THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4883, 7 February 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

BY “LORGNETTE/' (From the “New Zealand Mail.”) BOOKINGS. OPERA HOUSE. WELLINGTON. J- C. Williamson—Jan. 23 to Feb. p. Pollard Opera Co. —Feb. (i to Feb. 21. Thornton Co.—Feb. 21 to March 10. lUzmauriee Gill Co.—March 11) to April 9. J. O. Williamson—April 11 to May 2. 11 av. 1 1 ev Co. —May 4 to May 30. KickardVs Co.—June 1 to 13 (pencilled). Musgrovo “Sweet Nell” Co. —June 17 to Julv 3. J. F. Sheridan Co.—Sept. 21 to Oct. 3 (pencilled). Willimghby-G.ench Co.—Nov. 16 to Nov 21 (pencilled). William Anderson Co.—Bee. 2G to .Tan 23. THEATRE ROYAL, WELLINGTON. P. R. Dix's Vaudeville Co. J. C. 'Williamson Musical Comedy Co.— Feb. 23 to March 7. NOTES BY “LORGNETTE.”

Of “The Toreador" staged for the first time in Wellington last night, it may at once be said that It justified all the good things with which it was heralded. It proved to bo one of the best musical comedies we have seen tor some considerable time. The music, by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Moncktcii. is much above the average of such productions. Two niniimers alone. '‘l'm tho Toreador" and "My Toreador," can be heard again and again with increased pleasure. The ‘'‘book" is genuinely humourous, and free from any suspicion of vulgarity. The scene is cast in Spain, and gives opportunity for a lavish colour scheme and some very effective scenic effects which have been carried out almost to perfection. Hr Pollard has been very hax>py in placing his various principals. To AJi,ss Connie Butte! and Mr I). O’Connor a fall the two best -numbers in the x sieCG > namely. “My Toreador" and “I’m the Toreador." For her solo Miss Bnttcl received a most enthusiastic encore. She was also successful in her other number, “Off to Villaya.” Miss Buttel has improved wonderfully since she laftt appeared here, her Bona Teresa being a capital performance. Mr O’Connor’s was a feature of a good performance as Carajolo. Miss Alice Edgar as Mrs Hoppings, and Miss Gertie Campion as Susan, call for sxjocial Miss Edgar sang two eccentric ditties with much success. Miss Alice Pollard is making rapid strides in‘her profession. Her interpretation of Nancy Staunton, especially where she is disguised ns a boy being particularly good. Mr Porcival Alymer, the new tenor of the company, created a favourable impression; liis Sir Arthur SlncHtt. being a clever pe.rformanco. Mr T 7. S. Percy and Mr IT. Quealy were responsible for most of the humour of the piece, and were quite successful in their endeavours. Air Percy’s Sammy Gigg will rank amongst his best creations. Mr Charles Albert, as tho Bandmaster, onlv had a small part, but his character was a study in itself, his make-up being splendid. Mr Alf. Stephens ns tho Governor. Air .1. O’Sullivan as Moreno. Air .T. Ralston as Augustus Traill, and Alms AYllmott Knrkeck satisfactorily filled the xiarts allotted to them. Aliss Karkcck’s solo "Keep off the Grass.” with an accompanying dance by the bridesmaids, was very good. The chorus was splendid, and the stage management generally excellent. “The Toreador” is one of the best things Air Pollard has yet given us. and ought to have a very successful run.

The programme tins week at the Theatre Royal is certainly one of tho very best Mr Dix has ever put on _at tlio Theatre Royal. The star attraction is the Schenk brothers, acrobats, equilibrists, head and hand balancers. Their performance is a marvellous one. Nothing has ever been seen in this colony to excel . their astonishingly clever head and hand balancing feats, which are all done with a neatness and precision that puts many other performers in the same line of business completely in the back-ground. All their feats are of a difficult and dangerous nature. Some of tho feats executed by tho Schenks are deserving of special mention. One is for one of tho brothers to balance on his head whilst the other balances on his brother’s feet. In another feat one of the. brothers lies on his hack with one leg in the air. T.ho other one then balances on his head on the solo of tho foot of tho brother who is lying down. In the final feat one of tho brothers, while inverted with his head on the head of the other revolves in one direction rvhile the other revolves in the opposite direction. Their performance is nightly greeted with round after round of applause. Miss Ida Eoslyn scored heavily with her song and clog dance "Know a Thing or Two,” receiving no fewer than three encores on Saturday evening. Miss Roslyn also appeared with little Vera Kearns and Mr jack Kearns in a sketch entitled "The London AVaif,”_ in which they were very successful. Miss Emmie Smith was recalled several times for her vocal contributions. The comic element was ably supplied by Mr .Tack Kearns and Mr Frank Yorke. On Tuesday night Miss Ethel Clifford and Miss Rose lie Vella made successful appearances. This evening a complete change of programme will bo given. Madame Melba leaves Hobart for New Zealand by the Moeraki on Friday, the ISth. The diva will arrive in Dunedin on tho IGth, and will sing there on the ISth inst. Mr Mnsgrove has decided that the prices of admission throughout New Zealand will be one guinea and half-a-guinea.

Mr J. C. Williamson’s Dramatic Company scored another success last Tuesday when they appeared for the first time in Wellington in Mr .Tnstin Ifnutly McCarthy's romantic plav in four acts, entitled "If I Were King.” The play is staved on a gorgeous scale, some of the tableaux being really magnificefit. The plot of tho Play has already been published in these columns. Air Cnyler Hastings’s nonrtraynl of the character of Francois Villon proves him to be an artiste of the hi chest standard. Tip made a splendid effect in hi? robust declamation of the jioot’s boast before tho King, Mr Hastings’? performance taken altogether is one that ealls for the utmost approbation. A? T,enis XT. Mr ,1. B. Athelwood had a part that suited Idm admirably, and his performance still further showed him to be an arllste of s'erlirm ability, and one of the Imst Character actors in Australia. M-ss Tens made an excellent Hnvotfe dn TTr-mel Miss Man Chevalier was a p'raepful TTathorine do Vaneelles. Mr Hamilton SU-ewart a? Tristan I’TTermite. Mr Poland tn-avelov as Olivier do Bain, Mr T.-nmsden Hare as Thiban+ D’Aussirny. tty Edmund Owonn a? Pobin Turgis. Miss Minnie Term as Mother Villon deserve special mention for their respective nerformanecs. Other characters in Me plav were ahhr filled hv Messrs F-ed Petpv Uasin OheleO Paul fjoardon fCo.Hn de Cevp-wV T W. T.lnvd done de Mnutim'v'i aud_Afis= Vera P°rrv fO-mp-A A word of praise is due to Mr ,T. TP. TTa-litf for the excellent manner *n which the ulav wa- produced. The s<^pson which closed on Th-m-s, day evening was one of the greatest dra-

mafic puccc=>p=. bolli financially and ! artistically, ever chronicled iu IVoiling- 1 ton. I ill- William Anderson lias hooked the ] Opel a House lor a season commencing on Hosing Night and extending until the j iiuid January. I Too 31 non opera “Tapu,” Ijy Messrs 1 ArK'.ur .MTams and Alfred Hill, ’which is ; to reoeive its premiere during the present | season of the Pollard Opcra_Company ; is ready for production. White the company were in Dunedin several lull dress rehearsals were held, and it is j stated by several persons were • privilege! to witness them that it will ' not be'tho fault of the Pollard Company • nor that of 31 r Alfred Hill if the opera is not a success. The music is said to ; be particularly pood. 3tr John Gordon, j Mr J. C. Williamson’s scenic artist, has 1 painted special scenery for the produc- ( tiou. while the dresses are said to Ire ; handsome, and the mounting of the opera ; generally superb. A Maori lady and : gentleman have been assiduously teach- ! mg the members of the company the | haka and poi dances, which it is si a 1 ml will bo a feature of the production. The ! following is the full cast of characters \ and synopsis of scenery of the opera: j ■•taftj.” • la Taniwiiafchiaf of the Ngatimvaiopoto tribol ..1 J. Ralston! Tonga Tamatano 'a young Ngatimaniopolo chief!..! rereival Aylmer MiirnWuiraa (a voting chieftainersll 1 M bs Connie Bnttel Tr.ivcr.v fa maiden) .. .. Miss Alieo Poilarfi alalmtu Pohoi” (prophetess of the Nftmimairopotn tribe .'. .. Miss Nellie Vfilson Ucnuknkopako ) __ Warriors '■ uroate‘L’cien > " ” “ “ j T . „ (Members of the) Mr D. O’Connor j Jsiui Simla J F,ideal Opera- r Miss Gertie tarn-! fay Chrysaha ( t c c< . mt)ll ] tIJ . ) -pion ! Job Lots (Minister of Public Jobs in (be Maori Democratic Aeiiiinistration) .. Mr W. l'e;ey M 1 i v i ~ , , ... rflissLrmi FricltFon t J ollv f Members of the J Mi ss wilmol Kerkeck bollV t iigu, oi -j j,, lss zoo Karkaea Folly J e-’paled Maidens (yljya Mario Metcalf Maori ■warriors, poi dancers, wahiues and slaves. Act 1.’ —The l ah cf the e'gatimauiopoto Tribo. Urowcra District, New Zealand. Act il.—r.noll.u: part oi the Pah' Time.—Tiro present. » “Tapu."—.Note: The ' power of Tapu pervaded every phase of Alaori, Lie. The power of Tapu, which is the Maori spelling of “Taboo” of the islands, was possessed by the chiefs, tohuugas, and Xiroplicts of tho tribe, and one of its uses was to ensure to those exercising the power of possession of property. AVhatcver a chief touched, bo it whare. held, crops, or human being, was sacred to the person tnpuing it, and was perfectly secure from interference. The rash or careless person who broke through a tapu was practically dead, for this fear was so real a thing 'with the Maoris that persons have sickened and died from sheer fright. A human being who was tapued could not even feed himself with his own hands without having to eat his food like a dog or haying it put in his mouth by some other person by means of pointed sticks used as forks. The person of all chiefs and prophets was similarly . treated. 4 I 3lr John F. Sheridan contemplates an- j other visit to New- Zealand. Ho has pencilled in dates for .the Opera House from j tile 21st September to October 3rd. j Miss Emmie Owen, the actress whose , unfortunate experiences in New Zealand were the theme of considerable discussion . in tho newspapers and among “the profession” some months ago, figures in the pantomime cast of the Crouch End j Theatre, London. • Sydney.—Tlio company you are inquir- ; ing after are at present touring the Taranaki district. A tour of the Hawke’s Bay towns will be commenced at Woodville about the 10th inst. Messrs Willoughby and Geach have pencilled in dates for -the Opera House from November IGth to November 21st. Mdlie. Dolores is anxious to give two concerts in the Opera House about the beginning of March, but the Opera House | is engaged by the Frank Thornton , Comedy Company, and the Theatre Royal i will be occupied at the same time by Mr I J, C. Williatnson’s ilusical Comedy Company. It is to be hoped that arrangements can bo made for this talented vocalist to ajipear in Wellington before her departure for America. Aladnme Alelba’s Wellington concert will be given at the Opera House on Monday evening, the 23rd inst. 3lr Percival Alymer, a new member of 1 the Pollard Opera Company, is said to ' be perfect as Sir Archibald Slackett in i tho “Tho Toreador.” , Miss Madge Titheradge} a young 1 daughter oi Mr George Titheradge, made ; her first apearance on the stage on the j 18th December, when she played in the ! “Water Babies” at the Garrick Theatre, London. Her dancing brought down tho house, and her singing and acting wero also excellent. The “Daily Nows” says . the little Australian was the success of the piece. 3lr J. C. AVilliamson’s English and American Dramatic Company has at present two plays in active rehearsal, namely, “The Christian,” and “On Active Service,” 3lr Edward Ferris, at one time a member of the Brough Comedy Company, has 1 written and produced, a "costume” play ill London, entitled “The Vanities of i Youth.” | Mr Weedon Grossmith, who is playing! in America eu route to Australia, was, recently the guest of honour at tho ; Twefllr Night Club, in New York, an j organisation composed entirely of ladies. | it is stated that Professor Powell, the 1 magician, who visited New Zealand with ' the World’s Entertainers, will bring a company of artists to these parts during j the latter part of the year. It is reported iu usually well informed circles that two or thre.e well-known theatrical managers in the Commonwealth are in’ financial difficulties, and one of

tliem in very serious straits indeed. Alf. D.—As requested, have forwarded letters to tho parties to whom'they were addressed. According to a recent "Punch," Malle. Antonia Dolores was to leave for Western Australia at tho end of January, where she was to give three concerts at Perth and two in Kalgoorlie. The soprano is duo in Melbourne again about the end of the second week in February, and will in all probability give a farewell concert in the Southern capital befox’p coming to Sydney, whore it is likely a farewell recital will also he given. A tour of the larger Mow Zealand towns will follow, and then Mdlle. Dolores will sail for ’Friseo from Auckland. "The Circus Girl” will be the resistance of the return visit of Mr ■Williamson’s Musical Comedy Company, which commences at the Theatre Uoy.il cn the 23rd February. In a London paper it is reported that a Chicago millionaire has had a theatre built for the use of his elcvcn-ycar-old son. who has exhibited what his fond father is pleased to call "distinct-" histrionic talent. Air J. W. Winton and his Jrrcspressible Mc-Ginity arc in the bill at the Sydney Tivoli. Air George Tallis, who has been on a tour of America and England partly on pleasure and partly cn business for Afr .1. C. Williamson, returned to Australia by the Omrah. "The Circus Girl.” as played bv Mr .1. C. Williamson’s Alusical Comedy Company, seems to have caught the popular fancy of Auckland theatregoers. In referring to the comedy, a contemporary says:—"The Circus Girl" has firmly established itself as a favourite. Its music improves on p.ccuaintancc, and its acti.cn is bright tlirougbout. Any slight in-

1 equalities of the first performance have disappeared, and the comedy is now gone through with a dash and vigour tv nun 1 allows of no hugging. Misses .Hose Mas- : grove, Lillian JJiggcs Elsie Moore, . Blanche AVullace ana Aggie .Helton,, and i Messrs Graham. Banloclt, Lissant, Lrane I and Lyding each make tho.most of their respective parts, and, indeed, ail liiecuari actors are eiheientiv taken. ! Messrs A 1 heir Clarke and George : Larues have arrived in Dunedin to make the necessary arrangements in connection With Madame Melba's forthcoming I tour of the colony. _ I The Auckland season of the Frank .Thornton Comedy Company is proving a gicat success. "Facing the Music'* and i"A Test Match” was played for a week ito splendid business. Last Saturday ovenling “Charley's Aunt” was revived. Tho ’ comedy was'to he staged for three nights. 1 The' plot of the comedy “Facing ihe i Music” - has already been published in ; these columns. Xu describing the first I production of the play in Auckland, ilie (•‘Herald” says:—The success pf tho piece i was instantaneous. Unrestrained laughj ter rippled through the theatre from the ( very commencement. The tun is entirely 'free from any objectionable element, tho ) dialogue is crisp and witty, dtilo tie characters are all alike convincing. As ! already indicated, the company is one of ! all-round merit. Mr Frank Thornton. whoso reputation has long since been ■ securely based on sterling work, finds in “the other Mr Smith” a part which could hardly be better suited to his breezy style of acting if the author had had his idiosyncrasy in his mind when the character . was built up. His facial play was exi tremely clever. In the last act. when the | pressure of the endless impis/i distractions that throng upon ‘‘the wrong Mr Smith” as a result of an act of kindness to a lady in Leicester Square drive him almost beyond the border of sanity | (“Facing the Music.” he calls it), Mr Thornton has an opportunity of disula.viing a talent for tragedy which should have i marked him out for success in the Shakespearian arena of histrionic worthies. A very different, but in its way, no less admirable part is that which has been entrusted to Mr John Denton. The 1 ev. John Smith is by no means an exponent of that “muscular Christianity” which was dear to the heart of Matthew Arnold, 'intellectually lie is on a pur with the Rev. Hobert Spalding, to whom in many respects he presents a close resemblance. His ambitions include a crusade against horse racing, which he understands so well that he writes a pamphlet on ‘‘The Evils of the Turf,” and sapiently concludes that a man who wires a friend to "put two monkeys on Kangaroo” for him is a zoologist. Mr Denton’s is a highly meritorious performance throughout. Tho “other Mr Smith's” guest. Dick Desmond, a young man of the world, with a merry laugh that x ,rov c 3 highly infectious, is in. excellent hands with Mr Galwey Herbert. Another very capably-filled role is that, of Colonel Duncan Smith (Mr Alexander Bradley), an uncle with whom re- : lationship is claimed by two beautiful (women whom ho has never seen before, i who cannot both be “the liiece.” and ’ whose kisses he wisely accepts with equal 1 equanimity. Mr Joseph Wilson, a comeI dian of experience and ability, extracts I much genuine fun out of the part of Sergeant Duffel, a Bow street detective. The . feminine parts are all gracefully interpreted. The two Mrs Smiths, who each Jove Johnny, and have tearful encounters | over him before Inev realise that he is not the same Johnny, are impersonated • bv Miss Vera ■ Fordyee aju. Miss Leonine i Norbury, actresses of charming presence and histrionically gifted. Miss Phoebe Mercer has rather a slender part in Miss Fotheringny, of the Bijou Theatre, but she certainly makes the best of it. her acting being distinctly clever. Mrs Walter Hill is an admirable Mrs Pouting, the other Mr Smith's housekeeper. Eleonora Duse has had considerable ! artistic success, it appears, in New York 1 with “Francesca da Bimini” and “La | Gioconda.” In the spring of next year I the actress intends playing the same repertoire for a season in Paris. Mr P. E. Dix has decided to close down the Opera House, Christchurch, for a time. On tlie next visit of tho Pollard Opera Company to Christchurch they will play in the Opera House. The Wellington season of the Frank Thornton Comedy Company null be injaugurated at the Opera House on the ; 2-1 111 inst., The Hawtrev Comedy Company rei vivod “A Message from Mars” at the ; Princess Theatre, Dunedin, last Saturday 'evening to a full.house. According to rei ports Mr Hawtrey has no reason to comI plain of the patronage accorded him in [ the capital of Otago. I Mr Will Jameson has taken a lease of ! the Oddfellows’ Hall. Christchurch, and will open on Saturday evening with a very strong combination. The last nights of tho Ddnedin season of tho Pollard Opera Company were devoted to the production of a scries of revivals. Business throughout the season was very good. Mdlle. Dolores bas definitely fixed Auckland dates for three concerts, which will bo given on the ISth, 19th, and 20th. , March at the Choral Hall. Tho Fitzmnurice-Gill Dramatic Comi pauy is playing to excellent business at ] the Auckland Opera House. Last Satnr- , day night the sensational drama “Work :and AVages” was staged. I The members of the Black family of ; musicians have just finished a most successful tour of the Attest Coast. A visit to the North Island is contemplated by (this clever family.

WANGANUI NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) . The Caledonian concert, held in connection with the recent sports carnival on Anniversary Day. was a considerable success. the Opera House being crowded. A strbng programme was presented and heartily applauded. The visiting performers were Miss Kate Connell, of Hawera (soprano), and Mr Tom Parker, reciter, of Napier. When my next "notes” are written the visit of Mr J. C. Williamson's Musical Comedy Company will be a thing of the past. At present the event is attracting more than ordinary attention from local playgoers, who arc booking, their seats with considerable energy'. The season is limited to three nights, commencing fin the 3rd February. "The Runaway Girl” will hold the boards for two-nights, and "San Toy” will conclude the all too brief season. The pieces will be staged with the same completeness which characterised their production in the four centres. A report will appear next week. Mr Fred 11. Graham, the irresistible comedian of the Williamson Company, lias a droll style of humour all his own. and he is unoucstionably one of the most ! finished artistes in his line yet seen in the colonies.

I The following plavs are included in the 'repertoire of the Fitzmaurice-Gill Drama- ' tfc- Company shortly to appear in Wanganui:—"The Christian.” "Man to Man,” "The Sign of the Cross,” "Har- , bonr Lights” (hr arrangement with Mr |,T. C. Williamson), "Work and Wages.” and "Fedora” (by arrangement with Mr George Bignold).* The Wanganui season lis limited to two night o . I On Monday and Tuesday, 9th and 10th j inst.. Mr -T. C. Williamson’s "Sherlock Holmes” combination will occupy the j Opera. House, and it goes without saying |that Wanganui devotees of drama will |turn out in full force on these evenings.