THEATRICAL GOSSIP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5802, 20 January 1906, Page 12

THEATRICAL GOSSIP

LOOKINGS. ni'r.i.’A norsß. j Gi*o:'g" h-M-"" no- .I.m. 1M .- feb ! (Ulan if ami it "ii V l.n.rj -* l-Vlj l'i 1.. M nrii !'! I ,J f. William: on > 1-ril n t.. Mnir li. K. »■ ii*•>’»> tc,i. m.ki. IJ U) Mai ra .-I. i V.Mlmm Ando.-reti May lid ' i 1 !• 1 Harry I! d.ur do-(Jr’.. "i» to Hi", 31. I. l-: Wini.iiHMir. -l>' ". Z 0 to Juu. 17, j IJO7. THEATRE BOTAB. I Fullers Entertainer-. ms ,ma.ii.'sty'S tii:;athi: : Mr William AniliTK.ii 'fzmny, Hi" Magi j i;i ;m; Boxing Night and or ■•v.i: -1.-. j NH'i li! 15 v "LOUGNm-nv | The Fuller Tr'ipnnUiry will ur-uw-n r I I'l ...Me l.'.r, ill mi Monday f-'-Mink' I* .Hr,i ./mug combination. Among-. i 1i... r*i■ i iorr,- appear nr- ’ll" Mii'M’H I I .-anger. 5t,.11,. Itar.g-r. f.i'in-i •1 • ~, I'n.i it HI sir Brown, and ; , I.:,! (retro, ,(.i-'k Hagan. litflOTii I iv jll M ~vi>n and : !:>• i)r..-',.n '1'1,,. Mews Fuller have JII-I ; - t‘" :, i l."r- . will In- idioivn Mir Ml" first , liii,o "H M'lii'li'V evening, ""*"' I I. m. . - !,i--H'il.v fim. <-it..d; i o'in' V. li'ii-mii'i. ■ Mr lii-0r,;.. D'r ■ Mum.ml 'W! Hily < "r.lll J'.'.n v -V) i I • until,. nl. Ml" Ml'".-:. lion.". Ml'- evening. . with Mm mimical extravaganza. M i A,lama. Mi" Hit" in W.i'.-to". > In--* j pii“i' li.-i.'i bi-cn (ilfi“"M Mii.-iiglumi | laud lor Ml" pa-I »W i.'ii" wit I. . Mi- I trrfJiU’Mt. wucc’*m. .ni'l M < ll J O .' t>ll . rus* .r> all P.rikm;... i n'u- ; | of th«‘ ('arnmon*«Miitli. (Tl/ristfhnrrh. In »-n ! i<i i ii.r Gy- , frf.rl'onrmm’** of th“ pL'i.v in < i»nM< hujt.l . ! th© KayH iy -ouM per- , fmpti ’«v th! i t‘<l l i »;i 1 '■ !“• ajilhntf. 1 of ‘tho hook* of ‘HIM \<la»u.7. j*t(k 1u? !/u<t hy Hi** Sl*-i>lmoi on M-m- ' ; Cormviy Company. lunJ Ihm-ij wmir '•> iicrout, and tiu* jm-n- "'itli j -jonuilhinj: ni a plot, this i • iiifur j than compoiiHalfd for j>\ i 1 - ;n-nnr..* | ami the melodmo «<t the muMc. 'The piere a}f>o ailnrds plcnt;. *•* jrjij«>r{.unities—-.vliid*. ;va- amply tah»'n 1 mlvant.uio of—for IK© <liispl.iv M ih»- im- . rloabiesl. all-round ability of the r oraj.any i in tho nmlter of djuarinf'. 1 hat thej mtiftic rtf tho pircc wmi oampa-ed v. bile; tho coon son« rm/.e wji* at its la*i«ljr js j prov(vl by the hud that several ot the | rruaeC HUtTOWl'ul rindodirn* are untten in thin «tyie. As a whole, the music eood, bcinff ami c.'iu hy. and ; there in plenty of it. Mi- '.May Beatty.! JW Muraot. liiei one of fho-c n:-.!iio|>o]iimi ! pnrtfl in ivhich she has jippea'-ed or lor- j l.ho * of the pait v*-ry well j IndtMxl. notaihlv ‘lrish Moth/.* a pretty j duet, with MV Lftiiri, pjirodvm- the coon ntyie. and an mejodions tiuinher, *'l’he Trouhadotir. The character throughout was acted w:i!i much spirit Jin<l sncce.se. Jn ji comic Hkotcli with Mr Umri. a deal of clover Beatty wan oxwllonl. ami licr dancing wmi very good. Miss May Candling, in tho oliarnctcr of .Mimetic, ahlv t»up[M>rt■si Mina lioalty. Hor «mtf, also in tho toon tnolody stylo. ‘Moon, Moon.* wjis ono of tho of the night, the chorus being oxcecdingly protty ami well hurmouif?o<i. Min; Alice Pollard. whose roico liau gainoil considerably, alike in power and sweeniess, suing the music of ilie part of Marguerite very well indeed. One of tho undoubted of the night wan tho clover character acting of Itohind WatU-PhilUps an Bingo Barr, a lady of uncertain age. jvho<e idioisynernry it is to imagine everyone in love* with her. It was played ',i ronghout with a tine sense of hnnionr. I’h-* ladies of tho chorus are all excellent darners, and there was a good body of . ;>it e in tho various choruses v, hick were in 1 roduccd. The four ballerina** were i:d!\ Molircuhlo for their graceful .Mr !•]. lairly revcdled in . ii.m ni Bill Adams, and woo remark-

i i-ikml iu fho various impcrfeonationw :...un,c I In* that redoubtable warrior in .irrli tor toe missing despatch™. i!i-; d.Hieing wm splendid. and ho cans ih». music. well. Mr wa« (specially good iu ‘Thn Old JJull and Biudi/ in the jij.>t v, i»U Miss Beatty, and. in fact, all ;!u* vocal numbers. 'Mr Harold Keeves. who played Hie* D ike, hna u fine resonant baritone voice of much onrcctncEo and Kvrnpaihy. Kin two boloh, notably, 'I I fad a Dream, 1 wore splendidly sung. Mr McNaughton had but little scope in the* part allotted him for the display of his clover eccentric dancing, but hie* musical monologue was excellently done. Messrs Will, and Cbas. Jio.is were bucccesiul in their party, though the latter, who reft resented an Irishman with a pronounced brogue, wa :i tro in cwha t incongr uouh 1 y clad in Highland attire. Mr Chits. Albert > deserves notice for his excellent dancing. Tho lighting effect* introduced worn above tho average in point of rompletoncss and Rur-cces, and the piece was prettily staged, the dreswt* in tno second act being remarkably handsome." Tho Macmahon Dramatic Company haring completed ite month's Christmas of tho West Coast, will commence a season of four weeks at the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on Monday evening. Thoro aro now no 1«33 than eight big apoctoculcur prtKlacLLmis in tho repertoire. Tho opening play in tho latest picturMnao and Lnteimeiy interesting drama entitled "Saturday Night in London.’' to bo followed by the stirring military drama "On Active Service." Koch of these productions involves with auxiliaries tho presence of about eighty people upon, tho stage. The Tittoll Bruno Company are still playing "Merely Mary Ann" to very largo and appreciative audiences at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, despite tho fact that tho sultry weather of tho past week him militated somewhat against theatrical enjoyments. When it is oven, luaily found necessary to withdraw Z&ngwill's romantic comedy, a revival of f T/Aiglon" will take its place, to be succeeded by tho over popular "Sunday/’ Thou Miss Bruno will be soon for the HrtiC time in Melbourne* in Sardou’s famous emotional play "La Tosca/' The company has lost no time in getting to work on "Dorothy Vernon, of Haadou iTaJi," rehearsals for which have already commenced, and that play will, in all probability, bo done during tho present season in addition, of course, to "Leah Ivloschna/’ In criticising the first performance of the five-act play, "The Marriage of William Atiho.” tho piece that Misa Maud Williamson and Mr Alfred "Woods made their first appearance in in Now York. the "“Dramatic Mirror" Bays: —"Tho play m devoid of virility, and is unsatisfying, duo to the lack of backbone in the character*. So it if* hardly to be put down «.« a fault if the actors appeared kisktAß in strength. . . Maud William- .• »n. no Lady Traumore, did not make a verv good grand dame, though the part: afforded von' iitlle chance for good work. . . . Alfred Woode, who is well-known ’i, Australia, and in making hi* first New Vo-k appearance in thin play, gave nu •-.rlK’iv impersonation of the little I Van, ar.d proved to be & consistent actor, sifted with a Tdeopant ami penetrating voice. In spite of its inherent weakthe piny may prove popular out of An alteration hw# boon imulo in the nr. of Air ft. O. Knowles’sforf.lt--.MMuing tour of Australasia with his monologue entertainment "Trifles that Tn iihle Ihe Traveller." He will open a? Ihe Ihd.ace Theatre. Sydney, about the ‘second neck in February ir lead f in Melbourne, im originally intended, owing In the difficulty of securing a suitable fbcatro in tho latter city. Two popular members of the defunct Pollard Opern Porn pan y, have joined Hie Stephenson ranks. Tliew* are Miss Alice Pollard, who it if. said ban improved cut •sf sill knowledge, and Mr Charles Albert, bettor known from the "Three Kings*' to "The Bluff" as "The fnered." Mr Albert fill* the onerous duties of .issud-anl stage manage.* as well at, playing responsible parts.

Tl," vii'.’iiih ' i.'iTi.Mli.'i'iii "f T!j"t‘l' vi >. ~ linriiitr • I' i | ", I" ' '.Mi'i- j V. ii'l' ", t-;-" ii 1 '/"I'-T I " I-" j t; ". . T III! I V"i J• -"• "I'M / ■ 1 ! ' M"'! 'd.'. "n.i ! >■•■•■■■ ’ ! "■•1".?*,,;’ T , I";; i •■■■•’n- ", I. ■*' v' .V'■ M,.. j Tl:" V. •I. LTM' Ml.. | ; : "I I 11l | i: (hMil'iiiiTl'il: »!’!•. I"" .11 ’.V-nilii.- i iV," I, "f Ml.) Mi.n'itt, 1.1 i M,."/,.. "I. mil.iy. ’ll" 11.■■.•11.1..:- i Mu HuSi’i " ill i'"T„"ti,l'-r. i! ’, y N.-'.v , Z'Mlai..! 11:"-*:iLr"".' . ■- Mi- n-. M..- | "I'll"’ "1 M." Hli.ii:'.". ; U'Ml'l, M". i"' NT’W /"•* I'l mi I M ■ I' H, 11 /; mi Ml < i \t. ,fr." i.. i ■'l1 1 1’" | 1 "”i ’V! ; J ,\T.r. i., ii, M.- Hi'iii- ,., ! I",. . t't"rroon lit Ml.' lUM. It'" ■ iv.. "i v' 'i' ,t-H.ik' v I,"" -’ i' i."M 111 M." i l lll’ ’''ll ..1 M. M-trv .."1 St l"li" ’>v Mi" I.Vv M-m't ( 1 ,|,.l,'i j.. , "T. " " I tl" '.ti ll I "1;..: :,! "tl". Mi" il"i ini' t’ ‘ 1.-iini i "ii):'."l n H’.n.l "1 Ml" I'l-ra H'.n- l"t liz.iliit!' I’l'Mii-r.i. i"fi". it mil I" I-,-,l—r.-I. iv.l - . :ii" I.: i;'J" p.irl t"i’.l.i M.• ,|, c, %V i' I ' , I'.iM.i.'i" I-1.1.1.-V '■"infill' - A lift,;,', ill, imu l.t»' v.'.U' "'1.r.'.l II 11 i'll:, fti in l-"n.1..n nl Mil i-ri'i nf In-.' N.ivr-ml.-r. 1m 1.-r mi" "inf it,- nt M'-ii li'l.-i-i.illi'- n: n.-l" in » I'l""'"'i •' MiiUiiimin-i' Xittif n Ilii'iiiii. '■/![" i lirl f."i" K. -'ill 'iniiiK «t- ---<•. ; 1.11-111...,. .11. 111." *.1.1 j, ..'is ril<SviiiK'V. .-itii! Mr .1, I , U illif.tii-nti i,nd, 'a lour iv""i.-* run > "t-:.if t<* f fnl.iMty In. 4 ivan.'.l, " V"r".iU|'to" mil \",'r".V.",,."V-" , f. , r"tiu- '•""imviti'c |.ni.. h.i’.itnl ly not y.-i 1...'.. il""i.i."i mi. v;!h l ‘' ; * , iV!i' 'siloi'i' Mill,'* 1 n imu-lriil l'l-i.v . . f.,11 -1 rili'linti mill "111.";', it n,:.,. !" ■■Til" 1 »'i I I tom Kay-. ’ In }'■ t ! "f" i- o [i.irt iiuito no f""ii a.- V, linin' J 1 ;iMin: mi —it till- Mi— I'lon ifT' Vounjr. In- | -1,,' 11'alrotuly ln«l nn "jifnrMiiiity ii liurim,' ItiT .•.fjjriiiru in Sim! ii Atrinn nH ii "11" "i Mi 111’oitii,- M.iwm.!<--•» i nii;i ituuti it ti'U- imrs agi». *"J'hc Shoji (lirl * ui’! in ;i! 1 pjnhability he added to Mie iif. j.t MmiiiniiiyV ropi-rtoiio ilmiiis; Mi-ir in Syiliioy. >l.«fr» .Miitin-Ihon nntl I'ninfany him Jtt.t. acilinveil Mu- arnmntic nwonl of M.<-Wo-t I,’uui.. fl.iytiik' tlii'tr ifiv ri'l'ciioire .i. IP-cflnu c 1 i?. Hokitika. Wc-i----and N'mlmiii to overflowing Ik.ist. ntghl Iv. 'The Company, avludi nuiniicrs Jd mcmheis. hn* won guhion opininm; Mom ihe pnvt, vvilitoiit a single • in, (he various productmn-. Ucing chaioctcriacd as among the hnc.-L ever witin l hat pan. of Now Zealand.

Mr H.-nilil Cmiiilry. wlio nrrivci in Mc’liminK.' by i.lit* li'ilia 11 frw iliiyti ns;c>. (,u. n ileal of interest .mil? eilicru*m*es jii'l "pinions to impart. With an cxti'nile<l ai'inaintancc of stujte inntins{pnir>nt emiin'cinif t lire" rount ri<-s—Australia. ilnp'*.tnii. anil Hu* Hnitn'i Statey. in* nmintaitis tile eonviclinn that i>layw, more especially nmpical plays, aro staged out liwo every hit a> elalioratcly and ns expensively‘ns anywhere el-e in the world. It must'he remembered that this opinion is based on the recollections of a few years ago. since when Mr .1. C. Wiiliamiioii inns greatly added to Ids lavishuess ot* scenery and appointments. Conrefluent ly Mr Coventry's opinion is likely to he strongly confirmed when ho secs such pieces, ai "The Orchid,'* "The Cmgnlee." and •*V r eronique" done by the Itoyal Comic Oporn Company—for m them .Mr Williamson reachen tlie highest jioint id general cxcetlenco in stage management. Mr Coventry wan favourably impiersed with all the new pieces secured liv Mr J. C. Williamson, and especially with "Tho Little ilichus," which ho declares is tho hoot musical play ho has been for a number of years. It contains lie says, an ideal part for Mr George Lauri, and when tie taw tho piece m Condon, he could not help picturing to himself Mr Lauri* in it—always an excel, lent test of the (suitability of a character fur an actor.

"Tho Kelly Gang," a melodrama vividly illustrative of tho famous Victorian bushrunging sensations ol tho early ; Bo’s, which is proving a groat draw, is produced on a very comprehensive and realistic scale by Messrs Mncmahun’s now Dramatic Company. Little Gulliver waa buried at the Southern Cemetery. Dunedin, on Sunday afternoon. the 1-Uh instant. On tlio stroke of three o’clock the cortege left the hospital, headed bv the Citizens* Band, playing the Dead March in "Saul." Cumberland street was lined with people, so was Prsnrfv* street south, into winch the slow p racist on wound. Hundreds flanked the parlv following the hearse, and from Cumberland street to the burial ground the slow pacing cortege was viewed by quite 10,000 j*oople. On the slopes of the Southern Cemetery from UOWi lo 7000 spectators were gathered. Behind the hearse. in carriages and on foot, followed Mr John F. Sheridan and tho member* (ladica and gentlemen! of hi* company, to which tho deceased bad belonged. Mr John Fuller. Jun„ tho members of hi« company, and other professional* and friends wero also in nt- ' tendance. Tn one carriage were placed the many beautiful wreaths and flowers sent by deceased** friends and co-work-I er*. Amongst these were floral tributes from Mis* Ilcba Barlow. Mr J. F. Sheridan, Mr IVoicrtor, Mr Fuller, Mr H. O. Campbell. Mr Allan Hamilton, Air Grunt, and from other members of tho company and outside friends. At tho gravo-sido the pros* was so groat that tho full orchestral service arranged by Mr A. F. H-nbortwhaw had lo be partially abandonee!. The company were grouped sound the open grave, and the brat-* instruments led them in a few versos of the hymn "Abide with mo/’ Tho beautiful nnd solemn burial service wa/» most impressively read by Mr Torrance, who afterward* in a few touching words prayed for the comfort of tho dead man's father, mother, nnd family in Melbourne, and of his friend* and co-workers prosent. It was a verr sad little scone, and not all eves were dry. Many circumstances combined to awake the public interest and curiosity in the little comedian’s funeral, which tho immense attendance bore witness to. Tie wa#s a member of a profession whoso adherents are always in the public eye. Hi* stature gave him an uncommonly public position in that profession: Jind though tho life of a wayfarer may reasonably be expect#*! to end away from home, vet there in a certain added pathos in de.ith when it. occurs far from those whose love can soften the lost dread accident. Of all Hint great gathering, senrcoly more than half a hundred —his fellow-workers were friends. One and all they seem to have been deeply attached to him, anil one and all the* stood at the open grave lo say thrir laKt "Ave ntqne vale" to their "little friend. It war? only a part of him (tho beautiful service teachesthat they were laying under the grains: only a very small part. But it was a nerr they had learned to love Mr Sheridan asks ns to acknowledge his heartfelt thanks to those who assisted at th»» impre.viv ' funeral of Little Gtilliver.— "Kvoning Star." "Bill Adiuus" with which Georg*' Slcpl»en.=K»n inaug-.iratos his fenFon on Saturday night vrruii written for the famous Rnglish ('oinedian M* - Arthur Koberts. It; ha* boon on tour through fhe Ihiglish prorince* for tho la*-* three ream, nnd hat? phouomcnnJly fucc#>K>fn!. Mr Lanrt will undertake tho name purl playtv? hy Mr Robert,; i;i wliich he adopts <iorcn or differunt Thotigh not yet throe years Hie nublic as a manager. Mr Gconre Stojv. IseiiMon stands just j»« good with playgcy'rs a* any ether theatrical enlropronirur. Thi* m uioto especially the ear-e in Melbourne and Sydney, anything staged in thc-se cities by him is accented. arid a packed house on a fir-d t*igli» h;ie. ab.v.iyy grated hia prxyluciious.

A rur.tu. meritorious I'-erionuamx- of J -I'mi-m - Ida” vvrt, done tor the hrst.J ror -ev.-r.i! vi -ir< hr the (»ilbe»*lj and Sullivan Cen.panv at the Prince* } •lify;.* M- B.ou/m- low nrgh'o ago, i a:* f tl:-* '.!'!• I gt- lu -i a : mi. ot fi -U .g It *;*'■- ! ! -a;,.! uhT iv? all nmim- of i..- d.u-ghnui M-avestv at T-nny.-ou's is - -lias ha- i'v>-, luai s-s a in Aufu. T he ian lor a week, and wan -m M-ded he the duul.le bill of ' i'ri.t! I»v Jury’* and '"Tim Ijoicere;-. ' h. nine !h. hemdif. ut I m whole 'deven ]•;.. . . ;u ihe < •<»inpanv*‘ Jcpcrlone duiu;g t [ : e h;i.L ;-.*.U"!):i of ciglit wcckt, jn .V, !!,„uim.' n-.*.“,':!ut.c.*s a icstrictioti of tin* bj!i to three nights only. “The Umii.wi •i i the (iuard" was put on for ten;.under ( .l the week. On .Nitur-; .i j- in- -jutl, .lauuarv, 'M.Aopia LnniKHl" j v. le 1,.- .raged lor the hot Unm in j An strain., j IT * Sh.darts have Required Mic Amo- . fighm oS ■•The Blue Moon.” Mr J. C. Willie ni -*,n has the Atotral. lifoan MgliUtt ot the name piece. The Mum-al -I oiin ■ mu 4 *, who toured the 1 ‘111!• ■ r Cir.-uit some liir.e ago. were show, mg .ti Xutli'a. 80-. Ton. on tiie HPh Jde- • emher A p:,»y r-nuiled and Hi* lh'- ; * or lloi.ne Party.” by limn. \(ii•!«•. -.Vi-J, enpywrighted at Washpfgi. n !!i November, Home interer.ting imn icijbars of Severn! r.» Mr .1. C. Wil!i:i:ieo:Tu most recent a- quisil ion- in the rdmpt* or musical! - »■!<* coniiiinetj in the letter he | :(Nved trum hM repn**out<itivo. | \ i fm. Vaudeville Ti.calre “The Catch of j tie. Siicou" had reached its .VJ-Uh pci-

11 ,• i manic, mid we still drawing strongly, while -.Va J. idy Madcap” was played mr ihe biM. time nt tho i'rinco of Waio.*’s Theatre alter dAt perfonnances. “The Hpiing Cliicken’' was to be further enlivened bv the introduction of n number mi new -.ongs and danccr» which will have Ujo cufeci of aitbsiantially atlding to Us already lung life at the (Jaiety Theatre, and the sinco-s of '"Tho lAttlo Michu?*” a i_ Dalys has been ro prunounced an to ieuvler it epute certain that the succosor ii» that tuneful piece* will not be wanted *nu! next autumn. Finally, “The Blue .Muiui’’ reached is humliediii performance at the Dyrie Theatre on the 2Slb Novein. h**i. The John T. Sheridsin Comedy <’ompiuiy rontiniu-ts to meet with success at the Princess' TJieatre, Dunedin. The piece fcl ceded for the third clmngo cl programme wna si revival of “Mrs IKioiey's Billie. .Joke,” which was pre-j'.mU-d for approval on the Bth instant. Of the performance the "Daily Times” .savs; —ln ”Mjk Doolev'tf .Joke.” tlage<l for the first time i n Dunedin at. tho Prineivs Theatre last night. Mr .John F. Sheridan reapiwars in his most popular and characteristic phn*o as the impor-f-:mator nf n :>• iture lady of a liumorottrt turn and distinctly mi<hilc-e3«ss tendencies, These elderly Indie* of Mr Sheridan’s creation are quaint, facile of speech, genial. Hibennan. and above all tilings el.t-e rwpeetable. Ono of them, ever .0 many yearn ago, made Mr Sheridan famous across tho world in “Fun on ihe Bristol,” and that one has had many worthy and various successors —af whom Mrs Boolev is surely not tho least commendable. In short, Air Sheridan Inst night displayed nil hi* old form in a (’harder which allowed him io develop his jovial talent* along his old linos, and the result could not fail to ho admirable. “Mrs Dooley'* Joke" is a farcical comedy that whirls and eddies round the Melbourne Cup as central incident or coniHcatcs and fizzes before the Melbourne Cap as background. There i« a young married woman of the farcical-conicdv type—the daughter of Mrs Dooley withal—whoso husband mirrepHHously owns and runs a horse called Miss Carbine. Tho name of the horse, joined with tho neorecy of the husinww. rerve to create extremely amusing and ludicrous complications. and these complications form all there is of the comedv. Tho remainder is dance and song, and the dance* and songs are always very good. Mifis ITeba Harlow works with vigour and spirit a* a Yankee girl. Miss Muriel Williams i« effective ba tho young married woman aforesaid, while Mr Thomas Curran does good work ns the young married man who incidentally owns and associates with Mips Carbine. Mr Frank Crossley—a comedian of exceptional talent and force—is genuinely nnuMing as Reggio Walker, a punter. Mr Crossley has brains and a forceful originality of method, and is generally a source of strength to the company. Little Gulliver, who is ns clever as ho is liny, is excellent as Buttons. Miss Florrie Failing is likewise as Bridget, a cook. Other characters of the farce are ably sustained. Tho sconcrv and setting are good. Tho chorsus nro admirable. To Air F. W. Woirter. who ronducta tho orchestra and is generally responsible for tho musical work of the productions, great credit is due. Mr WVirlcr not only wields a wkilful baton, but he ha* that, grip of his chorus which only long experience and genuine talent can give. To the multitude of playgoers who like fun withotd vulgarity and cleverness that has in it ! no element of tho tediou*. Mm Dooley is commended. Miss Mabcllo Morgan the now soprano of Stephenson's Company i* a native ol Melbourne. Sho won first prizes nt l»otJi Bendigo and Ballarat competitions. Sho is voung. a liret-class actress and has a charming *tago presence. Critics* aro unanimous that in light opera eo pecially, she is bound to make a big name for herself. Stephen It. Phi I pot who i« responsible for tho music of "Bill Adams'* has lately como to tho front ae a composer of melodious ballads. Several of lb© numbers in this picco aro recognised musical goms, and as the score has never been published tho “Captain Kidds’* of tho vaudeville stage have been unablo to ; murder tho best numbers. “Tho Australasian Stugo Annual for 1006" is a much more pretentious number than its prodoccs&orn. Owing to the largo domand for previous issues 1 this years number has b©eu enlarged to fifty-sis page*. It contains thirty-three first-class portraitß of stage eelebrito*?, whilst two pages are devoted to autographs of some of tho leading members of the profession: Including Miss Nellie Stewart. Madame Molba. Miss Ada CrossIcy. Mis* Minnie Tittell Bruno. Miss Rose Musgrovc. Mrs Robert Brough. Miss Kugonio Duggan, Miss Florence Young, Mdllo. Antonia Dolores, Mrs Bland Holt, Mis* Maud Jeffries, Mr Jnliin* Knight. Mr Cuylcr Hastings, Mr Robert Brough. -Mr Herbert Flemming, Mr Alfred Dampior, and Air Harcourt Beatty, The lettorpr€>ss is nliso first-claas amongst the contribulors being Mr A, 33. Greenaway, Mr AV r ilfrcd Drnycolt, Mr Andrew Mack. Mia* Nanco O’Nail, Mr C. R. Ikintock. Mr John Glondining. itr Kdward Lauri, and Mi?*s Alexia Bassian. There aro also specially-written articles entitled "When I First Faced tho Footlights," in which several prominent Australasian favourites 101 l of the (sensations they experienced on making their first appearance on tho stage. Tho article entitled “Artist* and thoir Superstitions” nleo excellent reading. Tho diary of datoA is coni plot o in every way, containing on it dot's everything of importance (arranged in alphabetical order) in tho Australasian stag© world for the year—full oastw of new productions, tintm of first appearance of all visiting artistes, companies movements, departures. marriages, death*, etc. Mr W, A. Crawley (dramatic editor of tho “Sydney Referee'” and “Sunday Times”) who is editor and proprietor is to bo congratulate*! on the excellent manner in which ho has compiled this year’s issue, whilst Ihe printers, Messrs John Andrew and Co., Sydnev are aliso deserving of a word of praise for tho way in which the volume is printed. The annual is on Halo at Mr O. A. lnnos*s. Tourist Bookshop. 03, WillU Street, and HollidayV. Lambtou Quay, and several other Ijooksellerß. Mr Forbes llobertson and Mr Charles Frohmnn both (says tho “Now York Dramatic Mirror*’) claim to have the BugB«th rights to “The Lion and the Mouse." Robertson say*? it will be h*s m-*xt product ion. Frohm&n says it viH not. itallando, the clay modeller, wns appearing at Ihe Km pi re Paine©, Edinburgh, ou the 9th December,