PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1716, 18 January 1905, Page 28

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

*Tl'lie actors are come hither, my lord, Buz, Buz!”

NOTICE, . 3 Contributions from members of the profession chronicling, their doings and movements are invited. Communications should be addressed to “Lorgnette,” c/o Editor, Nevr Zealand Mail,” Wellington. BOOKINGS, OPEBA HOUSE. J. 0. Williamson—Dec. 23 to Jan. 21. Montgomery’s Entertainers —J an « to “ Maomahon Dramatic Company—Jan. 30 to Feb. 16. Geo. Stephenson—Feb. 17 to 24. J. C. Williamson—Russo- Jap War BioTableau, Feb. 25 to March 4 inclusive. J. C. Williamson—March 9 to March 30. George Musgrove—April 22 to May 13. Ohas. Macmahon —May 30 to June 19. Allan Hamilton—Oct. 18 to Nov. 4. J. C. Williamson —Christmas season, 19Ut>. J. C. Williamson— Easter. 1906. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Fuller’s Entertainers. NOTES BY “LORGNETTE.” The Knight-Jeffries Dramatic Company produced. ‘ ‘The Sign of the Cross* at the Opera House last Saturday evening. The late Mr Wilson Barrett's play, which has long since passed into general acceptance, will always present points for criticism. It has during the past few years attracted in every part of the English epeaking world a multitude of people of religious views, but not versed in theatrical affairs, who have loudly declared that "The Sign of the Cross" is one of the greatest dramas ever written. Criticism of this sort naturally excited expert writers in dramatic art to be unnecessarily severe. The piece is just high-class melodrama dealing in an interesting way with classic and religious subjects. It has had an enormously successful run; the late Mr Barrett himself having played it in pretty well every town, and small, in the United States and Great Britain before it was produced in London, where it scored its usual triumph and ran for. fourteen months. Mr Julius Knight's impersonal tion of Marcus Superbus was in every way an excellent one. Miss Maud Jeffries has played Mercia hundreds of times under the author's direction, being the original creator of the role. Her work throughout the piece was very fine. Mr G. P. Carey played well as Glabrio. Mr H. W. Varna's Nero suffered in comparison with the representation of the part bv Mr J. B. Atholwood and Mr Caleb Porter. Mr George Chalmer played the role of Favius with dignity. Miss Rose Pendennis was fairly successful as Berenis. Miss TJnio Russell, as Stephanus, acted with gentleness and care. Mr Arthur Wontner as Tigellinus, and Mr HaTry Plimmer as Licenius were both successful. The other characters, without being ill done, were not so well rendered as in previous performances. The musical comedy "ivty Sweetheart" was presented by the Messrs Fuller at Hiis Majesty's Theatre, last Monday evening. The parts in the piece have been excellently cast and a first class performance is given.

Mr P. R. Dix’s Gaiety Company gave its farewell performance at the Theatre Royal last Saturday evening. Mrs George Henry Gilbert ("Granny” Gilbert) the oldest actress on the American stage, died in her rooms at the Sherman House, Chicago, on the 2nd December. The cause of deah was cerebral apoplexy. The end cafne without a struggle, a smile being on the aged woman’s face as she breathed her last. Mrs Gilbert was at the time of her death touring America under Mr Charles Fhohman’s management in a play entitled "Granpv,” which was specially written for hei by Mr Clyde Fitch. The tour commenced some months ago in New York, "Granny” Gilbert scoring an instantaneous success in the play. Mrs Gilbert was eighty-three years of age. From the "Manila Town Topics” I clip the following interesting item: Frank Moffett, Manila’s capable city electrician and deputy fire chief, will soon become a benedict. He has been captured by the winning smiles of the fair and charming little soubrette, Flo. Williams, of the Orpheum Theatre Company, and will soon lead the clever young actress to Hymen’s altar. . . The arrival of the W illiams’ Sisters —> four clever Australian girls—at the Orpheum attracted an immense audience to •witness their first appearance. Frank Moffett happened into a box where were assembled a nartv of friends. When the

Williams Quartette came on to do their "turn," Flo, the fairest and cleverest of the quartette, rested her eyes upon Moffett, smiled, and the city electrician lost his heart right there and then. He said to hie friends, rc l am going to win that girl if I can," and immediately he began nig campaign. . . . All that remains to bring the romance to its culmination is the wedding, which will occur very soon. Miss Williams is a bright, clever little woman, to whom nature has been most kind. She is still in her 18th year, and was born in Melbourne. She is the second of the four sisters. Miss Lotti-e being the oldest; May and Rubi are the youngest of the quartette. It was the intention of the father to take the girls to America, and he had already received some flattering offers from managers there; but Cupid has spoiled this plan and it looks as if one, if not more, of the Williams family is booked to play a long engagement in Manila, and not at the Orpheum either/' Montgomery's Entertainers commence a six nights’ season at the Opera House next Monday evening. The combination is a strong one and ought to do good business.

In criticising the first concert of the Fisk Jubilee Singers at the Town Hall, Hobart, the "Mercury" of the 14th December says:— ‘ ‘Having been so long together, the company are perfect in chorus singing. They throw themselves heartily into their work—in fact, revel in it. The even balance of the parts, precision, light and shade, rich volume of tone, and clear enunciation were prominent characteristics. The jubilee songs and choruses of the American negroes, which constitute their folk-lore, found their origin in spontaneous outbursts of religions fervour, feelings of despondency or joy, all of which were expressed in song, and when rendered by such a highly proficient party of singers, their full meanings are most expressively brought out. The programme was an excellent one; so much ivere the numbers enjoyed, that double and triple encores were demanded, and responded to, from almost the first number tio the last." The Fisk Jubilee Singers will commence a season at the Town Hall this evening. Miss Carrie Moore, who was appearing in "The Cingalee" at Daly's Theatre. London, with much success was announced to appear as Aladdin in the pantomime of lhat title at the Shakespeare Theatre, Liverpool, last month. The Royal Comic Opera Company are at present appearing in a revival of "Florodora" at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne. "The Orchid" ran for ten weeks. The ca;st of "Florodora" is almost a new one, and includes Miss Florence Young as Dolores, Mr Haigh Jackson as Abercoed, Miss Clara Clifton as Lady Holyrood, Mr Fred Leslie as Cyras Gilfain, Miss Evelyn Scott as Angela Gilfain, Mr H. V. Surrey as Captain Donegal, and Mr George Lauri as Tweed! epunch. Vincent Walker, who is billed as ‘‘An Australian Negro Comedian,'’ and Slade Murray were both appearing at the People’s Palace, Bristol, on the 22nd November last. Who is Vincent Walker, anyhow ? Mr J. O. Williamson's Bio-tableau entertainment has been nightly filling the Queen’s Hall, Sydney, for the past six weeks.

The first performance of Leoncavallo’s new opera, "Roland of Berlin,” was to have been given in Berlin on the 12th December last. I have to acknowledge with thanks a copy of the J. J. Miller Printing Companv’s "Diary and Date Book for 1905.” It is neatly printed and contains a large amount of information that is valuable to manager and artist alike. At the next meeting of the Theatrical Managers’ Association another phase of the pass evil (says the New York "Sunday Daily Telegraph” of the 20th November) is to be trotted out into the arena, where, in all probability, it will receive its death blow. This time the' editor of the little fourth rate publication who demands more passes to the theatres than all the metropolitan dailies combined will be the subiect of debate. Since the formation of the association the eradication traditional evils which were the outgrowth of venerable systems has been the constant aim of the men in. whose hands are the destinies of theatrical New York. First, reforms were introduced looking to the enhanced safety of theatres: next came the abolition of lithograph advertising, and in turn came restrictions in bill-board privileges and an agreement to refuse passes coming under the head of "courtesies to the profession.” Among the pass fiends, however, none have been more annoying than the publisher of the unimportant periodical which is never read by theatregoers and is little known outside of the hall room office of publication. The question has often been aske’d: How do the promoters oi these publications exist? Theatrical managers declare that they make their living from the theatres. The scheme is simple. The publisher, in soliciting advertisements, guarantees a certain number of theatre tickets a month as an inducement. At the box office the cost of these tickets would equal the price paid for the advertising, and although the merchant expects small Tesults. he believes that under the conditions offered he will tret his money back in entertainment. To fulfil his portion of the bargain the publisher must annov managers with monotonous regularity. Usually the application for tickets is made on regular forms. The requests are always phrased in conventional style, and heretofore have generally brought results. At the last meeting of the Managers’ Association. A. L. Eirlanger, Marc Flaw, A. W. Dingwall and others suggested that the time for investigation and rigorous treatment had come. A certain weekly publication, which has been one of the most insisteqt in its demands, was selected as the horrible example, and everv member of the association asked to bring at the following meeting all the requests from its office which arrived in the interim. The haul has been an unusually large one, and when all the retujns are in the managers will learn that tr. this one office Manhattan theatres have been sending on an average fully 2090 tickets a year.

Under date Bristol, November 22nd, Mx Charles Faning, the well known vaudeville comedian, writes as follows: "Dear Lorgnette,—Just received ‘New Zealand Mail’ and might state that Pear’s soap phrase would be very appropriate as far as I’m concerned—" He’s happy now he’s got it." It renews pleasant times spent in New Zealand. Since arriving in "England we have done splendid—both with my own biz and our double act. This is a glorious country only when winter creeps in with plenty of rain, hail, slush, and fog, it makes one yearn for a little of the good old blue sky. We played Manchester last week and met Slade Murray, Florrie Esdaile, and George D'Albert. This week ive are with Slade Murray again and Tom Costello. We do Plymouth next week. It is all one week’s stands in the provinces, with the exception of GlasgOAV, Liverpool, and Manchester, therefore it leaves the people hungry for a favourite, and makes it all the stronger for him on his return. In the three cities mentioned above one can easily put in a month. London seasons are, of course, much longer. Some people in the Commonwealth and NeAv Zealand will, no doubt, say, "Fancy only one Aveek in each town." but they don’t stop to think that the journeys over here are v r ery short as a rule. We have only one rehearsal a Aveek and that very short, —one verse of a song is quite enough for any orchestra in Great Britain, no matter how much "biz." you put in. E>ven in the largest of sketches it is just the same, and it's all right at night. You Avould be surprised to see with Avhait smoothness a show runs over here. Every item run to a minute. Each performer knows boAV many minutes is alloAved and therefore knoAvs what act to do. We Avorked Avith Eugene Stratton a feAv months back in Manchester. If he could be induced to visit Australasia be A\ T ould set the place astir. He is Avithout doubt the greatest black-faced performer one could ever dream of—if there is such a term. As a pathetic comedian he is "out of sight."—his Avhole soul being in his A\ r ork. He holds both the audience and performer (at the side) in a spell. His humour is quiet, quaint, but ‘‘gets there" like lightning. I come across Australians' and New Zealanders very often. All I have met are doing very Avell. Sid Doody and Adie Wright (old New Zealand favourites) are going big here, also Jake Friedman, Florrie Ford, Ada Colley, Florrie Elsdaile, Violet Elliott (Avho is the latest' star), Harry Grey, Leslie Brothers, Albert Whelan, Anderson Sisters, and John Tudor (who has just started). I often hear from Ben Fuller, Avho is one of the best. Was very happy working with him. We been very successful since our arrival with my single and our double "turns." I work a,ll "white face" now, no more "cork." Mv latest success is a burlesque' on the ‘‘Magic Kettle." a.nd if goes like "hot calves." We sail for South Africa on the 14th January, commencing a tour at Johannesburg. Kind regards to all inquiring friends. Will let you knoAV lioav Ave get on in South Africa. Concerning the Brough-Flemming Company, Avhich shortly commences an Australian tour, it is undecided yet who is to be the leading lady. Miss Beatrice Dav or Miss Cynthia Brooke.

The "British Australasian” to hand by the latest mail says: —"The many admirers of Miss Maggie Moore will be glad to hear that a special comedy part has been written for her in the. pantomime which is to be put on at the Shakespeare Theatre, Liverpool, at Christmas time. The part has been written to display her ability in interpreting the Irish and Chinese characters.” The Black Family will in a few days time complete an eighteen months’ tour of the North Island. A South Island tour will be commenced almost immediately. A company bas been formed to tour the English provinces with 'Merely Mary Ann” early next month. "The Catch of the Season” registered its 100th performance at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, on the 3rd December last.

Mr and Mrs Charles Faning were appearing at the Peoples’ Palace, Bristol, on the 22nd November last. In referring to their performance the "Daily Mercury” says:—The running fire "of cross talk” by The Wilsons is amusing, too, for smart banter is always well received In an equal measure was the patter or Charles Faning successful, while his songs are decidedly good. The Parkina Concert Company have sailed from Europe for Australia. The first concert will be given at the Town Hall, Sydney, on the 14th February. Whilst in Venice recently Sarah Bernhardt made a point of attending the premiere of her friend Edmond See s play aft the Deutsche Volkstheater, entitled "L’lndiscreet,” on its original Production in Paris. The play is called The Eleventh Commandment irt Vienna. Mr Arnold Bill, who was a useful member of Mr J. C. Williamson s Musical Comedy Company, is reported to have scored a success in Amentia as leading tenor of the "Buster Brown” Company. He has assumed the name of William Arnold.

Fred Bluett is appearing at the Sydney Tivoli at present. The Driscoll Boys are also in the bill*

The farewell performance of the Knight-Jeffries Dramatic Company Avill be given on Saturday evening. The play chosen for the occasion is BulAver Lytton's charming romance in five acts, "The Lady of Lyons." with the folloAA'ing cast of characters:—Claude Meluotte, Mr Julius Knight; Monsieur Beausant, Mr Arthur Wontner; GlaA'is, Mr Nott Osborne; Colonel Damas, Mr Geo. P. Carey; Monsieur Deschapelles, Mr Geo. Chalmers; Landlord of Golden Lion. Mr Percy Waishe; Gaspar, Mr Leonard Willey; Captain Gervais, Mr Norman Jeffries; Lieutenant Dupont, Mr E. M. Beresford; Notary, Mr A. Rosevear -. Servant, Mil 1 W. Carlton; Madame Deschapelles, Miss Katie ToAA'ers; Widow Melnotte, Miss Marie D'Alton; Pauline Deschapelles. Muss Maud Jeffries. Mr Frederick J. Loudin, manager of the firs! company of Fisk Jubilee Singers to visit Australasia, died at bis home at Ravenna, Ohio, U.S.A., on 23rd November. from rheumatism of the lieives. from which he had been a great sufferer for more than a year. The company Avas organised by Mr Loudin in ' 1882, and, after touring the United States and Canada,, they Avent to England. During tAvo years they travelled all over the United Kingdom, and when they Avere at Hull, in Yorkshire, Mr R. S l , Sm yt lie happened to heai them, and he strongly advised an Australasian tour. The adA'ice was taken, and the company arrived in Melbourne in 1883. The tour lasted over three years. Mr Loudin, who Avas really the proprietor of the troupe', realised a fortune, and he built a splendid house at Ravenna, Avhich he named Otira. after the famous gorge in' NeAV Zealand, and it is from this house (says the ‘‘Australasian") that Mrs Loudin has advised Mr Smythe of her husband's death. According to latest American exchanges Madame Modjeska denies that she is going into vaudeville, although she has been offered a large sum Aveekly to give a scene from "Macbeth." Paul Conchas, the latest strong man, Avho has been appearing at the London Hippodrome raises a gun and carriage weighing TOOlbs. on to his forehead, and balances them there. He also handles shells Aveighing from 100 to 2001b5.. Avitli the utmost ease. Messrs Macmahon’s New Drama! ic Company, at the head of which is the Avell-known actor-author, Mr George Darrell, has been winning golden opinions on the West Coast of the South. Island. Greymmith, Hokitika, Reefton. 'Westport, and Nelson have been Avsited with record results. The repertoire, Avhich includes “The Sunny South," Transported for Life," "The Sorrows of Satan," "From Scotland Yard," etc., will be submitted to the. suffrage of Wellington playgoers during the season, Avhich commences at the Opera House on the 30th inst. All the scenery and effects are neAv from Sydney, and a full mechanical staff accompanies the organisation. Mr George Musgrove evidently intends to leave no stone unturned to make the Sydney Lyceum (which he has just reopened Avith Miss Nellie Stewart) a popular resort. He makes the following managerial announcement in the Sydney papers:—"Communication has been established by telephone with every hotel in Sydney, by which the guests thereof AA r ili be enabled to ring up the theatre at any hour and thus secure reserved seats Avithout further trouble. Refreshments Avill be served free of charge between the acts in the foyer to ladies and gentlemen occupying seats in the dress circle and orchestra stalls." These up-to-date improvements, especially Avitli regard to refreshments, may be commended to the serious attention of the local theatre proprietary Avhen the neAV theatre is erected.

A new idea in advertising a farce comedy in which the hero is supposed to be a "boy” will be an army of 1000 newsboys, who have been secured to parade the lower section of New York. They will be given a full outfit for a torchlight procession, which will be led by a band of music. Concerning Mr Martin Harvey’s announced intention of playing "Hamlet” in Dublin, some interesting precedents are quoted. In 1742, David Garrick played "Hamlet” in Smock Alley Theatre, with Peg Woffington as Ophelia. Thomas Sheridan, father of Richard Brinsley, made a name as Hamlet at Smock Alley Theatre. The word girl plays a large part in comedy titles. A few of the pieces:—"A Country Girl,” "The Runaway Girl,” "A Girl from Dixie,” "The Casino Girl,” "The Ballet Girl,” "The Girl from Paris,” "The Girl from Up There,” "The Gaiety Girl,” "The Girl from Kay’s,” "The Stambo Girl,” and "The School Girl.”

A farce entitled "The Housekeeper,” by Metcalfe Wood and Beatrice Heron Maxwell, wag produced for the first time on any stage at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Birmingham, by Mr and Mrs Kendal. Included in the cast was Mrs A. B. Tapping (Alice Farleigh), wife of MiTapping, who was stage manager of Mr George Musgrove’s "Sweet Nell” Company. According to an American paper Mis Langtry alleges that Marie Tempest’s new play, "The Freedom of Suzanne” is practically identical with "Mrs Deering’s Divorce,” a play which Mrs Langtry haa successfully produced in England and America*

Mr J. C. Williamson has decided that Mr Andrew Mack, the Irish actorrocalist, will -open his Australian, tour with the new ballad comedy “The Way to Kenmare,” in whioh he is at present appearing with success in New York. It is announced by Mr George Edwardes that when the American tour of his ‘‘Duchess of Dantzic” Company is finished Miss Evie Greene will re-appear in London in a new opera by Andre Messages entitled “La Pompadour The book of the piece will be by M. G. Duval and Captain Basil Hood. “Camille” has been added to the repertoire of Mr J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company at present appearing at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Miss Minnie Tittel Brune will play the name Part. Mr Ivyrle B,ellew will appear m Eondon next September in “Raffles.” The play was- one of the few New York successes last season.

Mr George Musgrove's Dramatic Company is playing a highly successful season at the Sydney Lyceum at present. The first production of the season was the costume comedy drama, in four acts, entitled “Pretty Peggy,” by Prances Aymar Matthews. In noticing the first performance the “Sydney Mail” says:—“Pretty Peggy,” with which Miss Nellie Stewart and Mr Musgrove’s Dramatic Company rc-opened the Lyceum Theatre to a large audience on Saturday is not a strong or absorbing play, but it is picturesque. Trt picturesque elements have been made the most of by Mr Harry Parker, a wellknown English stage manager, brought out for the purpose. The most striking scenes depict the stage, proscenium, boxes, and pit of Drury Lane Theatre, with a performance of “As You Like It” in progress, and boxes, and pit, brilliantly filled. It was a clever bit of stage craft, for which Mr W. R. Coleman was responsible. The author, Miss Frances Aymar Matthews, has freely “adapted” history in preparing her dramatic version of Peg Woffington's career. She first shows the actress at the Dublin circus booth, riding in on a donkey, and surrounded by an army of worshipping University students. Instead of Peg's elopement from Dublin with a son of Count Taafe, followed by introduction to the London stage by John Rich, and two years “housekeeping” with David Garrick, we are shown Garrick carrying her off direct from Dublin in spite of tlio hon©3t desii'e of Sir Clias. H anbury to marry her. Then there are preparations for a marriage with Garrick, interrupted by the advent of Eva Sor-rell, who announces that the great actor is her special property, whereupon the enraged Peg breaks a chandelier over the expectant bridegroom and orders him out cf her house. Finally, Peggy is depicted dying on the Drury Lane stage in the arm? of Garrick, who had been watching the performance from a box. As the central figure, Miss Nellie Stewart threiv a wealth of vivacity into the part of Peg. The slight brogue is not particularly well assumed, but there is abundance of life and dash, and the acting of the star is gaining m depth. It is something to have been able to lay down the role of the recognised queen of Australian comic opera and be able to seize that of Australia's leading comedy actress as Miss Stewart has done. Mr Harcourt Beatty gives a. somewhat hard sketch of Garrick's not very estimable character—the majority cf the characters are sketchy and unconvincing—but he has some strong moments. Mrs Maesmore Morris has come back strengthened as an actress and confirmed as a stage beauty, and fully fills the role of Peg's rival, Mrs Bellamy. Other well-played parts are the Earl of Oholniondelev of mr Clinton, Cavendish of Mr Parker, Hanbury of Mr Dunn. The cast includes: —Captain Robert Cholmondeley, Mr James Lindsay Cavendish, Mr Harry Parker; Captain Calcraft, Mr L. Stack, Colly Cibber, Mr Frank Cullinane; John Rich, Mr Harry Hill; Bennet Langdon, Mr Douglas Cairns; Frederick, Prince of Wales, Mr LloydJones; Rastelli, “a ring master,” Mr C. Ratcliff e; Stint, Mr A. Forbesrilrr; Forbes, Mr Leslie Woods; Etva Sor-rell, Miss Nannie Bennett; Polly Woffington, Miss Aniy Willard; Mrs Woffington, Miss Singleton; Madame Violante, Miss Roland Watts-Phillips; Cherry, Miss Evelyn Davenport; Charlotte, Miss Grist.

Nov/ that the curtain has dropped on “The Rase of the Riviera” at His Majesty's, Auckland, says "Musico-Drama-ticus,” I cannot refrain from congratulating Miss Morgan on the wholly admirable way in which she filled Miss May Beatty's role of heroine on New Year's Eve. When the latter swooned early in the first act many in the audience thought that no understudy could possibly fill the bill satisfactorily, but there was a big surprise in store for them. Miss Morgan's really beautiful rendering of the pretty music—especially "Egypt” and "My Cosy Corner”—was something to be remembered with pleasure, and her acting was quite refreshingly natural and unaffected. The house was delighted with Miss Morgan, and did not hesitate to make clear its approval. AUCKLAND THEATRICAL NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The season of the George Stephenson Musical Comedy Company, now drawing to a close, has been a singularly successful one. The opening on Christmas EVe with "The Rose of the Riviera” at once placed the company on rapport with theatregoers, and the second piece "The SHurt Dancer” drew enormous houses, its opening night finding some 2000 patrons jammed and crammed into the spacious His Majesty’s Theatre. In all, nine performances of "The Skirt Dancer” have been given, which is an unusual run for Auckland. "The Dandy Doctor” is finishing a three nights' run, and the company was seen in vaudeville for the two remaining nights of the season, which closed on the 16th inst. "Shooting the Chute” is at present a favourite pastime in Auckland, and crowds are to be nightly seen at the corner of Customs and Hobson streets essaying the breathless glide down the steep slone into the Diacid pool at the

foot. Some 600 persons are being carried down the “chute” daily. After a successful Christmas season at the Opera House, Mr John Fuller has closed down • for a time that popular place of amusement. Under the management of Mr A. G. Mabee a strong vaudeville company opened at His Majesty’s Theatre on the 17th inst. Among the artistes are Miss Lizzie Kirk and Mr Frank Leon, the Wheelers in “looping the great wheel,” Miss Goldie Collins, Miss Daisy Sylvester, aim Mr Les Wharton. The season will cover eleven nights.