PLAYS AND PLAYERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6450, 22 February 1908, Page 11

PLAYS AND PLAYERS

BOOKINGS. OPERA HOUSE. Feb. 15 to 25.—Carter, the Magician. March 2d to April 17—Flemming Co. April 18 to May 9—J. C; Williamson. May 11 to 20—E. Gcach. May 25 to June 13—J. C. Williamson. June 20 to July 4—Allan Hamilton. July 16 to 2>— il. Geach. August 14 to 51—J. C. Williamson. Bept. 2 to 22—Allan Hamilton. Out. 3 to 30—Bland Holt. Nov. 25 to Dec. 19—Weal's Pictures. Dec. 26 to Jan. 14—J. C. Williamson. TOWN lIAXjL. March 5 and s—Madame Clara Butt. March 23 to April 2—West’s Pictures and tho Brcscians. April 13 to May 2 —Catholic Bazaar. Kept. 5 and 9—Mallison Concert Co. --''THEATRE EOYAI*. Fuller's Entertainers—Pornnaneivu HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Royal Pictures-ia season.

NOTES (By '‘Lorgnette/’) Tho soa>an of Cai-tor the .Magician h:u* proved a "real tucceiv.s in every way. lie is a conjurer anil illusionist i>ossessi.ug a tfi’eat deal more than tho usua.l aiuoiuit of skill, and it is some coiL-idorablo lime since the Donriirion was visited by one ho clever. Uis illuand sleight of hand feats are done in mairvellouis style. Ae each i;oifoj-in-ancß Miss Abejail I’nce g-ivtss a par.iiljng display of thought transference. All wiio uisii to see a bivrh-class oiite-rtaiimteni ‘should not miss the opportunity of visiting tho tfpora House to see either the matinee or evening performances of this .clovor ma-gieiaji.

The Royal Comic Opera Company are now iu the full Rush of their mscaiii of “The Jhiivymaids” at Her .Majesfy’s Theatre, Sydney, and that bright, tuneful, and amusing piece has burn drawing excellent Kuumv, since the opening night. Meanwhile l “The Lady Handies" L in active rehearsal.

The big Easier aliruction this year in Melbourne will luidoubudiy he "Peter Pan," which goes up at the Princess Theatre on April 181 li. The production represents the .culmination of twelve ■.months' negotiation between Air J. C. Williamson and Air Charhv. Frohmaiin. and the theatre was hooked several months’ ago in aniicipation. it was while lie was in London that Air Williamson brought matters to a finality, and both there and in Xew York took every opportunity-of seeing the dainty-whimsi-cality played.' One of the chief rcaroua of Albs Tittoll .Prune s trip last year — apart, of course, from the holiday aspect —was also to see the piece, both yy it was played by Maud Adams in the United States, and Pauline Chase in London, and to present herself to Air J. M. Barrie. For the author .stipulates, before he assigns the playing rights to anybody, that he shall have the chance of pei>:onally interviewing the actress selected for "Peter Pan." It is, perhaps, needless to say that Miss Bnuie "passed," and with flying colours, and in a week or two will bo on her way out to take up her new role. The welcome will bo a tremendous one, and the character in which she will make her reappearance ono that could, not well be bettered.

Air Julius Knight’s Sydney season will be brought to a close with revivals ol "Baffles" and "Tho Prisoner of ZendaU

Puller's Advanced Vaudeville Company has been shqwing to packed houses during the past week. The blll-of-fure is without doubt ono of the best ever submitted to the patrons of the Theatre Royal-by the Fuller Proprietary. -There are no headliners in the programme, though all the turns are much above the average. In a long andjvaried programme the Banvards, the Vantells, Bo nett a and Williams, Salmon and Chester, Aladame Lilian Montgomery, Denis Carney, Miss Brightic Smith, and Will James stand out prominent. The biograph pictures are also of a high-class order.

It is no holiday handing out presents to children attending a matinee of a picture show. Last Saturday afternoon “Lorgnette” dropped in at Ills Majesty's Theatre just as the performance was finishing, and was “commandeered” by the management to help distribute the prizqr to tho children present. Some eight hundred of them. The way they tried to rush from the gallery to get the “pick of tho basket” was a regular eye-opener. Every child received a present and we.rt homo thoroughly pleased. Another matinee will bo given this afternoon and tho management state that the presents to bo distributed on this occasion will bo superior to those given at former inatikoes. The price of admission to all parte of the houpe will be the nimble sixpence.

The production of “Claudian” at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, on Saturday, February Bth, naturally attracted, a crowded and very enthusiastic audience, who welcomed the Hcnnaam-Wills drama with every indication of approval. They quickly caught the -atmosphere of mysticism and envelopes the play, and followed tho course of the story with an eager interest which deepened from act to act, until the realism of the earthquake scene brought them to their feet in a storm of applause. Mr Julius Knight, as was only to be expected from an actor of his attainments, put life and fire into the portrait of the Byzantine moblenian labouring under a cure© too weighty to bo borne, while Miss Olga Humphrey's study, of AJraida, the gentle maiden who ’ invested with charm and sympathy. Others in the long cast whoso work was up to the high standard the Julius Knight Dramatic 'Company ihave set themselves, were;—Miss Florence Olceson, Miss Ehvyn Harvey, Messrs Leslie Victxxr, Mr Herbert Bentley, Mr Reynolds Daunistoun, and Mr Hubert 'Willis. The scenery, introducing the very spirit of Byzantine splendour, contrasted with rural simplicity, was on ns. very high scale of artistic excellence.

Miss* Alice Pollard was at latest advices appearing as Hardee in "The at His Majesty's Theatre, Johannesburg.

Evidence of the staying power of "Humpty-Dumpty" continue to accumulate. Not only is it by this time well past its sixtieth performance at Her Majesty's Theatre, and- as the advertisement tersely puts it, "going strong for tho century," but the management in the sure and certain hope of its constant aptpeal to the playgoers of Australasia, has arranged for it a tour on exactly tho same lines as tho famous itinerary of "Mother Goose" last year, except that on this occasion West Australia has had to bo out out, owing to tho inability to find a suitable opening for it at the Perth theatre But tho other States of the Commonwealth will bo visited, and tho tour will extend, of course to New Zealand, where it .will come to n conclusion in November in time for r S he i’^? als . to start on the pantomime of 1908. anyone visiting Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, can easily understand the reason for this extended season, for houses remain at the same crowded level as they have always done. One or two changes have recently been made ui th-y musical numbers. Mies Irene Dillon now sings "Moonbeams," xr^ a^r n f^° n %i ln i a ‘ tak V tlJr mau ner, and Ha r ry Phydora has substituted mien I was m the Chorus of tho Gaiet/ for "It's a Sad. Sad Story.' The now song is a rollicking dittv concerning the experiences of a lady 'of tho stage and Mr Phydora gives ■i,iii* 1 0 rIr> and piquancy possible, while a cleverly worked chorus makes an effective background. That fine psychological study of modern domestic problems "John Glardos' Honour, by Alfred Sutro, will bo pro-

seated for the first time in Melbourne at tho Princess Theatre, on,March 7th. The Royal Pictures continue to do excellent business at His Majesty's Theatre. Tho management eoem to have a never ending quantity of, films to display, the result being that at each, exhibition a new picture is thrown on tho screen. Amongst the features shown during tho past week may be mentioned “A Trip Across tho Atlantic,” '‘Our Now Errand Bov,” “Elixir of Strength,” “The Enchanted Pond” “H.M.S. Dreadnought,” and “Her First Bike Ride.’’ .Miss Ida Brady sings several ballads which are greatly appreciated.

Mr Gcorgo Lauri will take a long and much-needed rc*-str at the clo*e of the run rf “Tho Dairymaid.'-” at His Majesty's . Theatre, Sydney. Wirth’s Circus and Menagerie- is at prevent touring the South Island, and doing excellent business. The combination commence a six nights' season at Christchurch on Monday. In referring to the show a Southern exchange says: —The menagerie, which includes the animals previously owned bv the proprietaries of BoMock and Wombbell’s and Fitzgerald’s circuses, is quite the best and biggest that has been seen here for many a clay, ‘and the horses are numerous and beautiful. Fbi (lie adult mind also the circus posscse-es charms which never stale, as was evidenced by the big audience that assembled on Friday night. . . . Ab aforesaid the monag?rio was the principal feature of the show, and it was’well worth seeing by anyone having the faintest interest in wild fauna. The collection of elephants and lions were particularly fine. In tlio ring quite the most thrilling act was that of Herr Rudolf, who put five lions through their paces, the while he had a bear, a leopard, and a wolf in the cage besides. Of tho circus proper turns the beet was that of the Flying Herberts, whose aerial flights proved as dariug as of yore. Mdie. PJullipina performed “the bounding jockey” act with groat grace and apparent case; Tomasos ft isley act was a marvel of its class; and'Mir* Mirth’s juggling on horseback was a very clever performance. These wore tho outstanding acta in a long and varied programme, which was heartily applauded all )h rough. In conclusion came the exhibition of high jumping by Lady Morton, Maori, und anolaor old favourite. which did not fail to earn tho high appreciation of the numerous aud- : ae Islington .:ea*ou commences on Monday, March 2nd. Mr George L. i'un-u, ~c ,u? hustiing advance for Messrs \Virlh, has completed arrangements for the huge tents to be pitched on the old tramsiunl.s site, to the Basin Reserve. Something quite novel in the way of pantomime* books has juA been issued by J. C. Williunn-on. Recognising, as they always have done, the claims of flic ‘'kiddies” as well as the grown-ups, to con.-MUration In connection with the production or a pantomime, the management commissioned those two clever young ladies, the Misses Annie and Ida iyeuAoui, to write a.nd illustrate respectively a children’s version of the story of •‘Humply Dumpty,” told in simple language, with those entrancing worths, “Once upon u time” to begin with, and with a succession of tho daiutie-st sketches, both in pen and ink and colour, to add further to its attractiveness. The resultant souvenir, which is already much In demand in Melbourne, is one of the most delightful publications over turned oil from an Australian and reflects the greatest credit on artist, author, and printer alike. It would go a long way towards consoling a child disappointed of seeing tho pantomime itself. It is rumoured extensively that Mr Harcourt Beatty will bo oeen again with Miss Nellie Stewart's Company when it starts operations.

Hr and Mrs Charles Waldron (nee Miss Hay King, of Sydney) were presented ■ with a Little daughter in New York recently. Tire christening, according to a private letter to hand, was a most brilliant affair. Amongst the guests were Hr and Mrs J. C. Williamson.— "Referee/’

It is stated that Mr John. P.. Sheridan, with a strong company, will shortly commence a tour of the Dominion. Amongst the pieces to be staged by Mr Sheridan will bo "The Girl from Venus,” ■■The Moneymakers,” and "The Earl and the Girl.”

Mr J. C. Williamson's “Blue Moon” Company commence a season at tho Theatre Royal, Christchurch, on the 26th inst with "The Blue Moon.”

"Tho Prisoner of Zenda,” that fine romantic drama of Ruritania, is to be added to tho Julius Knight revival repertoire, and with Mr Knight ps Rudolph Rassendyil, and Miss Ola Jane Humphrey as the Princess Plavia, should prove a strong drawing card.

That famous comedy drama, "Monsieur Beaucaire,” which has been on© of tho biggest favourites lip the whole list of Mr J. C. Williamson's plays, has just been revived again in London.

Rumour has been hard at work in Melbourne during the past week or two regarding a forthcoming theatrical divorce case. The parties to the action are said to. bo. a well-known comedian, and his wife and a leading manager. Following is the full cast of characters and synopsis of scenery of "The Mummy and the Humming Bird,” which will be the opening piece of the Flemming Company's Wellington season, which commences r.t tho Opera House on March 28th:—Lord Lumley, Mr Herbert Flemming; Signor D'Orelli. Mr A. S. Homewood Ronalds, R.N., Mr Aubrey Mallalieu: Giuseppe, Mr 11. W. Varna; Judson, Mr Winter Hall; Markham, Mr John F. Forde; Thomas. Mr H. Bennett; Mrs Ruth Thornton. Miss Elise Clarens; Cummings, Miss Joan Blair; Lady Lumley. Miss Beatrice Day. Synopsis of scenery—Act I. : Lord Lumley's Study in London. Act 11. : Lady Lumley’s Boudoir. (two months pass). Act 111. ; Signor D'Orolli's Chamber in London (the same evening). Act IV. : Scene I.— Same as Act I. (morning of next duyb Scene II, —Siitingvoom in the Hotel de Lomlres, Paris.

Miss Rose Musgrovc is reluming to her old love—musical comedy—and is studying singing in London with Madame Minna Fischer.

It is said that Mr J. C. Williamson .will have two companies in Sydney and two in Melbourne at Easter.

The proposed alterations and improvements to the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, will bo during next month. The alterations will include, among other things, the erection of two dress circle boxes.

Mr Harold Ashton, who saw “Peter Pnn*’ while on his American visit, says, “It is the play of the century." Ho expects it to be an enormous success when staged in Australia and New Zealand. «