LATE THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 42

LATE THEATRICAL NOTES.

(By “Longnette.")

The movements of Mr J. C. ’Williamson's principal companies last week, supplied yet another instance of the wid» range of his business. At one time or another during that week no less than five organisations, aggregating 300 persons, were on the water engaged in a sort of game of general post, which they seem to indulge in at periodic intervals, and most of them were making even longer journeys than usual. The Royal Comio Opera Company, of 95 individuals, were travelling from Perth, to Adelaide, and in the opposite direction went 50 people of the Knight-J effries Company. Miss Tittell Brune and 40 of her company travelled from New Plymouth to Auckland, where they are putting in the last of theix* New Zealand season. From Brisbane to Melbourne went the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of 75 persons, changing places with the Nance O'Neil Company, which is 40 strong. A moment's consideration will reveal both the intricate nature of- the necessary arrangements for “making connections," and the great expense incurred in moving all these people from place to place. Aa a matter of fact, weather conditions in one instance interfered with the smooth running, and after ah exceptionally rough passage from Brisbane, the Gilbert and Sullivan Company had to have a special train chartered for tiiem from Sydney in order to be in time for the opening performance in Melbourne. Mr J. C. Williamson has secured the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, for the Christmas season, and has decided to make Miss Tittell Brune the holiday attraction there. For the six weeks during which she and her company will occupy the theatre, they have at least two pieces absolutely new to Melbourne, in the shape of “Leah Kleschna" and “Merely Mary Ann," and there is some probability of yet another piece being added to the already long and continuously increasing repertoire of the talented young American actress.

The Knight-Jeffries Company began their West Australian season in Perth on Friday, the 4tli inst., with “A Royal Divorce.” Next month they return to the Princess Theatre. Melbourne, for the express purpose of staging “His Majesty's (Servant." The same season will also see an interesting production of “David Garrick," a new version of which is now in rehearsal with that object. When the Last mail left England, no leas than seven pieces, the Australasian rights of which are vested in Mr J. C. Williamson, were billed as current attractions at the London Theatres. These were “Monsieur Beaueaire,” “Leah Kleschna," “The Spring Chicken," “The Dictator," “The Little Michus," “Veronique," and “Lady Madcap." With the exception of the first-named, none of them have so far been played in Australasia, but it will not be long before that reproach is removed. Before the end of the year both “Leah Kleschna” and “Veronique" will have made their Australasian debut, and early next year “The Sip ring Chicken" and probably' “The Little Michus" will have followed suit. In addition, negotiations are still proceeding for an Australian tour of Mr Willie Collier and his company in “The Dictator,” and one or two other typical American farces.

The fijoyal Comic Opera Company placed a record to their credit in'West Australia, and preliminary booking for the sixteen nights’ visit which they are now paying Adelaide, indicated that the enviable experience will be repeated there. They open in Melbourne on the 26th mst., for a season that will extend to Christmas time, with “The Cingalee,” fdlloYving which- will come “Veronique,” and one or two more popular successes of the past. Next year, after a prolonged stay in Sydney, it is Mr J. C. Williamson’s intention to arrange a. New Zealand tour.

Mr Andrew Mack’s lengthened Sydney season is now drawing to a close, and after “Arrah-na-pogue,” the final nights of it will be devoted to “Jack Shannon.” A short season in Brisbane will terminate the American comedian’s Australian appearances.