THE THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8776, 4 July 1914, Page 10

THE THEATRE

(By “OrphconisL”) An unrehearsed scene at a special mivtiuee given an His Majesty's Tueatre, London, in am of the King George pension fund lor actors and actresses- ivas tno none of three silly suffragettes. The, piece chosen for the occasion was “Tho Silver King,” with an “all-star’ cast, and tho King and Queen were present accompanied by Princess Mary, and attended by Lord Horschcll, Lady Mary Trefusis, and Lord Charles JS'ainm. They were received at the Loyal enclosure to the theatre by Sir John Haro, Sir Squire Bancroft, Mr Arthur Bourchier, Sir George Alexander, and Mr \V. H. Kendal, trustees of the fund; among the audience being many distinguished persons. As soon os the curtain rose a woman, quickly followed by another, got up at the back of tho stalls and snouted repeatedly in the direction ot the King’s box, “You ilussiau Czar!" Tho orchestra immediately began to play, aim there was a rush of detectives in the direction cf the women, one of whom ivas at once carried out. Tho other woman, however, had chained herself to 'the seat, and it was impossible to remove her until some twenty minutes later. In the meantime she was held prone upon the seat by detectives, but just as they managed to got her free she began to shout, '‘ilclca.su Mrs Panldiurst!" A detective put his- hand over her mouth, and very shortly after managed to get her away, and she was forced out into the street. * While the chained woman was being released and remained silent, anothei suffragette sprang suddenly from the orchestra and appeared on tho stage. Sho was a palo-loolung person, apparently very nervous, and had scarcely uttered a sc uu<L before two or three men in their shut sleeves rushed from the wings and carried her bodily out. A "Motherhood Matinee” was given at tho London Globe Theatre on June Uth in aid of tho Women's League of Service. The performers were headed by Oscar Ascho and Lily Brayton, who lent the theatre, -which for over 400 performances has recently been devoted to the production of “Kismet.” Kubelik recently appeared with Sir Henry Wood's orchestra at the Albert Hall, having as vocalists Alice Verlot (soprano) and Vladimir Rozing (tenoi from the St. Petersburg Opera House.) It has now been* arranged that tho New Zealand tour of Harry Lauder shall open at. Invercargill on August 17th instead ot at Auckland, as originally, arranged. This is to enable return seasons to be played in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and one or two other Australian centres. • «;• <♦ ♦> Paderewski, the famous pianist, will revisit New Zealand and Australia, beginning m April next year. ❖ *> , Tho proposed tour of Mr Fred Niblo and Miss Josephine Cchan will open in the Wellington Grand Opera House on August Sth. The season will extend over eleven nights. This will bo Miss Cohan’s first visit to New Zealand. Miss Ethel Dane, tho English comedienne, who will soon make her appearance under the Beaumont SmithLouis Meyer management with “The Glad Eye” and other London comedy suci e«ses, is a native of Adelaide. Her success as “Kiki,” the chic little milfiner, was one of the outstanding features of the original “Glad Eye” production in the world's capital. Since Miss May Congdon, who will soon be seen here as tho leading lady in “Mr Wu,” loft Australia, she has had much experience in America (and Africa. She has a good dramatic- record in England, which embraces a period as loading lady with Edward Oomptcn, and a special starring engagement at Drury Lane. Reynolds Denniston, who was 'taken so seriously ill at Kalgoorhe some time ago, has made his reappearance with the Williamson management in Sydney in “Sealed Orders.” The Australian Opera League, which exists with the intention of helping Australian composers, intends to inaugurate its first season in Sydney cn August 3rd, with “Pierette,” by Mr Fritz Hart, and “Giovanni.” by Mr Alfred Hill. The cast will include Miss Florence Young and Mr Reginald Roberts. - Professor Marshall Hall has removed lumself from Melbourne, and is now producing his singing drama “Stella” at the London Palladium Tho plot deals with modern Australian life, and the piece contains a clergyman, a Mayor, a hospital nurse, a ycung Radical doctor, a “Society Purity Society,” and a merry group of Australian picnickers, who disport themselves to a particularly lively valse. The “libretto” consists ot a sort of rhythmical prose, from which all ornament and unnecessary verbiage have been excised. But to the semblance of ordinary everyday language, which is the result of this dispensing with the methods of poetry; the music gives an undercurrent of emotional interest, and reveals what is passing m the minds of the persons of the drama. David Devant, tne London magician, long of the Egyptian Hall took part in a wonderful programme of entertainment given on hoard the Aquitania prior tc her sailing on her mai den voyage- Miss Vesta Tilley declined a week’s important engagement in order not to be prevented appearing at tho “God-speed” send-off to tho great liner. Tho other performers included George Roney, Barclay Gammon, Violist Essex, The Grotesques, Arthur Prince, and Tiller’s “Sunshine” Girls Strauss has now produced “Joseph" in operatic form in Pans. Acording to the correspondent of tho “Stand ard,” tho general impression is thai the music is rather disappointing after the electrifying scores of “Salome” and other works, and though the orchestration is admittedly very fine and masterly as a whole, the opera lacked the impulsive force and riot of expression which were expected, being rather a succession of symphonies on tho themo of innocence and purity, beautifullly smooth and sweet, hut without virile intensity and fibre. Tire airs dotted here and there tc be danced instead ot sung were also judged to bo scarcely up to the anticipated standard. From the ballet point of view also “Joseph” is voted inferior in every respect to “Sheherazade,” and the predominance of the masculine element did not meet with favour. Mr. Joseph Bradley, conductor of the Sydney Royal Philharmonic Society, advocates an Australian national orchestra to visit the principal cities of the Commonwealth and many

inland towns. He is sanguine enough to suppose that, if well-managed, it could be made self-supporting. Miss Kura Kcnnell, contralto, who is reported to have made a successful first appearance in Londou, is a native of Grey mouth, hut spent most of her life in Christchurch, where her father was an inspector of schools. She is now studying under Madame Amj Sbcrwin,