PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3505, 6 August 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

NOTES BY LORGNETTE. COMING EVENTS. Opera House. -» u.;u«t I to 20—Pollard’s Opera Company. August 26—Caledonian Society (pencilled in). August 29 to September 3—Professor Dan e’s American Company Oc'o’ er 31 and November I—Physical Training School (pencilled in}. November 7 to 23 AP. Woods Dramatic

Company. December 3 to 17 - Henry Dramatic Company, December 26 to January 21—Messrs Williamson :.nJ Musgrove.

The great popularity of the Pollards was exemplified on Monday night by an immense audience assembling to witness the revival of “ DjinDjin." The new version runs very smoothly, and is a great improvement all round. Last night “In Town ” was staged, and will be repeated tonight; on Monday Chassaigne’s lively opera “ Falka" will be produced, with Mr Ernest Fitts in the character of “ Bolisla?,” in which he has, I hear, made a great hit both in Dunedin and Christchurch. On Saturday a matinee performance of DjinDjin ” will be given, when there should be a huge attendance of children to witness this amusing and superbly mounted pantomime.

Mr Pollard has, I hear, secured the New Zealand rights (held by The Firm) of the two celebrated musical comedies, “The French Maid" and “The Gay Parisienne," The pieces will be produced by Mr Pollard with all the original dresses, scenery and mounting generally. I congratulate Mr Pollard upon his enterprise.

Fred Duval says that during tho past three years the Pollards have only left two towns with a loss—Newcastle and Brisbane. At Coalopolis they “ struck a strike" and at Brisbane the heat was more than usually torrid. Mr Duval modestly omits .to state what all we theatrical gossipers know very well, namely, that much of the credit for the Pollards’ success is duo to him for his tactful and energetic avant courier-ship.

Apropos to the Pollards, I hear the company did splendidly up at Masterton. £BO and .£9O were the receipts for the first two nights, and on’ Saturday, the closing night, I believe the receipts were even larger. Evidently now that Master-' ton has got a decent theatre the people of the town and district will readily turn out to patronise a good show

The popular concert given at the Opera House on Friday evening last proves what a really fine programme can be arranged if the management displays a little energy and discretion in tho choice of artistes and the items expected of them, and it was to tho discredit of the Wellington public that the house was not packed on the occasion I allude to. The programme was entirely operatic, and in almost every case composed of items from grand opera. The concert opened with the trio “The Magic-Wove Scarf " from John Barnett’s “ Mountain Sylph," a most difficult and rarely-heard item, and the apparent efforts of the artistes (Miss Jeanne Ramsey, Messrs E. J. Hill and F. S. Pope) to keep in time and so preserve the swing detracted from the “go" which otherwise might have attended its rendering. Miss Hettio Tansley’s first number was “ Stride la Vampa" from “II Trovatore," for which she was promptly recalled, singing in response “ Thou Art My Son," from Meyerbeer’s Propheto," which is more suited to her sweet contralto voice than anything she has yet sung in this city, and, receiving much applause, repeated the last verse. Her contribution in the second part of the programme was that charming air from “Ma Mie Rosette,", “He was a Curly-headed Boy," in the singing of which Miss Nellie Stewart used to rise to great heights. Miss Tansley was once more honoured with an encore. This young lady is gifted with a rich contralto voice, but sings everything with most provoking “ evenness " and has apparently paid no heed to the light and shade so essential to a vocalist who wishes to become a first-rate artiste. Mr E. J. Hill, though not in the best of Voice, managed to please everyone, his solos being “An Angel Form" and “Could I But Make Her Name tho Day," from Balfe’s “ Satanella," which opera abounds in splendid solos, quite adaptable to concert rendition. Mr F. S. Pope, who was suffering from a severe cold, sang the famous “ Toreador ” song from “ Carmen ” and the aria “II Balen ” from “II Trovatore.” The singer showed bad taste in attempting so ambitious an effort as the former under the circumstances, and to make matters worse his accompanist was not “ with him,” striking wrong chords on more than one occasion. His second item was more successful. Why do violinists invariably play solos of a wearisome length? Herr Hoppe erred on this side in choosing Edmund Singer’s “ La Sentimental! ” for his first contribution, and consequently some time before the final passage the pittites gave signs of impatience which threatened at times to drown the strains of the violin altogether. Herr Hoppe is an accomplished player, and his easy and firm sure bowing should be a lesson to all aspiring violinists.

The “ Miserere ” duet from “ II Trovatoro ” was very well sung indeed by Miss Ramsay and Mr Hill, but why does the tenor in this famous duet always sing off tho stage merely because it is done so in the opera ? The duet was assisted by a well balanced chorus of male voices, whose melodious chanting greatly enhanced the effect, which should always bo arranged.if possible.

Miss Jeanne Ramsay was undoubtedly the success of the .evening, her charming manner (which other amateurs would do well to copy) and her liquid soprano voice pleasing everyone present. Her first solo was the soena '■ Regnava il Silenzo " and the “ Quando Ripeto ’’ from “ Lucia di Lammormoor,” sung with much feeling, the numerous cadenzas being perfectly produced. Tho only thing one can cavil at at all in this favourite artiste is her enunciation, which is rather difficult to distinguish. In response to an imperative encore the well-known and always welcome “ Poor, Wandering One ” was sung and, though very well sung, suffered from the lack of a chorus which gives the soloist many a little rest, which Miss Ramsay had to dispense with.

Miss Alice Stevens, a debutante, possesses a very nice soprano voice, and which has evidently been trained ; but in the matter of deportment she has been sadly neglected. She chose the aria “ Roberto, tu che adoro ” from Meyerbeer's “Roberto il Diavolo,” and succeeded in getting through that none-too-casy composition with creditable success, andlwas duly encored. The accompanist of the 'evening was Mr Frank E. Crowther, a youth of 17, who played capably and with confidence throughout the evening. His fantasia on “ Faust ” (Sydney Smith) was well played, the pianist giving one the impression thac he understands what He 'is playing. Other accompanists during the evening were Misses Upham and McNeil, Mr Izett presiding at the organ in the “ Miserere ” duet.

Sir Henry Irving is to appear at the principal. London suburban theatres, of which there are now quite a number, playing around of his favourite characters, and will then make a long provincial tour.

Our old friend Johnny Sheridan (Widow O’Breehon), and Miss Gracie Whiteforcl, also well-known to New Zealand playgoers, seem to have struck oil with George B. Sims’ musical comedy “ When the Lamps are Lit." The 150th performance of the piece was given at Newcastle.onTyne recently. When is Mr Sheridan going to pay his long promised return visit to these colonies ?

English opera is not a very payable spec, at least so the shareholders in the Carl Eosa Opera Company discovered by their last year’s balance-sheet which showed a loss oi over .£SOOO.

Mrs Brown Potter and Mr Kyrle Bellow are to sail for South Africa on the 27th of this month.

A “ Life of William Terriss, Actor,” byClement Scott, has just been published by Messrs Archibald Constable and Co. It is illustrated by photos of the murdered Thespian in such favourite roles as Thornhill in “ Olivia,” Don Pedro in “ Much Ado,” Henry II in Tennyson’s Beckett,” David Kingsley in “Harbour Lights,” Gerald Austin in “ The Fatal Card,” &o. It is characteristic of Clement Scott that he has “ worked in ” an advertisement for himself, for he alleges that Mr Terriss wrote to him a few months before his death, saying “ he did not personally care a curse for the opinions of anyone but yourself, good or bad."

! Mme. Belle Cole, the well-known soprano who visited these colonies a year

or two ago, has lost her mother, and has cancelled all her concert engagements for three months to come.

The theatrical sensation of the day in Australia is the llceve-Gilbert divorce suit. Miss Ada lieeva (Mrs Gilbert), who is seeking for a divorce, is a clever little English actress whose performance of Julie Bon Bon in “The French Maid" has been a huge success both in London and in Australia. Her husband, Bert Gilbert, the respondent, is a member of the same company, and is a popular London actor. The affidavit of the petitioner Adela Hazlewood (professionally known as Ada Eeove), in support of a petition for divorce from Gilbert Joseph Hazlewood (professionally known as Bert Gilbert), sets forth that she was married to respondent in May, 1894, in Nottingham, that she is 24 years of age, that respondent is 25, and that the family consists of two girls. She further states that in December, 1897, cohabitation ceased in Synej’ owing to respondent having called her a prostitute in the presence of two lad3’ friends. Cohabitation was resumed, but ceased again, says the affidavit, owing to respondent's neglect and habitual drunkenness. Petitioner further states in her affidavit that in April last at Broken Hill she accused respondent of misconduct with Miss’ , of Adelaide, that he admitted it, and that she also accused him of misconduct with various women unknown. Cohabitation was finally ceased. Petitioner charges respondent with continued acts of cruelty and unkindness. In England he had frequently threatened to take her life, and in December, 1697, at the White Hart Hotel, Melbourne, he had wilfully torn the flesh from her hand. In May, 1898, in Adelaide, while she was was suffering from a sprained ankle, the result of a bicycle accident, he wilfully caught and twisted he’r ankle. In Adelaide also ho (had pretended to have taken poison and to bo about to die, and had bade her farewell. This act had made her seriously ill. The affidavit, which was sworn in Sydney (where both parties were playing at the time in the same coy.) on the 4th inst., concludes with a denial of all collusion. Messrs Westley and Dale, of Melbourne, are acting as petitioner’s solicitors, and are arranging for a strong bar. The suit will be heard in Melbourne, and is certain to attract very widespread interest, both parties having captured the theatre-going public in Australia.

I bad imagined that Mme. Modjeska has left the stage long ago, but I notice by San Francisco papers that she has been playing a season at the Californian town of Los Angeles.

Many an old Londoner will remember tho “ London Figaro ” when that lively journal was edited by Mr James Mortimer. In those days Mr Clement Scott used to write for “ Figaro,” and both he and Mr Mortimer had some lively tilts with Mr Stephen Fiske, an American gentleman who was the husband of that sterling actress, Mrs John Wood, and who’ ran a rival journal, “ The Hornet,” on somewhat American lines. Mr Mortimer, who is a playwright as well as a journalist, and is the husband of a once popular actress,' Miss Lydia Cowell, has, after fifteen years’ interval, resumed his old charge, and,“Figaro" ought once more to come to the front.

Major Pond, the “ Smythe" ol the States, has just been decorated with a medal by the American Government for bravery at a battle fought in 1863. There is no undue hurry on the part of the American Government in distributing rewards for deeds of bravery daring the great Civil War. Perhaps they will bo a bit quicker after the Cuban war is over.

The Rev. Baring Gould is well-knovm as a versatile writer. As a novelist, historian and antiquarian he has gained fame, and ho is now coming out in a new role as the author of an opera, “ Red Spider,” the music of which is composed by a Mr Learmont Drysdale.

Miss Kate Vaughan, the real “ Gaiety Girl," who in the old Hollingshead days created such a furore by her dancing at tho favourite house of London “Johnnydom, is now appearing in old English comedy at Terry’s Theatre.

By tho way Mr John Hollingshead is, I see, bringing out a book on the Gaiety Theatre what time tho “ sacred lamp of burlesque was burning at the famous theatre in the Strand. If John, who is a very clever and witty writer (ho was a contributor to Dickens’ “ All the Year Round") only lets himself go a little his book ought to be lively reading, and in that respect rival even Miss Emily Soldene’s now famous “ Reminiscences.”

■Charles Holloway, who made quite a little pile during his recent four months tenancy of Melbourne Royal, is doing well in Westralia wuh “ When London Sleeps." He comes on to New Zealand towards the end of tho year.

Miss Ada Rohan is to play “ Madame Sana Gene ” in New York this autumn. The Australian rights of the celebrated Napoleonic play have been, as my readers will remember, secured by Mr Robert Brough. It was in this play that Madame Rdjane made such a hit. In the English version tho “ washerwoman who wont to court” was played by Ellen Terry to Irving’s Napoleon. Wonder how Brough will get on as Nap 1

V/anganui is to sottlo the question whether it shall raise .£4OOO to build a good theatre. I hope the poll—it is a borough spec—will be in favour of the undertaking for a docent theatre is much needed up there, and if erected will be the means of the pretty and prosperous West Coast town being visited by many first-class companies which are now forced to give it the go-by.

Indeed, with a good theatre at Wanganui, the old route—Wellington-Napier-Auokland—travelled by Tbe Firm's and other first-class companies will give way to Pabnerston-Wanganui-New' Plymouth, for Napier is by no means the first-class “ show town ” it used to be, and the cost of landing scenery is very heavy. Hastings is a payable stopping-place, but the West Coast route is bound to be the most favoured if only Wanganui rises to the occasion and erects a theatre which will hold a fairly large audience. The present hall is a disgrace to the place.

Charlie Arnold, who talked of returning to the colonies, but doesn’t come, has been doing very well lately with his American purchase, the musical comedy “ What Happened to Jones.” Miss Emma Gwynne and Miss Dot Frederic were in his company whon he was playing last month at the Croydon Theatre, managed, by the way, by that sterling actor, Mr Edward Sass, here with Myra Kemble.

The McAdoo Jubilee Singers, last heard of in South Africa, have at last arrived in Australia, and were appearing a fortnight ago at the Athenseum Hall, Melbourne.

Bland Holt is still “ coining money ” at Sydney Royal with the Drury Lane success, “ White Heather.” Good old Bland has got a firm hold on Dame Fortune just now. Long may nis luck continue.

A Sydney writer says that there is very bad blood—visible from the auditorium —between Julius Knight and his understudy, Gaston Mervale, of the “ Sign of the Gross ” company.

Bright young George Majeroni, just back from the Brough campaign in India, was re-engaged by manager Williamson to play the little part of Fritz in “ Prisoner of Zenda” atMelb. Princess's. When “ The Sign of the Cross ” takes place again on Saturday brother George will, presumably, step into the Early Christian sandals of Mario Majeroni, who travelled on to London with the Broughs. —•• Bulletin."

Sir Henry Irving delivered an amusing speech at the annual dinner of the newspaper Press Fund held inLondonrocently. He said the actor always watched with envy the hypnotic influence exercised by the press over the public. In his humble way he tried to follow so notable an example. He had had the honour of representing monarchs and eminent ecclesiastics. Just now, in another place, he was in the unfortunate position of representing a medical man of rather dubious character. All this did not content tho histrionic ambitions, and he yearned to combine in one impersonation the faculties of the editor and the newspaper proprietor with some subtle suggestions of the dramatic critic. Then he should be happy!

Mr William Winter, the eminent dramatic critic, has written an interesting study of Miss Ada Behan which every playgoer should read. Miss Bahan, says the “ St James’s Gazette," was bom at Limerick in 1890, but was taken to America at the early age of five. An accident gave her the chance of appearing on tho stage at Newark, New Jersey, in a email part, when only 13» and so promls-

ing was her performance that in tho same year (1873) an engagement at Wood’s ] Museum “(afterwards Daly's Theatre), i Sew York, was offered her. After various ! experiences she became in 1879 a member : of Mr Daly's company, of which she has been the bright particular star ever since. : During her career she has played more than 250 parts; and when it is stated that these include Desdemona in “Othello," and Tony in “Red Letter Mights ” (with the wonderful son;? of “Jenny O’Jones”), Cordelia in “King Lear, and Miss Hoyden in “ Miss Hoyden's Husband,” some idea of her extraordinary versatility may be gathered. But perhaps, of all her impersonations, that of Katherine in “ The Taming of the Shrew,” stands out as the most vivid, tho most stimulating, and the most perfect.