wrath, and threatened to. withdraw all their advertisements. The result was that the paper climbed down hurriedly, It is now wondering if there are any more “snags” in the profession. Miss Dorothy Marsden, Miss Henrietta Watson and Miss Pollie Emery were all in the “disengaged” list when the last mail left London. Mr Alfred Bucklaw, who toured New Zealand with the George Musgrove SkakeSearian Company, was “resting” when e last mail left London.

. The Woods-Williamson Dramatic Company will commence a season at the Opera House this evening with ‘“The Gates of Bondage/’ The piece was l favourably received, by both the press and public of Auckland when staged in that town some time ago. Speaking of the. performance tlie "Herald” says:—A definite success was achieved by the WoodsWilliamson Dramatic Company at f the Opera House on Saturday night in “The Gates of Bondage.” The piece is one of the most moving and powerful that lias been seen here for many a day. In ttiis clever dramatisation of Hall Caine’s “The Deemster,” Miss Maud Williamson has made use of a quite uncommon gift of adaptation. The result is a drama in. five acts, each one of which lias some strong point to commend it. Often melodramatic, “The Gates of Bondage” is, nevertheless remarkably free from claptrap. Its situations are powerful because they are human, its incidents not one iota less tense and enthralling, because they are natural. Very little imagination on the part of the spectators is required, for tiie simple excellent reason that the story unfolded appeals to genuine emotions, and lias the saving grace of seeming actuality. Seldom do we find stage-productions nowadays Which make the unanimous appeal, pleasing both gallery and stalls, him to the rare type that do “The Gates oi Bondage” undoubtedly belongs. Even to those familiar with Hall Caine’s book, or with its other dramatisations, this latest version will reveal new grooves of interest, and, not improbably, many improvements. From first to last, it is an absorbing, clever, play. The audience on Saturday night was a large one, and its appreciation wag great. Bounds of applause greeted the principals on their first entrance and throughout the evening, whilst the curtain had to be repeatedly I'aised at the close of every act. The pictiuresqueness' of the scenery was also specially singled out for applause. _ . . Mr P. B>. Dix’s Company has been meeting with fair success on the Av est Coast. . The first week’s receipts m Melbourne for “The Darling of the Gods” amounted to Tim , Mr .George Matheson has sent me a package of day bills and other data relating to the Japanese play “The Darling of the Gods,” also a packet of “Three Little Maids” pictorial post cards. _ Miss Merle Stauton, one of the original members of Mr George Stephenson s American Comedy Company (“Alama-s New Husband”), returned to America by the Sierra last week. After a successful three weeks’ run at the Melbourne Princess’s the musical comedy “Three Little Maids” Avas \vithdraivn in favour of another gaiety success, entitled “The Girl From Kay’s.” “The Girl Prom Kay’s” ivas originally known as “The Girl From .lav’s,’" and deals Avitli the story of a little milliner supposedly from Jay’s, the great London drapery emporium, but at the last moment “Jay's” was altered to “Kay’s” to please the directors of the big drapery store. The folloiving is the cast of characters in the piece:—Max Hcggenheimer, Mr G. P. Huntley; Henri Daneau, Mr Maurice Farkoa; Hon. Percy Fitzthistle, Mr J. Edward Fraser; Mr Chalmers, Mr Arthur Lisant; Mrs Chalmers, Miss Maud Hobson; Ellen, Miss Elsa Ryan; Nor ah, Miss Delia Mason ; Mr Theodore Quench, K.C., Mr R. St. George; Joseph, Air George Carroll; Pepper, Mr Howard Hall; Rhoda Cantaur, Miss Ruby Armfield; Ella Winton. Miss Nellie Allison; Maud Ebor, Miss Addle Kelly; Gertrude Sarum, Florrie Parker; Olive Manton, Miss Annie Carmichael; Joan Ely, Miss Grace Rees; Nancy Lowley, Miss Eva Kelly; Hilda French, Miss Kathleen Warren; Clara Duller, Miss Angy Edwardine; Mary Methuen, Miss Pansy Montague; Cora Paget, Miss May Floiver; Waitress, Miss Madge Bennett; Erank, Mr H. Surrey; Winnie Harborough, Miss Madge Crichton. Mr J. C. AVilliamson’s Comedy Company is nightly playing “The Marriage of Kitty” to packed houses at the Sydusy Criterion, the sparkling little come 1„» (says the “Telegraph”; being rigntly regarded as one of the best staged in Sydney for many a long day. In the bands of J. C. Williamson’s neiv company, the clever three-act French play is artistically rendered. Miss Rose Musgrove is proving herself a success in comedy, playing the name part in such a way as to enlist the sympathy of the audience in her amusing matrimonial enterprise, while Miss F lorence Hamer’s representa tion of the exacting and hysterical Mdme. De Feniiano is particularly good. Mr Wilfred Draycott and Mr Athpl Ford, as the nian who falls in love with his own wife, and the aiding and abetting godfather of Kitty, respectively, gave admir able impersonations. Paderewski, according to present arrangements, is to start his Australian tour at Melbourne Town Hall, on Ju : y 9th, and the scale of prices will be—a guinea, half a guinea, and five “bob.” The guinea fee for front chairs and balcony seats looks '‘stiff,” but, then, there will be a lot of Paderewski for the money. The pianist gives a recital. It is a one man show. —“Bulletin.’’ In connection with the probable tour of New Zealand of the Beerbohm Tree Dramatic Company information l.a*» cone to hand stating that the compaiy is being taken over by Messrs Meynell and Varna, two gentlemen who “came out” to stage the various pieces in the company's repertoire. As the con-roots of tut English members of the company have run out the company is being reorganised Of the artistes Avho arrived from England Miss Maud Jeffries, Miss Rose Pendennis, Mr Julius Knight, Mr Arthur Wartner. and Mr Norman Jeffries remain cir Miss Olive Noble, Mr Eardley Turner, and Mr E. A. AVarburton return to England, Their places will most likely be filled bj members of Mr J. C. Williamson’s “Sherlock Holmes” Company which will disband in Adelaide shortly. Mr Ernest Fitts is in the bill of the Opera House, Melbourne, at .present. The performances of the Tom Nawn Vaudeville Company are being Avell patronised at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, where the Company is giving a programme of items of more than average merit. ’:

Mr Bland Holt produced the melodrama “The, Price of Peace” at the Theatre Royal, Sidney, last Saturday evening. Mr William Anderson’s Dramatic Company last Saturday evening produced “Tlie Great World of Loudon” at tlie Theatre Royal, Melbourne. “The Girl . From Kay’s,” which is being, successfully played at tlie Princess’s Theatre, Melbourne, by Mr George Edwardes’ London Gaiety Company, is described as “A comedy farce with music.” During the past fortnight Her Majesty’s Theatre. Melbourne, has been undergoing extensive alterations and improvements "costing in the aggregate between <£4090 and <£sooo. These include entirely new exits from the amphitheatre and another exit from the dress circle, whilst both tlie stage and auditorium will be practically fire proof. A large sum of money has also beT?n expended m reseating the house, Avliich will make it one of the most comfortable houses in Australia. Her Majesty’s will be reopened on Saturday evening by Mr AVilliamson’s Dramatic Company with a revival, of “Slierlo-ck Holmes.”

The Driscoll Boys have just terminated an eighteen months’ engagement with The Fullers. On behalf of the firm Mr Ben Fuller presented each of them with a gold sovereign case and also another engagement to tour the circuit in 1905.

Writing from Melbourne Mr George Tlallis informs me that the Opera House dates which Mr J. <j.' AVilliamson has booked from the 26th December to the 14>th January will probably be filled by the Beerbohm Tree Dramatic Company, He also states that Air Williamson is exceodingiy pleased with the financial result of the New Zealand tour of the Royal Comics.

Mr J. C. AVilliamson’s New English Comedy Company is doing splendid business at the Sydney Criterion with “The Marriage of Kitty.” When tlie piece is Avithdrawn “Cousin Kate” and “Madame Butterfly” wilP be staged, after which “The Duke cf Killiecrankie” will be produced,

Mr Lempriere Pringle, who toured New Zealand with Mr George Musgrove’s Grand • Opera- and Comic Opera organisations, -has■ just secured a tAvelve months’ engagement - Avith. an opera company 1/> appear on the Continent add in America. “The Dandy Doctor” will be the second production of Mr George Stephenson’s Musical Comedy Company at the Sydney Lyceum. Miss May Beatty plays a “slav T ey” part, which is said to be a first cousin to Fi Fi in “A Chinese Honeymoon.”

Mr Steve Adson and Miss Jessie Thorne have joined Mr Janies C. Bain’s forces, and were at latest advice showing with the Hobart combination.

Mel. B. Spurr, the celebrated English monologue entertainer, will commence a Wellington season at the Exchange Hall on Saturday evening. Mr Spurr has met with - a considerable amount of success in every city and town lie .lias visited in Australia and New Zealand so far and the same good fortune ought to aivait him in Wellington. The entertainment which he gives is said to be bright and diversified. It is no easy matter for a single artist to keep an audience amused for a ivEole evening, but Mr Spurr does it with the greatest success. The Sydney “Morning Herald,” in referring to Air S purr’s first appearance in the New South 'Wales capital says: —Air Mel. B. Spurr made an auspicious beginning Avith his Sydney season at the Queen’s Ball on Saturday night. The reputation Mr Spurr made !n Melbourne had preceded him, with the result that he Avas Avelcomed by a large audience—kindly, but critical. The hall had been made cheerful by means of a feAV decorative touches. The stage, contracted a little by the closing in of a set of drawing-room scenery, had as its main feature a concert grand piano, and any apnearance of emptiness was removed by the judicious use of pot plants .and tables. Mr Spurr made his bow a few minutes after 8 o’clock, and with a few explanatory Avords established himself on excellent terms Avith the audience. Until the conclusion of the entertainment, two hours later, there Avas not a dull moment. The programme Avas of course a humorous one, Avitli here and there a touch of philosophy and wisdom. “Quick AVork,” a topical up-to-date ditty, comprehended all three features. “When I was a Boy at School” was broadly humorous. “The Game of Life,” a serious piece, recited, Avith singularly appropriate zither accompaniment, was a perfect piece of elocution delivered Avith the minimum of gesture or action. Sir A. Conan Doyle’s “Groom’s Story,” a motor-car tale, and ‘"‘Mrs Brown at the Play” were two delicate bits of character work. “The World Went Very Well Then” and ‘"When I Avas a Boy at School” were quaintly funny songs, and Mr Spurr sang - them both to the accompaniment of a continual ripple of laughter. The entertainer managed to. introduce yet another version of the “Charge of the Light Brigade.” It was supposedly recited by the vicar at a village concert in aid of the pool'. Air Spurr’s imitation of the good man as lie tried to get through his piece in spite of numerous annoyances Avas most amusing. Naturally there is a good deal of speculation as to the methods of a performer who can entertain an audience singlehanded for a Avhole evening. To those who have a lively recollection of Fred. Maccabe, Frank Lincoln, and others. Mr Spurr’s methods are novel and surprising. He does not dance, nor does he nse costumes, disguises, or make up. Got up in evening dress, his piano and zither are practically all his “properties.” But he has a most versatile singing and speaking voice, is master of extraordinary facial expression, and is a capable performer at the pianoforte. “After Dinner.” bis concluding sketch, showed him • as an imitator of the methods of three afterdinner speakers—a General in the army, a retired Admiral, and a Volunteer officer. Variations on “Her Golden Hair, was Hanging Doavii her Back ’ in the styles of Mendelssohn, AVagner,, and other great composers, evidenced the possession of pretty skill at the piano, and Mr Spurr employed four distinct singing voices in his imitation of a madrigal by a country glee party. The humour is refined and sparkling, and above all Air SpurEg enunciation is beautifully distinct. ’

“Owen Hcil? ” who lias written so many of the “bojmCtf f for the George Edivardes* musical plays during the last twelve years, in private life is Mr “Jimmy” Davis, and is by profession a solicitor. Mr Davis is an interesting and entertaining personality, Avho spends eA r erything lie makes as lie makes it, and lives only for to-day and his friends.It is probable that the Alessrs Bert RojTe and Richard SteAvart will manage the aNew Zealand tour of Mr j. «_ vvji liamson’s New English Comedy Company, which commences at His Alajesty’s theatre, Auckland, on the Ist August. The reportoire will include “The Marriage of Kitty,” “Cousin Kate,” ‘'Madame Butterfly,” and “The Duke of Killiocrankie.”

Aliss Alaud Beatty was at latest appearing with Mr Harry Rickards’ Brisbane company. Ihe Italian composer Olfano is composing an, opera on Tolstoy’s “Resurrection.”

Air J. O, Williamson’s Dramatic Company will disband on the termination of the forthcoming Adelaide season. Mr Cuyler Hastings will proceed either to London or America. Mr anu Mi's Hamilton SteAvart will return to London;

The London “Daily NeAvs” relates tho folloAving experience of the late Miss Nellie Barren, the popular principal “boy’* of the London Gaiety, Avho declared onco to an interviewer, “I was mightily offended when I was offered a part in a burlesque. I wanted to be a tragedienne. £ had had a good sound training in Shakespeare, and I knew I couia play Lady Atacbeth ! But John Hollingswood thought I couldn’t, and so I became a ‘burlesque boy.’ ”

Mr Allan Hamilton, so long manager for Air Robert Brough in Australia, hag just received an interesting letter from his former chief, dated Durban, April 27th. The Brough combination had up to that date played seasons in Capetown and Durban, and, were due to reach Johannesburg about the middle of May. Other toAvns Avouid follow. Air Brough speaks of the country as slowly but surely recovering from its bad time, and. while nothing like “itself again,” yet the condition of the country is not as bad us it is painted. The Broughs have a long repertoire of plays with them, including “The Marriage of Kitty,” in which the parts sustained here by Mr Drayoott, Miss Hamer, and Aliss Muogrove are played by Mr and Airs Brough aud Alisa Emma Temple. The Broughs send all sorts of fond greetings to Noav Zealand friends and playgoers. According to “Table Talk ” Miss Alaud Clielwynd will retire from the Royal Comic Opera Company shortly and settle doAvn in private life.

The Beerbohm Tree Dramatic Company commenced a short season at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, on the 4th inst., with the Japanese play “The Darling of the Gods.” The following is the full cast of characters in the play: Kara. Mr Julius Knight; Zakkuri Mr EL A. Warburton; Saigon, Air Harry Plimmer; Tanda-Tanji, Mr Frank Stirling; Hassebo Soyemon, Air Scott Osborne; Shushoo, Air G. Chalmers; Inu, Mr Dallis cavirns: Crier of the Night Hours, Mr W. Percy; Kugo, Mr Leonard VV illey; Aligaku, Air Herbert Leigh; Kojni, Mr Curran Dooley; Ato, Mr T. Richards; Tclio Mr Nodin; Taro, Air B, Ford; Kato, Mr Eardley Turner; The Imperial Alessenger, Mr Reginald Bradly; Kihei, Mr Norman Jeffries; Banza> Mr Eardley_ Turner; Nagoya, Air Percy Walsh; Tori, Air Lepastrier; Korin, Air Neivton Griffith; Bento, Mr T. Richards; Little Sano, Miss .uizette Parkes; Rosy Sky, Miss Rose Pendennis; Satsu, Miss Evelyn Quinn; Niji-Onna Alios HoAvard; Kaedi, Miss Marie DAlton; ALadame Asani, Miss L. Clifton; Nu, Miss Stanlake; To San, Miss Maud Jeffries. Synopsis of scenery.—Act I.—‘Scene 1: A Glimpse of the “God in the Mountain”; Scene 2: A Look into the Garden within the Yashiki of the Prince of Tosau; Scene 3: Tlie Great State Hall during the Night of “The Feast of a Thousand Welcomes.”’ Act ll.—Outside the Skoji of Yosau among the Moonflowers. Acfc lll.—Behind the Shoji of Yosan’s Sane* tuary (forty days later). Act IV.—Tho Old Sword-room in the Palace of Zakkuri. Act V.—'Scene 1: The Meetingplace at the Ruined Shrine of the Goddess Kwannon; Scene 2: The Red Bamboo Forest; Scene 3: Between the Heavena and the Hells, The Brink of the River of Souls (a thousand years have elapsed); Scene 4: The First Celestial Heaven (ia the clouds).

Mr George Darrell, says “Table Talk,” is engaged on a new play on the victor of Waterloo, but it is not known whether it is Bill Adams, Kaiser Wilhelm, or tho other fellow.

The Bland Holt Dramatic Company have got “The Best of Friends” in active rehearsal, Mr J. C. Williamson’s New English Comedy Company has got “The Duke off Killiecrankie” in active rehearsal at the Sydney Criterion. M. de Rougemont, the wearying old narrator pf powerful piscatorial jokelets and whopping whale yarns, has turned up in London, and was announced to shortly appear at the Hippodrome. The management, says'the ‘“Express,” “have received hundreds of applications for tickets from all parts of the country.” Mr Garrick, of the Hippodrome, who is a very old friend of M. de Rougemont, has stated that no restrictions are to be placed on the explorer. He could do what he liked so long as he fulfilled the clauses in his proposed contract, which are as fol. lows: —1. To ride a turtle in the arena, of the Hippodrome when filled with water. 2. To deliver a short lecture on his adventures in Australia while riding the turtle in the arena. 3. To use no cruelty to the turtle. 4. The Hippodrome to provide crocodiles aud other creatures for M. de Rougemont to ride if he consents to do so. 5. A douus of 10 per cent, over and above his salary to be paid to M. de Rougemont if. he successfully ides a crocodile four times round the arena. A sportsman has offered to bet M. de Rougemont J 2500 to J>7s that he will net be able to ride a turtle dovsii the water chute without being unhorsed when lie reaches the arena below, M. de Rouge, kmont’s salary will be JSI.OO per week.