PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7139, 28 May 1910, Page 8

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

HOOKINGS AND i’KNCXLLINGS. OX’LKA 11 OUSE, iln.v 19 to Jum- 3.-J. C. Williamson, tunc 9 to June- U.-.Mlan Uamiltou. .lujii; lij lo Jniy 2.—Vuc.’mt. July •! to July 2i.--«;iarli<! and Mcynell. July 2j to July .'/I. Varuiit. Aitttusl 1 to Aii-rust 13—IIits!) Ward. I'.'itro-l 1, to Auirii.,l Jl Vm-unt. .-i-iii.. 1 to So'-it,. M.--J, O'. Williamson, 0.-iu. l.i to Oct. b.— Vat-ant. (}•; 7 to (a-i. 2-i.-.1. 0. Williamson. 1/oi. lo Novi in licr Allan Ilarniltcm. 7.. V to Nov. 11.--Vacant. t-.'ov. ;t IK > /,*,•*• niUcr 21. -i-'rcd H. Graham. 100 to !n-'-. 23.—Vacant. Uv-r-'irir si, it is weeks’ season.—J. 0. TiIKATKL KOVAL. VamlLville (permanent). U!S ilA.)i-:.STV".S TXXEATUE. v> ipcrmanontJ. KINGS THEATRE. LMctures (permanent;. seating imnk. Every aileruoKii and evening. NOTES. (By “Lorgnette.”! it is hard to get the rank ami file of thcatrc-uo-Ts to anrireviato grand opera at anv nut, Imt judging hy the idicmmienul business done by tile .1. L. At iJll.i'lnson Grand Opera Company in Pueeliu s ■•loifSatlly” and •'lioheme.' dhm ejever orLouiisatiuu has scored in the light di ruction. "he po. in nuances <U both operas are in a class hy themselves. lb® out! lMl and I production of "Carmen,” which goes up this evening.

ns some that nave recently appeared at tills ci-sy tiieatre. though there arc several fine pertormers in tho ‘•nancli.’ Ihe usual change will lie given on Monday evening.

Thu theatre-going mid music-loving publie will lie plfiii'i d to know Unit hlgnor Itobertu ilii/.'ni has Biicxiaily requested Hr Alfred Kill to cnnilur.t next Wediund:ir ovminsr'H pefornnimio ol Alada.lll linttcrMy.’’ Sign..,- Uiwm is f devoted admirer of Mr Kill's conilioallions, mid consider-) that it is only a fitting tribute that ho should conduct m his native town ;ut opjra from tho pea ol one oi the modern world's greatest composers, it is staled that live various musical b> fifties Of WclUngtou arc eome to muster in strong form to give Mr Kill an enthusiastic reception.

Itr J. 0. Williamson’s Grand Opera Company will this evening prouuco Uoor-os Bizets "Carmen." In noticing the performance of the company in the opera m Bvdnev a lew nights ago the • iierald" says; —'The J. (J. Williamson Opera. Company again realised its high btimcLa.nl Carmen.” Not only did Mile. Bel Sorel sustain iicr reputation by both, singing and niaving the gipsy diameter with an audacity and passion, Irom which the touch ol animalism, which sometimes makes it bo revolting was happily absent: but the enscmnle " throughout was excellent. The ••patter" qumicto for the gipsies .n the second act. rendered with admirable vnacitv and neatness by Misses Sorci. -Ma.be Batchelor (Erasquib a), Bosnia Buckmanu w'rlercedca). Messrs Edward Wynn {il itemeudadoi and Rufus Ferguson (IL Dancairo) was emphatically encored. It is almost wit limit precedent that this quiuote should attract so much attendance, and it formed a genuine tribute to a remarkably good interpretation.- Ail the four artists who were concerned with Mile. Sorel sang and acted well, ami the two sopranos were also 'specially good in the "ara" duo. . . Mile. Bel Corel's success as Carmen supplied something of a surprise in regard to the voice, which, heard for the first time in purely mezzo-soprano music proved highly effective, it is true that, though the contralto passages were not strongly delivered, the timbre was always round an dagreeable. In appearance also the diva, who had not been suited by the costume of Mlmi, looked thoroughly Spanish and picturesque in the scarlet andn organe of the gipsy dress. Mr Fredrick Blarney, the dose of the cast, sang the "Flower Song," the finest piece of music in the work, with genuine sentiment. and showed dramatic spirit m the third act, where, however, many artists achieve a more vivid exhibition of rage and remorse. Altogether the tenor won ready acceptance with the house. Signor Antonio ZanelU, looked the part of Escamillo in. the emerald velvet and gold of the Toreador, and suing the favourite song with considerable success. The baritone has not a powerful voice, and his best work was in the duel scene, which was cleverly rendered, Bignorina Maria Pampari was inclxnend to hesitancy in the early part of the Letter •duet, in which her voice did not mingle readily with the tenor’s, but the grand opera aria. “1 said that Nought Should Affright me.” was delivered with admirable judgment, the sweet bird-like mezza voice, anad the penetrating intensity of the voice in the high passages, vastly taking the fancy of the audience. A repetition had to be granted. Mr Ormo Darvall, a capital actor with a remontant bass voice, bavo more than usual importance to Zuniga, and Mr Ferguson Allen was of good service as Morales.

Mr flush. J. Ward ami his company of comedians, produced “The Girl from Rector's” at tho Princess Theatre, ‘Melbourne, on Saturday, May 14th. The initial production of this New York success created a sensation. Tho theatre was packed from floor to ceiling, and the enthusiasm was unbounded, so much so that tho nirtain had to he raised many times at tho conclusion of each act. At tho conclusion of tho performance, the performers were cheered to the echo, the stage being literally covered in flowers, which were handed up by the numerous admirers of tho la fl fea of the company. The piece will be Mr Ward’s opening'production in his forthcoming New Zealand tour, and, judging by the pleasant recollections the public have of Mr Ward's last visit, a hearty welcome must assuredly wait for this clever and talented company of comedians.

Miss Beatrice Day, last her© with the Junius Knight company, and previously with the Brougk-r'iemniing company, will shortly appear in New Zealand again as equal "star'' with Harry K. Roberts, in Hall vJainc's play ‘‘Pete.'’ under the management oi (Jtarke and JUeyncil. Miss Day, who will Impersonate the part of Kate (Jrcgeen, is well and favourably known to theatregoers throughout the Dominion, and can assuredly look forward* lo hearty receptions from her Region of friends in every town tho company visits.

Lovers of pictures lire petting a surpeit of good things at the King's Theatre this week. It would ho difficult to name a picture shown that is not a "star” one. Business continues good at this fine picture palace.

Those who know Allan Hamilton personally will be concerned to hear that the genial and usually stalwart partner in the Mag wel 1- U am i iton melodrama company, which onens at the Opera House next Saturday evening, and several other theatrical ventures of importance, has been seriously ill, and after undergoing two severe operation# very lar from completely- convalescent. though the latest news is better and more hopoml. Mr Hamilton deserves well of New Zealanders, for (says ‘‘Deadhead*’ in the "Auckland Star") in the days of the war. when touring the Dominion with Uobert Brough as business manager, confident and secretarial factotum .for ho wrote all Broughs letters), ho threw himself heart and soul into Ihc various benefits mven by the evor-generous comedian. On hia shoulders fell the bulk of the extra work, and tlio whole of the organising which those extra performances necessitated. U is worth recalling that, for these benefits Brough paid personally all salaries and expenses to stake hands, and thus gave large out-of-pocket sums, besides the loss oi the i'lso to t'i-K) which a performance such as that of "Dandy Dick*' <which was the play given) would. in ordinary course, have brought into the treasury. In everv benevolent scheme Brough had Hamilton’s cooperation and loyal assistance. V/uereforo lot us all wish Allan a speedy restoration | to health. 1

Hiss Katherine who shortly tours .New Zealand with me Julius Knight company, has had sonic travelling to do since bhe came to Australia, her last little trip —from Adelaide to Brisbane via Ballarat and Geelong—aggregating about 15G0 miles bv rail and sea. But she admits taht an eh jaunts arc not a circumstance to those ahe has enjoyed in the United States. One spring recently, after a season in New York. Hie company of which she was tho lead, went on a tour of seven weeks’ duration, and they lived on the railway line all the time. They had their own ppeem l train and they slept and ate. only leaving it. in fact, for the performance. They visited fortytwo towns in seven week?—surely a record even for America. Then the strenuous life appeared at rehearsal. The ordinary, three,

or four hours hold non terrors, hat Miss Grey ispeaks of thirty-six hours, "But then it was with Beia.-:co/’ site told an interviewer. “He knows no tired reeling und no ouo with him is over aliiictcd with it.”

in noticing the hi'c-t production in Auckmmi oi "V.umcJi and Vv'mo, ' at iUo iuajuAti'a 'liiCvtuc. Lite •iiori.ua" auy»Tno coinoiiialion scioccoU oy Messrs iihan juuiuuon and uu;; Maxwell to pieseut lo xva.'iLi uiiioian uuuionccs meiouramaa i rom uiu repertoire ol a.ir uianu Boil appearea .or Ujo time in .\cw Zeuiaua at lib .-.l *je*iy s inoaue iaM ingnl. 'inure was a mrge aiiouaunce «i playgoers eager lor the CAjioeioii liiiiu. liioy wore not wiMippOiiiu* u. "women and wine," m which mo company opened, i.- an old-time iiieio-uraniaiic piece oi ine .ijiioaLlonai Lype. 1L n»..j L- 1

uo wii.li a yodi.g gcjiutiiian, wlio, liring ui n ciiiuitry e.n.;am:o wiin a mind lather ana a v.i.-je iiti.e ov-ccijiCvirl, to 'V-*e ‘fe. ' He iirocue.wf, to \m so in Paris, 'in.is wheiC ij./'.ii Uiu wimnin ami the wine meiiLiu.icd m the title nic termer

is no lady, ana the uuier i.-, alt too strong ior the uiiaguiucii young gentleman';? head. Uac oan reaouy imagmo die consequence ol his ovei-iroe indulgence in the liquor and ills repi eiicnsimo trilling vilu me h j.-.e lemaic. ihe alter eliects aio it’diuiui, culminating indued in a cuargo of /iiuraer, from whicu our young Irumd iius some • tuu< ally in clearing himself. however, true to convention, all ends happily, and it .sound moral is impianteU m the minds 01. eye-witnesses. Burmg the working out of tne plot a succession of startling situations arise, none more euocUial tnan me duet oetwoen two women in tne third act. Gruesome and reaii.sUe as this scene is, tneie can lie no doubt about it.? power to excite the interest <u theatregoers, it is the climax, and a ‘strong one at that. The play is mounted well, pernups tile finest stage selling being me ilower market scene m which tilts tragic lignt takes place. .Ur .Max .Maxwell, as Uie ea-ay-ied "iiePo," plays lorceluiiy. Miss Beatrice Holloway is a plaintive l.title figure as tlie lierome. her appealing manner making her hosts ot friends out ueyund the footlights. Tho adveninaress, Marcel, u played with lire and ahandon hy r.uss Ae*ue Strong, and a similar role is quite forcefully enacted hy Miss Vera itemee. Imjoyai>le enaraccerisations are given hy MiiS Muriel J)alo and Messrs Charles Brown and Sydney de Vino in the light comedy parts. The three arc, indeed, refreshingly amusing for the most part, though some oi their lines might be modified, iliero is, by the way. a baby in tho play which would be better in bed. IMr S. A. Fitzgerald gives a clover sketch of a low Parisian type drawn hy tlie author on somewhat revolting 'iue:n Other chief parts are portrayed by Messrs Godfrey Cass. Wallace il. liilcy, Ricnard Beilaha, John Bruce and Mins Mabel Bus-

The cablegrams have From time to time told u.s of the progress of .Miss Nora Long fstage name D'Argcl) in her studies at Home and in Europe. Her latest engagement as principal soprano for the Lyons winter opera season shows what experts think of her voice. Miss Long is a daughter of the late Mr Charley Long, commercial traveller, well known in Wellington. She wan horn in Dunedin, ami on coming to Wellington was placed in St. Mary's Convent, in this city, where she received her earlier training. On the death of her father, the prosnects of a bright career with her vocal gifts, induced her to

MISS NORA LONG. (Stag© Name, D’Aj’gel),

go to Sydney. There she studied for a lime under Signor Roberto Hazon, conductor of Mr J. 0. Williamson’s Grand Opera Company. Subsequently she went to England, and then to Paris, where Bouhy trained her for grand opera. Miss Long quickly climbed the ladder of lyric fame, and last year appeared with great success at Nice as Marguerite in "Faust, La Ueine Margaret in "Les Huguenots, and Hilda in "Sigura." Recent Home and foreign papers contain flattering criticism of her singing.

Though only playing a "thinking part in "Madam' Butterfly” Valarie Mason, who portrays Trouble. is a dainty mite that has won the hearts of all and sundry who have witnessed Puccini’s lyric tragedy as done by the J. C- Williamson grand opera company. Valarie, who is only three years and four months old. was chosen from quite a host of other children as the one to lit idle bill. There are three of the Mason family now engaged hy tho J. C- Williamson managementt viz.. Valarie. Kitty (Michael m Peter Pan’”) and Nancy, who visits the Dominion

with the pantomime "AHadin” shortly. Nancy is the eldest of the three, being eight years old. Yet she has already appeared in "Tbc Dairymaids," "Blue Bell,” "Humoty Dumpty," “Mother Goose,” ‘Jack and Jill." "Havana,” the Tittell Brune production of “Peter Pan" and several other pieces.

On Wednesday evening next the J. C. Williamson Grand Opera Company will produce "Madam Butterfly" for the last time during tho season, with Mias Amy Castles in the title roic, and Mr Arthur f f rxno as Sharple&s. A word to the management: Why not present Mr Frederick Blarney in the character of Pinkerton, and thereby let us have the principal chara-otcrs in Puccini's lyric tragedy interpreted by English artists? Fancy listening to Puccini’s lyric tragedy with tho following principals:

Madam Butterfly Amy Castles Suzuki Bosnia Buckmann Kate Pinkerton Florence Quinn F. B. Pinkerton Frederick Blarney Sharpless Arthur Crane Goro Edwin Wynn Prince Yamadori Rufus Ferguson The Bonze Orme Darvall Imperial Commissioner Clifford O Keefe Tho Official Registrar John McGowan Oho-Cbo-San's Mother ... Lillian Barrington Her Aunt Lizzie Jamieson Her Cousin Lillian Boauas Trouble Valeric Mason Conductor of Orchestra Mr Alfred Hill

Truly, an all-Australasian cast, with tho exception of Mr Blarney, who is an American, therefore he is one of us. it Is I think, worth while the management giving "our own" a chance to show what they are made of.

Dr Charlea A. E. Harris, the Canadian musician, who is promoting the bhetbeld Choir’s visit to Australia and New Zealand, recently gave two prizes for the best chorus description of the Imperial sentiment, to be sun" on Empire Day this-year. There were 31 competitors, and the first prize. of £53 was secured by Mr Percy Iletcher, whilst Dr Cuthbert Harris obtained the second, of £2O. An Empire chorus composed by the donor of the prize \yas sung at tho Empire Day celebrations m England last year.

One of the best patronised amusement resorts of Wellington at the present time is the Skating Kink in Vivian street Tho Messrs Fullers' have got everything m -’nnle-pie order for their patrons, anti the floor apace is fully occupied at every ses-

The following is the itinerary for the

From the "Graphic.” HE SAW THE COMET TWICE. Halley's Comet is said to appear but once in the life of the ordinary individual, but Mr Thomas Wool ford, of Cambria street. Nelson, has seen it shining in the heavens on two occasions, a distinction that few people can claim. Ho is also ono of the few who have lived in six reigns, Air AVooll’ord is still halo and hearty at 97 years of ago, and can remember very well the death, of George 111., and was in London .when tho Coronation of .Queen Victoria took place,

THE LATEST PORTRAIT OF LADY ISLINGTON Photo by Mdm, Lallie Charles, Curzon street, Mayfair, \V.

last six nights of the Wellington season of the J. C. Williamson Grand Opera Company:— ,S atn relayCtirm en.' ’ Monday—“ Carmen.” ■ ‘ae-.uay —"La Bohcino.” , Wednesday—" Madame Butterfly/' Thursday—"Carmen.’’ Friday—"La Bolicrne.” The Fullers arc undoubtedly giving one of their best programmes at Ills Majesty's this week. Tho series of pictures t.hov.ll nro of such a nature that a variety of tastes catered for. Tho incidental music and effects are also quite up-to-date. Mr Fred H. Graham, the well-known comedian, has already engaged his company for a tour of the Dominion, which opens in September. Amongst the engagements made include two Jeading people from the Oscar Asdic Company, at present m Australia, three English importations. Mrs George Lauri and several others. Altogether Mr Graham has got together more than a capable company. with a- repertory of new farcical comedies, which include "Tho Brixton Burglary.” "The New Divorce/* V' l ’* lo Commercial Travellers/’ and “The First Fighters.” Mr George Stephenson will act as business manager. Some rears aero a fine old actor, Grattan ‘itiggs (“The Irish Detective”) was called to his rest on the West Coast of Tasmania, and a little time back attention was drawn to the fact that his grave was in a sad state of neglect. The famous portrayer of Irish character had friends in distant lands, and intimation has just come to hand from the Order of Elks of the United States, that it is intended to place a memorial'on the grave of the late Grattan Higgs, at Strahan. Tho actor was a member of tho Order of Elks. STAGE GOSSIP. The Phil Walsh dramatic company is at present touring tho West Coast. The George Marlow dramatic _ company is doing good business in Dunedin. ~ J. C. Williamson s pantomime Aiaddin company is at present showing in Brisbane. Fortune smiles at some vaudevme performers, while it only gives the others the laugh. ■ .. . , e ■ Mdlle Antonia Dolores sailed from San Francisco for Sydney a lew days ago. The Royal Comics opened another Melbourne season last Saturday evening with "A Waltz Dream." , . Mr William Anderson will this evening revive the Australian drama “Thtinderbolt at the Kings,. HolbourAo. “This audience/’ murmured the comedian, ■who wan -deputising for a popular lavourito, "leave no turn unstonod.’’ Hr W. A. Low, late ol tho Pollards, will shortly return to the Dominion as treasurer of the Hugh .1. Ward comedy company. The Scarlet Troubadours were passengers by the Medic tor South Afr ca, which sailed from Melbourne a few days ago. Mr Fred Duncan, late treasurer for Bland Holt, is now installed as permanent manager ot West's picture show in Auckland. An American manager lias sot aside all th° seats on one side of the lower :.loor of his theatre for women who desire to keep on their hats, if tliis does not remove headgear. what will? , _ , Messrs P. R. Dtx and Baber have reopened the King’s Hall, Newcastle, with a novel programme entitled "Humour, Art and Harmony.’’ Tho vocalists included Miss Lorraine Tansley. _ Mr James Matheson. recently with tho Besses o’ th’ Barn Band, lias joined the advance' staff of hte Hamilton-Maxwell dra. matic company, which opens at the Opera House on Saturday, June 4tli . . , Mr Martin Ford, who acted in the la.to Mr George Cnppin’s theatrical companies, ha-s passed away at Fitsroy. Melbourne, at the ago ot 70 years. He loaves a widow and ten sons and two daughters. At Oovent Gar 'en. London, they are relaxing the unwritten law as to evening drc=s for the operatic season, the only rule that will bo vigorously enforced being that reoniring women to remove their hats. The Hugh J. Ward comedy company will open its tour of the Dominion at Invercargill on June 2,lth with "Tile Girl from Hector's ’’ Other nieces in the repertoire will be "Vivian’s Papas" and possibly “Mr Hopkinaon/* The eleven ■weeks’-run of the Clnrke ana Moyroll production of “The Arcadians” at the Melbourne Royal is now a.nnrnachmg the end, the last six nights haying boon announced of tins delightful nms cal P a v , which will shortly be staged in New Analand -on the mine complete scale as the ifplhourne production. Foolsiicad, a well-known character in comic Vograph films, and one of Bailie Frc-e’s best comedians. wa= drowned a few weeks ago while enacting a scene for a new picture. Ti-cre have been mnto a number of “Foolshoad comedies shown in the Dominion during tho past few month-. - At the c'osc of the Wellington isenson of the J. d, Williamson grand norm, ronmany the following tour w'l he undertakenMosterton June 4: Y\ anganni. June 6-7: Palmerston North. Juno 8-9: Hastings .T-me 10: Napier, June 1 1 -1-: Glphorne. June ,1-17; Auckland. June 20-Julv 2: Dunedin, July 6-17: Christchurch. July 13-20. Tim Julius Knigbt-Ka thermo. Gror enmnanv arc doing fine business in Hertnev hist now with Charles Klein’s powerful f j ,,, ., "The Third. Degree-* The pie,-e is of snecial interest at present, in view of the recent accounts which have appeared in the papers regarding this torturing method of evtorting eo” f ess,ons r rom posed criminals, and in the leading roles Mr Julius Knight and Mi=s Grey are most effective and compelling.