NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 11

NOTES

(By "Lorgnette.”) Commencing with a matinee this afternoon, theMoynoil and Gunu management revive “Tno Fatal Wedd.ns/' a drama that has proved cno of Uio best moneygettors over staged in Australia. Tno cast, whudi is almost entirely new, includes Messrs <-•. ft. Stanford. G. F. Carey, i. U. Coughlin, Mios Beatrice Hollowly, and Liule qjueenie WLlianis.

Tho Bland Holt Dramatic Company inaugurated a tour of ilie ifommiun at Ilm Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, on Wednesday evening, wifn me meiodrama.

“Jiio Great millionaire.“ Air Holts company unmoors some fifty strong, wmiat tho repertoire tor Um tour includes nine pieces, eight of which are new' to New Zealand, amongst them being “Tho Bondman,” “The Great Rescue,” and “iiie Breaking of the Drought.” it is some years since Mr and Mrs Holt visited New Zealand, and it is sate to predict that the present tour will be as successful as its predecessors. i‘«e Wellington season opens ac the Opera House on Saturday, October bid, oud extends until October bOth.

Mcyucil and Gunn’s Company, "MLs Hook of Holland” is now on ub eigrth week in the byduey Criterion. The allround excellence of the Company, and tne splendid chorus have astonished Sydney playgoers, and nothing nut praise is besuot.cd upon the' producion generally. "Miss Hook of Holland” will soon bo seen in Now Zealand.

By the lonic came to hand a few lines from Air Fred H. Graham, dated Tenenlie, July.23rd., in which he says: "We have had a lovely trip. Have organised five concerts, ail highly successful. Last night we hold a fancy-dress bail, organised by tho Ist and 2nd saloon passengers. Mrs Graham won the second prize foi hor dress and make-up, as 'Liza, tho Coster Girl/ and I won the first prise for dress and mako-up as th© 'Merry Widow.’ Mrs Graham and seif have received many thanks and congratulations for our work in organising the concerts.”

Tho Messrs Fuller Rave definitely decided to give vaudeville best for a while, and at Uio end of the Burns-Squires fight season will initiate a Wide World lictures entertainment. It is the intention of the management to give Wellington amusement-lovers of th© very Lest.

“Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” received the wanmst welcome from Sydnejr playgoers on the opening night, and hits been running ever since to tho crowded and appreciated audiences it so thoroughly deserved. Mr J. C. Williamson has arranged th© following itinerary for its New Zealand tour: "Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” Auckland October 26 to 31; New Plymouth, November 2; liawera, November 3; Wanganui, November 4; Masterton, November 5; Wellington, November 6 to 12; Dunedin, November 14 to 20; Invercargill, November 21; Oamaru, November 23_; Tim am, November 24; Ashburton, November 25; Christchurch, November 26 to December 2; Palmerston North, December 4; Hastings, December 5; Napier, December 7; Gisborne, December 10 and XI. A tour of tho Waikato will then be undertaken finishing up with a short return season in Auckland.

Meynell and Gunn's "Two Little Sailor Boys’ Company, which opens in Sydney on October 10th, includes Mr James Liiidsay, Miss Lilian Meyers, Miss Esmie Harlcsdene, Miss Louis© Garbage, Miss Maisio Maxwell, Air Reginald Wykcham Mr Harry Halley, Mr Wilson Forbes! and Miss Maud Chctwynd.

Mr John ford, whoso dancing in "The Eed Mill" is such a feature of that bright musical play, doesn't believe in benii!, interviewed, and prefers to let his wort stand for him. Sydney Interviewers have tried to got mm to talk about himself and hie career, but with little success. Me is considered on© of the best dancers in America, one learns from other sources, but lie does not himself indicate any inclination to reveal how ho arrived at that eminence.

Miss Ivy Scott is understudying to Miss Carrie Moore, in "The Merry Widow” as presented by J. C. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company.

During tho present season at tho Opera House of Meyneli and Gunn’s Dramatic Company, will be tho first production in Australasia of J. A. Campbell® drama entitled "The Old Folks at Home.'' A specially augmented cast has been engaged for tho production. The drama is described as being exceptionally strong one of the big features being a scene in’ a cotton plantation in Virginia.

James Brown Atholwood, actor, who lately did an unfortunate spoil iu gaol lor bigamy (though it was not a very clear case of bigamy, and when the Law tossed up, the penny might as well come down one way as the other) was recently hauled up at Sydney Water Bobby Court for unpaid maintenance money. He explained that he could not pay; he was an unemployed actor, and to all intents and purposes had not a cent. Tct Atholwood is something of a genius on the stage, and he never yet acted a part he didn't act well. Apparently the only reason why he is unemployed is that he has been in gaol on a rather confused charge of bigamy. Any number of heroes staged by J. C. Williamson and i Anderson and the Rupert Clark ayndi- I cate have also been in gaol, and in the dramas out of which theee gentlemen make their money, the hero generally gets a bigger salary when he comes out of gaol than before he went in. Unless logic is quite dead, these firms ought to j

ruoh AthMwood with engagements at inctuus-ou. cuU.y. if it not good cuuu 6 u u> cu 8 fhe ttCU, r \vno na s nu.a luo uiiaiurUiiio to be iocK.ca-up, it buuaiu col utj gouu Ciiougii Vo inuii.u iiioiiuy out or me noro wno nus ueeu iocnea-up. — r ‘n>uiieau.”

The Messrs Fuller have leased the Auciuanu opera nouse to tho Nieyncii ana uuai iot a couxiio oi aoaftoiis. vv n*t vne atuactioits. are and want dates nave ovuoi uooned aro not known yet.

Patrons of His Majesty’s Theatre havo no reason to complain of the fare sot before them by Uio Royal Pictures byudic&te. There is pn-nty of variety m the pictures shown, whilst the effects are well-nigh perfect. The usual matinee will be given this afternoon.

Tho Pollard Opera Company, at present touring Queensland, produced "The Tea Girl” on Monday, August 31st. The Ciioiee to the composer, Mr Thos. Humphreys, Auckland, state that public and press were eulogistic us to the merits of the piece.

The biograph pictures of the fight between Burns and Squires at the Stadium, Sydney, a fow days ago, were shown, for tho first time in New Zealand, al Wellington Royal last Thursday evenii.g, and judging from the packed houses on the first turn nights the management are in for a good -season. In fact, the tour of the Dominion is an assured success.

Mr Harry Herbert, who has appeared with success as a, comedian on the Auckland amateur stage, has joined the theatrical profession, and appeared recently in the cast of "Zira” during Miss Margaret Anglin's season, in Sydney at Her Majesty’s. Mr Herbert has had excellent notices for such parts a.s Queckott, in the comedy "The Schoolmistress,” Charley in "Charley’s Aunt,” Sam Gerridy in "Caste,” and roles of that character. Before leaving Auckland he was entertained at a farewell concert, under th© patronage of ih© Auckland Savage and Orphan Ciube.

The new drama, "The Old Folks at Home,” to bo presented by the Meynell and Gunn management, for the first time in Australasia, at the Opera House next Thursday evening, is a work of the domestic tvne. written bv J. A. Campbell, a p'ominng young Engleh dramatist The pi y has strong emotional scenes, and the third act, away out on a cotton field in Virginia, with its plaintive negro me’odlos. and the gambols, songs and. dances of the little children ought to delight thoatre-goers as much as the famous Tin Can Band has done in "The Fatal Wedding.”

Mr Thomas Humphreys, of Auckland, will, in all probability supply the music for a new musical comedy which Air John F. Sheridan will produce.

The John F. Sheridan Company leave Auckland for Sydney on Monday, September 21sfc.

A dramatic version of Marl. Twain's popular story "Pnddin* Head Wilson.” so successful on the American stags for some years past, is about to be introduced to English playgoers.

Mr George S. Titheradge, whose welcome back to Melbourne on August 2£!nd is described ns magnificent, tells a very significant story of the troubles of an actor's life in America. An imnortant combination, which had the benefit of bis services, was regularly slave driven by tho actor-manager, who was the star. Rehearsals commence at half-past nine in the morning and go on without intermission until five, with a performance at eight to follow. The first dav Mr Titheradge was "called,'' he waited for the luncheon that wba apparently nover coming. At last, in despair, he went up to the star, and said:—"Moot here, I'm hungry, and going out for some food.” The star gasped with amazement, and so did the company. But Mr Titheradge went out. Tho same tiling happened on the second and again on the third day. tho star's look of pained and helpless surprise growing with each repetition. On the fourth day, however, a. notice was put up—“lntervai for lunch between one and one-thirty.” The company thereupon waited on Mr Titheradge ana thanked him for the "innovation” ho had brought about, and for which they hui themselves never had the pluck to ask.

Tins dainty imagination, quaint humour, and perfect charm of Mr J. M. Barrie’s fairy phantasy, "Peter Pan," has been the means of Sydney Theatre Royal being filled at every performance since the opening night Auguet 2«th.

Sir John Hare, who has just concluded his season at the Garrick Theotre, London, saya he has a distinct impreasion that he will not play in London again, “Plea/so understand, however," he oayg. "that thi* is merely an impreeeion; and if, after all, the long-lookcd-for play, contaiaing « suitable part for myself, ahould reach me, I certainly shall net hraitate to challenge fortune again. I am always open to consider plays, hue do wish dramatists would show a little discrimination in relation to the pieces they send roe. The other day I

received oao containing as much matter iirt a cu.reu-v<JiUtuo uo»vi, uc cxiar*Cter o-eiuz of a lunu Uu-aiiy uuto jbj iuouus auu personality. w aen aeice-d if viicro was any proapoot of ilia Ti*iuug America, ae replied taero oerumuy would Ue if do dad tne requisite material to go witu- “it la ail a iiueaiiod of piay, play, luayl" he explained.

A French play of extremely risque character caused a serious scene at tne Lluuy Theatre, i‘ariß, on a recent Sunday. Tuere were present many memixns of the BubUc Mortality League, m clud* mt several oiertyiuen, who sac out the lu-ot two ac»s oi me piny, i'heu one roto, and, turning to the audience, cried out louciy, “no* can you sit out such a disgraceful exhibition f" A general up rear followed, during winon the manasor camo to the front of the stage holding the nozzle of a nre-hoso, wmen ; no Uueatened to turn on too objectors. ; They held their own, however, for an hour, pcidug the lacsors and actresses with had eggu and tomatoes.

Miss Meredith Meredro has been engaged in London for ileynell and Uunn'e Christmas pxnion«ime, “ Cinderella. *’ Ui«s Mcrcdro, who is dcscribedas of extremely handsome appearance, and the possessor of a fine voice, took Ciuoemo Leighton's part of principal boy in the urury Lane pantomime last year. Mr Arthur Coilius has “lont” her lo.Meynell and Gunn for this production only.

“Mrs Wfes of tho Cabbage Patch" will shortly bo presented to New Zealand theatregoeris by a specially imported company, under tho management of Mr J. O. Williamson.

Mr Clyde Mcynell, at present in London, has secured for his firm from Mr ffobert Courtneidge, tho Australian and N©v Zealand rights of the comic opera “Tom Jones." the music of which, by Edward German, was an enormous success in England, where Miss Carrie Moore appeared in it and made a big hit. “Tom Jonfls” will ge added to the repertoire of Meyncll and Gunn's Comic Opera Company.

Just before leaving America for England, Lire Patrick Campbell discovered her head stage carpenter in a state of jubilation. Mrs Campbell caustically asked him whether ha thought that their "uccess was due to him. "Neither of us/' was his laconic reply—"a case of dog and tan-bark.” It must be explained that Mrs Campbell created a sensation in New York by having the road outside the theatre lined with tan hark in order to dcadon the sound of tho traffic, which jarred her nerves. Her pot dog "Pinkypan ky-poo" was a prominent feature in every interview'.

Mr J. C.. Williamson's "Brewster’s Millions” Company is at present tonring .Queensland. At this season of the year !i- trip ought to be a really delightful one.

The most popular creature in theatrical circle is "the ghost,” and the ghost is said "to walk" when salaries are paid. The credit for originating this phrase belongs to a company of English strolling s)layers, who, alihough their salaries had leng besn in arrears, were rehearsing ‘Hamlet.” The rehearsal progressed, but whgn Hamlet, referring to the ghost exclaimed. "Perchance 'twill walk again," that sordid spirit yelled back m'"illy. "No! I'm damned if the ghost walks any more until our salaries are paid.”

To appear at the London Palace seems to be the ambition of many prominent actors and actresses. The latest to sign a contract with Mr Alfred Burt arc *.iss Ellaline Terriss and-Mr Seymour Hicks, who have promised to appear there next a onth.

Miss Margaret Anglin Has # scored as big a success in Melbourne as in Sydney. Melbourne playgoers were not prepared for the utter revelation in tb© artistic handling of poignant emotions she dift; played in the thrilling passages of Henri Bernstein's powerful play, “The Thief." Throughout tho thole, of the strenuous second act, which begins with the most delightful light comedy and rises through climax after climax;, to a veritable whirlwind of dramatic power, they sat entranced, their feelings ever and anon, as tho tension lightened, finding cx±}i eufiion in storms of applause and culminating in a perfect furore as the curtain fell. Her Majesty's has never had a more enthusiastic and responsive audience within its walls.

Since the decay of the stock company system (savs “Britannia") the actor s art and the public tastes have alike deteriorated. Stage and auditorium have reacted on one another. The halls are swollen to huge dimensions, and musical comedy so effectually rules the theatrical roost that the Sacred Lamp mores like a will-o'-the-wisp from Temple Bar to Piccadilly.