THEATRICAL GOSSIP

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5086, 3 October 1903, Page 11

THEATRICAL GOSSIP

(BY ‘‘LORGNETTE.”) (From tbo "New Zealand Mail.’) BOOKINGS. DPBP.A BOLSWWELLINGTON. Heo. Mtisgrovo’s Comic Opera Co.—Sep. US to Oct. 20. Harrison’s Gymnastic Carnival—October 21 and 22. IV'ollj ngt-uu Musical Festival—Oct. 23 to 22. >l. C, Williamson—Oct. 30 to Nor. 13. iV’tiliiugiiby Geucli Co.—Nov. 13 to Nov. 21. JJyrniuisuc Entertainment—Nov. 23 to -3, Ada Crossley—Nov. 27. „ Luo. .Musgrovu’s Shakespeare Co,—Nor. a> to Lee. 18. „ IViiliam Anderson Co.—Dec. 26 to Jan /. C. Williamson —Jan, 23 to Feb. 3. 1 ! . C. Williamson —Feb. 4 to 17. Ileo. Musgrovc—Feb. 18 to March 12 (pencilled/. if. C. Williamson—April 15 to May 6. THEATRE ROYAL. WELLINGTON. I’. 11. Uii’s Vaudeville Co. CHORAL HALL. WELLINGTON. Pullers’ Entertainers. NOTES BY "LORGNETTE.” Mr r. R. Dix has decided to stage, a kantemirne at the Theatre Koyai at Christmas an a very largo scale. I ho panto is Horn I he pen of Mr ert Koyle mnl entitled "Tho House that Jiu-k IluiII,” The scenery is in the hands oi ill- Header Williams, and Alt Will livise f f or (ayuI v(? y'ar.s \vit 1 1 tho Lrougli Loutj.dv Goiiif/tmy) lias been engaged as eh let mechanist. Tiro oiurto is a strong one, and idr Gi'orgo Dean will bo at tho helm. Mr |)ix is determined t» give something really first class. Tho pantomime will bo stages! in tho chief centres or the colony aftonvurds. _ . _ itr 0 sorgo Musgrovo’a Cormo Opera llomoanv inauguratod a fourteen nights lieason at tlio Wellington Opera House last Monday evening with the ‘ Fourtnno Teller.” There was a packed honso. and i rom the very commencement to the final i;horuH tho opera wont splendidly. Although styled a comic opera 1 he ±oriiino Toller'-' aproaehes senona opera, so Jar as the music is concerned uml makes greater demands upon tho voices ot tho principals than the usual opera bonne, lomo of Mr Herbert’s melodics being or a reallv high-class character. Miss May Bcattv. m the dual character r»f Alusotto and Irnwv. gavo a splendid performance. Her songs, Iho Song or Hip Serenade” and "Always Do as Other People Do” were well rendered. Aass • Bc-aitv lias improved wonderfully as a eoniedicnue. Miss Lilian Green hns_ not much scopn to show lior ability ns Mdlle. Pom-Pom, but what little she had to do iron do no well. Mr Lempriero Pringle, as Samlor tho gipsy, has a part which might have been specially written, for him, so well did lie imparsonato the character. Mr Pringle’s fine resonant voice was heal'd to great advantage in the solos tho "Song ol the Sword,” "Oh, Y'o Townsmen.” and the lovo song "Slumber On My Little Gipsy Sweethearts.” one of the most delightful numbers in the opera. ITis acting was in keeping with_ his singing, both being exceedingly meritorious. Mr Edward Lanri has an ovcellent part s, Fresco, tho conspiring balletmaster Mr Foster Courtenay, as Boris, and Mr IV, XI. Shirley, as Count Berezowski, abbassisted Mr Lanri in making the fun go last and furious. Air .1. C. Piddock played excellently as Lndislas. while Mr Henry Hallam was good as General KorW. Several minor parts wore ably ailed. Tho orchestra which is under tho coniuctorship of Mr Alberto Zelmnn, did nine splendid work. "The Fortune Tolkir” is staged in a lavish manner, the dresses and scenery being of tho most gorgeous oharactor. The opera is produced. under tho direct supervision of Mr Edward Lauri, who is also responsible far all tho danoes in the piece. Last Wednesday evening Miss Thorne, 1 clover young member of lit George Musgrowe’s Opera Company, played Wdile. Pom Pom, in ‘‘The Fortune Teller,'” In place of Miss Green, Miss I'horno’s performance was an excoedingly elevcr one. Tho second production of the season will ho another of Air Victor Herbert's operas entitled ‘"The Serenade,” which will be itagetl this evening. The Auckland "Star” referring to tho performance ot "Tho - Serenade” says:—Tho second production is in almost ©very wav an advance upon the first. From the musical point of view tbo work is more even and sustained, while from that of tho libretto Iho humour is usually finer, there is full scope for a larger proportion of the ■actors, and tho action is quicker and more diversified. The first act, which passes .outside the Xhiko of Santa Cruz s ruined castle, though it has some good nointa musically, lacks tho ! dash and brilliance of its successors. Nevertheless It contains tho fine "Song of the Carbine’ (sung by Air Pringle ns Alvarada) and the brigands’ highly effective chorus to thcdr chief’s relation of tho story of the vhost of the castle. Tho second act is tmdbnbtedly the triumph of this opera. Die scene is. laid in ai monastry and a convent (separated by a wall), and ineludes the magnificent "Angelus” chorus, the solo to which is admirably sung by Mill Lilian Hoanas. Tho chorus, rich, tuneful, and glorious in its orchestration. !s assuredly tho best of tho many good Items of the performnneo. Also in this tot are Mr Pringle’s "Serenade,” and Afr Lanri'a evergreen, "Woman, Lovely Woman" (which is sung in a way to Make the old tiling neat). Tho final scene Is tho same as the first, tho denoumeut Is skilfully managed. Mr Pringle is heard !o advantage in the song. "Love and Follv.” and the co-mio side of the piece works out to an admirable climax. Air Priu glo was almost tho only actor who did not profit in his material by a change Of piece. None of his solos were, in composition. caua! to tho "Sword Song —- much less his "Oh, Ye Townsmen —in *Tfio Fortune Teller/’ Nevertheless. Ins glorious voice was firclv heard in some >f the songs mentioned above, to which he more than, did credit. Miss May Beatty’s Yvonne was of the prettiest—dainty in tho extreme and charmingly vivacious. As a boy in tho jnopastry these qualities appeared to special ‘ advantage. In this • scone she treated with much sweetness the pretty song. "In Fair Atulalnsia,’’^ besides Its admirable predecessor, "Cupid and t. Mr Lanri last night excelled himself, Khich means that he excelled something already extraordinarily good. His part in the new piece was altogether brighter und more original in Mr Sprague's libretto tha-o the other in that of thf author of J< Tho Fortune Teller." Sometimes iuieed he was compelled to make jokes wUh \t purely mathematical point, and The ’Furmv Sido of That" had no side that in a critically accurate sense deserved the fcdjective at all. But that was not Mr Lauri’s fault, and, moreover, it was one that was an exception that proved the rale that otherwise this brilliant comedian was well provided for. His reading M the character was more Gilbertian than anything in either of these two pieces, and the quaint little Duke, who iWKS about with a blunderbuss seeking ihe singer of the "Serenade/’ and weeps out his song of "Lovely Woman." and rfances one of the most original dances aver seen on the New Zealand stage, is a. satisfying feast in itself. "Mr Piddock had a far better chance than in the percceding piece, and availed bimself of it to thn full. Dashing and rigorous in his acting, ho sang with admirable clearness nr»d much strength his jolo "T Am a Jolly Postilion/’ and took /». brilliant part in the duct "T Love Thee. I Adore Thee." Mr Courtenav's Gomez —a smaller part than that in which ho was Inst scon—is highly humorons, and fie kept his audience smiling all through, his work in his disguise of a- nun con. rerting those smiles to land laughter. As Dolores Miss Bonnes had a real chance, und availed herself of it. Tu the solo to the "Angelas" she sang most admirVbTv, Mr TTallam’s clever work as Colombo -Closed the list of really brilliant princi-

plus. Tho fmsc.Ribles, with all Iho dashf ami vrrva of Victor Herbert’. music. i owed miu'li. to Ho li.'i" "mri: «■' Gif or-j chertra, i-.iminctMl by Mr Zolman. rno; Kr-r-ni '-v 1,2-I, in remarkably ttnoi.l, and in j a!) reairfi-K ’this prorlitriimi may b« dc-l K-ribivl !•= niifoitir.ic-ilv (iiicci'vHii 1 .” { At: thr, Tlir.nl rn llnvnl Mr Hi.x sta"«l for till, li; - I Hum (m Thursday tho mu- I a,l >M.r. ,i. " Monto Cnrlo.” which j <■ r,olein- a. cm to of over fiflfon i-l.arantprs. 'll”., -c.-m-v, painted by Mr Goo, Tar.', is rxi-'/i'i.'iit, and tho .yirrouml'ims «’•'> liraM ;••■<! loyriy. “Afi.nt” Garlo” rlonld bn a A ron” ilrav.'int,' 1 ccji'd for ■mo tiino. Fnilor's lintorl aincrfi are "liO"inß t.iair i.ml of Iho row” to snnv. iwrpo-o tills v.-or-k ,-t tho Gho nil Hall, bininos- beins; mmoljont, Tho Mintons mado llioir r©aii.no.'u'iuico on Saturday ovenirn; and met ivii.ii a hearty loccyiion. Mr Vv ill )\ at):his is “Kottiny off” a lot of new stuff ivliick is uiiiu-oeialed. Air Slicidou ICindloy does a unod turn. The other members of tin.) company all appear in acccjitablo i l o m?:, Jicl’cro JoavinK Lomlmi Miss Aila Crossley had the sinjtular honour of a Royal Summons to liuckingbain. Palaoe, where sho was received in nrivato audience by Her Majestv. Quern Alfxandra, who "ineioiiGv oj:prf-'SP,d the most cordial wishes for Mas GrosMlev’s success in Am?tnilia. Tim diai.inpruished contralto was enriducled tire Rovid by Um ilJjn. Cliarlotte ICnolly.s. am! in nltcud-aj-en on her Araic>-4y were, the Countriss rle Grey and I ho Hon. Sidney Greville. Miss Grossler iva.s nnlv ary,rivd of the Queen's wishes six hours in advance of the time sho was commanded to the Court, and was deeply impressed by this great and wholly unexpected compliment. Mr‘Fred Henningham, who has boon acting as touring representative af the Mai-i'ici Moore Company, leaves for Sydney this afternoon. Mr Henningham will act in a, like capacity for Air M illiam Anderson's Dramatic Company during the West Australian tour. __ . Tho Svdnev season of tho Westminster Giro and Concert Party was of such a successful nature that four additional concerts were given. Xu noticing the tenth concert, which was given on Hie IS'.Ti September, the “Herald” says:—"An immense audience, without douot one or tho largest that over thronged tho vast chamber, filled every seat in tho Town Hall last night, clustered 3n every doorway, and encroached upon the passages to the fullest extent that municipal regulations would permit of. No one has ever ascertained accurately how rnanv people can bo crammed into tiro building, hwt at nnv rate 3000 were seated Inst night, whilst as for the unfortunate people unable to get in. they might havo been numbered by hundreds. This amazing success on tho top of nine concerts within tho previous eleven days was richly won hv Mr and Mrs Brauscoin.be and tho bbvs and artistes ho has: brought with him. Thov show us the pure English srtvlo of part-singing at' its best, and in doing ?o furnish an eutortnimnont that Is as instructive n s it is charming. Last uieht’s programme included two anthems, Gounod’s "Bethlehem" and Fnvrant’s 'Lord, in Thy Mercy." and these were beautifully rendered. Mine. Mario Tloeti>n,‘Mr Mr Dudley Cans ton, and all the sobsts won encores during the evening/’ Tho prices of admission for Miss Ada Crossloy’s Sydney' concert wag ton shillings for reserved seats, and five shillings and half-a-crown far unreserved seats. Now turns at Dix’a this week are* Mr Chas. Gibbons, solo flautist, a fine executant indeed'; Mr Goo. Herman, an eccentric oornin”o. who is both quaint and original: and Mr Loo Arclikens in a clever turn called shadowgraphy. Tho latest information about Miss Nnneo O’NcU is that the massive tragedienne has entirely lost her voice. Doctors think they can find it for her, however. Owing to ill-health, Mr Edward Lloyd haa decided to. abandon his American, tour which was to have commenced in January. On tho termination of tho farewell tour of New Zealand of the Westminster Glee and Concert Party, which conunenced at Invercargill on Tuesday evening, the company will sail for America where they * give eighty concerts. It ig probable that a tour of South Africa will also bo undertaken next year. itr Daniel FraWley and Company will commence a tour of New Zealand at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, on Monday evening, the 12th October. The first production will probably be the American drama "Arizona." In a notlco of "Arizona" the Melbourne "Argus" observes; '‘The evil genius of tho piece is a. Captain Hodgman, of a frontier cavalry regiment, who ig responsible already for the ruin of a girl employed upon the ranch, a daughter of one of his own sergeants. and who has now cast some devil’s spell over the colonel’s young wife. Both Miss Van Buron. wiio plays tho latter part, and Mr Pliiumor. as the libertine officer, bring out very credibly tho nature of the snaro set. Tho woman is inexperienced, weary of tho loneliness and montouv of existence on tho outskirts of civilisation, hungering for a glimpse of a fuller life sho has only dimly dreamt of, easily fascinated by an unscrupulous scoundrel, who plays his rolo of tempter with some magnetism of manner. She ■flutters feebly, like a frightened bird, but yields. One night, when Colonel Bonham has ridden away on duty, she gives her jewels into tho keeping of Hodgman, and prepares for an elopement. Mr Frnwley, in the character of Lieutenant Denton, apneara. and checkmates tho villainous scheme of his superior. Revolver in hand, ho takes possession of the jewels, ami puts the erring wife upon her parole. But. while he is left momentarily alone with tho lady, the colonel returns unexpectedly, and Hodgman succeeds in making it appear that Denton, not bo, is tho would-be seducer." For tho New Zealand tour of Daniel Frawdey and company two strong dramas, now to’ tbo colonies, will be included in tho repertoire, namely "Barbara Eritchie" and "On tho Warbash/’ Tho Stine-Evuns Comedy Company is at present playing a twelve nights’ season at tho Theatre Royal, Christchurch. At tho conclusion of tho Christchurch season tho company will visit tho following towns Palmerston North, Oct. 12th to 13th ; "Wanganui, October 14th, 15th and 16th ; Ha-era, Oct. 17th and 19th ; Stratford, Oct. 20th and 21st ; New Plymouth. Oct, 22ad and -23rd ; Nelson, Oct. 2£th to 2Sth ; Westport, Oct. 31st to Nov. 3rd ; Greymouth. Nov. 4th to 7th-; Hokitika, Nov. 9th to llth ; Ashburton, Nov. 16th ; Timaru, Nov. 17th, 18tb, 19th ; Dunedin (show dates). Nov. 21st to Doo. sth : Hobart, Dec. llth to Dec. 17th ; Launceston, Dec. 18th to Dec. 22nd ; Sydney (Palace), Doc. 26 th. .•■Tho Do Wynnes, Alias Nelli© Yoke, and tho Delavaics aro still very popular -with Theatre . Royal audiences. Miss Malvena Moora'hos sung and danced herself into great favour, also- Miss Ad die Fredericks in her cloud swing specialty. Tho Shakespeare Society of Now South Wales visited tho production of "Twelfth Night" at tho Theatre Royal, Sydney, on Tuesday evening, tho 15th September, about 150 strong, and occupied tho greater part of the stalls of th© theatre. At the close of the performance they presented each of tho lady players with a floral tribute, with a suitable text from tho play attached. To Miss Norah Kerin, who appeared as Countess Olivia, a bouquet of red and white roses was presented, with the motto. ‘Mn beauty truly blent, whose red and white nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on/* To Miss Dora Rignold. who took the part of Viola, was presented a harp of violets, with the couplet, "Oh it carno o’or my ear like the sweet sound that breathes upon a bank of violets." To Miss Maud Milton, whose part was Mary, a bunch of purple- violets and marigolds, with, for motto, tho particular line Miss Alary brings out with such tolling emphasis. >f ’Tis a colour she abhors." The report that Aliss Janet Waldorf, who visited Australia last year, is dead, happily proves to bo untrue. Mi?s Waldorf is present taking a holiday with her mother in the United States. Miss BnlloD’Arcy, tho pretty and clever American actress, who recently temrod New Zealand with the Frank Timrnton Company, has been engaged by Air Daniel Frnwley to tour New Zealand with his company.

[ Air Gccrgo Musgrovo’s Negro Opera j : Companv is having a succesHul season at | ; tho. SimVle-bi’.iy Theatre*, Jjondon. with I “In Dahomey." The company numbers | one hundred strong, and the colour ranges i from tho puro-bred nogio to ttm fair i quadroon or creole. The company is duo 1 to appear at Adelaide next April. I Oil Iho termination nf tho Adelaide I season or Air J. C. Williamson's ‘'Sheri lock ILdm<V ? Company a tour of Western j Australia will ho undertaken. j There is a probability that Air Daniel Frawicy will pay a return visit to tho colonics next year with new dramas and; a now company. The Majoroni Dramatic Company have concluded their Now Zealand tour, and left for Sydney by tho Victoria last Saturday. After a season at Newcastle a tour of Queensland will bo undertaken. Latest report.* stale that Dr. Henrik .Ibsen’s health iuus greatly improved, and that tho great dramatist intends making nn excursion to &t, Petersburg and iinland. Tho New Zealand lour of tho Alajeroni Dramatic Company was not too successful a venture. That clever artiste. Aliss Rose Mus-. grove, who recently toured Now Zealand with ALr J. C. Williamson’s Alnsioal Comedy Company, has joined the Royal Comics and is playing the part originally played by Alisa Carrie Moore in ”Tho Toreador.” Congratulations to Alisa Aiusgrovo on her success. Mr. Ham.bourg abandoned the idea of touring West Australia.Hill and Silvainy, the marvellous'trick| cyclists who recently appeared at ikej Theat re Royal under the lAx banner,^arc| taking a vaudeville company to the Bast, j Air. Victor Kelly, who toured this colony. with the World’s Entertainers and after-1 wards played a Jong engagement with Mr.j Dix has been engaged for the tour, ihei company will make its first appearance at j Manila, „ J Air Becrbohm Tree’s Company met with a fmo reception at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Atelhourne, on Saturday evening,' the 12th September, when the season was inaugurated by tho production of the.

much discussed "Resurrection," which, it might bo expected, has no relation to th© great sacred drama of all times. It is an intensely interesting play, showing tho awakening of two souls to the consequences of an early '‘indiscretion"—to tho supposition that tho past may be atoned for by sacrifice, and by tho unselfish devotion of their lives to assist the suffering and helpless. A good deni of tho disagreeable is eliminated, though the drama is non© the less solemn and magnificent, with its lighter sido emphasised for stag© purposes. Almost every act is differently cast, and some of tho scenes aro very beautiful. Many phases of life aro represented, beginning with the young ooldier in bis own home; the jury scene—a fine dramatic ccmpostion—in which bis former sweetheart, whom., ten years before, he had seduced and mined, is on her trial for murder; a magnificent Russian drawing-room, its splendour hieghtened by contrast with the sordid prison scene, and winding up with a great snow seen© on tho road to Siberia, where tha day Princo Dimitry Nehludof is a very arduous rolo, but Air Julius Knight is quite equal to it. Hence an excellent assumption. Aiiss Aland Jeffries well sustained th© part of Katusha (known as “The Moolova"), and to her admirable impersonation tho success of the piece is duo to a great extent.— Afelboiirno "Sportsman." Air Fuller Alaitland. tho musical critic of*tho London “Times," writing of a recent concert, says Miss Crossley sang tho solo part in Brahm/s "Rhapsody" with nn absolute purity of vocal art. true poetical feeling, and very remarkab?© dignity of interpretation. Her phasing of the opening movement was so admirable that tho intention of the ccrmposor was fully realised. The "Daily News" deserbos Miss Crossley as "our finest oratorio contralto/’ and th© "Times" gays sho excels equally in oratorio and modern songs. The American critics unite in classing her voice ns a genuine contralto, one of the kind which is becoming ns rare as tho genuine tenor. "Its low notes," says one enthusiast, "are those of a ’cello, its medium tones are like a clarionet, and its upper register recalls a flute. With the exception of Aladame Melba, no singer of the present day has received such genuine praise or is «?"• highlv appreciated vby audiences as Aiiss Ada Crossley. It is said that there is a great scarcity of first-class advance agents in Australia at present.