THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4978, 30 May 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

(BY “LORGNETTE.”) (Prom the “New Zealand Mail/’) BOOKINGS. OPERA HOUSE. WELLINGTON. Hawtrey Co.—May 4 to May 30. Rickarcls’s Co.—June 1 to 13. Marist Brothers' Old Boys in “Colleen Bawn"—June 15 and 16. Musgrove *'Sweec Neii" Co.—June 17 to July ,3. Mark Hambourg—July 4 to 8. J, C. Williamson's New English Comedy Co. in “Aro You a Mason ? 31 —July 11 to July 25. Amateur Operatic Society—July 28 to August 5. J. E. Sheridan—Aug. 10 to August 29. Wellington Boxing Association —August 6,7, and 8. Wellington Orchestral Society—Sep. 7 and 8. American Comedy Co.—Sep. 9 to Sep. 26. Hawtrey Comedy Co. —Sep. 28 to Oct. 10. Wellington Musical Festival —Oct. 2o to 29. J. C. Williamson—Oct. 30 to Nov. 13. Willoughby-Geach Co.—Nov, 16 to Nov. 21 < pencilled). ; J .0. Wiiiiamson —Nov. 28 to Bee. 12. Wilb'am Anderson Co.-—Dec. 26 to Jan. 23. J. C. Williamson—Feb. 4 to 17. , J. C. Williamson—April 15 to March. 6. J. C. Williamson—Dec. 26, 1904, three weeks, THEATRE ROYAL, WELLINGTON. P. R. Dis's Vaudeville Co.# choral hall. Wellington. Fullers' Vaudeville Co, NOTES BY “LORGIKTTE." The Theatre Royal was 'jo-opened by Mr Dix's Gaiety Company on Thursday evening, when one of the finest v ancle* ville bills yet seen in Now Zealand was presented to a crowded audience. Encores were domainded for every t item, and the large audience was certainly in a most enthusiastic frame of mind. The act of Arnold! was a oX>lendiid performance, introducing as ho did a number of new feats of jugglery. Mis® Emmie Smith was warmly received, and her illustrated' songs went excellently. Later on this popular lady did a very pretty bt-le sketch assisted by tho sisters Galardi. Theso young ladies were also very successful in their songs and’ dances. Alberto's mystifying acts of legerdemain were mostly new, and created a good deal of wonderment. Miss Ida Roslyn s turns, first with little Vera Kearns and later on with Mr J. Kearns, were received with marked approval, whilst Mr Kearns's speciality turn was a decided success, he creating no end of amusement, iSherwfh, the “Mad Musician," and Mr Ernest Hill were also loudly applauded. Tho concluding sketch. “Taming the Shrew," wag a fitting conclusion to a really meritorious entertainment, there being an entire absence of anything at all objectionable or coarse. A long a-d successful season is assured. Mr J. C. Williamson's “Sherlock Holmes" Company, after playing short seasons in Hobart and Launceston, will commence a season in Sydney*’ on tho 20th Juno. - The Wellington seasmi of the Hawtrey Comedy Company, which will terminate on Saturday evening, has been a highly satisfactory one. Last Monday evening “Little Lord Fauntleroy" was staged. Miss Addio Lorkings scored a decided success in the name part. Mr W. F. Hawtrey's impersonation of the Earl of Dorincourt was a first class piece of work. Mr Oily Deering gave a fine study of Hobbs, the greengrocer. Miss Winifred Austin played the' part of Dick,'' the bootblack, very, acceptably, while Miss Elsie Austin was very good as Mrs Errol. Tho other parts in the drama were cap-, ably filled. The season closes this eventing, when ‘- Ralph Burnl ey's comedy “In the Soup" will be staged.

Tho Messrs' .Fuller have got a very strong combination at present appearing at the Choral Hall, with tho result that the house is packed every evening. The Mintons received a hearty welcome ,last Saturday evening. Their “tram'' is , a very clever one. Denis Carney also made a popular re-appearance, his contributions being enthusiastically received. The Elmore Sisters are a couple . of capable dancers, who were the recipients of a hearty welcome. Mr Cyril Xredaie. who has for some time been on the sick list, made his re-appearance, his vocal cantributions being very good. Other artistes who did good wort were Will Stevens, Hugo Lear. Will Harvey, and Harry Hart. Little Vera Kearns is a great favourite, with tha Theatre Eoyal audiences; and no wonder. She is one of the best (if not absolutely) child song and dance artiste that has as yet graced this part of the firmament. Vera has a lot to be thankful for in having such excellent tutors as her parents—Mr and Mrs John Kearns (Miss Xoa Eoslyn). . Mr Harry Eiokards’s Vaudeville Company will commence a twelve nights' season at the Opera House on Monday evening next. The "star", attraction of the combination is Jacques Inandi, the “mental marvel.'’ The company also includes the Oracle Emmett Company of American comedians Mr Wallace Brownlow, Mr G. W. Hunter. English comedian; and several other capable performers. In criticising Inaudi s appearance at the Adelaide Tivoli, on the 13th’ April, the "Advertiser" says:—During his performance the audience revelled in a regular whirlwind of figures, and tho diagnosis of a French physician that Inaudi is the possessor of two separate sets of brains, does not seem a whit farfetched to those who have witnessed his astounding performance. Two rows of figures stretched across a Brobdingnagian blackboard were suggested by the audience, and Inandi, keeping these figures in his miuu with his back turned to tho board, subtracted the one from the other with all the ease and accuracy imaginable. Then sums in addition, subtraction, and division were set down, and prior to working them out. the mental wonder answered questions from all parts of tho house giving from dates of birth supplied him the day of the week on which those interesting events occurred. When .some one wished to know on what day April Ist in the yeaf one occurred Inandi promptly answered Saturday, and the curious are invited to test the accuracy of his decision. In spite of the dis-1 traction thus afforded the answers to tho , sums already mentioned were given when required with equal promptness. A gentleman in the audience connected with a certain public school had come prepared with a problem, which was in- ] stantly answered. The interrogator de. j dared the answer wrong, but on giving ! his solution was told that he had made a mistake-ic his figures, and gracefully admitted his error. The blackboard was covered with figures, and finally Inandi without turning round, read them backwards and forwards, showing'amid . the enthusiastic acclamation of the audience what a marvellous memory' he possesses. ; Tho performance is a most wonderful one, and must be witnessed to be believed. In referring to the comedy, “Oh,.What a Night,” which is in the repertoire of Mr J. C. Williamson’s New English Comedy Company, the London “Daily Telegraph" say? it is “one of the most in- ; piemens, bright and funny farces. that clever brains have presented to jaded playgoers. Everyone who loves ai laugh

in London will—nay. must—go and see it, and they will come home chortling. It is stated that on a recent evening a company that was appearing at Dunedin had tweniy-seven persons in tno stalls. _ , Miss Olga Beatty Kingston, who is a member of Mr J. C.-Williamson s New English Comedy Company which shortly tours New' Zealand, is a daughter of the late distinguished writer, Mr Beatty ; Kingston, fer many years foreign editor of the London “Daily TelegraphMr George Musgrove's English Company has repeated its Dunedinand Christchurch successes at Auckland with Paul Roster's comedy, 'Sweet Nell of Old Drury." Money had to be turned away on several occasions during tho run of the piece. Notwithstanding the .fact that the play could run for several nights more, Mr Musgrove decided that it would have to be withdrawn after Monday night, so that Aucklanders could have the opportunity of witnessing Miss Nellie Stewart in several of her other successes. On Tuesday evening Mrs Madeleinp Lucetto Ryley's romantic play “Mice and Men," was produced with Miss Nellie Stewart in of Peggy the Foundling and Mr Harcourt Beatty as Mark Embury. Mr Sam Rowley, "tho little man with the big voice," recently round these paits was tho recipient of a complimentary benefit at the Brisbane Royal last month. ” , . * IU W. A. Peterkm. who came to Australia with tho celebrated English tenor Mr Edward Lloyd, will remain in Australia until Miss Ada Crossley arrives, when he -will join tho contralto's concert company. _ Mr and Mrs John Denton (Miss Leome Noiimry), who were recently round New Zealand with the Frank Thornton Comedy Company, have left the combination, and sailed for England by the Oriental on tho 16th May. • It is quite possible that Mr William Anderson -will send another dramatic company on a tour of New Zealand about the end of September. If he does the company will only play the chief centres and principal towns. Mr Frank Weatbersbv. - business manager of tho J. F. Sheridan Comedy Company. has sold the Australasian rights of the sensational drama “The Painted .Woman" to Mr William Anderson. Mr Anderson also acquired from Mr Weatliersley the Australasian rights of the drama “The Face at the Window," which is at present being played at the Sydney Lyceum with considerable success. 'ln alluding to the production of Sweet Nell of Old Drury" at His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland,, the “Graphic" says: —“The comedy is one which should bo seen twice, and which will, in fact, stand an even greater number of visits. Nothing quite like it has been seen in Auckland before, and its freshness and charm are irresistible to most. Miss Stewart has certainly demonstrated that she is capable of deeper things than are to be found in comic opera. The recent Victorian railway strike was a matter of considerable financial importance to Melbourne theatrical managers. Although on Saturday night the 9th May, the strike had no appreciable efl-eot upon the-attendance at the various playhouses, tho difficulties of transit not having caused much diminution on 1 the usual Saturday night audiences yet there was a considerable falling off on tho evening of Monday ness was s° bad that tno vv iiiougnbyGoach Comedy Company did not- perform at the Bijou on that evening, the management deciding to close down untd further notice. Mr J. C. Williampn’s Royal Comic Opera Company staged for the first time in the Commonwealth, on tho 9th inst., th© new comic opera ‘ My Lady Molly" to a packed house, hut on tho following Monday evening the attendance wag about SO per cent, less than usual. Mr Bland Holt’s Company also appeared in the new drama “The Pnco of Peace,” tho audience wlrcli witnessed tho production being anything but a paying one. "A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” at the Princess’s Theatre, was being played prior to the strike .to phenomenal businoss.bnt on the evening of the 11th a slump of over forty per cent, set in. Business at Richards's Opera House and the Gaiety Theatre also suffered in propordion to the other houses. Dainty Irene Franklin was at latest advices appearing at Keith’s Theatre, New York. . One of the latest successes in the United States is Henry V. Esmond’s “Imprudence,” a comedy of great merit and said to possess very bright and witty dialogue. There is a possibility of this play being produced’ in tho colonies at an early date. ' Mr Forbes Robertson and Miss Gertrude Elliott will commence their American tour with “The Light that Failed” at tho Kickerbooker Theatre. Now York, next November.

Writing under date Sydney. May. 14th, a correspondent says:—“l would like, to draw your attention to a matter which should be of interest to theatregoers and musicians of the Empire City. Of five theatres going in Sydney last week three orchestras of that number were conducted by Welliugtonians. The Theatre Eoval orchestra (“Dick Whittington" under Williamson and Mnsgrove’s management) was conducted by Mr J. B. Connolly. The Palace Theatre orchestra ("Are Yon a Mason?") was under the baton of Mr Alf. Hill, while the Tivoli orchestra (Mr. Rickards's Theatre) was under tho condnctorship of Mr Bert Eache. who is a sou of Mr J. T. Eash, Jeweller and watchmaker. Willis street. Mr George Giddeus, principal comedian of Mr J. C. Williamson’s New English Comedy Company, which is due.at the Opera House on the 11th July with “Are You'a Mason?” and “Oh! What a Night," is not only a first-class histrionic artist, but also an adept with the brush. Ever since the day when a schoolmaster drew a bunch of grapes on a blackboard, and offered a prize to the boy who should make the best copy in 'a given time, the happy prize-winner, who at once invested in a stock of materials and drew everything he could lay.eye to, has never forgotten his devotion to art. "Give me," lie says, “an assured income of .£l5O a year, enough to buy broad and butter, and I would forsake everything for painting.” Mr Giddens. studied in England, and afterwards for *a couple of years in America. Two pictures in the American premier exhibition rewarded his efforts, but they were not sold. On his return to England he sent them to the Eoyal Academy; the committee passed them, but they were crowded out when banging time came. Then followed misfortune; the need of bread and butter battled with his preference, and he went on the stage. Amongst the artistes at present appearing at the Sydney Tivoli are Miss Neva Carr-Glynn Miss Plorrio E-anger Mss Fanny Powers, Miss Molly Bentley, Mr Frank Yorke. Ted E. Box George Bentley, Edward Ford, and Gus. Franks, all well known to Now Zealanders.

Mr Harold Ashton, who comes to New Zealand as touring representative of Mi J. C. Williamson’s “Are Ton a Mason?" Company, is due at Auckland on Sunday Mr Will Jameson, touring representative of Mr Harry Rickards's Vaudeville Company has during the past week been busy making arrangements for the company's opening at the Opera House on Monday evening. The Fitzmaurice Gill Dramatic Company were at latest tonring Southland. The Majeroni Dramatic Company concluded a fairiv successful season at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening with a performance of the society play “Jealousy.” Tho company commence a season at the Dunedin Princess on Saturday night.

Tho scenery for Sir Henry Irving’s production -of Saxdou’s "Dame" at tiro Drury Dane Theatre, London, which, it was recently cabled, was a remarkable success, cost over .£IO,OOI1 —figures which established a record even for Sir Henry's productions. The scenes in hell bring into use the hydraulic powers by whicli the stag* can be raised or lowered, and from the moonlit cypress giado ot San Mi 11 go to the spectator is transported through the blood-red fumes of tbe outer hell vo the rock-bound shores of _ the Styx, the white tombstones of the inner Hades, whence fiery ram ascends, and to the steely-blue ice of the inmost Hell. The Willoughby-Geach Comedy Company7 ’ commences a season at the Tivoli Theatre, Adelaide, on the 6th June. Fred. Eivouhall, recently round these parts, was at latest appearing at the Adelaide Tivoli under Mr Harry Eickards’s management. The announcement is made that Tommaso Salvini, the great Italian actor, is going to retire from the stage. To many people (says the “Westminster Gazette") the news that ho is still treading the boards will como with a strange surprise, for Salvini is now an old man of 74. Old playgoers will remember his visit to Loudon in 1875, when he played Othello, the Gladiator and Hamlet at Drury Lane. It was a pleasant little triumph for Salvini. The actor concludes an allusion in his autobiography to his English visit with this Uttle note of romance: “I left behind in London many genial acquaintances and enduring friendships, besides a sincere affection for a young 6rx>hau girl, who became my wife fa the course of that year." Mr J. C. Williamson’s “Sherlock Holmes" Company were passengers from Dunedin by the Victoria for Hobart last Sunday. In referring to Mr J - . C. 1 Williamson’s Comedy Company, which is- at present appearing at the Sydney Palace to packed houses, the “Bulletin" of the 16th May sa y S: _l“‘Are You a Mason?’ continues its wonderful success at Sydney Palace; last Saturday (the fifth of the play) the house was as much crowddd aa on the first night. There is a. moral for theatre managers in this, and it is: Spend money and you make money; -trjf* tq'.sdye’money and you lose money. ‘ There is 'as yet no whisper of the withdrawal of ‘Are You a Mason ?’ and no intimation ns to whether the company producing it will be seen in other comedies. The general hope is that it will—in as many other comedies as possible. Mrs C. S. Brown, wife of Mr , Chas. Brown, minister. New York, explains why she has taken to the variety stage. "My husband’s salary is not sufficient. I find it necessary to earn money to educate my children. It is unusual for a minister’s wife to go on the .stage, but really it is not half s o bad as it sounds. A minister’s salary is' not largo, and I feel that X should help toward the maintenance of our home. My husband is willing that! should adopt this means of earning money, and that is the most important thing." „ . . ■ The following is the West Coast tour of the Hawtrey Comedy Company: Blenheim, 2nd and 3rd Jume; Nelson, sth to 10th June: Greymouth. 12th to 16th June; Hokitika, 17th and 18th Juno; Westport 20th to 22nd Juno. A season will afterwards bo played at Dunedin. Mr J. C. Williamson's Musical Comedy, Company are doing splendid business at the Sydney Koyai with “The Circus Mr J. C. Williamson’s Musical Comedy Company commenced a season ad the Theatre Koyai, Sydney, on the 9th inst. with the musical comedy, “The Circus Girl." There was a crowded house to witness the first performance, and the reception accorded to the company was of the heartiest description. The honours of the production were easily annexed by Messrs Fred. H. Graham and C. K. Banbook. Miss Hose Musgrove, Miss Lillian Digges and Miss Elsie Moore, Mrs A. Crane, Mr Maurice Dudley, Mr Hugh Ward and Mr E. Mozar also receive favourable mention for their performances. Mr Prank Thornton and . his Comedy Company did good business with the revival of ‘(The Private Secretary" at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney. Mrs Harrison (Lucas Malet) has certainly been well advised in her refusal to allow "Sir Eiohard Calmady” to be dramatised. The exhibition of physical infirmity of a pronounced typo on the stage is almost always either repellent or grotesque. The absolute physical difficulties that would face an actor in attempting to impersonate Eichard Calmady would he almost inseparable. Perhaps the well-known stage character that approximates most nearly, .to, Luqas Maderis hero, is the Dame, ’ which was played last in Londali by Mr Charles Cartwright. Mr Michael Joseph, business manager of Mr William. Anderson’s DramaticCompany, recently through New Zealand, was a passenger for Sydney by the Monowai last Saturday. , 1 Miss Susie Vaughan, who was a prominent member of the Brough Comedy Company daring tho last New Zealand tour has returned from the East-to Australia under engagement to Mr J. C. ■ Williamson. Miss Vaughan wil! join the NeilErawley Dramatic Company, wliich opens at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, on Saturday evening. Mr Harry Plimmer and his wife> professionally known as Miss Josephine Thynne, also joins the company. These engagements ought to considerably strengthen the American combination for its tour of the Commonwealth and New Zealand. Miss Nance O’Neil is not going to repeat her London mistake. She has been engaged by Mr Charles Erohnxan to reopen the Herald Square Theatre in New York with "Queen Elizabeth,” one of her strongest impersonations, with "Lady Macbeth" to follow. The American actress abandoned the idea of opening in the character she regards most favourably. Magda, Mrs Patrick Campbell having recently appeared in Sudennann’s play in the United States. An interesting engagement in theatrical circles is just announced between Mr Gerald Du Maurier and Miss Muriel Beaumont. They are both acting at present in “The Admirable Crichton," at 'the Duke of York’s Theatre, London. Miss Muriel Beaumont has only been on the stage, about four years, and owing to engagements in successful runs she has only played seven parts in three years. In his early youthful days Mr Gerald Dn Maurier made a charming little model for his father’s delightful drawing in "Punch" of curly-headed boys. lie is also a familiar figure in the illustrations of Peter Ibbetson. The new poetical drama by Mr Stephen Phillips, which Mr Willard is to produce at the St. James’s Theatre. London, in the autumn, will not deal with Bible characters or with Bible times. It will, however, bo found that_ the story has some resemblance to an incident that is recorded in the Scriptures. During Mr Willard’s season at the St, James’s Mr Alexander will make a lengthy tour of the English provinces, returning to London at the beginning of next year. It is probable that he will make his long-pro-jected American tour in the autumn of 1804. It will be remembered that in the latter part of the present year America is to borrow from ns Sir Henry Irving. Miss Ellen Terry. Mr Forbes Eobertsun and Mr Charles Hawtrey, who will all bo playing in New York at the same time. The Mowbray Sisters were at latest advices appearing at the Tivoli Theatre, Calcutta in a sketch entitled "Contrast."'