THEATRICAL GOSSIP

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5558, 8 April 1905, Page 12

THEATRICAL GOSSIP

(BY “LORGNETTE.") (From the "New Zealand Mail*”) BOOKINGS. OPERA HOUSE, William Anderson— April 3 to 8. "Pete" Hughes—April 12 to April SO. J. C. Williamson—April 22 to May 13. George Musgrove—April 22 to May 13. Harry Rickards—May 15 U; May 26. . Messrs MucMahon— May 27 to June 13. J. C. Williamson—June 14 to July 5* West’s Entertainers— Jjly 8 to July *y. Harrv Rickards—Sept. 5 to Sept. 15 (pen- : Allan Hamilton (Brough Tour)—Oct. 18 to , Xov. 4. 1 Allan Hamilton (Brough Return)—Dec. 5 to Dec. 11. _ . arui J. C. Williamson—Dec. 26 to Jan. 13, 1900. SK$, George Stephenson—Jan. 20 to Feb. 8. Allan Hamiion (J. F. Sheridan Tour) Feb. 10 to March 10. J. 0. Williamson—April 14 to Mar, o. ’‘Pete" Hughes—June 15 to July o (pencilled). Harry Rickards—Oct. 20 to Oct. 31. J. C. Williamson—Deo. 26 to uan. 17. 1907. NOTES BY “LORGNETTE.” Mr William Anderson’s Dramatic Com-, pany commenced a short season at the. Opera House on Monday evening with. E. Brook Warren's play "The Face at the Window/’ Tho drama Is well played and excellently staged, all the members ot the company having parts that afford, them plenty of scope to display their talent. Mr George Cross has a fine chance as Paul Gouffct, the detective, and scores heavily. Mr Edmund Duggan’s performance of the part of Chevalier Ducio Delgaeo, alias "Le Loup/'* the Wolf, was a good one. Mr Sterling Whyte, as Henry i)e Brisson, and Mr Godfrey Cass as Lucieu Cortier, did fine work. Mr J. P. O’Neil was fairly successful as the English tourist, Peter Pottlebury. Mies Ada Guildford was very successful in the part of Marie de Brisson. Mies Goorgie Leighford as La Pinau was first-class. The other characters in the cast were all well played. This evening Mr William Anderson yvili make a change in the programme by presenting for the first time iin Wellington the stirring nautical drama entitled

“A Sailor's Sweetheart." It comes exceedingly well recommended. At the Adelphi, in London, it received tho hallmark of success, and only a few weeks ago at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, it was a big draw. “A Sailor’s Sweetheart" is a drama that is bound to draw in Wellington, for it is full of wild adventure that never fadls to sot an audience cheering. Tho scone is laid partly in England and partly in Africa, sensational effects are freely introduced, and among them are depicted the deck of a transport, a clearing in a West iifrican forest, a native place of execution, etc. The Taylor-Carrington Dramatic Company made its first appearanco at His Majesty’s Theatre last Monday evening in the drama "Never Despair." The performance was an excellent one. the chief (honours of course going to Mr Charles Taylor and Miss Ella Carrington. On Thursday evening the company staged "Barnes of New York/ 7 Mr Charles Taylor again showed his versatility in the character of Burton Barnes, Miss Ella Carrington’s impersonation of the part of Marina Pauli was an excellent piece of acting, Tho company which supports th© two principals is a very competent one, all the members acquitting themselves well in th© various parts allotted them.' This evening the evergreen "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" will bo produced. . At the finish of th© Christchurch 7 reason, Grossi, tho Marvel, tour the South Island under th© direction of the Messrs Fuller.

In referring to Miss Nellie Stewart'V. performance of tho part of Eleanor Carley ih Clyde Fitch's play, ‘'Blind Man's Buff," the Sydney "Town and Country Journal" says:—Mr George Musgrove’s latest production, '‘Blind Man's Buff," has completely captured the fancy ot\ playgoers, the piece being ono which will well bear seeing several times. Miss Nellie Stewart has never ajipeared to greater advantage than as Eleanor Carley, and is well supported by the members of her company. Mr J. C, Williamson's next Australian attraction will h© Andrew Mack, who begins an extended tour of the States and New Zealand With that predilection for specialisation which is so customary nowadays, he describes himself as an Irish singing comedian, and the combination of qualities involved in the epithets promises something qnite out of the ordinary. He particularly affects pieces of the dramatic order, wherein .the hero is not "a pore Irish lad, yer anner," but a believable figure of the Celtic temperament. and naturally all his parts provide him with many opportunities for using his excellent voice to the fullest advantage. In no case is *this more noticeable than '‘Tom Moore," written round tho life of the Irish poet, with which his season opens. Mr Mack brings his own company with him to Australia. Mr Gil. P, Hoskins leaves the Treasury Department shortlv to loin Messrs John Fuller and Sons as secretary. The veteran Johnnie Ford, who last toured New Zealand with the Maggie Moore Company, has been engaged to join the Brough-Flemming Comedy Comrmny. Miss Margaret Thomas, the Welsh mezo-’contralto of the Parkina-Foldesy Concert Company, has been specially en - gaged by Mr J. C. Williamson to play the part of Nanoya. a Cingalese girl who talks broken English, for the production of "The Cingalee," which goes up for public approval at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, at Blaster. Auguste Van Biene, one of the few actor-musicians in the world, has seen some upa and downs very much like poor Paul Borinski, whose career h© depicts so well. One night a celebrated man in the world of music heard a young fellow playing in the streets of London. Recognising th< touch of genius in the unknown one, he offered him a place in the Coven t Garden orchestra, which was readily accepted, and after a bright career at the famous house the onco unknown became an actor-mumcaan whose name is familiar wherever theatrical matters are discussed. Such in brief in the history of Auguste Van Bieno, who is touring the colonies under the management of Mr George Musgrove. Van Biene's play is "The Broken Melody," specially written for him, and in which he has played more than 4000 times. It is a great record, but the reason could be readily understood (says the "Graphic"), by those uho witnessed the opening of the Auckland season on Monday last, at His Majesty's Theatre. The combination—music and drama—is such a difficult on© that there are bound to be shortcomings, but the central figures. Van Biene and his magic 'cello, are such delightful characters that one does not mind if the background is a little out of focus in places. As a 'cellist be is undoubtedly a master, and his acting is natural and convincing. His eolos were rapturously encored, and on© wished there had been more of them. Two delightful items were Chopin's "Nocturne," and "Musette," and hie playing of the old, old, but ever new, "Home, Sweet Home," was an nnalloyed treat. Van Biene is supported by a very fair company Miss Lena Bnrnleigh, who takes tne part of "Mabel," the musician's wife, makes it very touching, and the rest of the company are satisfactory. Van Biene and his old brown 'cello are really the beginning and end of "The Broken Melody," and they are so good that one does not want much else. As a contrast to the piece the management put on "The First Night," a one-act comedy of th© "Ici on Pari© Francais" order, which, however, made th© performance so long that it was subsequently omitted. This is rather a pity, as. It went remarkably well, and gave Van Biene an opportunity of showing his versatility.

One of tho plows to be produced during the Now Zealar.d tour of Mr J. C. Williamson’s Dramatic Company, which is headed by Miss Tittel Brune. will he the comedy-drama "Sunday.” Thin is the play in which Mies Brune made her first Australasian appearance at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Meibor.rnc. last August, and in which sho gained a brilliant success. Miss Brune asirumos the name part—a character of the typo nf which Bret Harte lias immortalised in his “Luck of Roaring Camp.” lu is a vivacious character, full of moods, wayward, rough and read}', yet all the time a time woman. A welcome relief in this play is that it has a happy ending, so that the audiences can leave tho theatre in a quit© cheerful frame of mind, and content that retribution has been meted out in the proper quarters. On Thursday last Mr William Anderson gave the taking of tho Theatre Royal, Melbourne, for that evening to St. Vincent’s Hospital. Fine stage pictures, a plentiful supply of Russian costumes and customs, an abundance of local colour, and a strong plot all go to make "A Life’s Revenge,” produced at tho Royal, Melbourne, by tho Anderson Company, a first-class melodrama. Although the title is somewhat vagiio, as it is not made quite clear who is having tho revenge, tho story unfolded, granting that Russians are adopts in ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, is probable enough. Tho action is dated at a time previous to the freeing of the serfs, and very name ends in "vitch,” or "off,” or "ski.” People talk about their "little father,” and "Holy Nicholas/’ and the allusions bo Siberia are frequent and nainful and free.

Mr George Musgrovc intends to bring out another Grand Opera Company shortly, if he can come to arangernents with certain, singers he has in his mind’s eye. He expects to be able to do so on his coming trip to London. The repertoire as before, trill include tho familiar Wagnerian operas, but at least a couple of those yet unkonwn here will bo staged, as well as “‘Carmen," etc., and several famous operas which have never been performed in this conntry. “The Lady of Leeds” is tho title of a new farcical romance by Captain Robert Marshall running at Wyndham’s Theatre. Mr Woedon Grossmith is amusing as an ox-waiter disguised as a grand duke. Mr Gregan Macrnahon, who played Horace Parker in “A Message Prom Mai's” with the Hawtrey Company, has been engaged to join the Brough-Flom-ming Comedy Compan3 r . Miss Eugenie Duggan made her appearance in “Camille” at tho Theatre Royal, Melbourne, on Saturday, April Ist. The theatre was packed in all parts. Miss Duggan scored a distinct success. Herbert Flemming, when he makes his appearance as a member of tho new comedy company, will bo a stranger to the bulk of tho audience even in Sydney and Melbourne. In West Australia he will be almost unknown. He left Australia fourteen years ago, after playing a short season at Melbourne Bijou with the Charringtona during the time Brough ana Boncicaalt had the theatre. Flemming is best remembered as an actor of not heavy, but middle-weight, comedy parts under Williamson, Gamer, and Musgrovo management. He was associated with Brough in the first cast of '"Elio Magistrate,” and with Charles Warner in “Captain Swift” and other pieces, played the Giddy Duke in “The Fool’s Revenge” (Rigoletto) and Dazzle in “London Assurance.” Sometimes he villained or heroecl in melodrama, and h© was quite an adept at character parts in farcical comedy. He came back with Mel. B. Spurr as his money-spinner. On tho death of poor Mel. B. he returned to England, and presently formed tho combine with Brough.—“Bulletin.” It is reported that the Driscoll Boys hav© scored a big success in Manila.

There is som© talk of Mr William Anderson forming a permanent musical comedy company. Brough, due in Perth at tho end of this month, is said fcays the “Bulletin - ”) to have become a new man since he went into partnership with Herbert Flemming. He ia bilious no more, neither doth he suffer from ''a liver.” Flemming, his very antithesis in temperament, complexion and physique, seems to have brightened trough’s views of life, whereas his partner of yore. Dion Boucicault. was his companion in cynicism.

But for the fact of it being the Benton season, Wellington playgoers would have had an opportunity of seeing Charlie Taylor and Ella Carrington in some of Boucicault's stage heroes and heroines. That Irish parts are quite in their way is evidenced by the following extract from a recent issue of "The Times of India":—"There was a tremendous audience at the Novelty Theatre last night to welcome the Taylor-Carrington Company back to Bombay. The piece presented was Boucicault's favourite Irish play A.rrali-ua-Pogue' and the performance was under the patronage of the officers, non-coms., and men of the Dublin Fusiliers, of whom there must have been fully five hundred present. It is a somewhat difficult task for any company to play Irish drama to an audience almost entirely Irish, but the task has been most successfully performed twice within the last month by the Taylor-Carrington Company, they having played the "Shaughrauu’' to the Royal Irish at Rawal Pindi and 'Arrah-na-Poguo' to the Dublin Fusiliers her© in Bombay, Mr Charlie Taylor and Mis* Ella Carrington are two of the best delineators of Irish character that have ever visited India, and their performance of Shaun, the Post and Arrah Meelish respectively raised them even higher still in public estimation than they were before/' Miss Abbie Taylor (Mrs Fred Henningham) has been engaged by Mr Charles Holloway for his season as musical directoress.

A mysterious affair has happened at Munich. During the performance of Karl Hauptmann's "Borgschmiede," the heroin© of the piece. Fraulein Roubke, having retired to her dressing room, found a bonbonnier© on her toilet table, together with a note, written on pink paper, in which the actress was asked to open the little box. Fraulein Reubfco postponed opening the box until just before the last act began, find when she lifted the lid out sprang a viper. The lady fell fainting on the floor, but the snake seems to have done her no harm, as ‘ she was able to continue on the stage until the end of the piece. It is believed that the bonbonnier©, with its contents, was sent by some jealous rival. The air was heavily charged with epigram when Mr Max Beerbohm lectured on the 12th February at the Hotel Cecil, London, on "Theatrical Costumes." Mr Beerbohm is always full of delightful surprises. Here are a few of his witticisms: —Many things are lacking in our theatres—the drama, for example—but no one would accuse our managers of underrating the importance of theatrical costume. When human beings appear in costume, sometimes elaborate costume, they are not acutely conscious of the fact. We are for the most part accustomed to the clothes we wear, but actors and actresses are generally acutely conscious of their clothes. The costumes in which players appear are much too new. They look as if they had been put on for the first time. If I were an English manager, all my rehearsals would be dress rehearsals, and I would have my company wear their stage clothes all day. This would not only be a capital advertisement, but would have the value of making actors and actresses at home in their costumes.. Miss Rose Musgrove joins the Royal Comic Opera Company for the production of "The Cingalee," which is to be staged in Sydney at Easter. Miss Musgrove wJI play the part of Peggy. Mr Joan do Lacey, who recently visited New Zealand with Sanford's Dramatic Company, was at latest appearing _at the Temperance Hall, Hobart, with Bain's Entertainers. The persons who have seats in the middle of the row are always the ones who arrive latest at a performance. A dramatic authors' society has been formed in Paris, whose members are pledged to avoid all allusions to adultery, and to dispense with the stag© undressing of players and their hiding in cupboards. Objections have already been received from leading ladies and low comedians.