THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13996, 31 August 1907, Page 14

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES

Br I'ASQDIK. PaiKCMS Theitsi. Po.lard's Opera Comp<my~Aug. 23 to Sept. 11. f;, Ge»ch ( Willoughby-W or J)—Oct. 7to 12. Allan 26 to Doc. 3 W. Anderson-Dec. 26, 1907, to Jan, 23, 1903'' ■Brough-Flemmiag Co.-Apri! 23 to May 6, 1008. Allan Hamilton-June 1 to 6, 1003. E. Gcach (Frank ThornkmJ-Juno 25 to July 1. 190 S. , Bland Holt-Nor. 23 (1903) to Jan. 2 (1909), Allan Hamilton-May 31 to June 5, 1909. Hia Majbbty's Theatre. Madame Albani—September 4 and 5. Grand Opera Co.—Sent. 25 to Oct 10 "Mother Goose" P&nto.-Oct, 12 to 34, Competitions Society—November 4 to 14. A. Hamilton (Maud Hildyardl—Nor. 16 to 20 YII Dec. 26,1907, to Jan. 10,1908 Allan Hamilton—January U to 18, 1908, West's Pictures—February 10 to 29, 1908. AJlau Hamilton—June 1 to 6, 1908. J. C. 'Willianison-Sept. 30 to Oct. 10 (1903). Rickards (Cmquevalli)—April 10 to 21, 1909 Allan Hamilton—May 31 to June 5, 1909. Alhaubra, ' ' ' Fullers'—Permanent.

Pollards Juvenile Opera. Company, winch commenced a Dunedin season at the. 1 nnoess Theatre on Thursday night, achieved a distinct success in the" performance of Bluebell' in Fairyland," and tho triumphs of the unique soason in Christchurch threaten to be repeated in this city, The company is a. particularly talented one, and provided suitable pieccs are obtainable t.hero is no reason why the company and all conneotcd with it slwuld not be in for a successful run in New Zea.land. On tho conclusion of the Dunedin season on September 11 tho Opera Co. proceeds to Inverrargill, after which one night will bo played at Gore, thence backto Timarn for September 19. Blenheim, the West Coast, and North Island "smalls" will follow, after which a return season will be played in Chriatchureh from November 23 to December 5. The first Wellington stason is booked for December 7 to 21, while the Auckland season comprises tho Christmas and New Year dates. A return season in Wellington from January 18 to February 5 will bring the New Zealand tour to a close. There is a suggestion that tho company go out to South Africa at tho termination of the Now Zealand tour, but nothing in that direction is at yet definitely decided. Alf Stephens, a clever member of Tom Pollard's Opera Company, was called away at short notice from "The Blue Moon" in Melbourne to play lehabod Bronson in "The 80110 of New' York" in Sydney. The ox-Pollard artist is' said to havo given the finest representation of the character since it was'played in Australia by W. L. Don, who. created tho part. It is not generally known that the members of Pollard's Juvenilo Opera Company, to the number of 54, aro insured in tho Oceanic Insurance Co. to the extent of £3000. This v/iso provision was the first thought and action of the management when the company was got together. Out of consideration for tho hard workami study which tho membere of Pollard's Juvenile Opera Company have undergone since tho Jormatioi) of "the company, the management has 'decided to give the juveniles a" genuine'treat w the shape of a picnic and drive in the-country. Brighton is the favoured.spot,'and drags havo been cngagod to convey, what will; certainly be a merry party of upwards of '60 to tho picnic ground.The catering arrangements are in excellent hands, and nothing has been forgotten which Will add in any way to the enjoyment of thjj outing. Altogether tho " Juveniles" are in for a splendid time, itnd they will come back brighter Mid tettec for ws.ir k ''

Sit Bprt Royle, who was liore as business manager of the Julius Knight Company, has returned to. his headquarters in Wellington as tho New' Zealand representative for Mr J. C. "Willia-meon, •

The management of the .Tulius Knight Dramatic Company has no reason to complain of the support accorded the company during the Duncdin season. The members of tho J.K. Dramatic Company departed by tho outgoing Melbourne, boat on Sunday. They aro due to open in Melbourne in "Robin Ilood" this (Saturday) evening.

While, passing through Gore last week I met tho one-time .theatrical manager George Stephenson. lie is looking exceedingly well, and in answer to a query stated that Core agreed with him. Asked if ho intended to enter the theatrical profession, again, the old-time manager replied emphatically in tho negative. Mr Walter Monk, who piloted the Julius Knight Company through New Zealand, has received orders to join the " Mother Goose" panto, company for a New Zealand tour. Mr Monk has already left for Auckland io join the company, which commences the N.Z. tour in the northern citv.

Mr Barrio Marschel and his clever wife $ro playing sketches in Invcrcargiil. A vaudeville company has been got together, including Harry Hart and Beresforfl and tho Eertotocs. A biograph also forms part of the entertainment. An effort is being niado to establish a permanent show in Invorcargill, awl tho venture is to be given a month's trial. If at the end of that period tho public show its appreciation of the efforts made to cater for their amusement, the company will continue, and negotiations will bo entered into for fresh artists from Australia.

In addition to 'Blue 801 l in Fairyland" : the Pollard Juvenile Opera Company will produce during the Dunedin season an American musical comedy, "His Highness tho Bey." The comijanv is at present rehearsing the new production, The Julius Knight Company have "Clandian" in rehearsal, with a view to its

early production in Melbourne. Should tho combination revisit Now Zealand this piece and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" will bo included in their repertoire. It. is authoritatively announced that Mr George Musgrovo and Mr William Anderson have arranged a working partnership for the product of standard comic opera. "Lea Cloches de Corneville" and "La Fillo de Madame Angot" will be two of the earliest productions. The company will be niade up in the colonies. Mr Walter Rivers, well known in theso

parts, advises per post-card from Nagasaki (Japan) that he lias beon touring Manila, China, and Japan on his way to America to join tho Orpheura Circuit. Mr Edwin Gcach arrives in "Wellington shortly to make arrangements for tho reappearance in New Zealand of the Wil-loughby-Ward Company. This will be tho farewell popular comedians. At the illeeting of tho Oamaru Borough Counoil there was some talk as to the dato upon which the new theatre is likely to bo opened. It was mentioned that all the contractors. were fully confident of being finished before the end of September.' To allow of a few days for putting things in order, it was. decided to hold the opening ocremony on the Bth October. The theatre is being freely booked by travelling companies, engagements having been niado for a number of nights beginning in October next, and extending over the whole of the succeeding year.' The latest bookings are by Mr Edwin Gcach, who has secured the Ist and 3rd- June for his dramatic com-

pany, and the 2nd July for Prank Thorn-

The new hall at Blenheim is now open for hire. It is seated with chairs and forms, and lighted with gas. The seating capacity of the hall is about lOCO, The acoustic properties are cxoellent. The stage is 42ft wide from wall to wall, and 31ft. deep, the proscenium being 23ft wide. Tho hall contains suitable scenery, including two interiors—viz., room and kitchen scene,—and two exteriors—viz,, wood scene and .garden scene—with wings to match. The dressing room accommodation ample and suitable. The eharges are: — Theatrical and opera companies, and stars, first night £5 10s; subsequent conseeutivo nights, other than special nights, at per night, £4 10s. After considerable success 011 the Conti-

nent, Miss Amy Castles has come back to London. She ha 3 been singing at Cologne, and also at the great Dutch holiday resort, Sclievening. Throughout, Miss Castles ha 6 had splendid receptions. Next week she will bo singing at Douglas, in tho l6le of Man. Her sister, Miss Dolly Castles, is shortly to be seen and heard in London, for at the end of the present month she is to take the principal part in the new musical play at the Gaiety Theatre, " The Girls of Gottonberg," Mi6s Dolly Castles has for some considerable time bcins undertaking prima-donna duty for the Williamson Company in Gilbert and Sullivan opera, 'Ih.o London County Council having banned living statuary, La Milo has protected against hiding her statuesque charms with tinsel, and incidentally mentions some of the methods by which living statuary is produced: "I am not the enamelled or white-washed Yenus a number of agitators imagine me to be. The imitators who have endeavoured to follow in my footsteps cmploy bismuth, Russian tallow, cocoanut oil, whiting, rice powdor, or chalk. Bronze ha 6 also bocoina popular, "for the reason that a perfectly-proporiioncd figure is unnecessary if bronze bo used. Tho glitter and tho limelight dazzle the audience and hide all defects."

While Madame Clara Butt, tho famous contralto, wjb singing at her farewell concert "Abide with me" and "Kathleen Mavourneen" a thunderstorm was raging, and tho lightning was playing all round, ono account stating that tho crashing of (ho thunder seemed to chime in with tho grand chords of tho organ, and tho extraordinary volume of the singer's voice only enabled hot l to ho heard above the elements. Madame Clara. Butt is inclined to bo superstitious. Tho whole party were to have started on Friday, July 19, but a letter from her secretary stated that she would not under any consideration sail on a Friday, and tho only way out of tho difficulty was for the entire party to proceed to Tilbury and beard the vessel the night before, so that Madame Clara Butt eould have the satisfaction of saying she did not start on a Friday. Few peoplo are aware that Maic Gibson, of Green and Gibson, tho sketch artiste who go so splendidly at the National, is the widow of tho lato Harry Cogill. Mrs Cogill (says Stageland) was left with a child and herself to support when poor Harry died eo untimely; but she nobly turned every cent her husband left over

to hie aged mother, in America, and came back home to faeo the battle of life. She thought out her own sketches, and took Mr Green into what is a purely business partnership, and the pair do a turn that would'be popular anywhere. Mr A, Cowan, who was reccntl.v in the doctor's hands, will manage the" tour •of the Willoughby-Ward Comedy Company whilst in New Zealand. Mr Cowan's illness was caused through an attack on "him by somo robbers, who probably thought he had th« takings of tho night's nerformanec on him.

The Tccently-formcd A r audeville Artists' Association has fixed £3 per week as the minimum wage for a single performer, £5 per week for a double feminine turn, and £6 a week for two men working together. If a vaudeville manager takes to paying mi dor these rates the association members refuse to appear at his theatre. Under this anangement the public is pretty sure to get a decent deal. A variety performer who isn't worth £3 per week to his manager is scarcely worth having on the programme.

t Mr Claude Whaite, Tec-ently representative of the Brough-Flemming Co., is novr connected with Miss Florence. Baine'o Comedy Company, now appearing at Sydney Palace. By the way, Claude Whaite forwards poster and programmes getting forth the virtues of "Miss Lancashire, Ltd." The late Joseph Jelferson used to enjoy telling, in his quaint way, of the sad case of a player in the old days. Business was dull, and the meagre receipts at the box office had resulted in a heavy reduction of salaries before the company had been out many weeks. One night, after the performance, the stage manager, who was also the leading man, took exception to the manner in which one of the players had interpreted a certain "death scene." "Why, ' exolaimed the 6tage manager, 'you actually smiled in that scone." "Yes," replied the player who had been rebuked, "in view of the salary that you now pay me. death seems a pleaiant relief." The Stage, prompted probably by Frank Thornton, says the longest Australian runs were made by him in the "Private Secretary," seven weeks; "Charlie's Aunt," nine weeks. P.uns of eight to ten weeks have been very common in both Sydney and Melbourne. "The Squatter's Daughter" has just run for 11 weeks at Sydney Criterion j but. tho longest Australian run in melodrama was made by "In the Ranks," with 18 weeks on end, - under the management of George Eignold in Sydney. In light opera, "Olivette" ran for about 16 weeks at Sydney Royal, and "Floroaora" just about tied tiiat 20 yeare later in Melbourne. As ior pantomime, "Mother Goose" ran recently for H weeks in Melbourr.e, and "Djin Djin'' ran for U weeks at Sydney Her Majesty's in 1897-93. George B'SWM' r»A til? .epgdy""C!9j»fi®TO"'.foj

nine weeks, and' Gilbert. Parker's drama of "Faust" for nine* I weeks <at Her Majesty's also; . } \ '

The prices chargc*! for admission to the performance of "Mjadamo U-attorfly". at 'C-ovont Garden, London, on .1 uiv.e 11.'were: Grand and pit tier bt\xes, 50gs cach; firet tier'boxes; •>3ogß each second tier boxes, 15gs eaoh; orchestra stalls,' figs each; bal-cony'stalls,-4gs each; jjallery (unreserved, pay at doors), 10s. A once popular English actress ha 6 passed away in the poreon of Mjs Geotgo Owen, who died at Leicester on Tuesday, Juno 4, at the advanced age of 81. Mrs Owen was the widow of a former lessee of ilie Theatre Royal, Leicester, and she', enjoyed' the friendship and respect of the Jjto Sir Henry Irving and Wilson Barrett, from whom she received many kindly letters. Tiio deceased lady was best known for her impersonation of Lady Isabel in "East Lynno*' and Leah in the drama of that name, STAGE GOSSIP. ' Hiss D&isio Coppin has arrived buck in Melbourne. ' Miss Amy Murphy is not in the east ot "Lady Mndcstip." Fuller's Entertainers are doing good business at tho Alhambra. Cassis Walmer and Fred Russell leave for England on September 31. Phil Bracy, after a long sojourn in England, is back in .Melbourne. ' "The Blt:o Moon" Co. has 11 Thrca Littto ' Maids " in active rehearsal. 1 Pollard Co. visit Invorcaigill at tie conclusion of the Duncdin teason. Mr Fred H. Graham and MjS3 Nellie Dent are showing at the Sydney Tivoli. ■ Barrie Marscbel is endeavouring to establish a permanent' show in Invereargill. King and Benson, Charleno and Cbarlone, leave for 'Frisco on September 28. Our old friend Albert Lucas is appearing at the National Amphitheatre, Sydney, Mies Mario Lloyd departs for America ' next month at a salary o! £500 per week. "Mother Goose" Pantomime Co. is tho next big production to visit 'New Zealand. The new theatre in Christohurch is Hearing completion, and will he ready in Novem'ber. . ' .Mr Richard 1 Stewart will manage the New Zealand tour of tlie " Mother Goose " Pantomime Co. Miss Alice Hollander, who was lately pky. ing in "My Darling," has returned to vaudeville. J - Mr Harry Mnsgrove is touring manager pi Mr George Musgrove's Gorman Grand Opera Com.paiiy. Most of the Tittell Bmne Co. will oppear in the coming production of "Brewster's Millions" at Sydney. The booking, for the "Wellington season of Mr George Muegrove'a Grand Opera Co. is a record ,one for the Empire City. The Sydney' University Dramatio Society iccently produced Bernard Shaw's smart one-act play, " The Man of Destiny." Allan Hamilton has added "Little Lord Fnuntleroy" to tho repertoire of his "Home, Sweet .Home" Co. for New Zealand. Mr Cnyler Hastings is the latest recruit tothe vaudeville stage. Ho intends to present' a sketch at ono ot iho New York balls. Go-Won-Go-Mohawk, an American Indian actress, recently completed her two thousand five-hundredth' performance in Great. Britain, j La Sylpho, the celebrated English musichall dancer, is' expected to finish an African tour and sail for Australia next, month. She will appear under Harry Rickards's management. Mr Frank- Fillis, the circus entrepreneurof South Africa, is about to float a company in the Band, for the erection of a hippodrome. Cyril Keightley lias been cast for the part of Henry Dallas, tho foolish young mau,.jn a London production •of " Tho Walls of Jericho." ... ■ ■ Miss Grace Palotta- is to bo tendered a monster farewell on the conclusion of the Willoughby-Ward-G-eacli season at Sydney Criterion. I Mr Edwin Geach will arrive in Wellington on September i to complete arrangements for the farewell tour of the Willoughby-Ward Comedy Co. •Mr Leader Williams,.-the well-known soenic artist, has done excellont-.worlc in "Bluebell ■ in Fairyland," now being . staged 'at the Princess Theatre. Will Percy, late of Tom Pollard's company, scored a great SUCOOS3 as the Polite Lunatic in a.recent revival of "The BeClc ot Now York" in Sydney. The Melbourne Bijou has boon booked by William Anderson for next Christmas. At Easter he will have attractions at both tlio Bijou and Princess's. A matinee ot the successful ertravaganzst "Bluebell in Fairyland" -is.to be given, by. Pollard's Juvenile Opera Company this afternoon at the Princess Theatre. Item- from a. West Australian ' dailyi- ' After inspecting the Swan (tho Yam. o! Perth) the members of the 'Mother Gooso' Co, were driven to Drake's Hotel!" Amongst_ the performers showing at the Sydney Tivoli just now ore Lox M'Lcon, Will Lochrane, Irving Sayles, George Bentley, Adrian 'Amedio, and Sam Lamert. ■ HrG. P. Carey, tho well-known ootor, was taken to'a. private hospital in Melbourne 1 a few days'-ago suffering from rheumatic fever. At latest advices he was progressing satisfactorily. " The Scarlet Pimpernel." which Mr Julius Knight will' probably produce in Sydney on his return : .visit, has attained its sixhundredth performance at the New Theatre, - London.

Mrs Brougli will, in ail probability, mate a. l>ri»f tour next year. Efforts are to bo made -to sccuro several members of tlio old B. and B. Co. to com© out from England to join lier,

It is hinted in English papers that Mr George Alexander may within a few years abandon the. stage. Tho eminent actor's ambition is to win a sea>t in the Houso. of Commons.

Julius Knight's particular hobby is sculpture. He has done some very fine work with' the chisel, and if " all. trades failed," cotf.d earn liis livelihood any day in this particular line of art.

Mr Gaston. Morvale has'joined the Harcourt Beatty Company, under Mesßrß M«ynell and Gunn's management, ar.d ho will henceforth stage .manage the productions of that, company.

After a season, at the Royalty Theatre, London, Scrah Bernhardt will roltirn to Paris to prepare a dromatio version of " Paust," in which she will appear. as llophistophcles.

Miss Minnie Everett, the clever ballet mistress, Iras left the firm of J. C. 'Williamson. Her husband, Mr "W. Rice, formerly with the same firm, has now joined Moynell* and Gunn's Oiclicstia,

Mr Oscar Asche and Miss Lily Brayton, who "were thinlang not long; ago of undertaking an Australian lour, nave leased Hi a Majesty's Theatre, London, and will appear there early in September. Miss Bijou Russell clo9cd her Australian season at Melbourne Opera House on August 23. Miss Russell is so enamoured with Australia that in all probability Bhe will bring OUt a company of her own in 1909. The leading minstrel organisation in America, the largest and best-—namely, John W. Yogd's Minstrel Show, 100 strong, ig coming over to take England by storm, and they will create a general liking for minstrel shows over there.

Miss Marie' I-ohr's mother. Miss Kato Bishop, was tho original Violet Melrose on the production of " Our Boys" at the London Vaudeville on January 25, 1871. Miss Bishop is now playing Lady Pontefract in "A Woman of No Importance." Tlio British Variety Artist's Federation has a membership of 451 G. Since it was founded 011 February 11, 1906, it ■ has received £2800 in subscriptions, £610 in donations, £429 in death levies, and £3963 in donations «nd strike levies—a total of £7602. . The latest sensation of New York is a motor car with a woman inside, which turns two complete somersaults in tho air bsforo bouncing upon a spring platform. Mdllo. Bergerot is the plucky woman who is tho first and only person to accomplish the feat. Air G-eorge Lauri took a well-earned rest Inst week, and did not appear in the cast of " The Bello of Now York," which brought tho Sydney season of the Royal Comic Opera Co. to a clqse. His part of Ichabod Bronson was taken by Mr Alf. Stephens, formerly of Pollard's Co.

Fanny Liddi&rd, once tho idol of Aug-ttftl-wian audiences, and one of tho handsomest and moat shapely ladies who ever graced a stage, lias resided in England for , many yeais, and been lost to us. Now I comes news thai she is coming back to join her mother in Melbourne. Mr Harry Eickards writes from London that he is now in splendid health, having recuperated during the voyage, and iB experiencing a busy time. He finds little mmcnlty, he .states, in securing artists, despii* the keen competition and rivalry of and American managers. ? or c ' r populations, I regard Auckland and Wellington as the most wonderful theatrical towns in the world, and I have been pretty well everywhere. You have only lo give public what thoy want, and excellent business can bo done every week of the year, says Mr Allan Hamilton. fcnd Mies Lily Darapier (Mrs Kolfe) aro resting in London, prior \r on Boucicault's Company. Mr Alfred Dampicr. by the way. who is living out in Paddington, has not been in tile best of _ health lately, and his many friends will join us in wishing tho popular actor a. speedy and permanent recovery.

"For years past," says Mrs Catherine Weeks, Bowra!, N.S.W., "I havo made it a point to always keep Chamberlain's Cough Remedy in my homo. Just as soon as any member of my family show svmp* toras of a cough or cold, I give them a dose, and it invariably checks tbo com* pljjDt/ 1 for, sale eyKyjvfyjfc

# Thus comedian Jack Eearns to a Stage'and •interviewer; "Aia I married? Bet your me; and to one ol the best little women in the business, My wife is Miss Ida Itoss.yn, who some yoars. ago,, acknowledged to bo one of the finest dancers in •tho profession. During tho past two years .she has been Testing, but at any time may get into harness."

M'iss Beatrice Day sailed from Sydney in tho Miltkdes, in order to assist Mr Flamming (who joined tlio vessel at Melbourne) to Bcloofc now artists in London for tho reorganised company, which is to appear at tho Princess Theatre, Melbourne, next Christdims. Mr Flamming is hopeful of, while in England, concluding negotiations for a visit to Australia of Mr H. B. Irvine and his' wifo (Miss Dorothea .Baitd). " Dan Leno, widow of the noted comedian, was married to Mr Charles Francis Best, a rising young comedian, on -Tune 2G. The ceremony took place at the registry office in Bruxton road, Loudon, in the presouco of a number of leading music-hall artists. It was at Manobestcr, in 1883, &ft«r a three years' engagement, that the la!o Dsn Leno married Miss Lydia-. Ileynolds, who was thon a. popular ballad singer in tho Mid'und Counties.

Cyril Mackay is a versatile mummer. Till bo came hero (says ail Australian writer) with tho WaklTon-Hnmphry Co., Australia did not know him. He played the Johnny character in "Tlio Squaw Man", his Lord Robert Urc was the best performance in tbo company's production of "Tlio Christian"; and lio shone as Steven in "Tho Virginian." Now lie has made, a bit in a singing part in "Lady Madcap," the latest musical comedy at the Melbourne Princess.

Mr Charles Manners, tlio famous bass, is oro'oably one of the finost amateur milliners living. For many years ho has trimmed all tho hats worn by his wifo, Mine. Fanny Moody, and so cleverly aro they " created" tlmt the prima- donna is constantly being asked for tho address in Paris of tho establishment whk-ih she patronises. Thcro is not tlio faintest traoo of tho amateur about tho efforts of Mr Manners, and the more difficult tho model to bo copicd the better pleased is lie. .

Mr J. C. Williamson, in the course ot a letter to his partners, received last week, wrote:—"l am sending you by mail tho in. strument that ip played on tho stage in tho opening chorus of 'Tho Girls of Gottcnburg.' They can only be got from ono placo in Germany, as they are a sort of Eastern European States barbaric instrument. Tlio way to play it is for the man to hold it by the stick, liit the instruments on tho ground and draw tlio little bow across tlio strings." Here are somo of Harry Rickards's latest engagements in London:, The Mollasso Quartet, whirlwind dance,rs, opening at Opera House, Melbourne; Price and Rcvost, coniedv acrobats. Sydney Tivoli, on Aiwisti 31; Five Whiteleys, ncrobat?, Melbourne Opera House, early in September; and La Sylphe, Continental danccr. Sydney Tivoli, at tlio end of that month. The most notabla are Price and Revost, whoso turn has been a big 'feature at the London " halls" . for some time.

Manager William Anderson*, is finding out that' Australian melodrama is a medium through which one may develop into a mil. lionairo (says "Gadfly"). "The Squatter's' Daughterooncocted by actor folk Bert Bailey and Edmund Duggan—recently finished an elsven-wceks' run in Sydney, which beats all drama records iii that city for 20 years. Tho onterprising William now intends sending the show touring under' canvas— a novel venture, which should .makeAnderson a brighter star in the theatrical firmament tlnm-ever.