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New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2875, 18 July 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Royal Comic Opera Company’s season has been a great success so far, and business shows no signs of falling off. In the second production, “ r n Town,” Mr George Lauri has, I hear, an immensely humorous character as Captain Coddington. This was Arthur Roberts* part when “In Town ” was first staged in London. In this piece also wo shall see Miss Marietta Nash (Mrs Lauri) who has an extremely droll part as Shrimp a theatre call boy, out of which she gets no end of fun. The season will probably conclude with a performance of the ever green and ever welcome Mikado.

From Wellington tho company journey on to Napier, where a four nights’ season will be played, commencing on Monday, the 28th instant. My readers “up the lino ” from Napier will do well to note the date. They should not miss tho opportunity of witnessing some very clover performances. I don’t think they will, as it is not every day that Napier gets a really first-class company.

The other day I had the pleasure of a long chat —a sort of informal “interview” it was—with Mr Henry Bracey, who is actingmanager for Messrs Williamson and Musgrove, and who has so long been connected with the Royal Comic Opera Company. I was surprised to find that Mr Bracey first came out to the colonies no less than twenty years ago, but, after remaining three years in Australia, he went Home to educate his boys. This was in 1879, and I found to my surprise that in that year I myself had seen Mr Bracey in an important part at the dear old Strand, that bandbox of a theatre where so many successes have been achieved. Madame Favart, that delightfully merry opera, was the piece, in which Mr Bracey got a leading part within a fortnight after landing from Melbourne. Chatting to Mr and Mrs Bracey (Miss Clara Thompson, sister to the famous burlesque actress Lydia Thompson) we naturally recalled the fine cast at the Strand, with Marius as Favart, Florence St. John as Madame Favart, and that splendid commedian, Ashley, as the wicked old rouS, the Marquis de Pont Sable.

Mr Bracey is a walking encyclopiedia as to the history of comic opera and dramatic productions of “lighter vein” generally. He has had experience of management “ on his own ” in London but he avows himself an ardent Australian nowadays, although he admits another trip to tho Modern Babylon would be a keen delight to him. Talking about “Tho Firm’s” future arrangements, as far as New Zealand is concerned, Mr Bracey tells me that the next Company to visit us will be the “ Trilby ” Company, who will, he is confident, be highly successful in pleasing us. Of Mr Reuben Fax, the American actor who plays the all-important part of “ Svengali,” Mr Bracey speaks in terms of high praise. “ One of the most artistic bits of character acting that has ever been seen in Australia.” Miss Edith Crane’s “ Trilby ” is a most delicate conception of a charming character, and I am assured that in every detail the famous dramatisation of Mr George Du MaurieFs famous story will be identically the same as that witnessed by such crowded audiences in Melbourne and Sydney. The cast in New Zealand will be exactly the same, and Mr Williamson's manager naturally hopes that the Now Zealand play-going public will practically attest their appreciation of the firm’s enterprise by substantial patronage.

Following " Trilby ” we are to have Mrs Brown and Mr liyrle Bellew, in Shakespeare, especially in what is said to be a most charming production of "As you like it/* and also in some historical dramas in which the talented American actress has scored so Many successes of late in the States. The repertoire will be extensive and quick changes of programme will be the rule. Cast, scenery and costumes will be the samo as in the season now proceeding at the Princess 1 Theatre, Melbourne.

Later on, once again, Messrs Hoyte and McKee’s Company from New York, now playing in Sydney in " A Trip to Chinatown” to immense business is to to favour us with a visit, under the management of Mr Bracey’a enterprising principals. Details of this combination have already appeared in the Mail.

Mr Bracey himself, as Wellington playgoers know full -well, is an excellent tenor, hut he is too busy a man in other ways to bo amongst the performers nowadays. His special work is stage management, and here he is facile princeps. Mr Williamson he looks upon as one of the most generous of managers and most liberal of amusement caterers. The recent production of “DjinDjin” at the Melbourne Princess Mr Tracey considers to have been fully equal to the greatest spectacular triumphs ever achieved on the London stage. Unfortunately it is impossible, or the score of heavy expense, to. bring so gigantic a production to the Colony. After a little general gossip, during which Mr Bracey laments tho death of the late Sir Agustus Harris, a personal friend of his, and ono whose death leaves a gap not easy to fill, I took my leave, Mr Bracey having to be off to the Opera House on business bent. I may add that ho gives Wellington play-gcers an excellent name for the steady and liberal way in which they patronise any really first-class show.

Mr Fred Duval, who was in town last week, sends me a list of the Pollard Opera Company’s dates from now right up to the 12th The fact that so complete a list can be given speaks volumes for the businesslike fashion in which the show is run. The list, which will no doubt bo useful to ray country contemporaries and to the managers of other shows, runs as follows:—Blenheim, July 20 to 25; Palmerston, July 27 to 30; Feilding, July 31 and August 1; Marton, August 3, 4 and 5; Wanganui, August G, 7, 8 and 10; Hawera, August 11, 12 and 13; Stratford, August 14 and 15; New Plymouth, August 17 to 21; Thames, August 25 to 29; Paeroa, August 31 and September 1; Waihi, September 2 and 3; Auckland, September sto 21; Gisborne, September 24 to 29 ; Napier, Qotober 1,2 and. 3; Hastings, October 5 to IQ; Palmerston, October 12 and 13; Wanganui, October 14 to Wellington, October 19 to 24; Timaru, October 20 to 29 ; Christchurch, November 2 to 20; Dunedin, November 21 to December 5; Invercargill, December 7 to 12.

My Christchurch correspondent writes;— The Opera Company finished up to splendid business. For tho last two nights the operas “Mikadq ” and “Pinafore” were produced. Fred Beaumont, who some eight years ago was agent for the Simonson Opera Company, is running a marionette show in a marquee opposite the Royal, but owing to the bad weather people are pot taking any tent shows.—Alf. Lawton’s American Novelty Company is the next attraction here, and following them will be the Ada Delroy Variety Company, and then the much-looked-fpr “Trilby,” which opens here oq the Ififch of August.—The Firm intend sending all their novelties to New Zealand, as J learn that “ A Trip to Chinatown” and Ifat Goodwin are hoiked for short seasons. —Mrs will be with ns early in January, and the Broughs are booked for two weeks in March. —The Pollards are here for the Carnival Week, and I believe Bernard’s Circus will also try to strike this town about that time.

Two benefit performances given in honor of Charles Wyndham, the popular manager of London Criterion, and in his day one of the best light comedians on tbe English stage, realised no less than .£2300. Wyndham generously gave the whole proceeds to the Actors’ Benevolent Fund.

Mdlle Trebelli has been scoring a big success with lief concerts in Sydney. Mr Prouse's singing is also highly praised by the critics on the -'other sufe.”

But if Protjso would only shave off his beard, wax out his moustaches ferociously a Vltalienne , and call himself Signor Prousini, he would be tezx times more successful,

" The first and last of fixings/* writes ifr Joseph Hatton in a London paper, “aro always interesting. Miss Mary Anderson's first appearance as Juliet was attended with some humiliations and discomforts. In the last not, the lamp that bangs above the heroine as she lies in the tomb fell and burned her hands and dress badly. To make matters worse, Borneo forgot the dagger with which Juliet was to kill herself, and that unfortunate young person person had, in desperation, to despatch herself with a hairpin. The night was full

of success, nevertheless, and the story is admirably told in‘A Few Memories/ wnich I am glad to hear is rapidly passing through its second edition. The critics and paragraphists have quite passed over the tag of her story, which is more or less dramatic, her stage career ending with Shakespeare, as it had begun, and in one of the Bard’s most dejightfnl creations. The strain and wear and tear of the unnatural and artificial life of acting had almost laid her up. She was playing Perdita, had fainted during the performance, and was undoubtedly very ill. She was determined to go through the play. At last there was only one act to complete the victory. Donning the statue-like draperies of Hermione, she mounted the pedestal. Every moment was like an hour of torture. She felt herself growing fainter. At last, almost unconscious, she descended, and was able to speak all but the final line. This remained unuttered, and the curtain rung down upon her last appearance upon the stage.”

“The Rivals” has been revived in New York, Brooklyn, Chicago, St. Louis and other centres with an “all star” cast, and from a commercial standpoint (says the New York Dramatic Mirror) with triumphantly successful results. At the America Theatre, New York, the prices ruled from I'SOdol to sdol, and every seat was occupied, the receipts being 7250d0i. Joseph Jefferson appeared as Bob Acres, Nat Goodwin as Sir Lucius O’Trigger, Julia Marlowe Taber as Lydia, Robert Taber as Captain Absolute, W. ii. Crane as Sir Anthony, and Mrs John Drew as Mrs Malaprop.

Miss Hilda Spong has gone to try her luck in London town. She made her UebUt with the Brough and Boucicault Company in 1889, being then only in her teens. One of her greatest successes was as Titania in Mr George Reynold’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Miss Spong’s performance of Rosalind will long be remembered by Wellington playgoers.

The Brough Comedy Company now consists of Mrs Brough and Misses Jenny Watt-Tannor, Emma Temple, May Hill, Lily Titheradge, and Hope Mayne, Messrs Brough, Titheradge, Ward, Carey, Harry Hill, MHntyre, and Mario Majeroni, with Mr Dlederichsen as musical conductor, Mr Alec Mayne as business manager, and Mr Allan Hamilton as advance representative.

Mr Hamilton, by the way, writes mo from Brisbane to say that although the Company does not appear at Rockhampton for some weeks from the date of his letter, the whole of the dress circle had been let. This looks as if tho Queenslanders know when they have got hold of a good thing. The Company return to Sydney from Queensland on September 3rd. and then produce a new farcical comedy, “ The Matchmaker,” which is now a great success in London.

Mr Hamilton tolls me that ho has had an offer to rejoin Frank Fillis in South Africa. Fillis tells Mr H, that lie has recently been doing really splendid business.

Mr Clement Scott lias republished his Daily Telegraph articles on Lyceum “ first nights.” He frankly admits “I have made no attempt to polish, perfect, or alter in any way opinions rapidly made, and as swiftly put into print. Most of them have been dashed off at high speed and pressure between tho hours of midnight and halfpast 1 the next morning. Some of them have been written after a night’s restless and fitful sleep with that ever-worrying f first sentence’ ringing in my ears. I do not profess to call any of them criticisms. They are the beat newspaper reports I could give in the time allotted to me.”

Mr Joseph Tapley, who will be remembered here with the Royal Comic Opera last year, has got an engagement under Miss May Yohe ia a revival of “ Mam’zelle Nitouohe.”

As I expected. Miss Jennie Lee didn’t make a fortune out of her absurd spec, of running “ Jo” on such an immense stage as that of Drury Lane. Writing from Loudon on May 21 to the Sydney Referee , Miss Nellie Mortyne says:—“ Now for Jennie Lee and ‘Jo.’ I went on Tuesday night and wept with ‘Jo’ again, as I was always moved to tears by her performance, which is just as clever as before. She has not met with tremendous success, although playing cheap prices, lightly termed here * Summer prices,” a kind way of putting it. You know, of course, Drury Lane is an enormous place to fill. What would pack an ordinary theatre is a handful there. It bewilders you to look round and see the rows upon rows of boxes, to begin with, before you start on the ordinary seats. Her notices for *Jo ’ have been one and all of unstinted praise, but I fancy from a monetary standpoint the receipts have not been startling. The season is only for two and a‘ half weeks, and then the evergreen * East Lynne ’ goes up; Fancy ‘ East Lynne *at Drury Lane! Doesn’t it sound funny? Alma Stanley is to be the Lady Isabel. She is playing Lady Dedlock in ‘ Jo/ looks beautiful, and plays well. I told you previously there were seven members of Jennie Lee’s family in the cast, so it is well represented.”

The Loudon correspondent of the New Zealand Mail sends the following gossip:—

It is practically arranged that the sum realised by the Kate Yaughan benefit on June 9fch is to be invested in trustees who will forthwith despatch the poor lady on a long sea voyage to Sydney or Now Zealand, accompanied by a nurse. Col. Wellesley does not appear to bo included in the programme.

Miss whom we have not seen in London for some years has this week been playing Winifred Emery’s part in “ The Late Mr Gastello” at the Grand Theatre, Islington. She is still a charming comedy actress and might have attained the position of Winifred Emery herself if she had not insisted on flying too high when she first came home.

When “ The Shop Girl ” ends at the Gaiety (on June 9th) wo are to have a season of Olga Nethersole in *' Carmen.” Olga is bringing with her that “kiss”— that clinging kiss, that warm, not to say sultry, kiss, with which she startled the Americans into blushes.

Poor little “Vi” Varloy’s husband, Joseph Tapley, is to appear in the tenor part in tho forthcoming revival of “ Mam*--zell Nitonoho ” at the Court Theatre. This will he Mr Tapley’s first appearance since his Return from abroad and an dit that his voice has greatly strengthened and improved H Mrvm’zelle Nitouche” who was, X understand, tipiformly popular in Australia and Now Zealand, proving one of ** The Firm's ” most fortunate investments, will probably do exceedingly well as it means the return to the boards of that too seductive syren of the stage—May Yoho—future Duchess of Newcastle. The lady will, of course, again assume the title role. It this she is accredited with being inimitable, but Australians who have seen both stick loyally to Nellie Stewart, who is, they assert, the one and only Nitouche. Florence Levy, who visited yoq with one of the Gaiety Companies., ia also in tho cast.

Miss Lucy Cobb holds, if I remember rightly (pud who could forget Lucy Cobb?), the distinguished honour of being tho most accomplished high kicking dancer in Australasia. The young lady and her numerous admirers may possibly bo interested in the adventure which befel a companion in arms—legs, one should say—at the Leeds Qrand Theatre the other evening.'. Miss Rosie Boote, a lively dauoer with a facility for high kicking only second to that possessed by Mias Cobb herself, was executing some vigorous steps when the shoe of her right foot flew high up into the auditorium, and it is supposed reached the dress circle. The lady discontinued her dance and was carried off the stage by an actor. The audience, how* Oyer, uproariously demanded a reappearance and Miss Boote with one foot still shoeless cqnje hopping on to make her qckqovtlodgements.' Doubtless, some lucky fellow is treasuring the dainty shoe of the fair Boote as a memento of an unusual experience.

Bland Holt should certainly find “ Ono of the Best” a felicitous bargain. The , drama has passed its 150th night, and is still “going strong.” It is full of situations and scenes bound to catch on with colonial audiences. —“ Lorgnette ”in N.Z. Mail. Mr Balfour, the leader of the House of Commons, is an intensely indolent man. He so arranges his work that he can lie abed until noon at least five days out of the seven. He is in his element in broad generalities ; bo revels in destructive criticisms, both personal and political. Golf is almost the one thing that absorbs his interest, and this actually makes him rise early of a morning, . . - - .