NOTES BY “ LORGNETTE.”

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1748, 6 September 1905, Page 29

NOTES BY “ LORGNETTE.”

The dramatic season inaugurated at the Opera House on Thursday evening by the Messrs MacMahon premises to be a highly successful one. The initial production was Mr Frank Harvey's Irish drama entitled “Bearing Her Cross/' The company which the enterprising “Mao’s" have engaged for the present tour is a particularly strong 'One, and is headed by that clever actress Miss Fitzmauriee Gill, and the popular Wellipgtonian, Mr Charles Blake. The cast of characters in ‘‘‘Bearing Her Cross” is a compact one, but all the parts are well' placed with the result that a really clever enterpretation of Harvey's drama is given. Mias Gill's impersonation of the heroine, Kathleen Malone, was a powerful one. Mir Charles Blake was an admirable Sir Terence O’More. Mir J. Lambert was a huge success as Larry Beamish, his efforts being ably seconded by Mrs Barry Lane as Bridget Flanagan (Kathleen's foster mother). Miss May Granville played Lady O'More pleasantly. Mr Harry Douglas was extremely good as Father McGrath. The other characters in the cast were ably filled. The scenery and accessories were all good. A first-class orchestra supplies the music. On Monday evening the evergreen “Uncle Tom's Cabin'' was staged. Miss Fitzmauriee Gill was excellent as Eliza Harris. Mr Charles Blake gave a fine interpretation of the part of George Harris. Mr Harry Douglas's Uncle Tom was also a fine study. Miss May Renno, as Topsy, and Mtqq May Granville, as Cassy, both played well. The Modern Milo, whose beautiful posing has been the theme of Mlelbourne and Sydney during the last six months, i» accompanied in her travels by a Masseur.

The Sydney "Newsletter" likes some of the information published in these columns so much that it frequently uses the same without acknowledgment. Fie, for shame!

Professor Andrews and his "Magic Kettle" has done excellent business in Wellington. The season closes next Friday evening, after which a country tour will be undertaken, commencing at Napier on the 12th and extending until the 14th. The following towns will also be visited:—Hastings, 15th and 16th, Dannevirke 18th and 19th, Masterton 20th and 21st, Palmerston Niorth 22nd to 25th, Feilding 26th, Wanganui 27th to 29th, Hawera 30th, and New Plymouth Ist and 2nd October. Auckland will complete the New Zealand tour.

Received a poet card from Singapore, in which Mr John D. Fitzgerald ©ays "AH well here. Business booming. Tom much improved in health. Show leaves for China August 4th. Calcutta Christmas. Kind regards to all New Zealand friends." The leading theatrical manager of Australia, Mr J. C. Williamson, celebrated on the 26th August, the sixtieth anniversary of his birth. Born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, he went on to the stage when only 16 years old, in the Western States of America. After playing a year in Canada, he spent ©even years at Wallack's Theatre, New York, and for four years wag principal comedian at the California Theatre in San Francisco. It was in 1875 that Mr Williamson first came to Australasia, on a starring tour; then he returned in 1879 to settle here. It is not as an actor, however, but as a manager, who, by his enterprise, lias taken first place in this! country, that New Zealanders know Mr Williamson, and the playgoing public will cordially wish him many happy returns of -the day. When the mail left London preparations were being actively made at the Lyric Theatre for Mr Robert Courtneidge's production of “The Blue Moon," the Australasian rights of which have been secured by Mr Williamson. The action of the piece passes in Upper Burma, so that there is scope for the display of picturesque scenery and costumes. Mr Willie Eldouin was to be a central figure in the London cast as a renegade Englishman, masquerading as a native of Thibet, and the company includes also Miss Carrie Moor© and Mr Harold Thorley, well-known in Australia. Mr Hamish MacCunn was "to direct the performance. The "book" of J'The Blue Moon" is by Harold Ellis, the lyrics by Paul Rubens and Percy Greenbanks, and the music by Howard Talbot and Paul Rubens.

Special scenery was painted for the West Australian and Adelaide season of “The Cingalee/' so that the original scenery would not be subjected to any wear and; tear. The original scenery which was used in Sydney is being used in the Melbourne production. Williamsonian manager Geo. Mathetson has been stationed at Adelaide ever since he brought the Knight-Jeffries Company along. He will continue (says the “Critic,'') at the head of affairs whilst the Gilbert and Sullivan Company hold forth at the Royal. Miss Nance Brisbane season wa9 a great success in every way. In noticing ber performance of “Marie Antoinette/' the “Courier” say©: —Atarie Antoinette! To the student of history what a>vful memories that name recalls. And those who have witnessed Miss Nance O’Neil's representation of the character at His Majesty's Theatre during the last few nights, though they have had those memories revived in an acute form, have enjoyed a rare privilege. It has seemed throughout the season that each character presented by Miss O'Neil has been a more perfect study tfcan tbat preceding, until in tbe part of the unhappy Austrian she has reached a point which few can ever hope to transcend. Last evening the performance was 'repeated in the presence of a good audience, for the last time. The deeper emotions of the heart were struck from the time that Mr S. White's orchestra first struck up the notes of the ‘'Marseillaise/' An insight into the power of the actress was given in that first denunciation and defiance of public opinion, containing so much of truth in its application. Once brought into life, that fewer never seemed to flag: the dignity of the Queen, the agonies of the mother facing the howling mob of Sans Culottes, and, above all, that moving scene in the prison chamber of Louis XVI. Magnificent was the only word to dseeribe the work done by Miss Marie Antoinette herself, prostratee before her martyr husband, with the shadow of her own fate before her, and confessing the faults of her pnhappy life, could not have presented a more dramatic picture, nor have more faithfully depicted her sufferings in every action and every feature of the pain-drawn faea

During the past week Mr George Stephenson's "Refined Entertainers" have been drawing excellent houses at the Theatre Royal, and giving programmes in every case in full keeping with the title of tne Company. The "Cathedral Choristers sing part songs with pure, fresh voices and refined musical ability, which make it a high pleasure to listen to them. Miss Elea Dwyer's popular selections are of a kind which is always appreciated. The “Great Alma" is an exceedingly deft and accomplished slight-of-hand artist with a stage presence and manner which add to the attractiveness of his clever turns. The "English Pierrots," Messrs Will and Rob Thomas, give a society entertainment which, of itself, would form an excellent show—■ their singing and atory-telling being fresh and entertaining. One of the gentlemen is, besides, a most accomplished pianoforte performer. A large part of the interest of each evening's performance centres about Professor Andrew© and hie Great Magic Kettle. The wonder© of liquid air are demonstrated and explained with a scientific yet simple directness which satisfies the most inquiring turn of mind. With the plain apparatus of a kettleful of liquid air, a spirit lamp, and a block of ice, experiment after experiment is performed to the intense wonder and admiration of the audience, A gentleman's white washing—or a portion of it, is dona with his hat for a wash-tub, narcissi and other flowers are rendered rigid and brittle as glass in a few seconds, kerosene is solidified into a candle, ice cream is made over a spirit stove, and, with whisky solidified in the presence pf the audience, is distributed to those who desire to partake of these good—or bad —things. A flexible rubber ball is in a very few seconds rendered so brittle that it breaks into minute fragments when dropped on the stage, and a beefsteak is rendered as hard as stone over the spirit lamp—the dripping used being liquid air. Many other interesting demonstrations of the strange effects of intense cold are given, and at the conclusion of the experiments persons cf an inquiring turn of mind are given clear explanations in reply to any questions astked. Mr Stephenson's Co. gives a good ©how, and one that everybody may attend without risk of disappointment. As the time draw© near for the first production in Wellington of Messrs Alfred Hill's and J. Youlin Birch's new comic opera "A Moorish Maid," the local interest is on the increase. Even the “boom" that took place in Auckland seems likely to be put into the ©hade. This is not altogether extraordinary in the light of what has occurred. Paragraphs were continually reaching the local press in advance of the Auckland production, and after that we heard nothing but the most glowing reports of the opera's success. It ran for a week, and at the close of that period the collaborateurs had a ca©h offer from a leading Aucklander (up to a substantial amount) for the "purchase" of another two night's takings if they would continue to play the '‘Maid" for that length of time. They, however, deemed it wiser to withdraw the work in the midst of its success. How big a house it drew on the last night of the season is shown by the flashlight photo of the audience on that occasion, now on view in the Dresden window. As a matter of fact the opera created such a genuine furore in the Northern centre that it would easily have run a second week. The Wellington season will also be limited to one week —there are no vacant dates admitting of any extension —and in view of the "rush" that is certain to set in after the first night, I strongly advise would-be patrons to be amongst the first-comers at the box-office. A repetition hqge of the original success need not be doubted since all that was enthused over previously is still in the opera, and more of the same attractive quality has been added. In most cases one is onlv able to carry away from the hearing of a comio opera at the most one or two striking melodies, but in "A Moofish Maid" there are said 'to be so many beautiful and haunting airs that people are puzzled to pick out the most fascinating, and are impelled, to go and hear it again. Not only so. but the libretto is described as highly diverting and original from beginning to end, whilst many of the lyrics (which will be published in souvenir form) have been so highly thought of as to have been quoted in the Auckland papers. Mr Birch’s work, indeed, is said to be as good as anything in' its line seen for years. One well-known theatrical manager who saw the "book" long before it was finally revised and produced described it as being the best of 150 which he had looked at during the preceding year. All thi-nga considered, therefore, I feel justified in repeating my advice to theatregoers to book early when the box-office opens.

The Modern Milo, who tours New Zealand on the IFuller Circuit has been such a success that her Sydney season has been extended, she was to have left Sidney for Wellington to-day, but in reply to urgent cables Mr Ben Fuller has generously consented to postpone her visit. She will now leave by the Waikarb next Saturday, and will make her first appearance in New Zealand in Wellington, on the 16th instant. Mr Bert Royle, New Zealand representative for Mr J. C. Williamson, has during the past week “pencilled in” a tour of the colony. It is not yet. known what the attraction will be, but it is surmised that it will be one of musical comedy.

Amongst the performers appearing at the Sydney Tivoli on the 23rd August the following, who are all well-known in New Zealand, were in the bill: —Miss Maud Beatty. Miss Jessie Thorne, Miss Fanny Powers. Miss Lulu Eugene, Miss Freda Brandon, Mr Flank Yorke, Mr Harry Hart, Mr J. H. Winton, Mr Steve Adson, Mr Tod Calloway and Mr Irving Say lee. -- r

Mr Tod Calloway made his re-appear-ance at the ( 'Sydney Tivoli on the 15tli August after an absence of some three 1 Rear'S. . •• Mr Haddon Chambers has written the “book” to a new musical play. “Captain Flame,” music by Bernard Bolt-

Will Dyson, the lanky vaudeville performer who recently toured the Fuller circuit, hits "signed on" for a season at Manila.

Says the latest London “Era": —"Authors and owners of plays in England do not seem to appreciate or understand the absolute necessity of providing certain documents for the protection of their plays in the Australasian Commonwealth, New Zealand, and} South Africa. Quite recently in South Africa a case was Tried where, although an affidavit was put in for the original owner of the play—one of, if not the, best-known managers in England-—the judge ruled that the only document he could accept as evidence of proprietorship was the certificate of registration of the copyright from Stationers' Hall, and in the absenee of that document he decided that the plaintiff should be non-suited, although his companies had played the piece in London for eighteen months, throughout the English provinces for three years, together with a tour of America and Australia. "In addition to the fact that when a piece is pirated not only is the certificate of registration and registered assignment at Stationers' Hall required, but these documents are, in the colony of New Zealand, also required within, a certain time for the registration of the play there. They have special copyright laws there which necessitate the registration of the copyright and the ownership of the play before any action can be taken under the New Zealand laws. However, once a piece is properly protected there, the law is very strong, as there is a danse by which, under certain ciraumstaniceg, play pirates are committed to gaol for twelve months. If plays are not registered under the New Zealand Act within a certain time,, they cannot be protected there at all; consequently, for the Australian Commonwealth and New Zealand, the vdtfue of a play becomes greatly minimised, unless the two simple documents, which so many authors and owners of play© in England hesitate to provide—viz., a certificate of registration! of the copyright at Stationers' Hall, and the registered assignment of same —are forwarded td tne colonial purchaser of the rights.. Morris and Wilson, the acrobatic comedians, were at latest showing with Mr Frank M. Clark's vaudeville company at the Melbourne Gaiety. According to a London paper, society ladies and gentlemen in Paris are still suffering from a craze for writing plays. With the hot weather the epidemic is spreading, and has even attacked the well-known financier, Count Isaac Comondo, who, in collaboration, with M Victor Capoul, is busy on "Le Clown," an opera to be brought out not in a maket-believe, out-of-the-way playhouse, but at the Sarah Bernhardt Theatre., Hard-headed diamond-dealers do not give sentimental prices for gold or precious stones. Hence it was that Mrs Brown-Potter's jewellery, which on the 28th July was sold by auction by Messrs Debenham, Storr, and Sons, London, "to cover an advance," fetched only its actual market price, or a little below it, notwithstanding the interest which surrounds Mrs Brown-Potter and her doings. The thirty-nine lots were expected by dealers to realise a little . more than .£ISOO, the amount required, and these anticipations! were justified. The jem, of the collection, an 11-row pearl collier do chien with five brilliant bars, sold for .£3OO. Following close upon it a collet necklace changed hands at «£292 10s. Another collet necklace with a pearl cluster pendant obtained <£2oo, and a handsome emerald and diamond scroll waist ornament found a purchaser at £225. Diamond rings and emerald rings, eventuallypurchased far <£9o and <£9B, produced more spirited bidding. A bracelet with a diamond pig attached was appropriately enough bought by a gentleman named Bacon, who came in for much goodhumoured banter.

The copyright of “The Ticket-of-Leave Man" has .just run out, and the play, consequently, is on the free list. . "The Ticket-of-Leave Man," which was adapted by Tom Taylor from the French '‘Leonard" of Edouard Brisbarre and Elugene Nus was first produced at the Olympic, under the management of Messrs Efmdea and Robson, in May, 1863, a production that is well remembered from the fact that Mr Henry Neville then made hia first important success in the part of Bob Brierly. Mr Clarence Vaughan, for many years with Pollard's Opera Company, and wellknown as a song writer and actor, died at St. Vincent's Hospital of pneumonia. Deceased was thirty years of age, and up to the time of. his death was songwriting in conjunction with Mr Alan Rattray 'in Sydney. He was widely known in the profession throughout Australasia.—“Referee."

The long-talked of comic opera “Tho Golden Girl” by Captain Basil Hood, and Mr Hamish MacCunn received its premiere at Birmingham on the 3rd August, with the following castt of characters : —Charles Beverley (a solicitor), Mr E. H. Kelly; Matthew Gabbage (his clerk), Mr Martin Adeson; Lord Derwent Waters (son of the Earl of Lakeland), Mr Con-way-Dixon; Prince Ji-Ji (of Japan), Ms Gilbert Laye; Horace (an office boy), Mi' Bert. Lloyd; Reggie Popperton ( a gilded youth), Mr Powis Pinder; Lady Virginia Waters (daughter of Lord Lakeland), Miss Nellie Beryl; Miss Dobson (a typist), Miss Nellie Bouverie; Lady Broadetair©, Miss Helen Kirkpatrick; Mrs Bobbie Lancaster, Miss Kathleen Montgomerie; Mrs Dalrymple, Miss Florie Thorpe; Miss Clara Tempest, Mljss Marion Wilson; Princess To-To, Miss Winnie Volt; Princesai Ta-Ta, Miss Delcie Heathoote; Princess Tu-Tu, Miss ~Grace Mallow; Lottie Lightfoot (a -tpyist), Miss Dora Vane; The Pretty Mrs Robinson (the Golden Girl), Miss Louie Pounds. Act I, London. Beverley's Offices. Act! 11. The Conservatory Club. . Arrangements are being made for the introduction o." ‘‘The Golden Girl” to London playgoers at Christmas.

' Mr Frank Weathersby, who is well*known to New Zealand theatregoers, wa3 superintending the rehearsals of Mrs Langtry Company at the Imperial, London, prior to its departure for South Africa.

The programme inaugurated at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night by Fullered Entertainers was successfully repeated on Monday night before a large audience. The clever and refined. sketch-ar-•tists, the RolLoe, were very popular in their dramatic-comedy "Trying a HawMr Fred Eivenliall, tlie popular comique, had to rgspnod to numerous recalls. Misses Ivy Goodwill, Nelly Power, Mabel Lynne, Elsie Brown, Louis Paradon the Valmore sisters, the Driscoll boys, Willis and Miller, Mr Harry Marshall, and Mr Charles Howard, were responsible for items which met-with cordial approval. “Leah Kleschna” reached its hundredth performance at the New Theatre, London, on the 2nd August. • . ' . .... The death has occurred in Paris of M. de Janaez, the Polish “litterateur/ who bo . successfully carried out the French version of Sienkiewicz's /Quo V a die r M. de Janasz, who married a young Greek lady a. couple of years ago, was only twenty-eight years of age at the time of his ~death, which occurred suddenly. In a vigorous article in "Reynolds' Weekly” the censorship of plays is ccmdemjned in no measured terms. Ihe writer characterises that office as&U. insult to the stage, and concludes with: “Has the time not come for the dramatic profession, and the general public, to demand that the censorship of plavs by one amiable autocrat shall cease; that the British people do not require to be taken out in moral perambulators; that dramatic authors and actors should not suffer the indignity of being regarded as suspected persons, outside the pale of the ordinary law of the land, eo morally and socially untrustworthy that a Special tribunal bas been appointed to spty into their productions and their deeds? Mr George Edwardes has been talking to a London “Daily Mail” interviewer on the subject of high salaries now demanded by artists. He considers that £SO .a week is quite enough to pay any of hie artists, and says that with him when they have reached that amount he considers they have reached their maximum. If they are worth or think they are worth J6IOO a week they ought to become managers: Mr Edwardes does not consider that America . offers any great field for theatrical speculation, and gives amount of profit, made from Tim Girl from Kay's” and “The School Girl. The first, which ran' from October, 1903, except in the summer of 1904, until April, 1905, mad© about <£looo. “The School Girl,” which ran from September, 1904, until April, 1905, about £ISOO. Mr We ©don Grosemith commenced a season last month at the Comedy _ Theatre: London, in a new play by himself, called “The Duffer.” The hero of this is a struggling painter. An artist was the chief character in Mr Grossmith's successful little play, “The Commission, which was produced at Terry s Theatre, London, in June 1891. Mr Arthur Chudleigh is the new lessee of the Comedy. On August 7, Mr Hayden Coffin cpnclud.ed his nine years' engagement with Mr George Edwardes. -This popular baritone has now been before the London public for . twenty years having made hiS first appearances at the Empire Theatre, m 1885, as Captain John Smith in “Pocahontas” and as Cosmo in “The Lady of the Locket.” He was born in 1862. A farcial comedy entitled “Lucky Miss Dean”, by Mr Sidney Bowkett, was billed for production at the Criterion Theatre, London, on the 3rd August, under the management of Mr Frank Curzon. Included in the cast were Miss Kate Bishop, Miss Ethel Irving, Mr George Elton, Mr Arthur Kightley, and Mr Holman Clarke.

Henry Hooper Saunders —better known as “Sandy”—formerly a cloAvn in Sanger's circus, committed suicide at his heme in Kynaston road, Stoke Newington, on the 25th July. “Sandy/ received a legacy some time ago and retired from the ring. Recently he came to the end of his money, and then, failing to obtain work, grew despondent. On Tuesday he went downstairs to get a cup of tea for his wife, declaring that it would be the last one, and Avhen She got up some time afterwards she discovered him hanging behind the kitchen door dead.

The London Lyceum wMoh was closed on the Ist July, ostenerively to prepare for the' production of the new ballet "Excelsior, ** is in a bad way. The second general meeting of the Lyceum (1903), limited, was held on the 17th July at the Lyceum Theatre. Mr Charles Eves, who presided, said the theatre wa© finally completed at the cost of <£47,000. The experiment of the two houses a night system was not a success), and after five months'’ working they felt compelled to abandon that idea. During the month of June the house wasi run for one performance a night, but it was not successful, and the house was closed on July 1. They hoped that the necessary arrangements might be made whereby the theatre could be reopened in the autumn. The directors had done everything to make it a success, and only regretted that their efforts had proved a failure. He was asked to become chairman in consequence of his knowledge of the affairs of the old company, but the management of the theatre did not meet with his approval, and he therefore d ; d not propose to continue any longer in that position. Mr Barrasford said he had run a clean show; there had been no vulgarity on the stage, and anyone could bring their wives and families to see it. He was willing to take over the theatre and run the ballet "Excelsior” at hie own expense. After a brief discussion the diree--tors stated that they were prepared to accept a committee of three shareholders, and eventually Mr Cooper, Mr Gladding, and Mr Barrasford were appointed the committee of investigation, and the report was adopted. *A London critic states that if Mdlle. Donalda, the youthful singer who recently appeared in opera at Covent Garden, develop© as she promises to do, she Avill ultimately become one of the most distinguished artists who have appeared at Covent Garden for many a vear.